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Atom Egoyan's haunting adaptation of the Russell Banks novel The Sweet Hereafter was the Canadian filmmaker's most successful film to date taking home a Special Grand Jury Prize at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival and scoring a pair of Academy Award nominations including Best Director. Restructured to fit Egoyan's signature mosaic narrative style the story concerns the cultural aftershocks which tear apart a small British Columbia town in the wake of a school-bus accident which leaves a number of local children dead. Ian Holm stars as Mitchell Stephens a big-city lawyer who arrives in the interest of uniting the survivors to initiate a lawsuit; his maneuvering only drives the community further apart reopening old wounds and jeopardizing any hopes of emotional recovery. Like so many of Egoyan's features The Sweet Hereafter is a serious and painfully honest exploration of family grief; no character is immune from the sense of utter devastation which grips the film not even the attorney whose interests are in part motivated by his own remorse over the fate of his daughter an HIV-positive drug addict.
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Atom Egoyan 's haunting adaptation of the Russell Banks novel The Sweet Hereafter was the Canadian filmmaker's most successful film to date , taking home a Special Grand Jury Prize at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival and scoring a pair of Academy Award nominations , including Best Director. Restructured to fit Egoyan 's signature mosaic narrative style , the story concerns the cultural aftershocks which tear apart a small British Columbia town in the wake of a school - bus accident which leaves a number of local children dead. Ian Holm stars as Mitchell Stephens , a big - city lawyer who arrives in the interest of uniting the survivors to initiate a lawsuit ; his maneuvering only drives the community further apart , reopening old wounds and jeopardizing any hopes of emotional recovery. Like so many of Egoyan 's features , The Sweet Hereafter is a serious and painfully honest exploration of family grief ; no character is immune from the sense of utter devastation which grips the film , not even the attorney , whose interests are in part motivated by his own remorse over the fate of his daughter , an HIV - positive drug addict.
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With Breaking The Waves director Lars von Trier fashions an often disturbing tale of the singular power of love. Bess (the Oscar-nominated Emily Watson) is a naïve borderline simple young woman who lives in a Scottish coastal town ruled by the religious doctrine of its council of elders. Recovering from a mental breakdown caused by the death of her brother Bess marries a rough yet compassionate and attentive oil rig worker named Jan (Stellan Skarsgård). For a brief time the couple enjoys peaceful wedded bliss with the worldly Jan introducing Bess to the mysteries of sex. Jan must soon return to his job on the rig however where he is paralyzed from the neck down in a freak accident. Bess' emotional trauma over Jan's injury turns into obsession as she prays to God for his recovery and offers to do anything to have her husband back whole. Jan constantly medicated and profoundly depressed asks Bess to have sex with other men and tell him about it thinking this will allow her to return to a normal life. Bess on the other hand sees it as an expression of her devotion to Jan that even God won't be able to ignore. Bess' resultant downward spiral leads to a finale of both tragedy and spirituality. Breaking the Waves is widely regarded as one of the most distinctive European movies of the 1990s marking von Trier's movement toward his influential Dogma 95 school of filmmaking which emphasizes realistic situations of contemporary life filmed without background music and with a hand-held restlessly moving camera.
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With Breaking The Waves , director Lars von Trier fashions an often disturbing tale of the singular power of love. Bess ( the Oscar - nominated Emily Watson ) is a naïve , borderline simple young woman who lives in a Scottish coastal town ruled by the religious doctrine of its council of elders. Recovering from a mental breakdown caused by the death of her brother , Bess marries a rough yet compassionate and attentive oil rig worker named Jan ( Stellan Skarsgård ) . For a brief time , the couple enjoys peaceful wedded bliss , with the worldly Jan introducing Bess to the mysteries of sex. Jan must soon return to his job on the rig , however , where he is paralyzed from the neck down in a freak accident. Bess' emotional trauma over Jan's injury turns into obsession as she prays to God for his recovery and offers to do anything to have her husband back whole. Jan , constantly medicated and profoundly depressed , asks Bess to have sex with other men and tell him about it , thinking this will allow her to return to a normal life. Bess , on the other hand , sees it as an expression of her devotion to Jan that even God won't be able to ignore. Bess' resultant downward spiral leads to a finale of both tragedy and spirituality. Breaking the Waves is widely regarded as one of the most distinctive European movies of the 1990s , marking von Trier 's movement toward his influential Dogma 95 school of filmmaking , which emphasizes realistic situations of contemporary life , filmed without background music and with a hand - held , restlessly moving camera.
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Tim Robbins' second directorial effort (after the political satire Bob Roberts) was this drama based on a true story which explores the issue of capital punishment. Sister Helen Prejean (Susan Sarandon) is a nun and teacher living in rural Louisiana. One day she receives a letter from Matthew Poncelet (Sean Penn) who is scheduled to be executed soon for the rape and murder of two teenagers. After meeting Matthew Sister Helen agrees to serve as spiritual counselor and see what she can do to stay the execution. However Matthew's claims of innocence seem shaky at best and it's clear he's a reprehensible amoral racist. When it becomes obvious that Matthew's sentence will be carried out Sister Helen offers what comfort she can to Matthew but also tries to guide him to an open admission of the extent of his crimes and an acceptance of divine forgiveness telling him "I want the last face you see to be the face of love." Susan Sarandon won an Oscar for her performance as Sister Prejean and Sean Penn was similarly nominated for Best Actor as Matthew.
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Tim Robbins ' second directorial effort ( after the political satire Bob Roberts ) was this drama based on a true story , which explores the issue of capital punishment. Sister Helen Prejean ( Susan Sarandon ) is a nun and teacher living in rural Louisiana. One day , she receives a letter from Matthew Poncelet ( Sean Penn ), who is scheduled to be executed soon for the rape and murder of two teenagers. After meeting Matthew , Sister Helen agrees to serve as spiritual counselor and see what she can do to stay the execution. However , Matthew's claims of innocence seem shaky at best , and it's clear he's a reprehensible , amoral racist. When it becomes obvious that Matthew's sentence will be carried out , Sister Helen offers what comfort she can to Matthew , but also tries to guide him to an open admission of the extent of his crimes and an acceptance of divine forgiveness , telling him "I want the last face you see to be the face of love." Susan Sarandon won an Oscar for her performance as Sister Prejean , and Sean Penn was similarly nominated for Best Actor as Matthew.
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The concluding chapter in filmmaker Krzysztof Kieslowski's "Three Colors" trilogy Red stars the luminous Irène Jacob as Valentine a young student and fashion model who befriends a bitter former judge (Jean-Louis Trintignant his character a proxy for Kieslowski himself). Their accidental meeting is just one of the many chance encounters woven through the narrative fabric of this feature the most accomplished effort in Kieslowski's highly ambitious series. Like its predecessors Red corresponds to a color of the French flag as well as the color's symbolic attributes. The subject here is fraternity and indeed its central characters are all closely connected their destinies locked on a collision course. The film's final scene even ties up the trilogy by bringing together the protagonists of the other features.
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The concluding chapter in filmmaker Krzysztof Kieslowski 's "Three Colors" trilogy , Red stars the luminous Irène Jacob as Valentine , a young student and fashion model who befriends a bitter former judge ( Jean - Louis Trintignant , his character a proxy for Kieslowski himself ) . Their accidental meeting is just one of the many chance encounters woven through the narrative fabric of this feature , the most accomplished effort in Kieslowski's highly ambitious series. Like its predecessors , Red corresponds to a color of the French flag , as well as the color's symbolic attributes. The subject here is fraternity , and indeed , its central characters are all closely connected , their destinies locked on a collision course. The film's final scene even ties up the trilogy by bringing together the protagonists of the other features.
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A Hong Kong fast food restaurant acts as the link between two unusual stories of police officers in love in this eccentric stylish comedy-drama. Director Wong Kar-Wai plays freely with traditional narrative structure dividing his film into two loosely connected segments. The first centers on a depressed cop struggling to come to terms with a recent break-up. His sad isolation is transformed when he encounters a beautiful mysterious femme fatale whose involvement with the criminal underworld proves troublesome for both. The second story explores the odd relationship between a female restaurant worker and another recently jilted police officer. The strange woman decides to regularly clean and redecorate the man's apartment in his absence allowing the two to form a close intimacy without meeting face to face. Both stories present a beautifully atmospheric look at modern urban life and romance with its combination of isolation and casual unexpected meetings. Chungking Express came to the attention of American audiences thanks to the efforts of director Quentin Tarantino whose own brand of fractured storytelling and urban cool owes a debt to Wong Kar-Wai.
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A Hong Kong fast food restaurant acts as the link between two unusual stories of police officers in love in this eccentric , stylish comedy - drama. Director Wong Kar - Wai plays freely with traditional narrative structure , dividing his film into two loosely connected segments. The first centers on a depressed cop struggling to come to terms with a recent break - up. His sad isolation is transformed when he encounters a beautiful , mysterious femme fatale , whose involvement with the criminal underworld proves troublesome for both. The second story explores the odd relationship between a female restaurant worker and another recently jilted police officer. The strange woman decides to regularly clean and redecorate the man's apartment in his absence , allowing the two to form a close intimacy without meeting face to face. Both stories present a beautifully atmospheric look at modern urban life and romance , with its combination of isolation and casual , unexpected meetings. Chungking Express came to the attention of American audiences thanks to the efforts of director Quentin Tarantino , whose own brand of fractured storytelling and urban cool owes a debt to Wong Kar - Wai .
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ased on stories by Raymond Carver Short Cuts follows 22 Los Angeles residents whose lives intersect over the course of a few days. Ann and Howard Finnegan (Andie MacDowell and Bruce Davison) are preparing for their son Casey's birthday party when the boy is injured in an auto accident and falls into a coma. Meanwhile Andy (Lyle Lovett) a baker seethes with anger over the birthday cake that wasn't claimed and Howard's father Paul (Jack Lemmon) decides that a visit with his ailing grandson is a good time to discuss his infidelities. Lois (Jennifer Jason Leigh) is a new mother who watches over her baby when not making money doing phone sex which bothers her husband Jerry (Chris Penn) though he knows they need the money. Pilot "Stormy" Weathers (Peter Gallagher) takes a very literal approach to dividing up community property with his ex-wife (Frances McDormand). Doreen (Lily Tomlin) is trying on to hold her marriage with Earl (Tom Waits) who is a good man on the rare occasions that he's sober. Zoe (Lori Singer) a classical musician is trying to find some way to connect with her mother Tess (Annie Ross) a jazz singer. Dr. Ralph Wyman (Matthew Modine) and his wife Marian (Julianne Moore) put their bickering on hold while they have dinner with another couple Stuart and Claire Kane (Fred Ward and Anne Archer). Stuart and his pals Gordon and Vern (Buck Henry and Huey Lewis) earlier went on a fishing trip where they discovered the body of a drowned woman but decided not to report it until the end of the weekend.
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Based on stories by Raymond Carver , Short Cuts follows 22 Los Angeles residents whose lives intersect over the course of a few days. Ann and Howard Finnegan ( Andie MacDowell and Bruce Davison ) are preparing for their son Casey's birthday party when the boy is injured in an auto accident and falls into a coma. Meanwhile , Andy ( Lyle Lovett ), a baker , seethes with anger over the birthday cake that wasn't claimed , and Howard's father , Paul ( Jack Lemmon ), decides that a visit with his ailing grandson is a good time to discuss his infidelities. Lois ( Jennifer Jason Leigh ) is a new mother who watches over her baby when not making money doing phone sex , which bothers her husband , Jerry ( Chris Penn ), though he knows they need the money. Pilot "Stormy" Weathers ( Peter Gallagher ) takes a very literal approach to dividing up community property with his ex - wife ( Frances McDormand ) . Doreen ( Lily Tomlin ) is trying on to hold her marriage with Earl ( Tom Waits ), who is a good man on the rare occasions that he's sober. Zoe ( Lori Singer ), a classical musician , is trying to find some way to connect with her mother , Tess ( Annie Ross ), a jazz singer. Dr. Ralph Wyman ( Matthew Modine ) and his wife , Marian ( Julianne Moore ) put their bickering on hold while they have dinner with another couple , Stuart and Claire Kane ( Fred Ward and Anne Archer ) . Stuart and his pals Gordon and Vern ( Buck Henry and Huey Lewis ) earlier went on a fishing trip where they discovered the body of a drowned woman but decided not to report it until the end of the weekend.
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Filmed with the usual meticulous attention to period and detail of films from Ismail Merchant and James Ivory The Remains of the Day is based on a novel by Kazuo Ishiguro. Anthony Hopkins plays Stevens the "perfect" butler to a prosperous British household of the 1930s. He is so unswervingly devoted to serving his master a well-meaning but callow British lord (James Fox) that he shuts himself off from all emotions and familial relationships. New housekeeper Miss Kenton (Emma Thompson) tries to warm him up and awaken his humanity. But when duty calls Stevens won't even attend his own dying father's last moments on earth. The butler also refuses to acknowledge the fact that his master is showing signs of pro-Nazi sentiments. Disillusioned by Hitler's duplicity the master dies an embittered man and only then does Stevens come to realize how his own silence has helped bring about this sad situation. Years later regretting his lost opportunities in life he tries once more to make contact with Miss Kenton the only person who'd ever cared enough to seek out the human being inside the butler's cold veneer.
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Filmed with the usual meticulous attention to period and detail of films from Ismail Merchant and James Ivory , The Remains of the Day is based on a novel by Kazuo Ishiguro . Anthony Hopkins plays Stevens , the "perfect" butler to a prosperous British household of the 1930s. He is so unswervingly devoted to serving his master , a well - meaning but callow British lord ( James Fox ), that he shuts himself off from all emotions and familial relationships. New housekeeper Miss Kenton ( Emma Thompson ) tries to warm him up and awaken his humanity. But when duty calls , Stevens won't even attend his own dying father's last moments on earth. The butler also refuses to acknowledge the fact that his master is showing signs of pro - Nazi sentiments. Disillusioned by Hitler 's duplicity , the master dies an embittered man , and only then does Stevens come to realize how his own silence has helped bring about this sad situation. Years later , regretting his lost opportunities in life , he tries once more to make contact with Miss Kenton , the only person who'd ever cared enough to seek out the human being inside the butler's cold veneer.
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Writer/director Jane Campion's third feature unearthed emotional undercurrents and churning intensity in the story of a mute woman's rebellion in the recently colonized New Zealand wilderness of Victorian times. Ada McGrath (Holly Hunter) a mute who has willed herself not to speak and her strong-willed young daughter Flora (Anna Paquin) find themselves in the New Zealand wilderness with Ada the imported bride of dullard land-grabber Stewart (Sam Neill). Ada immediately takes a dislike to Stewart when he refuses to carry her beloved piano home with them. But Stewart makes a deal with his overseer George Baines (Harvey Keitel) to take the piano off his hands. Attracted to Ada Baines agrees to return the piano in exchange for a series of piano lessons that become a series of increasingly charged sexual encounters. As pent-up emotions of rage and desire swirl around all three characters the savage wilderness begins to consume the tiny European enclave. Campion imbues her tale with an over-ripe tactility and a murky poetic undertow that betray the characters' confined yet overpowering emotions: Ada's buried sensuality Baines' hidden tenderness and Stewart's suppressed anger and violence. The story unfolds like a Greek tragedy of the Outback complete with a Greek chorus of Maori tribesmen and a blithely uncaring natural environment that envelops the characters like an additional player. Campion directs with discreet detachment observing one character through the glances and squints of another as they peer through wooden slats airy curtains and the spaces between a character's fingers. She makes the film immediate and urgent by implicating the audience in characters' gazes. And she guides Hunter to a revelatory performance of silent film majesty. Relying on expressive glances and using body language to convey her soulful depths Hunter became a modern Lillian Gish and won an Oscar for her performance as did Paquin and Campion for her screenplay. Campion achieved something rare in contemporary cinema: a poetry of expression told in the form of an off-center melodrama.
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Writer / director Jane Campion 's third feature unearthed emotional undercurrents and churning intensity in the story of a mute woman's rebellion in the recently colonized New Zealand wilderness of Victorian times. Ada McGrath ( Holly Hunter ), a mute who has willed herself not to speak , and her strong - willed young daughter Flora ( Anna Paquin ) find themselves in the New Zealand wilderness , with Ada the imported bride of dullard land - grabber Stewart ( Sam Neill ) . Ada immediately takes a dislike to Stewart when he refuses to carry her beloved piano home with them. But Stewart makes a deal with his overseer George Baines ( Harvey Keitel ) to take the piano off his hands. Attracted to Ada , Baines agrees to return the piano in exchange for a series of piano lessons that become a series of increasingly charged sexual encounters. As pent - up emotions of rage and desire swirl around all three characters , the savage wilderness begins to consume the tiny European enclave. Campion imbues her tale with an over - ripe tactility and a murky , poetic undertow that betray the characters' confined yet overpowering emotions : Ada's buried sensuality , Baines' hidden tenderness , and Stewart's suppressed anger and violence. The story unfolds like a Greek tragedy of the Outback , complete with a Greek chorus of Maori tribesmen and a blithely uncaring natural environment that envelops the characters like an additional player. Campion directs with discreet detachment , observing one character through the glances and squints of another as they peer through wooden slats , airy curtains , and the spaces between a character's fingers. She makes the film immediate and urgent by implicating the audience in characters' gazes. And she guides Hunter to a revelatory performance of silent film majesty. Relying on expressive glances and using body language to convey her soulful depths , Hunter became a modern Lillian Gish and won an Oscar for her performance , as did Paquin and Campion for her screenplay. Campion achieved something rare in contemporary cinema : a poetry of expression told in the form of an off - center melodrama.
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elle de Jour dramatizes the collision between depravity and elegance one of the favorite themes of director Luis Buñuel. Catherine Deneuve stars as a wealthy but bored newlywed eager to taste life to the fullest. She seemingly gets her wish early in the film when she is kidnapped tied to a tree and gang-raped. It turns out that this is only a daydream but her subsequent visits to a neighboring brothel where she offers her services certainly seem to be real. This illusion/reality dichotomy extends to the final scenes in which we are offered two possible endings. Thanks to a question of copyright and ownership Belle de Jour disappeared from view shortly after its 1967 release not even resurfacing on videotape. When it was reissued theatrically in 1994 many critics placed the perplexing but mesmerizing film on their lists of that year's best films.
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Belle de Jour dramatizes the collision between depravity and elegance , one of the favorite themes of director Luis Buñuel . Catherine Deneuve stars as a wealthy but bored newlywed , eager to taste life to the fullest. She seemingly gets her wish early in the film when she is kidnapped , tied to a tree , and gang - raped. It turns out that this is only a daydream , but her subsequent visits to a neighboring brothel , where she offers her services , certainly seem to be real. This illusion / reality dichotomy extends to the final scenes , in which we are offered two possible endings. Thanks to a question of copyright and ownership , Belle de Jour disappeared from view shortly after its 1967 release , not even resurfacing on videotape. When it was reissued theatrically in 1994 , many critics placed the perplexing but mesmerizing film on their lists of that year's best films.
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Steven Soderbergh kickstarted the independent film movement of the 1990s with this landmark drama about the tangled relationships among four people and a video camera. John (Peter Gallagher) is an unscrupulous self-centered yuppie lawyer with a beautiful wife named Ann (Andie MacDowell). Ann feels secure and well provided-for in their relationship but she has almost no interest in sex; she tells her therapist that she's more concerned about waste disposal. John however is still quite interested in sex and is having an affair with Ann's sister Cynthia (Laura San Giacomo) whose personality is fire to Ann's ice; sex is the one area in which she's been able to best her more successful sister and she relishes her ability to seduce Ann's husband. Into this dysfunctional picture comes Graham (James Spader) a college friend of John's whom he hasn't seen in nine years. Graham has decided that talking about sex is more interesting than actually having sex so he meets women and asks them discuss their desires and fantasies as he tapes them with a camcorder. A sensation at the Sundance Film Festival the film made that festival a synonym for a new brand of low-budget indie dramas about contemporary life and relationships. Together with Quentin Tarantino's very different Pulp Fiction (1994) sex lies and videotape was one of the most influential movies for independent filmmaking of the 1990s.
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Steven Soderbergh kickstarted the independent film movement of the 1990s with this landmark drama about the tangled relationships among four people and a video camera. John ( Peter Gallagher ) is an unscrupulous , self - centered yuppie lawyer with a beautiful wife named Ann ( Andie MacDowell ) . Ann feels secure and well provided - for in their relationship , but she has almost no interest in sex ; she tells her therapist that she's more concerned about waste disposal. John , however , is still quite interested in sex and is having an affair with Ann's sister Cynthia ( Laura San Giacomo ), whose personality is fire to Ann's ice ; sex is the one area in which she's been able to best her more successful sister , and she relishes her ability to seduce Ann's husband. Into this dysfunctional picture comes Graham ( James Spader ), a college friend of John's whom he hasn't seen in nine years. Graham has decided that talking about sex is more interesting than actually having sex , so he meets women and asks them discuss their desires and fantasies as he tapes them with a camcorder. A sensation at the Sundance Film Festival , the film made that festival a synonym for a new brand of low - budget indie dramas about contemporary life and relationships. Together with Quentin Tarantino 's very different Pulp Fiction ( 1994 ), sex , lies , and videotape was one of the most influential movies for independent filmmaking of the 1990s.
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Originally released in India as Apur Sansar The World of Apu was the last of Satyajit Ray's "Apu Trilogy." Pather Panchali (1955) covered Apu's early years in his native village while Aparajito (1956) detailed his school years and the tragedy that temporarily brought him back home. Now Apu (Soumitra Chatterjee) having abandoned college due to lack of money hopes to find success as a writer. He is sidetracked from this goal when he meets Aparna (Sharmila Tagore) whose impending wedding is canceled when the groom turns out to be mentally unstable. To save Aparna from a custom-dictated life of spinsterhood Apu marries her himself. When she dies giving birth the grieving Apu cannot bring himself to meet his son and in fact deserts the boy for five years before learning how to gracefully accept his lot in life. Like the other entries in the trilogy The World of Apu was based on Bibhutibhusan Bandopadhaya's semi-autobiographical novel Aparajito. In the manner typical of his earlier works director Ray adopts a straightforward realistic approach avoiding any sort of attention-getting directorial techniques the better to simply tell his story.
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Originally released in India as Apur Sansar , The World of Apu was the last of Satyajit Ray 's "Apu Trilogy." Pather Panchali ( 1955 ) covered Apu's early years in his native village , while Aparajito ( 1956 ) detailed his school years and the tragedy that temporarily brought him back home. Now Apu ( Soumitra Chatterjee ), having abandoned college due to lack of money , hopes to find success as a writer. He is sidetracked from this goal when he meets Aparna ( Sharmila Tagore ), whose impending wedding is canceled when the groom turns out to be mentally unstable. To save Aparna from a custom - dictated life of spinsterhood , Apu marries her himself. When she dies giving birth , the grieving Apu cannot bring himself to meet his son , and in fact deserts the boy for five years before learning how to gracefully accept his lot in life. Like the other entries in the trilogy , The World of Apu was based on Bibhutibhusan Bandopadhaya 's semi - autobiographical novel Aparajito . In the manner typical of his earlier works , director Ray adopts a straightforward , realistic approach , avoiding any sort of attention - getting directorial techniques , the better to simply tell his story.
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John Cassavetes' harrowing masterpiece charts the emotional meltdown of a suburban housewife and its effects on her blue-collar Italian family. Gena Rowlands stars as Mabel Longhetti a mother of three whose husband Nick (Peter Falk) works as a construction worker; a mismatched couple like so many others in Cassavetes films the Longhettis seem to be complete opposites: she's impetuous extroverted and fragile while he's controlling distant and hard-bitten. Their differences underscore a series of domestic dramas culminating in a nervous breakdown that sends Mabel to a psychiatric hospital for six months only to return to a home environment on even thinner ice than before. The improvisational style central to Cassavetes' vision is at its most acute throughout A Woman Under the Influence. Like its title heroine the film threatens to veer out of control at any time its shape and scope defined not by narrative but by the emotional upheaval at its center. Embracing the full spectrum of the Longhettis' relationship from seismic bursts of high drama to small even trivial moments of domestic tedium its long scenes relentlessly probe every nook and cranny of the family's life drawing out each moment for maximum emotional impact; the film is by turns beautiful and ugly illuminating and frustrating and it features a performance by Rowlands as heartwrenching and unforgettable as any ever committed to celluloid.
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John Cassavetes ' harrowing masterpiece charts the emotional meltdown of a suburban housewife and its effects on her blue - collar Italian family. Gena Rowlands stars as Mabel Longhetti , a mother of three whose husband Nick ( Peter Falk ) works as a construction worker ; a mismatched couple like so many others in Cassavetes films , the Longhettis seem to be complete opposites : she's impetuous , extroverted , and fragile , while he's controlling , distant , and hard - bitten. Their differences underscore a series of domestic dramas , culminating in a nervous breakdown that sends Mabel to a psychiatric hospital for six months , only to return to a home environment on even thinner ice than before. The improvisational style central to Cassavetes' vision is at its most acute throughout A Woman Under the Influence . Like its title heroine , the film threatens to veer out of control at any time , its shape and scope defined not by narrative but by the emotional upheaval at its center. Embracing the full spectrum of the Longhettis' relationship , from seismic bursts of high drama to small , even trivial moments of domestic tedium , its long scenes relentlessly probe every nook and cranny of the family's life , drawing out each moment for maximum emotional impact ; the film is by turns beautiful and ugly , illuminating and frustrating , and it features a performance by Rowlands as heartwrenching and unforgettable as any ever committed to celluloid.
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"All the animals come out at night" -- and one of them is a cabby about to snap. In Martin Scorsese's classic 1970s drama insomniac ex-Marine Travis Bickle (Robert De Niro) works the nightshift driving his cab throughout decaying mid-'70s New York City wishing for a "real rain" to wash the "scum" off the neon-lit streets. Chronically alone Travis cannot connect with anyone not even with such other cabbies as blowhard Wizard (Peter Boyle). He becomes infatuated with vapid blonde presidential campaign worker Betsy (Cybill Shepherd) who agrees to a date and then spurns Travis when he cluelessly takes her to a porno movie. After an encounter with a malevolent fare (played by Scorsese) the increasingly paranoid Travis begins to condition (and arm) himself for his imagined destiny a mission that mutates from assassinating Betsy's candidate Charles Palatine (Leonard Harris) to violently "saving" teen hooker Iris (Jodie Foster) from her pimp Sport (Harvey Keitel). Travis' bloodbath turns him into a media hero; but has it truly calmed his mind? Written by Paul Schrader Taxi Driver is an homage to and reworking of cinematic influences a study of individual psychosis and an acute diagnosis of the latently violent media-fixated Vietnam era. Scorsese and Schrader structure Travis' mission to save Iris as a film noir version of John Ford's late Western The Searchers (1956) aligning Travis with a mythology of American heroism while exposing that myth's obsessively violent underpinnings. Yet Travis' military record and assassination attempt as well as Palatine's political platitudes also ground Taxi Driver in its historical moment of American in the 1970s. Employing such techniques as Godardian jump cuts and ellipses expressive camera moves and angles and garish colors all punctuated by Bernard Herrmann's eerie final score (finished the day he died) Scorsese presents a Manhattan skewed through Travis' point-of-view where De Niro's now-famous "You talkin' to me" improv becomes one more sign of Travis' madness. Shot during a New York summer heat wave and garbage strike Taxi Driver got into trouble with the MPAA for its violence. Scorsese desaturated the color in the final shoot-out and got an R and Taxi Driver surprised its unenthusiastic studio by becoming a box-office hit. Released in the Bicentennial year after Vietnam Watergate and attention-getting attempts on President Ford's life Taxi Driver's intense portrait of a man and a society unhinged spoke resonantly to the mid-'70s audience -- too resonantly in the case of attempted Reagan assassin and Foster fan John W. Hinckley. Taxi Driver went on to win the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival but it lost the Best Picture Oscar to the more comforting Rocky. Anchored by De Niro's disturbing embodiment of "God's lonely man" Taxi Driver remains a striking milestone of both Scorsese's career and 1970s Hollywood.
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"All the animals come out at night" -- and one of them is a cabby about to snap. In Martin Scorsese 's classic 1970s drama , insomniac ex - Marine Travis Bickle ( Robert De Niro ) works the nightshift , driving his cab throughout decaying mid - '70s New York City , wishing for a "real rain" to wash the "scum" off the neon - lit streets. Chronically alone , Travis cannot connect with anyone , not even with such other cabbies as blowhard Wizard ( Peter Boyle ) . He becomes infatuated with vapid blonde presidential campaign worker Betsy ( Cybill Shepherd ), who agrees to a date and then spurns Travis when he cluelessly takes her to a porno movie. After an encounter with a malevolent fare ( played by Scorsese ), the increasingly paranoid Travis begins to condition ( and arm ) himself for his imagined destiny , a mission that mutates from assassinating Betsy's candidate , Charles Palatine ( Leonard Harris ), to violently "saving" teen hooker Iris ( Jodie Foster ) from her pimp , Sport ( Harvey Keitel ) . Travis' bloodbath turns him into a media hero ; but has it truly calmed his mind? Written by Paul Schrader , Taxi Driver is an homage to and reworking of cinematic influences , a study of individual psychosis , and an acute diagnosis of the latently violent , media - fixated Vietnam era. Scorsese and Schrader structure Travis' mission to save Iris as a film noir version of John Ford 's late Western The Searchers ( 1956 ), aligning Travis with a mythology of American heroism while exposing that myth's obsessively violent underpinnings. Yet Travis' military record and assassination attempt , as well as Palatine's political platitudes , also ground Taxi Driver in its historical moment of American in the 1970s. Employing such techniques as Godardian jump cuts and ellipses , expressive camera moves and angles , and garish colors , all punctuated by Bernard Herrmann 's eerie final score ( finished the day he died ), Scorsese presents a Manhattan skewed through Travis' point - of - view , where De Niro 's now - famous "You talkin' to me" improv becomes one more sign of Travis' madness. Shot during a New York summer heat wave and garbage strike , Taxi Driver got into trouble with the MPAA for its violence. Scorsese desaturated the color in the final shoot - out and got an R , and Taxi Driver surprised its unenthusiastic studio by becoming a box - office hit. Released in the Bicentennial year , after Vietnam , Watergate , and attention - getting attempts on President Ford 's life , Taxi Driver 's intense portrait of a man and a society unhinged spoke resonantly to the mid - '70s audience -- too resonantly in the case of attempted Reagan assassin and Foster fan John W. Hinckley . Taxi Driver went on to win the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival , but it lost the Best Picture Oscar to the more comforting Rocky . Anchored by De Niro 's disturbing embodiment of "God's lonely man , " Taxi Driver remains a striking milestone of both Scorsese 's career and 1970s Hollywood.
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In the classic play by Tennessee Williams brought to the screen by Elia Kazan faded Southern belle Blanche DuBois (Vivien Leigh) comes to visit her pregnant sister Stella (Kim Hunter) in a seedy section of New Orleans. Stella's boorish husband Stanley Kowalski (Marlon Brando) not only regards Blanche's aristocratic affectations as a royal pain but also thinks she's holding out on inheritance money that rightfully belongs to Stella. On the fringes of sanity Blanche is trying to forget her checkered past and start life anew. Attracted to Stanley's friend Mitch (Karl Malden) she glosses over the less savory incidents in her past but she soon discovers that she cannot outrun that past and the stage is set for her final brutal confrontation with her brother-in-law. Brando Hunter and Malden had all starred in the original Broadway version of Streetcar although the original Blanche had been Jessica Tandy. Brando lost out to Humphrey Bogart for the 1951 Best Actor Oscar but Leigh Hunter and Malden all won Oscars.
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In the classic play by Tennessee Williams , brought to the screen by Elia Kazan , faded Southern belle Blanche DuBois ( Vivien Leigh ) comes to visit her pregnant sister , Stella ( Kim Hunter ), in a seedy section of New Orleans. Stella's boorish husband , Stanley Kowalski ( Marlon Brando ), not only regards Blanche's aristocratic affectations as a royal pain but also thinks she's holding out on inheritance money that rightfully belongs to Stella. On the fringes of sanity , Blanche is trying to forget her checkered past and start life anew. Attracted to Stanley's friend Mitch ( Karl Malden ), she glosses over the less savory incidents in her past , but she soon discovers that she cannot outrun that past , and the stage is set for her final , brutal confrontation with her brother - in - law. Brando , Hunter , and Malden had all starred in the original Broadway version of Streetcar , although the original Blanche had been Jessica Tandy . Brando lost out to Humphrey Bogart for the 1951 Best Actor Oscar , but Leigh , Hunter , and Malden all won Oscars.
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John Travolta graduated from minor celebrity to superstar with Saturday Night Fever. Travolta plays Tony Manero a Brooklyn paint-store clerk who'd give anything to break out of his dead-end existence. In life Tony is a peasant; on the disco dance floor he's a king. As the soundtrack plays one Bee Gees hit after another (including "Stayin' Alive") we watch white-suited Tony strut his stuff amidst flashing lights and sweaty undulating bodies. Tony's class aspirations are mirrored in his relationship with his dance partner Stephanie (Karen Lynn Gorney) a secretary eager to move into the glamorous world of Manhattan. Saturday Night Fever's huge success grew meteorically thanks to the towering popularity of its soundtrack; during the first half of 1978 when the movie's disco songs saturated the singles charts up to four at a time it was no longer clear whether the hit movie was feeding the hit songs or the hit songs were feeding the hit movie. This crossover between music and movies set the pace for many movies to come as it also marked the rise and fall of 1970s disco culture. Two versions of this film exist: the original R-rated version and a PG version edited down to more "family-friendly" fare and fed to the public with the tagline "Because we want everyone to see John Travolta's performance."
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John Travolta graduated from minor celebrity to superstar with Saturday Night Fever . Travolta plays Tony Manero , a Brooklyn paint - store clerk who'd give anything to break out of his dead - end existence. In life , Tony is a peasant ; on the disco dance floor , he's a king. As the soundtrack plays one Bee Gees hit after another ( including "Stayin' Alive" ), we watch white - suited Tony strut his stuff amidst flashing lights and sweaty , undulating bodies. Tony's class aspirations are mirrored in his relationship with his dance partner , Stephanie ( Karen Lynn Gorney ), a secretary eager to move into the glamorous world of Manhattan. Saturday Night Fever 's huge success grew meteorically thanks to the towering popularity of its soundtrack ; during the first half of 1978 , when the movie's disco songs saturated the singles charts up to four at a time , it was no longer clear whether the hit movie was feeding the hit songs or the hit songs were feeding the hit movie. This crossover between music and movies set the pace for many movies to come , as it also marked the rise and fall of 1970s disco culture. Two versions of this film exist : the original R - rated version and a PG version , edited down to more "family - friendly" fare and fed to the public with the tagline , "Because we want everyone to see John Travolta 's performance."
0015
Director Franco Zeffirelli's 1968 version of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet was touted at the time of its release (successfully if the box-office receipts are any indication) as something of a "youth trip" movie. This is because Zeffirelli broke the long-standing tradition of casting over-aged sometimes grey-haired players in the title roles. Seventeen-year-old Leonard Whiting plays Romeo with 15-year-old Olivia Hussey as Juliet. The youthfulness and inexperience of the leading players works beautifully in the more passionate sequences (some of these breaking further ground by being played in the nude). Among the younger players are Michael York as Tybalt and John McEnery as Mercutio. The duel between Romeo and Tybalt starts out as a harmless frat-boy exchange of insults then escalates into tragedy before any of the participants are fully aware of what has happened. Photographed by Pasqualino DeSantis on various locations in Italy Romeo and Juliet was one of the most profitable film adaptations of Shakespeare ever produced. Its most lasting legacy is its popular main theme music composed by Nino Rota.
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Director Franco Zeffirelli 's 1968 version of Shakespeare 's Romeo and Juliet was touted at the time of its release ( successfully , if the box - office receipts are any indication ), as something of a "youth trip" movie. This is because Zeffirelli broke the long - standing tradition of casting over - aged , sometimes grey - haired players in the title roles. Seventeen - year - old Leonard Whiting plays Romeo , with 15 - year - old Olivia Hussey as Juliet. The youthfulness and inexperience of the leading players works beautifully in the more passionate sequences ( some of these breaking further ground by being played in the nude ) . Among the younger players are Michael York as Tybalt and John McEnery as Mercutio. The duel between Romeo and Tybalt starts out as a harmless , frat - boy exchange of insults , then escalates into tragedy before any of the participants are fully aware of what has happened. Photographed by Pasqualino DeSantis on various locations in Italy , Romeo and Juliet was one of the most profitable film adaptations of Shakespeare ever produced. Its most lasting legacy is its popular main theme music , composed by Nino Rota .
0016
Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) a Philadelphia boxer is but one step removed from total bum-hood. A once-promising pugilist Rocky is now taking nickel-and-dime bouts and running strongarm errands for local loan sharks to survive. Even his supportive trainer Mickey (Burgess Meredith) has given up on Rocky. All this changes thanks to Muhammad Ali-like super-boxer Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers). With the Bicentennial celebration coming up Creed must find a "Cinderella" opponent for the big July 4th bout -- some unknown whom Creed can "glorify" for a few minutes before knocking him cold. Rocky Balboa was not the only Cinderella involved here: writer/director Sylvester Stallone himself a virtual unknown managed to sell his Rocky script (one of 35 that he'd written over the years) on the proviso that he be given the starring role. Since the film was to be made on a shoestring and marketed on a low-level basis the risk factor to United Artists was small. For Stallone this was a make-or-break opportunity -- just like Rocky's million-to-one shot with Apollo Creed. Costing under a million dollars Rocky managed to register with audiences everywhere earning back 60 times its cost. The film won several Academy Awards including Best Picture.
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Rocky Balboa ( Sylvester Stallone ), a Philadelphia boxer , is but one step removed from total bum - hood. A once - promising pugilist , Rocky is now taking nickel - and - dime bouts and running strongarm errands for local loan sharks to survive. Even his supportive trainer , Mickey ( Burgess Meredith ), has given up on Rocky. All this changes thanks to Muhammad Ali - like super - boxer Apollo Creed ( Carl Weathers ) . With the Bicentennial celebration coming up , Creed must find a "Cinderella" opponent for the big July 4th bout -- some unknown whom Creed can "glorify" for a few minutes before knocking him cold. Rocky Balboa was not the only Cinderella involved here : writer / director Sylvester Stallone , himself a virtual unknown , managed to sell his Rocky script ( one of 35 that he'd written over the years ) on the proviso that he be given the starring role. Since the film was to be made on a shoestring and marketed on a low - level basis , the risk factor to United Artists was small. For Stallone , this was a make - or - break opportunity -- just like Rocky 's million - to - one shot with Apollo Creed. Costing under a million dollars , Rocky managed to register with audiences everywhere , earning back 60 times its cost. The film won several Academy Awards , including Best Picture.
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While this original movie version of Lorraine Hansberry's award-winning play may have dated somewhat it was groundbreaking when first released in 1961 and a wealth of future plays films and TV productions have taken their lead from this socially conscious drama about a struggling African-American family. Lena Younger (Claudia McNeil) is a strong proud woman who has raised a family in a crowded apartment on the South Side of Chicago. Her son Walter Lee (Sidney Poitier) works as a chauffeur; intelligent and ambitious but impulsive and often angry he desperately wants to get ahead in a world that offers him few opportunities. His wife Ruth (Ruby Dee) takes in laundry to help make ends meet and watches over their son. Younger daughter Beneatha (Diana Sands) is a college student who wants to become a doctor and often speaks of searching for her cultural identity. On the death of her husband Lena becomes the beneficiary of a $10000 life insurance payment and suddenly the family is in conflict over how the money should be spent. Lena wants to use the money for a down payment on a house. Beneatha is hoping that Lena will help her pay for medical school. And Walter Lee wants to go into business with friends who plan to open a liquor store which he's convinced will be a sure money maker. The cast nearly all reprising their roles from the original Broadway production offers a collection of superb performances; also keep an eye peeled for a young Louis Gossett Jr. as George Murchison. While Daniel Petrie's direction never takes A Raisin in the Sun very far from its roots as a stage play it captures the power and tension of a strong ensemble cast working with an intelligent and moving script.
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While this original movie version of Lorraine Hansberry 's award - winning play may have dated somewhat , it was groundbreaking when first released in 1961 , and a wealth of future plays , films , and TV productions have taken their lead from this socially conscious drama about a struggling African - American family. Lena Younger ( Claudia McNeil ) is a strong , proud woman who has raised a family in a crowded apartment on the South Side of Chicago. Her son Walter Lee ( Sidney Poitier ) works as a chauffeur ; intelligent and ambitious but impulsive and often angry , he desperately wants to get ahead in a world that offers him few opportunities. His wife Ruth ( Ruby Dee ) takes in laundry to help make ends meet and watches over their son. Younger daughter Beneatha ( Diana Sands ) is a college student who wants to become a doctor and often speaks of searching for her cultural identity. On the death of her husband , Lena becomes the beneficiary of a $10 , 000 life insurance payment , and suddenly the family is in conflict over how the money should be spent. Lena wants to use the money for a down payment on a house. Beneatha is hoping that Lena will help her pay for medical school. And Walter Lee wants to go into business with friends who plan to open a liquor store , which he's convinced will be a sure money maker. The cast , nearly all reprising their roles from the original Broadway production , offers a collection of superb performances ; also keep an eye peeled for a young Louis Gossett Jr. as George Murchison. While Daniel Petrie 's direction never takes A Raisin in the Sun very far from its roots as a stage play , it captures the power and tension of a strong ensemble cast working with an intelligent and moving script.
0018
The phenomenal success and international acclaim of Raise the Red Lantern cemented Zhang Yimou's status as a leading figure in world cinema and reaffirmed the vibrancy of Chinese cinema. Though the film was the topic of great political controversy in China upon its release it received armfuls of awards from Belgium Italy the United Kingdom and a nomination for an Academy Award. This sumptuously photographed drama set in Northern China in the 1920s and based on the novel Wives and Concubines by Su Tong stars Gong Li as Songlian the fourth wife of an elderly landlord. Songlian is a college student who has been married off by her stepmother so it is with tremendous frustration that this woman who had hopes of using her education to broaden her horizons now finds herself reduced to a small enclosure at the beck and call of her husband. Despite being given a maid (Kong Lin) and luxurious surroundings she feels trapped inside the cheerless walls. Upon her arrival Songlian realizes that she must keep one step ahead of her rivals the three other wives. She also learns of her husband's tradition of lighting a lantern outside of the house of the wife with whom he intends to spend the night. During the first night together with her husband she finds he is called away to tend to his spoiled third wife (He Caifei). Songlian then becomes acquainted with his other wives -- his first wife (Jin Shuyuan) an elderly woman who ignores Songlian; the third wife an ex-opera singer; and the second wife (Cao Cuifeng) who offers Songlian friendship and helpful advice. But it turns out that the second wife's motives are not exactly innocent--she is conspiring with Songlian's maid to undermine both the third wife and Songlian. Raise the Red Lantern is a moving exploration of power in a suffocating world of ossified tradition and naked ambition-a masterpiece of 1990s world cinema.
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The phenomenal success and international acclaim of Raise the Red Lantern , cemented Zhang Yimou 's status as a leading figure in world cinema and reaffirmed the vibrancy of Chinese cinema. Though the film was the topic of great political controversy in China upon its release , it received armfuls of awards from Belgium , Italy , the United Kingdom and a nomination for an Academy Award. This sumptuously photographed drama , set in Northern China in the 1920s and based on the novel Wives and Concubines by Su Tong , stars Gong Li as Songlian , the fourth wife of an elderly landlord. Songlian is a college student who has been married off by her stepmother , so it is with tremendous frustration that this woman , who had hopes of using her education to broaden her horizons , now finds herself reduced to a small enclosure at the beck and call of her husband. Despite being given a maid ( Kong Lin ) and luxurious surroundings , she feels trapped inside the cheerless walls. Upon her arrival , Songlian realizes that she must keep one step ahead of her rivals , the three other wives. She also learns of her husband's tradition of lighting a lantern outside of the house of the wife with whom he intends to spend the night. During the first night together with her husband , she finds he is called away to tend to his spoiled third wife ( He Caifei ) . Songlian then becomes acquainted with his other wives -- his first wife ( Jin Shuyuan ), an elderly woman who ignores Songlian ; the third wife , an ex - opera singer ; and the second wife ( Cao Cuifeng ), who offers Songlian friendship and helpful advice. But it turns out that the second wife's motives are not exactly innocent -- she is conspiring with Songlian's maid to undermine both the third wife and Songlian. Raise the Red Lantern is a moving exploration of power in a suffocating world of ossified tradition and naked ambition - a masterpiece of 1990s world cinema.
0019
Martin Scorsese's brutal character study incisively portrays the true rise and fall and redemption of middleweight boxer Jake La Motta a violent man in and out of the ring who thrives on his ability (and desire) to take a beating. Opening with the spectacle of the over-the-hill La Motta (Robert De Niro) practicing his 1960s night-club act the film flashes back to 1940s New York when Jake's career is on the rise. Despite pressure from the local mobsters Jake trusts his brother Joey (Joe Pesci) to help him make it to a title bout against Sugar Ray Robinson the honest way; the Mob however will not cave in. Jake gets the title bout and blonde teenage second wife Vickie (Cathy Moriarty) but success does nothing to exorcise his demons even as he channels his rage into boxing. Alienating Vickie and Joey and disastrously gaining weight Jake has destroyed his personal and professional lives by the 1950s. After he hits bottom however Jake emerges with a gleam of self-awareness as he sits rehearsing Marlon Brando's On the Waterfront speech in his dressing room mirror: "I coulda been a contender I coulda been somebody." Working with a script adapted by Mardik Martin and Paul Schrader from La Motta's memoirs Scorsese and De Niro sought to make an uncompromising portrait of an unlikable man and his ruthless profession. Eschewing uplifting Rocky-like boxing movie conventions their Jake is relentlessly cruel and self-destructive; the only peace he can make is with himself. Michael Chapman's stark black-and-white photography creates a documentary/tabloid realism; the production famously shut down so that De Niro could gain 50-plus pounds. Raging Bull opened in late 1980 to raves for its artistry and revulsion for its protagonist; despite eight Oscar nominations it underperformed at the box office as audiences increasingly turned away from "difficult" films in the late '70s and early '80s. The Academy concurred passing over Scorsese's work for Best Director and Picture in favor of Robert Redford and Ordinary People although De Niro won a much-deserved Oscar as did the film's editor Thelma Schoonmaker. Oscar or no Oscar Raging Bull has often been cited as the best American film of the 1980s.
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Martin Scorsese 's brutal character study incisively portrays the true rise and fall and redemption of middleweight boxer Jake La Motta , a violent man in and out of the ring who thrives on his ability ( and desire ) to take a beating. Opening with the spectacle of the over - the - hill La Motta ( Robert De Niro ) practicing his 1960s night - club act , the film flashes back to 1940s New York , when Jake's career is on the rise. Despite pressure from the local mobsters , Jake trusts his brother Joey ( Joe Pesci ) to help him make it to a title bout against Sugar Ray Robinson the honest way ; the Mob , however , will not cave in. Jake gets the title bout , and blonde teenage second wife Vickie ( Cathy Moriarty ), but success does nothing to exorcise his demons , even as he channels his rage into boxing. Alienating Vickie and Joey , and disastrously gaining weight , Jake has destroyed his personal and professional lives by the 1950s. After he hits bottom , however , Jake emerges with a gleam of self - awareness , as he sits rehearsing Marlon Brando 's On the Waterfront speech in his dressing room mirror : "I coulda been a contender , I coulda been somebody." Working with a script adapted by Mardik Martin and Paul Schrader from La Motta 's memoirs , Scorsese and De Niro sought to make an uncompromising portrait of an unlikable man and his ruthless profession. Eschewing uplifting Rocky - like boxing movie conventions , their Jake is relentlessly cruel and self - destructive ; the only peace he can make is with himself. Michael Chapman 's stark black - and - white photography creates a documentary / tabloid realism ; the production famously shut down so that De Niro could gain 50 - plus pounds. Raging Bull opened in late 1980 to raves for its artistry and revulsion for its protagonist ; despite eight Oscar nominations , it underperformed at the box office , as audiences increasingly turned away from "difficult" films in the late '70s and early '80s. The Academy concurred , passing over Scorsese 's work for Best Director and Picture in favor of Robert Redford and Ordinary People , although De Niro won a much - deserved Oscar , as did the film's editor , Thelma Schoonmaker . Oscar or no Oscar , Raging Bull has often been cited as the best American film of the 1980s.
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Peter Weir's haunting and evocative mystery is set in the Australia of 1900 a mystical place where the British have attempted to impose their Christian culture with such tweedy refinements as a girls' boarding school. After gauzily-photographed nicely underplayed scenes of the girls' budding sexuality being restrained in Victorian corsets the uptight headmistress (Rachel Roberts) takes them on a Valentine's Day picnic into the countryside and several of the girls led by the lovely Miranda (Anne Lambert) decide to explore a nearby volcanic rock formation. It's a desolate primitive vaguely menacing place where one can almost feel the presence of ancient pagan spirits. Something -- and there is an unspoken but palpable emphasis on the inherent carnality of the place -- draws four of the girls to explore the rock. Three never return. No one ever finds out why. The repercussions for the school are tragic and of course Roberts reacts with near-crazed anger but what really happened? Weir gives enough clues to suggest any number of explanations both physical and supernatural.
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Peter Weir 's haunting and evocative mystery is set in the Australia of 1900 , a mystical place where the British have attempted to impose their Christian culture with such tweedy refinements as a girls' boarding school. After gauzily - photographed , nicely underplayed scenes of the girls' budding sexuality being restrained in Victorian corsets , the uptight headmistress ( Rachel Roberts ) takes them on a Valentine's Day picnic into the countryside , and several of the girls , led by the lovely Miranda ( Anne Lambert ) decide to explore a nearby volcanic rock formation. It's a desolate , primitive , vaguely menacing place , where one can almost feel the presence of ancient pagan spirits. Something -- and there is an unspoken but palpable emphasis on the inherent carnality of the place -- draws four of the girls to explore the rock. Three never return. No one ever finds out why. The repercussions for the school are tragic , and of course Roberts reacts with near - crazed anger , but what really happened? Weir gives enough clues to suggest any number of explanations , both physical and supernatural.
0021
Pather Panchali (Father Panchali) Indian director Satyajit Ray's first feature film relates the story of an impoverished Bengalese family. When the father (Karuna Bannerjee) leaves for the city to pursue a writing career the mother (Karuna Banerji) is left with the responsibility of caring for the rest of the brood. Gradually the film's true central character emerges: Apu (Subir Banerji) the family's son. Though excruciatingly realistic at times Pather Panchali takes an occasional timeout to dwell on the purely cinematic. For example when the mother receives a postcard bearing good news Ray dissolves to a pond where a pair of water skates scamper about. The music by Ravi Shankar at first seems to be at odds with the action; soon however we come to accept the music as a logical outgrowth of the events at hand. A multiple award winner Pather Panchali was the first of Ray's celebrated "Apu Trilogy" (the other two entries were 1956's Aparajito and 1959's The World of Apu). The film was also released as The Song of the Road and The Lament of the Path.
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Pather Panchali ( Father Panchali ), Indian director Satyajit Ray 's first feature film , relates the story of an impoverished Bengalese family. When the father ( Karuna Bannerjee ) leaves for the city to pursue a writing career , the mother ( Karuna Banerji ) is left with the responsibility of caring for the rest of the brood. Gradually , the film's true central character emerges : Apu ( Subir Banerji ), the family's son. Though excruciatingly realistic at times , Pather Panchali takes an occasional timeout to dwell on the purely cinematic. For example , when the mother receives a postcard bearing good news , Ray dissolves to a pond , where a pair of water skates scamper about. The music by Ravi Shankar at first seems to be at odds with the action ; soon , however , we come to accept the music as a logical outgrowth of the events at hand. A multiple award winner , Pather Panchali was the first of Ray 's celebrated "Apu Trilogy" ( the other two entries were 1956's Aparajito and 1959's The World of Apu ) . The film was also released as The Song of the Road and The Lament of the Path .
0022
This classic story of Mob informers was based on a number of true stories and filmed on location in and around the docks of New York and New Jersey. Mob-connected union boss Johnny Friendly (Lee J. Cobb) rules the waterfront with an iron fist. The police know that he's been responsible for a number of murders but witnesses play deaf and dumb ("plead D & D"). Washed-up boxer Terry Malloy (Marlon Brando) has had an errand-boy job because of the influence of his brother Charley a crooked union lawyer (Rod Steiger). Witnessing one of Friendly's rub-outs Terry is willing to keep his mouth shut until he meets the dead dockworker's sister Edie (Eva Marie Saint). "Waterfront priest" Father Barry (Karl Malden) tells Terry that Edie's brother was killed because he was going to testify against boss Friendly before the crime commission. Because he could have intervened but didn't Terry feels somewhat responsible for the death. When Father Barry receives a beating from Friendly's goons Terry is persuaded to cooperate with the commission. Featuring Brando's famous "I coulda been a contendah" speech On the Waterfront has often been seen as an allegory of "naming names" against suspected Communists during the anti-Communist investigations of the 1950s. Director Elia Kazan famously informed on suspected Communists before a government committee -- unlike many of his colleagues some of whom went to prison for refusing to "name names" and many more of whom were blacklisted from working in the film industry for many years to come -- and Budd Schulberg's screenplay has often been read as an elaborate defense of the informer's position. On the Waterfront won Oscars for Best Picture Best Director Best Adapted Screenplay Best Actor for Brando and Best Supporting Actress for Saint.
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This classic story of Mob informers was based on a number of true stories and filmed on location in and around the docks of New York and New Jersey. Mob - connected union boss Johnny Friendly ( Lee J. Cobb ) rules the waterfront with an iron fist. The police know that he's been responsible for a number of murders , but witnesses play deaf and dumb ( "plead D & D" ) . Washed - up boxer Terry Malloy ( Marlon Brando ) has had an errand - boy job because of the influence of his brother Charley , a crooked union lawyer ( Rod Steiger ) . Witnessing one of Friendly's rub - outs , Terry is willing to keep his mouth shut until he meets the dead dockworker's sister , Edie ( Eva Marie Saint ) . "Waterfront priest" Father Barry ( Karl Malden ) tells Terry that Edie's brother was killed because he was going to testify against boss Friendly before the crime commission. Because he could have intervened , but didn't , Terry feels somewhat responsible for the death. When Father Barry receives a beating from Friendly's goons , Terry is persuaded to cooperate with the commission. Featuring Brando 's famous "I coulda been a contendah" speech , On the Waterfront has often been seen as an allegory of "naming names" against suspected Communists during the anti - Communist investigations of the 1950s. Director Elia Kazan famously informed on suspected Communists before a government committee -- unlike many of his colleagues , some of whom went to prison for refusing to "name names" and many more of whom were blacklisted from working in the film industry for many years to come -- and Budd Schulberg 's screenplay has often been read as an elaborate defense of the informer's position. On the Waterfront won Oscars for Best Picture , Best Director , Best Adapted Screenplay , Best Actor for Brando , and Best Supporting Actress for Saint .
0023
Following 24 characters through 5 days in the country music capital Robert Altman's 1975 epic presents a complexly textured portrayal (and critique) of American obsessions with celebrity and power. Among the various stars aspirants hangers-on observers and media folk are politically ambitious country icon Haven Hamilton (Henry Gibson) and his fragile star protegée Barbara Jean (Ronee Blakley); Tom (Keith Carradine) a self-absorbed rock star who woos lonely married gospel singer Linnea Reese (Lily Tomlin); Sueleen Gay (Gwen Welles) a talentless waitress painfully humiliated at her first singing gig; Albuquerque (Barbara Harris) a runaway wife with dreams of stardom; nightclub owner Lady Pearl (Barbara Baxley) who reminisces about "those Kennedy boys"; single-minded groupie L.A. Joan (Shelley Duvall); vapid BBC commentator Opal (Geraldine Chaplin); and campaign guru John Triplette (Michael Murphy) who is trying to organize a concert rally for the unseen but always heard populist presidential candidate-cum-demagogue Hal Phillip Walker. Everything comes to a head during a climactic concert at Nashville's replica of the Parthenon temple as the entertainment-hungry audience is momentarily woken out of its stupor by unexpected violence only to be lulled into a restorative sing-along to "It Don't Worry Me."
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Following 24 characters through 5 days in the country music capital , Robert Altman 's 1975 epic presents a complexly textured portrayal ( and critique ) of American obsessions with celebrity and power. Among the various stars , aspirants , hangers - on , observers , and media folk are politically ambitious country icon Haven Hamilton ( Henry Gibson ) and his fragile star protegée Barbara Jean ( Ronee Blakley ); Tom ( Keith Carradine ), a self - absorbed rock star who woos lonely married gospel singer Linnea Reese ( Lily Tomlin ); Sueleen Gay ( Gwen Welles ), a talentless waitress painfully humiliated at her first singing gig ; Albuquerque ( Barbara Harris ), a runaway wife with dreams of stardom ; nightclub owner Lady Pearl ( Barbara Baxley ), who reminisces about "those Kennedy boys" ; single - minded groupie L.A. Joan ( Shelley Duvall ); vapid BBC commentator Opal ( Geraldine Chaplin ); and campaign guru John Triplette ( Michael Murphy ), who is trying to organize a concert rally for the unseen but always heard populist presidential candidate - cum - demagogue Hal Phillip Walker. Everything comes to a head during a climactic concert at Nashville's replica of the Parthenon temple , as the entertainment - hungry audience is momentarily woken out of its stupor by unexpected violence , only to be lulled into a restorative sing - along to "It Don't Worry Me."
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ased on a James Leo Herlihy novel British director John Schlesinger's first American film dramatized the small hopes dashed dreams and unlikely friendship of two late '60s lost souls. Dreaming of an easy life as a fantasy cowboy stud cheerful Texas rube Joe Buck (Jon Voight) heads to New York City to be a gigolo but he quickly discovers that hustling isn't what he thought it would be after he winds up paying his first trick (Sylvia Miles). He gets swindled by gimpy tubercular grifter Rico "Ratso" Rizzo (Dustin Hoffman) but when Joe falls in the direst of straits Ratso takes Joe into his condemned apartment so that they can help each other survive. Things start to look up when Joe finally lands his first legit female customer (Brenda Vaccaro) at a Warhol-esque party; Ratso's health however fails. Joe turns a final trick to get the money for one selfless goal: taking Ratso out of New York to his dream life in Miami. One of the first major studio films given the newly minted X rating for its then-frank portrayal of New York decadence Midnight Cowboy was critically praised for Schlesinger's insight into American lives with the intercut mosaic of Joe's memories and Ratso's dreams lending their characters and actions greater psychological complexity. While they may have been drawn by the seamy content (tame by current standards) the young late '60s audience responded to Joe's and Ratso's confusion amidst turbulent times and to the connection they make with each other despite their alienation from the surrounding culture. Midnight Cowboy became one of the major financial and artistic hits of 1969 winning Oscars for Best Picture (the first for an X-rated film) Best Director and former blacklistee Waldo Salt's screenplay. Though the one-two punch of Midnight Cowboy and The Graduate (1967) proved Hoffman's range and Voight's Joe Buck made him a star both lost Best Actor to classical cowboy John Wayne for True Grit. The film was later re-rated R by the MPAA.
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Based on a James Leo Herlihy novel , British director John Schlesinger 's first American film dramatized the small hopes , dashed dreams , and unlikely friendship of two late '60s lost souls. Dreaming of an easy life as a fantasy cowboy stud , cheerful Texas rube Joe Buck ( Jon Voight ) heads to New York City to be a gigolo , but he quickly discovers that hustling isn't what he thought it would be after he winds up paying his first trick ( Sylvia Miles ) . He gets swindled by gimpy tubercular grifter Rico "Ratso" Rizzo ( Dustin Hoffman ) but , when Joe falls in the direst of straits , Ratso takes Joe into his condemned apartment so that they can help each other survive. Things start to look up when Joe finally lands his first legit female customer ( Brenda Vaccaro ) at a Warhol - esque party ; Ratso's health , however , fails. Joe turns a final trick to get the money for one selfless goal : taking Ratso out of New York to his dream life in Miami. One of the first major studio films given the newly minted X rating for its then - frank portrayal of New York decadence , Midnight Cowboy was critically praised for Schlesinger's insight into American lives , with the intercut mosaic of Joe's memories and Ratso's dreams lending their characters and actions greater psychological complexity. While they may have been drawn by the seamy content ( tame by current standards ), the young late '60s audience responded to Joe's and Ratso's confusion amidst turbulent times and to the connection they make with each other despite their alienation from the surrounding culture. Midnight Cowboy became one of the major financial and artistic hits of 1969 , winning Oscars for Best Picture ( the first for an X - rated film ), Best Director , and former blacklistee Waldo Salt 's screenplay. Though the one - two punch of Midnight Cowboy and The Graduate ( 1967 ) proved Hoffman's range and Voight's Joe Buck made him a star , both lost Best Actor to classical cowboy John Wayne for True Grit . The film was later re - rated R by the MPAA.
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"I love to shoot film" is the sanguine motto of TV lensman John Cassellis (Robert Forster) in Haskell Wexler's 1969 Medium Cool a semi-documentary investigation of image-making and politics. With his soundman Gus (Peter Bonerz) John films such events as gruesome car wrecks with frosty detachment considering himself a mere recorder of circumstances his only responsibility to get his film in on time. Even his girlfriend Ruth (Marianna Hill) cannot understand or penetrate John's complacency. Encounters with signs of the late '60s times however raise John's consciousness about the implications of his job as he films a verbal attack by black militants on the media's racism gets fired after he objects to having that footage turned over to the FBI and meets Vietnam War widow Eileen (Verna Bloom). John witnesses the violence of the state firsthand as he and Eileen search for her son amidst the real-life demonstrations and riots at the 1968 Chicago Democratic Convention. Even though he realizes the political power of pointing a camera at anything John finally cannot extricate himself or his loved ones from a culture obsessed with recording any sensational gory incident. Scripted (from a novel by Jack Couffer) directed and shot by Oscar-winning cinematographer and political activist Wexler Medium Cool systematically questions the ideological power of images by combining documentary techniques such as "talking heads" and cinéma vérité with staged scenes between the actors. By the time Wexler and his crew start filming Forster and Bloom among the actual events at the convention all barriers between fiction and fact are broken down as Wexler's assistant can be heard warning "Watch out Haskell it's real" when tear gas is thrown. The footage of cops clubbing people in the crowd is real but Wexler's presence also turns it into part of a fictional story revealing filmed "reality" to be as artificially constructed as any other fiction subject to the interpretation of whoever holds the camera and perhaps to larger institutions of power. Funding Medium Cool partly out of his own resources Wexler had free reign during production but when the execs at Paramount saw the result they were not pleased. Despite the timely subject matter Paramount delayed and then curtailed the film's release tempering its impact on critics and audiences. Regardless of that record Medium Cool stands as a vital late-'60s film for its incisive narrative and formal dissection of the visual politics of "truth" and its awareness of how coolly seductive televised violence might be as entertainment especially in a historical moment marked by incendiary images of political assassinations the Vietnam War the civil rights movement and counterculture protests.
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"I love to shoot film" is the sanguine motto of TV lensman John Cassellis ( Robert Forster ) in Haskell Wexler 's 1969 Medium Cool , a semi - documentary investigation of image - making and politics. With his soundman , Gus ( Peter Bonerz ), John films such events as gruesome car wrecks with frosty detachment , considering himself a mere recorder of circumstances , his only responsibility to get his film in on time. Even his girlfriend , Ruth ( Marianna Hill ), cannot understand or penetrate John's complacency. Encounters with signs of the late '60s times , however , raise John's consciousness about the implications of his job , as he films a verbal attack by black militants on the media's racism , gets fired after he objects to having that footage turned over to the FBI , and meets Vietnam War widow Eileen ( Verna Bloom ) . John witnesses the violence of the state firsthand as he and Eileen search for her son amidst the real - life demonstrations and riots at the 1968 Chicago Democratic Convention. Even though he realizes the political power of pointing a camera at anything , John finally cannot extricate himself or his loved ones from a culture obsessed with recording any sensational , gory incident. Scripted ( from a novel by Jack Couffer ), directed , and shot by Oscar - winning cinematographer and political activist Wexler , Medium Cool systematically questions the ideological power of images by combining documentary techniques such as "talking heads" and cinéma vérité with staged scenes between the actors. By the time Wexler and his crew start filming Forster and Bloom among the actual events at the convention , all barriers between fiction and fact are broken down , as Wexler 's assistant can be heard warning , "Watch out , Haskell , it's real , " when tear gas is thrown. The footage of cops clubbing people in the crowd is real , but Wexler 's presence also turns it into part of a fictional story , revealing filmed "reality" to be as artificially constructed as any other fiction , subject to the interpretation of whoever holds the camera and , perhaps , to larger institutions of power. Funding Medium Cool partly out of his own resources , Wexler had free reign during production , but when the execs at Paramount saw the result , they were not pleased. Despite the timely subject matter , Paramount delayed and then curtailed the film's release , tempering its impact on critics and audiences. Regardless of that record , Medium Cool stands as a vital late - '60s film for its incisive narrative and formal dissection of the visual politics of "truth , " and its awareness of how coolly seductive televised violence might be as entertainment , especially in a historical moment marked by incendiary images of political assassinations , the Vietnam War , the civil rights movement , and counterculture protests.
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The film that elevated German director Rainer Werner Fassbinder from domestic approbation to international acclaim The Marriage of Maria Braun stars the director's on-and-off favorite actress Hanna Schygulla in the title role. During the allied siege of Germany in the last year of the war Maria's new husband (Klaus Löwitsch) is shipped off to the Russian front before the marriage is consummated. As she struggles to survive wartime deprivations Maria haunts the local train station seeking out information concerning her husband. When it appears that she's a widow Maria takes a job as a barmaid and befriends a black soldier (George Byrd) from the occupying allied troops who sees to it that Maria's family receives vital food and supplies. The opportunistic Maria eventually takes a job with a wealthy importer (Ivan Desny) building herself up to a position of power and indispensability. Though she sleeps with her employer Maria still carries a torch for her husband.
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The film that elevated German director Rainer Werner Fassbinder from domestic approbation to international acclaim , The Marriage of Maria Braun stars the director's on - and - off favorite actress Hanna Schygulla in the title role. During the allied siege of Germany in the last year of the war , Maria's new husband ( Klaus Löwitsch ) is shipped off to the Russian front before the marriage is consummated. As she struggles to survive wartime deprivations , Maria haunts the local train station , seeking out information concerning her husband. When it appears that she's a widow , Maria takes a job as a barmaid and befriends a black soldier ( George Byrd ) from the occupying allied troops , who sees to it that Maria's family receives vital food and supplies. The opportunistic Maria eventually takes a job with a wealthy importer ( Ivan Desny ), building herself up to a position of power and indispensability. Though she sleeps with her employer , Maria still carries a torch for her husband.
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Writer-director Spike Lee's epic portrayal of the life and times of the slain civil rights leader Malcolm X begins with the cross-cut imagery of the police beating of black motorist Rodney King juxtaposed with an American flag burning into the shape of the letter X. When the film's narrative begins moments later it jumps back to World War II-era Boston where Malcolm Little (Denzel Washington) is making his living as a hustler. The son of a Baptist preacher who was murdered by the Ku Klux Klan Little was raised by foster parents after his mother was deemed clinically insane; as an adult he turned to a life of crime which leads to his imprisonment on burglary charges. In jail Little receives epiphany in the form of an introduction to Islam; he is especially taken with the lessons of Elijah Mohammed who comes to him in a vision. Adopting the name 'Malcolm X' as a rejection of the 'Little' surname (given his family by white slave owners) he meets the real Elijah Mohammed (Al Freeman Jr.) upon exiting prison and begins work as a spokesman for the Nation of Islam. Marriage to a Muslim nurse named Betty Shabazz (Angela Bassett) follows after which X spearheads a well-attended march on a Harlem hospital housing a Muslim recovering from an episode of police brutality. The march's success helps elevate X to the position of Islam's national spokesperson. There is dissension in the ranks however and soon X is targeted for assassination by other Nation leaders; even Elijah Mohammed fears Malcolm's growing influence. After getting wind of the murder plot X leaves the Nation of Islam embarking on a pilgrimage to Mecca that proves revelatory; renouncing his separatist beliefs his oratories begin embracing all races and cultures. During a 1965 speech Malcolm X is shot and killed reportedly by Nation of Islam members.
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Writer - director Spike Lee's epic portrayal of the life and times of the slain civil rights leader Malcolm X begins with the cross - cut imagery of the police beating of black motorist Rodney King juxtaposed with an American flag burning into the shape of the letter X. When the film's narrative begins moments later , it jumps back to World War II - era Boston , where Malcolm Little ( Denzel Washington ) is making his living as a hustler. The son of a Baptist preacher who was murdered by the Ku Klux Klan , Little was raised by foster parents after his mother was deemed clinically insane ; as an adult , he turned to a life of crime , which leads to his imprisonment on burglary charges. In jail , Little receives epiphany in the form of an introduction to Islam ; he is especially taken with the lessons of Elijah Mohammed , who comes to him in a vision. Adopting the name 'Malcolm X' as a rejection of the 'Little' surname ( given his family by white slave owners ), he meets the real Elijah Mohammed ( Al Freeman , Jr . ) upon exiting prison , and begins work as a spokesman for the Nation of Islam. Marriage to a Muslim nurse named Betty Shabazz ( Angela Bassett ) follows , after which X spearheads a well - attended march on a Harlem hospital housing a Muslim recovering from an episode of police brutality. The march's success helps elevate X to the position of Islam's national spokesperson. There is dissension in the ranks , however , and soon X is targeted for assassination by other Nation leaders ; even Elijah Mohammed fears Malcolm's growing influence. After getting wind of the murder plot , X leaves the Nation of Islam , embarking on a pilgrimage to Mecca that proves revelatory ; renouncing his separatist beliefs , his oratories begin embracing all races and cultures. During a 1965 speech , Malcolm X is shot and killed , reportedly by Nation of Islam members.
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Peter Weir follows up on his critically acclaimed masterpiece Picnic at Hanging Rock with this surrealist psychological drama. The film opens with a freak hailstorm in Australia's outback. Cut to David Burton (Richard Chamberlain) a well-to-do Sydney corporate lawyer plagued by visions of impending doom who is assigned to defend five accused of murdering a fellow Aborigine. The case itself proves to be mysterious -- no exact cause of death can be determined by the pathologist and the accused remain strangely tight-lipped about the whole affair. As his visions grow increasingly weird and intense Burton sees in his dream one of the five Aborigines Chris (David Gulpili of Walkabout fame) who is drenched and clutching a sacred rock. Burton's interest in the case slides into complete obsession and he comes to believe that not only was the murder related to an underground urban tribe of Aborigines but that Australia is about to be decimated by a massive apocalyptic tidal wave.
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Peter Weir follows up on his critically acclaimed masterpiece Picnic at Hanging Rock with this surrealist psychological drama. The film opens with a freak hailstorm in Australia's outback. Cut to David Burton ( Richard Chamberlain ), a well - to - do Sydney corporate lawyer plagued by visions of impending doom who is assigned to defend five accused of murdering a fellow Aborigine. The case itself proves to be mysterious -- no exact cause of death can be determined by the pathologist , and the accused remain strangely tight - lipped about the whole affair. As his visions grow increasingly weird and intense , Burton sees in his dream one of the five Aborigines , Chris ( David Gulpili of Walkabout fame ), who is drenched and clutching a sacred rock. Burton's interest in the case slides into complete obsession , and he comes to believe that not only was the murder related to an underground urban tribe of Aborigines but that Australia is about to be decimated by a massive , apocalyptic tidal wave.
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In Bernardo Bertolucci's art-house classic Marlon Brando delivers one of his characteristically idiosyncratic performances as Paul a middle-aged American in "emotional exile" who comes to Paris when his estranged wife commits suicide. Chancing to meet young Frenchwoman Jeanne (Maria Schneider) Paul enters into a sadomasochistic carnal relationship with her indirectly attacking the hypocrisy all around him through his raw outrageous sexual behavior. Paul also hopes to purge himself of his own feelings of guilt brilliantly (and profanely) articulated in a largely ad-libbed monologue at his wife's coffin. If the sexual content in Last Tango is uncomfortably explicit (once seen the infamous "butter scene" is never forgotten) the combination of Brando's acting Bertolucci's direction Vittorio Storaro's cinematography and Gato Barbieri's music is unbeatable creating one of the classic European art movies of the 1970s albeit one that is not for all viewers.
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In Bernardo Bertolucci 's art - house classic , Marlon Brando delivers one of his characteristically idiosyncratic performances as Paul , a middle - aged American in "emotional exile" who comes to Paris when his estranged wife commits suicide. Chancing to meet young Frenchwoman Jeanne ( Maria Schneider ), Paul enters into a sadomasochistic , carnal relationship with her , indirectly attacking the hypocrisy all around him through his raw , outrageous sexual behavior. Paul also hopes to purge himself of his own feelings of guilt , brilliantly ( and profanely ) articulated in a largely ad - libbed monologue at his wife's coffin. If the sexual content in Last Tango is uncomfortably explicit ( once seen , the infamous "butter scene" is never forgotten ), the combination of Brando's acting , Bertolucci's direction , Vittorio Storaro 's cinematography , and Gato Barbieri 's music is unbeatable , creating one of the classic European art movies of the 1970s , albeit one that is not for all viewers.
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Produced by Hollywood iconoclast BBS Productions film critic-turned-director Peter Bogdanovich's 1971 film pays homage to Hollywood's classical age as it chronicles generational rites of passage in Anarene a fictional one-horse Texas town. In 1951 high school seniors Sonny (Timothy Bottoms) and Duane (Jeff Bridges) play football go to the movies at the Royal Theater hang out at the pool hall owned by local elder statesman Sam the Lion (Ben Johnson) and lust after rich tease Jacy Farrow (Cybill Shepherd in her film debut). As the year passes Sonny learns about the pitfalls and compromises of adulthood through an affair with his coach's wife Ruth (Cloris Leachman) and a thwarted elopement with Jacy after she dumps Duane. Following two tragic deaths and with Duane gone to Korea and Jacy packed off to college in Dallas Sonny is left behind in Anarene wise enough to absorb the life lessons of Sam the Lion and Jacy's mother Lois (Ellen Burstyn). He is determined to honor Sam's legacy as the town's conscience despite a telling sign of incipient communal disintegration: the closing of the Royal Theater after a final showing of Howard Hawks's Red River. Paying tribute to classical Hollywood directors like Hawks and John Ford Bogdanovich used old-time cinematographer Robert Surtees and shot The Last Picture Show in crisp black-and-white with a restrained style devoid of the kind of "new wave" techniques (jump cuts zooms and jittery hand-held camerawork) used by such contemporaries as Arthur Penn Robert Altman Mike Nichols and Martin Scorsese. As in such Ford films as The Grapes of Wrath (1940) Bogdanovich relies on careful visual composition in deep focus to help communicate the regret over the passing of an era. Hailed as one of the best films by a young director since Citizen Kane (1941) The Last Picture Show premiered at the New York Film Festival and went on to become a hit. It was also nominated for eight Oscars including Best Picture Best Director and Best Screenplay for Larry McMurtry's and Bogdanovich's adaptation of McMurtry's novel. John Ford stalwart Johnson won Supporting Actor and Leachman won Supporting Actress beating out their cohorts Bridges and Burstyn. For an audience steeped in movie history and caught up in the chaotic 1971 present The Last Picture Show presented a nostalgic look backward that was not so much an escape from the present as a coming to terms with what the present had lost. Its 1990 sequel Texasville in which Bridges and Shepherd played later incarnations of their original characters was not as successful.
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Produced by Hollywood iconoclast BBS Productions , film critic - turned - director Peter Bogdanovich 's 1971 film pays homage to Hollywood's classical age as it chronicles generational rites of passage in Anarene , a fictional one - horse Texas town. In 1951 , high school seniors Sonny ( Timothy Bottoms ) and Duane ( Jeff Bridges ) play football , go to the movies at the Royal Theater , hang out at the pool hall owned by local elder statesman Sam the Lion ( Ben Johnson ), and lust after rich tease Jacy Farrow ( Cybill Shepherd in her film debut ) . As the year passes , Sonny learns about the pitfalls and compromises of adulthood through an affair with his coach's wife Ruth ( Cloris Leachman ) and a thwarted elopement with Jacy after she dumps Duane. Following two tragic deaths , and with Duane gone to Korea and Jacy packed off to college in Dallas , Sonny is left behind in Anarene , wise enough to absorb the life lessons of Sam the Lion and Jacy's mother Lois ( Ellen Burstyn ) . He is determined to honor Sam's legacy as the town's conscience , despite a telling sign of incipient communal disintegration : the closing of the Royal Theater after a final showing of Howard Hawks 's Red River . Paying tribute to classical Hollywood directors like Hawks and John Ford , Bogdanovich used old - time cinematographer Robert Surtees and shot The Last Picture Show in crisp black - and - white , with a restrained style devoid of the kind of "new wave" techniques ( jump cuts , zooms , and jittery hand - held camerawork ) used by such contemporaries as Arthur Penn , Robert Altman , Mike Nichols , and Martin Scorsese . As in such Ford films as The Grapes of Wrath ( 1940 ), Bogdanovich relies on careful visual composition in deep focus to help communicate the regret over the passing of an era. Hailed as one of the best films by a young director since Citizen Kane ( 1941 ), The Last Picture Show premiered at the New York Film Festival and went on to become a hit. It was also nominated for eight Oscars , including Best Picture , Best Director and Best Screenplay for Larry McMurtry 's and Bogdanovich's adaptation of McMurtry's novel. John Ford stalwart Johnson won Supporting Actor and Leachman won Supporting Actress , beating out their cohorts Bridges and Burstyn. For an audience steeped in movie history and caught up in the chaotic 1971 present , The Last Picture Show presented a nostalgic look backward that was not so much an escape from the present as a coming to terms with what the present had lost. Its 1990 sequel Texasville , in which Bridges and Shepherd played later incarnations of their original characters , was not as successful.
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A disaffected man seeks a sense of identity in one of the key films of Hollywood's 1970s New Wave. Once a promising pianist from a family of classical musicians Bobby Eroica Dupea (Jack Nicholson in his first major starring role) leads a blue-collar life as an oil rigger living with needy waitress girlfriend Rayette (Karen Black) and bowling with their friends Elton (Billy \"Green\" Bush) and Stoney (Fannie Flagg). Feeling suffocated by responsibilities Bobby seeks out his sister Tita (Lois Smith) and discovering that his father is gravely ill he reluctantly heads back to the patrician family compound in Puget Sound with a pregnant Rayette in tow. After a road trip featuring a harangue from hitchhiker Palm (Helena Kallianiotes) about filth and Bobby's ill-fated attempt to make a menu substitution in a diner he tucks Rayette away in a motel before heading to the house. There Bobby seduces his uptight brother Carl's cultured fiancée Catherine (Susan Anspach) but Rayette shows up unexpectedly. As Rayette's crassness collides with the snobbery of the Dupea circle Bobby loses patience with both sides. After trying to reconcile with his mute father Bobby departs unwilling to give in to either destiny. Director Bob Rafelson and screenwriter Adrien Joyce (aka Carole Eastman) used the creative control afforded by the low budget to craft a European-influenced character study catching a cultural mood of anomie and resentment as it was embodied in Bobby. Neither older generation nor hippie Bobby fits in nowhere and his desire for independence conflicts with his emotional emptiness. Nicholson's nuanced performance of simmering frustration resonated with 1970 audiences caught between Nixon's "silent majority" and the troubled counterculture; a substantial hit Five Easy Pieces was nominated for several Oscars including Best Picture and Best Actor and established Nicholson as a star. Offering no "easy" answers to Bobby's existential crisis Five Easy Pieces is one of the pre-eminent films in the early-'70s cycle of alienated American art movies as even the fantasy of rebellion is reduced to merely running away.
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A disaffected man seeks a sense of identity in one of the key films of Hollywood's 1970s New Wave. Once a promising pianist from a family of classical musicians , Bobby Eroica Dupea ( Jack Nicholson , in his first major starring role ) leads a blue - collar life as an oil rigger , living with needy waitress girlfriend Rayette ( Karen Black ) and bowling with their friends Elton ( Billy \ "Green \ " Bush ) and Stoney ( Fannie Flagg ) . Feeling suffocated by responsibilities , Bobby seeks out his sister , Tita ( Lois Smith ), and , discovering that his father is gravely ill , he reluctantly heads back to the patrician family compound in Puget Sound with a pregnant Rayette in tow. After a road trip featuring a harangue from hitchhiker Palm ( Helena Kallianiotes ) about filth , and Bobby's ill - fated attempt to make a menu substitution in a diner , he tucks Rayette away in a motel before heading to the house. There Bobby seduces his uptight brother Carl's cultured fiancée , Catherine ( Susan Anspach ), but Rayette shows up unexpectedly. As Rayette's crassness collides with the snobbery of the Dupea circle , Bobby loses patience with both sides. After trying to reconcile with his mute father , Bobby departs , unwilling to give in to either destiny. Director Bob Rafelson and screenwriter Adrien Joyce ( aka Carole Eastman ) used the creative control afforded by the low budget to craft a European - influenced character study , catching a cultural mood of anomie and resentment as it was embodied in Bobby. Neither older generation nor hippie , Bobby fits in nowhere , and his desire for independence conflicts with his emotional emptiness. Nicholson 's nuanced performance of simmering frustration resonated with 1970 audiences caught between Nixon 's "silent majority" and the troubled counterculture ; a substantial hit , Five Easy Pieces was nominated for several Oscars , including Best Picture and Best Actor , and established Nicholson as a star. Offering no "easy" answers to Bobby's existential crisis , Five Easy Pieces is one of the pre - eminent films in the early - '70s cycle of alienated American art movies , as even the fantasy of rebellion is reduced to merely running away.
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Though he made allusions to his own life in all of his films Fanny and Alexander was the first overtly autobiographical film by Ingmar Bergman. Taking his time throughout (188 minutes to be exact) Bergman recreates several episodes from his youth using as conduits the fictional Ekdahl family. Alexander the director's alter ego is first seen at age 10 at a joyous and informal Christmas gathering of relatives and servants. Fanny is Alexander's sister; both suffer an emotional shakedown when their recently-widowed mother (Ewa Froling) marries a cold and distant minister. Stripped of their creature comforts and relaxed family atmosphere Fanny and Alexander suddenly find their childhood unendurable. The kids' grandmother (Gunn Wallgren) "kidnaps" Fanny and Alexander for the purpose of showering them with the first kindness and affection that they've had since their father's death. This "purge" of the darker elements of Fanny and Alexander's existence is accomplished at the unintentional (but applaudable) cost of the hated stepfather's life. Ingmar Bergman insisted that Fanny and Alexander originally a multipart television series pared down to feature-film length represented his final theatrical film though within a year after its release he was busy with several additional Swedish TV projects and his final work the 2003 Saraband (also produced for Swedish television) eventually received global theatrical distribution. Oscars went to Fanny and Alexander for Best Foreign Film Best Cinematography (Sven Nykvist) Best Costume Design and Best Art Direction/Set Decoration.
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Though he made allusions to his own life in all of his films , Fanny and Alexander was the first overtly autobiographical film by Ingmar Bergman . Taking his time throughout ( 188 minutes to be exact ), Bergman recreates several episodes from his youth , using as conduits the fictional Ekdahl family. Alexander , the director's alter ego , is first seen at age 10 at a joyous and informal Christmas gathering of relatives and servants. Fanny is Alexander's sister ; both suffer an emotional shakedown when their recently - widowed mother ( Ewa Froling ) marries a cold and distant minister. Stripped of their creature comforts and relaxed family atmosphere , Fanny and Alexander suddenly find their childhood unendurable. The kids' grandmother ( Gunn Wallgren ) "kidnaps" Fanny and Alexander for the purpose of showering them with the first kindness and affection that they've had since their father's death. This "purge" of the darker elements of Fanny and Alexander's existence is accomplished at the unintentional ( but applaudable ) cost of the hated stepfather's life. Ingmar Bergman insisted that Fanny and Alexander , originally a multipart television series pared down to feature - film length , represented his final theatrical film , though within a year after its release he was busy with several additional Swedish TV projects , and his final work , the 2003 Saraband ( also produced for Swedish television ), eventually received global theatrical distribution. Oscars went to Fanny and Alexander for Best Foreign Film , Best Cinematography ( Sven Nykvist ), Best Costume Design and Best Art Direction / Set Decoration.
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This truncated screen version of John Steinbeck's best-seller was the first starring vehicle for explosive 1950s screen personality James Dean who plays Cal Trask the "bad" son of taciturn Salinas valley lettuce farmer Adam Trask (Raymond Massey). Although he means well Cal can't stay out of trouble nor is he able to match the esteem in which his father holds his "good" brother Aron (Richard Davalos). Only Aron's girlfriend Abra (Julie Harris) and kindly old sheriff Sam Burl Ives) can see the essential goodness in the troublesome Cal. When Adam invests in a chancy and wholly unsuccessful method of shipping his crops east his wealth plummets. In an effort to save the business Cal obtains money from his estranged mother (the proprietor of a whorehouse) and invests it in a risky new bean crop. The gamble pays off (thanks in no small part to the war) but Adam refuses to take the money from Cal and the resultant quarrel causes Adam to have a stroke. Released the same year as Rebel Without a Cause East of Eden provided Dean with his first Oscar nomination for Best Actor.
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This truncated screen version of John Steinbeck 's best - seller was the first starring vehicle for explosive 1950s screen personality James Dean , who plays Cal Trask , the "bad" son of taciturn Salinas valley lettuce farmer Adam Trask ( Raymond Massey ) . Although he means well , Cal can't stay out of trouble , nor is he able to match the esteem in which his father holds his "good" brother Aron ( Richard Davalos ) . Only Aron's girlfriend Abra ( Julie Harris ) and kindly old sheriff Sam Burl Ives ) can see the essential goodness in the troublesome Cal. When Adam invests in a chancy and wholly unsuccessful method of shipping his crops east , his wealth plummets. In an effort to save the business , Cal obtains money from his estranged mother ( the proprietor of a whorehouse ) and invests it in a risky new bean crop. The gamble pays off ( thanks in no small part to the war ), but Adam refuses to take the money from Cal , and the resultant quarrel causes Adam to have a stroke. Released the same year as Rebel Without a Cause , East of Eden provided Dean with his first Oscar nomination , for Best Actor.
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The operative word in Drugstore Cowboy is "drug". Matt Dillon plays the leader of a group of dopeheads who wander around the country robbing pharmacies to feed their habits. Dillon's chums include doltish James Le Gros and teen-age junkie Heather Graham; also along for the ride is Dillon's wife Kelly Lynch. Their nemesis is cop James Remar whom Dillon takes perverse delight in humiliating. When one of the young addicts dies of an overdose it promps Dillon to try to go straight a task complicated by wife Lynch's determination to stay high and by the corrupting presence of an ex-priest played by Naked Lunch author William Burroughs. Drugstore Cowboy was director Gus Van Sant's breakthrough picture.
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The operative word in Drugstore Cowboy is "drug". Matt Dillon plays the leader of a group of dopeheads who wander around the country robbing pharmacies to feed their habits. Dillon 's chums include doltish James Le Gros and teen - age junkie Heather Graham ; also along for the ride is Dillon 's wife Kelly Lynch . Their nemesis is cop James Remar , whom Dillon takes perverse delight in humiliating. When one of the young addicts dies of an overdose , it promps Dillon to try to go straight , a task complicated by wife Lynch 's determination to stay high and by the corrupting presence of an ex - priest , played by Naked Lunch author William Burroughs . Drugstore Cowboy was director Gus Van Sant 's breakthrough picture.
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Adapted from James Dickey's popular novel John Boorman's 1972 movie recounts the grueling psychological and physical journey taken by four city slickers down a river in the backwoods of Georgia. At the behest of Iron John-esque Lewis (Burt Reynolds) the less adventuresome Ed (Jon Voight) Bobby (Ned Beatty) and Drew (Ronny Cox) agree to canoe down an uncharted section of the river before a dam project ruins the region. After warnings from the grimy impoverished locals and Drew's tuneful yet ominous "Dueling Banjos" encounter with a mute inbred boy the four men embark on their trip exulting in the beauty of nature and the initial thrill of the rapids. The next day however things begin to take a turn for the worse when Bobby and Ed decide to rest on shore after becoming separated from Lewis and Drew. Two rifle-wielding mountain men (Bill McKinney and Herbert \"Cowboy\" Coward) emerge from the woods tying up Ed while one of them rapes Bobby and makes him "squeal like a pig." Lewis and Drew rescue them but the attack irrevocably changes the tenor of the journey. As the river gets rougher and rougher the men come to nightmarish grips with what it means to survive outside the safety net of "civilization."
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Adapted from James Dickey 's popular novel , John Boorman 's 1972 movie recounts the grueling psychological and physical journey taken by four city slickers down a river in the backwoods of Georgia. At the behest of Iron John - esque Lewis ( Burt Reynolds ), the less adventuresome Ed ( Jon Voight ), Bobby ( Ned Beatty ), and Drew ( Ronny Cox ) agree to canoe down an uncharted section of the river before a dam project ruins the region. After warnings from the grimy , impoverished locals , and Drew's tuneful yet ominous "Dueling Banjos" encounter with a mute inbred boy , the four men embark on their trip , exulting in the beauty of nature and the initial thrill of the rapids. The next day , however , things begin to take a turn for the worse when Bobby and Ed decide to rest on shore after becoming separated from Lewis and Drew. Two rifle - wielding mountain men ( Bill McKinney and Herbert \ "Cowboy \ " Coward ) emerge from the woods , tying up Ed while one of them rapes Bobby and makes him "squeal like a pig." Lewis and Drew rescue them , but the attack irrevocably changes the tenor of the journey. As the river gets rougher and rougher , the men come to nightmarish grips with what it means to survive outside the safety net of "civilization."
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In this successful psychological thriller a reluctant agent of the Irish Republican Army discovers that some people just aren't who you expect them to be. Fergus (Stephen Rea) is an IRA "volunteer" who despite personal misgivings takes part in the kidnapping of a black British soldier Jody (Forest Whitaker) stationed in Northern Ireland. The IRA hopes to use Jody as a bargaining chip to win the release of IRA operatives behind bars but while guarding Jody Fergus becomes fast friends with his prisoner. Jody makes Fergus promise him that if he dies Fegus will look in on his girlfriend Dil (Jaye Davidson) and see if she's all right. Jody escapes and Fergus doesn't have the heart to shoot him; as fate would have it Jody runs from the woods into a street only to be run over by a British police vehicle which then flushes out the IRA compound. Fergus escapes to London where he's wanted by the law for Jody's kidnapping and also by his former girlfriend IRA operative Jude (Miranda Richardson) who thinks he knows too much to fall into the hands of the British authorities. Good to his word Fergus tracks down Dil and soon the two outcasts find themselves entering into a love affair although Fergus discovers that Dil is not the sort of woman he thought she was. Writer/director Neil Jordan won an Academy Award for his screenplay; the title song which was a U.K. hit for Dave Berry in 1965 was re-recorded for the film by one-time Culture Club vocalist Boy George with backing by the Pet Shop Boys.
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In this successful psychological thriller , a reluctant agent of the Irish Republican Army discovers that some people just aren't who you expect them to be. Fergus ( Stephen Rea ) is an IRA "volunteer" who , despite personal misgivings , takes part in the kidnapping of a black British soldier , Jody ( Forest Whitaker ), stationed in Northern Ireland. The IRA hopes to use Jody as a bargaining chip to win the release of IRA operatives behind bars , but , while guarding Jody , Fergus becomes fast friends with his prisoner. Jody makes Fergus promise him that if he dies , Fegus will look in on his girlfriend , Dil ( Jaye Davidson ), and see if she's all right. Jody escapes , and Fergus doesn't have the heart to shoot him ; as fate would have it , Jody runs from the woods into a street only to be run over by a British police vehicle , which then flushes out the IRA compound. Fergus escapes to London , where he's wanted by the law for Jody's kidnapping and also by his former girlfriend , IRA operative Jude ( Miranda Richardson ), who thinks he knows too much to fall into the hands of the British authorities. Good to his word , Fergus tracks down Dil , and soon the two outcasts find themselves entering into a love affair , although Fergus discovers that Dil is not the sort of woman he thought she was. Writer / director Neil Jordan won an Academy Award for his screenplay ; the title song , which was a U.K. hit for Dave Berry in 1965 , was re - recorded for the film by one - time Culture Club vocalist Boy George with backing by the Pet Shop Boys .
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The conformist is 1930s Italian Marcello Clerici (Jean-Louis Trintignant) a coward who has spent his life accommodating others so that he can "belong." Marcello agrees to kill a political refugee on orders from the Fascist government even though the victim-to-be is his college mentor. The film is a character study of the kind of person who willingly "conforms" to the ideological fashions of his day. In this case director Bernardo Bertolucci suggests that Marcello's desire to conform is rooted in his latent homosexuality. In addition to its strong storyline the film is critically revered for the astonishing production design by Nedo Azzini which together with Vittorio Storaro's camerawork recreates the atmosphere of Fascist Italy with some of the most complex visual compositions ever seen on film filled with highly stylized uses of angles shapes and shadows. The Conformist was cut by five crucial minutes when first released in the US; those missing moments were restored in the 1994 reissue.
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The conformist is 1930s Italian Marcello Clerici ( Jean - Louis Trintignant ), a coward who has spent his life accommodating others so that he can "belong." Marcello agrees to kill a political refugee , on orders from the Fascist government , even though the victim - to - be is his college mentor. The film is a character study of the kind of person who willingly "conforms" to the ideological fashions of his day. In this case , director Bernardo Bertolucci suggests that Marcello's desire to conform is rooted in his latent homosexuality. In addition to its strong storyline , the film is critically revered for the astonishing production design by Nedo Azzini , which , together with Vittorio Storaro 's camerawork , recreates the atmosphere of Fascist Italy with some of the most complex visual compositions ever seen on film , filled with highly stylized uses of angles , shapes , and shadows. The Conformist was cut by five crucial minutes when first released in the US ; those missing moments were restored in the 1994 reissue.
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Cinema Paradiso offers a nostalgic look at films and the effect they have on a young boy who grows up in and around the title village movie theater in this Italian comedy drama that is based on the life and times of screenwriter/director Giuseppe Tornatore. The story begins in the present as a Sicilian mother pines for her estranged son Salvatore who left many years ago and has since become a prominent Roman film director who has taken the advice of his mentor too literally. He finally returns to his home village to attend the funeral of the town's former film projectionist Alfredo and in so doing embarks upon a journey into his boyhood just after WWII when he became the man's official son. In the dark confines of the Cinema Paradiso the boy and the other townsfolk try to escape from the grim realities of post-war Italy. The town censor is also there to insure nothing untoward appears onscreen invariably demanding that all kissing scenes be edited out. One day Salvatore saves Alfredo's life after a fire and then becomes the new projectionist. A few years later Salvatore falls in love with a beautiful girl who breaks his heart after he is inducted into the military. Thirty years later Salvatore has come to say goodbye to his life-long friend who has left him a little gift in a film can. In 2002 over a decade after the film's original release Tornatore brought the original 170-minute director's cut to American screens for the first time.
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Cinema Paradiso offers a nostalgic look at films and the effect they have on a young boy who grows up in and around the title village movie theater in this Italian comedy drama that is based on the life and times of screenwriter / director Giuseppe Tornatore . The story begins in the present as a Sicilian mother pines for her estranged son , Salvatore , who left many years ago and has since become a prominent Roman film director who has taken the advice of his mentor too literally. He finally returns to his home village to attend the funeral of the town's former film projectionist , Alfredo , and , in so doing , embarks upon a journey into his boyhood just after WWII when he became the man's official son. In the dark confines of the Cinema Paradiso , the boy and the other townsfolk try to escape from the grim realities of post - war Italy. The town censor is also there to insure nothing untoward appears onscreen , invariably demanding that all kissing scenes be edited out. One day , Salvatore saves Alfredo's life after a fire , and then becomes the new projectionist. A few years later , Salvatore falls in love with a beautiful girl who breaks his heart after he is inducted into the military. Thirty years later , Salvatore has come to say goodbye to his life - long friend , who has left him a little gift in a film can. In 2002 , over a decade after the film's original release , Tornatore brought the original 170 - minute director's cut to American screens for the first time.
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With ornate imagery reminiscent of paintings from the story's 18th century period Stanley Kubrick's adaptation of William Makepeace Thackeray's novel depicts the rise and fall of a sensitive rogue in the British aristocracy. Young Irishman Redmond Barry (Ryan O'Neal) leaves home to seek his fortune after apparently killing an English officer in a duel. Through a series of mishaps and accidents Barry winds up fighting with the Prussian army in the Seven Years' War under the command of Capt. Potzdorf (Hardy Kruger); at war's end Potzdorf enlists Barry to spy on a shady Chevalier (Patrick Magee). Instead Barry joins up with the Irish Chevalier to flee Prussia and live as gamblers among Europe's elite. Wishing to climb even higher Barry soon meets the beautiful Lady Lyndon (Marisa Berenson) marrying her for her fortune after her older titled husband dies. Her son Lord Bullingdon (Leon Vitali) however despises the upstart Barry and regardless of how his mother may feel sees to it that the re-named Barry Lyndon will never be able to stake his claim to the entrenched aristocracy. Coming after Kubrick's esteemed hits 2001 (1968) and A Clockwork Orange (1971) Barry Lyndon opened with high expectations and met with decidedly mixed responses to its restrained tone. Even with Oscar nominations for Best Picture and Best Director (and wins for Cinematography Art Direction Costumes and Adapted Score) Barry Lyndon was a box office failure as mid-'70s audiences increasingly turned away from such narrative challenges as its epic length and muffled emotions. Since then Barry Lyndon has gained in stature taking its place among the formidable artistic achievements of Kubrick's career.
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With ornate imagery reminiscent of paintings from the story's 18th century period , Stanley Kubrick 's adaptation of William Makepeace Thackeray's novel depicts the rise and fall of a sensitive rogue in the British aristocracy. Young Irishman Redmond Barry ( Ryan O'Neal ) leaves home to seek his fortune after apparently killing an English officer in a duel. Through a series of mishaps and accidents , Barry winds up fighting with the Prussian army in the Seven Years' War under the command of Capt. Potzdorf ( Hardy Kruger ); at war's end , Potzdorf enlists Barry to spy on a shady Chevalier ( Patrick Magee ) . Instead , Barry joins up with the Irish Chevalier to flee Prussia and live as gamblers among Europe's elite. Wishing to climb even higher , Barry soon meets the beautiful Lady Lyndon ( Marisa Berenson ), marrying her for her fortune after her older titled husband dies. Her son Lord Bullingdon ( Leon Vitali ), however , despises the upstart Barry , and , regardless of how his mother may feel , sees to it that the re - named Barry Lyndon will never be able to stake his claim to the entrenched aristocracy. Coming after Kubrick's esteemed hits 2001 ( 1968 ) and A Clockwork Orange ( 1971 ), Barry Lyndon opened with high expectations and met with decidedly mixed responses to its restrained tone. Even with Oscar nominations for Best Picture and Best Director ( and wins for Cinematography , Art Direction , Costumes , and Adapted Score ), Barry Lyndon was a box office failure , as mid - '70s audiences increasingly turned away from such narrative challenges as its epic length and muffled emotions. Since then , Barry Lyndon has gained in stature , taking its place among the formidable artistic achievements of Kubrick's career.
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In 1964 with the Cuban Missile Crisis fresh in viewers' minds the Cold War at its frostiest and the hydrogen bomb relatively new and frightening Stanley Kubrick dared to make a film about what could happen if the wrong person pushed the wrong button -- and played the situation for laughs. Dr. Strangelove's jet-black satire (from a script by director Stanley Kubrick Peter George and Terry Southern) and a host of superb comic performances (including three from Peter Sellers) have kept the film fresh and entertaining even as its issues have become (slightly) less timely. Loaded with thermonuclear weapons a U.S. bomber piloted by Maj. T.J. "King" Kong (Slim Pickens) is on a routine flight pattern near the Soviet Union when they receive orders to commence Wing Attack Plan R best summarized by Maj. Kong as "Nuclear combat! Toe to toe with the Russkies!" On the ground at Burpleson Air Force Base Group Capt. Lionel Mandrake (Peter Sellers) notices nothing on the news about America being at war. Gen. Jack D. Ripper (Sterling Hayden) calmly informs him that he gave the command to attack the Soviet Union because it was high time someone did something about fluoridation which is sapping Americans' bodily fluids (and apparently has something to do with Ripper's sexual dysfunction). Meanwhile President Merkin Muffley (Sellers again) meets with his top Pentagon advisors including super-hawk Gen. Buck Turgidson (George C. Scott) who sees this as an opportunity to do something about Communism in general and Russians in particular. However the ante is upped considerably when Soviet ambassador de Sadesky (Peter Bull) informs Muffley and his staff of the latest innovation in Soviet weapons technology: a "Doomsday Machine" that will destroy the entire world if the Russians are attacked.
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In 1964 , with the Cuban Missile Crisis fresh in viewers' minds , the Cold War at its frostiest , and the hydrogen bomb relatively new and frightening , Stanley Kubrick dared to make a film about what could happen if the wrong person pushed the wrong button -- and played the situation for laughs. Dr. Strangelove 's jet - black satire ( from a script by director Stanley Kubrick , Peter George , and Terry Southern ) and a host of superb comic performances ( including three from Peter Sellers ) have kept the film fresh and entertaining , even as its issues have become ( slightly ) less timely. Loaded with thermonuclear weapons , a U.S. bomber piloted by Maj. T.J. "King" Kong ( Slim Pickens ) is on a routine flight pattern near the Soviet Union when they receive orders to commence Wing Attack Plan R , best summarized by Maj. Kong as "Nuclear combat! Toe to toe with the Russkies!" On the ground at Burpleson Air Force Base , Group Capt. Lionel Mandrake ( Peter Sellers ) notices nothing on the news about America being at war. Gen. Jack D. Ripper ( Sterling Hayden ) calmly informs him that he gave the command to attack the Soviet Union because it was high time someone did something about fluoridation , which is sapping Americans' bodily fluids ( and apparently has something to do with Ripper's sexual dysfunction ) . Meanwhile , President Merkin Muffley ( Sellers again ) meets with his top Pentagon advisors , including super - hawk Gen. Buck Turgidson ( George C. Scott ), who sees this as an opportunity to do something about Communism in general and Russians in particular. However , the ante is upped considerably when Soviet ambassador de Sadesky ( Peter Bull ) informs Muffley and his staff of the latest innovation in Soviet weapons technology : a "Doomsday Machine" that will destroy the entire world if the Russians are attacked.
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Director John Landis put himself on the map with this low-budget fabulously successful comedy which made a then-astounding 62 million dollars and started a slew of careers for its cast in the process. National Lampoon's Animal House is set in 1962 on the campus of Faber College in Faber PA. The first glimpse we get of the campus is the statue of its founder Emil Faber on the base of which is inscribed the motto "Knowledge Is Good." Incoming freshmen Larry "Pinto" Kroger (Tom Hulce) and Kent "Flounder" Dorfman (Stephen Furst) find themselves rejected by the pretentious Omega fraternity and instead pledge to Delta House. The Deltas are a motley fraternity of rejects and maladjusted undergraduates (some approaching their late twenties) whose main goal -- seemingly accomplished in part by their mere presence on campus -- is disrupting the staid peaceful rigidly orthodox and totally hypocritical social order of the school as represented by the Omegas and the college's dean Vernon Wormer (John Vernon). Dean Wormer decides that this is the year he's going to get the Deltas expelled and their chapter decertified; he places the fraternity on "double secret probation" and with help from Omega president Greg Marmalard (James Daughton) and hard-nosed member Doug Neidermeyer (Mark Metcalf) starts looking for any pretext on which to bring the members of the Delta fraternity up on charges. The Deltas oblivious to the danger they're in are having a great time steeped in irreverence mild debauchery and occasional drunkenness led by seniors Otter (Tim Matheson) Hoover (James Widdoes) D-Day (Bruce McGill) Boon (Peter Riegert) and pledge master John "Bluto" Blutarsky (John Belushi). They're given enough rope to hang themselves but even then manage to get into comical misadventures on a road trip (where they arrange an assignation with a group of young ladies from Emily Dickinson University). Finally they are thrown out of school and as a result stripped of their student deferments (and thus eligible for the draft). They decide to commit one last utterly senseless (and screamingly funny) slapstick act of rebellion making a shambles of the university's annual homecoming parade and in the process getting revenge on the dean the Omegas and everyone else who has ever gone against them.
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Director John Landis put himself on the map with this low - budget , fabulously successful comedy , which made a then - astounding 62 million dollars and started a slew of careers for its cast in the process. National Lampoon's Animal House is set in 1962 on the campus of Faber College in Faber , PA. The first glimpse we get of the campus is the statue of its founder Emil Faber , on the base of which is inscribed the motto , "Knowledge Is Good." Incoming freshmen Larry "Pinto" Kroger ( Tom Hulce ) and Kent "Flounder" Dorfman ( Stephen Furst ) find themselves rejected by the pretentious Omega fraternity , and instead pledge to Delta House. The Deltas are a motley fraternity of rejects and maladjusted undergraduates ( some approaching their late twenties ) whose main goal -- seemingly accomplished in part by their mere presence on campus -- is disrupting the staid , peaceful , rigidly orthodox , and totally hypocritical social order of the school , as represented by the Omegas and the college's dean , Vernon Wormer ( John Vernon ) . Dean Wormer decides that this is the year he's going to get the Deltas expelled and their chapter decertified ; he places the fraternity on "double secret probation" and , with help from Omega president Greg Marmalard ( James Daughton ) and hard - nosed member Doug Neidermeyer ( Mark Metcalf ), starts looking for any pretext on which to bring the members of the Delta fraternity up on charges. The Deltas , oblivious to the danger they're in , are having a great time , steeped in irreverence , mild debauchery , and occasional drunkenness , led by seniors Otter ( Tim Matheson ), Hoover ( James Widdoes ), D - Day ( Bruce McGill ), Boon ( Peter Riegert ), and pledge master John "Bluto" Blutarsky ( John Belushi ) . They're given enough rope to hang themselves , but even then manage to get into comical misadventures on a road trip ( where they arrange an assignation with a group of young ladies from Emily Dickinson University ) . Finally , they are thrown out of school , and , as a result , stripped of their student deferments ( and , thus , eligible for the draft ) . They decide to commit one last , utterly senseless ( and screamingly funny ) slapstick act of rebellion , making a shambles of the university's annual homecoming parade , and , in the process , getting revenge on the dean , the Omegas , and everyone else who has ever gone against them.
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Lending his burlesque touch to 1970s genre revision Mel Brooks followed his hit "western" Blazing Saddles with this parody of 1930s Universal horror movies. Determined to live down his family's reputation Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (co-screenwriter Gene Wilder) insists on pronouncing his name "Fronckensteen" and denies interest in replicating his grandfather's experiments. But when he is lured by Frau Blucher (Cloris Leachman) to discover the tantalizingly titled journal "How I Did It" in his grandfather's castle he cannot resist. With the help of voluptuous Inga (Teri Garr) wall-eyed assistant Igor (Marty Feldman) and a purloined brain Frankenstein creates his monster (Peter Boyle). Igor however stole the wrong brain and the monster tears off into the countryside encountering a little girl and a blind hermit (Gene Hackman). Frankenstein finds the monster and trains him to do a little "Puttin' On the Ritz" soft-shoe but the monster escapes again this time seducing Frankenstein's uptight fiancée Elizabeth (Madeline Kahn) with his ahem sweet mystery. His love life and experiment in shambles Frankenstein finally finds a way to create the being he had planned. Shooting in gleaming black-and-white with sets and props from the 1930s and appropriate fright music by John Morris Brooks' cheeky attitude towards the Hollywood past attracted a large audience turning it into one of the most popular 1974 releases after (what else?) Blazing Saddles.
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Lending his burlesque touch to 1970s genre revision , Mel Brooks followed his hit "western" Blazing Saddles with this parody of 1930s Universal horror movies. Determined to live down his family's reputation , Dr. Frederick Frankenstein ( co - screenwriter Gene Wilder ) insists on pronouncing his name "Fronckensteen" and denies interest in replicating his grandfather's experiments. But when he is lured by Frau Blucher ( Cloris Leachman ) to discover the tantalizingly titled journal "How I Did It" in his grandfather's castle , he cannot resist. With the help of voluptuous Inga ( Teri Garr ), wall - eyed assistant Igor ( Marty Feldman ), and a purloined brain , Frankenstein creates his monster ( Peter Boyle ) . Igor , however , stole the wrong brain , and the monster tears off into the countryside , encountering a little girl and a blind hermit ( Gene Hackman ) . Frankenstein finds the monster and trains him to do a little "Puttin' On the Ritz" soft - shoe , but the monster escapes again , this time seducing Frankenstein's uptight fiancée Elizabeth ( Madeline Kahn ) with his , ahem , sweet mystery. His love life and experiment in shambles , Frankenstein finally finds a way to create the being he had planned. Shooting in gleaming black - and - white , with sets and props from the 1930s and appropriate fright music by John Morris , Brooks' cheeky attitude towards the Hollywood past attracted a large audience , turning it into one of the most popular 1974 releases after ( what else? ) Blazing Saddles .
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Screenwriter Bruce Robinson made his directorial debut with this British comedy. Withnail (Richard E. Grant) is an unsuccessful pill-popping actor; "I" or Marwood (Paul McGann) is Withnail's roommate and another equally underemployed actor. The time is 1969: Withnail is fast becoming a burned-out relic of the '60s while Marwood is trying to reassimilate into society. The two take a trip to the country in hopes of rejuvenating themselves but things go from worse to even worse. Given the intimacy and insight of the screenplay and dialogue one shouldn't be surprised that Bruce Robinson (who adapted the film from his own novel) based Withnail & I on his own experiences. The film proves that certain "Age of Aquarius" types were just as bollixed-up in Britain as they were in America.
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Screenwriter Bruce Robinson made his directorial debut with this British comedy. Withnail ( Richard E. Grant ) is an unsuccessful , pill - popping actor ; "I , " or Marwood ( Paul McGann ), is Withnail's roommate and another equally underemployed actor. The time is 1969 : Withnail is fast becoming a burned - out relic of the '60s , while Marwood is trying to reassimilate into society. The two take a trip to the country in hopes of rejuvenating themselves , but things go from worse to even worse. Given the intimacy and insight of the screenplay and dialogue , one shouldn't be surprised that Bruce Robinson ( who adapted the film from his own novel ) based Withnail & I on his own experiences. The film proves that certain "Age of Aquarius" types were just as bollixed - up in Britain as they were in America.
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Rob Reiner's romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally stars Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan as the title pair. The film opens with the two strangers both newly graduated from the University of Chicago share a car trip from Chicago to New York where they are both going to make their way. During the trip they discuss aspects of their characters and their lives eventually deciding it is impossible for men and women to be "just friends." They arrive in New York and go their separate ways. They meet a few years later on an airplane and Harry reveals he is married. They meet again at a bookstore a few years after that where Harry reveals he is now divorced. From that point on the two form a friendship. Eventually their closeness results in their respective best friends (played by Carrie Fisher and Bruno Kirby) meeting and falling in love with each other. At a New Year's Eve party Harry and Sally confront the complex tangle of emotions they feel for each other. The soundtrack consists primarily of Harry Connick Jr. crooning standards like "It Had to Be You."
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Rob Reiner 's romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally stars Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan as the title pair. The film opens with the two strangers , both newly graduated from the University of Chicago , share a car trip from Chicago to New York , where they are both going to make their way. During the trip , they discuss aspects of their characters and their lives , eventually deciding it is impossible for men and women to be "just friends." They arrive in New York and go their separate ways. They meet a few years later on an airplane and Harry reveals he is married. They meet again at a bookstore a few years after that where Harry reveals he is now divorced. From that point on , the two form a friendship. Eventually their closeness results in their respective best friends ( played by Carrie Fisher and Bruno Kirby ) meeting and falling in love with each other. At a New Year's Eve party Harry and Sally confront the complex tangle of emotions they feel for each other. The soundtrack consists primarily of Harry Connick Jr. crooning standards like "It Had to Be You."
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Michael Dorsey (Dustin Hoffman) a brilliant but troublesome New York actor has managed to alienate every producer on both coasts. Michael's agent George Fields (Sydney Pollack) can't even get his client a commercial since Michael complained that the tomato he was playing wasn't properly motivated. "You were a tomato!" screams George in desperation adding that Michael is so obnoxious that he will probably never work again. Dorsey thinks otherwise; when he hears of an opening on a popular soap opera he applies for the job--even though the job is for a woman. Posing as "Miss Dorothy Michaels" Michael wins the part and becomes a widely-known actress. Yet complications ensue when Michael falls for his co-star Julie (Jessica Lange in an Oscar-winning performance) but as Dorothy is courted by Julie's widowed father (Charles Durning). Michael ultimately finds that his disguise as a woman has made him a better man. One of the classic comedies of the 1980s Tootsie's gender-bending premise boasts a screenplay by Larry Gelbart and Murray Schisgal and by a host of memorable supporting comic performances from Dabney Coleman Teri Garr George Gaynes and Bill Murray. Future Oscar-winner Geena Davis makes her screen debut as a daytime drama queen which indeed she had been before Tootsie came along.
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Michael Dorsey ( Dustin Hoffman ), a brilliant but troublesome New York actor , has managed to alienate every producer on both coasts. Michael's agent George Fields ( Sydney Pollack ) can't even get his client a commercial since Michael complained that the tomato he was playing wasn't properly motivated. "You were a tomato!" screams George in desperation , adding that Michael is so obnoxious that he will probably never work again. Dorsey thinks otherwise ; when he hears of an opening on a popular soap opera , he applies for the job -- even though the job is for a woman. Posing as "Miss Dorothy Michaels , " Michael wins the part and becomes a widely - known actress. Yet complications ensue when Michael falls for his co - star Julie ( Jessica Lange , in an Oscar - winning performance ) but , as Dorothy , is courted by Julie's widowed father ( Charles Durning ) . Michael ultimately finds that his disguise as a woman has made him a better man. One of the classic comedies of the 1980s , Tootsie 's gender - bending premise boasts a screenplay by Larry Gelbart and Murray Schisgal , and by a host of memorable supporting comic performances from Dabney Coleman , Teri Garr , George Gaynes , and Bill Murray . Future Oscar - winner Geena Davis makes her screen debut as a daytime drama queen , which indeed she had been before Tootsie came along.
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Largely improvised by director Rob Reiner and his cast This Is Spinal Tap looks and sounds like a "real" documentary with Michael McKean Harry Shearer and Christopher Guest as David St. Hubbins Derek Smalls and Nigel Tufnel the key members of a going-nowhere British heavy metal band called Spinal Tap. The "group" started as an informal skiffle band eventually maturing into an R&B act called the Thamesmen (their hit was "Gimme Some Money"). After going through a psychedelic period with "Listen to the Flower People" the band mutated into Spinal Tap a hard rock outfit responsible for such albums as "Intravenous DeMilo" "The Sun Never Sweats" and "Bent for the Rent." This Is Spinal Tap finds them in the midst of their first American tour in years as they support their new LP Smell the Glove with filmmaker Marty DiBergi (Rob Reiner) who specializes in TV commercials on hand to document the occasion. Just about anything that can go wrong does: shows get canceled stage props go wrong wireless guitar pickups start broadcasting air-traffic reports no one shows up for in-store appearances David's girlfriend tries to take over the band they wind up billed second to a puppet show at an amusement park and the group teeters on the verge of breakup. After the film's initial release McKean Guest and Shearer did a short club tour as Spinal Tap; the "band" reunited in 1992 for a new album Break Like the Wind followed by a full-fledged tour and TV special The Return of Spinal Tap.
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Largely improvised by director Rob Reiner and his cast , This Is Spinal Tap looks and sounds like a "real" documentary , with Michael McKean , Harry Shearer , and Christopher Guest as David St. Hubbins , Derek Smalls , and Nigel Tufnel , the key members of a going - nowhere British heavy metal band called Spinal Tap . The "group" started as an informal skiffle band , eventually maturing into an R&B act called the Thamesmen ( their hit was "Gimme Some Money" ) . After going through a psychedelic period with "Listen to the Flower People , " the band mutated into Spinal Tap , a hard rock outfit responsible for such albums as "Intravenous DeMilo , " "The Sun Never Sweats , " and "Bent for the Rent." This Is Spinal Tap finds them in the midst of their first American tour in years as they support their new LP Smell the Glove , with filmmaker Marty DiBergi ( Rob Reiner ), who specializes in TV commercials , on hand to document the occasion. Just about anything that can go wrong does : shows get canceled , stage props go wrong , wireless guitar pickups start broadcasting air - traffic reports , no one shows up for in - store appearances , David's girlfriend tries to take over the band , they wind up billed second to a puppet show at an amusement park , and the group teeters on the verge of breakup. After the film's initial release , McKean , Guest , and Shearer did a short club tour as Spinal Tap ; the "band" reunited in 1992 for a new album , Break Like the Wind , followed by a full - fledged tour and TV special , The Return of Spinal Tap .
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The launching pad for Billy Wilder's comedy classic was a rusty old German farce Fanfares of Love whose two main characters were male musicians so desperate to get a job that they disguise themselves as women and play with an all-girl band in gangster-dominated 1929 Chicago. In this version musicians Joe (Tony Curtis) and Jerry (Jack Lemmon) lose their jobs when a speakeasy owned by mob boss Spats Columbo (George Raft) is raided by prohibition agent Mulligan (Pat O'Brien). Several weeks later on February 14th Joe and Jerry get a job perfroming in Urbana and end up witnessing a gangland massacre in a parking garage. Fearing that they will be next on the mobsters' hit lists Joe devises an ingenious plan for disguising their identities. Soon they are all dolled up and performing as Josephine and Daphne in Sweet Sue's all-girl orchestra. En route to Florida by train with Sweet Sue's band the boys (girls?) make the acquaintance of Sue's lead singer Sugar Kane (Marilyn Monroe in what may be her best performance). Joe and Jerry immediately fall in love though of course their new feminine identities prevent them from acting on their desires. Still they are determined to woo her and they enact an elaborate series of gender-bending ruses complicated by the fact that flirtatious millionaire Osgood Fielding (Joe E. Brown) has fallen in love with "Daphne." The plot gets even thicker when Spats Columbo and his boys show up in Florida. Nominated for several Oscars Some Like It Hot ended up the biggest moneymaking comedy up to 1959. Full of hilarious set pieces and movie in-jokes it has not tarnished with time and in fact seems to get better with each passing year as its cross-dressing humor keeps it only more and more up-to-date.
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The launching pad for Billy Wilder 's comedy classic was a rusty old German farce , Fanfares of Love , whose two main characters were male musicians so desperate to get a job that they disguise themselves as women and play with an all - girl band in gangster - dominated 1929 Chicago. In this version , musicians Joe ( Tony Curtis ) and Jerry ( Jack Lemmon ) lose their jobs when a speakeasy owned by mob boss Spats Columbo ( George Raft ) is raided by prohibition agent Mulligan ( Pat O'Brien ) . Several weeks later , on February 14th , Joe and Jerry get a job perfroming in Urbana and end up witnessing a gangland massacre in a parking garage. Fearing that they will be next on the mobsters' hit lists , Joe devises an ingenious plan for disguising their identities. Soon they are all dolled up and performing as Josephine and Daphne in Sweet Sue's all - girl orchestra. En route to Florida by train with Sweet Sue's band , the boys ( girls? ) make the acquaintance of Sue's lead singer Sugar Kane ( Marilyn Monroe , in what may be her best performance ) . Joe and Jerry immediately fall in love , though of course their new feminine identities prevent them from acting on their desires. Still , they are determined to woo her , and they enact an elaborate series of gender - bending ruses complicated by the fact that flirtatious millionaire Osgood Fielding ( Joe E. Brown ) has fallen in love with "Daphne." The plot gets even thicker when Spats Columbo and his boys show up in Florida. Nominated for several Oscars , Some Like It Hot ended up the biggest moneymaking comedy up to 1959. Full of hilarious set pieces and movie in - jokes , it has not tarnished with time and in fact seems to get better with each passing year , as its cross - dressing humor keeps it only more and more up - to - date.
0048
One of the key American independent films of the 1990s Richard Linklater's feature debut is an audacious look at the twentysomething culture in the college town of Austin Texas. Set over the course of a 24-hour period the film is a collection of short unconnected glimpses into the dropout subculture touching base with a variety of musicians students street people and general eccentrics. While there's no real plot to speak of Linklater's eye for nuance and gift for dialogue are superb and the portrait he paints is so uncannily accurate that the term "slacker" was almost immediately co-opted as a media buzzword one interchangeable with the similarly-overused "Generation X." Regardless the film is an evocative reflection of a community and its culture and remains a definitive artifact of its time and place.
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One of the key American independent films of the 1990s , Richard Linklater 's feature debut is an audacious look at the twentysomething culture in the college town of Austin , Texas. Set over the course of a 24 - hour period , the film is a collection of short , unconnected glimpses into the dropout subculture , touching base with a variety of musicians , students , street people and general eccentrics. While there's no real plot to speak of , Linklater 's eye for nuance and gift for dialogue are superb , and the portrait he paints is so uncannily accurate that the term "slacker" was almost immediately co - opted as a media buzzword , one interchangeable with the similarly - overused "Generation X." Regardless , the film is an evocative reflection of a community and its culture and remains a definitive artifact of its time and place.
0049
Hollywood 1927: the silent-film romantic team of Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) and Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen) is the toast of Tinseltown. While Lockwood and Lamont personify smoldering passions onscreen in real life the down-to-earth Lockwood can't stand the egotistical brainless Lina. He prefers the company of aspiring actress Kathy Selden (Debbie Reynolds) whom he met while escaping his screaming fans. Watching these intrigues from the sidelines is Cosmo Brown (Donald O'Connor) Don's best pal and on-set pianist. Cosmo is promoted to musical director of Monumental Pictures by studio head R.F. Simpson (Millard Mitchell) when the talking-picture revolution commences. That's all right for Cosmo but how will talkies affect the upcoming Lockwood-Lamont vehicle "The Dueling Cavalier"? Don an accomplished song-and-dance man should have no trouble adapting to the microphone. Lina however is another matter; put as charitably as possible she has a voice that sounds like fingernails on a blackboard. The disastrous preview of the team's first talkie has the audience howling with derisive laughter. On the strength of the plot alone concocted by the matchless writing team of Betty Comden and Adolph Green Singin' in the Rain is a delight. But with the addition of MGM's catalog of Arthur Freed-Nacio Herb Brown songs -- "You Were Meant for Me" "You Are My Lucky Star" "The Broadway Melody" and of course the title song -- the film becomes one of the greatest Hollywood musicals ever made.
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Hollywood , 1927 : the silent - film romantic team of Don Lockwood ( Gene Kelly ) and Lina Lamont ( Jean Hagen ) is the toast of Tinseltown. While Lockwood and Lamont personify smoldering passions onscreen , in real life the down - to - earth Lockwood can't stand the egotistical , brainless Lina. He prefers the company of aspiring actress Kathy Selden ( Debbie Reynolds ), whom he met while escaping his screaming fans. Watching these intrigues from the sidelines is Cosmo Brown ( Donald O'Connor ), Don's best pal and on - set pianist. Cosmo is promoted to musical director of Monumental Pictures by studio head R.F. Simpson ( Millard Mitchell ) when the talking - picture revolution commences. That's all right for Cosmo , but how will talkies affect the upcoming Lockwood - Lamont vehicle "The Dueling Cavalier"? Don , an accomplished song - and - dance man , should have no trouble adapting to the microphone. Lina , however , is another matter ; put as charitably as possible , she has a voice that sounds like fingernails on a blackboard. The disastrous preview of the team's first talkie has the audience howling with derisive laughter. On the strength of the plot alone , concocted by the matchless writing team of Betty Comden and Adolph Green , Singin' in the Rain is a delight. But with the addition of MGM's catalog of Arthur Freed - Nacio Herb Brown songs -- "You Were Meant for Me , " "You Are My Lucky Star , " "The Broadway Melody , " and of course the title song -- the film becomes one of the greatest Hollywood musicals ever made.
0050
Combining influences from Tex Avery cartoons to Sam Raimi horror movies to 1940s B-movies Joel Coen and Ethan Coen followed up the stylish film noir of their debut Blood Simple (1984) with this frantic screwball comedy. H.I. "Hi" McDonnough (Nicholas Cage) is a philosophical but slightly dim career criminal who has been arrested so often that he gets to know "Ed" short for Edwina (Holly Hunter) the officer who takes his mug shots. Hi takes a shine to Ed and promises to go straight if she marries him. She accepts and they move to the Arizona desert where Hi holds down a factory job and blissfully watches the sunsets with Ed. Their serenity is shattered when the couple decides that they want a child and discover that as Hi puts it "Ed's womb was a rocky place where my seed could find no purchase." (One of the film's many delights is Hi's unexpectedly flowery dime-novel narration.) Ed goes into a severe depression until she sees an item in the news. Nathan Arizona (Trey Wilson) owner of a chain of unpainted furniture stores has become the father of quintuplets and he and his wife joke that they now have more children than they know what to do with. In what seems like a perfect "helps you helps me" situation Hi and Ed kidnap one of the Arizona infants figuring that they'll have a baby and the Arizonas will have less of a burden.
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Combining influences from Tex Avery cartoons to Sam Raimi horror movies to 1940s B - movies , Joel Coen and Ethan Coen followed up the stylish film noir of their debut , Blood Simple ( 1984 ), with this frantic screwball comedy. H.I. "Hi" McDonnough ( Nicholas Cage ) is a philosophical but slightly dim career criminal who has been arrested so often that he gets to know "Ed , " short for Edwina ( Holly Hunter ), the officer who takes his mug shots. Hi takes a shine to Ed and promises to go straight if she marries him. She accepts , and they move to the Arizona desert , where Hi holds down a factory job and blissfully watches the sunsets with Ed. Their serenity is shattered when the couple decides that they want a child and discover that , as Hi puts it , "Ed's womb was a rocky place where my seed could find no purchase." ( One of the film's many delights is Hi's unexpectedly flowery dime - novel narration. ) Ed goes into a severe depression until she sees an item in the news. Nathan Arizona ( Trey Wilson ), owner of a chain of unpainted furniture stores , has become the father of quintuplets , and he and his wife joke that they now have more children than they know what to do with. In what seems like a perfect "helps you , helps me" situation , Hi and Ed kidnap one of the Arizona infants , figuring that they'll have a baby and the Arizonas will have less of a burden.
0051
When there's a full moon over Brooklyn anything can happen and everything happens in the neighborhood where widowed bookkeeper Loretta Castorini (Cher) lives. First Loretta agrees to marry a man she does not love Johnny Cammareri (Danny Aiello) simply because he knows how to propose properly. Before the wedding can take place Cammareri must visit his dying mother in Sicily. In his absence Loretta is supposed to try to patch up the differences between Johnny and his brother bakery operator Ronny Cammareri (Nicolas Cage). Having never forgiven Johnny for indirectly causing the accident that crippled him Ronny flies into a rage whenever his brother's name is mentioned. He does however fall for Loretta like a ton of bricks. After a torrid affair Loretta tries to avoid Ronny out of respect to Johnny but he's just too fascinating to resist. Meanwhile Loretta's father (Vincent Gardenia) is fooling around with his mistress Mona (Anita Gillette) while Loretta's mother (Olympia Dukakis) is wooed by a college professor (John Mahoney). These brief flings are forgiven and forgotten but there's still the delicate situation of Loretta being in love with her future brother-in-law. A now-classic romantic comedy Moonstruck won Oscars for Cher Olympia Dukakis and screenwriter John Patrick Shanley.
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When there's a full moon over Brooklyn , anything can happen , and everything happens in the neighborhood where widowed bookkeeper Loretta Castorini ( Cher ) lives. First , Loretta agrees to marry a man she does not love , Johnny Cammareri ( Danny Aiello ), simply because he knows how to propose properly. Before the wedding can take place , Cammareri must visit his dying mother in Sicily. In his absence , Loretta is supposed to try to patch up the differences between Johnny and his brother , bakery operator Ronny Cammareri ( Nicolas Cage ) . Having never forgiven Johnny for indirectly causing the accident that crippled him , Ronny flies into a rage whenever his brother's name is mentioned. He does , however , fall for Loretta like a ton of bricks. After a torrid affair , Loretta tries to avoid Ronny out of respect to Johnny , but he's just too fascinating to resist. Meanwhile , Loretta's father ( Vincent Gardenia ) is fooling around with his mistress Mona ( Anita Gillette ), while Loretta's mother ( Olympia Dukakis ) is wooed by a college professor ( John Mahoney ) . These brief flings are forgiven and forgotten , but there's still the delicate situation of Loretta being in love with her future brother - in - law. A now - classic romantic comedy , Moonstruck won Oscars for Cher , Olympia Dukakis , and screenwriter John Patrick Shanley .
0052
From its opening multi-language titles (that sure looks like Swedish) to the closing arrest of the entire Dark Ages cast by modern-day bobbies Monty Python and the Holy Grail helped to define "irreverence" and became an instant cult classic. This time the Pythonites savage the legend of King Arthur juxtaposing some excellently selected exterior locations with an unending stream of anachronistic one-liners non sequiturs and slapstick set pieces. The Knights of the Round Table set off in search of the Holy Grail on foot as their lackeys make clippety-clop sounds with coconut shells. A plague-ridden community ringing with the cry of "bring out your dead" offers its hale and hearty citizens to the body piles. A wedding of convenience is attacked by Arthur's minions while the pasty-faced groom continually attempts to burst into song. The good guys are nearly thwarted by the dreaded tree-shaped "Knights Who Say Ni!" A feisty enemy warrior bloodily shorn of his arms and legs in the thick of battle threatens to bite off his opponent's kneecap. A French military officer shouts such taunts as "I fart in your general direction" and "I wave my private parts at your aunties." Rabbits are a particular obsession of the writers this time around ranging from the huge Trojan Rabbit to the "killer bunny" that decapitates one of the knights. Graham Chapman John Cleese Terry Gilliam Eric Idle Terry Jones and Michael Palin collaborated on the script and assumed most of the onscreen roles while Gilliam and Jones served as co-directors.
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From its opening multi - language titles ( that sure looks like Swedish ) to the closing arrest of the entire Dark Ages cast by modern - day bobbies , Monty Python and the Holy Grail helped to define "irreverence" and became an instant cult classic. This time the Pythonites savage the legend of King Arthur , juxtaposing some excellently selected exterior locations with an unending stream of anachronistic one - liners , non sequiturs , and slapstick set pieces. The Knights of the Round Table set off in search of the Holy Grail on foot , as their lackeys make clippety - clop sounds with coconut shells. A plague - ridden community , ringing with the cry of "bring out your dead , " offers its hale and hearty citizens to the body piles. A wedding of convenience is attacked by Arthur's minions while the pasty - faced groom continually attempts to burst into song. The good guys are nearly thwarted by the dreaded , tree - shaped "Knights Who Say Ni!" A feisty enemy warrior , bloodily shorn of his arms and legs in the thick of battle , threatens to bite off his opponent's kneecap. A French military officer shouts such taunts as "I fart in your general direction" and "I wave my private parts at your aunties." Rabbits are a particular obsession of the writers this time around , ranging from the huge Trojan Rabbit to the "killer bunny" that decapitates one of the knights. Graham Chapman , John Cleese , Terry Gilliam , Eric Idle , Terry Jones , and Michael Palin collaborated on the script and assumed most of the onscreen roles , while Gilliam and Jones served as co - directors.
0053
ill Forsyth's whimsical tale of sweet-natured corporate rapacity features standout performances by Burt Lancaster and Peter Riegert. Lancaster plays Texas billionaire Felix Happer who would rather gaze at the stars than worry about his multi-national oil company. Happer dispatches Mac MacIntyre (Peter Riegert) and Danny Oldsen (Peter Capaldi) to the small Scottish fishing village of Ferness to negotiate buying the entire town so Happer can drill for oil in the North Sea. Much to Mac's surprise the entire town is happy to sell itself for big money and the local innkeeper Gordon Urquhart (Denis Lawson) -- who is also the town's accountant and mayor -- works with Mac on the negotiations. But a wrinkle appears in the deal when Ben Knox (Fulton Mackay) an old man who lives in a shack on the beach which has been owned by his family for centuries refuses to sell. His reasons? "Who'd look after the beach then? It would go to pieces in a short manner of time." The deal stalls so seriously that Happer travels to Ferness to oversee negotiations as Mac and Danny are seduced by the charm of the Scottish town.
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Bill Forsyth 's whimsical tale of sweet - natured corporate rapacity features standout performances by Burt Lancaster and Peter Riegert . Lancaster plays Texas billionaire Felix Happer , who would rather gaze at the stars than worry about his multi - national oil company. Happer dispatches Mac MacIntyre ( Peter Riegert ) and Danny Oldsen ( Peter Capaldi ) to the small Scottish fishing village of Ferness to negotiate buying the entire town so Happer can drill for oil in the North Sea. Much to Mac's surprise , the entire town is happy to sell itself for big money , and the local innkeeper , Gordon Urquhart ( Denis Lawson ) -- who is also the town's accountant and mayor -- works with Mac on the negotiations. But a wrinkle appears in the deal when Ben Knox ( Fulton Mackay ), an old man who lives in a shack on the beach which has been owned by his family for centuries , refuses to sell. His reasons? "Who'd look after the beach then? It would go to pieces in a short manner of time." The deal stalls so seriously that Happer travels to Ferness to oversee negotiations as Mac and Danny are seduced by the charm of the Scottish town.
0054
During the first worldwide flush of Beatlemania in 1964 United Artists wanted to ship out a movie with The Beatles before their vogue was over. Working within a tight $500000 budget director Richard Lester turned out A Hard Day's Night in a fast 6 1/2 weeks; the picture was in the theatres three months after shooting commenced. Using a variety of techniques cribbed from Hollywood slapstick comedies the French "new wave" movement and his own experiences as a TV-commercial director Lester with screenwriter Alun Owen fashioned an exhilarating study of a "typical" 36 hours in the lives of the Fab Four. Onto a plot about getting to the Big Show on time are hung a series of instant-reaction gags character vignettes and musical setpieces. Much of the humor arises from Paul McCartney's efforts to keep his grandfather (Wilfred Brambell) a "clean old man" from getting into mischief. Also good for several laughs is the hookey-playing Ringo Starr whose mistimed declaration of independence lands him in jail. We are also treated to a war of nerves between the unflappable John Lennon and an uptight TV director (Victor Spinelli) who worries that should the Beatles not show up at broadcast time he'll be demoted to "News In Welsh." George Harrison stars in a sequence in which he is mistaken for an auditionee by the producer (Kenneth Haigh) of a superficially trendy teen-oriented TV weekly. Then there's Norman Rossington and John Junkin as The Beatles' managers who carry on a battle royale simply because one man is taller than the other. The supporting cast includes comedienne Anna Quayle cartoonist Bob Godfrey TV host Robin Ray dancer Lionel Blair Harrison's future wife Patti Boyd and director Lester himself. The songs include "I Should Have Known Better" "And I Love Her" "Tell Me Why" "If I Fell" "Can't Buy Me Love" and the title song.
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During the first worldwide flush of Beatlemania in 1964 , United Artists wanted to ship out a movie with The Beatles before their vogue was over. Working within a tight $500 , 000 budget , director Richard Lester turned out A Hard Day's Night in a fast 6 1 / 2 weeks ; the picture was in the theatres three months after shooting commenced. Using a variety of techniques cribbed from Hollywood slapstick comedies , the French "new wave" movement , and his own experiences as a TV - commercial director , Lester , with screenwriter Alun Owen , fashioned an exhilarating study of a "typical" 36 hours in the lives of the Fab Four. Onto a plot about getting to the Big Show on time are hung a series of instant - reaction gags , character vignettes , and musical setpieces. Much of the humor arises from Paul McCartney 's efforts to keep his grandfather ( Wilfred Brambell ), a "clean old man , " from getting into mischief. Also good for several laughs is the hookey - playing Ringo Starr , whose mistimed declaration of independence lands him in jail. We are also treated to a war of nerves between the unflappable John Lennon and an uptight TV director ( Victor Spinelli ), who worries that , should the Beatles not show up at broadcast time , he'll be demoted to "News In Welsh." George Harrison stars in a sequence in which he is mistaken for an auditionee by the producer ( Kenneth Haigh ) of a superficially trendy , teen - oriented TV weekly. Then there's Norman Rossington and John Junkin as The Beatles ' managers , who carry on a battle royale simply because one man is taller than the other. The supporting cast includes comedienne Anna Quayle , cartoonist Bob Godfrey , TV host Robin Ray , dancer Lionel Blair , Harrison 's future wife Patti Boyd , and director Lester himself. The songs include "I Should Have Known Better , " "And I Love Her , " "Tell Me Why , " "If I Fell , " "Can't Buy Me Love , " and the title song.
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"Just one word: plastic." "Are you here for an affair?" These lines and others became cultural touchstones as 1960s youth rebellion seeped into the California upper middle-class in Mike Nichols' landmark hit. Mentally adrift the summer after graduating from college suburbanite Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman) would rather float in his parents' pool than follow adult advice about his future. But the exhortation of family friend Mr. Robinson (Murray Hamilton) to seize every possible opportunity inspires Ben to accept an offer of sex from icily feline Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft). The affair and the pool are all well and good until Ben is pushed to go out with the Robinsons' daughter Elaine (Katharine Ross) and he falls in love with her. Mrs. Robinson sabotages the relationship and an understandably disgusted Elaine runs back to college. Determined not to let Elaine get away Ben follows her to school and then disrupts her family-sanctioned wedding. None too happy about her pre-determined destiny Elaine flees with Ben -- but to what? Directing his second feature film after Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Nichols matched the story's satire of suffocating middle-class shallowness with an anti-Hollywood style influenced by the then-voguish French New Wave. Using odd angles jittery editing and evocative widescreen photography Nichols welded a hip New Wave style and a generation-gap theme to a fairly traditional screwball comedy script by Buck Henry and Calder Willingham from Charles Webb's novel. Adding to the European art film sensibility the movie offers an unsettling and ambiguous ending with no firm closure. And rather than Robert Redford Nichols opted for a less glamorous unknown for the pivotal role of Ben turning Hoffman into a star and opening the door for unconventional leading men throughout the 1970s. With a pop-song score written by Paul Simon and performed by Simon & Garfunkel bolstering its contemporary appeal The Graduate opened to rave reviews in December 1967 and surpassed all commercial expectations. It became the top-grossing film of 1968 and was nominated for seven Oscars including Best Picture Actor and Actress with Nichols winning Best Director. Together with Bonnie and Clyde it stands as one of the most influential films of the late '60s as its mordant dissection of the generation gap helped lead the way to the youth-oriented Hollywood artistic "renaissance" of the early '70s.
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"Just one word : plastic." "Are you here for an affair?" These lines and others became cultural touchstones , as 1960s youth rebellion seeped into the California upper middle - class in Mike Nichols ' landmark hit. Mentally adrift the summer after graduating from college , suburbanite Benjamin Braddock ( Dustin Hoffman ) would rather float in his parents' pool than follow adult advice about his future. But the exhortation of family friend Mr. Robinson ( Murray Hamilton ) to seize every possible opportunity inspires Ben to accept an offer of sex from icily feline Mrs. Robinson ( Anne Bancroft ) . The affair and the pool are all well and good until Ben is pushed to go out with the Robinsons' daughter Elaine ( Katharine Ross ) and he falls in love with her. Mrs. Robinson sabotages the relationship and an understandably disgusted Elaine runs back to college. Determined not to let Elaine get away , Ben follows her to school and then disrupts her family - sanctioned wedding. None too happy about her pre - determined destiny , Elaine flees with Ben -- but to what? Directing his second feature film after Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? , Nichols matched the story's satire of suffocating middle - class shallowness with an anti - Hollywood style influenced by the then - voguish French New Wave. Using odd angles , jittery editing , and evocative widescreen photography , Nichols welded a hip New Wave style and a generation - gap theme to a fairly traditional screwball comedy script by Buck Henry and Calder Willingham from Charles Webb 's novel. Adding to the European art film sensibility , the movie offers an unsettling and ambiguous ending with no firm closure. And rather than Robert Redford , Nichols opted for a less glamorous unknown for the pivotal role of Ben , turning Hoffman into a star and opening the door for unconventional leading men throughout the 1970s. With a pop - song score written by Paul Simon and performed by Simon & Garfunkel bolstering its contemporary appeal , The Graduate opened to rave reviews in December 1967 and surpassed all commercial expectations. It became the top - grossing film of 1968 and was nominated for seven Oscars , including Best Picture , Actor , and Actress , with Nichols winning Best Director. Together with Bonnie and Clyde , it stands as one of the most influential films of the late '60s , as its mordant dissection of the generation gap helped lead the way to the youth - oriented Hollywood artistic "renaissance" of the early '70s.
0056
Spencer Tracy received an Oscar nomination for his performance in this classic comedy. Stanley T. Banks (Tracy) is a securely middle-class lawyer whose daughter Kay (Elizabeth Taylor) announces that she's going to marry her beau Buckley Dunstan (Don Taylor). From that point on everything in Stanley's life is turned upside down. His wife Ellie (Joan Bennett) wants Kay to have the kind of formal wedding that she and Stanley never had and between meeting his soon-to-be in-laws the socially prominent Herbert and Doris Dunstan (Moroni Olsen and Billie Burke) his man-to-man talk with the groom hosting the engagement party financing the increasingly lavish wedding and wondering if Kay and Buckley will resolve their differences before arriving at the altar Stanley barely has time to deal with his own considerable anxieties about his advancing age and how his "little girl" became a grown woman. Director Vincente Minnelli reunited with the principal cast a year later for a sequel Father's Little Dividend; and the movie was remade in 1991 with Steve Martin and Diane Keaton.
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Spencer Tracy received an Oscar nomination for his performance in this classic comedy. Stanley T. Banks ( Tracy ) is a securely middle - class lawyer whose daughter Kay ( Elizabeth Taylor ) announces that she's going to marry her beau Buckley Dunstan ( Don Taylor ) . From that point on , everything in Stanley's life is turned upside down. His wife Ellie ( Joan Bennett ) wants Kay to have the kind of formal wedding that she and Stanley never had , and between meeting his soon - to - be in - laws , the socially prominent Herbert and Doris Dunstan ( Moroni Olsen and Billie Burke ), his man - to - man talk with the groom , hosting the engagement party , financing the increasingly lavish wedding , and wondering if Kay and Buckley will resolve their differences before arriving at the altar , Stanley barely has time to deal with his own considerable anxieties about his advancing age and how his "little girl" became a grown woman. Director Vincente Minnelli reunited with the principal cast a year later for a sequel , Father's Little Dividend ; and the movie was remade in 1991 with Steve Martin and Diane Keaton .
0057
Amy Heckerling's adaptation of Cameron Crowe's Fast Times at Ridgemont High is often considered one of the finest films of a disreputable genre (the teen sex comedy) and kick-started the careers of many future stars. The center of this ensemble film is Jennifer Jason Leigh as Stacy Hamilton. She is a young innocent high-school student who as the film opens is asking for advice from her friend the sexually outspoken Linda Barrett (Phoebe Cates). Stacy takes a liking to nebbish Mark Ratner (Brian Backer) but he is too afraid to make a move even after Stacy all but throws herself at him. She eventually hooks up with Mark's more confident best friend Mike Damone (Robert Romanus). When not concerning itself with these four characters the film spends time with stoned surfer dude Jeff Spicoli (Sean Penn) and his ongoing feud with history teacher Mr. Hand (Ray Walston). The film includes brief appearances by such future stars as Nicolas Cage Eric Stoltz and Forest Whitaker.
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Amy Heckerling 's adaptation of Cameron Crowe 's Fast Times at Ridgemont High is often considered one of the finest films of a disreputable genre ( the teen sex comedy ), and kick - started the careers of many future stars. The center of this ensemble film is Jennifer Jason Leigh as Stacy Hamilton. She is a young , innocent high - school student who , as the film opens , is asking for advice from her friend , the sexually outspoken Linda Barrett ( Phoebe Cates ) . Stacy takes a liking to nebbish Mark Ratner ( Brian Backer ), but he is too afraid to make a move even after Stacy all but throws herself at him. She eventually hooks up with Mark's more confident best friend , Mike Damone ( Robert Romanus ) . When not concerning itself with these four characters , the film spends time with stoned surfer dude Jeff Spicoli ( Sean Penn ) and his ongoing feud with history teacher Mr. Hand ( Ray Walston ) . The film includes brief appearances by such future stars as Nicolas Cage , Eric Stoltz , and Forest Whitaker .
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Vulgar crude and occasionally scandalous in its racial humor this hilarious bad-taste spoof of Westerns co-written by Richard Pryor features Cleavon Little as the first black sheriff of a stunned town scheduled for demolition by an encroaching railroad. Little and co-star Gene Wilder have great chemistry and the delightful supporting cast includes Harvey Korman Slim Pickens and Madeline Kahn as a chanteuse modelled on Marlene Dietrich. As in Young Frankenstein (1974) Silent Movie (1976) and High Anxiety (1977) director/writer Mel Brooks gives a burlesque spin to a classic Hollywood movie genre; in his own manic Borscht Belt way Brooks was a central player in revising classic genres in light of Seventies values and attitudes an effort most often associated with such directors as Robert Altman and Peter Bogdanovich . Some of this film's sequences notably a gaseous bean dinner around a campfire have become comedy classics.
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Vulgar , crude , and occasionally scandalous in its racial humor , this hilarious bad - taste spoof of Westerns , co - written by Richard Pryor , features Cleavon Little as the first black sheriff of a stunned town scheduled for demolition by an encroaching railroad. Little and co - star Gene Wilder have great chemistry , and the delightful supporting cast includes Harvey Korman , Slim Pickens , and Madeline Kahn as a chanteuse modelled on Marlene Dietrich . As in Young Frankenstein ( 1974 ), Silent Movie ( 1976 ), and High Anxiety ( 1977 ), director / writer Mel Brooks gives a burlesque spin to a classic Hollywood movie genre ; in his own manic , Borscht Belt way , Brooks was a central player in revising classic genres in light of Seventies values and attitudes , an effort most often associated with such directors as Robert Altman and Peter Bogdanovich . Some of this film's sequences , notably a gaseous bean dinner around a campfire , have become comedy classics.
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Woody Allen's romantic comedy of the Me Decade follows the up and down relationship of two mismatched New York neurotics. Jewish comedy writer Alvy Singer (Allen) ponders the modern quest for love and his past romance with tightly-wound WASP singer Annie Hall (Diane Keaton née Diane Hall). The twice-divorced Alvy knows that it's not easy to find a mate when the options include pretentious New York intellectuals and lifestyle-obsessed Rolling Stone writers but la-di-dah-ing Annie seems different. Along the rocky road of their coupling Allen/Alvy weigh in on such topics as endless therapy movies vs. TV the absurdity of dating rituals anti-Semitism drugs and in one of the best set pieces repressed Midwestern WASP insanity vs. crazy Brooklyn Jewish boisterousness. Annie wants to move to Los Angeles to find that fame that finally does in the relationship -- but not before Alvy gets in a few digs at vacuous mantra-fixated California. Originally entitled Anhedonia (the inability to enjoy oneself) Annie Hall blended the slapstick and fantasy from such earlier Allen films as Sleeper (1973) and Bananas (1971) with the more autobiographical musings of his stand-up and written comedy using an array of such movie techniques as talking heads splitscreens and subtitles. Within these gleeful formal experiments and sight gags Allen and co-writer Marshall Brickman skewered 1970s solipsism reversing the happy marriage of opposites found in classic screwball comedies. Hailed as Allen's most mature and personal film Annie Hall beat out Star Wars for Best Picture and also won Oscars for Allen as director and writer and for Keaton as Best Actress; audiences enthusiastically responded to Allen's take on contemporary love and turned Keaton's rumpled menswear into a fashion trend.
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Woody Allen 's romantic comedy of the Me Decade follows the up and down relationship of two mismatched New York neurotics. Jewish comedy writer Alvy Singer ( Allen ) ponders the modern quest for love and his past romance with tightly - wound WASP singer Annie Hall ( Diane Keaton , née Diane Hall ) . The twice - divorced Alvy knows that it's not easy to find a mate when the options include pretentious New York intellectuals and lifestyle - obsessed Rolling Stone writers , but la - di - dah - ing Annie seems different. Along the rocky road of their coupling , Allen / Alvy weigh in on such topics as endless therapy , movies vs. TV , the absurdity of dating rituals , anti - Semitism , drugs , and , in one of the best set pieces , repressed Midwestern WASP insanity vs. crazy Brooklyn Jewish boisterousness. Annie wants to move to Los Angeles to find that fame that finally does in the relationship -- but not before Alvy gets in a few digs at vacuous , mantra - fixated California. Originally entitled Anhedonia ( the inability to enjoy oneself ), Annie Hall blended the slapstick and fantasy from such earlier Allen films as Sleeper ( 1973 ) and Bananas ( 1971 ) with the more autobiographical musings of his stand - up and written comedy , using an array of such movie techniques as talking heads , splitscreens , and subtitles. Within these gleeful formal experiments and sight gags , Allen and co - writer Marshall Brickman skewered 1970s solipsism , reversing the happy marriage of opposites found in classic screwball comedies. Hailed as Allen's most mature and personal film , Annie Hall beat out Star Wars for Best Picture and also won Oscars for Allen as director and writer and for Keaton as Best Actress ; audiences enthusiastically responded to Allen's take on contemporary love and turned Keaton's rumpled menswear into a fashion trend.
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This spoof of the Airport series of disaster movies relies on ridiculous sight gags groan-inducing dialogue and deadpan acting -- a comedy style that would be imitated for the next 20 years. Airplane! pulls out all the clichés as alcoholic pilot Ted Striker (Robert Hays) who's developed a fear of flying due to wartime trauma boards a jumbo jet in an attempt to woo back his stewardess girlfriend (Julie Hagerty). Food poisoning decimates the passengers and crew leaving it up to Striker to land the plane with the help of a glue-sniffing air traffic controller (Lloyd Bridges) and Striker's vengeful former captain (Robert Stack) who must both talk him down. Along the way we meet a clutch of stock disaster movie passengers like the guitar-strumming nun a sick little girl a frightened old lady and two African-American travelers whose "jive" has to be subtitled. Leslie Nielsen portrays the plane's doctor launching a new phase of the actor's career that carried him through the next two decades in several similarly comedic roles. The trio of directors Jim Abrahams Jerry Zucker and David Zucker responsible for the film would eventually go on to solo careers but not before making Top Secret! and Ruthless People.
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This spoof of the Airport series of disaster movies relies on ridiculous sight gags , groan - inducing dialogue , and deadpan acting -- a comedy style that would be imitated for the next 20 years. Airplane! pulls out all the clichés as alcoholic pilot Ted Striker ( Robert Hays ), who's developed a fear of flying due to wartime trauma , boards a jumbo jet in an attempt to woo back his stewardess girlfriend ( Julie Hagerty ) . Food poisoning decimates the passengers and crew , leaving it up to Striker to land the plane , with the help of a glue - sniffing air traffic controller ( Lloyd Bridges ) and Striker's vengeful former captain ( Robert Stack ), who must both talk him down. Along the way , we meet a clutch of stock disaster movie passengers like the guitar - strumming nun , a sick little girl , a frightened old lady , and two African - American travelers whose "jive" has to be subtitled. Leslie Nielsen portrays the plane's doctor , launching a new phase of the actor's career that carried him through the next two decades in several similarly comedic roles. The trio of directors Jim Abrahams , Jerry Zucker , and David Zucker responsible for the film would eventually go on to solo careers , but not before making Top Secret! and Ruthless People .
0061
In this fully computer-animated fantasy from the creators of Antz we follow the travails of Shrek (Mike Myers) a green ogre who enjoys a life of solitude. Living in a far away swamp he is suddenly invaded by a hoard of fairy tale characters such as the Big Bad Wolf the Three Little Pigs and Three Blind Mice all refugees of their homes who have been shunned by the evil Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow). They want to save their homes from ruin and enlist the help of Shrek who is in the same situation. Shrek decides to offer Lord Farquaad a deal; he will rescue the beautiful Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) who is intended to be Farquaad's bride. Accompanying Shrek on his adventure is the faithful but loquacious Donkey (Eddie Murphy) who has a penchant for crooning pop songs. The two must face various obstacles in order to locate the Princess but they find their world challenged when she reveals a dark secret that will affect the group. Shrek is based on the children's book by William Steig and features additional voice-work by Vincent Cassel Cody Cameron and Kathleen Freeman.
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In this fully computer - animated fantasy from the creators of Antz , we follow the travails of Shrek ( Mike Myers ), a green ogre who enjoys a life of solitude. Living in a far away swamp , he is suddenly invaded by a hoard of fairy tale characters , such as the Big Bad Wolf , the Three Little Pigs , and Three Blind Mice , all refugees of their homes who have been shunned by the evil Lord Farquaad ( John Lithgow ) . They want to save their homes from ruin , and enlist the help of Shrek , who is in the same situation. Shrek decides to offer Lord Farquaad a deal ; he will rescue the beautiful Princess Fiona ( Cameron Diaz ), who is intended to be Farquaad's bride. Accompanying Shrek on his adventure is the faithful but loquacious Donkey ( Eddie Murphy ), who has a penchant for crooning pop songs. The two must face various obstacles in order to locate the Princess , but they find their world challenged when she reveals a dark secret that will affect the group. Shrek is based on the children's book by William Steig , and features additional voice - work by Vincent Cassel , Cody Cameron , and Kathleen Freeman .
0062
In this satirical comedy a hotly contested high school election becomes a metaphor for the current state of American politics. Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick) is a popular and well-respected instructor at George Washington Carver High School in Omaha Nebraska but lately he's been unhappy in both his personal and professional life and his anxieties finally come to a head with the school's student elections. Tracy Flick (Reese Witherspoon) is running for student body president and she certainly seems like the sort of girl who would win a high school election -- she's pretty popular and takes part in all the right extra-curricular activities. In fact she seems so perfect she's running unopposed which offends McAllister's sense of democracy (not to mention the fact he doesn't like her very much). So Jim intervenes and persuades Paul Metzler (Chris Klein) to run against Tracy. Paul is not terribly bright and is entirely unqualified to be student president but as a star of the school's football team (before a leg injury sidelined him) he's popular enough to at least give Tracy a run for her money. Just as the race begins to heat up a spanner is truly thrown into the works when Paul's sister Tammy (Jessica Campbell) announces she's also running for office. Publicly Tammy's platform is that the student elections are ultimately pointless and if she's elected she'll eliminate them altogether. Privately Tammy is out for revenge against her brother; it seems Tammy is experimenting with her sexuality and a recent fling with a bisexual classmate named Lisa (Frankie Ingrassia) ended when Lisa dumped her to start going out with Paul. Based on the novel by Tom Perrotta Election was directed by Alexander Payne who won enthusiastic reviews for his debut feature Citizen Ruth; Payne also co-wrote the screenplay with Jim Taylor.
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In this satirical comedy , a hotly contested high school election becomes a metaphor for the current state of American politics. Jim McAllister ( Matthew Broderick ) is a popular and well - respected instructor at George Washington Carver High School in Omaha , Nebraska , but lately he's been unhappy in both his personal and professional life , and his anxieties finally come to a head with the school's student elections. Tracy Flick ( Reese Witherspoon ) is running for student body president , and she certainly seems like the sort of girl who would win a high school election -- she's pretty , popular and takes part in all the right extra - curricular activities. In fact , she seems so perfect she's running unopposed , which offends McAllister's sense of democracy ( not to mention the fact he doesn't like her very much ) . So Jim intervenes and persuades Paul Metzler ( Chris Klein ) to run against Tracy. Paul is not terribly bright and is entirely unqualified to be student president , but as a star of the school's football team ( before a leg injury sidelined him ), he's popular enough to at least give Tracy a run for her money. Just as the race begins to heat up , a spanner is truly thrown into the works when Paul's sister , Tammy ( Jessica Campbell ) announces she's also running for office. Publicly , Tammy's platform is that the student elections are ultimately pointless and if she's elected , she'll eliminate them altogether. Privately , Tammy is out for revenge against her brother ; it seems Tammy is experimenting with her sexuality , and a recent fling with a bisexual classmate named Lisa ( Frankie Ingrassia ) ended when Lisa dumped her to start going out with Paul. Based on the novel by Tom Perrotta , Election was directed by Alexander Payne , who won enthusiastic reviews for his debut feature , Citizen Ruth ; Payne also co - wrote the screenplay with Jim Taylor .
0063
This acclaimed British comedy centers on the intermittent romance between a charming (if slightly bumbling) Englishman and a beautiful American woman who seem to always run into each other at weddings. Indeed it is at the first of the title's four weddings that Charles (Hugh Grant) and Carrie (Andie McDowell) meet enjoying a brief but fleeting connection. The spark is rekindled several months later when they unexpectedly meet at another wedding. Unfortunately however Carrie has become engaged to another a fact that complicates matters for them both. The story may seem simple but the film is elevated by screenwriter Richard Curtis' ear for witty dialogue and a colorful supporting cast. Director Mike Newell's sympathetic attention to character keeps the proceedings believable and prevents the film's more serious moments from seeming mawkish. These elements along with Grant's star-making performance as Charles helped the film achieve unexpected international success including an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture.
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This acclaimed British comedy centers on the intermittent romance between a charming ( if slightly bumbling ) Englishman and a beautiful American woman , who seem to always run into each other at weddings. Indeed , it is at the first of the title's four weddings that Charles ( Hugh Grant ) and Carrie ( Andie McDowell ) meet , enjoying a brief but fleeting connection. The spark is rekindled several months later , when they unexpectedly meet at another wedding. Unfortunately , however , Carrie has become engaged to another , a fact that complicates matters for them both. The story may seem simple , but the film is elevated by screenwriter Richard Curtis ' ear for witty dialogue and a colorful supporting cast. Director Mike Newell 's sympathetic attention to character keeps the proceedings believable , and prevents the film's more serious moments from seeming mawkish. These elements , along with Grant 's star - making performance as Charles , helped the film achieve unexpected international success , including an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture.
0064
Though the kinky characters and aberrant social behavior common to the works of Spanish director Pedro Almodovar are very evident in his Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown the film is at heart a door-slamming farce in the grand tradition. The tiny apartment of pregnant actress Carmen Maura is the "Grand Central Station" setpiece for this dizzying tale. Distraught over her recent breakup with her lover Carmen prepares to overdose on sleeping pills which she blends into a gazpacho so they'll go down easier. She is diverted from her suicide by her best friend Maria Barranco a fugitive from justice (her boy friend is a Shi'Ite terrorist) who needs a place to stay. Later when Carmen's apartment is empty her ex-lover's grown son (Antonio Banderas) comes to the apartment with his fiance (Rossy de Palma) in answer to Carmen's "room to let" newspaper ad. The wife inadvertently ingests Carmen's "pill sauce" and as she blissfully snoozes the husband inaugurates an affair with Carmen's friend Barranco.
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Though the kinky characters and aberrant social behavior common to the works of Spanish director Pedro Almodovar are very evident in his Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown , the film is at heart a door - slamming farce in the grand tradition. The tiny apartment of pregnant actress Carmen Maura is the "Grand Central Station" setpiece for this dizzying tale. Distraught over her recent breakup with her lover , Carmen prepares to overdose on sleeping pills , which she blends into a gazpacho so they'll go down easier. She is diverted from her suicide by her best friend Maria Barranco , a fugitive from justice ( her boy friend is a Shi'Ite terrorist ) who needs a place to stay. Later , when Carmen 's apartment is empty , her ex - lover's grown son ( Antonio Banderas ) comes to the apartment with his fiance ( Rossy de Palma ) in answer to Carmen 's "room to let" newspaper ad. The wife inadvertently ingests Carmen 's "pill sauce , " and as she blissfully snoozes , the husband inaugurates an affair with Carmen 's friend Barranco .
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In Robert Zemeckis's trailblazing combination of animation and live-action Hollywood's 1940s cartoon stars are a subjugated minority living in the ghettolike "Toontown" where their movements are sharply monitored by the human power establishment. The Toons are permitted to perform in a Cotton Club-style nightspot but are forbidden to patronize the joint. One of Toontown's leading citizens whacked-out Roger Rabbit is framed for the murder of human nightclub owner Marvin Acme (Stubby Kaye). Private detective Eddie Valiant (Bob Hoskins) whose prejudice against Toons stems from the time that his brother was killed by a falling cartoon piano reluctantly agrees to clear Roger of the accusation. Most of the sociopolitical undertones of the original novel were weeded out out of the 1988 film version with emphasis shifted to its basic "evil land developer" plotline --and more enjoyably to a stream of eye-popping special effects. With the combined facilities of animator Richard Williams Disney Warner Bros. Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment and George Lucas's Industrial Light and Magic the film allows us to believe (at least for 90 minutes) that "toons" exist and that they are capable of interacting with 3-dimensional human beings. Virtually every major cartoon character of the late 1940s shows up with the exceptions of Felix the Cat and Popeye the Sailor whose licensees couldn't come to terms with the producers. Of the film's newly minted Toons the most memorable is Roger Rabbit's curvaceous bride Jessica (voiced uncredited by Kathleen Turner). The human element is well-represented by Hoskins Christopher Lloyd and Joanna Cassidy; also watch for action-film producer Joel Silver as Roger Rabbit's Tex Avery-style director.
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In Robert Zemeckis 's trailblazing combination of animation and live - action , Hollywood's 1940s cartoon stars are a subjugated minority , living in the ghettolike "Toontown" where their movements are sharply monitored by the human power establishment. The Toons are permitted to perform in a Cotton Club - style nightspot but are forbidden to patronize the joint. One of Toontown's leading citizens , whacked - out Roger Rabbit , is framed for the murder of human nightclub owner Marvin Acme ( Stubby Kaye ) . Private detective Eddie Valiant ( Bob Hoskins ), whose prejudice against Toons stems from the time that his brother was killed by a falling cartoon piano , reluctantly agrees to clear Roger of the accusation. Most of the sociopolitical undertones of the original novel were weeded out out of the 1988 film version , with emphasis shifted to its basic "evil land developer" plotline -- and , more enjoyably , to a stream of eye - popping special effects. With the combined facilities of animator Richard Williams , Disney , Warner Bros. , Steven Spielberg 's Amblin Entertainment , and George Lucas 's Industrial Light and Magic , the film allows us to believe ( at least for 90 minutes ) that "toons" exist , and that they are capable of interacting with 3 - dimensional human beings. Virtually every major cartoon character of the late 1940s shows up , with the exceptions of Felix the Cat and Popeye the Sailor , whose licensees couldn't come to terms with the producers. Of the film's newly minted Toons , the most memorable is Roger Rabbit's curvaceous bride Jessica ( voiced , uncredited , by Kathleen Turner ) . The human element is well - represented by Hoskins , Christopher Lloyd , and Joanna Cassidy ; also watch for action - film producer Joel Silver as Roger Rabbit's Tex Avery - style director.
0066
On the verge of starvation in 1930s Paris erstwhile entertainer Victoria (Julie Andrews) is rescued by gay cabaret performer Toddy (Robert Preston). What she needs to succeed opines Toddy is a gimmick. What if she becomes a male impersonator? Better still: what if she becomes a male impersonator pretending to be a female impersonator? As "Victor/Victoria" s/he becomes the toast of Paree and an object of fascination for big-time Chicago gangster King Marchan (James Garner) who can't quite understand the teasing sensations he experiences whenever watching her in action-especially since he like everyone else assumes that she is a he. Enjoyable though the stars of Blake Edwards' comedy may be the film is stolen by Lesley Ann Warren who won an Oscar nomination as King's screechy-voiced moll and Alex Karras as King's chief henchman who assuming that his boss is "that way" literally comes out of the closet. Victor/Victoria was a remake of the 1931 German film Viktor und Viktoria which had previously be reworked in 1937 as the Jessie Mathews vehicle First a Girl. In 1996 Victor/Victoria was transformed into a Broadway musical again directed by Edwards and starring Andrews.
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On the verge of starvation in 1930s Paris , erstwhile entertainer Victoria ( Julie Andrews ) is rescued by gay cabaret performer Toddy ( Robert Preston ) . What she needs to succeed , opines Toddy , is a gimmick. What if she becomes a male impersonator? Better still : what if she becomes a male impersonator , pretending to be a female impersonator? As "Victor / Victoria , " s / he becomes the toast of Paree , and an object of fascination for big - time Chicago gangster King Marchan ( James Garner ), who can't quite understand the teasing sensations he experiences whenever watching her in action - especially since he , like everyone else , assumes that she is a he. Enjoyable though the stars of Blake Edwards ' comedy may be , the film is stolen by Lesley Ann Warren , who won an Oscar nomination as King's screechy - voiced moll , and Alex Karras as King's chief henchman , who , assuming that his boss is "that way , " literally comes out of the closet. Victor / Victoria was a remake of the 1931 German film Viktor und Viktoria , which had previously be reworked in 1937 as the Jessie Mathews vehicle First a Girl . In 1996 , Victor / Victoria was transformed into a Broadway musical , again directed by Edwards and starring Andrews .
0067
The sophomore directorial effort from ill-fated Japanese filmmaker Juzo Itami Tampopo is an off-beat comedy featuring several intersecting stories all related to food. Tsutomu Yamazaki plays Goro a truck driver who helps a young widow named Tampopo (Nobuko Miyamoto) improve her noodle restaurant. Over the course of the film the story drifts around not only following the stories of Tampopo her son and Goro but also a number of customers who come through the diner including an old woman (Izumi Hara) who insists on squeezing the cheese at a market and a criminal (Ken Watanabe) with a food-based kink. Tampopo was nominated for Best Foreign Film at the 1988 Independent Spirit Awards.
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The sophomore directorial effort from ill - fated Japanese filmmaker Juzo Itami , Tampopo is an off - beat comedy featuring several intersecting stories all related to food. Tsutomu Yamazaki plays Goro , a truck driver who helps a young widow named Tampopo ( Nobuko Miyamoto ) improve her noodle restaurant. Over the course of the film , the story drifts around , not only following the stories of Tampopo , her son , and Goro , but also a number of customers who come through the diner , including an old woman ( Izumi Hara ) who insists on squeezing the cheese at a market and a criminal ( Ken Watanabe ) with a food - based kink. Tampopo was nominated for Best Foreign Film at the 1988 Independent Spirit Awards.
0068
Although Jim Jarmusch made his directorial debut with Permanent Vacation (1982) Stranger than Paradise (1984) marked his breakthrough as a major American filmmaker. One of the most deadpan comedies ever committed to film Stranger than Paradise suggests a Buster Keaton film written by Samuel Beckett and Jack Kerouac and directed by Andy Warhol. Willie (John Lurie) is a small-time gambler whose distant cousin Eva (Eszter Balint) is moving to America from Eastern Europe and informs him that she'll need to stay with him for ten days. Willie isn't happy to have Eva around but after Willie introduces her to the joys of American cigarettes and TV dinners ("You got your meat you got your potatoes you got your vegetables you got your dessert and you don't have to wash the dishes -- this is how we eat in America!") Eva steals a frozen meal and a pack of smokes from the corner store and Willie is both surprised and impressed. His buddy Eddie (Richard Edson) happens by and they hang out with Eva just long enough to develop a fondness for her before she moves on to Ohio where she'll live with her Aunt Lottie (Cecillia Stark). Months later Willie and Eddie score $600 in a poker game and decide to visit Eva in Ohio. However it's the dead of winter and they have nothing to do except look at the frozen surface of the lake. The three eventually head down to the tacky paradise of Miami where Willie and Eddie try their luck with the ponies and Eva decides what to do next. Stranger than Paradise is a film that defines the notion "It's not what you say but how you say it." Shot in long static takes its style is minimalism itself but the post-beatnik cool of John Lurie Richard Edson and Eszter Balint somehow betrays the fact that they care about each other and a loopy charm and subtle but potent humor seeps through the film's stark black-and-white images. Stranger than Paradise began as a short subject which was made possible by German director Wim Wenders who gave Jarmusch a supply of film stock left over from one of his projects and it went on to become one of the most influential movies of the 1980s casting a wide shadow over the new generation of independent American filmmakers to come.
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Although Jim Jarmusch made his directorial debut with Permanent Vacation ( 1982 ), Stranger than Paradise ( 1984 ) marked his breakthrough as a major American filmmaker. One of the most deadpan comedies ever committed to film , Stranger than Paradise suggests a Buster Keaton film written by Samuel Beckett and Jack Kerouac and directed by Andy Warhol . Willie ( John Lurie ) is a small - time gambler whose distant cousin Eva ( Eszter Balint ) is moving to America from Eastern Europe and informs him that she'll need to stay with him for ten days. Willie isn't happy to have Eva around , but after Willie introduces her to the joys of American cigarettes and TV dinners ( "You got your meat , you got your potatoes , you got your vegetables , you got your dessert and you don't have to wash the dishes -- this is how we eat in America!" ), Eva steals a frozen meal and a pack of smokes from the corner store , and Willie is both surprised and impressed. His buddy Eddie ( Richard Edson ) happens by , and they hang out with Eva just long enough to develop a fondness for her before she moves on to Ohio , where she'll live with her Aunt Lottie ( Cecillia Stark ) . Months later , Willie and Eddie score $600 in a poker game and decide to visit Eva in Ohio. However , it's the dead of winter , and they have nothing to do except look at the frozen surface of the lake. The three eventually head down to the tacky paradise of Miami , where Willie and Eddie try their luck with the ponies and Eva decides what to do next. Stranger than Paradise is a film that defines the notion , "It's not what you say , but how you say it." Shot in long , static takes , its style is minimalism itself , but the post - beatnik cool of John Lurie , Richard Edson and Eszter Balint somehow betrays the fact that they care about each other , and a loopy charm and subtle but potent humor seeps through the film's stark black - and - white images. Stranger than Paradise began as a short subject which was made possible by German director Wim Wenders , who gave Jarmusch a supply of film stock left over from one of his projects , and it went on to become one of the most influential movies of the 1980s , casting a wide shadow over the new generation of independent American filmmakers to come.
0069
The American beauty-contest ritual is skewered by screenwriter Jerry Belson and director Michael Ritchie in Smile. The film takes place during an annual pageant in Santa Rosa CA. The event is supervised by local mover and shaker Brenda DiCarlo (Barbara Feldon) to whom the contest is the most important thing on earth. Nothing -- not even the violent backlash of her neglected husband Andy (Nicholas Pryor) -- is allowed to interfere with her pet project. Choreographer Tommy French (Michael Kidd) outwardly nasty and cynical takes money out of his own pocket to insure the safety of the contestants as they parade down a rickety stage runway; chief judge "Big Bob" Freelander (Bruce Dern) discovers that his son is a budding voyeur information which leads to a silly "politically correct" consequence; and the various contestants scheme to upstage one another through a variety of means (one girl puts Vaseline on her teeth to assure a gleaming smile). Among the contestants are such stars-to-be as Colleen Camp Denise Nickerson Annette O'Toole and Melanie Griffith. Though not a hit itself Smile has developed a fervent cult following which led to a Broadway musical version of the property in 1986 with songs by Marvin Hamlisch.
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The American beauty - contest ritual is skewered by screenwriter Jerry Belson and director Michael Ritchie in Smile . The film takes place during an annual pageant in Santa Rosa , CA. The event is supervised by local mover and shaker Brenda DiCarlo ( Barbara Feldon ), to whom the contest is the most important thing on earth. Nothing -- not even the violent backlash of her neglected husband , Andy ( Nicholas Pryor ) -- is allowed to interfere with her pet project. Choreographer Tommy French ( Michael Kidd ), outwardly nasty and cynical , takes money out of his own pocket to insure the safety of the contestants as they parade down a rickety stage runway ; chief judge "Big Bob" Freelander ( Bruce Dern ) discovers that his son is a budding voyeur , information which leads to a silly "politically correct" consequence ; and the various contestants scheme to upstage one another through a variety of means ( one girl puts Vaseline on her teeth to assure a gleaming smile ) . Among the contestants are such stars - to - be as Colleen Camp , Denise Nickerson , Annette O'Toole , and Melanie Griffith . Though not a hit itself , Smile has developed a fervent cult following , which led to a Broadway musical version of the property in 1986 , with songs by Marvin Hamlisch .
0070
In 1973 health-food store owner Miles Monroe (Woody Allen) enters the hospital for a routine gall bladder operation. When he expires on the operating table Miles' sister requests permission to cryogenically freeze her brother's body. After 200 years Miles is unwrapped by a group of scientists and awakens to a "brave new world" of deadening conformity ruled with an iron fist by a never-seen leader. Miles is forced to flee for his life when the scientists -- actually a group of revolutionary activists -- are overpowered by the leader's police. He eludes the cops by pretending to be an android and in this guise is sent to work at the home of Luna (Diane Keaton) a composer of greeting cards who thinks that the world of the future is perfect as it stands. There's more but why spoil your fun? Sleeper is the most visual of Woody Allen's earlier films and demonstrated a more pronounced rapport between Allen and his off- and onscreen leading lady Diane Keaton than had previously existed. The Dixieland score is performed by the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.
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In 1973 , health - food store owner Miles Monroe ( Woody Allen ) enters the hospital for a routine gall bladder operation. When he expires on the operating table , Miles' sister requests permission to cryogenically freeze her brother's body. After 200 years , Miles is unwrapped by a group of scientists and awakens to a "brave new world" of deadening conformity , ruled with an iron fist by a never - seen leader. Miles is forced to flee for his life when the scientists -- actually a group of revolutionary activists -- are overpowered by the leader's police. He eludes the cops by pretending to be an android , and in this guise is sent to work at the home of Luna ( Diane Keaton ), a composer of greeting cards who thinks that the world of the future is perfect as it stands. There's more , but why spoil your fun? Sleeper is the most visual of Woody Allen 's earlier films , and demonstrated a more pronounced rapport between Allen and his off - and onscreen leading lady Diane Keaton than had previously existed. The Dixieland score is performed by the Preservation Hall Jazz Band .
0071
A murder has been committed at the palatial Parisian residence of Benjamin Ballon (George Sanders). All the evidence points to sexy wide-eyed housemaid Maria Gambrelli (Elke Sommer). Police inspector Dreyfuss (Herbert Lom) is prepared to make an arrest -- and then the gloriously monumentally inept Inspector Clouseau (Peter Sellers) arrives on the scene. Clouseau may have difficulty getting through the day without falling into ponds knocking people cold with opened doors and pocketing flaming cigarette lighters but his instincts are right on target when he decides that Mme. Gambrelli is being framed by someone else in the Ballon household. Even as the murder victims pile up Clouseau is determined to prove Mme. Gambrelli's innocence. As he cuts a bumbling destructive swath through Paris Clouseau drives Dreyfuss literally insane. This fact leads to the literally explosive climax and to the ultimate vindication of Mme. Gambrelli. While we first met Inspector Clouseau in The Pink Panther Shot in the Dark is the film that truly established the Clouseau mythos: the festive clumsiness the convoluted dialogue ("You shot him in a rit of fealous jage!") the Fractured French ("A beump on zee head!") the twitching lunacy of poor Inspector Dreyfuss the unexpected "judo lessons" of Clouseau's houseboy Kato (Burt Kwouk) and of course the hilariously macabre jokes involving dead or seriously injured bystanders. You'd never know it but A Shot in the Dark was inspired by a standard three-act stage comedy by Harry Kurnitz which in turn was adapted from the French play L'Idiote by Marcel Achard.
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A murder has been committed at the palatial Parisian residence of Benjamin Ballon ( George Sanders ) . All the evidence points to sexy , wide - eyed housemaid Maria Gambrelli ( Elke Sommer ) . Police inspector Dreyfuss ( Herbert Lom ) is prepared to make an arrest -- and then the gloriously , monumentally inept Inspector Clouseau ( Peter Sellers ) arrives on the scene. Clouseau may have difficulty getting through the day without falling into ponds , knocking people cold with opened doors , and pocketing flaming cigarette lighters , but his instincts are right on target when he decides that Mme. Gambrelli is being framed by someone else in the Ballon household. Even as the murder victims pile up , Clouseau is determined to prove Mme. Gambrelli's innocence. As he cuts a bumbling , destructive swath through Paris , Clouseau drives Dreyfuss literally insane. This fact leads to the literally explosive climax , and to the ultimate vindication of Mme. Gambrelli. While we first met Inspector Clouseau in The Pink Panther , Shot in the Dark is the film that truly established the Clouseau mythos : the festive clumsiness , the convoluted dialogue ( "You shot him in a rit of fealous jage!" ), the Fractured French ( "A beump on zee head!" ), the twitching lunacy of poor Inspector Dreyfuss , the unexpected "judo lessons" of Clouseau's houseboy Kato ( Burt Kwouk ), and of course the hilariously macabre jokes involving dead or seriously injured bystanders. You'd never know it , but A Shot in the Dark was inspired by a standard three - act stage comedy by Harry Kurnitz , which in turn was adapted from the French play L'Idiote by Marcel Achard .
0072
Spike Lee's breakthrough independent feature shot in fifteen days on a budget of $175000 ushered in (along with Jim Jarmusch's Stranger Than Paradise) the American independent film movement of the 1980s. It was also a groundbreaking film for African-American filmmakers and a welcome change in the representation of blacks in American cinema depicting men and women of color not as pimps and whores but as intelligent upscale urbanites. Lee's slight tale which carries much psychological and historical baggage concerns Nola Darling (Tracy Camila Johns) a young self-assured Brooklyn woman who juggles three boyfriends -- the polite and well-meaning Jamie Overstreet (Tommy Redmond Hicks) the self-obsessed male model Greer Childs (John Canada Terrell) and the comical bicycle messenger Mars Blackmon (Spike Lee). Nola doesn't want to commit to any of her boyfriends cherishing her personal freedom. But as their relationships with Nola grow each man wants her for himself.
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Spike Lee 's breakthrough independent feature , shot in fifteen days on a budget of $175 , 000 , ushered in ( along with Jim Jarmusch 's Stranger Than Paradise ) the American independent film movement of the 1980s. It was also a groundbreaking film for African - American filmmakers and a welcome change in the representation of blacks in American cinema , depicting men and women of color not as pimps and whores , but as intelligent , upscale urbanites. Lee 's slight tale , which carries much psychological and historical baggage , concerns Nola Darling ( Tracy Camila Johns ), a young , self - assured Brooklyn woman who juggles three boyfriends -- the polite and well - meaning Jamie Overstreet ( Tommy Redmond Hicks ), the self - obsessed male model Greer Childs ( John Canada Terrell ), and the comical bicycle messenger Mars Blackmon ( Spike Lee ) . Nola doesn't want to commit to any of her boyfriends , cherishing her personal freedom. But as their relationships with Nola grow , each man wants her for himself.
0073
A frankly adult comedy about the sex lives of the aimless and the rich Shampoo is also a pointed commentary on the demise of 1960s idealism at the dawn of the Nixon era. It is Election Day 1968 and randy Beverly Hills hairdresser George Roundy (Warren Beatty) is too worried about attending to all of his women's tonsorial and sexual needs while trying to swing a bank loan to fund his own salon to notice the fateful Presidential race. As George juggles the demands of girlfriend Jill (Goldie Hawn) and mistress Felicia (Lee Grant) not to mention Felicia's daughter (Carrie Fisher) he meets Felicia's husband Lester (Jack Warden) to get money for the salon and discovers that his beloved ex-girlfriend Jackie (Julie Christie) is now Lester's mistress. Lester asks George to escort Jackie to a banquet for Nixon supporters leading to a series of climactic confrontations at the dinner and a Hollywood orgy that expose the conflicting demands of sex love and security among these terminally narcissistic L.A. denizens. As Nixon's victory speech drones in the background the following day and Paul Simon's mournful '60s music plays on the soundtrack George's free-wheeling world collapses around him for reasons that he can barely begin to comprehend. Produced and co-written (with Chinatown scribe Robert Towne) by its star Warren Beatty Shampoo became Beatty's second critical and popular success as a producer after Bonnie and Clyde and it bolstered Hal Ashby's track record as director. Shampoo earned Grant an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress as well as a Supporting Actor nomination for Warden and Beatty's first nomination as writer. With Nixon's 1974 Watergate disgrace adding an extra edge to the humor for 1975 audiences this tragic bedroom farce became one of the highest-grossing films in Columbia Pictures' history at the time.
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A frankly adult comedy about the sex lives of the aimless and the rich , Shampoo is also a pointed commentary on the demise of 1960s idealism at the dawn of the Nixon era. It is Election Day , 1968 , and randy Beverly Hills hairdresser George Roundy ( Warren Beatty ) is too worried about attending to all of his women's tonsorial and sexual needs , while trying to swing a bank loan to fund his own salon , to notice the fateful Presidential race. As George juggles the demands of girlfriend Jill ( Goldie Hawn ) and mistress Felicia ( Lee Grant ), not to mention Felicia's daughter ( Carrie Fisher ), he meets Felicia's husband Lester ( Jack Warden ) to get money for the salon and discovers that his beloved ex - girlfriend Jackie ( Julie Christie ) is now Lester's mistress. Lester asks George to escort Jackie to a banquet for Nixon supporters , leading to a series of climactic confrontations at the dinner and a Hollywood orgy that expose the conflicting demands of sex , love , and security among these terminally narcissistic L.A. denizens. As Nixon 's victory speech drones in the background the following day and Paul Simon 's mournful '60s music plays on the soundtrack , George's free - wheeling world collapses around him for reasons that he can barely begin to comprehend. Produced and co - written ( with Chinatown scribe Robert Towne ) by its star Warren Beatty , Shampoo became Beatty 's second critical and popular success as a producer after Bonnie and Clyde , and it bolstered Hal Ashby 's track record as director. Shampoo earned Grant an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress , as well as a Supporting Actor nomination for Warden and Beatty 's first nomination as writer. With Nixon 's 1974 Watergate disgrace adding an extra edge to the humor for 1975 audiences , this tragic bedroom farce became one of the highest - grossing films in Columbia Pictures' history at the time.
0074
This modernization of Edmond Rostand's Cyrano de Bergerac casts Steve Martin as C. D. Bates the fearless quick-witted fire chief of a Washington State resort town. Bates' most trusted fireman is the handsome but tongue-tied Chris McDonell (Rick Rossovich). Both men are in love with the beautiful Roxanne Kowalski (Darryl Hannah) but Bates adorned with a huge nose that makes Bob Hope look like Nanette Fabray is convinced that he's too homely to win Roxanne's heart. Thus in the self-sacrificing tradition of Cyrano de Bergerac Bates courts Roxanne vicariously by feeding his rival Chris the proper romantic words and phrases. The inherent pathos in Roxanne is offset by moments of slapstick notably the scene wherein C. D. Bates vanquishes a pair of hooligans with a tennis racket. Steve Martin himself is credited with the screenplay for Roxanne though he generously cites Edmond Rostand as his inspiration.
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This modernization of Edmond Rostand 's Cyrano de Bergerac casts Steve Martin as C. D. Bates , the fearless , quick - witted fire chief of a Washington State resort town. Bates' most trusted fireman is the handsome but tongue - tied Chris McDonell ( Rick Rossovich ) . Both men are in love with the beautiful Roxanne Kowalski ( Darryl Hannah ), but Bates , adorned with a huge nose that makes Bob Hope look like Nanette Fabray , is convinced that he's too homely to win Roxanne's heart. Thus , in the self - sacrificing tradition of Cyrano de Bergerac , Bates courts Roxanne vicariously by feeding his rival Chris the proper romantic words and phrases. The inherent pathos in Roxanne is offset by moments of slapstick , notably the scene wherein C. D. Bates vanquishes a pair of hooligans with a tennis racket. Steve Martin himself is credited with the screenplay for Roxanne , though he generously cites Edmond Rostand as his inspiration.
0075
Woody Allen blurs the the boundaries between the real and unreal in this unique comic fantasy. The scene is a small town in the mid-1930s. Trapped in a dead-end job and an abusive marriage Cecelia (Mia Farrow) regularly seeks refuge in the local movie house. She becomes so enraptured by the latest attraction an RKO screwball comedy called The Purple Rose of Cairo that she returns to the theatre day after day. During one of these visits the film's main character Tom Baxter (Jeff Daniels) pauses in his dialogue turns towards the audience and says to Cecelia "My God how you must love this picture." Then he climbs out of the movie much to the consternation of the rest of the audience and the other characters on screen. Liberated from his customary black-and-white environs he accompanies Cecelia on a tour of the town eventually falling in love with her. Meanwhile the other Purple Rose characters unable to proceed with the film carry on a discussion with themselves. Desperately the RKO executives seek out Gil Shepherd the actor who played the hero of Purple Rose. Shepherd (also played by Daniels) is sent to Cecelia's hometown to see if he can repair the damage.
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Woody Allen blurs the the boundaries between the real and unreal in this unique comic fantasy. The scene is a small town in the mid - 1930s. Trapped in a dead - end job and an abusive marriage , Cecelia ( Mia Farrow ) regularly seeks refuge in the local movie house. She becomes so enraptured by the latest attraction , an RKO screwball comedy called The Purple Rose of Cairo , that she returns to the theatre day after day. During one of these visits , the film's main character Tom Baxter ( Jeff Daniels ), pauses in his dialogue , turns towards the audience , and says to Cecelia , "My God , how you must love this picture." Then he climbs out of the movie , much to the consternation of the rest of the audience and the other characters on screen. Liberated from his customary black - and - white environs , he accompanies Cecelia on a tour of the town , eventually falling in love with her. Meanwhile , the other Purple Rose characters , unable to proceed with the film , carry on a discussion with themselves. Desperately , the RKO executives seek out Gil Shepherd , the actor who played the hero of Purple Rose . Shepherd ( also played by Daniels ), is sent to Cecelia's hometown to see if he can repair the damage.
0076
Robert Altman takes a scalpel to Hollywood ethics in the 1990s (or the lack thereof) in his acidic satire The Player adapted from Michael Tolkin's novel. (Tolkin also wrote the screenplay.) The film concerns a sleek and smooth Hollywood studio executive who starts receiving death threats from a disgruntled writer because he has committed the ultimate Hollywood sin -- he promised the writer he would call him back and he never did. This is particularly ironic because the studio executive Griffin Mill (Tim Robbins) is considered "writer-friendly" spending his days listening to pitches from such noted screenwriters as Buck Henry who is pushing "The Graduate Part II" and Alan Rudolph who is hawking a Bruce Willis action film described as "Ghost meets The Manchurian Candidate." But The Player finds Griffin's comfortable life style in danger of collapse. He is trying to find a way to unload his girlfriend (Cynthia Stevenson) whose independence and intelligence make her a poor candidate for a trophy wife. More importantly it seems that Larry Levy (Peter Gallagher) a slippery executive from Twentieth Century Fox is angling for his job. And then there are those nasty postcards and faxes from a screenwriter threatening to kill him. Altman cast over 65 stars in cameo roles as texture for his scabrous tale.
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Robert Altman takes a scalpel to Hollywood ethics in the 1990s ( or the lack thereof ) in his acidic satire The Player , adapted from Michael Tolkin 's novel. ( Tolkin also wrote the screenplay. ) The film concerns a sleek and smooth Hollywood studio executive who starts receiving death threats from a disgruntled writer because he has committed the ultimate Hollywood sin -- he promised the writer he would call him back and he never did. This is particularly ironic because the studio executive , Griffin Mill ( Tim Robbins ), is considered "writer - friendly , " spending his days listening to pitches from such noted screenwriters as Buck Henry , who is pushing "The Graduate , Part II" and Alan Rudolph , who is hawking a Bruce Willis action film described as " Ghost meets The Manchurian Candidate ." But The Player finds Griffin's comfortable life style in danger of collapse. He is trying to find a way to unload his girlfriend ( Cynthia Stevenson ) whose independence and intelligence make her a poor candidate for a trophy wife. More importantly , it seems that Larry Levy ( Peter Gallagher ), a slippery executive from Twentieth Century Fox , is angling for his job. And then there are those nasty postcards and faxes from a screenwriter threatening to kill him. Altman cast over 65 stars in cameo roles as texture for his scabrous tale.
0077
Woody Allen's Love and Death is purportedly a satire of all things Russian from Leo Tolstoy and Fyodor Dostoyevsky novels to Sergei Eisenstein films but it plays more like a spin on Bob Hope's Monsieur Beaucaire. Allen plays Boris a 19th century Russian who falls in love with his distant (and married) cousin Sonja (Diane Keaton). Pressed into service with the Russian army during the war against Napoleon Boris accidentally becomes a hero then goes on to win a duel against a cuckolded husband (Harold Gould). He returns to Sonja hoping to settle down on the Steppes somewhere but Sonja has become fired up with patriotic fervor insisting that Boris join a plot to kill Napoleon. Intellectual in-jokes abound in Love and Death and other gags are basic Allen one-liners; for instance after being congratulated for his lovemaking skills Boris replies nonchalantly "I practice a lot when I'm alone." The pseudo-Russian ambience of Love and Death is comically enhanced by the Sergey Prokofiev compositions on the musical track.
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Woody Allen 's Love and Death is purportedly a satire of all things Russian , from Leo Tolstoy and Fyodor Dostoyevsky novels to Sergei Eisenstein films , but it plays more like a spin on Bob Hope 's Monsieur Beaucaire . Allen plays Boris , a 19th century Russian who falls in love with his distant ( and married ) cousin Sonja ( Diane Keaton ) . Pressed into service with the Russian army during the war against Napoleon , Boris accidentally becomes a hero , then goes on to win a duel against a cuckolded husband ( Harold Gould ) . He returns to Sonja , hoping to settle down on the Steppes somewhere , but Sonja has become fired up with patriotic fervor , insisting that Boris join a plot to kill Napoleon. Intellectual in - jokes abound in Love and Death , and other gags are basic Allen one - liners ; for instance , after being congratulated for his lovemaking skills , Boris replies nonchalantly , "I practice a lot when I'm alone." The pseudo - Russian ambience of Love and Death is comically enhanced by the Sergey Prokofiev compositions on the musical track.
0078
ored with their cushy suburban existence yuppie David (Albert Brooks) talks his wife Linda (Julie Hagerty) into selling everything they own and hitting the road to "see America." As a starting-over gesture David and Linda are romantically remarried in Las Vegas -- which ironically proves to be the beginning of the end of their idyll. In short order Linda loses their life's savings the couple nearly self-destructs at Hoover Dam they take blue-collar jobs in a go-nowhere Arizona town and....Well if you know your Albert Brooks be prepared for a steady stream of manic social satire.
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Bored with their cushy suburban existence , yuppie David ( Albert Brooks ) talks his wife Linda ( Julie Hagerty ) into selling everything they own and hitting the road to "see America." As a starting - over gesture , David and Linda are romantically remarried in Las Vegas -- which , ironically , proves to be the beginning of the end of their idyll. In short order , Linda loses their life's savings , the couple nearly self - destructs at Hoover Dam , they take blue - collar jobs in a go - nowhere Arizona town , and....Well , if you know your Albert Brooks , be prepared for a steady stream of manic social satire.
0079
A young man with a death wish and a 79-year-old high on life find love in Hal Ashby's cult black comedy. Deadpan rich boy Harold (Bud Cort) keeps staging elaborate suicide tableaux to get the attention of his mother (Vivian Pickles) but she keeps planning his brilliant future for him instead. Obsessed with the trappings of death Harold freaks out his blind dates modifies his new sports car to look like a mini-hearse and attends funerals where he meets the spirited Maude (Ruth Gordon). An eccentric to the core Maude lives exactly as she pleases with avid collecting and nude modeling among her many pursuits. To the disgust of Harold's relatives and the befuddlement of Harold's shrink Harold falls in love with her. As lilting Cat Stevens tunes play on the soundtrack Maude teaches Harold a valuable lesson about making the most of his time on earth.
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A young man with a death wish and a 79 - year - old high on life find love in Hal Ashby 's cult black comedy. Deadpan rich boy Harold ( Bud Cort ) keeps staging elaborate suicide tableaux to get the attention of his mother ( Vivian Pickles ), but she keeps planning his brilliant future for him instead. Obsessed with the trappings of death , Harold freaks out his blind dates , modifies his new sports car to look like a mini - hearse , and attends funerals , where he meets the spirited Maude ( Ruth Gordon ) . An eccentric to the core , Maude lives exactly as she pleases , with avid collecting and nude modeling among her many pursuits. To the disgust of Harold's relatives and the befuddlement of Harold's shrink , Harold falls in love with her. As lilting Cat Stevens tunes play on the soundtrack , Maude teaches Harold a valuable lesson about making the most of his time on earth.
0080
ill Murray plays Phil a TV weatherman working for a local station in Pennsylvania but convinced that national news stardom is in his grasp. Phil displays a charm and wit on camera that evaporates the moment the red light goes off; he is bitter appallingly self-centered and treats his co-workers with contempt especially his producer Rita (Andie MacDowell) and cameraman Larry (Chris Elliot). On February 2 1992 Phil Rita and Larry are sent on an assignment that Phil especially loathes: the annual Groundhog Day festivities in Punxsutawney PA where the citizens await the appearance of Punxsutawney Phil the groundhog who will supposedly determine the length of winter by his ability to see his own shadow. Phil is eager to beat a hasty retreat but when a freak snowstorm strands him in Punxsutawney he wakes up the next morning with the strangest sense of déjà vu: he seems to be living the same day over again. The next morning it happens again and then again. Soon no matter what he does he's stuck in February 2 1992; not imprisonment nor attempted suicide nor kidnapping the groundhog gets him out of the loop. But the more Phil relives the same day the more he's forced to look at other people's lives and something unusual happens: he begins to care about others. He starts to respect people he tries to save the life of a homeless man and he discovers that he's falling in love with Rita and therefore wants to be someone that she could love in return.
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Bill Murray plays Phil , a TV weatherman working for a local station in Pennsylvania but convinced that national news stardom is in his grasp. Phil displays a charm and wit on camera that evaporates the moment the red light goes off ; he is bitter , appallingly self - centered , and treats his co - workers with contempt , especially his producer Rita ( Andie MacDowell ) and cameraman Larry ( Chris Elliot ) . On February 2 , 1992 , Phil , Rita , and Larry are sent on an assignment that Phil especially loathes : the annual Groundhog Day festivities in Punxsutawney , PA , where the citizens await the appearance of Punxsutawney Phil , the groundhog who will supposedly determine the length of winter by his ability to see his own shadow. Phil is eager to beat a hasty retreat , but when a freak snowstorm strands him in Punxsutawney , he wakes up the next morning with the strangest sense of déjà vu : he seems to be living the same day over again. The next morning it happens again , and then again. Soon , no matter what he does , he's stuck in February 2 , 1992 ; not imprisonment nor attempted suicide nor kidnapping the groundhog gets him out of the loop. But the more Phil relives the same day , the more he's forced to look at other people's lives , and something unusual happens : he begins to care about others. He starts to respect people , he tries to save the life of a homeless man , and he discovers that he's falling in love with Rita and therefore wants to be someone that she could love in return.
0081
ill Murray Dan Aykroyd Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson star as a quartet of Manhattan-based "paranormal investigators". When their government grants run out the former three go into business as The Ghostbusters later hiring Hudson on. Armed with electronic paraphernalia the team is spectacularly successful ridding The Big Apple of dozens of ghoulies ghosties and long-legged beasties. Tight-lipped bureaucrat William Atherton regards the Ghostbusters as a bunch of charlatans but is forced to eat his words when New York is besieged by an army of unfriendly spirits conjured up by a long-dead Babylonian demon and "channelled" through beautiful cellist Sigourney Weaver and nerdish Rick Moranis. The climax is a glorious sendup of every Godzilla movie ever made-and we daresay it cost more than a year's worth of Japanese monster flicks combined. Who'd ever dream that the chubby cheery Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man would turn out to be the most malevolent threat ever faced by New York City? When the script for Ghostbusters was forged by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis John Belushi was slated to play the Bill Murray role; Belushi's death in 1982 not only necessitated the hiring of Murray but also an extensive rewrite. The most expensive comedy made up to 1984 Ghostbusters made money hand over fist spawning not only a 1989 sequel but also two animated TV series (one of them partially based on an earlier live-action TV weekly titled The Ghost Busters.
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Bill Murray , Dan Aykroyd , Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson star as a quartet of Manhattan - based "paranormal investigators". When their government grants run out , the former three go into business as The Ghostbusters , later hiring Hudson on. Armed with electronic paraphernalia , the team is spectacularly successful , ridding The Big Apple of dozens of ghoulies , ghosties and long - legged beasties. Tight - lipped bureaucrat William Atherton regards the Ghostbusters as a bunch of charlatans , but is forced to eat his words when New York is besieged by an army of unfriendly spirits , conjured up by a long - dead Babylonian demon and "channelled" through beautiful cellist Sigourney Weaver and nerdish Rick Moranis . The climax is a glorious sendup of every Godzilla movie ever made - and we daresay it cost more than a year's worth of Japanese monster flicks combined. Who'd ever dream that the chubby , cheery Stay - Puft Marshmallow Man would turn out to be the most malevolent threat ever faced by New York City? When the script for Ghostbusters was forged by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis , John Belushi was slated to play the Bill Murray role ; Belushi's death in 1982 not only necessitated the hiring of Murray , but also an extensive rewrite. The most expensive comedy made up to 1984 , Ghostbusters made money hand over fist , spawning not only a 1989 sequel but also two animated TV series ( one of them partially based on an earlier live - action TV weekly , titled The Ghost Busters .
0082
Garson Kanin's Broadway hit was transferred to the screen with only a few passing nods to the stricter censorship required by films. Judy Holliday won an Oscar for her portrayal of Billie Dawn a strident dim-bulbed ex-chorus girl who is the mistress of millionaire junk tycoon Harry Brock (Broderick Crawford). In Washington to put a few senators and congressmen in his pocket (the better to lay the groundwork for an illegal cartel) the rude-and-crude Brock realizes that the unrefined Billie will prove an embarrassment. Thus he hires idealistic but impoverished Paul Verrell (William Holden) to pump some intelligence and "class" into Billie. Paul does his job too well; by awakening Billie's social and political consciousness he turns the girl into Brock's most formidable foe in his efforts to buy influence in DC. Along the way Paul and Billie fall in love.
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Garson Kanin 's Broadway hit was transferred to the screen with only a few passing nods to the stricter censorship required by films. Judy Holliday won an Oscar for her portrayal of Billie Dawn , a strident , dim - bulbed ex - chorus girl who is the mistress of millionaire junk tycoon Harry Brock ( Broderick Crawford ) . In Washington to put a few senators and congressmen in his pocket ( the better to lay the groundwork for an illegal cartel ), the rude - and - crude Brock realizes that the unrefined Billie will prove an embarrassment. Thus he hires idealistic but impoverished Paul Verrell ( William Holden ) to pump some intelligence and "class" into Billie. Paul does his job too well ; by awakening Billie's social and political consciousness , he turns the girl into Brock's most formidable foe in his efforts to buy influence in DC. Along the way Paul and Billie fall in love.
0083
More than anything else 13-year old New Jerseyite Josh (David Moscow) wants to be "big". That's the wish he makes at an odd-looking amusement pier fortunetelling machine. The next morning Josh wakes up-only to discover that he's grown to manhood overnight! (At this point the part is taken over by Tom Hanks). Still a 13-year-old mentally and emotionally Josh decides to hide out in New York City until he can figure out what to do next. He lucks into a job with a major toy company run by kid-at-heart McMillan (Robert Loggia). By cannily bringing a child's eye view to McMillan's business Josh rises to the top-and in process he falls in love with fellow employee Susan (Elizabeth Perkins). But he's still a kid and he'd like to go back to his own world and own body. Written by Gary Ross and Anne Spielberg Big proved a crucial success for budding director Penny Marshall who'd work harmoniously with Hanks again on the radically different A League of Their Own. The cinematography was by Barry Sonenfeld who went on to become a director himself with The Addams Family. That Big was heavily reliant upon the input of Tom Hanks and Penny Marshall was proven by the failed attempt to turn the property into a Broadway musical.
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More than anything else , 13 - year old New Jerseyite Josh ( David Moscow ) wants to be "big". That's the wish he makes at an odd - looking amusement pier fortunetelling machine. The next morning , Josh wakes up - only to discover that he's grown to manhood overnight! ( At this point , the part is taken over by Tom Hanks ) . Still a 13 - year - old mentally and emotionally , Josh decides to hide out in New York City until he can figure out what to do next. He lucks into a job with a major toy company run by kid - at - heart McMillan ( Robert Loggia ) . By cannily bringing a child's eye view to McMillan's business , Josh rises to the top - and in process , he falls in love with fellow employee Susan ( Elizabeth Perkins ) . But he's still a kid , and he'd like to go back to his own world and own body. Written by Gary Ross and Anne Spielberg , Big proved a crucial success for budding director Penny Marshall , who'd work harmoniously with Hanks again on the radically different A League of Their Own . The cinematography was by Barry Sonenfeld , who went on to become a director himself with The Addams Family . That Big was heavily reliant upon the input of Tom Hanks and Penny Marshall was proven by the failed attempt to turn the property into a Broadway musical.
0084
On her deathbed mean-spirited millionairess Lily Tomlin has her will amended so that her soul will pass into the body of young healthy Victoria Tennant. Thanks to a mix-up in transmutation Tomlin winds up instead trapped in the body of upright (and uptight) attorney Steve Martin. The plot involves the fragility of male-female relationships the importance of making commitments and the antics of goofy guru Richard Libertini. As ridiculous as it sounds All of Me is completely credible thanks to Steve Martin's remarkable "body language" when conveying the notion that he's two different people with two different sets of emotions and gestures. Though the circumstances of the plot won't allow Martin to connect with the lovely Tennant in real life things were different: the two costars were married shortly after filming wrapped. Phil Alden Robinson and Henry Olek adapted the script from Ed Davis' novel Me Too.
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On her deathbed , mean - spirited millionairess Lily Tomlin has her will amended so that her soul will pass into the body of young , healthy Victoria Tennant . Thanks to a mix - up in transmutation , Tomlin winds up instead trapped in the body of upright ( and uptight ) attorney Steve Martin . The plot involves the fragility of male - female relationships , the importance of making commitments , and the antics of goofy guru Richard Libertini . As ridiculous as it sounds , All of Me is completely credible , thanks to Steve Martin 's remarkable "body language" when conveying the notion that he's two different people with two different sets of emotions and gestures. Though the circumstances of the plot won't allow Martin to connect with the lovely Tennant , in real life things were different : the two costars were married shortly after filming wrapped. Phil Alden Robinson and Henry Olek adapted the script from Ed Davis' novel Me Too .
0085
ased on Helen Fielding's hugely popular novel this romantic comedy follows Bridget (Renee Zellweger) a post-feminist thirty-something British woman who has a penchant for alcoholic binges smoking and an inability to control her weight. While trying to keep these things in check and also deal with her job in publishing she visits her parents for a Christmas party. They try to set her up with Mark (Colin Firth) the visiting son of one of their neighbors. Snubbed by Mark she instead falls for her boss Daniel (Hugh Grant) a dashing lothario who begins to send her suggestive e-mails that soon lead to a dinner date proposition. Daniel reveals that he and Mark attended college together during which time Mark had an affair with his fiancée. When Bridget finds Daniel cavorting with an American colleague she decides to change her life with a new job as a TV presenter. At a dinner party she bumps into Mark again who expresses his affection for her; when Daniel claims he wants Bridget back the two fight over who deserves her affections the most. Popular British performers Gemma Jones Jim Broadbent and Shirley Henderson appear in the supporting cast.
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Based on Helen Fielding's hugely popular novel , this romantic comedy follows Bridget ( Renee Zellweger ), a post - feminist , thirty - something British woman who has a penchant for alcoholic binges , smoking , and an inability to control her weight. While trying to keep these things in check and also deal with her job in publishing , she visits her parents for a Christmas party. They try to set her up with Mark ( Colin Firth ), the visiting son of one of their neighbors. Snubbed by Mark , she instead falls for her boss Daniel ( Hugh Grant ), a dashing lothario who begins to send her suggestive e - mails that soon lead to a dinner date proposition. Daniel reveals that he and Mark attended college together , during which time Mark had an affair with his fiancée. When Bridget finds Daniel cavorting with an American colleague , she decides to change her life with a new job as a TV presenter. At a dinner party , she bumps into Mark again , who expresses his affection for her ; when Daniel claims he wants Bridget back , the two fight over who deserves her affections the most. Popular British performers Gemma Jones , Jim Broadbent , and Shirley Henderson appear in the supporting cast.
0086
A young pig fights convention to become a sheep dog -- or rather sheep pig -- in this charming Australian family film which became an unexpected international success due to superior special effects and an intelligent script. The title refers to the name bestowed on a piglet soon after his separation from his family when he finds himself on a strange farm. Confused and sad Babe is adopted by a friendly dog and slowly adjusts to his new home. Discovering that the fate of most pigs is the dinner table Babe devotes himself to becoming a useful member of the farm by trying to learn how to herd sheep despite the skepticism of the other animals and the kindly but conventional Farmer Hoggett (James Cromwell). Because technically impeccable animatronics and computer graphics allow the farm animals to converse easily among themselves first-time director Chris Noonan can treat the film's menagerie as actual characters playing scene not for cuteness but for real emotions. The result is often surprisingly touching with Noonan and George Miller's script based on Dick King-Smith's children's book and indirectly a true story seamlessly combining gentle whimsy and sincere feeling. These same qualities are embodied by in Cromwell's beautifully understated performance as Farmer Hoggett which anchors the film. Despite its unlikely premise and low profile Babe's inspirational story was embraced by audiences and critics and the movie became an international sleeper that won an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture. It was followed in 1999 by the less successful Babe: Pig in the City.
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A young pig fights convention to become a sheep dog -- or , rather , sheep pig -- in this charming Australian family film , which became an unexpected international success due to superior special effects and an intelligent script. The title refers to the name bestowed on a piglet soon after his separation from his family , when he finds himself on a strange farm. Confused and sad , Babe is adopted by a friendly dog and slowly adjusts to his new home. Discovering that the fate of most pigs is the dinner table , Babe devotes himself to becoming a useful member of the farm by trying to learn how to herd sheep , despite the skepticism of the other animals and the kindly but conventional Farmer Hoggett ( James Cromwell ) . Because technically impeccable animatronics and computer graphics allow the farm animals to converse easily among themselves , first - time director Chris Noonan can treat the film's menagerie as actual characters , playing scene not for cuteness but for real emotions. The result is often surprisingly touching , with Noonan and George Miller 's script , based on Dick King - Smith's children's book and , indirectly , a true story , seamlessly combining gentle whimsy and sincere feeling. These same qualities are embodied by in Cromwell's beautifully understated performance as Farmer Hoggett , which anchors the film. Despite its unlikely premise and low profile , Babe 's inspirational story was embraced by audiences and critics , and the movie became an international sleeper that won an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture. It was followed in 1999 by the less successful Babe : Pig in the City .
0087
One of the most popular movie musicals of all time The Sound of Music is based on the true story of the Trapp Family Singers. Julie Andrews stars as Maria a young nun in an Austrian convent who regularly misses her morning prayers because she enjoys going to the hills to sing the title song. Deciding that Maria needs to learn something about the real world before she can take her vows the Mother Superior (Peggy Wood) sends her off to be governess for the children of the widowed Captain Von Trapp (Christopher Plummer). Arriving at the Trapp home Maria discovers that her new boss is cold and aloof and his seven children virtual automatons-at least whenever the Captain is around. Otherwise the kids are holy terrors as evidenced by the fact that Maria is the latest in a long line of governesses. But Maria soon ingratiates herself with the children especially oldest daughter Liesl (Charmian Carr) who is in love with teenaged messenger boy Rolf. As Maria herself begins to fall in love with the Captain she rushes back to the Abbey so as not to complicate his impending marriage to a glamorous baroness (Eleanor Parker). But the children insist that Maria return the Baroness steps out of the picture and Maria and the Captain confirm their love in the song "Something Good." Unhappily they return home from their honeymoon shortly after the Nazis march into Austria. Already swastikas have been hung on the Von Trapp ancestral home and Liesl's boyfriend Rolf has been indoctrinated in the "glories" of the Third Reich. The biggest blow occurs when Von Trapp is called back to active duty in the service of the Fuhrer. The Captain wants nothing to do with Nazism and he begins making plans to take himself and his family out of Austria.
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One of the most popular movie musicals of all time , The Sound of Music is based on the true story of the Trapp Family Singers. Julie Andrews stars as Maria , a young nun in an Austrian convent who regularly misses her morning prayers because she enjoys going to the hills to sing the title song. Deciding that Maria needs to learn something about the real world before she can take her vows , the Mother Superior ( Peggy Wood ) sends her off to be governess for the children of the widowed Captain Von Trapp ( Christopher Plummer ) . Arriving at the Trapp home , Maria discovers that her new boss is cold and aloof , and his seven children virtual automatons - at least , whenever the Captain is around. Otherwise , the kids are holy terrors , as evidenced by the fact that Maria is the latest in a long line of governesses. But Maria soon ingratiates herself with the children , especially oldest daughter Liesl ( Charmian Carr ), who is in love with teenaged messenger boy Rolf. As Maria herself begins to fall in love with the Captain , she rushes back to the Abbey so as not to complicate his impending marriage to a glamorous baroness ( Eleanor Parker ) . But the children insist that Maria return , the Baroness steps out of the picture , and Maria and the Captain confirm their love in the song "Something Good." Unhappily , they return home from their honeymoon shortly after the Nazis march into Austria. Already , swastikas have been hung on the Von Trapp ancestral home , and Liesl's boyfriend Rolf has been indoctrinated in the "glories" of the Third Reich. The biggest blow occurs when Von Trapp is called back to active duty in the service of the Fuhrer. The Captain wants nothing to do with Nazism , and he begins making plans to take himself and his family out of Austria.
0088
ased on the novel by Fred Gipson Old Yeller is set in Texas in 1869. While his father is away on a cattle drive 15-year-old Travis Coates (Tommy Kirk) takes over management of the family farm. Adopting a "strictly business" policy Travis is irritated when younger brother Arliss (Kevin Corcoran) adopts a frisky stray dog. But soon Travis is as fond of the dog as everyone else in the family; moreover "Old Yeller" is an excellent watchdog. But while fighting off a mad wolf Yeller is infected with rabies. Though Yeller seems unaffected at first he eventually behaves so viciously that the disheartened Travis has no choice but to shoot the dog. A heart-to-heart talk between Travis and his returning father (Fess Parker) coupled with the adoption of a new pup paves the way to an emotional but reasonably happy ending. Earning eight million dolalrs domestically on its first release Old Yeller convinced Walt Disney to devote more and more time to live-action films and less time to animation -- which at the time was a sagacious business move. In 1963 Disney released a lesser sequel to Old Yeller titled Savage Sam.
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Based on the novel by Fred Gipson , Old Yeller is set in Texas in 1869. While his father is away on a cattle drive , 15 - year - old Travis Coates ( Tommy Kirk ) takes over management of the family farm. Adopting a "strictly business" policy , Travis is irritated when younger brother , Arliss ( Kevin Corcoran ), adopts a frisky stray dog. But soon Travis is as fond of the dog as everyone else in the family ; moreover , "Old Yeller" is an excellent watchdog. But while fighting off a mad wolf , Yeller is infected with rabies. Though Yeller seems unaffected at first , he eventually behaves so viciously that the disheartened Travis has no choice but to shoot the dog. A heart - to - heart talk between Travis and his returning father ( Fess Parker ), coupled with the adoption of a new pup , paves the way to an emotional but reasonably happy ending. Earning eight million dolalrs domestically on its first release , Old Yeller convinced Walt Disney to devote more and more time to live - action films and less time to animation -- which at the time was a sagacious business move. In 1963 , Disney released a lesser sequel to Old Yeller titled Savage Sam .
0089
This superbly animated children's tale is directed by Hayao Miyazaki one of Japan's most beloved animators. The story follows Satsuke and Mei two young girls who find that their new country home is in a mystical forest inhabited by a menagerie of mystical creatures called Totoros. They befriend O Totoro the biggest and eldest Totoro who is also the king of the forest. As their girls' mother lies sick in the hospital O Totoro brings the sisters on a magical adventure but also helps them to understand the realities of life. Like most films released by Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli this family-oriented feature has a powerful ecological theme. The English-language version of this film wasn't dubbed until many years later explaining the presence of actors such as Dakota Fanning in the cast (who wasn't even born until 1994).
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This superbly animated children's tale is directed by Hayao Miyazaki , one of Japan's most beloved animators. The story follows Satsuke and Mei , two young girls who find that their new country home is in a mystical forest inhabited by a menagerie of mystical creatures called Totoros. They befriend O Totoro , the biggest and eldest Totoro , who is also the king of the forest. As their girls' mother lies sick in the hospital , O Totoro brings the sisters on a magical adventure but also helps them to understand the realities of life. Like most films released by Miyazaki 's Studio Ghibli , this family - oriented feature has a powerful ecological theme. The English - language version of this film wasn't dubbed until many years later , explaining the presence of actors such as Dakota Fanning in the cast ( who wasn't even born until 1994 ) .
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This stop-motion animated fable was a big hit when it was released -- not only at the box office but critically. It was praised for its stunning originality and for the excellence of its execution. In addition it was praised for being a completely absorbing fable that both grownups and children can enjoy so long as the children are able to its handle scary bits (beginning perhaps at age seven or eight). In the story Jack Skellington (voice of Chris Sarandon) is the Pumpkin King of Halloweentown a realm of reality where the inhabitants make it their life's work to scare humans on Halloween. He's good at his work and is very popular around town but it all bores him. In a funk one day he wanders into a wood where every tree is the doorway to realms serving one or another human holiday and falls through the doorway into Christmas. There he sees scenes of such glee and good will that he is overwhelmed. He returns to Halloweentown with the inspiration to persuade his fellow citizens to kidnap Santa and do Christmas in their own Halloweentown way -- complete with snakes and shrunken heads. Despite strong arguments against this project by Jack's otherwise loyal girlfriend Sally (voice of Catherine O'Hara) Santa (voice of Edward Ivory) is duly captured and the townspeople prepare a very special Christmas for everyone. Jack is excited about the new plan and at first doesn't notice that Sally isn't around much anymore. Meanwhile Oogie Boogie (voice of Ken Page) a sinister opponent of Jack's has re-kidnapped Santa and has captured Sally as well. Since Sally is the true love of Jack's life and (he eventually realizes) the only one who can be relied upon to tell him the truth in every circumstance a confrontation with Oogie Boogie becomes inevitable. In addition to being a monumental work of animation (it took over 120 animators and many more technicians more than two years to film it) this show features ten very appropriate musical numbers by composer Danny Elfman who also supplies Jack's singing voice. In October 2006 fans of the innovative animated classic got to experience The Nightmare Before Christmas in a whole new dimension when the film was re-released into theaters in Disney Digital 3-D -- a process developed to add remarkable new depth to films that were originally released in standard 2-D.
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This stop - motion animated fable was a big hit when it was released -- not only at the box office , but critically. It was praised for its stunning originality and for the excellence of its execution. In addition , it was praised for being a completely absorbing fable that both grownups and children can enjoy , so long as the children are able to its handle scary bits ( beginning perhaps at age seven or eight ) . In the story , Jack Skellington ( voice of Chris Sarandon ) is the Pumpkin King of Halloweentown , a realm of reality where the inhabitants make it their life's work to scare humans on Halloween. He's good at his work , and is very popular around town , but it all bores him. In a funk one day , he wanders into a wood where every tree is the doorway to realms serving one or another human holiday , and falls through the doorway into Christmas. There , he sees scenes of such glee and good will that he is overwhelmed. He returns to Halloweentown with the inspiration to persuade his fellow citizens to kidnap Santa and do Christmas in their own Halloweentown way -- complete with snakes and shrunken heads. Despite strong arguments against this project by Jack's otherwise loyal girlfriend , Sally ( voice of Catherine O'Hara ), Santa ( voice of Edward Ivory ) is duly captured , and the townspeople prepare a very special Christmas for everyone. Jack is excited about the new plan , and at first doesn't notice that Sally isn't around much anymore. Meanwhile , Oogie Boogie ( voice of Ken Page ), a sinister opponent of Jack's , has re - kidnapped Santa and has captured Sally as well. Since Sally is the true love of Jack's life and ( he eventually realizes ) the only one who can be relied upon to tell him the truth in every circumstance , a confrontation with Oogie Boogie becomes inevitable. In addition to being a monumental work of animation ( it took over 120 animators and many more technicians more than two years to film it ), this show features ten very appropriate musical numbers by composer Danny Elfman , who also supplies Jack's singing voice. In October 2006 , fans of the innovative animated classic got to experience The Nightmare Before Christmas in a whole new dimension when the film was re - released into theaters in Disney Digital 3 - D -- a process developed to add remarkable new depth to films that were originally released in standard 2 - D.
0091
This Disney animated classic is based on the children's story by Dodie Smith. The story involves the canine pets of a struggling composer and his wife: Dalmatians Pongo (male) and Perdita (female). Perdita gives birth to fifteen spotted pups cuing the entrance of the scheming Cruella De Vil. She demands that the dogs' owners sell her the pups but she is shown the door instead. Under cover of night Cruella arranges for the pups to be stolen. The human police are baffled but the "dog network" is alerted by Pongo and sent to rescue the pups. It is discovered that Cruella has been rounding up every Dalmatian she can get her hands on hoping to use their pelts to make one spectacular fur coat. The dogs rescue the 15 pups plus 86 others stolen by Ms. DeVil. After an eventful escape the 101 Dalmatians make their way home--whereupon the composer pens a hit tune "Dalmatian Plantation". 101 Dalmatians represents the Disney animation staff at its very best and as a bonus introduces the world to Cruella De Vil one of the greatest movie villains--cartoon or "real"--of all time.
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This Disney animated classic is based on the children's story by Dodie Smith . The story involves the canine pets of a struggling composer and his wife : Dalmatians Pongo ( male ) and Perdita ( female ) . Perdita gives birth to fifteen spotted pups , cuing the entrance of the scheming Cruella De Vil. She demands that the dogs' owners sell her the pups , but she is shown the door instead. Under cover of night , Cruella arranges for the pups to be stolen. The human police are baffled , but the "dog network" is alerted by Pongo and sent to rescue the pups. It is discovered that Cruella has been rounding up every Dalmatian she can get her hands on , hoping to use their pelts to make one spectacular fur coat. The dogs rescue the 15 pups , plus 86 others stolen by Ms. DeVil. After an eventful escape , the 101 Dalmatians make their way home -- whereupon the composer pens a hit tune , "Dalmatian Plantation". 101 Dalmatians represents the Disney animation staff at its very best , and as a bonus introduces the world to Cruella De Vil , one of the greatest movie villains -- cartoon or "real" -- of all time.
0092
Kermit the Frog and Fozzie Bear from of the large crew of loveably fuzzy characters created by puppetmaster Jim Henson have embarked on a quest for stardom. They take a trip to Hollywood riding in or on a wide variety of vehicles along the way. They begin their journey on a bicycle pedalled by Kermit but friends accumulate along the way and they change vehicles to accomodate them. They have the additional challenge of fending off the entreaties of the heartless Doc Hopper (Charles Durning) who wants Kermit to make some advertisements promoting fried frog legs. Kermit must also cope with his amorous feelings for Miss Piggy and hers for him. This appealing children's adventure movie has numerous scenes which do homage to classic films and features a huge cast of Hollywood greats from Edgar Bergen to Orson Welles in cameo roles. A great box-office success this movie paved the way for a number of sequels. One of the film's many songs The Rainbow Connection was nominated for an Oscar.
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Kermit the Frog and Fozzie Bear , from of the large crew of loveably fuzzy characters created by puppetmaster Jim Henson , have embarked on a quest for stardom. They take a trip to Hollywood , riding in or on a wide variety of vehicles along the way. They begin their journey on a bicycle pedalled by Kermit , but friends accumulate along the way , and they change vehicles to accomodate them. They have the additional challenge of fending off the entreaties of the heartless Doc Hopper ( Charles Durning ), who wants Kermit to make some advertisements promoting fried frog legs. Kermit must also cope with his amorous feelings for Miss Piggy , and hers for him. This appealing children's adventure movie has numerous scenes which do homage to classic films , and features a huge cast of Hollywood greats , from Edgar Bergen to Orson Welles , in cameo roles. A great box - office success , this movie paved the way for a number of sequels. One of the film's many songs , The Rainbow Connection , was nominated for an Oscar.
0093
Long resistant to film adaptations of her Mary Poppins books P.L. Travers finally succumbed to the entreaties of Walt Disney and the result is often considered the finest of Disney's personally supervised films. The Travers stories are bundled together to tell the story of the Edwardian-era British Banks family: the banker father (David Tomlinson) suffragette mother (Glynis Johns) and the two "impossible" children (Karen Dotrice and Matthew Garber). The kids get the attention of their all-business father by bedevilling every new nanny in the Banks household. Whem Mr. Banks advertises conventionally for another nanny the kids compose their own ad asking for someone with a little kindness and imagination. Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews in her screen debut) answers the children's ad by arriving at the Banks home from the skies parachuting downward with her umbrella. She immediately endears herself to the children. The next day they meet Mary's old chum Bert (Dick Van Dyke) currently employed as a sidewalk artist. Mary Bert and the children hop into one of Bert's chalk drawings and learn the nonsense song "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" in a cartoon countryside. Later they pay a visit to Bert's Uncle Albert (Ed Wynn) who laughs so hard that he floats to the ceiling. Mr. Banks is pleased that his children are behaving better but he's not happy with their fantastic stories. To show the children what the real world is like he takes them to his bank. A series of disasters follow which result in his being fired from his job. Mary Poppins' role in all this leads to some moments when it is possible to fear that all her good work will be undone but like the magical being she is all her "mistakes" lead to a happy result by the end of the film. In 2001 Mary Poppins was rereleased in a special "sing-along" edition with subtitles added to the musical numbers so audiences could join in with the onscreen vocalists.
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Long resistant to film adaptations of her Mary Poppins books , P.L. Travers finally succumbed to the entreaties of Walt Disney , and the result is often considered the finest of Disney 's personally supervised films. The Travers stories are bundled together to tell the story of the Edwardian - era British Banks family : the banker father ( David Tomlinson ), suffragette mother ( Glynis Johns ), and the two "impossible" children ( Karen Dotrice and Matthew Garber ) . The kids get the attention of their all - business father by bedevilling every new nanny in the Banks household. Whem Mr. Banks advertises conventionally for another nanny , the kids compose their own ad , asking for someone with a little kindness and imagination. Mary Poppins ( Julie Andrews in her screen debut ) answers the children's ad by arriving at the Banks home from the skies , parachuting downward with her umbrella. She immediately endears herself to the children. The next day they meet Mary's old chum Bert ( Dick Van Dyke ), currently employed as a sidewalk artist. Mary , Bert , and the children hop into one of Bert's chalk drawings and learn the nonsense song "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" in a cartoon countryside. Later , they pay a visit to Bert's Uncle Albert ( Ed Wynn ), who laughs so hard that he floats to the ceiling. Mr. Banks is pleased that his children are behaving better , but he's not happy with their fantastic stories. To show the children what the real world is like , he takes them to his bank. A series of disasters follow which result in his being fired from his job. Mary Poppins' role in all this leads to some moments when it is possible to fear that all her good work will be undone , but like the magical being she is , all her "mistakes" lead to a happy result by the end of the film. In 2001 , Mary Poppins was rereleased in a special "sing - along" edition with subtitles added to the musical numbers so audiences could join in with the onscreen vocalists.
0094
This beautifully mounted adaptation of Walter Farley's story for children tells the tale of Alec (Kelly Reno) a young boy touring the world with his adventurous salesman father (Hoyt Axton). While travelling back to the United States by ship Alec discovers a wild beautiful Arabian stallion being brought along in the cargo hold. When disaster strikes at sea the ship sinks and Alec and the stallion are the only survivors. Alone together on a nearby island the boy and the horse develop a relationship; wary of each other at first they learn to trust each other and they become close friends. When a rescue party finally finds Alec he refuses to leave the island without the stallion and the horse goes with Alec to the small town that is his home. Alec's mother (Teri Garr) is at a loss about what to do with this remarkable but difficult animal. Henry Dailey (Mickey Rooney) an elderly horse trainer who lives in the neighborhood senses a special connection between the boy and his horse; he's soon convinced that with the right training and the boy as his jockey the horse could be a champion on the race course. First-time director Carroll Ballard captures the mysterious relationship between humans and animals treating the stallion with the same intelligence and respect as the rest of his cast; he also draws fine understated performances from Kelly Reno and Mickey Rooney and Caleb Deschanel's photography makes this a feast for the eyes. The Black Stallion is that rare contemporary family film that will fascinate adults as much as their kids if not more so.
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This beautifully mounted adaptation of Walter Farley's story for children tells the tale of Alec ( Kelly Reno ), a young boy touring the world with his adventurous salesman father ( Hoyt Axton ) . While travelling back to the United States by ship , Alec discovers a wild , beautiful Arabian stallion being brought along in the cargo hold. When disaster strikes at sea , the ship sinks , and Alec and the stallion are the only survivors. Alone together on a nearby island , the boy and the horse develop a relationship ; wary of each other at first , they learn to trust each other , and they become close friends. When a rescue party finally finds Alec , he refuses to leave the island without the stallion , and the horse goes with Alec to the small town that is his home. Alec's mother ( Teri Garr ) is at a loss about what to do with this remarkable but difficult animal. Henry Dailey ( Mickey Rooney ), an elderly horse trainer who lives in the neighborhood , senses a special connection between the boy and his horse ; he's soon convinced that with the right training , and the boy as his jockey , the horse could be a champion on the race course. First - time director Carroll Ballard captures the mysterious relationship between humans and animals , treating the stallion with the same intelligence and respect as the rest of his cast ; he also draws fine , understated performances from Kelly Reno and Mickey Rooney , and Caleb Deschanel 's photography makes this a feast for the eyes. The Black Stallion is that rare contemporary family film that will fascinate adults as much as their kids , if not more so.
0095
eauty and the Beast is widely considered the best animated Disney feature of the studio's 1980s/1990s renewal of the form. Based on the classic French fairy tale it tells the story of Belle (voiced by Paige O'Hara) an intelligent young woman scorned by her townspeople for being a bookworm weary of fighting off the advances of the arrogant Gaston (Richard White) and dreaming of escape. When her father gets lost in the woods and captured by the forbidding Beast (Robby Benson) a once-handsome prince turned into a monster by a witch Belle goes off to rescue him. Taken with her the Beast agrees to release Belle's father if she agrees to stay with him forever. Initially repulsed Belle soon finds much to appreciate in the Beast's hidden tender nature. The Beast's servants -- a clock (David Ogden Stiers) a teapot (Angela Lansbury) and a candlestick (Jerry Orbach) -- see Belle as their salvation: if the Beast and a woman fall in love before his 21st birthday he will be free from the curse. The songs are first-class the tale is told with sincerity but not sentimentality and the characters of Belle and the Beast complex individuals who defy stereotyping and change over the course of the story are more three-dimensional than in most live-action movies. The eye-popping animation is beautifully rendered and Beauty and the Beast certainly deserves its place amongst Disney's animated classics. In 2002 a special 89-minute edition of the film was released in IMAX theaters with the addition of a newly animated song ""Human Again.""
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Beauty and the Beast is widely considered the best animated Disney feature of the studio's 1980s / 1990s renewal of the form. Based on the classic French fairy tale , it tells the story of Belle ( voiced by Paige O'Hara ), an intelligent young woman scorned by her townspeople for being a bookworm , weary of fighting off the advances of the arrogant Gaston ( Richard White ), and dreaming of escape. When her father gets lost in the woods and captured by the forbidding Beast ( Robby Benson ), a once - handsome prince turned into a monster by a witch , Belle goes off to rescue him. Taken with her , the Beast agrees to release Belle's father if she agrees to stay with him forever. Initially repulsed , Belle soon finds much to appreciate in the Beast's hidden , tender nature. The Beast's servants -- a clock ( David Ogden Stiers ), a teapot ( Angela Lansbury ), and a candlestick ( Jerry Orbach ) -- see Belle as their salvation : if the Beast and a woman fall in love before his 21st birthday , he will be free from the curse. The songs are first - class , the tale is told with sincerity but not sentimentality , and the characters of Belle and the Beast , complex individuals who defy stereotyping and change over the course of the story , are more three - dimensional than in most live - action movies. The eye - popping animation is beautifully rendered , and Beauty and the Beast certainly deserves its place amongst Disney's animated classics. In 2002 , a special 89 - minute edition of the film was released in IMAX theaters with the addition of a newly animated song , ""Human Again.""
0096
Jean-Jacques Annaud directed this unusual and compelling tale of animals in the wild which tells its tale from the bears' point of view. A pair of carefully-trained bruins deliver remarkably effective "performances" (aided by clever editing and in some sequences the use of realistic animated models). A infant bear cub (Douce the Bear) witnesses the death of his mother in a rockslide and is forced to set out to fend for himself. The young bear encounters a giant grizzly (Bart the Bear) who at first cannot abide the young bear's presence. However the grizzly is soon ambushed by a pair of hunters -- Bill (Jack Wallace) and Tom (Tcheky Karyo) -- after an altercation with their pack animals. As the injured beast cleans his wounds in a stream the young bear comes to his aid and the giant takes the youngster under his wing. However Bill and Tom have sworn revenge on the grizzly and when they capture the young bear it lures the giant back into the hunters' camp. L'Ours released in English-speaking countries as The Bear was based on the novel King Grizzly by James Oliver Curwood.
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Jean - Jacques Annaud directed this unusual and compelling tale of animals in the wild , which tells its tale from the bears' point of view. A pair of carefully - trained bruins deliver remarkably effective "performances" ( aided by clever editing and , in some sequences , the use of realistic animated models ) . A infant bear cub ( Douce the Bear ) witnesses the death of his mother in a rockslide and is forced to set out to fend for himself. The young bear encounters a giant grizzly ( Bart the Bear ), who at first cannot abide the young bear's presence. However , the grizzly is soon ambushed by a pair of hunters -- Bill ( Jack Wallace ) and Tom ( Tcheky Karyo ) -- after an altercation with their pack animals. As the injured beast cleans his wounds in a stream , the young bear comes to his aid , and the giant takes the youngster under his wing. However , Bill and Tom have sworn revenge on the grizzly , and when they capture the young bear , it lures the giant back into the hunters' camp. L'Ours , released in English - speaking countries as The Bear , was based on the novel King Grizzly by James Oliver Curwood.
0097
After exploring the worlds of toys and bugs in the two Toy Story films and A Bug's Life the award-winning computer animation company Pixar delves into the realm of monsters with its fourth feature. Hulking blue-furred behemoth James P. "Sully" Sullivan (John Goodman) and his one-eyed assistant Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) are employed by Monsters Inc. a scream processing factory. It seems that the denizens of their realm thrive on the screams of kids spooked by monsters lurking under their beds and in their closets. It's the job of Sully Mike and their co-workers including sarcastic Randall Boggs (Steve Buscemi) crab-like CEO Henry J. Waternoose (James Coburn) and lovely snake-headed receptionist Celia (Jennifer Tilly) to keep the frights flowing. When Sully and Mike are followed back into the monster world by a very unafraid little human girl named Boo (Mary Gibbs) they are exiled to her universe where they discover that such a modern-day mythological specimen as the Abominable Snowman is a fellow refugee.
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After exploring the worlds of toys and bugs in the two Toy Story films and A Bug's Life , the award - winning computer animation company Pixar delves into the realm of monsters with its fourth feature. Hulking , blue - furred behemoth James P. "Sully" Sullivan ( John Goodman ) and his one - eyed assistant Mike Wazowski ( Billy Crystal ) are employed by Monsters , Inc. , a scream processing factory. It seems that the denizens of their realm thrive on the screams of kids spooked by monsters lurking under their beds and in their closets. It's the job of Sully , Mike , and their co - workers , including sarcastic Randall Boggs ( Steve Buscemi ), crab - like CEO Henry J. Waternoose ( James Coburn ), and lovely snake - headed receptionist Celia ( Jennifer Tilly ) to keep the frights flowing. When Sully and Mike are followed back into the monster world by a very unafraid little human girl named Boo ( Mary Gibbs ), they are exiled to her universe , where they discover that such a modern - day mythological specimen as the Abominable Snowman is a fellow refugee.
0098
In this reteaming of actor Antonio Banderas and director Robert Rodriguez -- their first film together since the 1995 feature Desperado -- Banderas plays Gregorio; he and devoted partner Ingrid (Carla Gugino) comprise the greatest pair of secret agents working. Both are masters of disguise and have the ability to prevent wars but eventually they want to settle down and begin raising a family. Nine years later after retiring and giving up the lives of super-spies Gregorio and Ingrid find themselves at the call of duty again when techno-genius Fegan Floop (Alan Cumming) and his insidious ruthless sidekick Minion (Tony Shalhoub) have plans for world destruction. The only hope for Gregorio and Ingrid are their children Carmen (Alexa Vega) and Juni (Daryl Sabara) who are called upon to save their missing parents eventually learning their former identities. The film also features Cheech Marin Robert Patrick and Danny Trejo. In the summer of 2001 five months after Spy Kids had become a major box office success an expanded edition was released featuring several minutes of footage not used in the film's original cuts (including special effects sequences that couldn't be completed within the film's original budget).
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In this reteaming of actor Antonio Banderas and director Robert Rodriguez -- their first film together since the 1995 feature Desperado -- Banderas plays Gregorio ; he and devoted partner Ingrid ( Carla Gugino ), comprise the greatest pair of secret agents working. Both are masters of disguise and have the ability to prevent wars , but eventually they want to settle down and begin raising a family. Nine years later , after retiring and giving up the lives of super - spies , Gregorio and Ingrid find themselves at the call of duty again when techno - genius Fegan Floop ( Alan Cumming ) and his insidious , ruthless sidekick Minion ( Tony Shalhoub ) have plans for world destruction. The only hope for Gregorio and Ingrid are their children , Carmen ( Alexa Vega ) and Juni ( Daryl Sabara ), who are called upon to save their missing parents , eventually learning their former identities. The film also features Cheech Marin , Robert Patrick , and Danny Trejo . In the summer of 2001 , five months after Spy Kids had become a major box office success , an expanded edition was released , featuring several minutes of footage not used in the film's original cuts ( including special effects sequences that couldn't be completed within the film's original budget ) .
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E.B. White's classic children's story is brought to the screen in this fantasy which combines computer-animated characters with a cast of live actors. Mrs. Little (Geena Davis) Mr. Little (Hugh Laurie) and their son George (Jonathan Lipnicki) live in a brownstone near New York's Central Park. The Littles have decided to adopt a younger brother for George and while they're meeting the children at an orphanage they are greeted by a mouse named Stuart (voice of Michael J. Fox) who can talk walk upright wear clothes and do nearly anything a human child can do. The Littles are so taken with Stuart that they decide to adopt him and soon the rest of the family is just as charmed by Stuart -- with the possible exception of Snowbell (voice of Nathan Lane) their house cat. The cast of humans includes Jennifer Tilly Bruno Kirby and Dabney Coleman; animal voices are contributed by Chazz Palminteri and Steve Zahn Jim Doughan and David Alan Grier.
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E.B. White 's classic children's story is brought to the screen in this fantasy , which combines computer - animated characters with a cast of live actors. Mrs. Little ( Geena Davis ), Mr. Little ( Hugh Laurie ), and their son George ( Jonathan Lipnicki ) live in a brownstone near New York's Central Park. The Littles have decided to adopt a younger brother for George , and while they're meeting the children at an orphanage , they are greeted by a mouse named Stuart ( voice of Michael J. Fox ), who can talk , walk upright , wear clothes , and do nearly anything a human child can do. The Littles are so taken with Stuart that they decide to adopt him , and soon the rest of the family is just as charmed by Stuart -- with the possible exception of Snowbell ( voice of Nathan Lane ), their house cat. The cast of humans includes Jennifer Tilly , Bruno Kirby , and Dabney Coleman ; animal voices are contributed by Chazz Palminteri and Steve Zahn , Jim Doughan , and David Alan Grier .
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A boy's best friend is his robot in this animated adventure from Brad Bird best known for his TV work on such series as The Simpsons King of the Hill and The Critic. Set in 1957 The Iron Giant focuses on Hogarth (voice of Eli Marienthal) an imaginative nine-year-old boy who daydreams of alien invasions and doing battle with Communist agents. One day Hogarth hears a local fisherman talk about something that surpasses anything he could dream up: a fifty-foot robot that fell from the sky into a nearby lake. Needless to say Hogarth's mom Annie (voice of Jennifer Aniston) finds this a little hard to swallow but when Hogarth finds the robot (voice of Vin Diesel) and fishes him out of the water his pal Dean (voice of Harry Connick Jr.) a beatnik sculptor who also runs a junkyard offers to help by hiding the robot with his salvage. A government agent named Kent Mansley (voice of Christopher McDonald) soon gets wind that there's a mechanical invader of unknown origins in the neighborhood and wants to wipe out the potential threat. However the robot (which loves to eat metal and is learning to talk) turns out to be friendly and the boy in turn tries to teach his new pal the ways of humans. The Iron Giant is loosely based on the book The Iron Man by late British poet Ted Hughes previously adapted for the stage by rock musician Pete Townshend who executive produced the film.
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A boy's best friend is his robot in this animated adventure from Brad Bird , best known for his TV work on such series as The Simpsons , King of the Hill , and The Critic . Set in 1957 , The Iron Giant focuses on Hogarth ( voice of Eli Marienthal ), an imaginative nine - year - old boy who daydreams of alien invasions and doing battle with Communist agents. One day , Hogarth hears a local fisherman talk about something that surpasses anything he could dream up : a fifty - foot robot that fell from the sky into a nearby lake. Needless to say , Hogarth's mom , Annie ( voice of Jennifer Aniston ) finds this a little hard to swallow , but when Hogarth finds the robot ( voice of Vin Diesel ) and fishes him out of the water , his pal Dean ( voice of Harry Connick Jr. ), a beatnik sculptor who also runs a junkyard , offers to help by hiding the robot with his salvage. A government agent named Kent Mansley ( voice of Christopher McDonald ) soon gets wind that there's a mechanical invader of unknown origins in the neighborhood and wants to wipe out the potential threat. However , the robot ( which loves to eat metal and is learning to talk ) turns out to be friendly , and the boy in turn tries to teach his new pal the ways of humans. The Iron Giant is loosely based on the book The Iron Man by late British poet Ted Hughes , previously adapted for the stage by rock musician Pete Townshend , who executive produced the film.
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John Lasseter director of Pixar's movie phenomenon Toy Story has set new standards in computer animation with this effort another Disney-released children's epic entitled A Bug's Life. Blending classic Disney storytelling characters and the mysterious underground world of bugs Lasseter has created a film that can be enjoyed by all audiences and another franchise in the process. A Bug's Life is a computerized retelling of the Aesop fable The Ant and the Grasshopper made as a cartoon-short by the one-and-only Walt Disney in the mid-'30s. However A Bug's Life has modernized the story with many new twists and celebrity voices. The story focuses on a colony of ants who seasonally gather food for themselves and a wild gang of rowdy grasshoppers. When bumbling worker ant Flik (David Foley) destroys the food supply the angry grasshoppers lead by the maniacally warped Hopper (Kevin Spacey) threaten to kill the ants if they don't produce a new supply of food by the time they return -- an impossible feat. Flik leaves the anthill in search of help in the form of bigger bugs and to wage war against the grasshoppers. What he doesn't know is he has actually discovered a group of down-on-their-luck traveling circus insects in need of a job. When the ants realize that their heroes are really circus performers (and the circus bugs realize these grasshoppers are really big and mean) the situation goes from bad to worse. Ultimately the ants use their large numbers to overcome the grasshoppers.
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John Lasseter , director of Pixar's movie phenomenon Toy Story , has set new standards in computer animation with this effort , another Disney - released children's epic entitled A Bug's Life . Blending classic Disney storytelling characters and the mysterious underground world of bugs , Lasseter has created a film that can be enjoyed by all audiences , and another franchise in the process. A Bug's Life is a computerized retelling of the Aesop fable The Ant and the Grasshopper , made as a cartoon - short by the one - and - only , Walt Disney , in the mid - '30s. However , A Bug's Life has modernized the story with many new twists and celebrity voices. The story focuses on a colony of ants who seasonally gather food for themselves and a wild gang of rowdy grasshoppers. When bumbling worker ant Flik ( David Foley ) destroys the food supply , the angry grasshoppers , lead by the maniacally warped Hopper ( Kevin Spacey ), threaten to kill the ants if they don't produce a new supply of food by the time they return -- an impossible feat. Flik leaves the anthill in search of help in the form of bigger bugs , and to wage war against the grasshoppers. What he doesn't know is he has actually discovered a group of down - on - their - luck traveling circus insects in need of a job. When the ants realize that their heroes are really circus performers ( and the circus bugs realize these grasshoppers are really big and mean ), the situation goes from bad to worse. Ultimately , the ants use their large numbers to overcome the grasshoppers.
0102
Inspired by a true story Fly Away Home is a family drama about Amy Alden (Anna Paquin) a 13-year-old girl who after the tragic death of her mother is sent to live with her father Thomas (Jeff Daniels) a sculptor. Amy misses her mother and has never enjoyed a very warm relationship with her father so the first few months in her new home are very difficult for her. However one day Amy finds a nest full of eggs which was tossed away by land developers clearing a wooded area. Amy brings the eggs home and builds a makeshift incubator; a few weeks later a flock of tiny Canadian Geese are hatched. While caring for her new pets makes Amy happier a problem soon presents itself -- young geese "imprint" on the first creature they see after hatching and follow it as if it's their mother. Without a mother to show them how to fly south for the winter how will they learn normal migratory patterns? Thomas comes up with a solution to the problem: as a hobby he flies Ultralights lightweight aircraft that look like gliders with engines. If he puts Amy in an Ultralight and has her fly the migratory route to the South perhaps the birds will follow her and learn the route their mother would normally teach them. Amy's adventures help her learn about independence as she tries to teach it to the birds bringing her closer to her father.
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Inspired by a true story , Fly Away Home is a family drama about Amy Alden ( Anna Paquin ), a 13 - year - old girl who , after the tragic death of her mother , is sent to live with her father Thomas ( Jeff Daniels ), a sculptor. Amy misses her mother and has never enjoyed a very warm relationship with her father , so the first few months in her new home are very difficult for her. However , one day Amy finds a nest full of eggs , which was tossed away by land developers clearing a wooded area. Amy brings the eggs home and builds a makeshift incubator ; a few weeks later , a flock of tiny Canadian Geese are hatched. While caring for her new pets makes Amy happier , a problem soon presents itself -- young geese "imprint" on the first creature they see after hatching and follow it , as if it's their mother. Without a mother to show them how to fly south for the winter , how will they learn normal migratory patterns? Thomas comes up with a solution to the problem : as a hobby , he flies Ultralights , lightweight aircraft that look like gliders with engines. If he puts Amy in an Ultralight and has her fly the migratory route to the South , perhaps the birds will follow her and learn the route their mother would normally teach them. Amy's adventures help her learn about independence as she tries to teach it to the birds , bringing her closer to her father.
0103
Iranian filmmaker Jafar Pinahi's debut feature The White Balloon tells the story of Razieh (Aida Mohammadkhani) a seven-year-old girl intent on buying a new goldfish in time for Tehran's annual New Year's Day festivities (in Iranian culture the goldfish is a symbol of life). Upon badgering her mother into giving her a 500-toman banknote Razieh heads off to the marketplace alone; it is her first real experience away from her parents' watchful eyes and the excitement and wonder she feels is palpable. Told in real time the film's sensitive portrayal of Razieh's wide-eyed misadventures superbly conveys the impact which an otherwise unremarkable chain of events can indelibly leave upon the life of a child. Her struggle to prove her independence is dramatically undercut when she loses the banknote not once but twice but her spirit and ingenuity nevertheless remain indefatigable.
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Iranian filmmaker Jafar Pinahi's debut feature The White Balloon tells the story of Razieh ( Aida Mohammadkhani ), a seven - year - old girl intent on buying a new goldfish in time for Tehran's annual New Year's Day festivities ( in Iranian culture , the goldfish is a symbol of life ) . Upon badgering her mother into giving her a 500 - toman banknote , Razieh heads off to the marketplace alone ; it is her first real experience away from her parents' watchful eyes , and the excitement and wonder she feels is palpable. Told in real time , the film's sensitive portrayal of Razieh's wide - eyed misadventures superbly conveys the impact which an otherwise unremarkable chain of events can indelibly leave upon the life of a child. Her struggle to prove her independence is dramatically undercut when she loses the banknote not once but twice , but her spirit and ingenuity nevertheless remain indefatigable.
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A privileged free-spirited young girl tries to adapt to life in a strict boarding school in this charming critically acclaimed children's fantasy. Adapting a novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett also the author of The Secret Garden the film shifts the story's setting to World War I. 10 year-old Sara Crewe (Liesel Matthews) has been left in a respected New York City boarding school while her British father heads overseas to fight. Filled with wild stories and a playful attitude the unconventional Sara becomes popular amongst her classmates but quickly comes into conflict with the harsh headmistress Miss Minchin (Eleanor Bron) who attempts to quash the child's individuality. The young girl's situation takes a serious turn for the worse when she unexpectedly receives word of her father's death and suddenly impoverished is forced into life as a servant. Treated as a lesser class of person by her former companions Sara instead befriends her fellow servants and turns to the power of imagination in order to maintain hope for the future. In addition to changing the story's setting screenwriters Richard LaGravenese and Elizabeth Chandler add a layer of Indian mythology to the tale allowing director Alfonso Cuaron the chance to punctuate the riches-to-rags fable with a series of lush imaginative fantasy sequences. Though A Little Princess had difficulty attracting audiences during its initial run its visual splendor and touching storytelling were praised by many critics several of whom proclaimed the film one of the best family-oriented productions of its time.
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A privileged , free - spirited young girl tries to adapt to life in a strict boarding school in this charming , critically acclaimed children's fantasy. Adapting a novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett , also the author of The Secret Garden , the film shifts the story's setting to World War I. 10 year - old Sara Crewe ( Liesel Matthews ) has been left in a respected New York City boarding school while her British father heads overseas to fight. Filled with wild stories and a playful attitude , the unconventional Sara becomes popular amongst her classmates but quickly comes into conflict with the harsh headmistress , Miss Minchin ( Eleanor Bron ), who attempts to quash the child's individuality. The young girl's situation takes a serious turn for the worse when she unexpectedly receives word of her father's death , and , suddenly impoverished , is forced into life as a servant. Treated as a lesser class of person by her former companions , Sara instead befriends her fellow servants and turns to the power of imagination in order to maintain hope for the future. In addition to changing the story's setting , screenwriters Richard LaGravenese and Elizabeth Chandler add a layer of Indian mythology to the tale , allowing director Alfonso Cuaron the chance to punctuate the riches - to - rags fable with a series of lush , imaginative fantasy sequences. Though A Little Princess had difficulty attracting audiences during its initial run , its visual splendor and touching storytelling were praised by many critics , several of whom proclaimed the film one of the best family - oriented productions of its time.
0105
The Swan Princess is an animated musical adaption of the fairy tale "Swan Lake." An aging king (Dakin Matthews) and a widowed queen (Sandy Duncan) arrange a marriage between his only daughter and her only son despite the two children's initial dislike of one another. Eventually they fall in love but the evil sorcerer Rothbart (Jack Palance) desiring the throne for himself enchants the princess Odette (Michelle Nicastro). She is a swan by day and becomes a woman only when the moon rises. Prince Derek (Howard McGillin) refuses to accept another bride and continues to search for his lost love. When he finds her Derek must fight the sorcerer to free her from the spell. Winner of the Film Advisory Board Award of Excellence and the Parent's Choice Award this adventure exhibits high quality animation and a blend of romantic and humorous musical numbers. The animal characters are fun without being too cute including Jean-Bob the frog who thinks he is a prince given voice by John Cleese. The subtle layering of spiritual symbolism makes this film intelligent enough for adults to enjoy as well as children.
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The Swan Princess is an animated , musical adaption of the fairy tale , "Swan Lake." An aging king ( Dakin Matthews ) and a widowed queen ( Sandy Duncan ) arrange a marriage between his only daughter and her only son , despite the two children's initial dislike of one another. Eventually they fall in love , but the evil sorcerer Rothbart ( Jack Palance ), desiring the throne for himself , enchants the princess Odette ( Michelle Nicastro ) . She is a swan by day , and becomes a woman only when the moon rises. Prince Derek ( Howard McGillin ) refuses to accept another bride and continues to search for his lost love. When he finds her , Derek must fight the sorcerer to free her from the spell. Winner of the Film Advisory Board Award of Excellence and the Parent's Choice Award , this adventure exhibits high quality animation and a blend of romantic and humorous musical numbers. The animal characters are fun without being too cute , including Jean - Bob the frog who thinks he is a prince , given voice by John Cleese . The subtle layering of spiritual symbolism makes this film intelligent enough for adults to enjoy as well as children.
0106
The magic of folklore forms the basis of this Irish tale by writer-director John Sayles. Adapted from the book Secret of the Ron Mor Skerry the 1940s story is told from the point-of-view of Fiona (Jeni Courtney) a young girl sent to live with her grandparents in an Irish fishing town. Her grandfather weaves grand stories about the family's evacuation from their home on the tiny island of Roan Inish and about his great-great grandfather who once cheated death at the hands of the unforgiving sea. As she meets other villagers Fiona hears even more personal stories about an uncle who married a beautiful part-human/ part-seal and about how the sea stole her baby brother during the departure from Roan Inish. Later Fiona believes that she has found Jamie romping in the grass on Roan Inish and she must convince the family of her vision. While Roan Inish has the feel of a family film it shares with other Sayles works a character who learns history through storytelling such as Sam Deeds in Lone Star (1996) and Dr. Fuentes in Men with Guns (1997). Sayles builds cohesive stories from multiple voices showing the importance of oral history and indicating that learning the past can alter the future.
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The magic of folklore forms the basis of this Irish tale by writer - director John Sayles . Adapted from the book Secret of the Ron Mor Skerry , the 1940s story is told from the point - of - view of Fiona ( Jeni Courtney ), a young girl sent to live with her grandparents in an Irish fishing town. Her grandfather weaves grand stories about the family's evacuation from their home on the tiny island of Roan Inish and about his great - great grandfather , who once cheated death at the hands of the unforgiving sea. As she meets other villagers , Fiona hears even more personal stories about an uncle who married a beautiful , part - human / part - seal and about how the sea stole her baby brother during the departure from Roan Inish. Later , Fiona believes that she has found Jamie romping in the grass on Roan Inish , and she must convince the family of her vision. While Roan Inish has the feel of a family film , it shares with other Sayles works a character who learns history through storytelling , such as Sam Deeds in Lone Star ( 1996 ) and Dr. Fuentes in Men with Guns ( 1997 ) . Sayles builds cohesive stories from multiple voices , showing the importance of oral history and indicating that learning the past can alter the future.
0107
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh is an hour-long compendium of the three Disney "Winnie" animated short subjects produced between 1966 and 1974. Sterling Holloway provides the voice of A.A. Milne's whimsical pooh-bear in all three cartoons the first two of which are directed by Wolfgang Reithermann and the last by John Lounsbery. The program consists of Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree (1966) Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day (1968 which won an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Subject) and Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too! (1974). The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh was originally prepared in 1977 for theatrical release and has since been available primarily in home-video form.
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The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh is an hour - long compendium of the three Disney "Winnie" animated short subjects produced between 1966 and 1974. Sterling Holloway provides the voice of A.A. Milne 's whimsical pooh - bear in all three cartoons , the first two of which are directed by Wolfgang Reithermann and the last by John Lounsbery . The program consists of Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree ( 1966 ), Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day ( 1968 , which won an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Subject ), and Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too! ( 1974 ) . The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh was originally prepared in 1977 for theatrical release , and has since been available primarily in home - video form.
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Mary Martin originally starred in the Jules Styne/Carolyn Leigh/Comden & Green musical version of James M. Barrie's Peter Pan on Broadway in 1953. On March 7 1955 Peter Pan was restaged for television live and in color on NBC's Producer's Showcase. The telecast was so popular that it was repeated again live the following year. Blessedly Mary Martin returned to commit Peter Pan to videotape in 1960; this version was first telecast on December 8 of that year. Forty-seven years old at the time Martin is utterly enchanting as Peter Pan the little boy who won't grow up and who whisks Wendy Darling (Maureen Bailey) and her brothers Michael (Kent Fletcher) and John (Joey Trent) out of their London nursery and off to Never Never Land: "First star to the left then straight on till morning." Song highlights include "I've Gotta Crow" "I'm Flying" "I Won't Grow Up" "Neverland" "Ugg-a-Wugg" and "Hook's Waltz." As with the Broadway version the staging and choreography was in the more than capable hands of Jerome Robbins. Cyril Ritchard shamelessly hams it up as the wicked Captain Hook and also doubles as the more benign Mr. Darling. Both Martin and Ritchard re-created their Broadway roles as did Sondra Lee as the incongruously blonde Indian princess Tiger Lily. Martin's daughter Heller Halliday also appears in the minor role of Liza the maid while the whole wonderful package is narrated by Lynn Fontanne. Repeated several times into the 1970s this full-color version of Peter Pan was put into mothballs for several years then retelecast (complete with the old NBC Peacock logo) in 1989. For this return engagement the play was edited to accommodate extra commercials; happily the complete version of the 1960 Peter Pan is now available on videocassette.
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Mary Martin originally starred in the Jules Styne / Carolyn Leigh / Comden & Green musical version of James M. Barrie 's Peter Pan on Broadway in 1953. On March 7 , 1955 , Peter Pan was restaged for television , live and in color , on NBC's Producer's Showcase . The telecast was so popular that it was repeated , again live , the following year. Blessedly , Mary Martin returned to commit Peter Pan to videotape in 1960 ; this version was first telecast on December 8 of that year. Forty - seven years old at the time , Martin is utterly enchanting as Peter Pan , the little boy who won't grow up and who whisks Wendy Darling ( Maureen Bailey ) and her brothers Michael ( Kent Fletcher ) and John ( Joey Trent ) out of their London nursery and off to Never Never Land : "First star to the left , then straight on till morning." Song highlights include "I've Gotta Crow , " "I'm Flying , " "I Won't Grow Up , " "Neverland , " "Ugg - a - Wugg" and "Hook's Waltz." As with the Broadway version , the staging and choreography was in the more than capable hands of Jerome Robbins . Cyril Ritchard shamelessly hams it up as the wicked Captain Hook , and also doubles as the more benign Mr. Darling. Both Martin and Ritchard re - created their Broadway roles , as did Sondra Lee as the incongruously blonde Indian princess Tiger Lily. Martin's daughter Heller Halliday also appears in the minor role of Liza the maid , while the whole wonderful package is narrated by Lynn Fontanne . Repeated several times into the 1970s , this full - color version of Peter Pan was put into mothballs for several years , then retelecast ( complete with the old NBC Peacock logo ) in 1989. For this return engagement , the play was edited to accommodate extra commercials ; happily , the complete version of the 1960 Peter Pan is now available on videocassette.
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Producer/animator/special-effect maven George Pal made his feature-film directorial bow with the colorful MGM musical fantasy Tom Thumb (the title of the film was spelled in lower case in the opening credits and in all studio publicity material). Russ Tamblyn stars as the teeny-tiny titular protagonist while veteran musicomedy favorite Jessie Mathews and stellar character actor Bernard Miles portray Tom's normal-sized parents. Journeying to the Village Tom is pounced upon by villains Ivan (Terry-Thomas) and Tony (a corpulent Peter Sellers) who intend to exploit our 5 1/2-inch-tall hero. In-between his misadventures with the villains Tom helps to expedite the romance between young forester Woody (Alan Young) and the magical Forest Queen (June Thorburn). Throughout the special effects and oversized sets are first-rate as are the "puppetoons" sequences featuring such delightful characters as The Yawning Man (voice by Stan Freberg). Written by several hands the film's songs are hummable if not particularly memorable. It is said that some children in the audience in 1958 were genuinely frightened by the more horrific aspects of the story (including the threatened execution of Tom's parents); it may be however that the adults were more scared than the kids. Incidentally while most of Tom Thumb was filmed in MGM's London facilities the special effects were produced in Hollywood requiring Russ Tamblyn to do a lot of travelling.
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Producer / animator / special - effect maven George Pal made his feature - film directorial bow with the colorful MGM musical fantasy Tom Thumb ( the title of the film was spelled in lower case in the opening credits , and in all studio publicity material ) . Russ Tamblyn stars as the teeny - tiny titular protagonist , while veteran musicomedy favorite Jessie Mathews and stellar character actor Bernard Miles portray Tom's normal - sized parents. Journeying to the Village , Tom is pounced upon by villains Ivan ( Terry - Thomas ) and Tony ( a corpulent Peter Sellers ), who intend to exploit our 5 1 / 2 - inch - tall hero. In - between his misadventures with the villains , Tom helps to expedite the romance between young forester Woody ( Alan Young ) and the magical Forest Queen ( June Thorburn ) . Throughout , the special effects and oversized sets are first - rate , as are the "puppetoons" sequences featuring such delightful characters as The Yawning Man ( voice by Stan Freberg ) . Written by several hands , the film's songs are hummable , if not particularly memorable. It is said that some children in the audience in 1958 were genuinely frightened by the more horrific aspects of the story ( including the threatened execution of Tom's parents ); it may be , however , that the adults were more scared than the kids. Incidentally , while most of Tom Thumb was filmed in MGM's London facilities , the special effects were produced in Hollywood , requiring Russ Tamblyn to do a lot of travelling.
0110
Disney produced this lavish animated fairy tale the most expensive cartoon ever made up to its release with a budget of $6 million. When the young princess Aurora is cursed at birth by the evil fairy Maleficent the baby is kidnapped by a trio of good fairies who raise the girl themselves hoping to avoid the spell's fulfillment. Nevertheless at the age of 16 the beautiful Aurora falls into a deep sleep that can only be awakened by a kiss from her betrothed Prince Phillip. Knowing that Phillip intends to save Aurora Maleficent takes him prisoner. When the good fairies launch a rescue attempt Maleficent transforms herself into a spectacular fire-breathing dragon forcing Phillip to defeat her in mortal combat. Sleeping Beauty (1959) was Oscar nominated for its musical score which featured adaptations of Tchaikovsky compositions.
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Disney produced this lavish animated fairy tale , the most expensive cartoon ever made up to its release with a budget of $6 million. When the young princess Aurora is cursed at birth by the evil fairy Maleficent , the baby is kidnapped by a trio of good fairies who raise the girl themselves , hoping to avoid the spell's fulfillment. Nevertheless , at the age of 16 , the beautiful Aurora falls into a deep sleep that can only be awakened by a kiss from her betrothed , Prince Phillip. Knowing that Phillip intends to save Aurora , Maleficent takes him prisoner. When the good fairies launch a rescue attempt , Maleficent transforms herself into a spectacular fire - breathing dragon , forcing Phillip to defeat her in mortal combat. Sleeping Beauty ( 1959 ) was Oscar nominated for its musical score , which featured adaptations of Tchaikovsky compositions.
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Frustrated with the Walt Disney studio's reluctance to produce full-length animated films Don Bluth and a number of animators left the studio in the early '80s with the intent of creating movies in the style of Disney's classics. The Secret of NIMH is the first film Bluth produced after leaving the studio. Adapted from Robert C. O'Brien's acclaimed children's book Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of N.I.M.H. the film is about a widowed mouse whose home is threatened; also one of her children is gravely ill. On her way to find help she discovers NIMH a secret society of highly-intelligent rats who have escaped from a nearby science lab. The rats help the widow to protect her family and home.
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Frustrated with the Walt Disney studio's reluctance to produce full - length animated films , Don Bluth and a number of animators left the studio in the early '80s with the intent of creating movies in the style of Disney's classics. The Secret of NIMH is the first film Bluth produced after leaving the studio. Adapted from Robert C. O'Brien's acclaimed children's book Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of N.I.M.H. , the film is about a widowed mouse whose home is threatened ; also , one of her children is gravely ill. On her way to find help , she discovers NIMH , a secret society of highly - intelligent rats who have escaped from a nearby science lab. The rats help the widow to protect her family and home.
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Co-written by Paul Reubens and Phil Hartman Pee Wee's Big Adventure marks the debut of director Tim Burton who stamps the entire film with his quirky trademark style. The premise: Pee Wee (Reubens) an overgrown pre-pubescent boy sporting a molded Princeton cut blush lipstick and a shrunken gray flannel suit lives an idyllic life in his bizarre home (some have compared the remarkable set design to the expressionistic The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari) until someone nabs his most prized possession: a fire engine-red customized bicycle. He then embarks on an epic cross-country search to find his lost love not to mention more than a little adventure. Along the way he makes friends with various oddball characters visits the Alamo endures various hallucinatory nightmares and has a supernatural run-in with a spectral trucker. In this reprisal of his popular standup routine Reubens is wonderful as the nerdy man child; he plays it silly yet he manages to imbue the role with some sensitivity without ever seeming maudlin. The score by Danny Elfman is terrific -- as is the case in nearly every film Burton has directed -- and the script is fresh and inventive. Some of the most memorable moments: the opening sequence involving Pee Wee's morning activities is a stroke of genius (note the bunny slippers and talking breakfast) as are the scenes at the truck stop and the "Hollywood" version of Pee Wee's story at the end (starring James Brolin and Morgan Fairchild in surprise cameos). In all Pee Wee's Big Adventure is a delightful film enjoyable for children as well as adults.
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Co - written by Paul Reubens and Phil Hartman , Pee Wee's Big Adventure marks the debut of director Tim Burton , who stamps the entire film with his quirky trademark style. The premise : Pee Wee ( Reubens ), an overgrown pre - pubescent boy sporting a molded Princeton cut , blush , lipstick , and a shrunken gray flannel suit , lives an idyllic life in his bizarre home ( some have compared the remarkable set design to the expressionistic The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari ) until someone nabs his most prized possession : a fire engine - red customized bicycle. He then embarks on an epic cross - country search to find his lost love , not to mention more than a little adventure. Along the way , he makes friends with various oddball characters , visits the Alamo , endures various hallucinatory nightmares , and has a supernatural run - in with a spectral trucker. In this reprisal of his popular standup routine , Reubens is wonderful as the nerdy man child ; he plays it silly , yet he manages to imbue the role with some sensitivity without ever seeming maudlin. The score by Danny Elfman is terrific -- as is the case in nearly every film Burton has directed -- and the script is fresh and inventive. Some of the most memorable moments : the opening sequence involving Pee Wee's morning activities is a stroke of genius ( note the bunny slippers and talking breakfast ), as are the scenes at the truck stop , and the "Hollywood" version of Pee Wee's story at the end ( starring James Brolin and Morgan Fairchild in surprise cameos ) . In all , Pee Wee's Big Adventure is a delightful film , enjoyable for children as well as adults.
0113
Wolfgang Petersen adapted Michael Ende's children's story for this charming fantasy film that spawned several sequels. Bastian (Barret Oliver) is dealing with his mother's recent death. His father (Gerald McRaney) is an imperious sort who continually lambastes Bastian for daydreaming and falling behind in school. On top of his father's badgering he has to contend with a bunch of school bullies waiting for him in the schoolyard. One day he decides to play hooky and walks into a strange bookstore where in the attic he discovers a book called "The Neverending Story". As Bastian reads the book he's enveloped in the unfolding tale. A sickly child-like empress (Tami Stronach) from a land called Fantasia is concerned about who will take over the land if she dies. She decides it is best for Fantasia if she remains alive so she dispatches a young warrior named Atreju (Noah Hathaway) to find a cure for the empress's malady. It turns out the land is consumed with a plague called The Nothing generated by blighted dreams and hopeless fantasies. As Atreju continues onward to search for a cure for The Nothing he encounters an assortment of strange creatures. Bastian is so consumed with the tale that he finds himself catapulted into the land of Fantasia himself. Atreju realizes that the only way to save the land from its blight is with the help of this strange earth boy Bastian.
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Wolfgang Petersen adapted Michael Ende's children's story for this charming fantasy film that spawned several sequels. Bastian ( Barret Oliver ) is dealing with his mother's recent death. His father ( Gerald McRaney ) is an imperious sort who continually lambastes Bastian for daydreaming and falling behind in school. On top of his father's badgering , he has to contend with a bunch of school bullies waiting for him in the schoolyard. One day he decides to play hooky and walks into a strange bookstore , where in the attic , he discovers a book called "The Neverending Story". As Bastian reads the book , he's enveloped in the unfolding tale. A sickly child - like empress ( Tami Stronach ) from a land called Fantasia is concerned about who will take over the land if she dies. She decides it is best for Fantasia if she remains alive , so she dispatches a young warrior named Atreju ( Noah Hathaway ) to find a cure for the empress's malady. It turns out the land is consumed with a plague called The Nothing , generated by blighted dreams and hopeless fantasies. As Atreju continues onward to search for a cure for The Nothing , he encounters an assortment of strange creatures. Bastian is so consumed with the tale that he finds himself catapulted into the land of Fantasia himself. Atreju realizes that the only way to save the land from its blight is with the help of this strange earth boy , Bastian.
0114
Jim Henson's Muppets find themselves in Manhattan yearning to get a musical on Broadway in this charming film that also chides show business and its foibles. Kermit the Frog has just put together a successful variety show at Danhurst college (probably somewhere between Amherst and Dartmouth) and although he would like to mount it on Broadway so he would have a hit and be able to marry Miss Piggy he cannot find backers. The Muppets are then forced to take jobs to support themselves and it is while working as a waiter that Kermit meets the friendly Jennie (Juliana Donald). Jennie is the daughter of the owner of the restaurant and a source of great jealousy for Miss Piggy who does not like competition. With stunning musical numbers involving a hundred or so Muppets and on-scene locations in New York City the film is impressive in its merging of technical achievements and acting.
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Jim Henson 's Muppets find themselves in Manhattan yearning to get a musical on Broadway in this charming film that also chides show business and its foibles. Kermit the Frog has just put together a successful variety show at Danhurst college ( probably somewhere between Amherst and Dartmouth ), and although he would like to mount it on Broadway so he would have a hit and be able to marry Miss Piggy , he cannot find backers. The Muppets are then forced to take jobs to support themselves , and it is while working as a waiter that Kermit meets the friendly Jennie ( Juliana Donald ) . Jennie is the daughter of the owner of the restaurant and a source of great jealousy for Miss Piggy , who does not like competition. With stunning musical numbers involving a hundred or so Muppets and on - scene locations in New York City , the film is impressive in its merging of technical achievements and acting.
0115
Animation producer Don Bluth's fondness for overly cutesy characters and muddy color compositions work to the benefit of his feature-length cartoon The Land Before Time. Littlefoot a brontosaurus child must fend for himself when his mother is killed (shades of Bambi). With several other orphaned dinosaurs Littlefoot seeks out the fabled Great Valley where food and shelter is plentiful. Along the way the kiddie dinos learn several vital (and politically correct) life lessons all the while keeping themselves scarce whenever the fierce tyrannosauri gallumph into view. The cuteness of the characters (emphasized by the voice work) takes some of the harsh edges off the story which makes the film eminently suitable for younger children; and the smeary color design is ideal for the time-frame of the film which is set in the turbulent nature-run-rampant period just before the dinosaurs died out. Apparently they didn't all die inasmuch as a Land Before Time sequel was released on video in 1994. The earlier film inspired a 1988 Saturday morning cartoon series produced by Ruby-Spears Dink: The Little Dinosaur.
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Animation producer Don Bluth 's fondness for overly cutesy characters and muddy color compositions work to the benefit of his feature - length cartoon The Land Before Time . Littlefoot , a brontosaurus child , must fend for himself when his mother is killed ( shades of Bambi ) . With several other orphaned dinosaurs , Littlefoot seeks out the fabled Great Valley , where food and shelter is plentiful. Along the way , the kiddie dinos learn several vital ( and politically correct ) life lessons , all the while keeping themselves scarce whenever the fierce tyrannosauri gallumph into view. The cuteness of the characters ( emphasized by the voice work ) takes some of the harsh edges off the story , which makes the film eminently suitable for younger children ; and the smeary color design is ideal for the time - frame of the film , which is set in the turbulent , nature - run - rampant period just before the dinosaurs died out. Apparently they didn't all die , inasmuch as a Land Before Time sequel was released on video in 1994. The earlier film inspired a 1988 Saturday morning cartoon series produced by Ruby - Spears , Dink : The Little Dinosaur .
0116
Newly arrived in California from New Jersey teenager Daniel (Ralph Macchio) almost immediately runs afoul of karate-trained high school bullies. He is rescued by Japanese janitor Miyagi (Noriyuki \"Pat\" Morita) who agrees to teach Daniel how to harness karate for good instead of brutality. The film culminates in a championship karate bout pitting Daniel against his sworn enemy Johnny (William Zabka) -- the cruel and thuggish boyfriend of Ali (Elisabeth Shue) with whom Daniel has fallen in love (and vice versa). Real-life karate champ Chuck Norris was offered the role of Kreese the sadistic coach who goads Johnny into fighting dirty but Norris turned down the role refusing to be shown utilizing his skills negatively onscreen. Vastly popular The Karate Kid spawned three sequels of rapidly descending merit as well as a Saturday-morning cartoon series.
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Newly arrived in California from New Jersey , teenager Daniel ( Ralph Macchio ) almost immediately runs afoul of karate - trained high school bullies. He is rescued by Japanese janitor Miyagi ( Noriyuki \ "Pat \ " Morita ), who agrees to teach Daniel how to harness karate for good instead of brutality. The film culminates in a championship karate bout , pitting Daniel against his sworn enemy Johnny ( William Zabka ) -- the cruel and thuggish boyfriend of Ali ( Elisabeth Shue ), with whom Daniel has fallen in love ( and vice versa ) . Real - life karate champ Chuck Norris was offered the role of Kreese , the sadistic coach who goads Johnny into fighting dirty , but Norris turned down the role , refusing to be shown utilizing his skills negatively onscreen. Vastly popular , The Karate Kid spawned three sequels of rapidly descending merit , as well as a Saturday - morning cartoon series.
0117
Disney's The Journey of Natty Gann stars Meredith Salenger in the title role. During the Depression Natty's father (Ray Wise) takes a job in a Northwestern lumber camp leaving his daughter behind in Chicago with the promise that he'll send for her when he's put together enough money. Unwilling to wait that long Natty runs away from her guardian (Lainie Kazan) and hops a freight bound for her dad's camp. In addition to the human friends she accrues along the way including vagabond John Cusack and tough-but-nice juvenile delinquent Barry Miller Natty is protected on her journey by a friendly wolf (actually a dog but you try training a wolf). Journey of Natty Gann stretches its "PG" rating as far as possible but it's still safe and sane entertainment for the younger crowd.
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Disney's The Journey of Natty Gann stars Meredith Salenger in the title role. During the Depression , Natty's father ( Ray Wise ) takes a job in a Northwestern lumber camp , leaving his daughter behind in Chicago with the promise that he'll send for her when he's put together enough money. Unwilling to wait that long , Natty runs away from her guardian ( Lainie Kazan ) and hops a freight bound for her dad's camp. In addition to the human friends she accrues along the way , including vagabond John Cusack and tough - but - nice juvenile delinquent Barry Miller , Natty is protected on her journey by a friendly wolf ( actually a dog , but you try training a wolf ) . Journey of Natty Gann stretches its "PG" rating as far as possible , but it's still safe and sane entertainment for the younger crowd.
0118
Charles Dickens' classic holiday tale of one man learning the true meaning of Christmas is brought to the screen once again in this made-for-TV movie. Ebenezer Scrooge (George C. Scott) is a cynical old man whose greatest concern is money and who regards compassion as a luxury he can't afford. On Christmas Eve Scrooge is visited by the ghost of Jacob Marley (Frank Finlay) his former business partner who arranges for Scrooge to be visited by three spirits in an attempt to show him the error of his ways -- the Ghosts of Christmas Past (Angela Pleasence) Christmas Present (Edward Woodward) and Christmas Yet to Come (Michael Carter). The spirits force Scrooge to examine the failings of his own life as well as the bravery and optimism of his loyal but ill-treated employee Bob Crachit (David Warner). A Christmas Carol also features Susannah York as Mrs. Crachit Anthony Walters as Tiny Tim and Joanne Whalley as Fan.
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Charles Dickens ' classic holiday tale of one man learning the true meaning of Christmas is brought to the screen once again in this made - for - TV movie. Ebenezer Scrooge ( George C. Scott ) is a cynical old man whose greatest concern is money , and who regards compassion as a luxury he can't afford. On Christmas Eve , Scrooge is visited by the ghost of Jacob Marley ( Frank Finlay ), his former business partner , who arranges for Scrooge to be visited by three spirits in an attempt to show him the error of his ways -- the Ghosts of Christmas Past ( Angela Pleasence ), Christmas Present ( Edward Woodward ), and Christmas Yet to Come ( Michael Carter ) . The spirits force Scrooge to examine the failings of his own life , as well as the bravery and optimism of his loyal but ill - treated employee Bob Crachit ( David Warner ) . A Christmas Carol also features Susannah York as Mrs. Crachit , Anthony Walters as Tiny Tim , and Joanne Whalley as Fan.
0119
orn Free is the heartwarming true story of a British couple who teach their pet lioness how to survive in the wilds of the African jungles. Joy and George Adamson (portrayed by real-life married couple Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers) involuntarily domesticate several lions while living in Kenya. They keep one named Elsa until she is fully grown and rather than turn her over to a zoo they decide to train her to live like a wild animal so that they can release her into her natural habitat. Geoffrey Keen is a sympathetic government official who convinces the Adamsons that they should set Elsa free to avoid being ordered to place her in captivity. The film based on Joy Adamson's book is poignant and emotional without ever becoming banal or overly sentimental. The title song and film score both won Academy Awards.
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Born Free is the heartwarming true story of a British couple who teach their pet lioness how to survive in the wilds of the African jungles. Joy and George Adamson ( portrayed by real - life married couple Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers ) involuntarily domesticate several lions while living in Kenya. They keep one , named Elsa , until she is fully grown , and rather than turn her over to a zoo , they decide to train her to live like a wild animal so that they can release her into her natural habitat. Geoffrey Keen is a sympathetic government official who convinces the Adamsons that they should set Elsa free to avoid being ordered to place her in captivity. The film , based on Joy Adamson 's book , is poignant and emotional without ever becoming banal or overly sentimental. The title song and film score both won Academy Awards.
0120
An American Tail is a beautifully rendered animated flim that tells an overly familiar story in terms children can easily understand. Fievel Mousekewitz and his family of Russian-Jewish mice escape from their homeland in the late 1800s boarding a boat headed toward America to evade the Czarist rule of the Russian cats. Fievel however is separated from his family upon his arrival in New York City and he discovers to his horror that there are cats in America too (his father said there weren't). Fievel meets his share of friendly and hostile mice and he eventually befriends a cat as well. Former Disney animator Don Bluth co-produced and directed this often heartwarming yarn the first animated feature presented by Steven Spielberg and it has its charms despite a number of cliché situations.
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An American Tail is a beautifully rendered animated flim that tells an overly familiar story in terms children can easily understand. Fievel Mousekewitz and his family of Russian - Jewish mice escape from their homeland in the late 1800s , boarding a boat headed toward America to evade the Czarist rule of the Russian cats. Fievel , however , is separated from his family upon his arrival in New York City , and he discovers to his horror that there are cats in America too ( his father said there weren't ) . Fievel meets his share of friendly and hostile mice , and he eventually befriends a cat as well. Former Disney animator Don Bluth co - produced and directed this often heartwarming yarn , the first animated feature presented by Steven Spielberg , and it has its charms despite a number of cliché situations.
0121
This Disney feature-length cartoon combines the most entertaining elements of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. Chasing after the White Rabbit who runs into view singing "I'm Late! I'm Late!" Alice falls down the rabbit hole into the topsy-turvy alternate world of Wonderland. She grows and shrinks after following the instructions of a haughty caterpillar attends a "Very Merry Unbirthday" party in the garden of the Mad Hatter and the March Hare stands in awe as the Cheshire Cat spouts philosophy listens in rapt attention as Tweedledum and Tweedledee relate the story of the Walrus and the Carpenter (a sequence usually cut when Alice is shown on TV) and closes out her day with a hectic croquet game at the home of the Red Queen. The music and production design of Alice in Wonderland is marvelous but the film is too much of a good thing much too frantic to do full honor to the whimsical Carroll original and far too episodic to hang together as a unified feature film. One tactical error is having Alice weep at mid-point declaring her wish to go home: This is Alice in Wonderland Walt not Wizard of Oz! Its storytelling shortcomings aside Alice in Wonderland is superior family entertainment (never mind the efforts in the 1970s to palm off the picture as a psychedelic "head" film).
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This Disney feature - length cartoon combines the most entertaining elements of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. Chasing after the White Rabbit , who runs into view singing "I'm Late! I'm Late! , " Alice falls down the rabbit hole into the topsy - turvy alternate world of Wonderland. She grows and shrinks after following the instructions of a haughty caterpillar , attends a "Very Merry Unbirthday" party in the garden of the Mad Hatter and the March Hare , stands in awe as the Cheshire Cat spouts philosophy , listens in rapt attention as Tweedledum and Tweedledee relate the story of the Walrus and the Carpenter ( a sequence usually cut when Alice is shown on TV ), and closes out her day with a hectic croquet game at the home of the Red Queen. The music and production design of Alice in Wonderland is marvelous , but the film is too much of a good thing , much too frantic to do full honor to the whimsical Carroll original , and far too episodic to hang together as a unified feature film. One tactical error is having Alice weep at mid - point , declaring her wish to go home : This is Alice in Wonderland , Walt , not Wizard of Oz ! Its storytelling shortcomings aside , Alice in Wonderland is superior family entertainment ( never mind the efforts in the 1970s to palm off the picture as a psychedelic "head" film ) .
0122
Robin Williams's dizzying and hilarious voicing of the Genie is the main attraction of Aladdin the third in the series of modern Disney animated movies that began with 1989's The Little Mermaid and heralded a new age for the genre. After a sultan (Douglas Seale) gives his daughter Jasmine (Linda Larkin) three days to find a husband she escapes the palace and encounters the street-savvy urchin Aladdin (Scott Weinger) who charms his way into her heart. While the sultan's Vizier Jafar (Jonathan Freeman) weaves a spell so that he may marry Jasmine and become sultan himself Aladdin discovers the Genie's lamp in a cave rubs it and sets the mystical entity free leading the Genie to pledge his undying loyalty to the dazzled youth. Aladdin begins his quest to defeat Jafar and win the hand of the princess with the Genie's help. Monsters Disney's trademark talking animals and a flying carpet all figure into the ensuing adventures but Williams' Genie who can change into anything or anybody steals the show as he launches into one crazed monologue after another impersonating figures from Ed Sullivan to Elvis Presley.
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Robin Williams 's dizzying and hilarious voicing of the Genie is the main attraction of Aladdin , the third in the series of modern Disney animated movies that began with 1989's The Little Mermaid and heralded a new age for the genre. After a sultan ( Douglas Seale ) gives his daughter , Jasmine ( Linda Larkin ), three days to find a husband , she escapes the palace and encounters the street - savvy urchin Aladdin ( Scott Weinger ), who charms his way into her heart. While the sultan's Vizier , Jafar ( Jonathan Freeman ), weaves a spell so that he may marry Jasmine and become sultan himself , Aladdin discovers the Genie's lamp in a cave , rubs it , and sets the mystical entity free , leading the Genie to pledge his undying loyalty to the dazzled youth. Aladdin begins his quest to defeat Jafar and win the hand of the princess , with the Genie's help. Monsters , Disney's trademark talking animals , and a flying carpet all figure into the ensuing adventures , but Williams' Genie , who can change into anything or anybody , steals the show as he launches into one crazed monologue after another , impersonating figures from Ed Sullivan to Elvis Presley .
0123
One of Disney's most entertaining forays into live-action this hit family comedy stars Fred MacMurray as a college professor so forgetful that he missed his own wedding twice. He creates an extremely resilient flying rubber dubbed "Flubber" and manages to make his old Model-T bounce all the way to Washington DC where it is mistaken for a UFO as well as helping the college basketball team win the big game with Flubber-powered sneakers. MacMurray is a lot of fun in the title role ably supported by a cast including Tommy Kirk Keenan Wynn and Leon Ames although the central romance between MacMurray and huffy bride-to-be Nancy Olson gets a bit annoying in its repetitiveness. In all however this is one of the best children's films of the '60s and is highly recommended. A sequel Son of Flubber followed with a remake simply titled Flubber appearing in 1997.
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One of Disney's most entertaining forays into live - action , this hit family comedy stars Fred MacMurray as a college professor so forgetful that he missed his own wedding twice. He creates an extremely resilient flying rubber , dubbed "Flubber , " and manages to make his old Model - T bounce all the way to Washington , DC , where it is mistaken for a UFO , as well as helping the college basketball team win the big game with Flubber - powered sneakers. MacMurray is a lot of fun in the title role , ably supported by a cast including Tommy Kirk , Keenan Wynn and Leon Ames , although the central romance between MacMurray and huffy bride - to - be Nancy Olson gets a bit annoying in its repetitiveness. In all , however , this is one of the best children's films of the '60s , and is highly recommended. A sequel , Son of Flubber , followed , with a remake simply titled Flubber appearing in 1997.
0124
The popular memoir by Pulitzer prize-winning author Willie Morris became this family comedy-drama about a boy and his dog. Young Willie Morris (Frankie Muniz) is a shy eight-year-old in 1942 Yazoo MS who is more comfortable reading than playing sports. A target for local bullies Willie's only real pal is his older next-door neighbor Dink Jenkins (Luke Wilson) once the town's living sports legend and a big brother figure to Willie an only child. When Dink is shipped overseas for service in World War II Willie's mother Ellen (Diane Lane) finally forces his gruff father Jack (Kevin Bacon) to allow into the family a pet dog a Jack Russell terrier named Skip. The smart and playful Skip gets his owner into a series of adventures on the baseball field and with a band of moonshiners quickly turning Willie into a popular accepted kid who even wins the affections of the school's prettiest girl Rivers Applewhite (Caitlin Wachs). In the meantime Dink returns from war branded a coward for an incident that occurred in combat but finds an unexpected ally in the normally taciturn Jack a fellow veteran. Harry Connick Jr. narrated as the adult Willie; the role of Skip was played in later scenes by Moose the pooch star of television's Frasier.
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The popular memoir by Pulitzer prize - winning author Willie Morris became this family comedy - drama about a boy and his dog. Young Willie Morris ( Frankie Muniz ) is a shy eight - year - old in 1942 Yazoo , MS , who is more comfortable reading than playing sports. A target for local bullies , Willie's only real pal is his older next - door neighbor Dink Jenkins ( Luke Wilson ), once the town's living sports legend and a big brother figure to Willie , an only child. When Dink is shipped overseas for service in World War II , Willie's mother Ellen ( Diane Lane ) finally forces his gruff father Jack ( Kevin Bacon ) to allow into the family a pet dog , a Jack Russell terrier named Skip. The smart and playful Skip gets his owner into a series of adventures on the baseball field and with a band of moonshiners , quickly turning Willie into a popular , accepted kid who even wins the affections of the school's prettiest girl , Rivers Applewhite ( Caitlin Wachs ) . In the meantime , Dink returns from war branded a coward for an incident that occurred in combat but finds an unexpected ally in the normally taciturn Jack , a fellow veteran. Harry Connick Jr. narrated as the adult Willie ; the role of Skip was played in later scenes by Moose , the pooch star of television's Frasier .
0125
ased on the popular Nickelodeon TV series Rugrats this is the first full-length feature animated movie to star the little tots. It's the story of diaper-clad kids told from a baby's point- of-view and they were one of the hottest-selling toy franchises of the late '90s. The film features a hilarious musical number in the hospital nursery where newborns have the voices of major rock stars that include Jakob Dylan (Bob Dylan's son) Iggy Pop Lou Rawls Lisa Loeb and Patti Smith to name a few. The story escalates when self-proclaimed leader Tommy Pickles is thrust into an impossible situation with the birth of his new brother Dil Pickles. This new kid is grabbing all the attention and won't stop crying. With the help of other toddlers Lil and Phil Tommy decides that the baby should be returned to the hospital for fixing. They all hop on their little wagon and take a high-speed ride straight into the deep woods where they realize they're lost. Chased around by animals (or so they think) the Rugrats clan must get home in one piece. Other celebrity voices include Whoopi Goldberg and The Rocky Horror Picture Show's Tim Curry as well as Saturday Night Live's Andrea Martin and David Spade.
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Based on the popular Nickelodeon TV series Rugrats , this is the first full - length feature animated movie to star the little tots. It's the story of diaper - clad kids , told from a baby's point - of - view , and they were one of the hottest - selling toy franchises of the late '90s. The film features a hilarious musical number in the hospital nursery , where newborns have the voices of major rock stars that include Jakob Dylan ( Bob Dylan 's son ), Iggy Pop , Lou Rawls , Lisa Loeb , and Patti Smith , to name a few. The story escalates when self - proclaimed leader Tommy Pickles is thrust into an impossible situation with the birth of his new brother , Dil Pickles. This new kid is grabbing all the attention and won't stop crying. With the help of other toddlers Lil and Phil , Tommy decides that the baby should be returned to the hospital for fixing. They all hop on their little wagon and take a high - speed ride straight into the deep woods where they realize they're lost. Chased around by animals ( or so they think ), the Rugrats clan must get home in one piece. Other celebrity voices include Whoopi Goldberg and The Rocky Horror Picture Show 's Tim Curry , as well as Saturday Night Live 's Andrea Martin and David Spade .
0126
Inspired by a familiar Chinese folk tale this $90 million animated Disney drama follows the adventures of a young woman in ancient China. Character animator Tony Bancroft and 17-year Disney veteran Barry Cook (Captain EO Tron Trail Mix-Up) formed the directing team with production design by Hans Bacher (Balto) and work on the film began 2 January 1995 under the working title The Legend of Mulan. While the merciless Shan-Yu (Miguel Ferrer) leads invading Huns over the Great Wall young Mulan (Ming-Na Wen with singing by Lea Salonga) sees a matchmaker about her matrimonial future. Mulan's views on accepted marriage traditions prompt the ballad "Reflection" as she hopes for a recognition of her true self. To repel the Huns a man from each family is required to join the Imperial Army. When Mulan's elderly father Fa Zhou (Soon-Tek Oh) volunteers she objects. He warns "I know my place. It is time you learned yours." Mulan however cuts her hair dresses as a man and is ready for military camp prompting the concern of her First Ancestor (George Takei) who converts an inanimate incense burner into the 18-inch high comedic dragon Mushu (Eddie Murphy). With Mushu hidden in her clothing she joins a group of raw recruits under the command of Captain Shang (B.D. Wong singing by Donny Osmond). During an ambush by the Huns in a mountain pass Mulan steps in to turn defeat into a victory. Mulan was the first Disney feature from the company's 200000-square-foot Orlando facility (now known as Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida).
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Inspired by a familiar Chinese folk tale , this $90 million animated Disney drama follows the adventures of a young woman in ancient China. Character animator Tony Bancroft and 17 - year Disney veteran Barry Cook ( Captain EO , Tron , Trail Mix - Up ) formed the directing team with production design by Hans Bacher ( Balto ), and work on the film began 2 January 1995 under the working title The Legend of Mulan. While the merciless Shan - Yu ( Miguel Ferrer ) leads invading Huns over the Great Wall , young Mulan ( Ming - Na Wen , with singing by Lea Salonga ) sees a matchmaker about her matrimonial future. Mulan's views on accepted marriage traditions prompt the ballad , "Reflection , " as she hopes for a recognition of her true self. To repel the Huns , a man from each family is required to join the Imperial Army. When Mulan's elderly father Fa Zhou ( Soon - Tek Oh ) volunteers , she objects. He warns , "I know my place. It is time you learned yours." Mulan , however , cuts her hair , dresses as a man , and is ready for military camp , prompting the concern of her First Ancestor ( George Takei ), who converts an inanimate incense burner into the 18 - inch high comedic dragon Mushu ( Eddie Murphy ) . With Mushu hidden in her clothing , she joins a group of raw recruits under the command of Captain Shang ( B.D. Wong , singing by Donny Osmond ) . During an ambush by the Huns in a mountain pass , Mulan steps in to turn defeat into a victory. Mulan was the first Disney feature from the company's 200 , 000 - square - foot Orlando facility ( now known as Walt Disney Feature Animation Florida ) .
0127
Two young girls who believe that fairies are real attempt to prove it to the world in this drama based on actual events. In 1917 there is little to be happy about in the Wright household in West Yorkshire England. Polly (Phoebe Nicholls) and her 12-year-old daughter Elsie (Florence Hoath) are still grieving over the death of Elsie's younger brother and Polly's niece Frances (Elizabeth Earl) has come to stay with them after her father was declared missing in action during World War I. Polly longs for some sort of proof that there is a life beyond our own while the two girls ardently believe in fairies and enthusiastically study legend and lore. One day Elsie and Frances produce photographs of fairies that they claim were playing in their garden; Polly believes that they are real and soon the snapshots attract international attention. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Peter O'Toole) author of the Sherlock Holmes mysteries and a confirmed spiritualist declares the photos "as genuine as the King's beard" while illusionist Harry Houdini (Harvey Keitel) who has devoted much time and energy to exposing phony mediums and psychics takes a more skeptical view. While Fairy Tale: A True Story presents the appearance of the fairies as fact analysis of the photographs proved them to be fakes (especially after the same fairies were discovered as illustrations in a children's book published before the photos were taken). The real-life Elsie Wright admitted late in life that the fairy photos were a hoax performed as a "little joke" and that she was always surprised that so many people believed them.
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Two young girls who believe that fairies are real attempt to prove it to the world in this drama based on actual events. In 1917 , there is little to be happy about in the Wright household in West Yorkshire , England. Polly ( Phoebe Nicholls ) and her 12 - year - old daughter Elsie ( Florence Hoath ) are still grieving over the death of Elsie's younger brother , and Polly's niece Frances ( Elizabeth Earl ) has come to stay with them after her father was declared missing in action during World War I. Polly longs for some sort of proof that there is a life beyond our own , while the two girls ardently believe in fairies and enthusiastically study legend and lore. One day , Elsie and Frances produce photographs of fairies that they claim were playing in their garden ; Polly believes that they are real , and soon the snapshots attract international attention. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle ( Peter O'Toole ), author of the Sherlock Holmes mysteries and a confirmed spiritualist , declares the photos "as genuine as the King's beard , " while illusionist Harry Houdini ( Harvey Keitel ), who has devoted much time and energy to exposing phony mediums and psychics , takes a more skeptical view. While Fairy Tale : A True Story presents the appearance of the fairies as fact , analysis of the photographs proved them to be fakes ( especially after the same fairies were discovered as illustrations in a children's book published before the photos were taken ) . The real - life Elsie Wright admitted late in life that the fairy photos were a hoax performed as a "little joke" and that she was always surprised that so many people believed them.
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ased on the book Matilda by British children's author Roald Dahl this film moves the setting from the U.K. to the U.S.; otherwise it follows the original closely. Matilda Wormwood (Mara Wilson) is an extremely curious and intelligent little girl who is very different from her low-brow mainstream parents (Danny DeVito and real-life wife Rhea Perlman) who quite cruelly ignore her. As she grows older she begins to discover that she has telekinetic powers. Not until a teacher shows her kindness for the first time does she realize that she can use those powers to do something about her sufferings and help her friends as well. Villains from the awful Miss Trunchbull (Pam Ferris) headmistress of her miserable school Crunchem Hall to her parents and older brother begin to feel her ire. Look for Paul Reubens (aka Pee Wee Herman) in a small part as an FBI agent investigating Matilda's shady father.
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Based on the book Matilda , by British children's author Roald Dahl , this film moves the setting from the U.K. to the U.S. ; otherwise it follows the original closely. Matilda Wormwood ( Mara Wilson ) is an extremely curious and intelligent little girl who is very different from her low - brow , mainstream parents ( Danny DeVito and real - life wife Rhea Perlman ), who quite cruelly ignore her. As she grows older , she begins to discover that she has telekinetic powers. Not until a teacher shows her kindness for the first time does she realize that she can use those powers to do something about her sufferings and help her friends as well. Villains from the awful Miss Trunchbull ( Pam Ferris ), headmistress of her miserable school Crunchem Hall , to her parents and older brother begin to feel her ire. Look for Paul Reubens ( aka Pee Wee Herman ) in a small part as an FBI agent investigating Matilda's shady father.
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ased on the popular children's book by Lynne Reid Banks this fantasy concerns a young boy who discovers that his toys are developing lives of their own -- which presents him with unexpected responsibilities. Omri (Hal Scardino) a young boy growing up in Brooklyn receives an odd variety of presents for his birthday: a wooden cabinet from his older brother a set of antique keys from his mother Jane (Linsday Crouse) and a tiny plastic model of an Indian from his best friend Patrick (Rishi Bhat). Putting them all together Omri locks the Indian inside the cabinet only to be awoken by a strange sound in the middle of the night. Omri opens the cabinet to discover that the tiny Indian has come to life; it seems that he's called Little Bear (Litefoot) and he claims to have learned English from settlers in 1761. Omri hides this remarkable discovery from his mother but shares it with Patrick; as an experiment Patrick locks a toy cowboy into the cupboard and soon Little Bear has a companion Boone (David Keith) though predictably the cowboy and the Indian don't get along well at first. Omri comes to the realizations that his living and breathing playthings are also people with lives of their own and he begins to wonder how much control he should really have over their lives. The Indian in the Cupboard was directed by Frank Oz best known as one of the original puppeteers for The Muppets and the voice of Miss Piggy.
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Based on the popular children's book by Lynne Reid Banks , this fantasy concerns a young boy who discovers that his toys are developing lives of their own -- which presents him with unexpected responsibilities. Omri ( Hal Scardino ), a young boy growing up in Brooklyn , receives an odd variety of presents for his birthday : a wooden cabinet from his older brother , a set of antique keys from his mother Jane ( Linsday Crouse ), and a tiny plastic model of an Indian from his best friend Patrick ( Rishi Bhat ) . Putting them all together , Omri locks the Indian inside the cabinet , only to be awoken by a strange sound in the middle of the night. Omri opens the cabinet to discover that the tiny Indian has come to life ; it seems that he's called Little Bear ( Litefoot ), and he claims to have learned English from settlers in 1761. Omri hides this remarkable discovery from his mother but shares it with Patrick ; as an experiment , Patrick locks a toy cowboy into the cupboard , and soon Little Bear has a companion , Boone ( David Keith ), though predictably , the cowboy and the Indian don't get along well at first. Omri comes to the realizations that his living and breathing playthings are also people with lives of their own , and he begins to wonder how much control he should really have over their lives. The Indian in the Cupboard was directed by Frank Oz , best known as one of the original puppeteers for The Muppets and the voice of Miss Piggy.
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The fourth screen adaptation of Anna Sewell's classic novel is in some ways the most faithful and accomplished. Screenwriter and director Caroline Thompson recounts the life of Black Beauty an aging handsome stallion living in Victorian England. The film is narrated by Alan Cumming as the voice of Black Beauty who spends a happy childhood on a rambling country estate before being ravaged by illness and surviving a horrible stable fire. However the worst is yet to come as Black Beauty's new owners subject him to life as a horse for rent and later as a taxi puller in working-class London before he can retire in peace. The original novel was written to draw attention to the cruel treatment of animals in 1877 England and the issue's continued relevance today adds poignancy and gravity to this affecting tale. The film is episodic as was the book and the topic is handled with sensitivity and care.
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The fourth screen adaptation of Anna Sewell 's classic novel is , in some ways , the most faithful and accomplished. Screenwriter and director Caroline Thompson recounts the life of Black Beauty , an aging , handsome stallion living in Victorian England. The film is narrated by Alan Cumming as the voice of Black Beauty , who spends a happy childhood on a rambling country estate before being ravaged by illness and surviving a horrible stable fire. However , the worst is yet to come as Black Beauty's new owners subject him to life as a horse for rent and , later , as a taxi puller in working - class London , before he can retire in peace. The original novel was written to draw attention to the cruel treatment of animals in 1877 England , and the issue's continued relevance today adds poignancy and gravity to this affecting tale. The film is episodic , as was the book , and the topic is handled with sensitivity and care.
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In Nicolas Roeg's adaptation of Roald Dahl's novel The Witches a young boy is vacationing at the seaside with his grandmother when he discovers that the hotel he is staying at is hosting a convention of witches. Eavesdropping on the witches he learns that the Grand High Witch (Anjelica Huston) has devised a plan to turn all of the children in England into mice. With creature-effects by Jim Henson's Creature Shop The Witches was the last film Henson worked on before passing away in 1990.
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In Nicolas Roeg 's adaptation of Roald Dahl 's novel The Witches , a young boy is vacationing at the seaside with his grandmother when he discovers that the hotel he is staying at is hosting a convention of witches. Eavesdropping on the witches , he learns that the Grand High Witch ( Anjelica Huston ) has devised a plan to turn all of the children in England into mice. With creature - effects by Jim Henson's Creature Shop , The Witches was the last film Henson worked on before passing away in 1990.
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ased on a whimsical novel by Paul Gallico Disney's Three Lives of Thomasina is an imaginative tale of a resourceful cat. Thomasina is the pet of Karen Dotrice the daughter of taciturn Scottish veterinarian Patrick McGoohan. When Thomasina falls ill McGoohan coldly diagnoses the cat as suffering from tetanus and declares that the pet must be put out of its misery. As Dotrice and her friends sadly prepare to bury the "dead" Thomasina backwoods girl Susan Hampshire who is said to be a witch shows up and runs off with the kitty corpse. Using equal doses of intuition and love Hampshire revives Thomasina who of course wasn't dead at all. While in limbo Thomasina ascends to Cat Heaven where her case is heard by the Cat Goddess (this is a wonderful piece of special-effects wizardry even if you don't like cats). Returned to life Thomasina has no memory of her previous existence. Thus the cat runs off in terror when Dotrice sees her again during a torrential downpour. Now it is Dotrice who becomes seriously ill necessitating a collaboration between the cold cut-and-dried ministrations of her father and the tender loving care of the "bewitched" Hampshire. As it turns out Thomasina is the catalyst for both Dotrice's recovery and the film's happy ending.
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Based on a whimsical novel by Paul Gallico , Disney's Three Lives of Thomasina is an imaginative tale of a resourceful cat. Thomasina is the pet of Karen Dotrice , the daughter of taciturn Scottish veterinarian Patrick McGoohan . When Thomasina falls ill , McGoohan coldly diagnoses the cat as suffering from tetanus and declares that the pet must be put out of its misery. As Dotrice and her friends sadly prepare to bury the "dead" Thomasina , backwoods girl Susan Hampshire , who is said to be a witch , shows up and runs off with the kitty corpse. Using equal doses of intuition and love , Hampshire revives Thomasina , who of course wasn't dead at all. While in limbo , Thomasina ascends to Cat Heaven , where her case is heard by the Cat Goddess ( this is a wonderful piece of special - effects wizardry , even if you don't like cats ) . Returned to life , Thomasina has no memory of her previous existence. Thus , the cat runs off in terror when Dotrice sees her again during a torrential downpour. Now it is Dotrice who becomes seriously ill , necessitating a collaboration between the cold , cut - and - dried ministrations of her father and the tender loving care of the "bewitched" Hampshire. As it turns out , Thomasina is the catalyst for both Dotrice's recovery and the film's happy ending.
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The 1993 remake of The Secret Garden is a rendition of the classic Frances Hodgon Burnett novel about a young girl (Kate Maberly) who discovers an abandoned garden on her uncle's large Victorian country estate as well as an invalid cousin she didn't realize she had. With the help of a local boy the girl sets out to restore the garden and once it is blooming again she discovers it has magical powers.
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The 1993 remake of The Secret Garden is a rendition of the classic Frances Hodgon Burnett novel about a young girl ( Kate Maberly ) who discovers an abandoned garden on her uncle's large Victorian country estate , as well as an invalid cousin she didn't realize she had. With the help of a local boy , the girl sets out to restore the garden and , once it is blooming again , she discovers it has magical powers.
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Arguably Luchino Visconti's best film and certainly the most personal of his historical epics The Leopard chronicles the fortunes of Prince Fabrizio Salina and his family during the unification of Italy in the 1860s. Based on the acclaimed novel by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa published posthumously in 1958 and subsequently translated into all European languages the picture opens as Salina (Burt Lancaster) learns that Garibaldi's troops have embarked in Sicily. While the Prince sees the event as an obvious threat to his current social status his opportunistic nephew Tancredi (Alain Delon) becomes an officer in Garibaldi's army and returns home a war hero. Tancredi starts courting the beautiful Angelica (Claudia Cardinale) a daughter of the town's newly appointed Mayor Don Calogero Sedara (Paolo Stoppa). Though the Prince despises Don Calogero as an upstart who made a fortune on land speculation during the recent social upheaval he reluctantly agrees to his nephew's marriage understanding how much this alliance would mean for the impecunious Tancredi. Painfully realizing the aristocracy's obsolescence in the wake of the new class of bourgeoisie the Prince later declines an offer from a governmental emissary to become a senator in the new Parliament in Turin. The closing section an almost hour-long ball is often cited as one of the most spectacular sequences in film history. Burt Lancaster is magnificent in the first of his patriarchal roles and the rest of the cast especially Delon and Cardinale become almost perfect incarnations of the novel's characters. Filmed in glorious Techniscope and rich in period detail the film is a remarkable cinematic achievement in all departments. The version that won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival ran 205 minutes. Inexplicably the picture was subsequently distributed by 20th Century Fox in a poorly dubbed 165-min. English-language version using inferior color process. The restored Italian-language version supervised by cinematographer Giuseppe Rotunno appeared in 1990 though the longest print still ran only 187 minutes.
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Arguably Luchino Visconti 's best film and certainly the most personal of his historical epics , The Leopard chronicles the fortunes of Prince Fabrizio Salina and his family during the unification of Italy in the 1860s. Based on the acclaimed novel by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa , published posthumously in 1958 and subsequently translated into all European languages , the picture opens as Salina ( Burt Lancaster ) learns that Garibaldi's troops have embarked in Sicily. While the Prince sees the event as an obvious threat to his current social status , his opportunistic nephew Tancredi ( Alain Delon ) becomes an officer in Garibaldi's army and returns home a war hero. Tancredi starts courting the beautiful Angelica ( Claudia Cardinale ), a daughter of the town's newly appointed Mayor , Don Calogero Sedara ( Paolo Stoppa ) . Though the Prince despises Don Calogero as an upstart who made a fortune on land speculation during the recent social upheaval , he reluctantly agrees to his nephew's marriage , understanding how much this alliance would mean for the impecunious Tancredi. Painfully realizing the aristocracy's obsolescence in the wake of the new class of bourgeoisie , the Prince later declines an offer from a governmental emissary to become a senator in the new Parliament in Turin. The closing section , an almost hour - long ball , is often cited as one of the most spectacular sequences in film history. Burt Lancaster is magnificent in the first of his patriarchal roles , and the rest of the cast , especially Delon and Cardinale , become almost perfect incarnations of the novel's characters. Filmed in glorious Techniscope and rich in period detail , the film is a remarkable cinematic achievement in all departments. The version that won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival ran 205 minutes. Inexplicably , the picture was subsequently distributed by 20th Century Fox in a poorly dubbed , 165 - min. English - language version , using inferior color process. The restored Italian - language version , supervised by cinematographer Giuseppe Rotunno , appeared in 1990 , though the longest print still ran only 187 minutes.
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The Last Emperor is the true story of Aisin-Gioro Pu Yi the last ruler of the Chinese Ching Dynasty. Told in flashback the film covers the years 1908 to 1967. We first see the three-year-old Pu Yi being installed in the Forbidden City by ruthless dying dowager Empress Tzu-Hsui (Lisa Lu). Though he'd prefer to lark about like other boys the infant emperor is cossetted and cajoled into accepting the responsibilities and privileges of his office. In 1912 the young emperor (Tijer Tsou) forced to abdicate when China is declared a republic is a prisoner in his own palace "protected" from the outside world. Fascinated by the worldliness of his Scottish tutor (Peter O'Toole) Pu Yi plots an escape from his cocoon by means of marriage. He selects Manchu descendant Wan Jung (Joan Chen) who likewise is anxious to experience the 20th century rather than be locked into the past by tradition. Played as an adult by John Lone Pu Yi puts into effect several social reforms and also clears the palace of the corrupt eunuchs who've been shielding him from life. In 1924 an invading warlord expels the denizens of the Forbidden City allowing Pu Yi to "westernize" himself by embracing popular music and the latest dances as a guest of the Japanese Concession in Tientsin. Six years later his power all but gone Pu Yi escapes to Manchuria where he unwittingly becomes a political pawn for the now-militant Japanese government. Humiliating his faithful wife Pu Yi falls into bad romantic company carrying on affairs with a variety of parasitic females. During World War II the Japanese force Pu Yi to sign a series of documents which endorse their despotic military activities. At war's end the emperor is taken prisoner by the Russians; while incarcerated he is forced to fend for himself without servants at his beck and call for the first time. He is finally released in 1959 and displayed publicly as proof of the efficacy of Communist re-education. We last see him in 1967 the year of his death; now employed by the State as a gardener Pu Yi makes one last visit to the Forbidden City...as a tourist. Bernardo Bertolucci's first film after a six-year self-imposed exile The Last Emperor was released in two separate versions: the 160-minute theatrical release and a 4-hour TV miniseries. Lensed on location the film won nine Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director.
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The Last Emperor is the true story of Aisin - Gioro Pu Yi , the last ruler of the Chinese Ching Dynasty. Told in flashback , the film covers the years 1908 to 1967. We first see the three - year - old Pu Yi being installed in the Forbidden City by ruthless , dying dowager Empress Tzu - Hsui ( Lisa Lu ) . Though he'd prefer to lark about like other boys , the infant emperor is cossetted and cajoled into accepting the responsibilities and privileges of his office. In 1912 , the young emperor ( Tijer Tsou ) forced to abdicate when China is declared a republic , is a prisoner in his own palace , "protected" from the outside world. Fascinated by the worldliness of his Scottish tutor ( Peter O'Toole ), Pu Yi plots an escape from his cocoon by means of marriage. He selects Manchu descendant Wan Jung ( Joan Chen ), who likewise is anxious to experience the 20th century rather than be locked into the past by tradition. Played as an adult by John Lone , Pu Yi puts into effect several social reforms , and also clears the palace of the corrupt eunuchs who've been shielding him from life. In 1924 , an invading warlord expels the denizens of the Forbidden City , allowing Pu Yi to "westernize" himself by embracing popular music and the latest dances as a guest of the Japanese Concession in Tientsin. Six years later , his power all but gone , Pu Yi escapes to Manchuria , where he unwittingly becomes a political pawn for the now - militant Japanese government. Humiliating his faithful wife , Pu Yi falls into bad romantic company , carrying on affairs with a variety of parasitic females. During World War II , the Japanese force Pu Yi to sign a series of documents which endorse their despotic military activities. At war's end , the emperor is taken prisoner by the Russians ; while incarcerated , he is forced to fend for himself without servants at his beck and call for the first time. He is finally released in 1959 and displayed publicly as proof of the efficacy of Communist re - education. We last see him in 1967 , the year of his death ; now employed by the State as a gardener , Pu Yi makes one last visit to the Forbidden City...as a tourist. Bernardo Bertolucci 's first film after a six - year self - imposed exile , The Last Emperor was released in two separate versions : the 160 - minute theatrical release , and a 4 - hour TV miniseries. Lensed on location , the film won nine Academy Awards , including Best Picture and Best Director.
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It was Richard Attenborough's lifelong dream to bring the life story of Indian political and spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi to the screen. When it finally reached fruition in 1982 the 188-minute Oscar-winning Gandhi was one of the most exhaustively thorough biopics ever made. The film begins in the early part of the 20th century when Mohandas K. Gandhi (Ben Kingsley) a British-trained lawyer forsakes all worldly possessions to take up the cause of Indian independence. Faced with armed resistance from the British government Gandhi adopts a policy of "passive resistance" endeavoring to win freedom for his people without resorting to bloodshed. In the horrendous "slaughter" sequence more extras appear on screen than in any previous historical epic. The supporting cast includes Candice Bergen as photographer Margaret Bourke-White Athol Fugard as General Smuts John Gielgud as Lord Irwin John Mills as the viceroy Martin Sheen as Walker Trevor Howard as Judge Broomfield and in a tiny part as a street bully star-to-be Daniel Day-Lewis. Gandhi won eight Academy Awards including Best Picture Best Actor and Best Director.
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It was Richard Attenborough 's lifelong dream to bring the life story of Indian political and spiritual leader Mahatma Gandhi to the screen. When it finally reached fruition in 1982 , the 188 - minute , Oscar - winning Gandhi was one of the most exhaustively thorough biopics ever made. The film begins in the early part of the 20th century , when Mohandas K. Gandhi ( Ben Kingsley ), a British - trained lawyer , forsakes all worldly possessions to take up the cause of Indian independence. Faced with armed resistance from the British government , Gandhi adopts a policy of "passive resistance , " endeavoring to win freedom for his people without resorting to bloodshed. In the horrendous "slaughter" sequence , more extras appear on screen than in any previous historical epic. The supporting cast includes Candice Bergen as photographer Margaret Bourke - White , Athol Fugard as General Smuts , John Gielgud as Lord Irwin , John Mills as the viceroy , Martin Sheen as Walker , Trevor Howard as Judge Broomfield , and , in a tiny part as a street bully , star - to - be Daniel Day - Lewis . Gandhi won eight Academy Awards , including Best Picture , Best Actor , and Best Director.
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Kenneth Branagh makes his feature-film directorial debut with this adaptation of William Shakespeare's Henry V. After the Chorus (Derek Jacobi) introduces the play young king of England Henry V (Kenneth Branagh) begins an angry dialogue with King Charles of France (Paul Scofield). The king's son Dauphin (Michael Maloney) insults Henry and the argument escalates into war. In flashback Henry is seen as a young man drinking in a tavern with Falstaff (Robbie Coltrane) Bardolph (Richard Briers) Nym (Geoffrey Hutchings) Pistol (Robert Stephens) and Mistress Quickly (Judi Dench). Meanwhile Henry and his captain Fluellen (Ian Holm) assemble an army and invade France. The French greatly outnumber the British troops yet Henry leads them to victory in the Battle of Agincourt after delivering his famous St. Crispin's Day Speech. Throughout this struggle Henry also courts Katherine (Emma Thompson) and eventually wins her over.
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Kenneth Branagh makes his feature - film directorial debut with this adaptation of William Shakespeare 's Henry V . After the Chorus ( Derek Jacobi ) introduces the play , young king of England Henry V ( Kenneth Branagh ) begins an angry dialogue with King Charles of France ( Paul Scofield ) . The king's son , Dauphin ( Michael Maloney ), insults Henry and the argument escalates into war. In flashback , Henry is seen as a young man drinking in a tavern with Falstaff ( Robbie Coltrane ), Bardolph ( Richard Briers ), Nym ( Geoffrey Hutchings ), Pistol ( Robert Stephens ), and Mistress Quickly ( Judi Dench ) . Meanwhile , Henry and his captain , Fluellen ( Ian Holm ), assemble an army and invade France. The French greatly outnumber the British troops , yet Henry leads them to victory in the Battle of Agincourt after delivering his famous St. Crispin's Day Speech. Throughout this struggle , Henry also courts Katherine ( Emma Thompson ) and eventually wins her over.
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Few filmmakers other than Warren Beatty would have had the courage and vision to fashion an epic film from the life of famed American Communist John Reed (who is the only US citizen buried in the Kremlin). The film is an effort to humanize a political movement that has previously been depicted on screen in a series of unsubtle and prejudicial broad strokes. The film begins in 1915 when Reed (Beatty) makes the acquaintance of married Portland journalist Louise Bryant (Diane Keaton). So persuasive is Reed's point of view--and so charismatic is Reed himself-- that Bryant kicks over the traces and joins Reed and his fellow radicals. Among the famous personages depicted herein are Emma Goldman (Maureen Stapleton) Eugene O'Neill (Jack Nicholson) and Max Eastman (Richard Herrmann). The second half of this nearly-200-minute film skims through the years when Reed now a Russian resident becomes disillusioned by the harsh realities of Bolshevism. Despite the celebrity line-up of real-life "witnesses" to the events depicted in the film (ranging from novelist Henry Miller to comedian George Jessel!) historians took Reds to task for its oversimplification of events and its laundering of the notoriously promiscuous Louise Bryant.
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Few filmmakers other than Warren Beatty would have had the courage and vision to fashion an epic film from the life of famed American Communist John Reed ( who is the only US citizen buried in the Kremlin ) . The film is an effort to humanize a political movement that has previously been depicted on screen in a series of unsubtle and prejudicial broad strokes. The film begins in 1915 , when Reed ( Beatty ) makes the acquaintance of married Portland journalist Louise Bryant ( Diane Keaton ) . So persuasive is Reed 's point of view -- and so charismatic is Reed himself -- that Bryant kicks over the traces and joins Reed and his fellow radicals. Among the famous personages depicted herein are Emma Goldman ( Maureen Stapleton ), Eugene O'Neill ( Jack Nicholson ) and Max Eastman ( Richard Herrmann ) . The second half of this nearly - 200 - minute film skims through the years when Reed , now a Russian resident , becomes disillusioned by the harsh realities of Bolshevism. Despite the celebrity line - up of real - life "witnesses" to the events depicted in the film ( ranging from novelist Henry Miller to comedian George Jessel ! ), historians took Reds to task for its oversimplification of events and its laundering of the notoriously promiscuous Louise Bryant .
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Adapted by Robert Bolt and Constance Willis from Bolt's hit stage play A Man for All Seasons stars Paul Scofield triumphantly repeating his stage role as Sir Thomas More. The crux of the film is the staunchly Catholic More's refusal to acknowledge King Henry VIII (Robert Shaw)'s break from the church to divorce his first wife and marry Anne Boleyn (an unbilled Vanessa Redgrave). Sir Thomas willingly goes to the chopping block rather than sacrifice his ideals. Director Fred Zinnemann retains the play's verbosity without sacrificing the film's strong sense of visuals. The impeccably chosen cast includes Wendy Hiller as Sir Thomas' likably contentious wife Alice John Hurt as the deceitful Richard Rich (More's put-downs of this despicable character provide some of the film's biggest laughs) Orson Welles as a dour Cardinal Woolsey Leo McKern as the ambitious Thomas Cromwell and Susannah York as More's daughter Margaret. The "Common Man" an important bridging-the-scenes character in the original play is removed from the film version which does just fine without him. A Man for All Seasons won six Oscars including Best Picture Best Director and Best Actor as well as seven British Film Academy awards.
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Adapted by Robert Bolt and Constance Willis from Bolt 's hit stage play , A Man for All Seasons stars Paul Scofield , triumphantly repeating his stage role as Sir Thomas More. The crux of the film is the staunchly Catholic More's refusal to acknowledge King Henry VIII ( Robert Shaw ) 's break from the church to divorce his first wife and marry Anne Boleyn ( an unbilled Vanessa Redgrave ) . Sir Thomas willingly goes to the chopping block rather than sacrifice his ideals. Director Fred Zinnemann retains the play's verbosity without sacrificing the film's strong sense of visuals. The impeccably chosen cast includes Wendy Hiller as Sir Thomas' likably contentious wife Alice , John Hurt as the deceitful Richard Rich ( More's put - downs of this despicable character provide some of the film's biggest laughs ), Orson Welles as a dour Cardinal Woolsey , Leo McKern as the ambitious Thomas Cromwell , and Susannah York as More's daughter Margaret. The "Common Man , " an important bridging - the - scenes character in the original play , is removed from the film version , which does just fine without him. A Man for All Seasons won six Oscars , including Best Picture , Best Director , and Best Actor , as well as seven British Film Academy awards.
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A lavishly produced historical drama from China Jing Ke Ci Qin Wang/The Emperor and the Assassin tells the complex multi-facetted story of the man who became the first Emperor of a unified China another man who has sworn to kill him and a woman who is loved by both men. Late in the Third Century B.C. when China was comprised of seven rival kingdoms Ying Zheng (Li Xuejian) was the leader of Qin. Ying Zheng had a dream in which he joined together the seven kingdoms into a single utopian state and taking this as a mandate from God he invaded the nearby state of Han as the first step toward this goal. However not everyone in the neighboring states was happy with Ying Zheng's crusade which seemed to indicate a lengthy war with many casualties. Lady Zhao (Gong Li) Ying's lover devised a scheme to help Ying Zheng take over the nearby and uncooperative state of Yan; she fabricated a fake assassination plot against him and framed the leader of Yan once Ying Zheng's childhood friend as the man behind the murderous plot. However Lady Zhao did not choose the would-be assassin wisely; while Jing Ke (Zhang Fengyi) loved her and was willing to do her bidding Jing Ke's previous assassination assignment caused the unintended death of an innocent blind girl which left him full of regret and a bit unstable. When Jing Ke learned a closely guarded secret about Ying Zheng's past he became blindly determined to kill the would-be emperor whatever the cost. Produced on a lavish budget by Chinese standards ($15 million) Jing Ke Ci Qin Wang/The Emperor and the Assassin was directed by Chen Kaige best known to Western audiences for the international success Farewell My Concubine.
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A lavishly produced historical drama from China , Jing Ke Ci Qin Wang / The Emperor and the Assassin tells the complex , multi - facetted story of the man who became the first Emperor of a unified China , another man who has sworn to kill him , and a woman who is loved by both men. Late in the Third Century B.C. , when China was comprised of seven rival kingdoms , Ying Zheng ( Li Xuejian ) was the leader of Qin. Ying Zheng had a dream in which he joined together the seven kingdoms into a single utopian state , and taking this as a mandate from God , he invaded the nearby state of Han as the first step toward this goal. However , not everyone in the neighboring states was happy with Ying Zheng's crusade , which seemed to indicate a lengthy war with many casualties. Lady Zhao ( Gong Li ), Ying's lover , devised a scheme to help Ying Zheng take over the nearby and uncooperative state of Yan ; she fabricated a fake assassination plot against him , and framed the leader of Yan , once Ying Zheng's childhood friend , as the man behind the murderous plot. However , Lady Zhao did not choose the would - be assassin wisely ; while Jing Ke ( Zhang Fengyi ) loved her and was willing to do her bidding , Jing Ke's previous assassination assignment caused the unintended death of an innocent blind girl , which left him full of regret and a bit unstable. When Jing Ke learned a closely guarded secret about Ying Zheng's past , he became blindly determined to kill the would - be emperor , whatever the cost. Produced on a lavish budget by Chinese standards ( $15 million ), Jing Ke Ci Qin Wang / The Emperor and the Assassin was directed by Chen Kaige , best known to Western audiences for the international success Farewell My Concubine .
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This British-made historical drama depicts the rise of young Elizabeth Tudor to Queen of England a reign of intrigue and betrayals. In 1554 Queen Mary I (Kathy Burke) tries to restore Catholicism as England's single faith. With no heir to the crown she maneuvers to keep her Protestant half-sister Elizabeth (Cate Blanchett) from succeeding her but her efforts fail. With Mary dead Elizabeth is proclaimed Queen of England in November 1558. Elizabeth relishes the return from exile of her childhood sweetheart Lord Robert Dudley (Joseph Fiennes). Chief adviser Sir William Cecil (Richard Attenborough) urges the young Queen to forget personal matters and instead address the country's pressing problems. England is bankrupt has no army and is under serious threat from abroad. Elizabeth even has enemies within her own court the most dangerous being the Duke of Norfolk (Christopher Eccleston). Hoping for an heir Cecil suggests marriage candidates -- King Philip II of Spain or the French Duc d'Anjou (Vincent Cassel) -- to secure the realm. Elizabeth agrees to meet their ambassadors but her true feelings are revealed when she meets Dudley for a secret tryst. French "warrior queen" Mary of Guise (Fanny Ardent) amasses troops at the Scottish border. Elizabeth bows to the pro-War lobby led by Norfolk despite protests from her Master of Spies the enigmatic Sir Francis Walsingham (Geoffrey Rush) but the decision to fight leads to a humiliating defeat. As dark clouds of court conspiracies gather and the possibility of assassination looms Elizabeth strikes out at her enemies and puts her trust in Walsingham. Shown at 1998 film fests (Venice Toronto) this is the first English-language film of Indian director Shekhar Kapur who shot on locations at Northumberland Derbyshire North Yorkshire and at Shepperton Studios.
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This British - made historical drama depicts the rise of young Elizabeth Tudor to Queen of England , a reign of intrigue and betrayals. In 1554 , Queen Mary I ( Kathy Burke ) tries to restore Catholicism as England's single faith. With no heir to the crown , she maneuvers to keep her Protestant half - sister Elizabeth ( Cate Blanchett ) from succeeding her , but her efforts fail. With Mary dead , Elizabeth is proclaimed Queen of England in November 1558. Elizabeth relishes the return from exile of her childhood sweetheart , Lord Robert Dudley ( Joseph Fiennes ) . Chief adviser Sir William Cecil ( Richard Attenborough ) urges the young Queen to forget personal matters and instead address the country's pressing problems. England is bankrupt , has no army , and is under serious threat from abroad. Elizabeth even has enemies within her own court , the most dangerous being the Duke of Norfolk ( Christopher Eccleston ) . Hoping for an heir , Cecil suggests marriage candidates -- King Philip II of Spain or the French Duc d'Anjou ( Vincent Cassel ) -- to secure the realm. Elizabeth agrees to meet their ambassadors , but her true feelings are revealed when she meets Dudley for a secret tryst. French "warrior queen" Mary of Guise ( Fanny Ardent ) amasses troops at the Scottish border. Elizabeth bows to the pro - War lobby led by Norfolk , despite protests from her Master of Spies , the enigmatic Sir Francis Walsingham ( Geoffrey Rush ), but the decision to fight leads to a humiliating defeat. As dark clouds of court conspiracies gather , and the possibility of assassination looms , Elizabeth strikes out at her enemies and puts her trust in Walsingham. Shown at 1998 film fests ( Venice , Toronto ), this is the first English - language film of Indian director Shekhar Kapur , who shot on locations at Northumberland , Derbyshire , North Yorkshire , and at Shepperton Studios.
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Produced for the HBO cable network this docudrama explores the social and ethical issues at the heart of the infamous Tuskegee Study of Untreated Blacks With Syphilis. From 1932 through 1972 the U.S. Public Health Service studied 600 poor African-American sharecroppers in Macon County AL -- 399 chronic syphilitics and a 201-man healthy control group. Doctors treated the men with placebos hid the true nature of their research and withheld penicillin even after it became the standard and highly effective treatment for the disease in the mid-'40s. Although the experiment was hardly a secret it was not until the early '70s that a public outcry developed; by then all but 127 of the original study group had died. A class-action lawsuit obtained modest financial reparations for the participants and their descendants but it was not until 1997 that President Bill Clinton offered an official government apology for the study. Framed as a series of flashbacks during the 1971 congressional hearings about the experiment the film employs the viewpoint of Eunice Evers (Alfre Woodard) a local nurse who knew of the study's true nature but devoted her life to caring for the men as they suffered horrifying physical and mental debilities and eventually died. The film charts her warm personal relationships with many of the participants -- the title refers to a singing and dancing troupe named in her honor -- and her failed romance with Caleb Humphries (Laurence Fishburne) an experimental subject who obtained penicillin from a military doctor and left the study to fight in World War II. Miss Evers' Boys was adapted from the play by David Feldshuh which was itself based on the book Bad Blood: The Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment by James H. Jones. Although fictionalized the title character is based on the real-life Eunice Rivers. The film won three Emmy Awards including top acting honors for Woodard.
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Produced for the HBO cable network , this docudrama explores the social and ethical issues at the heart of the infamous Tuskegee Study of Untreated Blacks With Syphilis. From 1932 through 1972 , the U.S. Public Health Service studied 600 poor African - American sharecroppers in Macon County , AL -- 399 chronic syphilitics and a 201 - man healthy control group. Doctors treated the men with placebos , hid the true nature of their research , and withheld penicillin even after it became the standard and highly effective treatment for the disease in the mid - '40s. Although the experiment was hardly a secret , it was not until the early '70s that a public outcry developed ; by then , all but 127 of the original study group had died. A class - action lawsuit obtained modest financial reparations for the participants and their descendants , but it was not until 1997 that President Bill Clinton offered an official government apology for the study. Framed as a series of flashbacks during the 1971 congressional hearings about the experiment , the film employs the viewpoint of Eunice Evers ( Alfre Woodard ), a local nurse who knew of the study's true nature , but devoted her life to caring for the men as they suffered horrifying physical and mental debilities and eventually died. The film charts her warm personal relationships with many of the participants -- the title refers to a singing and dancing troupe named in her honor -- and her failed romance with Caleb Humphries ( Laurence Fishburne ), an experimental subject who obtained penicillin from a military doctor and left the study to fight in World War II. Miss Evers' Boys was adapted from the play by David Feldshuh , which was itself based on the book Bad Blood : The Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment by James H. Jones. Although fictionalized , the title character is based on the real - life Eunice Rivers. The film won three Emmy Awards , including top acting honors for Woodard .
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Mel Gibson long-time heartthrob of the silver screen came into his own as a director with Braveheart an account of the life and times of medieval Scottish patriot William Wallace and to a lesser degree Robert the Bruce's struggle to unify his nation against its English oppressors. The story begins with young Wallace whose father and brother have been killed fighting the English being taken into the custody of his uncle a nationalist and pre-Renaissance renaissance man. He returns twenty years later a man educated both in the classics and in the art of war. There he finds his childhood sweetheart Murron (Catherine McCormack) and the two quickly fall in love. There are murmurs of revolt against the English throughout the village but Wallace remains aloof wishing simply to tend to his crops and live in peace. However when his love is killed by English soldiers the day after their secret marriage (held secretly so as to prevent the local English lord from exercising the repulsive right of prima noctae the privilege of sleeping with the bride on the first night of the marriage) he springs into action and single-handedly slays an entire platoon of foot soldiers. The other villagers join him in destroying the English garrison and thus begins the revolt against the English in what will eventually become full-fledged war. Wallace eventually leads his fellow Scots in a series of bloody battles that prove a serious threat to English domination and along the way has a hushed affair with the Princess of Wales (the breathtaking Sophie Marceau) before his imminent demise. For his efforts Gibson won the honor of Best Director from the Academy; the movie also took home statuettes for Best Picture Cinematography Makeup and Sound Effects.
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Mel Gibson , long - time heartthrob of the silver screen , came into his own as a director with Braveheart , an account of the life and times of medieval Scottish patriot William Wallace and , to a lesser degree , Robert the Bruce's struggle to unify his nation against its English oppressors. The story begins with young Wallace , whose father and brother have been killed fighting the English , being taken into the custody of his uncle , a nationalist and pre - Renaissance renaissance man. He returns twenty years later , a man educated both in the classics and in the art of war. There he finds his childhood sweetheart Murron ( Catherine McCormack ), and the two quickly fall in love. There are murmurs of revolt against the English throughout the village , but Wallace remains aloof , wishing simply to tend to his crops and live in peace. However , when his love is killed by English soldiers the day after their secret marriage ( held secretly so as to prevent the local English lord from exercising the repulsive right of prima noctae , the privilege of sleeping with the bride on the first night of the marriage ), he springs into action and single - handedly slays an entire platoon of foot soldiers. The other villagers join him in destroying the English garrison , and thus begins the revolt against the English in what will eventually become full - fledged war. Wallace eventually leads his fellow Scots in a series of bloody battles that prove a serious threat to English domination and , along the way , has a hushed affair with the Princess of Wales ( the breathtaking Sophie Marceau ) before his imminent demise. For his efforts , Gibson won the honor of Best Director from the Academy ; the movie also took home statuettes for Best Picture , Cinematography , Makeup , and Sound Effects.
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The historical novel by Alexandre Dumas was adapted for the screen with this lavish French epic winner of 5 Césars and a pair of awards at the Cannes Film Festival. Isabelle Adjani stars as Marguerite de Valois better known as Margot daughter of scheming Catholic power player Catherine de Medici (Virna Lisi). Margot is an heiress to the throne during the late 16th century reign of the neurotic hypochondriac King Charles IX (Jean-Hugues Anglade) a time when Protestants and Catholics are vying for political control of France. Catherine decides to make an overture of good will by offering up Margot in marriage to prominent Protestant Huguenot Henri of Navarre (Daniel Auteuil) although she also schemes to bring about the notorious St. Bartholomew's Day massacre of 1572 when tens of thousands of Protestants are slaughtered. The marriage goes forward but Margot doesn't love Henri and takes a lover the soldier La Mole (Vincent Perez) also a Protestant from a well-to-do family. Murders by poisoning follow as court intrigues multiply and Catherine's villainous plotting to place her son Anjou (Pascal Greggory) on the throne threatens the lives of La Mole Margot and Henri. The American release version was cut to 145 minutes.
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The historical novel by Alexandre Dumas was adapted for the screen with this lavish French epic , winner of 5 Césars and a pair of awards at the Cannes Film Festival . Isabelle Adjani stars as Marguerite de Valois , better known as Margot , daughter of scheming Catholic power player Catherine de Medici ( Virna Lisi ) . Margot is an heiress to the throne during the late 16th century reign of the neurotic , hypochondriac King Charles IX ( Jean - Hugues Anglade ), a time when Protestants and Catholics are vying for political control of France. Catherine decides to make an overture of good will by offering up Margot in marriage to prominent Protestant Huguenot Henri of Navarre ( Daniel Auteuil ), although she also schemes to bring about the notorious St. Bartholomew's Day massacre of 1572 , when tens of thousands of Protestants are slaughtered. The marriage goes forward but Margot doesn't love Henri and takes a lover , the soldier La Mole ( Vincent Perez ), also a Protestant from a well - to - do family. Murders by poisoning follow , as court intrigues multiply and Catherine's villainous plotting to place her son Anjou ( Pascal Greggory ) on the throne threatens the lives of La Mole , Margot and Henri. The American release version was cut to 145 minutes.
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ased on Alan Bennett's acclaimed play The Madness of George III The Madness of King George takes a dark-humored look at the mental decline of King George III of England. The film's story begins nearly three decades into George's reign in 1788 as the unstable king (Nigel Hawthorne reprising his stage role) begins to show signs of increasing dementia from violent fits of foul language to bouts of forgetfulness. This weakness seems like the perfect chance to overthrow the unpopular George whom many blamed for the loss of the American colonies in favor of the Prince of Wales (Rupert Everett) but the king's prime minister William Pitt (Julian Wadham) and his wife Queen Charlotte (Helen Mirren) are determined to protect the throne. Doctors are brought in but the archaic treatments of the time prove of little value. In desperation they turn to Dr. Willis (Ian Holm) a harsh unconventional specialist whose unusual methods recall modern psychiatry. Willis struggles to break through to the mad king treating him with an anger and haughtiness George has never before experienced. Stressing the absurdity of the entire situation Bennett's witty screenplay emphasizes dry humor over tragedy even utilizing references to King Lear for comic effect. Hawthorne's fiery yet vulnerable performance received much critical praise including Best Actor at the British Academy Awards and a nomination for the same at the Oscars.
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Based on Alan Bennett 's acclaimed play The Madness of George III , The Madness of King George takes a dark - humored look at the mental decline of King George III of England. The film's story begins nearly three decades into George's reign , in 1788 , as the unstable king ( Nigel Hawthorne , reprising his stage role ) begins to show signs of increasing dementia , from violent fits of foul language to bouts of forgetfulness. This weakness seems like the perfect chance to overthrow the unpopular George , whom many blamed for the loss of the American colonies , in favor of the Prince of Wales ( Rupert Everett ), but the king's prime minister William Pitt ( Julian Wadham ) and his wife Queen Charlotte ( Helen Mirren ) are determined to protect the throne. Doctors are brought in , but the archaic treatments of the time prove of little value. In desperation , they turn to Dr. Willis ( Ian Holm ), a harsh , unconventional specialist whose unusual methods recall modern psychiatry. Willis struggles to break through to the mad king , treating him with an anger and haughtiness George has never before experienced. Stressing the absurdity of the entire situation , Bennett's witty screenplay emphasizes dry humor over tragedy , even utilizing references to King Lear for comic effect. Hawthorne's fiery yet vulnerable performance received much critical praise , including Best Actor at the British Academy Awards and a nomination for the same at the Oscars.
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Filmed on a grand scale Zulu is a rousing recreation of the January 22 1879 siege of Rorke's Drift in Natal Africa. An army of 4000 Zulu warriors have already decimated a huge British garrison; now they are on their way to the much smaller Rorke's Drift. A Royal Engineers officer (Stanley Baker) is determined to stand his ground despite having only a skeleton garrison at his command. His steamroller tactics are constantly at odds with those of a by-the-book lieutenant (Michael Caine) who feels that a retreat is called for but it becomes clear that if the garrison is to survive they'd better pay heed. Jack Hawkins and Ulla Jacobsson are also on hand as an idealistic missionary and his somewhat more pragmatic daughter. Richard Burton provides the narration for Zulu closing the film with the observation that 11 of the 1344 Victoria Crosses awarded since 1856 were bestowed upon the survivors of Rorke's Drift. Zulu was followed in 1979 by a "prequel" Zulu Dawn.
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Filmed on a grand scale , Zulu is a rousing recreation of the January 22 , 1879 , siege of Rorke's Drift in Natal , Africa. An army of 4 , 000 Zulu warriors have already decimated a huge British garrison ; now they are on their way to the much smaller Rorke's Drift. A Royal Engineers officer ( Stanley Baker ) is determined to stand his ground , despite having only a skeleton garrison at his command. His steamroller tactics are constantly at odds with those of a by - the - book lieutenant ( Michael Caine ), who feels that a retreat is called for , but it becomes clear that if the garrison is to survive , they'd better pay heed. Jack Hawkins and Ulla Jacobsson are also on hand as an idealistic missionary and his somewhat more pragmatic daughter. Richard Burton provides the narration for Zulu , closing the film with the observation that 11 of the 1 , 344 Victoria Crosses awarded since 1856 were bestowed upon the survivors of Rorke's Drift. Zulu was followed in 1979 by a "prequel , " Zulu Dawn .
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Norwegian director Nils Gaup used the landscape of Finland as his backdrop in Pathfinder. The story is set in 10th-century Lapland. Teen-aged Mikkel Gaup after watching his family being slaughtered by the bloodthirsty Tchude tribe takes refuge in a small peaceful village. He tries to warn the residents of the cruelties of the Tchudes; as a result half the villagers take to the hills while the other half elect to stay and stand their ground. The Tchudes make short work of the villagers then take Gaup prisoner. He pretends to agree to lead the Tchudes towards the other villagers but is able to turn the tables before it's too late. Inspired by an ancient legend Pathfinder is filmed in near-documentary fashion bringing the past so vividly alive that the audience is tempted to look over its shoulder to see if Tchudes are poised to attack in the lobby of the theatre. Though nominated for a best foreign picture Oscar in 1987 the film was not given a general US release until 1990.
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Norwegian director Nils Gaup used the landscape of Finland as his backdrop in Pathfinder . The story is set in 10th - century Lapland. Teen - aged Mikkel Gaup , after watching his family being slaughtered by the bloodthirsty Tchude tribe , takes refuge in a small , peaceful village. He tries to warn the residents of the cruelties of the Tchudes ; as a result , half the villagers take to the hills , while the other half elect to stay and stand their ground. The Tchudes make short work of the villagers , then take Gaup prisoner. He pretends to agree to lead the Tchudes towards the other villagers , but is able to turn the tables before it's too late. Inspired by an ancient legend , Pathfinder is filmed in near - documentary fashion , bringing the past so vividly alive that the audience is tempted to look over its shoulder to see if Tchudes are poised to attack in the lobby of the theatre. Though nominated for a best foreign picture Oscar in 1987 , the film was not given a general US release until 1990.
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The year is 1183. Like many a modern-day politician Britain's King Henry II (Peter O'Toole) finds it occasionally useful to take his wife out of mothballs and parade her before the public. Henry's Queen Eleanor (Katharine Hepburn) long exiled to a faraway castle is "invited" to join Henry and their three sons for a family reunion. In this way Henry hopes to maintain a stronghold on his Empire and to prevent the balance of power from shifting to Eleanor or to one of his sons: Richard the Lion-Hearted (Anthony Hopkins in his movie debut) Prince Geoffrey (John Castle) or Prince John (Nigel Terry). Also on hand for the get-together is Henry's mistress Princess Alais (Jane Merrow) -- who covets the King's influence -- and the Princess' brother King Philip of France (Timothy Dalton). Despite Henry's efforts to keep his wife and offspring at arms' length (and away from the throne) Eleanor successfully reunites the brood assuring that her power will not only be restored but will last long after her death.
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The year is 1183. Like many a modern - day politician , Britain's King Henry II ( Peter O'Toole ) finds it occasionally useful to take his wife out of mothballs and parade her before the public. Henry's Queen Eleanor ( Katharine Hepburn ), long exiled to a faraway castle , is "invited" to join Henry and their three sons for a family reunion. In this way , Henry hopes to maintain a stronghold on his Empire and to prevent the balance of power from shifting to Eleanor or to one of his sons : Richard the Lion - Hearted ( Anthony Hopkins in his movie debut ), Prince Geoffrey ( John Castle ), or Prince John ( Nigel Terry ) . Also on hand for the get - together is Henry's mistress Princess Alais ( Jane Merrow ) -- who covets the King's influence -- and the Princess' brother , King Philip of France ( Timothy Dalton ) . Despite Henry's efforts to keep his wife and offspring at arms' length ( and away from the throne ), Eleanor successfully reunites the brood , assuring that her power will not only be restored , but will last long after her death.
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Glory is a celebration of a little-known act of mass courage during the Civil War. Simply put the heroes involved have been ignored by history due to racism. Those heroes were the all-black members of the 54th Regiment of the Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry headed by Col. Robert Gould Shaw (Matthew Broderick) the son of an influential abolitionist (played by an uncredited Jane Alexander). Despite the fact that the Civil War is ostensibly being fought on their behalf the black soldiers are denied virtually every privilege and amenity that is matter of course for their white counterparts; as in armies past and future they are given the most menial and demeaning of tasks. Still none of the soldiers quit the regiment when given the chance. The unofficial leaders of the group are gravedigger John Rawlins (Morgan Freeman) and fugitive slave Trip (Denzel Washington) respectively representing the brains and heart of the organization. The 54th acquit themselves valiantly at Fort Wagner SC charging a fortification manned by some 1000 Confederates. Glory was based on Lincoln Kirstein's Lay This Laurel and Peter Burchard's One Gallant Rush; the latter book was founded on the letters of Col. Robert Gould Shaw the real-life character played by Matthew Broderick. The film won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for co-star Denzel Washington and additional statuettes for Best Cinematography (Freddie Francis) and Sound Recording.
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Glory is a celebration of a little - known act of mass courage during the Civil War. Simply put , the heroes involved have been ignored by history due to racism. Those heroes were the all - black members of the 54th Regiment of the Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry , headed by Col. Robert Gould Shaw ( Matthew Broderick ), the son of an influential abolitionist ( played by an uncredited Jane Alexander ) . Despite the fact that the Civil War is ostensibly being fought on their behalf , the black soldiers are denied virtually every privilege and amenity that is matter of course for their white counterparts ; as in armies past and future , they are given the most menial and demeaning of tasks. Still , none of the soldiers quit the regiment when given the chance. The unofficial leaders of the group are gravedigger John Rawlins ( Morgan Freeman ) and fugitive slave Trip ( Denzel Washington ), respectively representing the brains and heart of the organization. The 54th acquit themselves valiantly at Fort Wagner , SC , charging a fortification manned by some 1 , 000 Confederates. Glory was based on Lincoln Kirstein 's Lay This Laurel and Peter Burchard 's One Gallant Rush ; the latter book was founded on the letters of Col. Robert Gould Shaw , the real - life character played by Matthew Broderick . The film won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for co - star Denzel Washington , and additional statuettes for Best Cinematography ( Freddie Francis ) and Sound Recording.
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This is the autobiographical drama of a young Dutch Jewish girl hiding from the invading Nazis during World War II. Anne and her family share a claustrophobic attic with another family. Tension is often unbearable as the people hiding know that their discovery by the enemy could lead to almost certain death at the hands of their captors. They also must contend with the Dutch Gestapo or "Green Police" who will turn them over to the Nazis if discovered. Dutch nationals risk their lives by hiding the family for two years. The group despite the horror and crowded conditions still find time for celebrations of Hanukkah and rejoice quietly in the small attic that has become their world. The story is told from the narrative perspective of Anne a young girl hoping to live to womanhood. The film was nominated for several academy awards and won two for best supporting actress (Shelley Winters) and for cinematography (William Mellor).
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This is the autobiographical drama of a young Dutch Jewish girl hiding from the invading Nazis during World War II. Anne and her family share a claustrophobic attic with another family. Tension is often unbearable , as the people hiding know that their discovery by the enemy could lead to almost certain death at the hands of their captors. They also must contend with the Dutch Gestapo or "Green Police , " who will turn them over to the Nazis if discovered. Dutch nationals risk their lives by hiding the family for two years. The group , despite the horror and crowded conditions , still find time for celebrations of Hanukkah and rejoice quietly in the small attic that has become their world. The story is told from the narrative perspective of Anne , a young girl hoping to live to womanhood. The film was nominated for several academy awards and won two for best supporting actress ( Shelley Winters ) and for cinematography ( William Mellor ) .
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Adapted by Brian Moore from his own novel The Black Robe is a sprawling recreation of a turbelent period in Canadian history. In 1634 Jesuit missionary Father Laforgue (Lothair Bluteau) arrives in the New World hoping to convert the Huron Indian tribe to Catholicism-and incidentally to expedite the French colonization of Quebec. Laforgue is regarded with a combination of warmth and wariness by the natives who refer to Laforgue and his fellow priests as "black robes". Offering his services as both guide and friend is Algonquin chief Chomina (August Schellenberg). The by-the-book Laforgue does little to endear himself to the Indians-one of whom a holy man labels the priest as a demon who will bring nothing but death and destruction. The one who suffers most is Chomina the man who most desires peaceful coexistence. In an ironic coda we learn that the "black robes" have set into motion the fall of the Hurons simply by imposing their Christian values upon them. Black Robe has been compared to Dances with Wolves but the films do not share the same philosophy: while the idealistic hero of Wolves strives to understand and appreciate his new Indian comrades the pious protagonist of Black Robe has only conversion in mind.
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Adapted by Brian Moore from his own novel , The Black Robe is a sprawling recreation of a turbelent period in Canadian history. In 1634 , Jesuit missionary Father Laforgue ( Lothair Bluteau ) arrives in the New World , hoping to convert the Huron Indian tribe to Catholicism - and , incidentally , to expedite the French colonization of Quebec. Laforgue is regarded with a combination of warmth and wariness by the natives , who refer to Laforgue and his fellow priests as "black robes". Offering his services as both guide and friend is Algonquin chief Chomina ( August Schellenberg ) . The by - the - book Laforgue does little to endear himself to the Indians - one of whom , a holy man , labels the priest as a demon who will bring nothing but death and destruction. The one who suffers most is Chomina , the man who most desires peaceful coexistence. In an ironic coda , we learn that the "black robes" have set into motion the fall of the Hurons , simply by imposing their Christian values upon them. Black Robe has been compared to Dances with Wolves , but the films do not share the same philosophy : while the idealistic hero of Wolves strives to understand and appreciate his new Indian comrades , the pious protagonist of Black Robe has only conversion in mind.
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A high-class costume drama with a substantive historical basis Becket is the true story of the friendship between King Henry II (Peter O'Toole) and Thomas à Becket (Richard Burton) a royal courtier and confidant whom Henry appoints as Archbishop of Canterbury. As Becket takes his duties with the Church seriously he finds himself increasingly at odds with the King who finally orders the death of his once-close companion when he continues to defy the throne. Burton is very good and O'Toole is even better: both men were nominated for the Best Actor Oscar while Edward Anhalt's screenplay based on the stageplay by Jean Anouilh won for Best Adapted Screenplay. The basic theme of separation of church and state still reverberates today while the top-notch production values ensure Becket's place as one of Britain's better historical epics.
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A high - class costume drama with a substantive historical basis , Becket is the true story of the friendship between King Henry II ( Peter O'Toole ) and Thomas à Becket ( Richard Burton ), a royal courtier and confidant whom Henry appoints as Archbishop of Canterbury. As Becket takes his duties with the Church seriously , he finds himself increasingly at odds with the King , who finally orders the death of his once - close companion when he continues to defy the throne. Burton is very good and O'Toole is even better : both men were nominated for the Best Actor Oscar , while Edward Anhalt 's screenplay , based on the stageplay by Jean Anouilh , won for Best Adapted Screenplay. The basic theme of separation of church and state still reverberates today , while the top - notch production values ensure Becket 's place as one of Britain's better historical epics.
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The Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara becomes this sprawling historical epic. As in Shaara's novel director Ronald Maxwell focuses on a handful of major players to dramatize the events of July 1863 when the armies of the Union and Confederacy clash at the small Pennsylvania town of the title. Among them are Martin Sheen as General Robert E. Lee who disagrees with his top advisor General James Longstreet (Tom Berenger) over battle strategy and Jeff Daniels as Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain a college professor whose unorthodox techniques save the day (and possibly the war) for his beleaguered army. Other cast standouts include Richard Jordan in his final film appearance as the ill-fated General Lewis Armistead and cameo roles for Civil War buff Ken Burns and media mogul producer Ted Turner. Filmed on-location at Gettysburg National Military Park Gettysburg was shot as a television miniseries for Turner's TNT cable channel but earned a limited theatrical release.
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The Pulitzer Prize - winning novel The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara becomes this sprawling historical epic. As in Shaara 's novel , director Ronald Maxwell focuses on a handful of major players to dramatize the events of July 1863 , when the armies of the Union and Confederacy clash at the small Pennsylvania town of the title. Among them are Martin Sheen as General Robert E. Lee , who disagrees with his top advisor , General James Longstreet ( Tom Berenger ) over battle strategy , and Jeff Daniels as Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain , a college professor whose unorthodox techniques save the day ( and possibly the war ) for his beleaguered army. Other cast standouts include Richard Jordan in his final film appearance as the ill - fated General Lewis Armistead , and cameo roles for Civil War buff Ken Burns and media mogul producer Ted Turner . Filmed on - location at Gettysburg National Military Park , Gettysburg was shot as a television miniseries for Turner 's TNT cable channel , but earned a limited theatrical release.
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In 1963 this colossal and opulent $60 million spectacular was epic in every sense of the word -- an epic investment an epic in the annals of Hollywood gossip and ultimately an epic flop that nearly dragged 20th Century Fox down the Nile along with Cleopatra's barge. Handsomely mounted by Joseph L. Mankiewicz who replaced Rouben Mamoulian as director after six days of shooting) the drama follows the eighteen tumultuous years that led to the founding of the Roman Empire. Cleopatra (Elizabeth Taylor) meets up with Julius Caesar (Rex Harrison) and plans to lure Caesar to her boudoir in order to forge an alliance with Rome so that she may hold on to her Egyptian empire. When Caesar is stabbed to death in the Roman Senate Cleopatra is left without an ally and Egypt is up for grabs. When Roman general Mark Antony (Richard Burton) comes along she seduces him in order to make him over into her new protector. But under the charms of Cleopatra Mark Antony is reduced from a an awesome and dominating general to a sniveling drunken wimp. At the Battle of Actium Mark Antony is defeated and Cleopatra withdraws her troops dooming Mark Antony and his army. With Egypt in peril Antony and Cleopatra the doomed lovers meet each other for the last time as the enemy forces close in.
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In 1963 , this colossal and opulent $60 million spectacular was epic in every sense of the word -- an epic investment , an epic in the annals of Hollywood gossip , and , ultimately , an epic flop that nearly dragged 20th Century Fox down the Nile along with Cleopatra's barge. Handsomely mounted by Joseph L. Mankiewicz , who replaced Rouben Mamoulian as director after six days of shooting ), the drama follows the eighteen tumultuous years that led to the founding of the Roman Empire. Cleopatra ( Elizabeth Taylor ) meets up with Julius Caesar ( Rex Harrison ) and plans to lure Caesar to her boudoir in order to forge an alliance with Rome so that she may hold on to her Egyptian empire. When Caesar is stabbed to death in the Roman Senate , Cleopatra is left without an ally , and Egypt is up for grabs. When Roman general Mark Antony ( Richard Burton ) comes along , she seduces him in order to make him over into her new protector. But , under the charms of Cleopatra , Mark Antony is reduced from a an awesome and dominating general to a sniveling , drunken wimp. At the Battle of Actium , Mark Antony is defeated and Cleopatra withdraws her troops , dooming Mark Antony and his army. With Egypt in peril , Antony and Cleopatra , the doomed lovers , meet each other for the last time , as the enemy forces close in.
0155
Rasputin is a dramatization of the life story of one of the most intriguing figures in all history. A crude peasant from Siberia Rasputin (Alan Rickman) was a self-styled charismatic holy man who traveled widely openly engaging in drunkenness sexual indulgences and general debauchery. In the early part of the 20th century Rasputin made his way to the troubled Russian capital of St. Petersburg a hotbed of political discontent due to widespread poverty under a repressive government. There Rasputin met Czarina Alexandra (Greta Scacchi) and the film focuses on how he exercised power over her and her loving husband Czar Nicholas II (Ian McKellen) by virtue of his mystical ability to stop the bleeding of their hemophiliac son. But in a nation beset by internal and external problems Rasputin's uncouth presence at the opulent imperial court coupled with his scandalous antics around the capital came to symbolize the weak leadership of the czar. The movie goes on to show the tragic consequences that resulted from this volatile situation. Originally made for cable television the film features Emmy-winning performances by Rickman and Scacchi.
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Rasputin is a dramatization of the life story of one of the most intriguing figures in all history. A crude peasant from Siberia , Rasputin ( Alan Rickman ) was a self - styled charismatic holy man who traveled widely , openly engaging in drunkenness , sexual indulgences , and general debauchery. In the early part of the 20th century Rasputin made his way to the troubled Russian capital of St. Petersburg , a hotbed of political discontent due to widespread poverty under a repressive government. There Rasputin met Czarina Alexandra ( Greta Scacchi ), and the film focuses on how he exercised power over her and her loving husband , Czar Nicholas II ( Ian McKellen ), by virtue of his mystical ability to stop the bleeding of their hemophiliac son. But in a nation beset by internal and external problems , Rasputin's uncouth presence at the opulent imperial court , coupled with his scandalous antics around the capital , came to symbolize the weak leadership of the czar. The movie goes on to show the tragic consequences that resulted from this volatile situation. Originally made for cable television , the film features Emmy - winning performances by Rickman and Scacchi .
0156
Vanessa Redgrave stars as Mary Stuart of Scotland with Glenda Jackson co-starring as Queen Elizabeth I. As with the earlier Maxwell Anderson play Mary of Scotland the film sympathizes with Mary and there are two fictionalized face-to-face confrontations between the two queens (who never met in real life). With this film old-line Hollywood producer Hal Wallis continued his trademark of showcasing dynamic stars within a period milieu; the film is literally swamped with lavish Tudor decor.
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Vanessa Redgrave stars as Mary Stuart of Scotland , with Glenda Jackson co - starring as Queen Elizabeth I. As with the earlier Maxwell Anderson play Mary of Scotland , the film sympathizes with Mary , and there are two fictionalized face - to - face confrontations between the two queens ( who never met in real life ) . With this film , old - line Hollywood producer Hal Wallis continued his trademark of showcasing dynamic stars within a period milieu ; the film is literally swamped with lavish Tudor decor.
0157
Luchino Visconti (Count don Luchino Visconti di Modrone) was a film director true but he was also a nobleman and a grand patron of traditional European culture: opera art music crafts and literature. These interests enliven many of his films but few have been so inspired as the four-hour epic Ludwig about the castle-building "mad king" of Bavaria. This long film made very near the end of Visconti's life suffers greatly when shortened as every moment is essential to the story. There are at least four different versions of the film (from just under three hours to over four hours in length); the uncut four-hour version is the most coherent even though many might find it rather long. The disintegration of aristocratic individuals is a continuing theme of Visconti's though Ludwig's is the most thorough decay he filmed. The last ruling king of Bavaria (1845-1886) is noted for many things besides his eccentricities: he sold Bavaria to Germany ending the rule of the Bavarian monarchy; he built amazing castles all over his country (with the proceeds from the sale); and he was Richard Wagner's main sponsor. He was also a notorious recluse conducting a lifelong platonic love affair with Empress Elizabeth of Austria and finally succumbing to his adoration of handsome men in a series of outrageous affairs and orgies. His excesses eventually led to his being declared mentally incompetent and being held prisoner in his own castle. The film depicts this incredible life from his coronation at age 19 to his (unproved) assassination well over 20 years later.
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Luchino Visconti ( Count don Luchino Visconti di Modrone ) was a film director , true , but he was also a nobleman and a grand patron of traditional European culture : opera , art , music , crafts and literature. These interests enliven many of his films , but few have been so inspired as the four - hour epic , Ludwig , about the castle - building "mad king" of Bavaria. This long film , made very near the end of Visconti 's life , suffers greatly when shortened , as every moment is essential to the story. There are at least four different versions of the film ( from just under three hours to over four hours in length ); the uncut four - hour version is the most coherent , even though many might find it rather long. The disintegration of aristocratic individuals is a continuing theme of Visconti 's , though Ludwig's is the most thorough decay he filmed. The last ruling king of Bavaria ( 1845 - 1886 ) is noted for many things besides his eccentricities : he sold Bavaria to Germany , ending the rule of the Bavarian monarchy ; he built amazing castles all over his country ( with the proceeds from the sale ); and he was Richard Wagner 's main sponsor. He was also a notorious recluse , conducting a lifelong platonic love affair with Empress Elizabeth of Austria , and finally succumbing to his adoration of handsome men in a series of outrageous affairs and orgies. His excesses eventually led to his being declared mentally incompetent and being held prisoner in his own castle. The film depicts this incredible life from his coronation at age 19 to his ( unproved ) assassination well over 20 years later.
0158
Two years before director Derek Jarman died of AIDS he directed this extremely ambitious variation on Christopher Marlowe's 16th-century play. While Marlowe is the root of this film Jarman has taken a great deal of leeway with the manner of presentation. The story revolves around King Edward's open homosexuality which eventually led to his murder and succession. Instead of lush historical settings the film uses bare walls and dirt floors and puts the cast into smart suits. This "staginess" works to the advantage of Jarman's design and he takes every opportunity to anachronize. (For example Annie Lennox shows up to provide a lovely rendition of Cole Porter's "Every Time We Say Goodbye".) A striking film and a high point of Jarman's career.
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Two years before director Derek Jarman died of AIDS , he directed this extremely ambitious variation on Christopher Marlowe's 16th - century play. While Marlowe is the root of this film , Jarman has taken a great deal of leeway with the manner of presentation. The story revolves around King Edward's open homosexuality , which eventually led to his murder and succession. Instead of lush historical settings , the film uses bare walls and dirt floors and puts the cast into smart suits. This "staginess" works to the advantage of Jarman 's design , and he takes every opportunity to anachronize. ( For example , Annie Lennox shows up to provide a lovely rendition of Cole Porter 's "Every Time We Say Goodbye". ) A striking film , and a high point of Jarman 's career.
0159
In the early 1900s an American businessman was kidnapped by a rebellious Arab chieftain principally as a means to embarrass the sultan of Morocco. This abduction sparked the threat of armed intervention by President Theodore Roosevelt which was never carried out. In The Wind and the Lion the unattractive male captive is replaced by the gorgeous female Mrs. Pedecaris an American widow played by Candice Bergen. The ruthless but essentially decent Arab chief Raisuli is portrayed by Sean Connery while Teddy Roosevelt is depicted as a jingoistic blowhard by Brian Keith. The film's main theme -- that of America's emergence as a world power -- is largely secondary to the growing mutual-respect relationship between Mrs. Pedecaris and Raisuli. After releasing his hostage Raisuli is himself captured by German forces who at the behest of the Kaiser are seeking out methods of laying the groundwork for what would evolve into World War I. Mrs. Pedecaris must then help Raisuli escape.
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In the early 1900s , an American businessman was kidnapped by a rebellious Arab chieftain , principally as a means to embarrass the sultan of Morocco. This abduction sparked the threat of armed intervention by President Theodore Roosevelt , which was never carried out. In The Wind and the Lion , the unattractive male captive is replaced by the gorgeous female Mrs. Pedecaris , an American widow played by Candice Bergen . The ruthless but essentially decent Arab chief Raisuli is portrayed by Sean Connery , while Teddy Roosevelt is depicted as a jingoistic blowhard by Brian Keith . The film's main theme -- that of America's emergence as a world power -- is largely secondary to the growing mutual - respect relationship between Mrs. Pedecaris and Raisuli. After releasing his hostage , Raisuli is himself captured by German forces , who at the behest of the Kaiser are seeking out methods of laying the groundwork for what would evolve into World War I. Mrs. Pedecaris must then help Raisuli escape.
0160
Featuring a majestic score by Ennio Morricone and lush Oscar-winning cinematography by Chris Menges Roland Joffé's The Mission examines the events surrounding the Treaty of Madrid in 1750 when Spain ceded part of South America to Portugal and turns this episode into an allegory for the mid-'80s struggles of Latin America. Two European forces are on hand to win the South American natives over to imperialist ways. The plunderers want to extract riches and slaves from the New World. The missionaries on the other hand want to convert the Indians to Christianity and win over their souls. Mendoza (Robert De Niro) is an exploiter dabbling in the slave trade. But after he kills his brother Felipe (Aidan Quinn) in a fit of rage he seeks redemption and calls upon the missionaries to assist him. After repeatedly climbing a cliff with a heavy weight as penance Mendoza finds redemption and becomes a devout missionary at a settlement run by Gabriel (Jeremy Irons). The missionaries want to promote a new society in which the natives will live together in peace with the Spanish and the Portuguese. But this concept frightens the royal governors who would rather enslave the natives than encourage peaceful coexistence between the Europeans and the Indians. They order the mission to be burned to the ground. But this event causes a rift between Gabriel who wants to pray and pursue peaceful resistance and Mendoza who wants to take up arms and fight the Europeans.
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Featuring a majestic score by Ennio Morricone and lush Oscar - winning cinematography by Chris Menges , Roland Joffé 's The Mission examines the events surrounding the Treaty of Madrid in 1750 , when Spain ceded part of South America to Portugal , and turns this episode into an allegory for the mid - '80s struggles of Latin America. Two European forces are on hand to win the South American natives over to imperialist ways. The plunderers want to extract riches and slaves from the New World. The missionaries , on the other hand , want to convert the Indians to Christianity and win over their souls. Mendoza ( Robert De Niro ) is an exploiter dabbling in the slave trade. But after he kills his brother Felipe ( Aidan Quinn ) in a fit of rage , he seeks redemption and calls upon the missionaries to assist him. After repeatedly climbing a cliff with a heavy weight as penance , Mendoza finds redemption and becomes a devout missionary at a settlement run by Gabriel ( Jeremy Irons ) . The missionaries want to promote a new society in which the natives will live together in peace with the Spanish and the Portuguese. But this concept frightens the royal governors , who would rather enslave the natives than encourage peaceful coexistence between the Europeans and the Indians. They order the mission to be burned to the ground. But this event causes a rift between Gabriel , who wants to pray and pursue peaceful resistance , and Mendoza , who wants to take up arms and fight the Europeans.
0161
Lady Jane Grey the 16-year-old girl who for nine days in the 16th century was Queen of England is here portrayed by Helena Bonham Carter. Lady Jane Grey's sickly cousin who becomes Edward VI upon the death of Henry VIII is on the threshold of death himself. The Protestant powers-that-be fearing that England will fall under Catholic rule contrive to marry off Edward VI's most likely successor Lady Jane to the wastrelly Guilford Dudley (Cary Elwes) the future Duke of Suffolk. The dying Edward is coerced into naming Jane as his successor. Jane is forced to assume the throne attempting to impose reforms on the corrupt Protestant government during her brief reign. A coup led by Jane's cousin Princess Mary (Jane Lapotaire) results in the ouster and eventual execution of Queen Jane and her consort. The story is told through anti-establishment themes; teen-agers Lady Jane and Guilford Dudley are seen as the only hope for a brighter future making their deaths all the more tragic. An earlier version of the same story Tudor Rose was filmed in 1936.
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Lady Jane Grey , the 16 - year - old girl who for nine days in the 16th century was Queen of England , is here portrayed by Helena Bonham Carter . Lady Jane Grey 's sickly cousin , who becomes Edward VI upon the death of Henry VIII , is on the threshold of death himself. The Protestant powers - that - be , fearing that England will fall under Catholic rule , contrive to marry off Edward VI 's most likely successor Lady Jane to the wastrelly Guilford Dudley ( Cary Elwes ), the future Duke of Suffolk. The dying Edward is coerced into naming Jane as his successor. Jane is forced to assume the throne , attempting to impose reforms on the corrupt Protestant government during her brief reign. A coup led by Jane 's cousin Princess Mary ( Jane Lapotaire ) results in the ouster , and eventual execution , of Queen Jane and her consort. The story is told through anti - establishment themes ; teen - agers Lady Jane and Guilford Dudley are seen as the only hope for a brighter future , making their deaths all the more tragic. An earlier version of the same story , Tudor Rose , was filmed in 1936.
0162
Originally networkcast in three installments the 8-hour Blue and the Gray is a sprawling adaptation of a story concept by Civil War historian Bruce Catton. The drama begins in 1859 with young war correspondent-to-be John Hammond meeting future Union officer Stacy Keach at the trial of abolitionist John Brown (Sterling Hayden). They are reunited two years later during the presidential campaign of Abraham Lincoln (Gregory Peck) and are eyewitnesses at the battle of Bull Run. Keach marries Julia Duffy in 1862 while Virginia-born Hammond writes his dispatches from the Deep South. A subplot concerning a family torn by North/South loyalties is resolved just before Appomattox. The Blue and the Gray was first telecast November 14 16 and 17 1982.
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Originally networkcast in three installments , the 8 - hour Blue and the Gray is a sprawling adaptation of a story concept by Civil War historian Bruce Catton . The drama begins in 1859 , with young war correspondent - to - be John Hammond meeting future Union officer Stacy Keach at the trial of abolitionist John Brown ( Sterling Hayden ) . They are reunited two years later during the presidential campaign of Abraham Lincoln ( Gregory Peck ) and are eyewitnesses at the battle of Bull Run. Keach marries Julia Duffy in 1862 , while Virginia - born Hammond writes his dispatches from the Deep South. A subplot concerning a family torn by North / South loyalties is resolved just before Appomattox. The Blue and the Gray was first telecast November 14 , 16 and 17 , 1982.
0163
Anne of the Thousand Days is the belated film adaptation of Maxwell Anderson's 1948 stage play. The story concentrates on the romance between Britain's King Henry VIII (Richard Burton) and his ill-fated second wife Anne Boleyn (Genevieve Bujold). After holding out for marriage rather than an illegitimate union Anne marries Henry after he sheds himself of Katherine of Aragon -- causing a rift between the Crown and the Church in the process. Anne's inability to produce a male heir leads Henry to look about for other suitable mates. Henry's sinister right-hand man Cromwell (John Colicos) arranges for Anne to be condemned on a charge of adultery. She is beheaded while Henry disconsolately sits in Windsor Castle regretting this callous example of political expediency. Richard Burton is ideally cast in Anne of the Thousand Days but it is Genevieve Bujold who delivers the best most complex performance in the film.
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Anne of the Thousand Days is the belated film adaptation of Maxwell Anderson 's 1948 stage play. The story concentrates on the romance between Britain's King Henry VIII ( Richard Burton ) and his ill - fated second wife Anne Boleyn ( Genevieve Bujold ) . After holding out for marriage rather than an illegitimate union , Anne marries Henry after he sheds himself of Katherine of Aragon -- causing a rift between the Crown and the Church in the process. Anne's inability to produce a male heir leads Henry to look about for other suitable mates. Henry's sinister right - hand man Cromwell ( John Colicos ) arranges for Anne to be condemned on a charge of adultery. She is beheaded , while Henry disconsolately sits in Windsor Castle , regretting this callous example of political expediency. Richard Burton is ideally cast in Anne of the Thousand Days , but it is Genevieve Bujold who delivers the best , most complex performance in the film.
0164
This Steven Spielberg-directed exploration into a long-ago episode in African-American history recounts the trial that followed the 1839 rebellion aboard the Spanish slave ship Amistad and captures the complex political maneuverings set in motion by the event. Filmed in New England and Puerto Rico the 152-minute drama opens with a pre-credit sequence showing Cinque (Djimon Hounsou) and the other Africans in a violent takeover of the Amistad. Captured they are imprisoned in New England where former slave Theodore Joadson (Morgan Freeman) viewing the rebels as "freedom fighters" approaches property lawyer Baldwin (Matthew McConaughey) who attempts to prove the Africans were "stolen goods" because they were kidnapped. Running for re-election President Martin Van Buren (Nigel Hawthorne) overturns the lower court's decision in favor of the Africans. Former President John Quincy Adams (Anthony Hopkins) is reluctant to become involved but when the case moves on to the Supreme Court Adams stirs emotions with a powerful defense. The storyline occasionally cuts away to Spain where the young Queen Isabella (Anna Paquin) plays with dolls; she later debated the Amistad case with seven U.S. presidents. The character portrayed by Morgan Freeman is a fictional composite of several historical figures. For authentic speech the Africans speak the Mende language subtitled during some scenes but not others.
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This Steven Spielberg - directed exploration into a long - ago episode in African - American history recounts the trial that followed the 1839 rebellion aboard the Spanish slave ship Amistad and captures the complex political maneuverings set in motion by the event. Filmed in New England and Puerto Rico , the 152 - minute drama opens with a pre - credit sequence showing Cinque ( Djimon Hounsou ) and the other Africans in a violent takeover of the Amistad. Captured , they are imprisoned in New England where former slave Theodore Joadson ( Morgan Freeman ), viewing the rebels as "freedom fighters , " approaches property lawyer Baldwin ( Matthew McConaughey ), who attempts to prove the Africans were "stolen goods" because they were kidnapped. Running for re - election , President Martin Van Buren ( Nigel Hawthorne ) overturns the lower court's decision in favor of the Africans. Former President John Quincy Adams ( Anthony Hopkins ) is reluctant to become involved , but when the case moves on to the Supreme Court , Adams stirs emotions with a powerful defense. The storyline occasionally cuts away to Spain where the young Queen Isabella ( Anna Paquin ) plays with dolls ; she later debated the Amistad case with seven U.S. presidents. The character portrayed by Morgan Freeman is a fictional composite of several historical figures. For authentic speech , the Africans speak the Mende language , subtitled during some scenes but not others.
0165
This 25-million dollar epic collaboration accurately recreates the events that led to the Japanese attack on the American naval base during World War II. With Germany's invasion of Poland on September 1 1939 the wheels are set in motion by Japan to plan the attack. After internal differences in the government the Japanese quickly mobilize plans for the assault. Key American personnel ignored warnings of the possibility of Japanese aggression. The first part of the film divides scenes from both countries. Part two contains spectacular battle scenes of the bombing that destroyed the American naval base of operations in Hawaii. Governmental errors on both sides add to the confusion but the Japanese ultimately carry out the deadly mission. The film did well in Japan did not do well in the he United States and took years to make back the production costs. It remains an insightful and well crafted World War II action drama that was the result of years of negotiations between the two countries.
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This 25 - million dollar epic collaboration accurately recreates the events that led to the Japanese attack on the American naval base during World War II. With Germany's invasion of Poland on September 1 , 1939 , the wheels are set in motion by Japan to plan the attack. After internal differences in the government , the Japanese quickly mobilize plans for the assault. Key American personnel ignored warnings of the possibility of Japanese aggression. The first part of the film divides scenes from both countries. Part two contains spectacular battle scenes of the bombing that destroyed the American naval base of operations in Hawaii. Governmental errors on both sides add to the confusion , but the Japanese ultimately carry out the deadly mission. The film did well in Japan , did not do well in the he United States , and took years to make back the production costs. It remains an insightful and well crafted World War II action drama that was the result of years of negotiations between the two countries.
0166
Nicholas and Alexandra covers the rise and fall of the last of the Russian Romanovs. We first meet Czar Nicholas (Michael Jayston) and his German bride Alexandra (Janet Suzman) at their 1894 wedding. Though Nicholas is devoted to Alexandra the Russian populace is less politely inclined to having a "foreigner" as their Czarina. Alexandra gains favor when she gives birth to the much-loved Prince Alexis (Roderick Noble). Alas Alexis suffers from hemophilia a disease which strikes every second generation of Alexandra's family. When all conventional medical ministrations fail Alexandra puts the fate of her son in the hands of mystical holy man Rasputin (Tom Baker later famous for his portrayal of Doctor Who). As Rasputin's influence and power grows the Russian peasantry becomes more restless and disgruntled. They are now willing to listen to the speeches of such rabble-rousers as Lenin (Michael Bryant) and Trotsky (Brian Cox) who sow the seeds of revolution. Even after the murder of Rasputin the Bolsheviks are unsatisfied: The revolution finally comes to pass in October of 1917. At first the moderate Kerensky (John McEnery) pleads with his followers to allow the Romanovs safe passage out of Russia. But the radicals seize control and on July 16 1918 the royal family is summarily executed.
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Nicholas and Alexandra covers the rise and fall of the last of the Russian Romanovs. We first meet Czar Nicholas ( Michael Jayston ) and his German bride Alexandra ( Janet Suzman ) at their 1894 wedding. Though Nicholas is devoted to Alexandra , the Russian populace is less politely inclined to having a "foreigner" as their Czarina. Alexandra gains favor when she gives birth to the much - loved Prince Alexis ( Roderick Noble ) . Alas , Alexis suffers from hemophilia , a disease which strikes every second generation of Alexandra's family. When all conventional medical ministrations fail , Alexandra puts the fate of her son in the hands of mystical holy man Rasputin ( Tom Baker , later famous for his portrayal of Doctor Who ) . As Rasputin's influence and power grows , the Russian peasantry becomes more restless and disgruntled. They are now willing to listen to the speeches of such rabble - rousers as Lenin ( Michael Bryant ) and Trotsky ( Brian Cox ), who sow the seeds of revolution. Even after the murder of Rasputin , the Bolsheviks are unsatisfied : The revolution finally comes to pass in October of 1917. At first , the moderate Kerensky ( John McEnery ) pleads with his followers to allow the Romanovs safe passage out of Russia. But the radicals seize control , and on July 16 , 1918 , the royal family is summarily executed.
0167
Steal This Movie! is a dramatic account of the tumultuous life and times of Abbie Hoffman one of the most visible and influential figures of America's 1960s counter-culture. (Its title was inspired by Hoffman's irreverent "survival guide" Steal This Book.) Hoffman's founding of the Youth International Party (better known as the "Yippies") and inventive acts of street theater -- including an "exorcism" of the Pentagon and the riotous protests at the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago -- made him a household name and a star of the anti-war movement. They also earned him enemies and he was eventually arrested for trying to sell cocaine to an undercover cop a bust that he contended was a set-up meant to discredit him. Rather than face a long prison sentence Hoffman went underground leaving behind his wife and children and posing as "Barry Freed" who became a respected environmental activist. In time Freed acknowledged that he was Hoffman spent two months in jail and returned to activism full-time until his 1989 death. Steal This Movie stars Vincent D'Onofrio as Hoffman Janeane Garofalo as his wife Anita Kevin Corrigan as Jerry Rubin Troy Garity as Tom Hayden and Jeanne Tripplehorn as Joanna Lawrenson who became romantically involved with Barry Freed.
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Steal This Movie! is a dramatic account of the tumultuous life and times of Abbie Hoffman , one of the most visible and influential figures of America's 1960s counter - culture. ( Its title was inspired by Hoffman's irreverent "survival guide , " Steal This Book . ) Hoffman's founding of the Youth International Party ( better known as the "Yippies" ) and inventive acts of street theater -- including an "exorcism" of the Pentagon and the riotous protests at the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago -- made him a household name and a star of the anti - war movement. They also earned him enemies , and he was eventually arrested for trying to sell cocaine to an undercover cop , a bust that he contended was a set - up meant to discredit him. Rather than face a long prison sentence , Hoffman went underground , leaving behind his wife and children and posing as "Barry Freed , " who became a respected environmental activist. In time , Freed acknowledged that he was Hoffman , spent two months in jail , and returned to activism full - time until his 1989 death. Steal This Movie stars Vincent D'Onofrio as Hoffman , Janeane Garofalo as his wife Anita , Kevin Corrigan as Jerry Rubin , Troy Garity as Tom Hayden , and Jeanne Tripplehorn as Joanna Lawrenson , who became romantically involved with Barry Freed.
0168
This is a long-awaited film telling the story of the trials of Medgar Evers' killer. Medger Evers (James Pickens Jr.) was a black civil-rights activist in Mississippi who was shot to death in 1963. Despite very persuasive evidence that Byron De La Beckwith (James Woods) was indeed his killer the all-white juries hearing his case at that time acquitted him (he was tried twice). In this film with the aid of Ever's widow Myrlie (Whoopie Goldberg) Bobby DeLaughter (Alec Baldwin) a young lawyer gathers enough new evidence to bring Beckwith in for a third trial. Woods' performance as a wise-cracking bigot is one of the film's highlights.
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This is a long - awaited film telling the story of the trials of Medgar Evers' killer. Medger Evers ( James Pickens , Jr. ) was a black civil - rights activist in Mississippi who was shot to death in 1963. Despite very persuasive evidence that Byron De La Beckwith ( James Woods ) was indeed his killer , the all - white juries hearing his case at that time acquitted him ( he was tried twice ) . In this film , with the aid of Ever's widow Myrlie ( Whoopie Goldberg ), Bobby DeLaughter ( Alec Baldwin ), a young lawyer , gathers enough new evidence to bring Beckwith in for a third trial. Woods ' performance as a wise - cracking bigot is one of the film's highlights.
0169
est known for their historical epics that examine class and social issues in British life through a thick lens of tasteful production design and good manners director James Ivory and producer Ismail Merchant set their sights on an American protagonist for a change with Jefferson in Paris. As the title suggests Jefferson in Paris deals with the five years that Thomas Jefferson (Nick Nolte) spent as U.S. ambassador to France prior to the French Revolution; while Jefferson is sympathetic to the revolutionary forces in France he's become well enough acquainted with the ruling aristocracy that he finds himself torn between the two sides of the issue. Jefferson a recent widower also becomes friends with Maria Cosway (Greta Scacchi) who is married to a foppish British artist; while it's obvious the two are in love neither is in a position to do anything about their infatuation. And while Jefferson's daughter Patsy (Gwyneth Paltrow) loves her father she's very upset with him when he sends her to a convent school. In this midst of this personal turmoil Jefferson's younger daughter Polly (Estelle Eonnet) arrives in Paris with her slave Sally Hemmings (Thandie Newton) in tow. Attractive and bright (if uneducated) Sally catches Jefferson's eye and a friendship develops that grows into something deeper; in time Sally becomes pregnant and her family claims that Jefferson is the father. At the time Jefferson In Paris was released the question of Sally Hemmings' relationship with Thomas Jefferson was a matter of lively historical debate; since then genetic evidence has shown that while Jefferson's paternity can't be proved beyond a doubt it is likely that he did father children with Hemmings.
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Best known for their historical epics that examine class and social issues in British life through a thick lens of tasteful production design and good manners , director James Ivory and producer Ismail Merchant set their sights on an American protagonist for a change with Jefferson in Paris . As the title suggests , Jefferson in Paris deals with the five years that Thomas Jefferson ( Nick Nolte ) spent as U.S. ambassador to France prior to the French Revolution ; while Jefferson is sympathetic to the revolutionary forces in France , he's become well enough acquainted with the ruling aristocracy that he finds himself torn between the two sides of the issue. Jefferson , a recent widower , also becomes friends with Maria Cosway ( Greta Scacchi ), who is married to a foppish British artist ; while it's obvious the two are in love , neither is in a position to do anything about their infatuation. And while Jefferson's daughter Patsy ( Gwyneth Paltrow ) loves her father , she's very upset with him when he sends her to a convent school. In this midst of this personal turmoil , Jefferson's younger daughter Polly ( Estelle Eonnet ) arrives in Paris , with her slave Sally Hemmings ( Thandie Newton ) in tow. Attractive and bright ( if uneducated ), Sally catches Jefferson's eye , and a friendship develops that grows into something deeper ; in time , Sally becomes pregnant , and her family claims that Jefferson is the father. At the time Jefferson In Paris was released , the question of Sally Hemmings' relationship with Thomas Jefferson was a matter of lively historical debate ; since then , genetic evidence has shown that , while Jefferson 's paternity can't be proved beyond a doubt , it is likely that he did father children with Hemmings.
0170
Except for the omission of several passages in the original play this 1970 adaptation of Julius Caesar faithfully retells Shakespeare's account of events surrounding the assassination of Caesar in 44 B.C. The film begins when Caesar John Gielgud is at the height of his power after conquering Pompey "the Great" in a civil war. Important senators worry that Caesar means to become king diminish their power and abolish their beloved Roman republic. Two senators Cassius Richard Johnson and Brutus Jason Robards hatch an assassination plot involving other disenchanted Roman citizens. Although a soothsayer warns Caesar of trouble ("Beware the ides of March") and his own wife reports ominous signs ("A lioness hath whelped in the streets; and graves have yawn'd and yielded up their dead") Caesar decides to go to the senate on the ides (March 15). Upon arrival the conspirators greet him with daggers. In his funeral oration Mark Antony Charlton Heston extols Caesar and incites the citizens against Brutus and the other conspirators. Brutus and Cassius flee Rome with their armies but Antony and two other sympathizers track them down with their armies. When the tide turns against the conspirators Brutus and Cassius commit suicide. As does Shakespeare's play the film leaves the discerning viewer wondering who was the real villain -- Caesar because of his ambition for power or Brutus because of his underhanded plot to maintain the status quo.
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Except for the omission of several passages in the original play , this 1970 adaptation of Julius Caesar faithfully retells Shakespeare's account of events surrounding the assassination of Caesar in 44 B.C. The film begins when Caesar John Gielgud is at the height of his power after conquering Pompey "the Great" in a civil war. Important senators worry that Caesar means to become king , diminish their power , and abolish their beloved Roman republic. Two senators , Cassius Richard Johnson and Brutus Jason Robards , hatch an assassination plot involving other disenchanted Roman citizens. Although a soothsayer warns Caesar of trouble ( "Beware the ides of March" ) and his own wife reports ominous signs ( "A lioness hath whelped in the streets ; and graves have yawn'd , and yielded up their dead" ), Caesar decides to go to the senate on the ides ( March 15 ) . Upon arrival , the conspirators greet him with daggers. In his funeral oration , Mark Antony Charlton Heston extols Caesar and incites the citizens against Brutus and the other conspirators. Brutus and Cassius flee Rome with their armies , but Antony and two other sympathizers track them down with their armies. When the tide turns against the conspirators , Brutus and Cassius commit suicide. As does Shakespeare's play , the film leaves the discerning viewer wondering who was the real villain -- Caesar , because of his ambition for power , or Brutus , because of his underhanded plot to maintain the status quo.
0171
This lavish big-budget epic was the pinnacle of a uniquely Italian subgenre the historical hardcore gore/porn extravaganza. The star-studded cast perhaps lured by the high-profile involvement of producer Bob Guccione and screenwriter Gore Vidal includes such luminaries as John Gielgud Peter O'Toole and Helen Mirren. Director Tinto Brass whose similar treatment of Nazi Germany in Salon Kitty won him the job did his best with the mammoth enterprise but numerous production problems and re-edits took their toll on the finished product. When Caligula works best it works because of Malcolm McDowell whose crazed portrayal of the title Emperor is the embodiment of villainous corruption. McDowell raises his performance level to match the gaudy spectacle around him which led to charges of overacting but there are moments when he is absolutely riveting. Some of the cast doesn't fare as well as O'Toole makes a particularly unsubtle Tiberius. The sex is graphic and steamy particularly a feverish lesbian interlude between Penthouse Pets Lori Wagner and Marjorie Thorsen (using the pseudonym "Anneka di Lorenzo") and the various carnival freaks used as atmosphere imbue the film with a grotesque Fellini-like opulence. There are many memorable scenes and a magnificent score by Paul Clemente but the heady brew of historical epic hardcore sex and gory violence proved overwhelming to many viewers. Still Gore Vidal's script is surprisingly accurate and manages to be entertainingly vulgar while bringing a rather loathsome slice of human history to vivid life warts and all. The more explicit scenes were directed by Bob Guccione and Giancarlo Lui causing both Vidal and Brass to remove their names from the credits.
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This lavish big - budget epic was the pinnacle of a uniquely Italian subgenre , the historical hardcore gore / porn extravaganza. The star - studded cast , perhaps lured by the high - profile involvement of producer Bob Guccione and screenwriter Gore Vidal , includes such luminaries as John Gielgud , Peter O'Toole , and Helen Mirren . Director Tinto Brass , whose similar treatment of Nazi Germany in Salon Kitty won him the job , did his best with the mammoth enterprise , but numerous production problems and re - edits took their toll on the finished product. When Caligula works best , it works because of Malcolm McDowell , whose crazed portrayal of the title Emperor is the embodiment of villainous corruption. McDowell raises his performance level to match the gaudy spectacle around him , which led to charges of overacting , but there are moments when he is absolutely riveting. Some of the cast doesn't fare as well , as O'Toole makes a particularly unsubtle Tiberius. The sex is graphic and steamy , particularly a feverish lesbian interlude between Penthouse Pets Lori Wagner and Marjorie Thorsen ( using the pseudonym "Anneka di Lorenzo" ), and the various carnival freaks used as atmosphere imbue the film with a grotesque , Fellini - like opulence. There are many memorable scenes and a magnificent score by Paul Clemente , but the heady brew of historical epic , hardcore sex , and gory violence proved overwhelming to many viewers. Still , Gore Vidal 's script is surprisingly accurate , and manages to be entertainingly vulgar while bringing a rather loathsome slice of human history to vivid life , warts and all. The more explicit scenes were directed by Bob Guccione and Giancarlo Lui , causing both Vidal and Brass to remove their names from the credits.
0172
Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) is no ordinary archeologist. When we first see him he is somewhere in the Peruvian jungle in 1936 running a booby-trapped gauntlet (complete with an over-sized rolling boulder) to fetch a solid-gold idol. He loses this artifact to his chief rival a French archeologist named Belloq (Paul Freeman) who then prepares to kill our hero. In the first of many serial-like escapes Indy eludes Belloq by hopping into a convenient plane. So then: is Indiana Jones afraid of anything? Yes snakes. The next time we see Jones he's a soft-spoken bespectacled professor. He is then summoned from his ivy-covered environs by Marcus Brody (Denholm Elliott) to find the long-lost Ark of the Covenant. The Nazis it seems are already searching for the Ark which the mystical-minded Hitler hopes to use to make his stormtroopers invincible. But to find the Ark Indy must first secure a medallion kept under the protection of Indy's old friend Abner Ravenwood whose daughter Marion (Karen Allen) evidently has a "history" with Jones. Whatever their personal differences Indy and Marion become partners in one action-packed adventure after another ranging from wandering the snake pits of the Well of Souls to surviving the pyrotechnic unearthing of the sacred Ark. A joint project of Hollywood prodigies George Lucas and Steven Spielberg with a script co-written by Lawrence Kasdan and Philip Kaufman among others Raiders of the Lost Ark is not so much a movie as a 115-minute thrill ride. Costing 22 million dollars (nearly three times the original estimate) Raiders of the Lost Ark reaped 200 million dollars during its first run. It was followed by Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1985) and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) as well as a short-lived TV-series "prequel."
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Indiana Jones ( Harrison Ford ) is no ordinary archeologist. When we first see him , he is somewhere in the Peruvian jungle in 1936 , running a booby - trapped gauntlet ( complete with an over - sized rolling boulder ) to fetch a solid - gold idol. He loses this artifact to his chief rival , a French archeologist named Belloq ( Paul Freeman ), who then prepares to kill our hero. In the first of many serial - like escapes , Indy eludes Belloq by hopping into a convenient plane. So , then : is Indiana Jones afraid of anything? Yes , snakes. The next time we see Jones , he's a soft - spoken , bespectacled professor. He is then summoned from his ivy - covered environs by Marcus Brody ( Denholm Elliott ) to find the long - lost Ark of the Covenant. The Nazis , it seems , are already searching for the Ark , which the mystical - minded Hitler hopes to use to make his stormtroopers invincible. But to find the Ark , Indy must first secure a medallion kept under the protection of Indy's old friend Abner Ravenwood , whose daughter , Marion ( Karen Allen ), evidently has a "history" with Jones. Whatever their personal differences , Indy and Marion become partners in one action - packed adventure after another , ranging from wandering the snake pits of the Well of Souls to surviving the pyrotechnic unearthing of the sacred Ark. A joint project of Hollywood prodigies George Lucas and Steven Spielberg , with a script co - written by Lawrence Kasdan and Philip Kaufman , among others , Raiders of the Lost Ark is not so much a movie as a 115 - minute thrill ride. Costing 22 million dollars ( nearly three times the original estimate ), Raiders of the Lost Ark reaped 200 million dollars during its first run. It was followed by Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom ( 1985 ) and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade ( 1989 ), as well as a short - lived TV - series "prequel."
0173
ased on William Goldman's novel of the same name The Princess Bride is staged as a book read by grandfather (Peter Falk) to his ill grandson (Fred Savage). Falk's character assures a romance-weary Savage that the book has much more to deliver than a simpering love story including but not limited to fencing fighting torture death true love giants and pirates. Indeed The Princess Bride offers a tongue-in-cheek fairy tale depicting stable boy-turned-pirate Westley's journey to rescue Buttercup (Robin Wright) his true love away from the evil prince (Chris Sarandon) whom she had agreed to marry five years after learning of what she had believed to be news of Westley's death. With help from Prince Humperdinck's disgruntled former employee Miracle Max (Billy Crystal) swordsman Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin) and a very large man named Fezzik (Andre the Giant) the star-crossed lovers are reunited.
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Based on William Goldman 's novel of the same name , The Princess Bride is staged as a book read by grandfather ( Peter Falk ) to his ill grandson ( Fred Savage ) . Falk 's character assures a romance - weary Savage that the book has much more to deliver than a simpering love story , including but not limited to fencing , fighting , torture , death , true love , giants , and pirates. Indeed , The Princess Bride offers a tongue - in - cheek fairy tale depicting stable boy - turned - pirate Westley's journey to rescue Buttercup ( Robin Wright ), his true love , away from the evil prince ( Chris Sarandon ), whom she had agreed to marry five years after learning of what she had believed to be news of Westley's death. With help from Prince Humperdinck's disgruntled former employee Miracle Max ( Billy Crystal ), swordsman Inigo Montoya ( Mandy Patinkin ), and a very large man named Fezzik ( Andre the Giant ), the star - crossed lovers are reunited.
0174
This kung fu classic weaving fact and myth earned a theatrical release in the U.S. from Miramax eight years after it was produced following a successful retrospective screening at the 2001 Los Angeles Film Festival. Wong Kei Ying (Donnie Yen) is a master of the Hung Gar style of boxing in mid-19th century China. His son Wong Fei Hung (Sze-Man Tsang) though still just a boy will grow up to become a martial arts legend a nearly mythical figure in Chinese history. When Wong Fei Hung is kidnapped his father is forced to use his daunting skills in the service of the abductor a dishonest politician plagued by the Robin Hood-style thief known as Iron Monkey a mysterious masked avenger stealing from the rich delivering the spoils to the poor. Wong Fei Hung's only allies are the kindly Dr. Yang (Yu Rong Guang) and Yang's assistant Orchid (Jean Wang) who are protecting an important secret. Iron Monkey (1993) director Yuen Wo Ping is also the masterful martial arts choreographer behind The Matrix (1999) and Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (2000); his father served as action choreographer on a series of popular long-running films centered around the Wong Fei Hung character in the 1950s.
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This kung fu classic weaving fact and myth earned a theatrical release in the U.S. from Miramax eight years after it was produced , following a successful retrospective screening at the 2001 Los Angeles Film Festival . Wong Kei Ying ( Donnie Yen ) is a master of the Hung Gar style of boxing in mid - 19th century China. His son , Wong Fei Hung ( Sze - Man Tsang ), though still just a boy , will grow up to become a martial arts legend , a nearly mythical figure in Chinese history. When Wong Fei Hung is kidnapped , his father is forced to use his daunting skills in the service of the abductor , a dishonest politician plagued by the Robin Hood - style thief known as Iron Monkey , a mysterious masked avenger stealing from the rich , delivering the spoils to the poor. Wong Fei Hung's only allies are the kindly Dr. Yang ( Yu Rong Guang ) and Yang's assistant , Orchid ( Jean Wang ), who are protecting an important secret. Iron Monkey ( 1993 ) director Yuen Wo Ping is also the masterful martial arts choreographer behind The Matrix ( 1999 ) and Crouching Tiger , Hidden Dragon ( 2000 ); his father served as action choreographer on a series of popular , long - running films centered around the Wong Fei Hung character in the 1950s.
0175
Though generally unknown to Western audiences Tsui Hark is considered a giant among Asian filmmakers and this exceptional epic combining hard-hitting martial-arts action with romance comedy history genuine poignance and sharp insight into the effects of the century-long encroachment of Western civilization in Asia more than amply demonstrates why. The story centers on the exploits of Master Wong Fei-hung (a familiar figure in Hong Kong cinema) a 19th-century doctor Confucian and exceptional martial artist. As the film begins he has just opened a new clinic in Canton Province. To help him with patients he hires a few apprentices including Porky Lang (the comic relief) and Buck Teeth Sol who was raised outside China and barely can speak the language. Wong is platonically involved with the lovely worldly Aunt Yee who has been abroad most of her life. Wong soon gets in trouble when he begins using his skills to protect and assist the poor and helpless in his community. As a result someone torches his clinic forcing Wong and his compadres to set off and get spectacularly staged revenge. They also try vainly to stop Western culture from changing traditional Chinese ways but they soon find that they may as well be shoveling sand against a rising tide.
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Though generally unknown to Western audiences , Tsui Hark is considered a giant among Asian filmmakers and this exceptional epic , combining hard - hitting martial - arts action with romance , comedy , history , genuine poignance , and sharp insight into the effects of the century - long encroachment of Western civilization in Asia more than amply demonstrates why. The story centers on the exploits of Master Wong Fei - hung ( a familiar figure in Hong Kong cinema ) a 19th - century doctor , Confucian , and exceptional martial artist. As the film begins , he has just opened a new clinic in Canton Province. To help him with patients , he hires a few apprentices including Porky Lang ( the comic relief ) and Buck Teeth Sol , who was raised outside China and barely can speak the language. Wong is platonically involved with the lovely , worldly Aunt Yee , who has been abroad most of her life. Wong soon gets in trouble when he begins using his skills to protect and assist the poor and helpless in his community. As a result , someone torches his clinic , forcing Wong and his compadres to set off and get spectacularly staged revenge. They also try vainly to stop Western culture from changing traditional Chinese ways , but they soon find that they may as well be shoveling sand against a rising tide.
0176
German filmmaker Werner Herzog has never done anything by halves. When Herzog tackled Fitzcarraldo the story of an obsessed impresario (Klaus Kinski) whose foremost desire in life is to bring both Enrico Caruso and an opera house to the deepest jungles of South America the director boldly embarked on the same journey disdaining studios process shots and special effects throughout. The highlight of the story is Fizcarraldo's Herculean effort to haul a 300-plus ton steamship over the mountains. No trickery was used in filming this grueling sequence and stories still persist of disgruntled South American film technicians awaiting the opportunity to strangle Herzog if he ever sets foot on their land again. In the end Herzog proved to be as driven and single-purposed as his protagonist and it is the audience's knowledge of this that adds to the excitement of Fitzcarraldo.
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German filmmaker Werner Herzog has never done anything by halves. When Herzog tackled Fitzcarraldo , the story of an obsessed impresario ( Klaus Kinski ) whose foremost desire in life is to bring both Enrico Caruso and an opera house to the deepest jungles of South America , the director boldly embarked on the same journey , disdaining studios , process shots , and special effects throughout. The highlight of the story is Fizcarraldo's Herculean effort to haul a 300 - plus ton steamship over the mountains. No trickery was used in filming this grueling sequence , and stories still persist of disgruntled South American film technicians awaiting the opportunity to strangle Herzog if he ever sets foot on their land again. In the end , Herzog proved to be as driven and single - purposed as his protagonist , and it is the audience's knowledge of this that adds to the excitement of Fitzcarraldo .
0177
Razzle-dazzle showman Michael Todd hocked everything he had to make this spectacular presentation of Jules Verne's 1872 novel Around the World in 80 Days the second film to be lensed in the wide-screen Todd-AO production. Nearly as fascinating as the finished product are the many in-production anecdotes concerning Todd's efforts to pull the wool over the eyes of local authorities in order to cadge the film's round-the-world location shots--not to mention the wheeling and dealing to convince over forty top celebrities to appear in cameo roles. David Niven heads the huge cast as ultra-precise supremely punctual Phileas Fogg who places a 20000-pound wager with several fellow members of London Reform Club insisting that he can go around the world in eighty days (this remember is 1872). Together with his resourceful valet Passepartout (Cantinflas) Fogg sets out on his world-girdling journey from Paris via balloon. Meanwhile suspicion grows that Fogg has stolen his 20000 pounds from Bank of England. Diligent Inspector Fix (Robert Newton) is sent out by the bank's president (Robert Morley) to bring Fogg to justice. Hopscotching around the globe Fogg pauses in Spain where Passepartout engages in a comic bullfight (a specialty of Cantinflas). In India Fogg and Passepartout rescue young widow Princess Aouda (Shirley MacLaine in her third film) from being forced into committing suicide so that she may join her late husband. The threesome visit Hong Kong Japan San Francisco and the Wild West. Only hours short of winning his wager Fogg is arrested by the diligent Inspector Fixx. Though exonerated of the bank robbery charges he has lost everything--except the love of the winsome Aouda. But salvation is at hand when Passepartout discovers that by crossing the International Date Line there's still time to reach the Reform Club. Will they make it? See for yourself. Among the film's 46 guest stars the most memorable include Marlene Dietrich Charles Boyer Jose Greco Frank Sinatra Peter Lorre Red Skelton Buster Keaton John Mills and Beatrice Lillie. All were paid in barter--Ronald Colman did his brief bit for a new car. Newscaster Edward R. Murrow provides opening narration and there's a tantalizing clip from Georges Méliès' A Trip to the Moon (1902). Offering a little something for everyone Around the World in 80 Days is nothing less than an extravaganza and it won 5 Oscars including Best Picture and Best Cinematography.
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Razzle - dazzle showman Michael Todd hocked everything he had to make this spectacular presentation of Jules Verne 's 1872 novel Around the World in 80 Days , the second film to be lensed in the wide - screen Todd - AO production. Nearly as fascinating as the finished product are the many in - production anecdotes concerning Todd 's efforts to pull the wool over the eyes of local authorities in order to cadge the film's round - the - world location shots -- not to mention the wheeling and dealing to convince over forty top celebrities to appear in cameo roles. David Niven heads the huge cast as ultra - precise , supremely punctual Phileas Fogg , who places a 20 , 000 - pound wager with several fellow members of London Reform Club , insisting that he can go around the world in eighty days ( this , remember , is 1872 ) . Together with his resourceful valet Passepartout ( Cantinflas ), Fogg sets out on his world - girdling journey from Paris via balloon. Meanwhile , suspicion grows that Fogg has stolen his 20 , 000 pounds from Bank of England. Diligent Inspector Fix ( Robert Newton ) is sent out by the bank's president ( Robert Morley ) to bring Fogg to justice. Hopscotching around the globe , Fogg pauses in Spain , where Passepartout engages in a comic bullfight ( a specialty of Cantinflas ) . In India , Fogg and Passepartout rescue young widow Princess Aouda ( Shirley MacLaine , in her third film ) from being forced into committing suicide so that she may join her late husband. The threesome visit Hong Kong , Japan , San Francisco , and the Wild West. Only hours short of winning his wager , Fogg is arrested by the diligent Inspector Fixx. Though exonerated of the bank robbery charges , he has lost everything -- except the love of the winsome Aouda. But salvation is at hand when Passepartout discovers that , by crossing the International Date Line , there's still time to reach the Reform Club. Will they make it? See for yourself. Among the film's 46 guest stars , the most memorable include Marlene Dietrich , Charles Boyer , Jose Greco , Frank Sinatra , Peter Lorre , Red Skelton , Buster Keaton , John Mills , and Beatrice Lillie . All were paid in barter -- Ronald Colman did his brief bit for a new car. Newscaster Edward R. Murrow provides opening narration , and there's a tantalizing clip from Georges Méliès ' A Trip to the Moon ( 1902 ) . Offering a little something for everyone , Around the World in 80 Days is nothing less than an extravaganza , and it won 5 Oscars , including Best Picture and Best Cinematography.
0178
The 18th century Scottish legend of Robert Roy MacGregor comes to life in this stylish adaptation of the swashbuckling novel by Sir Walter Scott. Liam Neeson stars as the title character a cattle drover and proud head of a Highlands clan who takes a one thousand pound loan from the royal Marquis of Montrose (John Hurt) in order to make a profit on some livestock that will keep his struggling people alive through the coming winter. One of the Marquis' henchmen wily expert swordsman Archibald Cunningham (Tim Roth) learns of the loan from the nobleman's factor Killearn (Brian Cox) and steals the money by murdering Rob Roy's best friend MacDonald (Eric Stoltz). Unable to repay the loan and unwilling to give up his land Rob Roy becomes a fugitive hunted by none other than Cunningham who rapes Rob Roy's wife Mary (Jessica Lange). Scotch-British politics come to a boil over the Rob Roy affair leading to an officially sanctioned showdown between the stoic farmer and Cunningham.
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The 18th century Scottish legend of Robert Roy MacGregor comes to life in this stylish adaptation of the swashbuckling novel by Sir Walter Scott . Liam Neeson stars as the title character , a cattle drover and proud head of a Highlands clan who takes a one thousand pound loan from the royal Marquis of Montrose ( John Hurt ) in order to make a profit on some livestock that will keep his struggling people alive through the coming winter. One of the Marquis' henchmen , wily expert swordsman Archibald Cunningham ( Tim Roth ) learns of the loan from the nobleman's factor , Killearn ( Brian Cox ), and steals the money by murdering Rob Roy 's best friend MacDonald ( Eric Stoltz ) . Unable to repay the loan and unwilling to give up his land , Rob Roy becomes a fugitive , hunted by none other than Cunningham , who rapes Rob Roy 's wife Mary ( Jessica Lange ) . Scotch - British politics come to a boil over the Rob Roy affair , leading to an officially sanctioned showdown between the stoic farmer and Cunningham.
0179
Mike Newell directs Jim Sheridan's screenplay (based on a story by Tim Palmer) in this enchanting and magical modern-day fairy tale. Gabriel Byrne plays Papa Reilly a widower who lives with his two young sons Ossie (Ciaran Fitzgerald) and Tito (Ruaidhri Conroy) in the slums of Dublin. There seems to be no hope for their bleak existence until the children's grandfather (David Kelly) arrives. Accompanying him is a beautiful and imposing white stallion named Tir na nOg a magical creature from ancient Irish legends. The stallion takes a shine to the boys and they love the horse in return. But a legion of corrupt police plot to impound the horse for the purpose of selling it to a rich businessman. Ossie and Tito sneak off to rescue Tir na nOg. Grabbing the stallion they get their father and as the police chase after them they make their way west.
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Mike Newell directs Jim Sheridan 's screenplay ( based on a story by Tim Palmer ) in this enchanting and magical modern - day fairy tale. Gabriel Byrne plays Papa Reilly , a widower who lives with his two young sons , Ossie ( Ciaran Fitzgerald ) and Tito ( Ruaidhri Conroy ), in the slums of Dublin. There seems to be no hope for their bleak existence until the children's grandfather ( David Kelly ) arrives. Accompanying him is a beautiful and imposing white stallion named Tir na nOg , a magical creature from ancient Irish legends. The stallion takes a shine to the boys and they love the horse in return. But a legion of corrupt police plot to impound the horse for the purpose of selling it to a rich businessman. Ossie and Tito sneak off to rescue Tir na nOg. Grabbing the stallion , they get their father and , as the police chase after them , they make their way west.
0180
The Walt Disney production of the Robert Louis Stevenson classic novel Treasure Island is one of the company's best live-action films of the '50s and one of the best family-oriented adventures ever filmed. Bobby Driscoll plays Jim Hawkins a young cabin boy who battles the pirate Long John Silver (Robert Newton) for a treasure. Disney changes the ending of the book yet the film is so entertaining--particularly Newton's scene-stealing performance--that the difference is forgivable. In the '70s Treasure Island was re-issued with "objectionable" violence cut out of the print; the original version was restored in the 1992 home video re-release.
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The Walt Disney production of the Robert Louis Stevenson classic novel Treasure Island is one of the company's best live - action films of the '50s , and one of the best family - oriented adventures ever filmed. Bobby Driscoll plays Jim Hawkins , a young cabin boy who battles the pirate Long John Silver ( Robert Newton ) for a treasure. Disney changes the ending of the book , yet the film is so entertaining -- particularly Newton's scene - stealing performance -- that the difference is forgivable. In the '70s , Treasure Island was re - issued with "objectionable" violence cut out of the print ; the original version was restored in the 1992 home video re - release.
0181
A young boy joins a group of renegade dwarves on an unpredictable journey through time in this humorous fantasy. Monty Python animator Terry Gilliam mostly achieves a tricky balancing act in his second feature as sole director creating a dark irreverent comedy disguised as a family adventure. Particularly amusing are the boy's encounters with various historical figures including an entertainment-starved Napoleon (Ian Holm) a powerful Agamemnon (Sean Connery) and a surprisingly stuffy Robin Hood embodied by Gilliam's Python cohort John Cleese. Episodic by nature the film is less successful when dealing with the larger narrative which concerns the pursuit of the dwarves and their time-traveling map by the Supreme Being. However the combination of Gilliam's visual exuberance and the witty script (by Gilliam and Michael Palin) ensures an entertaining if erratic journey.
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A young boy joins a group of renegade dwarves on an unpredictable journey through time in this humorous fantasy. Monty Python animator Terry Gilliam mostly achieves a tricky balancing act in his second feature as sole director , creating a dark , irreverent comedy disguised as a family adventure. Particularly amusing are the boy's encounters with various historical figures , including an entertainment - starved Napoleon ( Ian Holm ), a powerful Agamemnon ( Sean Connery ), and a surprisingly stuffy Robin Hood , embodied by Gilliam's Python cohort John Cleese . Episodic by nature , the film is less successful when dealing with the larger narrative , which concerns the pursuit of the dwarves and their time - traveling map by the Supreme Being. However , the combination of Gilliam's visual exuberance and the witty script ( by Gilliam and Michael Palin ) ensures an entertaining , if erratic , journey.
0182
Richard Lester's adaptation of The Three Musketeers was only the latest of many when released in 1974 but it arrived with a spirit all its own one influenced as much by Lester's '60s work as the Alexandre Dumas classic. Even so it followed the plot of Dumas' novel fairly closely its liberties in interpretation taken elsewhere. Coming off the success of Cabaret Michael York plays D'Artagnan the provincial would-be swashbuckler who travels to Paris to make his name. There he encounters the eponymous heroes: cynical Athos (Oliver Reed) dashing Aramis (Richard Chamberlain) and arrogant Porthos (Frank Finlay). The trio introduces him to the world of court intrigue as they work to protect the Queen (Geraldine Chaplin) from the schemes of the villainous Richelieu (Charlton Heston) and his followers Rochefort (Christopher Lee) and Milady (Faye Dunaway). Lester shot the film in conjunction with its sequel The Four Musketeers. Originally intended as a single film the split prompted a lawsuit from the cast demanding payment for both films.
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Richard Lester 's adaptation of The Three Musketeers was only the latest of many when released in 1974 , but it arrived with a spirit all its own , one influenced as much by Lester 's '60s work as the Alexandre Dumas classic. Even so , it followed the plot of Dumas' novel fairly closely , its liberties in interpretation taken elsewhere. Coming off the success of Cabaret , Michael York plays D'Artagnan , the provincial , would - be swashbuckler who travels to Paris to make his name. There he encounters the eponymous heroes : cynical Athos ( Oliver Reed ), dashing Aramis ( Richard Chamberlain ), and arrogant Porthos ( Frank Finlay ) . The trio introduces him to the world of court intrigue as they work to protect the Queen ( Geraldine Chaplin ) from the schemes of the villainous Richelieu ( Charlton Heston ) and his followers , Rochefort ( Christopher Lee ) and Milady ( Faye Dunaway ) . Lester shot the film in conjunction with its sequel , The Four Musketeers . Originally intended as a single film , the split prompted a lawsuit from the cast demanding payment for both films.
0183
Ken Annakin's large-canvas comedy Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines is set in 1910. In order to boost circulation of his newspaper Lord Rawnsley (Robert Morley) offers 10000 pounds to the first person who can fly across the English Channel. A huge number of hopefuls enter the contest including the scheming Sir Percy Ware-Armitage (Terry-Thomas) who with the help of his henchman Courtney (Eric Sykes) attempts to sabotage the other entries. There is also a love triangle featuring Orvil Newton (Stuart Whitman) and Richard Mays (James Fox) competing for the heart of Patricia Rawnsley (Sarah Miles).
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Ken Annakin 's large - canvas comedy Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines is set in 1910. In order to boost circulation of his newspaper , Lord Rawnsley ( Robert Morley ) offers 10 , 000 pounds to the first person who can fly across the English Channel. A huge number of hopefuls enter the contest , including the scheming Sir Percy Ware - Armitage ( Terry - Thomas ), who , with the help of his henchman Courtney ( Eric Sykes ), attempts to sabotage the other entries. There is also a love triangle featuring Orvil Newton ( Stuart Whitman ) and Richard Mays ( James Fox ) competing for the heart of Patricia Rawnsley ( Sarah Miles ) .
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None of the many cinemadaptations of Johan Wyss' The Swiss Family Robinson are as relentlessly enjoyable as this 1960 Disney feature. The film wastes no time getting down to business with the shipwreck of the Robinson family occurring as the credits flash across the screen. Fashioning a raft the family heads to a lush tropical island. While the mother (Dorothy McGuire) isn't too happy about being a castaway the father (John Mills) and the sons (James MacArthur Tommy Kirk Kevin Corcoran) are thrilled at the prospect of carving out a new life for themselves. In short order the industrious Robinsons have constructed a treehouse with all the creature comforts and "utilities" of their home in Switzerland. Later on the little party is joined by Janet Munro the daughter of a sea captain who has been captured by pirate Sessue Hayakawa and his band. After a series of adventures calculated to arouse the envy of every man woman and child in the audience the film comes to a rousing conclusion as the Robinsons resourcefully fend off Hayakawa and his pirates with a variety of jerry-built booby traps. A box-office winner to the tune of $30 million The Swiss Family Robinson proved beyond doubt that Disney's decision to emphasize the humor and adventure of the Wyss original while downplaying the sociopolitical undertones was a sound one.
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None of the many cinemadaptations of Johan Wyss ' The Swiss Family Robinson are as relentlessly enjoyable as this 1960 Disney feature. The film wastes no time getting down to business , with the shipwreck of the Robinson family occurring as the credits flash across the screen. Fashioning a raft , the family heads to a lush tropical island. While the mother ( Dorothy McGuire ) isn't too happy about being a castaway , the father ( John Mills ) and the sons ( James MacArthur , Tommy Kirk , Kevin Corcoran ) are thrilled at the prospect of carving out a new life for themselves. In short order , the industrious Robinsons have constructed a treehouse with all the creature comforts and "utilities" of their home in Switzerland. Later on , the little party is joined by Janet Munro , the daughter of a sea captain who has been captured by pirate Sessue Hayakawa and his band. After a series of adventures calculated to arouse the envy of every man , woman and child in the audience , the film comes to a rousing conclusion as the Robinsons resourcefully fend off Hayakawa and his pirates with a variety of jerry - built booby traps. A box - office winner to the tune of $30 million , The Swiss Family Robinson proved beyond doubt that Disney's decision to emphasize the humor and adventure of the Wyss original , while downplaying the sociopolitical undertones , was a sound one.
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Whilst Sinbad (Kerwin Mathews) is on his way to Baghdad transporting the Princess Parisa (Kathryn Grant) who is to become his bride and secure peace between her kingdom and his the ship encounters the isle of Colossa. Sinbad and his men are attacked by a gigantic bestial one-eyed Cyclops and are saved only when the mysterious magician Sokurah (Torin Thatcher) appears and uses a magic lamp to protect Sinbad's men. But in the process of escaping harm Sokurah loses the lamp to the Cyclops. He desperately wants to retrieve it and tries to persuade Sinbad to put about and return to Colossa -- but the captain won't jeopardize the safety of the princess or the success of his mission and the Caliph of Baghdad (Alec Mango) feels the same way even after Sokurah amazes the court by conjuring up a snake-woman. It is only when the princess is shrunk by an evil spell the breaking of which requires the shell from the egg of the giant Roc -- which resides on Colossa -- that Sokurah can get his expedition mounted with Sinbad in command. With a crew made up of a handful of his bravest men and some of the most desperate convicts in the Caliph's prison he has to contend with potential mutiny at every turn and the men are driven almost to madness before they even reach Colossa. Once there they find terrors as great as the Cyclops and the treachery of the magician but Parisa -- in her tiny state -- also discovers the beautiful world inside the lamp and the lonely boy genie (Richard Eyer) who inhabits it. They strike the bargain that when Sinbad's bravery is added to the equation will bring their quest to an end. If that is they can all survive the dangers that Sokurah puts in their path.
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Whilst Sinbad ( Kerwin Mathews ) is on his way to Baghdad , transporting the Princess Parisa ( Kathryn Grant ), who is to become his bride and secure peace between her kingdom and his , the ship encounters the isle of Colossa. Sinbad and his men are attacked by a gigantic , bestial one - eyed Cyclops , and are saved only when the mysterious magician Sokurah ( Torin Thatcher ) appears and uses a magic lamp to protect Sinbad's men. But in the process of escaping harm , Sokurah loses the lamp to the Cyclops. He desperately wants to retrieve it and tries to persuade Sinbad to put about and return to Colossa -- but the captain won't jeopardize the safety of the princess or the success of his mission , and the Caliph of Baghdad ( Alec Mango ) feels the same way , even after Sokurah amazes the court by conjuring up a snake - woman. It is only when the princess is shrunk by an evil spell , the breaking of which requires the shell from the egg of the giant Roc -- which resides on Colossa -- that Sokurah can get his expedition mounted , with Sinbad in command. With a crew made up of a handful of his bravest men and some of the most desperate convicts in the Caliph's prison , he has to contend with potential mutiny at every turn , and the men are driven almost to madness before they even reach Colossa. Once there , they find terrors as great as the Cyclops and the treachery of the magician , but Parisa -- in her tiny state -- also discovers the beautiful world inside the lamp , and the lonely boy genie ( Richard Eyer ) who inhabits it. They strike the bargain that , when Sinbad's bravery is added to the equation , will bring their quest to an end. If , that is , they can all survive the dangers that Sokurah puts in their path.
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Steve McQueen received his only Academy Award nomination for his performance in this epic-scale war drama based on the novel by Richard McKenna. In 1926 as China teeters on the edge of political revolution in the midst of a civil war the USS San Pablo is ordered to patrol the Yangtze River to represent and protect American interests. While the San Pablo may be an American ship much of the labor is actually performed by Chinese locals willing to work for American money while stern but inexperienced commanding officer Captain Collins (Richard Crenna) frequently drills his charges unsure what else to do. A machinist's mate with just under a decade of navy service behind him Jake Holman (Steve McQueen) is assigned to the San Pablo and immediately makes enemies among the crew -- he prefers to do his own work rather than farm it out to others and the one Chinese man who works by his side Po Han (Mako) is treated as an apprentice rather than a servant. Holman also falls in love with an idealistic American missionary (Candice Bergen) while his shipmate Frenchy (Richard Attenborough) falls for a Chinese girl and - with marriage plans in mind - kidnaps her to prevent her from being auctioned off. As Holman's methods and attitudes continue to anger his comrades they find themselves increasingly at odds with the Chinese especially after Frenchy's girlfriend becomes pregnant and Po Han is captured by revolutionary forces and branded a traitor.
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Steve McQueen received his only Academy Award nomination for his performance in this epic - scale war drama , based on the novel by Richard McKenna . In 1926 , as China teeters on the edge of political revolution in the midst of a civil war , the USS San Pablo , is ordered to patrol the Yangtze River to represent and protect American interests. While the San Pablo may be an American ship , much of the labor is actually performed by Chinese locals willing to work for American money , while stern but inexperienced commanding officer Captain Collins ( Richard Crenna ) frequently drills his charges , unsure what else to do. A machinist's mate with just under a decade of navy service behind him , Jake Holman ( Steve McQueen ) is assigned to the San Pablo and immediately makes enemies among the crew -- he prefers to do his own work rather than farm it out to others , and the one Chinese man who works by his side , Po Han ( Mako ), is treated as an apprentice rather than a servant. Holman also falls in love with an idealistic American missionary ( Candice Bergen ), while his shipmate Frenchy ( Richard Attenborough ) falls for a Chinese girl and - with marriage plans in mind - kidnaps her to prevent her from being auctioned off. As Holman's methods and attitudes continue to anger his comrades , they find themselves increasingly at odds with the Chinese , especially after Frenchy's girlfriend becomes pregnant and Po Han is captured by revolutionary forces and branded a traitor.
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Kathleen Turner plays a writer of adventure stories Joan Wilder who has been having trouble selling her works of late because they aren't remotely believable. The basic problem is that the mousy Joan has never had any real adventure in her life. All this changes when she receives a frantic phone call from her sister whose is being held prisoner by evil art dealers in Colombia. It seems that sis has mailed Joan a map leading to a valuable treasure. Nasty but cowardly Ralph (Danny DeVito) cousin of the principal villain (Zack Norman) has been assigned to claim the map from Joan. But upon arriving in Colombia Joan and Ralph learn that others of a more homicidal bent are also after the map. Joan is rescued by soldier of fortune Jack Colton (Michael Douglas) who isn't quite clear about his stake in the proceedings. Jack and Joan undergo several perilous adventures in the wilds of Colombia. The treasure turns out to be a valuable jewel which changes hands (one of them severed!) many times before it is swallowed by an alligator. Joan manages to break free from her pursuers but Jack is presumed dead. Jack returns at the end of the film in Manhattan to surprise Joan. The sequel to Romancing the Stone was 1985's The Jewel of the Nile.
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Kathleen Turner plays a writer of adventure stories , Joan Wilder , who has been having trouble selling her works of late because they aren't remotely believable. The basic problem is that the mousy Joan has never had any real adventure in her life. All this changes when she receives a frantic phone call from her sister , whose is being held prisoner by evil art dealers in Colombia. It seems that sis has mailed Joan a map leading to a valuable treasure. Nasty but cowardly Ralph ( Danny DeVito ), cousin of the principal villain ( Zack Norman ), has been assigned to claim the map from Joan. But upon arriving in Colombia , Joan and Ralph learn that others of a more homicidal bent are also after the map. Joan is rescued by soldier of fortune Jack Colton ( Michael Douglas ), who isn't quite clear about his stake in the proceedings. Jack and Joan undergo several perilous adventures in the wilds of Colombia. The treasure turns out to be a valuable jewel , which changes hands ( one of them severed! ) many times before it is swallowed by an alligator. Joan manages to break free from her pursuers , but Jack is presumed dead. Jack returns at the end of the film in Manhattan to surprise Joan. The sequel to Romancing the Stone was 1985's The Jewel of the Nile .
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Grant (Ralph Bellamy) is a wealthy rancher who hires four mercenaries to retrieve his wife Maria (Claudia Cardinale) from the clutches of the desperado Raza (Jack Palance) in this Western adventure set in 1917. Dolworth (Burt Lancaster) is a munitions expert who joins gunslinger Fardan (Lee Marvin) horse trainer Hans Ehrengard (Robert Ryan) and longbow master Jake (Woody Strode) when the men are offered 10000 dollars apiece for the safe return of Grant's kidnapped wife. The cadre travels 100 miles into Mexico to retrieve the woman whom they later discover wants to remain with Raza but they decide to nab Maria anyway to make good on the money. Soon Fardan Hans and Jake are chased across the border by the enraged Raza and his equally deadly female accomplice Chiquita (Marie Gomez) while Dolworth stays behind to fight off Raza's Mexican banditos. The film received Academy Award nominations for Best Direction (Richard Brooks) Best Screenplay (Brooks again) and Best Cinematography (Conrad L. Hall).
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Grant ( Ralph Bellamy ) is a wealthy rancher who hires four mercenaries to retrieve his wife , Maria ( Claudia Cardinale ), from the clutches of the desperado Raza ( Jack Palance ) in this Western adventure set in 1917. Dolworth ( Burt Lancaster ) is a munitions expert who joins gunslinger Fardan ( Lee Marvin ), horse trainer Hans Ehrengard ( Robert Ryan ), and longbow master Jake ( Woody Strode ) when the men are offered 10 , 000 dollars apiece for the safe return of Grant's kidnapped wife. The cadre travels 100 miles into Mexico to retrieve the woman , whom they later discover wants to remain with Raza , but they decide to nab Maria anyway to make good on the money. Soon Fardan , Hans , and Jake are chased across the border by the enraged Raza and his equally deadly female accomplice Chiquita ( Marie Gomez ), while Dolworth stays behind to fight off Raza's Mexican banditos. The film received Academy Award nominations for Best Direction ( Richard Brooks ), Best Screenplay ( Brooks again ), and Best Cinematography ( Conrad L. Hall ) .
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The wolves of the Arctic Circle and its environs the stunning beauty of a Northern winter a biologist who braves it all to record the lives of the wolves and Inuits who save the biologist's hide and share their own wisdom openly are all winners in this film that is a tribute to the skills of writer and director Carroll Ballard (The Black Stallion). Based on Farley Mowat's autobiographical novel of the same name Tyler (Charles Martin Smith) is a normal biologist until he gets up into the Arctic winter in order to prove that the caribou herds are not being decimated by wolves; then he becomes a semi-klutz unable to instinctively adapt to the deep freeze around him. After he sets up his first stake-out a native Inuit named Oolek (Zachary Ittimangnaq) comes along to help him out and gets him better established in an isolated hut where Tyler is left to fend for himself again. That he does but not because he can see in advance what his needs or problems are going to be -- he just comes up against the worst when it happens and works from there. At the same time Tyler gets to carefully and closely observe a wolf family he has already dubbed as George Angeline and the three pups and he has several comic interactions with his distant "pets." Oolek and his friend Mike (Samson Jorah) drop by to keep Tyler company for awhile sharing their observations on nature and life in an easy-going non-committal manner. With Tyler's perseverance and the knowledge gained from experience and through these conversations the real culprit in the decimation of the caribou turns out not to have four legs at all.
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The wolves of the Arctic Circle and its environs , the stunning beauty of a Northern winter , a biologist who braves it all to record the lives of the wolves , and Inuits who save the biologist's hide and share their own wisdom openly are all winners in this film that is a tribute to the skills of writer and director Carroll Ballard ( The Black Stallion ) . Based on Farley Mowat's autobiographical novel of the same name , Tyler ( Charles Martin Smith ) is a normal biologist until he gets up into the Arctic winter in order to prove that the caribou herds are not being decimated by wolves ; then he becomes a semi - klutz , unable to instinctively adapt to the deep freeze around him. After he sets up his first stake - out , a native Inuit named Oolek ( Zachary Ittimangnaq ) comes along to help him out and gets him better established in an isolated hut , where Tyler is left to fend for himself again. That he does , but not because he can see in advance what his needs or problems are going to be -- he just comes up against the worst when it happens and works from there. At the same time , Tyler gets to carefully and closely observe a wolf family he has already dubbed as George , Angeline , and the three pups , and he has several comic interactions with his distant "pets." Oolek and his friend Mike ( Samson Jorah ) drop by to keep Tyler company for awhile , sharing their observations on nature and life in an easy - going , non - committal manner. With Tyler's perseverance and the knowledge gained from experience and through these conversations , the real culprit in the decimation of the caribou turns out not to have four legs at all.
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The Man Who Would Be King opens with author Rudyard Kipling (Christopher Plummer) working in his study. His solitude is broken by the arrival of a tattered half-mad derelict who is soon revealed to be his old acquaintance Peachy Carnahan (Michael Caine). As Kipling listens in rapt fascination Peachy relates the incredible adventures of himself and his partner-in-chicanery Daniel Dravot (Sean Connery). Con men Carnahan and Dravot have masterminded all sorts of underhanded money-making schemes the most elaborate of which takes them to a remote city in the hills of eastern Afghanistan. Here through methods both foul and fair Daniel passes himself off as the incarnation of Alexander the Great the better to lay his hands on the vast riches all around him. Unfortunately Daniel begins to believe his own lies and the results are disastrous for both himself and Peachy. Inadvertently exposing Daniel's scheme is his native wife played by Shakira Caine (Michael Caine's real-life wife).
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The Man Who Would Be King opens with author Rudyard Kipling ( Christopher Plummer ) working in his study. His solitude is broken by the arrival of a tattered , half - mad derelict , who is soon revealed to be his old acquaintance Peachy Carnahan ( Michael Caine ) . As Kipling listens in rapt fascination , Peachy relates the incredible adventures of himself and his partner - in - chicanery Daniel Dravot ( Sean Connery ) . Con men Carnahan and Dravot have masterminded all sorts of underhanded money - making schemes , the most elaborate of which takes them to a remote city in the hills of eastern Afghanistan. Here , through methods both foul and fair , Daniel passes himself off as the incarnation of Alexander the Great , the better to lay his hands on the vast riches all around him. Unfortunately , Daniel begins to believe his own lies , and the results are disastrous for both himself and Peachy. Inadvertently exposing Daniel's scheme is his native wife , played by Shakira Caine ( Michael Caine 's real - life wife ) .
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Director Michael Mann based this lushly romantic version of the James Fenimore Cooper novel more on his memory of the 1936 film version (starring Randolph Scott) than on Cooper's novel (in fact Philip Dunne's 1936 screenplay is cited as source material for this film). Set in the 1750s during the French and Indian War the story concerns Hawkeye (Daniel Day-Lewis) the European-born adopted son of Mohican scout Chingachgook (Russell Means). Hawkeye and his party which also includes the Mohican Uncas (Eric Schweig) joins up with a group of Britons who have recently arrived in the Colonies. The group consists of Cora Munro (Madeleine Stowe) and her younger sister Alice (Jodhi May) who are rescued from a Huron war party by Hawkeye. Hawkeye's band accompanies them to the British Fort William Henry which is being besieged by a French and Huron force. The fort falls to the French and Colonel Munro (Maurice Roeves) surrenders to French General Montcalm (Patrice Chéreau). The terms of the surrender are that the British merely abandon the fort and return to their homes. However the French's bloodthirsty ally the Huron warrior Magua (Wes Studi) has made no such agreement and as the British retreat from the fort he plans to massacre them in a terrible Huron attack.
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Director Michael Mann based this lushly romantic version of the James Fenimore Cooper novel more on his memory of the 1936 film version ( starring Randolph Scott ) than on Cooper 's novel ( in fact , Philip Dunne 's 1936 screenplay is cited as source material for this film ) . Set in the 1750s during the French and Indian War , the story concerns Hawkeye ( Daniel Day - Lewis ), the European - born adopted son of Mohican scout Chingachgook ( Russell Means ) . Hawkeye and his party , which also includes the Mohican Uncas ( Eric Schweig ), joins up with a group of Britons who have recently arrived in the Colonies. The group consists of Cora Munro ( Madeleine Stowe ) and her younger sister , Alice ( Jodhi May ), who are rescued from a Huron war party by Hawkeye. Hawkeye's band accompanies them to the British Fort William Henry , which is being besieged by a French and Huron force. The fort falls to the French , and Colonel Munro ( Maurice Roeves ) surrenders to French General Montcalm ( Patrice Chéreau ) . The terms of the surrender are that the British merely abandon the fort and return to their homes. However , the French's bloodthirsty ally , the Huron warrior Magua ( Wes Studi ), has made no such agreement , and , as the British retreat from the fort , he plans to massacre them in a terrible Huron attack.
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The final animated feature produced under the supervision of Walt Disney is a lively neo-swing musical loosely based upon the tales of Rudyard Kipling. The story takes place in a tropical jungle where people are conspicuously absent. But one day Bagheera the Panther (voice of Sebastian Cabot) discovers a baby in the wreck of a boat. Feeling pity on the child Bagheera takes him to be raised with the wolves. Ten years later the child has grown into Mowgli (voice of Bruce Reitherman). Mowgli discovers that his life is in danger because of the return to the area of Shere Khan the Tiger (voice of George Sanders) whose hatred of humans is such that Mowgli faces certain death if discovered. Bagheera agrees to transport Mowgli to the human village where he will be safe from Shere Khan. Along the way to the village night falls and Mowgli and Bagheera almost succumb to the man-eating snake Kaa (voice of Sterling Holloway). Escaping Kaa's coils they run into the lock-step military elephant band of Colonel Hathi (voice of J. Pat O'Malley). Afterwards Mowgli who doesn't want to be sent to the human village runs away from Bagheera and meets up with the fun-loving Baloo the Bear (voice of Phil Harrris). With both Bagheera and Baloo to protect him Mowgli is saved from several more life-threatening situations -- including a barber-shop quartet of vultures the crazed King Louie of the Apes (voice of Louis Prima) and Shere Khan himself -- before making it to the village of humans.
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The final animated feature produced under the supervision of Walt Disney is a lively neo - swing musical , loosely based upon the tales of Rudyard Kipling . The story takes place in a tropical jungle where people are conspicuously absent. But one day Bagheera the Panther ( voice of Sebastian Cabot ) discovers a baby in the wreck of a boat. Feeling pity on the child , Bagheera takes him to be raised with the wolves. Ten years later , the child has grown into Mowgli ( voice of Bruce Reitherman ) . Mowgli discovers that his life is in danger because of the return to the area of Shere Khan the Tiger ( voice of George Sanders ), whose hatred of humans is such that Mowgli faces certain death if discovered. Bagheera agrees to transport Mowgli to the human village , where he will be safe from Shere Khan. Along the way to the village , night falls and Mowgli and Bagheera almost succumb to the man - eating snake Kaa ( voice of Sterling Holloway ) . Escaping Kaa's coils , they run into the lock - step military elephant band of Colonel Hathi ( voice of J. Pat O'Malley ) . Afterwards , Mowgli , who doesn't want to be sent to the human village , runs away from Bagheera and meets up with the fun - loving Baloo the Bear ( voice of Phil Harrris ) . With both Bagheera and Baloo to protect him , Mowgli is saved from several more life - threatening situations -- including a barber - shop quartet of vultures , the crazed King Louie of the Apes ( voice of Louis Prima ), and Shere Khan himself -- before making it to the village of humans.
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This comic interpretation of Alexandre Dumas's classic adventure saga picks up where 1974's The Three Musketeers left off as D'Artagnan (Michael York) Athos (Oliver Reed) Aramis (Richard Chamberlain) and Porthos (Frank Finlay) scuttle the plans of Lady de Winter (Faye Dunaway) to remove Queen Anne (Geraldine Chaplin) from the seat of power. De Winter is determined to get revenge against the Musketeers and when she learns that D'Artagnan is infatuated with the lovely Constance (Raquel Welch) she first tries to foil their romance by seducing D'Artagnan herself and then by persuading Rochefort (Christopher Lee) to kidnap Constance. She then engineers the assassination of the Duke of Buckingham (Simon Ward) a close friend of D'Artagnan; when word of the Duke's death and Constance's imprisonment reaches D'Artagnan and his comrades the foursome ride off to rescue the fair lady and see that justice is done against de Winter. The Four Musketeers was filmed concurrently with The Three Musketeers; it was originally intended to be one film but when director Richard Lester realized the movie would be over three and a half hours long the decision was made to release it as two separate features instead. This led to lawsuits filed by several of the stars claiming that they were hired under false pretenses and entitled to be paid for making two films rather than one. The actors won their case but their settlement was significantly less than the salary they hoped to receive.
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This comic interpretation of Alexandre Dumas's classic adventure saga picks up where 1974's The Three Musketeers left off , as D'Artagnan ( Michael York ), Athos ( Oliver Reed ), Aramis ( Richard Chamberlain ), and Porthos ( Frank Finlay ) scuttle the plans of Lady de Winter ( Faye Dunaway ) to remove Queen Anne ( Geraldine Chaplin ) from the seat of power. De Winter is determined to get revenge against the Musketeers , and when she learns that D'Artagnan is infatuated with the lovely Constance ( Raquel Welch ), she first tries to foil their romance by seducing D'Artagnan herself , and then by persuading Rochefort ( Christopher Lee ) to kidnap Constance. She then engineers the assassination of the Duke of Buckingham ( Simon Ward ), a close friend of D'Artagnan ; when word of the Duke's death and Constance's imprisonment reaches D'Artagnan and his comrades , the foursome ride off to rescue the fair lady and see that justice is done against de Winter. The Four Musketeers was filmed concurrently with The Three Musketeers ; it was originally intended to be one film , but when director Richard Lester realized the movie would be over three and a half hours long , the decision was made to release it as two separate features instead. This led to lawsuits filed by several of the stars , claiming that they were hired under false pretenses and entitled to be paid for making two films rather than one. The actors won their case , but their settlement was significantly less than the salary they hoped to receive.
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Though the story told in Robin and Marian is unfamiliar to most audiences it is actually quite faithful to several of the ancient Robin Hood legends. During the Crusades Robin (Sean Connery) is still loyal to King Richard the Lionheart (Richard Harris) but even he has trouble adjusting to the monarch's ever-increasing paranoia and lunacy. After Richard's death Robin returns to England his first visit to his home turf in 20 years. He looks up his beloved Maid Marian (Audrey Hepburn last seen in 1967's Wait Until Dark) who is now a middle-aged nun. No sooner do Robin and Marian renew their relationship than the aging Merry Men demand Robin's services in thwarting their old foe the Sheriff of Nottingham (Robert Shaw). Marian is aghast that the long-standing feud between Robin and the sheriff threatens to expand into wholesale bloodshed. The two venerable enemies agree to one last mano a mano battle -- only to watch helplessly as the all-out war they'd tried to avoid commences anyway. Both the tragic climax and Robin's last defiant arrow shot are drawn directly from authentic Robin Hood ballads of the 14th and 15th centuries.
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Though the story told in Robin and Marian is unfamiliar to most audiences , it is actually quite faithful to several of the ancient Robin Hood legends. During the Crusades , Robin ( Sean Connery ) is still loyal to King Richard the Lionheart ( Richard Harris ), but even he has trouble adjusting to the monarch's ever - increasing paranoia and lunacy. After Richard's death , Robin returns to England , his first visit to his home turf in 20 years. He looks up his beloved Maid Marian ( Audrey Hepburn , last seen in 1967's Wait Until Dark ), who is now a middle - aged nun. No sooner do Robin and Marian renew their relationship than the aging Merry Men demand Robin's services in thwarting their old foe , the Sheriff of Nottingham ( Robert Shaw ) . Marian is aghast that the long - standing feud between Robin and the sheriff threatens to expand into wholesale bloodshed. The two venerable enemies agree to one last mano a mano battle -- only to watch helplessly as the all - out war they'd tried to avoid commences anyway. Both the tragic climax and Robin's last , defiant arrow shot are drawn directly from authentic Robin Hood ballads of the 14th and 15th centuries.
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Quest for Fire takes place some 80000 years in the past. A primitive homo sapiens tribe huddles around a natural fire source for comfort and survival. When that source is extinguished tribesmen Naoh (Everett McGill) Amoukar (Ron Perlman) and Gaw (Nameer El-Kadi) are sent out on a "quest for fire." After several days of wandering through the prehistoric landscape (the film was shot in Canada Scotland Iceland and Kenya) the three come across a cannibal tribe that knows how to produce fire; they save a young girl Ika (Rae Dawn Chong) from the clutches of the cannibals with the hope that she'll reveal the secret. Based on a novel by J. H. Rosny Sr. Quest for Fire convincingly creates the world of the past and believably molds its characters within the context of their surroundings and their limited knowledge of the world. The credibility factor is aided by technical consultants Desmond Morris and Anthony Burgess who respectively developed a set of gestures and a simplistic language for the Ulams and Ivakas. An Oscar went to John Hay and Penny Rose's costume design.
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Quest for Fire takes place some 80 , 000 years in the past. A primitive homo sapiens tribe huddles around a natural fire source for comfort and survival. When that source is extinguished , tribesmen Naoh ( Everett McGill ), Amoukar ( Ron Perlman ), and Gaw ( Nameer El - Kadi ) are sent out on a "quest for fire." After several days of wandering through the prehistoric landscape ( the film was shot in Canada , Scotland , Iceland , and Kenya ), the three come across a cannibal tribe that knows how to produce fire ; they save a young girl , Ika ( Rae Dawn Chong ), from the clutches of the cannibals , with the hope that she'll reveal the secret. Based on a novel by J. H. Rosny Sr. , Quest for Fire convincingly creates the world of the past and believably molds its characters within the context of their surroundings and their limited knowledge of the world. The credibility factor is aided by technical consultants Desmond Morris and Anthony Burgess , who respectively developed a set of gestures and a simplistic language for the Ulams and Ivakas. An Oscar went to John Hay and Penny Rose 's costume design.
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Director Bob Rafelson fulfilled a lifelong dream when he finally received backing to complete Mountains of the Moon. The film recreates the exploratory adventures of 19th century visionaries Sir Richard Burton (Patrick Bergin) and John Henning Speke (Iain Glen). The heart of the film is the effort by Burton and Speke to discover the true source of the Nile river. This occurs well into the film after several torturous scenes involving the injuries sustained by the protagonists during other expeditions and their growing friendship (which the film intimates goes far beyond friendship). Rafaelson's fascination with this story and his insistence upon painstaking historical accuracy unfortunately compromises his ability to make an interesting film. There are so many starts and stops during the first half that we sincerely hope Burton and Speke will chuck it all and set up a pub in Bristol or something. What saves Mountains of the Moon is the rapport between its stars and the brilliant epic-like cinematography of Roger Deakins.
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Director Bob Rafelson fulfilled a lifelong dream when he finally received backing to complete Mountains of the Moon. The film recreates the exploratory adventures of 19th century visionaries Sir Richard Burton ( Patrick Bergin ) and John Henning Speke ( Iain Glen ) . The heart of the film is the effort by Burton and Speke to discover the true source of the Nile river. This occurs well into the film , after several torturous scenes involving the injuries sustained by the protagonists during other expeditions and their growing friendship ( which , the film intimates , goes far beyond friendship ) . Rafaelson's fascination with this story , and his insistence upon painstaking historical accuracy , unfortunately compromises his ability to make an interesting film. There are so many starts and stops during the first half that we sincerely hope Burton and Speke will chuck it all and set up a pub in Bristol or something. What saves Mountains of the Moon is the rapport between its stars and the brilliant , epic - like cinematography of Roger Deakins .
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Harrison Ford delivers one of his most-acclaimed performances in Peter Weir's adaptation of Paul Theroux's novel (scripted by Paul Schrader). Ford plays Allie Fox an inventor embittered by the blighted landscape of the contemporary United States. As he tells his oldest son Charlie (River Phoenix) "Look around you. It's a toilet." He moves his wife (Helen Mirren) and kids -- Charlie Jerry (Jadrien Steele) April (Hilary Gordon) and Clover (Rebecca Gordon) -- to the rain forests of Central America where he plans to create a new civilization starting with his own nuclear family. Allie's family compliantly goes along with his scheme to build a free society but slowly notices that his obsession has turned him into a tyrannical fascist. Rather than create a utopia Allie's driving egomania demands total subservience from his downtrodden brood.
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Harrison Ford delivers one of his most - acclaimed performances in Peter Weir 's adaptation of Paul Theroux 's novel ( scripted by Paul Schrader ) . Ford plays Allie Fox , an inventor embittered by the blighted landscape of the contemporary United States. As he tells his oldest son , Charlie ( River Phoenix ), "Look around you. It's a toilet." He moves his wife ( Helen Mirren ) and kids -- Charlie , Jerry ( Jadrien Steele ), April ( Hilary Gordon ), and Clover ( Rebecca Gordon ) -- to the rain forests of Central America , where he plans to create a new civilization starting with his own nuclear family. Allie's family compliantly goes along with his scheme to build a free society , but slowly notices that his obsession has turned him into a tyrannical fascist. Rather than create a utopia , Allie's driving egomania demands total subservience from his downtrodden brood.
0198
In medieval France knight Rutger Hauer and lady fair Michelle Pfeiffer both run afoul of evil-bishop John Wood. Through the auspices of bishop's confessor Leo McKern Hauer and Pfeiffer are placed under a curse. During the night Hauer takes the form of a wolf while Pfeiffer assumes the form of a hawk by day. The two lovers can only meet one another as humans at dawn and dusk. The only mortal in a position to rescue Hauer and Pfeiffer from their fate is nebbishy pickpocket Matthew Broderick who acts as liaison between the lovers. With the help of the guilt-ridden McKern--and a convenient solar eclipse--Broderick endeavors to set things aright.
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In medieval France , knight Rutger Hauer and lady fair Michelle Pfeiffer both run afoul of evil - bishop John Wood . Through the auspices of bishop's confessor Leo McKern , Hauer and Pfeiffer are placed under a curse. During the night , Hauer takes the form of a wolf , while Pfeiffer assumes the form of a hawk by day. The two lovers can only meet one another as humans at dawn and dusk. The only mortal in a position to rescue Hauer and Pfeiffer from their fate is nebbishy pickpocket Matthew Broderick , who acts as liaison between the lovers. With the help of the guilt - ridden McKern -- and a convenient solar eclipse -- Broderick endeavors to set things aright.
0199
The second of the George Lucas/Steven Spielberg Indiana Jones epics is set a year or so before the events in Raiders of the Lost Ark (1984). After a brief brouhaha involving a precious vial and a wild ride down a raging Himalyan river Indy (Harrison Ford) gets down to the problem at hand: retrieving a precious gem and several kidnapped young boys on behalf of a remote East Indian village. His companions this time around include a dimbulbed easily frightened nightclub chanteuse (Kate Capshaw) and a feisty 12-year-old kid named Short Round (Quan Ke Huy). Throughout the plot takes second place to the thrills which include a harrowing rollercoaster ride in an abandoned mineshaft and Indy's rescue of the heroine from a ritual sacrifice. There are also a couple of cute references to Raiders of the Lost Ark notably a funny variation of Indy's shooting of the Sherpa warrior.
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The second of the George Lucas / Steven Spielberg Indiana Jones epics is set a year or so before the events in Raiders of the Lost Ark ( 1984 ) . After a brief brouhaha involving a precious vial and a wild ride down a raging Himalyan river , Indy ( Harrison Ford ) gets down to the problem at hand : retrieving a precious gem and several kidnapped young boys on behalf of a remote East Indian village. His companions this time around include a dimbulbed , easily frightened nightclub chanteuse ( Kate Capshaw ), and a feisty 12 - year - old kid named Short Round ( Quan Ke Huy ) . Throughout , the plot takes second place to the thrills , which include a harrowing rollercoaster ride in an abandoned mineshaft and Indy's rescue of the heroine from a ritual sacrifice. There are also a couple of cute references to Raiders of the Lost Ark , notably a funny variation of Indy's shooting of the Sherpa warrior.
0200
The third installment in the widely beloved Spielberg/Lucas Indiana Jones saga begins with an introduction to a younger Indy (played by the late River Phoenix) who through a fast-paced prologue gives the audience insight into the roots of his taste for adventure fear of snakes and dogged determination to take historical artifacts out of the hands of bad guys and into the museums in which they belong. A grown-up Indy (Harrison Ford) reveals himself shortly afterward in a familiar classroom scene teaching archeology to a disproportionate number of starry-eyed female college students in 1938. Once again however Mr. Jones is drawn away from his day job after an art collector (Julian Glover) approaches him with a proposition to find the much sought after Holy Grail. Circumstances reveal that there was another avid archeologist in search of the famed cup -- Indiana Jones' father Dr. Henry Jones (Sean Connery) -- who had recently disappeared during his efforts. The junior and senior members of the Jones family find themselves in a series of tough situations in locales ranging from Venice to the most treacherous spots in the Middle East. Complicating the situation further is the presence of Elsa (Alison Doody) a beautiful and intelligent woman with one fatal flaw: she's an undercover Nazi agent. The search for the grail is a dangerous quest and its discovery may prove fatal to those who seek it for personal gain. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade earned a then record-breaking $50 million in its first week of release.
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The third installment in the widely beloved Spielberg / Lucas Indiana Jones saga begins with an introduction to a younger Indy ( played by the late River Phoenix ), who , through a fast - paced prologue , gives the audience insight into the roots of his taste for adventure , fear of snakes , and dogged determination to take historical artifacts out of the hands of bad guys and into the museums in which they belong. A grown - up Indy ( Harrison Ford ) reveals himself shortly afterward in a familiar classroom scene , teaching archeology to a disproportionate number of starry - eyed female college students in 1938. Once again , however , Mr. Jones is drawn away from his day job after an art collector ( Julian Glover ) approaches him with a proposition to find the much sought after Holy Grail. Circumstances reveal that there was another avid archeologist in search of the famed cup -- Indiana Jones' father , Dr. Henry Jones ( Sean Connery ) -- who had recently disappeared during his efforts. The junior and senior members of the Jones family find themselves in a series of tough situations in locales ranging from Venice to the most treacherous spots in the Middle East. Complicating the situation further is the presence of Elsa ( Alison Doody ), a beautiful and intelligent woman with one fatal flaw : she's an undercover Nazi agent. The search for the grail is a dangerous quest , and its discovery may prove fatal to those who seek it for personal gain. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade earned a then record - breaking $50 million in its first week of release.
0201
Filmed in Canada as a joint project involving Walt Disney studios and Calgary Ltd. The Incredible Journey stars a cat named Tao and two dogs named Bodger and Luath. When their family goes on vacation the animals are left in charge of family friend Emile Genest. Genest goes off to hunt for a couple of days but fails to inform the animals of this; as a result Tao Bodger and Luath embark upon a 250 mile journey to be reunited with their owners. Superbly photographed and cleverly assembled Incredible Journey strikes a happy medium between its fictional plotline and Disney's "True Life Adventure" approach to the animal scenes. The film would be remade in 1993 as Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey.
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Filmed in Canada as a joint project involving Walt Disney studios and Calgary Ltd. , The Incredible Journey stars a cat named Tao and two dogs named Bodger and Luath. When their family goes on vacation , the animals are left in charge of family friend Emile Genest . Genest goes off to hunt for a couple of days , but fails to inform the animals of this ; as a result , Tao , Bodger and Luath embark upon a 250 mile journey to be reunited with their owners. Superbly photographed and cleverly assembled , Incredible Journey strikes a happy medium between its fictional plotline and Disney's "True Life Adventure" approach to the animal scenes. The film would be remade in 1993 as Homeward Bound : The Incredible Journey.
0202
Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan Lord of the Apes is a reverent retelling of the Edgar Rice Burroughs original with a 1980s-sensibilities slant. Shipwrecked on the coast of Africa Lord Jack Clayton (Paul Geoffrey) and his pregnant wife Lady Alice (Cheryl Campbell) attempt to survive in the hostile environment but both die shortly after the birth of their son John. Abandoned in the wilderness the orphaned John is adopted by a family of rather highly evolved apes and raised as one of their own. Years later John-now known as Tarzan and now played by Christopher Lambert-comes across a party of white hunters. Rescuing one of the intruders Belgian Captain Phillipe D'Arnot (Ian Holm) from a horrible death Tarzan is taught to speak English by the grateful D'Arnot. Coming across the remains and possessions of Tarzan's parents D'Arnot discovers that the Lord of the Jungle is actually the Earl of Greystoke. Brought back to England Tarzan is introduced to society where his crude apelike manners offend everyone--except the likeable (and painfully senile) 6th Lord of Greystoke (Ralph Richardson in his final film role) and Greystoke's American ward Jane Porter (Andie McDowell whose Southern-fried voice is dubbed by Glenn Close). Disturbed at the notion of Tarzan's inheriting Greystoke manner his more greedy relatives begin plotting against him. But it is Tarzan himself who decides that he cannot adapt himself to England-especially after a painful reunion with his ape foster father imprisoned in a science-lab cage.
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Greystoke : The Legend of Tarzan , Lord of the Apes is a reverent retelling of the Edgar Rice Burroughs original , with a 1980s - sensibilities slant. Shipwrecked on the coast of Africa , Lord Jack Clayton ( Paul Geoffrey ) and his pregnant wife Lady Alice ( Cheryl Campbell ) attempt to survive in the hostile environment , but both die shortly after the birth of their son John. Abandoned in the wilderness , the orphaned John is adopted by a family of rather highly evolved apes , and raised as one of their own. Years later , John - now known as Tarzan , and now played by Christopher Lambert - comes across a party of white hunters. Rescuing one of the intruders , Belgian Captain Phillipe D'Arnot ( Ian Holm ) from a horrible death , Tarzan is taught to speak English by the grateful D'Arnot. Coming across the remains and possessions of Tarzan's parents , D'Arnot discovers that the Lord of the Jungle is actually the Earl of Greystoke. Brought back to England , Tarzan is introduced to society , where his crude , apelike manners offend everyone -- except the likeable ( and painfully senile ) 6th Lord of Greystoke ( Ralph Richardson , in his final film role ) and Greystoke's American ward , Jane Porter ( Andie McDowell , whose Southern - fried voice is dubbed by Glenn Close ) . Disturbed at the notion of Tarzan's inheriting Greystoke manner , his more greedy relatives begin plotting against him. But it is Tarzan himself who decides that he cannot adapt himself to England - especially after a painful reunion with his ape foster father , imprisoned in a science - lab cage.
0203
Robert Redford plays Waldo Pepper a former World War I pilot who exaggerates his accomplishments in order to impress the rabble. After a brief rivalry with air-show entrepreneur Axel Olsson (Bo Svenson) Pepper teams with Axel to barnstorm all over the Midwest; later after a series of unexpected (and calamitous) events Pepper gets a job as a movie stunt pilot. On the set he meets the film's technical advisor: former German ace Ernst Kessler (Bo Brundin) a man whom Pepper has been claiming falsely to have fought during the war thereby advancing his own reputation. He is as disillusioned with civilian life as Pepper is and ignoring the entreaties of the film's director stages a genuine dogfight (sans live ammo) with his old "opponent." The Great Waldo Pepper represented the third filmic collaboration between star Robert Redford and director George Roy Hill.
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Robert Redford plays Waldo Pepper , a former World War I pilot who exaggerates his accomplishments in order to impress the rabble. After a brief rivalry with air - show entrepreneur Axel Olsson ( Bo Svenson ), Pepper teams with Axel to barnstorm all over the Midwest ; later , after a series of unexpected ( and calamitous ) events , Pepper gets a job as a movie stunt pilot. On the set , he meets the film's technical advisor : former German ace Ernst Kessler ( Bo Brundin ), a man whom Pepper has been claiming falsely to have fought during the war , thereby advancing his own reputation. He is as disillusioned with civilian life as Pepper is , and ignoring the entreaties of the film's director , stages a genuine dogfight ( sans live ammo ) with his old "opponent." The Great Waldo Pepper represented the third filmic collaboration between star Robert Redford and director George Roy Hill .
0204
This 1954 Disney version of Jules Verne's 20000 Leagues Under the Sea represented the studio's costliest and most elaborate American-filmed effort to date. Kirk Douglas plays a trouble-shooting 19th century seaman trying to discover why so many whaling ships have been disappearing of late. Teaming with scientist Paul Lukas and diver Peter Lorre Douglas sets sail to investigate--and is promptly captured by the megalomaniac Captain Nemo (James Mason) who skippers a lavish scientifically advanced submarine. The film's special effects including a giant squid were impressive enough in 1954 to win an Academy Award.
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This 1954 Disney version of Jules Verne 's 20 , 000 Leagues Under the Sea represented the studio's costliest and most elaborate American - filmed effort to date. Kirk Douglas plays a trouble - shooting 19th century seaman , trying to discover why so many whaling ships have been disappearing of late. Teaming with scientist Paul Lukas and diver Peter Lorre , Douglas sets sail to investigate -- and is promptly captured by the megalomaniac Captain Nemo ( James Mason ), who skippers a lavish , scientifically advanced submarine. The film's special effects , including a giant squid , were impressive enough in 1954 to win an Academy Award.
0205
Loosely adapted from the classic 1932 horror film starring Boris Karloff The Mummy is set in Egypt where over 3000 years ago the high priest Imhotep (played by Arnold Vosloo) was given the all-important assignment of preparing the recently dead for their journey into the afterlife. However Imhotep made one terrible mistake - he became smitten with Anck-Su-Namun the mistress of the Pharaoh himself. Driven mad by jealousy and love Imhotep murdered the Pharaoh and his punishment was to be buried alive and suffer the torment of an eternal life in his wretched tomb. In 1925 a band of adventurers seeking fame and fortune - led by Rick O'Connel (Brendan Fraser) an American expatriate who has joined the foreign legion and Evelyn Carnarvon (Rachel Weisz) an amateur archeologist - find a previously unknown burial site in Egypt. The team starts to dig hoping to find lost riches but instead they disturb the tomb of Imhotep and soon the cursed priest rises from his grave to wreck vengeance on humanity. The Mummy was written and directed by Stephen Sommers whose previous cinematic journeys into the past include The Jungle Book and The Adventures Of Huck Finn.
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Loosely adapted from the classic 1932 horror film starring Boris Karloff , The Mummy is set in Egypt , where over 3 , 000 years ago the high priest Imhotep ( played by Arnold Vosloo ) was given the all - important assignment of preparing the recently dead for their journey into the afterlife. However , Imhotep made one terrible mistake - he became smitten with Anck - Su - Namun , the mistress of the Pharaoh himself. Driven mad by jealousy and love , Imhotep murdered the Pharaoh , and his punishment was to be buried alive and suffer the torment of an eternal life in his wretched tomb. In 1925 , a band of adventurers seeking fame and fortune - led by Rick O'Connel ( Brendan Fraser ), an American expatriate who has joined the foreign legion , and Evelyn Carnarvon ( Rachel Weisz ), an amateur archeologist - find a previously unknown burial site in Egypt. The team starts to dig , hoping to find lost riches , but instead they disturb the tomb of Imhotep , and soon the cursed priest rises from his grave to wreck vengeance on humanity. The Mummy was written and directed by Stephen Sommers , whose previous cinematic journeys into the past include The Jungle Book and The Adventures Of Huck Finn .
0206
In this cartoonish live-action martial arts feature three female super-heroes battle the forces of evil in the form of a woman who has hatched a plot to create China's next ruler. Over the years she has stolen over a dozen children from their families. She hopes to raise them in a way that will make them into ruthless supermen. Among other things the children are "hardened" by feeding them with human flesh. Thief-Catcher Invisible Woman and Wonder Women use their incomparable kung-fu skills to battle their nemesis and even some of the more seriously ruined children in order to protect the world from being taken over by them. Along the way two of the women discover that they are sisters who were separated as infants. The film contains some scenes showing cruelty and violence being handed out to infants and children and these may be distasteful for many. Viewers should also note that the Wonder Woman in this film is not based on the American comic-book character portrayed by Lynda Carter but is a home-grown Chinese invention.
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In this cartoonish live - action martial arts feature , three female super - heroes battle the forces of evil in the form of a woman who has hatched a plot to create China's next ruler. Over the years , she has stolen over a dozen children from their families. She hopes to raise them in a way that will make them into ruthless supermen. Among other things , the children are "hardened" by feeding them with human flesh. Thief - Catcher , Invisible Woman , and Wonder Women use their incomparable kung - fu skills to battle their nemesis and even some of the more seriously ruined children in order to protect the world from being taken over by them. Along the way , two of the women discover that they are sisters who were separated as infants. The film contains some scenes showing cruelty and violence being handed out to infants and children , and these may be distasteful for many. Viewers should also note that the Wonder Woman in this film is not based on the American comic - book character portrayed by Lynda Carter , but is a home - grown Chinese invention.
0207
illionaire Charles Morse (Anthony Hopkins) accompanies his much-younger wife Mickey (Elle Macpherson) and a fashion photography team headed by Bob Green (Alec Baldwin) to a remote lodge in Alaska. Charles is a quiet introspective man fond of accumulating trivia and other facts in his encyclopedic mind; he is also troubled with the idea that Bob and Mickey may be lovers. Even though he suspects the younger man plans to kill him Charles goes with Bob and his assistant Stephen (Harold Perrineau) on an airplane trip to find a photogenic friend (Gordon Tootoosis) of the lodge owner (L.Q. Jones) but the plane crashes in a lake killing the pilot. The crash is miles from their planned path so they can't expect to be spotted by an aerial search; there's only one chance: they have to walk to a more likely spot.Though Robert and Stephan are more physically fit Charles' calm wit and ingenuity proves the key to their survival especially after a ferocious bear brutally kills Stephen. Robert and Charles' odyssey becomes more urgent when they discover that the bear is now stalking them.
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Billionaire Charles Morse ( Anthony Hopkins ) accompanies his much - younger wife Mickey ( Elle Macpherson ) and a fashion photography team headed by Bob Green ( Alec Baldwin ) to a remote lodge in Alaska. Charles is a quiet , introspective man , fond of accumulating trivia and other facts in his encyclopedic mind ; he is also troubled with the idea that Bob and Mickey may be lovers. Even though he suspects the younger man plans to kill him , Charles goes with Bob and his assistant Stephen ( Harold Perrineau ) on an airplane trip to find a photogenic friend ( Gordon Tootoosis ) of the lodge owner ( L.Q. Jones ), but the plane crashes in a lake , killing the pilot. The crash is miles from their planned path , so they can't expect to be spotted by an aerial search ; there's only one chance : they have to walk to a more likely spot.Though Robert and Stephan are more physically fit , Charles' calm wit and ingenuity proves the key to their survival , especially after a ferocious bear brutally kills Stephen. Robert and Charles' odyssey becomes more urgent when they discover that the bear is now stalking them.
0208
Old Smokey develops a bad temper in this volcanic disaster spectacle. Harry Dalton (Pierce Brosnan) is a volcano expert whose interest became more than academic after he lost the woman he loved in a volcanic emergency. When he is sent to investigate unusual seismic activity in the quiet Pacific Northwest community of Dante's Peak he discovers people boiled to death in the local hot spring and plant and animal life dying or displaying unusual illnesses near the city's supposedly dormant volcano. Harry becomes convinced that a major volcanic catastrophe is in the cards. Rachel Wando (Linda Hamilton) the town's mayor is a single mother who also runs the local cafe and now that Dante's Peak has been named one of the most desirable small towns in America tourists have been flocking to the diner and other local businesses. While concerned with the safety of her community Rachel takes a cynical view of Harry's warnings about the volcano; she has no desire to alarm either the town's residents or the wealthy visitors lining the city's pockets. Nevertheless Harry tries to convince Rachel of the potential danger as they begin to develop feelings for each other that are not strictly professional. The summer of 1997 was a big season for killer volcanoes at the movies as Dante's Peak and Volcano opened within a few months of each other.
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Old Smokey develops a bad temper in this volcanic disaster spectacle. Harry Dalton ( Pierce Brosnan ) is a volcano expert whose interest became more than academic after he lost the woman he loved in a volcanic emergency. When he is sent to investigate unusual seismic activity in the quiet Pacific Northwest community of Dante's Peak , he discovers people boiled to death in the local hot spring and plant and animal life dying or displaying unusual illnesses near the city's supposedly dormant volcano. Harry becomes convinced that a major volcanic catastrophe is in the cards. Rachel Wando ( Linda Hamilton ), the town's mayor , is a single mother who also runs the local cafe , and now that Dante's Peak has been named one of the most desirable small towns in America , tourists have been flocking to the diner and other local businesses. While concerned with the safety of her community , Rachel takes a cynical view of Harry's warnings about the volcano ; she has no desire to alarm either the town's residents or the wealthy visitors lining the city's pockets. Nevertheless , Harry tries to convince Rachel of the potential danger , as they begin to develop feelings for each other that are not strictly professional. The summer of 1997 was a big season for killer volcanoes at the movies , as Dante's Peak and Volcano opened within a few months of each other.
0209
Jackie Chan returns to his adventuring Indiana Jones-esque Asian Hawk character with this rollicking action-adventure yarn. In this go-around Jackie (aka the Asian Hawk) is looking for 240 tons of gold stolen by the Nazis and buried beneath the Sahara. Along the way he teams up with a stuck-up archeologist named Ada (Carol Cheng) a Japanese tourist named Momoko (Shoko Ikeda) and Elsa (Eva Cobo De Garcia) the granddaughter of the Nazi captain who originally hid the booty. Opposing them is various groups of blackguards and mercenaries along with Adolf (Aldo Sanbrell) -- the last surviving soldier from the original company -- who is hell-bent on getting the gold himself. Soon two of Jackie's companions find themselves sold into slavery while Jackie battles the baddies in a massive WWII-era wind tunnel. This film ran 100 percent over Chan's already lavish -- by Hong Kong standards -- budget making it one of the most expensive films that industry has ever produced.
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Jackie Chan returns to his adventuring Indiana Jones - esque Asian Hawk character with this rollicking action - adventure yarn. In this go - around , Jackie ( aka the Asian Hawk ) is looking for 240 tons of gold stolen by the Nazis and buried beneath the Sahara. Along the way , he teams up with a stuck - up archeologist named Ada ( Carol Cheng ), a Japanese tourist named Momoko ( Shoko Ikeda ), and Elsa ( Eva Cobo De Garcia ), the granddaughter of the Nazi captain who originally hid the booty. Opposing them is various groups of blackguards and mercenaries along with Adolf ( Aldo Sanbrell ) -- the last surviving soldier from the original company -- who is hell - bent on getting the gold himself. Soon , two of Jackie 's companions find themselves sold into slavery while Jackie battles the baddies in a massive WWII - era wind tunnel. This film ran 100 percent over Chan 's already lavish -- by Hong Kong standards -- budget , making it one of the most expensive films that industry has ever produced.
0210
A boy and his dragon unite to fight evil in this fantasy. Bowen (Dennis Quaid) a Knight of The Old Code in Medieval times is summoned by Aislinn the Queen (Julie Christie) to the bedside of her son Einon who is also Bowen's student. Einon has been wounded and is near death; with his heart about to give out Bowen calls upon Draco (voice of Sean Connery) the mightiest dragon in the land asking for a sliver of his mighty heart so that the boy might survive. Draco makes Bowen pledge that when Enion grows to adulthood and becomes king he will rule with fairness and compassion before the beast will donate a piece of his heart. Einon agrees to the pledge but years later the adult Einon (David Thewlis) has become a cruel despot in no way good on his promises. Bowen angry at Einon's betrayal is convinced that the dragon is somehow responsible and goes on a spree killing the mammoth reptiles at a fevered pace. However when Bowen once again encounters Draco the dragon convinces him that a dragon-slayer who has killed the last dragon also puts himself out of a job; Draco and Bowen work out a business arrangement where the monster "attacks" villages and Bowen is paid to "kill" him. In time however Draco and Bowen realize that they must set aside their lucrative business in order to challenge the authority of the evil ruler. Draco the Dragon was the first fully-computer animated character to have a speaking part along side flesh and blood actors in a film; Sean Connery's recording sessions as the voice of Draco were recorded on video as well as audio tape so that his facial expressions and mouth movements could be adapted to the character.
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A boy and his dragon unite to fight evil in this fantasy. Bowen ( Dennis Quaid ), a Knight of The Old Code in Medieval times , is summoned by Aislinn the Queen ( Julie Christie ) to the bedside of her son , Einon , who is also Bowen's student. Einon has been wounded and is near death ; with his heart about to give out , Bowen calls upon Draco ( voice of Sean Connery ), the mightiest dragon in the land , asking for a sliver of his mighty heart so that the boy might survive. Draco makes Bowen pledge that when Enion grows to adulthood and becomes king , he will rule with fairness and compassion before the beast will donate a piece of his heart. Einon agrees to the pledge , but years later , the adult Einon ( David Thewlis ) has become a cruel despot , in no way good on his promises. Bowen , angry at Einon's betrayal , is convinced that the dragon is somehow responsible and goes on a spree , killing the mammoth reptiles at a fevered pace. However , when Bowen once again encounters Draco , the dragon convinces him that a dragon - slayer who has killed the last dragon also puts himself out of a job ; Draco and Bowen work out a business arrangement , where the monster "attacks" villages and Bowen is paid to "kill" him. In time , however , Draco and Bowen realize that they must set aside their lucrative business in order to challenge the authority of the evil ruler. Draco the Dragon was the first fully - computer animated character to have a speaking part along side flesh and blood actors in a film ; Sean Connery 's recording sessions as the voice of Draco were recorded on video as well as audio tape , so that his facial expressions and mouth movements could be adapted to the character.
0211
In this family adventure story John and Catherine McCormick (Bruce Davison and Mimi Rogers) relocate from Vancouver to the coast of British Columbia where sailing enthusiast John teaches his sons Angus (Jesse Bradford) and Silas (Joel Palmer) basic seamanship and outdoor survival skills. Angus has rescued a stray Golden Labrador he calls Yellow and considers his best friend though his folks aren't so sure he's responsible enough to care for the dog. One day John takes Angus and Yellow sailing; a sudden gale bursts out and the boy and his dog are thrown overboard. They wash up on a rugged coastal area where Angus' abilities to survive in the wild are put to the test. As Angus and Yellow fend off wild animals build a shelter and signal for help John and Catherine work with the Coast Guard in a desperate search for their missing son. Far from Home: The Adventures of Yellow Dog was the final film by Canadian director Phillip Borsos who died of leukemia within a month of its U.S. release.
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In this family adventure story , John and Catherine McCormick ( Bruce Davison and Mimi Rogers ) relocate from Vancouver to the coast of British Columbia , where sailing enthusiast John teaches his sons Angus ( Jesse Bradford ) and Silas ( Joel Palmer ) basic seamanship and outdoor survival skills. Angus has rescued a stray Golden Labrador he calls Yellow and considers his best friend , though his folks aren't so sure he's responsible enough to care for the dog. One day , John takes Angus and Yellow sailing ; a sudden gale bursts out , and the boy and his dog are thrown overboard. They wash up on a rugged coastal area , where Angus' abilities to survive in the wild are put to the test. As Angus and Yellow fend off wild animals , build a shelter , and signal for help , John and Catherine work with the Coast Guard in a desperate search for their missing son. Far from Home : The Adventures of Yellow Dog was the final film by Canadian director Phillip Borsos , who died of leukemia within a month of its U.S. release.
0212
A novice knight and his unlikely allies lead a crusade against evil in this adventure set in 12th century France. Robert Nerra (Eric Stoltz) is a young knight who after the death of his older brother abandons the struggle to defend his father's property in a skirmish over land rights and instead sets out to offer his services to King Richard the Lionhearted. As Nerra makes his way through a France racked with poverty and sickness he encounters a group of orphans who are trying to flee from the Black Prince (Gabriel Byrne) a dark-clad rogue knight who steals children and sells them to Arab slave merchants. At first thinking him to be King Richard himself the children follow Nerra and he tries to protect and organize them as best he can. As they march through France the orphans' numbers grow and soon Nerra finds himself leading a crusade of children as he at once leads them to safety and fights off the Black Prince's forces. Lionheart was one of the final films from veteran director Franklin J. Schaffner; the film received an unfortunately short-lived theatrical release and went largely unseen until it was released on home video in 1990 a year after Schaffner's death.
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A novice knight and his unlikely allies lead a crusade against evil in this adventure set in 12th century France. Robert Nerra ( Eric Stoltz ) is a young knight who , after the death of his older brother , abandons the struggle to defend his father's property in a skirmish over land rights and instead sets out to offer his services to King Richard the Lionhearted. As Nerra makes his way through a France racked with poverty and sickness , he encounters a group of orphans who are trying to flee from the Black Prince ( Gabriel Byrne ), a dark - clad rogue knight who steals children and sells them to Arab slave merchants. At first thinking him to be King Richard himself , the children follow Nerra , and he tries to protect and organize them as best he can. As they march through France , the orphans' numbers grow , and soon Nerra finds himself leading a crusade of children as he at once leads them to safety and fights off the Black Prince's forces. Lionheart was one of the final films from veteran director Franklin J. Schaffner ; the film received an unfortunately short - lived theatrical release and went largely unseen until it was released on home video in 1990 , a year after Schaffner 's death.
0213
The story of an intelligent heroic collie and his young owner previously featured in numerous films and a successful 1950s television series was updated for the 1990s in this family feature. This time Lassie is determined to help a cynical city boy named Matt (Thomas Guiry) who turns even more resentful when his family relocates to a small town in rural Virginia. Soon after this move a bright collie enters the family's life and winds up with the name Lassie because of the television show which Matt's younger sister (Brittany Boyd) watches passionately. Lassie sets out to cheer Matt up and introduce him to the wonders of nature while also helping the family stand its ground against rich unpleasant neighbors. There are also run-ins with vicious wild animals and a daring rescue over river rapids but the main focus remains on the emotional relationship between Matt and the dog a story that will seem old-fashioned and charming to some viewers while familiar and sentimental to others.
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The story of an intelligent , heroic collie and his young owner , previously featured in numerous films and a successful 1950s television series , was updated for the 1990s in this family feature. This time , Lassie is determined to help a cynical city boy named Matt ( Thomas Guiry ), who turns even more resentful when his family relocates to a small town in rural Virginia. Soon after this move , a bright collie enters the family's life and winds up with the name Lassie because of the television show , which Matt's younger sister ( Brittany Boyd ) watches passionately. Lassie sets out to cheer Matt up and introduce him to the wonders of nature , while also helping the family stand its ground against rich , unpleasant neighbors. There are also run - ins with vicious wild animals and a daring rescue over river rapids , but the main focus remains on the emotional relationship between Matt and the dog , a story that will seem old - fashioned and charming to some viewers while familiar and sentimental to others.
0214
Joseph Papp's notion of staging one of Gilbert and Sullivan's best-loved operettas with two pop singers (Linda Ronstadt and Rex Smith) in the leads paid off as a surprise Broadway smash in the early 1980s and this film faithfully reproduces Papp's production featuring most of the original cast and the original director. Frederic (Smith) has been taught since childhood to be a sea-going bandit by the Pirate King (Kevin Kline) but with his 21st birthday imminent Frederic wants to leave pirating behind especially after he becomes infatuated with innocent Mabel (Ronstadt). But the Pirate King informs Frederic that since he was born on the last day of February on a Leap Year his 21st birthday won't roll around for some time yet and he still owes the King some raiding on the high seas. To Frederic's embarrassment the Pirate King's next target turns out to be Major General Stanley (George Rose) Mabel's father! The Pirates of Penzance also features Angela Lansbury as Ruth (the sole major casting change from the Broadway production -- Estelle Parsons played the role on stage).
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Joseph Papp 's notion of staging one of Gilbert and Sullivan 's best - loved operettas with two pop singers ( Linda Ronstadt and Rex Smith ) in the leads paid off as a surprise Broadway smash in the early 1980s , and this film faithfully reproduces Papp 's production , featuring most of the original cast and the original director. Frederic ( Smith ) has been taught since childhood to be a sea - going bandit by the Pirate King ( Kevin Kline ), but with his 21st birthday imminent , Frederic wants to leave pirating behind , especially after he becomes infatuated with innocent Mabel ( Ronstadt ) . But the Pirate King informs Frederic that since he was born on the last day of February on a Leap Year , his 21st birthday won't roll around for some time yet , and he still owes the King some raiding on the high seas. To Frederic's embarrassment , the Pirate King's next target turns out to be Major General Stanley ( George Rose ), Mabel's father! The Pirates of Penzance also features Angela Lansbury as Ruth ( the sole major casting change from the Broadway production -- Estelle Parsons played the role on stage ) .
0215
Wind is set in the world of competitive yacht racing where a young sailor (Matthew Modine) is intent on winning the America's Cup as well as regaining the affections of his ex-girlfriend (Jennifer Grey). As the film opens Modine chooses to race the America's Cup instead of staying with Grey. She leaves him and his team loses the race leaving him devastated. Modine tracks Grey down finding her with a new boyfriend who happens to be an engineer. He persuades her and her new boyfriend to help him build a new yacht which he plans on using in his pursuit to regain the America's Cup.
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Wind is set in the world of competitive yacht racing , where a young sailor ( Matthew Modine ) is intent on winning the America's Cup , as well as regaining the affections of his ex - girlfriend ( Jennifer Grey ) . As the film opens , Modine chooses to race the America's Cup instead of staying with Grey. She leaves him and his team loses the race , leaving him devastated. Modine tracks Grey down , finding her with a new boyfriend , who happens to be an engineer. He persuades her and her new boyfriend to help him build a new yacht , which he plans on using in his pursuit to regain the America's Cup.
0216
In Randal Kleiser's entertaining adaptation of Jack London's classic novel White Fang Ethan Hawke plays Jack Conroy a young man who travels to Alaska with the intent of finding his father's lost gold mine. During the course of his travels he's accompanied by a big white wolf that he rescued from a professional dog fight promoter. Conroy and the wolf which he names White Fang have a number of adventures and make a few enemies on their way to finding the gold mine.
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In Randal Kleiser 's entertaining adaptation of Jack London's classic novel White Fang , Ethan Hawke plays Jack Conroy , a young man who travels to Alaska with the intent of finding his father's lost gold mine. During the course of his travels , he's accompanied by a big white wolf that he rescued from a professional dog fight promoter. Conroy and the wolf , which he names White Fang , have a number of adventures and make a few enemies on their way to finding the gold mine.
0217
Romance and adventure abound in this sequel to the popular Australian film The Man from Snowy River. The story takes up five years after the other ended. It is still the 1880s when Jim Craig returns to his humble mountain cabin after he rounds up a heard of mustangs in the hope that he will earn enough money to finally be able to marry Jessica. Unfortunately Jessica's dad wants her to marry the banker's son. Now the two lovers must work long and hard to be together.
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Romance and adventure abound in this sequel to the popular Australian film The Man from Snowy River . The story takes up five years after the other ended. It is still the 1880s when Jim Craig returns to his humble mountain cabin after he rounds up a heard of mustangs in the hope that he will earn enough money to finally be able to marry Jessica. Unfortunately , Jessica's dad wants her to marry the banker's son. Now the two lovers must work long and hard to be together.
0218
The directorial debut of Academy Award-nominated cinematographer Mikael Salomon (The Abyss) A Far Off Place is based on a pair of books by novelist Laurens Van der Post. Reese Witherspoon stars as Nonnie Parker a young girl living on an African game preserve with her parents. Ethan Embry is Harry Winslow the snooty son of a visiting dignitary. When Nonnie and Harry witness the murder of their parents at the hands of ruthless poachers they suddenly find themselves braving the harsh Kalahari Desert in an attempt to escape the gang. Along the way the pair encounters a bushman called Xhabbo (Sarel Bok) who shows them how to survive in the barren desert. Forced to work together to survive Nonnie and Harry learn to overcome their differences and become friends.
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The directorial debut of Academy Award - nominated cinematographer Mikael Salomon ( The Abyss ), A Far Off Place is based on a pair of books by novelist Laurens Van der Post . Reese Witherspoon stars as Nonnie Parker , a young girl living on an African game preserve with her parents. Ethan Embry is Harry Winslow , the snooty son of a visiting dignitary. When Nonnie and Harry witness the murder of their parents at the hands of ruthless poachers , they suddenly find themselves braving the harsh Kalahari Desert in an attempt to escape the gang. Along the way , the pair encounters a bushman called Xhabbo ( Sarel Bok ) who shows them how to survive in the barren desert. Forced to work together to survive , Nonnie and Harry learn to overcome their differences and become friends.
0219
A special-effects laden medieval fantasy adventure Dragonslayer centers on the attempts of a young sorcerer's apprentice to defeat a vicious dragon and save a lovely young maiden. Peter MacNicol stars as the young Galen an aspiring magician under the tutelage of the aging Ulrich (Ralph Richardson). A nearby village turns to the pair for help when their leader begins proffering sacrifices of young virgins to satisfy a vicious dragon. The two immediately set out for battle becoming even more determined when a courageous princess offers to sacrifice herself to the creature. Unfortunately Ulrich's failing abilities force Galen into the center of the conflict where the uncertain young boy must prove himself under fire. The suitably mythic if somewhat predictable story is told straightforwardly culminating in a spectacular battle against the beast featuring Academy Award-nominated visual effects. Despite its visual flair and relatively positive reviews the film received mediocre response at the box office as some criticized the film's violence as too intense for its intended younger audiences.
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A special - effects laden medieval fantasy adventure , Dragonslayer centers on the attempts of a young sorcerer's apprentice to defeat a vicious dragon and save a lovely young maiden. Peter MacNicol stars as the young Galen , an aspiring magician under the tutelage of the aging Ulrich ( Ralph Richardson ) . A nearby village turns to the pair for help when their leader begins proffering sacrifices of young virgins to satisfy a vicious dragon. The two immediately set out for battle , becoming even more determined when a courageous princess offers to sacrifice herself to the creature. Unfortunately , Ulrich's failing abilities force Galen into the center of the conflict , where the uncertain young boy must prove himself under fire. The suitably mythic if somewhat predictable story is told straightforwardly , culminating in a spectacular battle against the beast , featuring Academy Award - nominated visual effects. Despite its visual flair and relatively positive reviews , the film received mediocre response at the box office , as some criticized the film's violence as too intense for its intended younger audiences.
0220
Master cinematographer Caleb Deschanel is not unexpectedly stronger on visuals than substance in his direction of Crusoe (though the camerawork is officially credited to Tom Pinter). The protagonist played by Aidan Quinn is a shipwreck victim just as novelist Daniel Defoe proscribed over two hundred years ago. But this Robinson Crusoe is a child of the late 19th century; moreover he is no ordinary sailor but an insensitive slave trader. The "Friday" character is divided up amongst several black natives of the island where Crusoe is stranded. Ultimately Crusoe profits by their example rather than the other way around. Director Deschanel busies himself with gorgeous scenery (mostly lensed in the Seychelles) and languid sunsets permitting screenwriters Christopher Logue and Walson Green to pursue the politically correct message of Crusoe without interference.
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Master cinematographer Caleb Deschanel is , not unexpectedly , stronger on visuals than substance in his direction of Crusoe ( though the camerawork is officially credited to Tom Pinter ) . The protagonist , played by Aidan Quinn , is a shipwreck victim , just as novelist Daniel Defoe proscribed over two hundred years ago. But this Robinson Crusoe is a child of the late 19th century ; moreover , he is no ordinary sailor but an insensitive slave trader. The "Friday" character is divided up amongst several black natives of the island where Crusoe is stranded. Ultimately , Crusoe profits by their example , rather than the other way around. Director Deschanel busies himself with gorgeous scenery ( mostly lensed in the Seychelles ) and languid sunsets , permitting screenwriters Christopher Logue and Walson Green to pursue the politically correct message of Crusoe without interference.
0221
ased on a true incident from 1960 White Squall is the story of the tragic sinking of the Albatross a prep school educational two-masted schooner during a Caribbean storm. Screenwriter Todd Robinson wrote the script after meeting one of the tragedy's survivors Chuck Gieg. In the film Gieg (Scott Wolf) is the narrator. He and his fellow students whose parents have paid handsomely for their schooling which combines classroom work with real-life adventure are introduced to their grizzled seafaring captain Christopher Sheldon (Jeff Bridges). Gieg is initially skeptical of Sheldon's authority but he gradually comes to see the captain as a model of manhood. The other boys aboard include Frank Beaumont (Jeremy Sisto) a self-absorbed snob; Dean Preston (Eric Michael Cole) a troublemaker and bully; Tod Johnston (Balthazar Getty) a returning student; and the naïve Tracy Lapchick (Ethan Embry). John Savage plays the pompous English teacher aboard the ship. Various incidents establish the boys' insecurities and relationships with the authorities -- and foreshadow their eventual fate. The killer squall comes up quietly but soon turns deadly and the boys are forced to go beyond their privileged upbringings and deal with real danger.
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Based on a true incident from 1960 , White Squall is the story of the tragic sinking of the Albatross , a prep school educational two - masted schooner , during a Caribbean storm. Screenwriter Todd Robinson wrote the script after meeting one of the tragedy's survivors , Chuck Gieg. In the film , Gieg ( Scott Wolf ) is the narrator. He and his fellow students , whose parents have paid handsomely for their schooling , which combines classroom work with real - life adventure , are introduced to their grizzled seafaring captain , Christopher Sheldon ( Jeff Bridges ) . Gieg is initially skeptical of Sheldon's authority , but he gradually comes to see the captain as a model of manhood. The other boys aboard include Frank Beaumont ( Jeremy Sisto ), a self - absorbed snob ; Dean Preston ( Eric Michael Cole ), a troublemaker and bully ; Tod Johnston ( Balthazar Getty ), a returning student ; and the naïve Tracy Lapchick ( Ethan Embry ) . John Savage plays the pompous English teacher aboard the ship. Various incidents establish the boys' insecurities and relationships with the authorities -- and foreshadow their eventual fate. The killer squall comes up quietly but soon turns deadly , and the boys are forced to go beyond their privileged upbringings and deal with real danger.
0222
In typical Luis Buñuel fashion The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie surrealistically skewers the conventions of society. Buñuel applies his surrealist touch to a mundane event: a dinner party that may never come to pass. A group of well-to-do friends attempt to gather for a social evening but are thwarted at every turn. The initial problem seems to be a simple scheduling mistake but the obstacles become more and more bizarre. At one point the guests are interrupted at the table by an army on maneuvers. Later they learn that they are merely characters in a stage play and so cannot have dinner together. These misadventures are combined with symbolic dreams of the various characters some of which also involve interrupted dinners. Wicked social satire and one of Buñuel's funniest films. Winner of the Academy Award for "Best Foreign Film" in 1972.
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In typical Luis Buñuel fashion , The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie surrealistically skewers the conventions of society. Buñuel applies his surrealist touch to a mundane event : a dinner party that may never come to pass. A group of well - to - do friends attempt to gather for a social evening , but are thwarted at every turn. The initial problem seems to be a simple scheduling mistake , but the obstacles become more and more bizarre. At one point , the guests are interrupted at the table by an army on maneuvers. Later they learn that they are merely characters in a stage play and so cannot have dinner together. These misadventures are combined with symbolic dreams of the various characters , some of which also involve interrupted dinners. Wicked social satire and one of Buñuel's funniest films. Winner of the Academy Award for "Best Foreign Film" in 1972.
0223
A story about story-telling Jacques Rivette's self-referential classic centers on the fanciful world of two women literally lost in the stories they tell each other. Celine (Juliet Berto) and Julie (Dominique Labourier) go from sharing a story about a haunted house to being part of a story about a haunted house -- or is it a real haunted house that has been called up by the story? The film blurs the line between the telling of the story and the story itself as Celine and Julie like Alice in Wonderland become part of a surreal drug-induced parallel universe; also like Alice they ultimately become the heroines of the story that first imprisoned them. Rivette celebrates the magic of stories and more broadly of imagination adventure and friendship as essential elements of life; the themes are familiar from his other movies but the tone is more playful. This enigmatic and fanciful film is not for all tastes but for its many devotees it is one of the most distinctive and imaginative movies ever made.
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A story about story - telling , Jacques Rivette 's self - referential classic centers on the fanciful world of two women literally lost in the stories they tell each other. Celine ( Juliet Berto ) and Julie ( Dominique Labourier ) go from sharing a story about a haunted house to being part of a story about a haunted house -- or is it a real haunted house that has been called up by the story? The film blurs the line between the telling of the story and the story itself , as Celine and Julie , like Alice in Wonderland , become part of a surreal , drug - induced parallel universe ; also like Alice , they ultimately become the heroines of the story that first imprisoned them. Rivette celebrates the magic of stories , and more broadly of imagination , adventure , and friendship , as essential elements of life ; the themes are familiar from his other movies , but the tone is more playful. This enigmatic and fanciful film is not for all tastes , but , for its many devotees , it is one of the most distinctive and imaginative movies ever made.
0224
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0225
Czech animator Jan Svankmajer gained acclaim and notoriety for his eerie nightmarish stop-motion animated pieces fashioned out of discarded dolls battered marionettes and pieces of junk. His films such as Alice and Faust delved headlong into the subconscious and dredged up images that were imbued not only with a woozy sense of dread but with a savage sense of wit. Svankmajer's third feature -- and his first (mostly) live-action film -- is an absurdist look at some very weird sexual adventurers. Peony (Petr Meissel) is a nebbish bachelor with a passion for porno mags and poultry. At the film's outset he pulls a live chicken from his wardrobe and has his neighbor Mrs. Loubalova (Gabriela Wilhelmova) cut its throat -- which she does with a fair amount of relish and glee. Using the head as a model he fashions a papier-mâché chicken mask -- made from old pornography -- and an accompanying chicken suit. Later in a bizarre backwater ritual Peony dons his chicken costume and taunts and crushes an effigy of his neighbor. Mrs. Loubalova apparently harbors similar bloodthirsty fantasies for Peony -- in a similarly weird ritual set in an abandoned church she whips and then drowns a straw effigy of her fellow apartment tenant. Surrounding this unlikely romance of sorts are the onanistic obsessions of another quartet of very kinky characters. Mrs. Malkova (Barbora Hrzanova) the neighborhood postwoman has a penchant for balling up pieces of bread for unlikely purposes. Kula (Jiri Labus) the guy who sells Peony his nudie mags has created an elaborate autoerotic device connected to his TV complete with robot controls and rubber hands designed to um augment his enjoyment of the news -- especially when read by Mrs. Beltinska (Anna Wetlinska). Mrs. Beltinska in turn reaches the height of on-the-air bliss by having her toes sucked by a pair of carp hidden beneath her desk. And finally her husband a police inspector is much more interested in scrubbing his naked self with rollers spiked with nails or funnels filled with fur than in fulfilling his marital duties.
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Czech animator Jan Svankmajer gained acclaim and notoriety for his eerie , nightmarish stop - motion animated pieces fashioned out of discarded dolls , battered marionettes , and pieces of junk. His films such as Alice and Faust delved headlong into the subconscious and dredged up images that were imbued not only with a woozy sense of dread but with a savage sense of wit. Svankmajer 's third feature -- and his first ( mostly ) live - action film -- is an absurdist look at some very weird sexual adventurers. Peony ( Petr Meissel ) is a nebbish bachelor with a passion for porno mags and poultry. At the film's outset , he pulls a live chicken from his wardrobe and has his neighbor , Mrs. Loubalova ( Gabriela Wilhelmova ), cut its throat -- which she does with a fair amount of relish and glee. Using the head as a model , he fashions a papier - mâché chicken mask -- made from old pornography -- and an accompanying chicken suit. Later , in a bizarre backwater ritual , Peony dons his chicken costume and taunts and crushes an effigy of his neighbor. Mrs. Loubalova apparently harbors similar bloodthirsty fantasies for Peony -- in a similarly weird ritual , set in an abandoned church , she whips and then drowns a straw effigy of her fellow apartment tenant. Surrounding this unlikely romance of sorts are the onanistic obsessions of another quartet of very kinky characters. Mrs. Malkova ( Barbora Hrzanova ), the neighborhood postwoman , has a penchant for balling up pieces of bread for unlikely purposes. Kula ( Jiri Labus ), the guy who sells Peony his nudie mags , has created an elaborate autoerotic device connected to his TV , complete with robot controls and rubber hands , designed to , um , augment his enjoyment of the news -- especially when read by Mrs. Beltinska ( Anna Wetlinska ) . Mrs. Beltinska , in turn , reaches the height of on - the - air bliss by having her toes sucked by a pair of carp hidden beneath her desk. And finally her husband , a police inspector , is much more interested in scrubbing his naked self with rollers spiked with nails or funnels filled with fur than in fulfilling his marital duties.
0226
A religious conflict characterizes this drama set in Senegal at the turn-of-the century when the local king becomes a Muslim and decides to break up the small Catholic congregation in the village of the Ceddo. The people revolt against the change and kidnap a princess. To get her back the different sides must engage in many meetings which must be handled in the traditional manner. As an interesting sidelight the film was banned in Senegal because the government disagreed with director Ousmane Sembene's spelling of the word "Ceddo." The government insisted that it could only be spelled with one "d."
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A religious conflict characterizes this drama , set in Senegal at the turn - of - the century when the local king becomes a Muslim and decides to break up the small Catholic congregation in the village of the Ceddo. The people revolt against the change and kidnap a princess. To get her back , the different sides must engage in many meetings which must be handled in the traditional manner. As an interesting sidelight , the film was banned in Senegal because the government disagreed with director Ousmane Sembene 's spelling of the word "Ceddo." The government insisted that it could only be spelled with one "d."
0227
This twisted black comedy is obsessed in turn with swans twins and decay. Alba Bewick (Andréa Ferréol) is involved in a swan-related car accident near the zoo. The accident kills two other women the wives of two twin zoologists Oliver and Oswald Deuce (Brian and Eric Deacon). Alba is lucky enough to escape with one leg. Eventually her doctor also removes the other "because it was dangerous for the spine." Meanwhile the Deuce brothers as a result of losing their wives have become fascinated with the decay of corpses and they start making rather gruesome time-lapse films to examine the process more thoroughly. Both brothers become involved with Alba. Needless to say this film may not appeal to everybody.
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This twisted black comedy is obsessed in turn with swans , twins , and decay. Alba Bewick ( Andréa Ferréol ) is involved in a swan - related car accident near the zoo. The accident kills two other women , the wives of two twin zoologists , Oliver and Oswald Deuce ( Brian and Eric Deacon ) . Alba is lucky enough to escape with one leg. Eventually her doctor also removes the other "because it was dangerous for the spine." Meanwhile , the Deuce brothers , as a result of losing their wives , have become fascinated with the decay of corpses , and they start making rather gruesome time - lapse films to examine the process more thoroughly. Both brothers become involved with Alba. Needless to say , this film may not appeal to everybody.
0228
Puzzle-master Peter Greenaway exposes another aspect of his peculiar obsessions to the filmgoing public. Prospero's Books uses Shakespeare as a foundation and then skips along to define its own lush territory. The books of the title are briefly referenced in The Tempest -- Prospero is a magician who gets to keep only a small fragment of his enormous library when he is exiled with his daughter to an enchanted island. In the film Prospero is played by Sir John Gielgud. Indeed everybody is voiced by Gielgud as he describes the events that unfold. But mostly he describes the books and as he does the screen fills with florid calligraphies astonishing diagrams extravagant paintings and lots and lots of naked people.
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Puzzle - master Peter Greenaway exposes another aspect of his peculiar obsessions to the filmgoing public. Prospero's Books uses Shakespeare as a foundation and then skips along to define its own lush territory. The books of the title are briefly referenced in The Tempest -- Prospero is a magician who gets to keep only a small fragment of his enormous library when he is exiled with his daughter to an enchanted island. In the film , Prospero is played by Sir John Gielgud . Indeed , everybody is voiced by Gielgud as he describes the events that unfold. But mostly , he describes the books , and as he does , the screen fills with florid calligraphies , astonishing diagrams , extravagant paintings , and lots and lots of naked people.
0229
Usually misattributed to the horror genre this challenging and highly unusual drama stars Isabelle Adjani as a young woman who forsakes her husband (Sam Neill) and her lover (Heinz Bennent) for a bizarre tentacled creature that she keeps in a run-down Berlin apartment. In the beginning her husband knows nothing about the monster and sincerely believes that his wife is insane. He has her tailed by private detectives whom she kills and feeds to the creature. Still unaware of what has happened the husband contends with the reserved and inadvertently seductive presence of his wife's look-alike (also played by Adjani) a schoolteacher who frequently comes to tutor his son while his wife is away. Though tempted by her quiet goodness and beauty he is still passionately in love with his wife and even after he finds out about the murders he stays by her side and helps her conceal her crimes. Filmed amidst the oppressive backdrop of the Berlin Wall by the expatriate Polish director Andrzej Zulawski (who was unable to work in his homeland after too many clashes with the authorities) the picture is so relentlessly intense and so deliberately esoteric that most viewers would find it too hard to connect with. Still its symbolism its unbridled and flashy directorial style and the tour de force performance by Isabelle Adjani earned this unique tale a cult following in Europe. The version originally released in the U.S. had 45 minutes chopped out; in this form it is barely comprehensible and looks like a cheap gory feast.
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Usually misattributed to the horror genre , this challenging and highly unusual drama stars Isabelle Adjani as a young woman who forsakes her husband ( Sam Neill ) and her lover ( Heinz Bennent ) for a bizarre , tentacled creature that she keeps in a run - down Berlin apartment. In the beginning , her husband knows nothing about the monster and sincerely believes that his wife is insane. He has her tailed by private detectives , whom she kills and feeds to the creature. Still unaware of what has happened , the husband contends with the reserved and inadvertently seductive presence of his wife's look - alike ( also played by Adjani ), a schoolteacher who frequently comes to tutor his son while his wife is away. Though tempted by her quiet goodness and beauty , he is still passionately in love with his wife and even after he finds out about the murders , he stays by her side and helps her conceal her crimes. Filmed amidst the oppressive backdrop of the Berlin Wall by the expatriate Polish director Andrzej Zulawski ( who was unable to work in his homeland after too many clashes with the authorities ), the picture is so relentlessly intense and so deliberately esoteric , that most viewers would find it too hard to connect with. Still its symbolism , its unbridled and flashy directorial style , and the tour de force performance by Isabelle Adjani earned this unique tale a cult following in Europe. The version originally released in the U.S. had 45 minutes chopped out ; in this form , it is barely comprehensible and looks like a cheap , gory feast.
0230
One of Luis Buñuel's most episodic films The Phantom of Liberty focuses on no one particular narrative. In the beginning a man sells postcards of French tourist attractions calling them "pornographic." A sniper in Montparnasse is hailed as a hero for killing passersby. A "missing" child helps the police fill out the report on her. A group of monks play poker using religious medallions as chips and in the most infamous sequence a formally dressed social group gathers at toilets around a table occasionally excusing themselves to go into little stalls in a private room to eat.
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One of Luis Buñuel 's most episodic films , The Phantom of Liberty focuses on no one particular narrative. In the beginning , a man sells postcards of French tourist attractions , calling them "pornographic." A sniper in Montparnasse is hailed as a hero for killing passersby. A "missing" child helps the police fill out the report on her. A group of monks play poker , using religious medallions as chips , and in the most infamous sequence , a formally dressed social group gathers at toilets around a table , occasionally excusing themselves to go into little stalls in a private room to eat.
0231
This cinematic/literary hybrid fuses motifs from Beat writer William S. Burroughs's novel of the same name with elements of the author's biography and plenty of the cerebral alienation and biomorphic special effects fans of creepy cult director David Cronenberg have come to expect. Bill Lee (Peter Weller) wants to write but he exterminates bugs to pay the bills. His wife Joan (Judy Davis) becomes addicted to Bill's bug powder dust and soon he joins her in a world of unorthodox hallucinogens; he visits the kindly yet sinister Dr. Benway (Roy Scheider) and walks away with his first dose of the black meat -- a narcotic made from the flesh of the giant aquatic Brazilian centipede. Soon monstrous beetles are whispering conspiracy theories in Bill's ears and his nebbish writer friends Hank (Nicholas Campbell) and Martin (Michael Zelniker) are sleeping with Joan under his nose. When a party trick involving a liquor glass and a gun goes awry killing Joan Bill flees to Interzone a Mediterranean city full of talking insectoid typewriters double agents offbeat aesthetes and plots within plots. As he navigates this paranoid landscape Bill begins ingesting another drug called mugwump jism and writes fragments that Hank and Martin soon assemble into a novel under the title Naked Lunch. As beat literature aficionados know Interzone is based on Tangiers -- the city where Burroughs wrote Naked Lunch. The incident in the film in which Hank and Martin appropriate Bill's writing and have it published closely approximates the real-life circumstances of the novel's publication although it was Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac who helped out the real-life Burroughs. The William Tell incident that kills Bill's wife is also drawn from the author's real life. "William Lee" is both Burroughs' literary stand-in and the name under which he published his first autobiographical novel Junky. Ian Holm who plays Joan Frost's husband Tom would appear in Cronenberg's similarly experimental eXistenZ several years later.
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This cinematic / literary hybrid fuses motifs from Beat writer William S. Burroughs 's novel of the same name with elements of the author's biography and plenty of the cerebral alienation and biomorphic special effects fans of creepy cult director David Cronenberg have come to expect. Bill Lee ( Peter Weller ) wants to write , but he exterminates bugs to pay the bills. His wife , Joan ( Judy Davis ), becomes addicted to Bill's bug powder dust , and soon he joins her in a world of unorthodox hallucinogens ; he visits the kindly yet sinister Dr. Benway ( Roy Scheider ) and walks away with his first dose of the black meat -- a narcotic made from the flesh of the giant aquatic Brazilian centipede. Soon , monstrous beetles are whispering conspiracy theories in Bill's ears and his nebbish writer friends Hank ( Nicholas Campbell ) and Martin ( Michael Zelniker ) are sleeping with Joan under his nose. When a party trick involving a liquor glass and a gun goes awry , killing Joan , Bill flees to Interzone , a Mediterranean city full of talking insectoid typewriters , double agents , offbeat aesthetes , and plots within plots. As he navigates this paranoid landscape , Bill begins ingesting another drug called mugwump jism and writes fragments that Hank and Martin soon assemble into a novel under the title Naked Lunch . As beat literature aficionados know , Interzone is based on Tangiers -- the city where Burroughs wrote Naked Lunch . The incident in the film in which Hank and Martin appropriate Bill's writing and have it published closely approximates the real - life circumstances of the novel's publication , although it was Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac who helped out the real - life Burroughs . The William Tell incident that kills Bill's wife is also drawn from the author's real life. "William Lee" is both Burroughs ' literary stand - in and the name under which he published his first autobiographical novel Junky . Ian Holm , who plays Joan Frost's husband , Tom , would appear in Cronenberg 's similarly experimental eXistenZ several years later.
0232
Circus horrors cross over into the mundane world in this terrifying psychedelic film from Alejandro Jodorowsky the man who brought you the infamous El Topo. Fenix (Adan Jodorowsky the director's son) is the son of a circus strongman (Guy Stockwell) and an aerialist (Blanca Guerra). One night the mother sees from her high perspective that her husband is fooling around with the tattooed lady. She later confronts him and throws acid on him in retaliation. He saws off her arms in return and kills himself. Fenix witness to all this runs away raving. Years later Fenix (now played by older brother Axel Jodorowski) is released from an insane asylum by his armless mother. She wants to go on a murderous revenge spree and maybe play a little piano and she needs Fenix to be her arms for both tasks. Though the film has some of the hallucinatory qualities of Jodorowsky's earlier films Santa Sangre doesn't quite have the same punch particularly in terms of cerebral and emotional impact despite its fine visuals. Santa Sangre is available in both R-rated and NC-17 edits.
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Circus horrors cross over into the mundane world in this terrifying , psychedelic film from Alejandro Jodorowsky , the man who brought you the infamous El Topo . Fenix ( Adan Jodorowsky , the director's son ) is the son of a circus strongman ( Guy Stockwell ) and an aerialist ( Blanca Guerra ) . One night , the mother sees from her high perspective that her husband is fooling around with the tattooed lady. She later confronts him and throws acid on him in retaliation. He saws off her arms in return and kills himself. Fenix , witness to all this , runs away raving. Years later , Fenix ( now played by older brother Axel Jodorowski ) is released from an insane asylum by his armless mother. She wants to go on a murderous revenge spree , and maybe play a little piano , and she needs Fenix to be her arms for both tasks. Though the film has some of the hallucinatory qualities of Jodorowsky 's earlier films , Santa Sangre doesn't quite have the same punch , particularly in terms of cerebral and emotional impact , despite its fine visuals. Santa Sangre is available in both R - rated and NC - 17 edits.
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American architect Stourley Kracklite (Brian Dennehy) comes with his young wife Louisa (Chloe Webb) to Rome to supervise an exhibition devoted to Etienne-Louis Boullée a French architect of the 18th century. Suffering from severe abdominal pains Stourley doesn't pay much attention to his pregnant wife and she finds consolation in the arms of suave Caspasian Speckler (Lambert Wilson). Built from rigidly symmetrical images the film has quite an unusual subject: the belly -- both the sick one of the architect and the pregnant one of his wife the rounded forms alluding to the spherical constructions designed by Boullée the architect whose visionary projects seldom materialized. Beautifully shot on location in Rome this ironic fable wittily examines the issues of artistic creativity.
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American architect Stourley Kracklite ( Brian Dennehy ) comes with his young wife Louisa ( Chloe Webb ) to Rome to supervise an exhibition devoted to Etienne - Louis Boullée , a French architect of the 18th century. Suffering from severe abdominal pains , Stourley doesn't pay much attention to his pregnant wife , and she finds consolation in the arms of suave Caspasian Speckler ( Lambert Wilson ) . Built from rigidly symmetrical images , the film has quite an unusual subject : the belly -- both the sick one of the architect and the pregnant one of his wife , the rounded forms alluding to the spherical constructions designed by Boullée , the architect whose visionary projects seldom materialized. Beautifully shot on location in Rome , this ironic fable wittily examines the issues of artistic creativity.
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This unusual comic tragedy is filmed both in color and black-and-white and concerns the residents of the mythical island of Goto. Goto III (Pierre Brasseur) is the pompous dictator who allows children to witness public execution and has criminals fight it out in a theater to resolve their differences. Everyone is assigned a menial position leading to full employment but aimless pursuits and no chance of social advancement. A man scheduled to fight on stage runs to the dictator's wife and begs for mercy. The man is given a job in the stable but ends up killing the local flycatcher. He tells the dictator that his wife is having an affair with a lieutenant. The informer is given a gun and ordered to kill the lieutenant but he shoots the dictator instead and assumes power. After the new dictator professes his love for the unfaithful woman she jumps onto the stage rather than subject herself to his amorous advances in this bizarre story of social isolation and compliance.
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This unusual comic tragedy is filmed both in color and black - and - white and concerns the residents of the mythical island of Goto. Goto III ( Pierre Brasseur ) is the pompous dictator who allows children to witness public execution and has criminals fight it out in a theater to resolve their differences. Everyone is assigned a menial position , leading to full employment but aimless pursuits and no chance of social advancement. A man scheduled to fight on stage runs to the dictator's wife and begs for mercy. The man is given a job in the stable but ends up killing the local flycatcher. He tells the dictator that his wife is having an affair with a lieutenant. The informer is given a gun and ordered to kill the lieutenant , but he shoots the dictator instead and assumes power. After the new dictator professes his love for the unfaithful woman , she jumps onto the stage rather than subject herself to his amorous advances in this bizarre story of social isolation and compliance.
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In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Lumière brothers' first films filmmakers Sarah Moon and Philippe Poulet challenged 39 renowned international directors to each complete a 52-second film using the original Cinematographe camera under the conditions endured by the brothers. The result of the project was this film Lumière et Compagnie. The film stock used was homemade from a slightly altered version of the Lumières' recipe. No synchronized sound was allowed and only natural lighting was permitted. The participating directors included John Boorman Costa-Gavras Peter Greenaway Lasse Hallström Spike Lee David Lynch Liv Ullmann and Wim Wenders. Among the actors who performed in the films were Liam Neeson Lena Olin Aidan Quinn and Alan Rickman.
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In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Lumière brothers ' first films , filmmakers Sarah Moon and Philippe Poulet challenged 39 renowned international directors to each complete a 52 - second film using the original Cinematographe camera under the conditions endured by the brothers. The result of the project was this film , Lumière et Compagnie . The film stock used was homemade from a slightly altered version of the Lumières' recipe. No synchronized sound was allowed and only natural lighting was permitted. The participating directors included John Boorman , Costa - Gavras , Peter Greenaway , Lasse Hallström , Spike Lee , David Lynch , Liv Ullmann , and Wim Wenders . Among the actors who performed in the films were Liam Neeson , Lena Olin , Aidan Quinn , and Alan Rickman .
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Filmmaking siblings Joel Coen and Ethan Coen both embraced and poked satirical fun at their Minnesotan roots with this comedy-drama-thriller that earned seven Oscar nominations winning for Best Actress and Best Original Screenplay. Frances McDormand stars as Marge Gunderson a pregnant police chief whose affable folksy demeanor masks a whip-smart mind. When a pair of motorists are found slain not far from the corpse of a state trooper Marge begins piecing together a case involving a pair of dopey would-be kidnappers Carl (Steve Buscemi) and Gaear (Bergman stock player Peter Stormare). They've been hired by Jerry Lundegaard (William H. Macy) a car salesman under the thumb of his wealthy overbearing boss and father-in-law Wade (Harve Presnell). Jerry's raised some money illegally through a petty scam he's run on General Motors and he's about to get caught. When Wade sours a business deal that could save his son-in-law's hide the desperate Jerry hires Carl and Gaear to kidnap his wife and hold her for ransom. Things go predictably wrong and a series of murders occur with Marge waddling along behind her enormous belly and ever-hungering for an all-you-can-eat buffet hot on the trail of the killers. Although the credits for Fargo state that the film is loosely based on real events the story is entirely fictional the claim being just an ironic jibe on the part of the Coens.
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Filmmaking siblings Joel Coen and Ethan Coen both embraced and poked satirical fun at their Minnesotan roots with this comedy - drama - thriller that earned seven Oscar nominations , winning for Best Actress and Best Original Screenplay. Frances McDormand stars as Marge Gunderson , a pregnant police chief whose affable , folksy demeanor masks a whip - smart mind. When a pair of motorists are found slain not far from the corpse of a state trooper , Marge begins piecing together a case involving a pair of dopey would - be kidnappers , Carl ( Steve Buscemi ) and Gaear ( Bergman stock player Peter Stormare ) . They've been hired by Jerry Lundegaard ( William H. Macy ), a car salesman under the thumb of his wealthy , overbearing boss and father - in - law , Wade ( Harve Presnell ) . Jerry's raised some money illegally through a petty scam he's run on General Motors and he's about to get caught. When Wade sours a business deal that could save his son - in - law's hide , the desperate Jerry hires Carl and Gaear to kidnap his wife and hold her for ransom. Things go predictably wrong and a series of murders occur , with Marge , waddling along behind her enormous belly and ever - hungering for an all - you - can - eat buffet , hot on the trail of the killers. Although the credits for Fargo state that the film is loosely based on real events , the story is entirely fictional , the claim being just an ironic jibe on the part of the Coens.
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Near the end of The Usual Suspects Kevin Spacey in his Oscar-winning performance as crippled con man Roger "Verbal" Kint says "The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist." This may be the key line in this story; the farther along the movie goes the more one realizes that not everything is quite what it seems and what began as a conventional whodunit turns into something quite different. A massive explosion rips through a ship in a San Pedro CA harbor leaving 27 men dead the lone survivor horribly burned and 91 million dollars' worth of cocaine believed to be on board mysteriously missing. Police detective Dave Kujan (Chazz Palminteri) soon brings in the only witness and key suspect "Verbal" Kint. Kint's nickname stems from his inability to keep his mouth shut and he recounts the events that led to the disaster. Five days earlier a truckload of gun parts was hijacked in Queens NY and five men were brought in as suspects: Kint hot-headed hipster thief McManus (Stephen Baldwin) ill-tempered thug Hockney (Kevin Pollak) flashy wise guy Fenster (Benicio Del Toro) and Keaton (Gabriel Byrne) a cop gone bad now trying to go straight in the restaurant business. While in stir someone suggests that they should pull a job together and Kint hatches a plan for a simple and lucrative jewel heist. Despite Keaton's misgivings the five men pull off the robbery without a hitch and fly to Los Angeles to fence the loot. Their customer asks if they'd be interested in pulling a quick job while out West; the men agree but the robbery goes horribly wrong and they soon find themselves visited by Kobayashi (Pete Postlethwaite) who represents a criminal mastermind named Keyser Soze. Soze's violent reputation is so infamous that he's said to have responded to a threat to murder his family by killing them himself just to prove that he feared no one. When Kobayashi passes along a heist proposed by Soze that sounds like suicide the men feel that they have little choice but to agree.
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Near the end of The Usual Suspects , Kevin Spacey , in his Oscar - winning performance as crippled con man Roger "Verbal" Kint , says , "The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist." This may be the key line in this story ; the farther along the movie goes , the more one realizes that not everything is quite what it seems , and what began as a conventional whodunit turns into something quite different. A massive explosion rips through a ship in a San Pedro , CA , harbor , leaving 27 men dead , the lone survivor horribly burned , and 91 million dollars' worth of cocaine , believed to be on board , mysteriously missing. Police detective Dave Kujan ( Chazz Palminteri ) soon brings in the only witness and key suspect , "Verbal" Kint. Kint's nickname stems from his inability to keep his mouth shut , and he recounts the events that led to the disaster. Five days earlier , a truckload of gun parts was hijacked in Queens , NY , and five men were brought in as suspects : Kint , hot - headed hipster thief McManus ( Stephen Baldwin ), ill - tempered thug Hockney ( Kevin Pollak ), flashy wise guy Fenster ( Benicio Del Toro ), and Keaton ( Gabriel Byrne ), a cop gone bad now trying to go straight in the restaurant business. While in stir , someone suggests that they should pull a job together , and Kint hatches a plan for a simple and lucrative jewel heist. Despite Keaton's misgivings , the five men pull off the robbery without a hitch and fly to Los Angeles to fence the loot. Their customer asks if they'd be interested in pulling a quick job while out West ; the men agree , but the robbery goes horribly wrong and they soon find themselves visited by Kobayashi ( Pete Postlethwaite ), who represents a criminal mastermind named Keyser Soze. Soze's violent reputation is so infamous that he's said to have responded to a threat to murder his family by killing them himself , just to prove that he feared no one. When Kobayashi passes along a heist proposed by Soze that sounds like suicide , the men feel that they have little choice but to agree.
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Outrageously violent time-twisting and in love with language Pulp Fiction was widely considered the most influential American movie of the 1990s. Director and co-screenwriter Quentin Tarantino synthesized such seemingly disparate traditions as the syncopated language of David Mamet; the serious violence of American gangster movies crime movies and films noirs mixed up with the wacky violence of cartoons video games and Japanese animation; and the fragmented story-telling structures of such experimental classics as Citizen Kane Rashomon and La jetée. The Oscar-winning script by Tarantino and Roger Avary intertwines three stories featuring Samuel L. Jackson and John Travolta in the role that single-handedly reignited his career as hit men who have philosophical interchanges on such topics as the French names for American fast food products; Bruce Willis as a boxer out of a 1940s B-movie; and such other stalwarts as Harvey Keitel Tim Roth Christopher Walken Eric Stoltz Ving Rhames and Uma Thurman whose dance sequence with Travolta proved an instant classic.
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Outrageously violent , time - twisting , and in love with language , Pulp Fiction was widely considered the most influential American movie of the 1990s. Director and co - screenwriter Quentin Tarantino synthesized such seemingly disparate traditions as the syncopated language of David Mamet ; the serious violence of American gangster movies , crime movies , and films noirs mixed up with the wacky violence of cartoons , video games , and Japanese animation ; and the fragmented story - telling structures of such experimental classics as Citizen Kane , Rashomon , and La jetée . The Oscar - winning script by Tarantino and Roger Avary intertwines three stories , featuring Samuel L. Jackson and John Travolta , in the role that single - handedly reignited his career , as hit men who have philosophical interchanges on such topics as the French names for American fast food products ; Bruce Willis as a boxer out of a 1940s B - movie ; and such other stalwarts as Harvey Keitel , Tim Roth , Christopher Walken , Eric Stoltz , Ving Rhames , and Uma Thurman , whose dance sequence with Travolta proved an instant classic.
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Like the TV series that shared the same title The Untouchables (1987) was an account of the battle between gangster Al Capone and lawman Eliot Ness this time in the form of a feature film boasting big stars a big budget and a script from respected playwright David Mamet. Kevin Costner stars as Ness a federal agent who has come to Chicago during the Prohibition Era when corruption in the local police department is rampant. His mission is to put crime lord Capone (Robert De Niro) out of business but Capone is so powerful and popular that Ness is not taken seriously by the law or the press. One night discouraged he meets a veteran patrolman Jimmy Malone (Sean Connery) and discovers that the acerbic Irishman is the one honest man he's been seeking. Malone has soon helped Ness recruit a gunslinger rookie George Stone (Andy Garcia) and joined by nebbish accountant Oscar Wallace (Charles Martin Smith) the men doggedly pursue Capone and his illegal interests. At first a laughingstock Ness soon has Capone outraged over his and Malone's sometimes law-bending tactics and the vain mobster strikes back in vicious style. Ultimately it is the most unexpected and minor of crimes tax evasion which proves Capone's undoing. All of the credits for The Untouchables boasted big names including music from Ennio Morricone and costumes by Giorgio Armani. Director Brian De Palma continued his tradition of including a homage to past masters of the cinema with a taut stairway shoot-out reminiscent of a similar sequence in Sergei Eisenstein's Battleship Potemkin (1925).
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Like the TV series that shared the same title , The Untouchables ( 1987 ) was an account of the battle between gangster Al Capone and lawman Eliot Ness , this time in the form of a feature film boasting big stars , a big budget , and a script from respected playwright David Mamet . Kevin Costner stars as Ness , a federal agent who has come to Chicago during the Prohibition Era , when corruption in the local police department is rampant. His mission is to put crime lord Capone ( Robert De Niro ) out of business , but Capone is so powerful and popular that Ness is not taken seriously by the law or the press. One night , discouraged , he meets a veteran patrolman , Jimmy Malone ( Sean Connery ), and discovers that the acerbic Irishman is the one honest man he's been seeking. Malone has soon helped Ness recruit a gunslinger rookie , George Stone ( Andy Garcia ), and , joined by nebbish accountant Oscar Wallace ( Charles Martin Smith ), the men doggedly pursue Capone and his illegal interests. At first a laughingstock , Ness soon has Capone outraged over his and Malone's sometimes law - bending tactics , and the vain mobster strikes back in vicious style. Ultimately , it is the most unexpected and minor of crimes , tax evasion , which proves Capone's undoing. All of the credits for The Untouchables boasted big names , including music from Ennio Morricone and costumes by Giorgio Armani . Director Brian De Palma continued his tradition of including a homage to past masters of the cinema with a taut stairway shoot - out reminiscent of a similar sequence in Sergei Eisenstein 's Battleship Potemkin ( 1925 ) .
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In 1992 Reservoir Dogs transformed Quentin Tarantino practically overnight from an obscure unproduced screenwriter and part-time actor to the most influential new filmmaker of the 1990s. The story looks at what happens before and after (but not during) a botched jewelry store robbery organized by Joe Cabot (Lawrence Tierney). Mr. White (Harvey Keitel) is a career criminal who takes a liking to newcomer Mr. Orange (Tim Roth) and enjoys showing him the ropes. Mr. Pink (Steve Buscemi) is a weaselly loner obsessed with professionalism. Mr. Blonde (Michael Madsen) has just gotten out of jail after taking the rap on a job for Cabot; he's grateful for the work but isn't the same person he used to be. While Mr. Blonde goes nuts during the heist the thieves are surprised by the sudden arrival of the police and Mr. Pink is convinced one of their team is a cop. So who's the rat? What do they do about Mr. Blonde? And what do they do with Mr. Orange who took a bullet in the gut and is slowly bleeding to death? Reservoir Dogs jumps back and forth between pre- and post-robbery events occasionally putting the narrative on pause to let the characters discuss such topics as the relative importance of tipping who starred in Get Christie Love! and what to do when you enter a men's room full of cops carrying a briefcase full of marijuana.
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In 1992 , Reservoir Dogs transformed Quentin Tarantino practically overnight from an obscure , unproduced screenwriter and part - time actor to the most influential new filmmaker of the 1990s. The story looks at what happens before and after ( but not during ) a botched jewelry store robbery organized by Joe Cabot ( Lawrence Tierney ) . Mr. White ( Harvey Keitel ) is a career criminal who takes a liking to newcomer Mr. Orange ( Tim Roth ) and enjoys showing him the ropes. Mr. Pink ( Steve Buscemi ) is a weaselly loner obsessed with professionalism. Mr. Blonde ( Michael Madsen ) has just gotten out of jail after taking the rap on a job for Cabot ; he's grateful for the work but isn't the same person he used to be. While Mr. Blonde goes nuts during the heist , the thieves are surprised by the sudden arrival of the police , and Mr. Pink is convinced one of their team is a cop. So who's the rat? What do they do about Mr. Blonde? And what do they do with Mr. Orange , who took a bullet in the gut and is slowly bleeding to death? Reservoir Dogs jumps back and forth between pre - and post - robbery events , occasionally putting the narrative on pause to let the characters discuss such topics as the relative importance of tipping , who starred in Get Christie Love! , and what to do when you enter a men's room full of cops carrying a briefcase full of marijuana.
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Though some viewers might be put off by its length graphic violence and absence of likable characters Sergio Leone's final film is also a cinematic masterpiece. Spanning four decades the film tells the story of David "Noodles" Aaronson (Robert De Niro) and his Jewish pals chronicling their childhoods on New York's Lower East Side in the 1920s through their gangster careers in the 1930s and culminating in Noodles' 1968 return to New York from self-imposed exile at which time he learns the truth about the fate of his friends and again confronts the nightmare of his past. The acting the re-creation of the time period the cinematography and the music are all superb. However even more important is Leone's ability to make the film work on so many different levels: it's both a criticism of gangster-film mythology and a continuation of the director's exploration of the issues of time and history. Strange as it may seem the violence and gore in the first half of the film turn into a sad elegy about wasted lives and lost love. The film's strengths emerge only in its full 229-minute version -- the 139-minute and other edited versions don't make nearly the same impact.
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Though some viewers might be put off by its length , graphic violence , and absence of likable characters , Sergio Leone 's final film is also a cinematic masterpiece. Spanning four decades , the film tells the story of David "Noodles" Aaronson ( Robert De Niro ) and his Jewish pals , chronicling their childhoods on New York's Lower East Side in the 1920s , through their gangster careers in the 1930s , and culminating in Noodles' 1968 return to New York from self - imposed exile , at which time he learns the truth about the fate of his friends and again confronts the nightmare of his past. The acting , the re - creation of the time period , the cinematography , and the music are all superb. However , even more important is Leone's ability to make the film work on so many different levels : it's both a criticism of gangster - film mythology and a continuation of the director's exploration of the issues of time and history. Strange as it may seem , the violence and gore in the first half of the film turn into a sad elegy about wasted lives and lost love. The film's strengths emerge only in its full 229 - minute version -- the 139 - minute and other edited versions don't make nearly the same impact.
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Though John Woo's lifelong admiration of Sam Peckinpah Sergio Leone Martin Scorsese and Stanley Kubrick are also evident in this stylish actioner the film is essentially a tribute to Jean-Pierre Melville and his cult thriller Le Samouraï. During a restaurant shoot-out hitman Jeff (Chow Yun-Fat) accidentally hurts the eyes of a singer (Sally Yeh). Later he meets the girl and discovers that if she does not have a very expensive operation very soon she will go blind. To get the money for the surgery Jeff decides to perform one last hit. The cop (Danny Lee) who has been chasing Jeff for a long time is determined to catch him this time. The film's number of victims makes The Terminator or Rambo pale in comparison but its brilliant visual style and bravura direction earned accolades even from non-action fans.
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Though John Woo 's lifelong admiration of Sam Peckinpah , Sergio Leone , Martin Scorsese , and Stanley Kubrick are also evident in this stylish actioner , the film is essentially a tribute to Jean - Pierre Melville and his cult thriller Le Samouraï . During a restaurant shoot - out , hitman Jeff ( Chow Yun - Fat ) accidentally hurts the eyes of a singer ( Sally Yeh ) . Later , he meets the girl and discovers that if she does not have a very expensive operation very soon , she will go blind. To get the money for the surgery , Jeff decides to perform one last hit. The cop ( Danny Lee ), who has been chasing Jeff for a long time , is determined to catch him this time. The film's number of victims makes The Terminator or Rambo pale in comparison , but its brilliant visual style and bravura direction earned accolades even from non - action fans.
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Richard Brooks wrote and directed this stark black-and-white (with brilliantly evocative cinematography by Conrad Hall) study of two drifters who murder a family based on Truman Capote's non-fiction novel In Cold Blood. The film takes place in Holcomb Kansas where four members of the Herbert Clutter family are roused from their sleep and brutally murdered. The killers Perry Smith (Robert Blake) and Dick Hickock (Scott Wilson) are two ex-cons who plan to rob the Clutters of $10000 kept in a safe in their home. But Dick and Perry find no safe and no $10000 and end up leaving the murder scene with only $43. The police led by Alvin Dewey (John Forsythe) of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation try to track down the killers. Meanwhile Dick and Perry take off to Mexico where Perry has fantasies of prospecting for gold. But when his dreams of prospecting come to naught Dick insists that they return to the United States. Confident that they have left no clues they cash bad checks and the police track them down in Las Vegas. During questioning their alibis are broken when they are separated and tell conflicting stories.
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Richard Brooks wrote and directed this stark black - and - white ( with brilliantly evocative cinematography by Conrad Hall ) study of two drifters who murder a family , based on Truman Capote 's non - fiction novel In Cold Blood . The film takes place in Holcomb , Kansas , where four members of the Herbert Clutter family are roused from their sleep and brutally murdered. The killers , Perry Smith ( Robert Blake ) and Dick Hickock ( Scott Wilson ), are two ex - cons who plan to rob the Clutters of $10 , 000 kept in a safe in their home. But Dick and Perry find no safe and no $10 , 000 and end up leaving the murder scene with only $43. The police , led by Alvin Dewey ( John Forsythe ) of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation , try to track down the killers. Meanwhile , Dick and Perry take off to Mexico , where Perry has fantasies of prospecting for gold. But when his dreams of prospecting come to naught , Dick insists that they return to the United States. Confident that they have left no clues , they cash bad checks , and the police track them down in Las Vegas. During questioning , their alibis are broken when they are separated and tell conflicting stories.
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Martin Scorsese explores the life of organized crime with his gritty kinetic adaptation of Nicolas Pileggi's best-selling Wiseguy the true-life account of mobster and FBI informant Henry Hill. Set to a true-to-period rock soundtrack the story details the rise and fall of Hill a half-Irish half-Sicilian New York kid who grows up idolizing the "wise guys" in his impoverished Brooklyn neighborhood. He begins hanging around the mobsters running errands and doing odd jobs until he gains the notice of local chieftain Paulie Cicero (Paul Sorvino) who takes him in as a surrogate son. As he reaches his teens Hill (Ray Liotta) is inducted into the world of petty crime where he distinguishes himself as a "stand-up guy" by choosing jail time over ratting on his accomplices. From that moment on he is a part of the family. Along with his psychotic partner Tommy (Joe Pesci) he rises through the ranks to become Paulie's lieutenant; however he quickly learns that like his mentor Jimmy (Robert DeNiro) his ethnicity prevents him from ever becoming a "made guy" an actual member of the crime family. Soon he finds himself the target of both the feds and the mobsters who feel that he has become a threat to their security with his reckless dealings. Goodfellas was rewarded with six Academy Award nominations including Best Picture; Pesci would walk away with Best Supporting Actor for his work.
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Martin Scorsese explores the life of organized crime with his gritty , kinetic adaptation of Nicolas Pileggi 's best - selling Wiseguy , the true - life account of mobster and FBI informant Henry Hill. Set to a true - to - period rock soundtrack , the story details the rise and fall of Hill , a half - Irish , half - Sicilian New York kid who grows up idolizing the "wise guys" in his impoverished Brooklyn neighborhood. He begins hanging around the mobsters , running errands and doing odd jobs until he gains the notice of local chieftain Paulie Cicero ( Paul Sorvino ), who takes him in as a surrogate son. As he reaches his teens , Hill ( Ray Liotta ) is inducted into the world of petty crime , where he distinguishes himself as a "stand - up guy" by choosing jail time over ratting on his accomplices. From that moment on , he is a part of the family. Along with his psychotic partner Tommy ( Joe Pesci ), he rises through the ranks to become Paulie's lieutenant ; however , he quickly learns that , like his mentor Jimmy ( Robert DeNiro ), his ethnicity prevents him from ever becoming a "made guy , " an actual member of the crime family. Soon he finds himself the target of both the feds and the mobsters , who feel that he has become a threat to their security with his reckless dealings. Goodfellas was rewarded with six Academy Award nominations including Best Picture ; Pesci would walk away with Best Supporting Actor for his work.
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Francis Ford Coppola's legendary continuation and sequel to his landmark 1972 film The Godfather parallels the young Vito Corleone's rise with his son Michael's spiritual fall deepening The Godfather's depiction of the dark side of the American dream. In the early 1900s the child Vito flees his Sicilian village for America after the local Mafia kills his family. Vito (Robert De Niro) struggles to make a living legally or illegally for his wife and growing brood in Little Italy killing the local Black Hand Fanucci (Gastone Moschin) after he demands his customary cut of the tyro's business. With Fanucci gone Vito's communal stature grows but it is his family (past and present) who matters most to him -- a familial legacy then upended by Michael's (Al Pacino) business expansion in the 1950s. Now based in Lake Tahoe Michael conspires to make inroads in Las Vegas and Havana pleasure industries by any means necessary. As he realizes that allies like Hyman Roth (Lee Strasberg) are trying to kill him the increasingly paranoid Michael also discovers that his ambition has crippled his marriage to Kay (Diane Keaton) and turned his brother Fredo (John Cazale) against him. Barely escaping a federal indictment Michael turns his attention to dealing with his enemies completing his own corruption.
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Francis Ford Coppola 's legendary continuation and sequel to his landmark 1972 film , The Godfather , parallels the young Vito Corleone's rise with his son Michael's spiritual fall , deepening The Godfather 's depiction of the dark side of the American dream. In the early 1900s , the child Vito flees his Sicilian village for America after the local Mafia kills his family. Vito ( Robert De Niro ) struggles to make a living , legally or illegally , for his wife and growing brood in Little Italy , killing the local Black Hand Fanucci ( Gastone Moschin ) after he demands his customary cut of the tyro's business. With Fanucci gone , Vito's communal stature grows , but it is his family ( past and present ) who matters most to him -- a familial legacy then upended by Michael's ( Al Pacino ) business expansion in the 1950s. Now based in Lake Tahoe , Michael conspires to make inroads in Las Vegas and Havana pleasure industries by any means necessary. As he realizes that allies like Hyman Roth ( Lee Strasberg ) are trying to kill him , the increasingly paranoid Michael also discovers that his ambition has crippled his marriage to Kay ( Diane Keaton ) and turned his brother , Fredo ( John Cazale ), against him. Barely escaping a federal indictment , Michael turns his attention to dealing with his enemies , completing his own corruption.
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Popularly viewed as one of the best American films ever made the multi-generational crime saga The Godfather is a touchstone of cinema: one of the most widely imitated quoted and lampooned movies of all time. Marlon Brando and Al Pacino star as Vito Corleone and his youngest son Michael respectively. It is the late 1940s in New York and Corleone is in the parlance of organized crime a "godfather" or "don" the head of a Mafia family. Michael a free thinker who defied his father by enlisting in the Marines to fight in World War II has returned a captain and a war hero. Having long ago rejected the family business Michael shows up at the wedding of his sister Connie (Talia Shire) with his non-Italian girlfriend Kay (Diane Keaton) who learns for the first time about the family "business." A few months later at Christmas time the don barely survives being shot by gunmen in the employ of a drug-trafficking rival whose request for aid from the Corleones' political connections was rejected. After saving his father from a second assassination attempt Michael persuades his hotheaded eldest brother Sonny (James Caan) and family advisors Tom Hagen (Robert Duvall) and Sal Tessio (Abe Vigoda) that he should be the one to exact revenge on the men responsible. After murdering a corrupt police captain and the drug trafficker Michael hides out in Sicily while a gang war erupts at home. Falling in love with a local girl Michael marries her but she is later slain by Corleone enemies in an attempt on Michael's life. Sonny is also butchered having been betrayed by Connie's husband. As Michael returns home and convinces Kay to marry him his father recovers and makes peace with his rivals realizing that another powerful don was pulling the strings behind the narcotics endeavor that began the gang warfare. Once Michael has been groomed as the new don he leads the family to a new era of prosperity then launches a campaign of murderous revenge against those who once tried to wipe out the Corleones consolidating his family's power and completing his own moral downfall. Nominated for 11 Academy Awards and winning for Best Picture Best Actor (Marlon Brando) and Best Adapted Screenplay The Godfather was followed by a pair of sequels.
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Popularly viewed as one of the best American films ever made , the multi - generational crime saga The Godfather is a touchstone of cinema : one of the most widely imitated , quoted , and lampooned movies of all time. Marlon Brando and Al Pacino star as Vito Corleone and his youngest son , Michael , respectively. It is the late 1940s in New York and Corleone is , in the parlance of organized crime , a "godfather" or "don , " the head of a Mafia family. Michael , a free thinker who defied his father by enlisting in the Marines to fight in World War II , has returned a captain and a war hero. Having long ago rejected the family business , Michael shows up at the wedding of his sister , Connie ( Talia Shire ), with his non - Italian girlfriend , Kay ( Diane Keaton ), who learns for the first time about the family "business." A few months later at Christmas time , the don barely survives being shot by gunmen in the employ of a drug - trafficking rival whose request for aid from the Corleones' political connections was rejected. After saving his father from a second assassination attempt , Michael persuades his hotheaded eldest brother , Sonny ( James Caan ), and family advisors Tom Hagen ( Robert Duvall ) and Sal Tessio ( Abe Vigoda ) that he should be the one to exact revenge on the men responsible. After murdering a corrupt police captain and the drug trafficker , Michael hides out in Sicily while a gang war erupts at home. Falling in love with a local girl , Michael marries her , but she is later slain by Corleone enemies in an attempt on Michael's life. Sonny is also butchered , having been betrayed by Connie's husband. As Michael returns home and convinces Kay to marry him , his father recovers and makes peace with his rivals , realizing that another powerful don was pulling the strings behind the narcotics endeavor that began the gang warfare. Once Michael has been groomed as the new don , he leads the family to a new era of prosperity , then launches a campaign of murderous revenge against those who once tried to wipe out the Corleones , consolidating his family's power and completing his own moral downfall. Nominated for 11 Academy Awards and winning for Best Picture , Best Actor ( Marlon Brando ), and Best Adapted Screenplay , The Godfather was followed by a pair of sequels.
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This gritty fast-paced and innovative police drama earned five Academy Awards including Best Picture Best Adapted Screenplay (written by Ernest Tidyman) and Best Actor (Gene Hackman). Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle (Hackman) and his partner Buddy Russo (Roy Scheider) are New York City police detectives on narcotics detail trying to track down the source of heroin from Europe into the United States. Suave Alain Charnier (Fernando Rey) is the French drug kingpin who provides a large percentage of New York City's dope and Pierre Nicoli (Marcel Bozzuffi) is a hired killer and Charnier's right-hand man. Acting on a hunch Popeye and Buddy start tailing Sal Boca (Tony Lo Bianco) and his wife Angie (Arlene Faber) who live pretty high for a couple whose corner store brings in about 7000 dollars a year. It turns out Popeye's suspicions are right -- Sal and Angie are the New York agents for Charnier who will be smuggling 32 million dollars' worth of heroin into the city in a car shipped over from France. The French Connection broke plenty of new ground for screen thrillers; Popeye Doyle was a highly unusual "hero" an often violent racist and mean-spirited cop whose dedication to his job fell just short of dangerous obsession. The film's high point a high-speed car chase with Popeye tailing an elevated train was one of the most viscerally exciting screen moments of its day and set the stage for dozens of action sequences to follow. And the film's grimy realism (and downbeat ending) was a big change from the buff-and-shine gloss and good-guys-always-win heroics of most police dramas that preceded it. The French Connection was inspired by a true story and Eddie Egan and Sonny Grosso Popeye and Buddy's real life counterparts both have small roles in the film. A sequel followed four years later.
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This gritty , fast - paced , and innovative police drama earned five Academy Awards , including Best Picture , Best Adapted Screenplay ( written by Ernest Tidyman ), and Best Actor ( Gene Hackman ) . Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle ( Hackman ) and his partner , Buddy Russo ( Roy Scheider ), are New York City police detectives on narcotics detail , trying to track down the source of heroin from Europe into the United States. Suave Alain Charnier ( Fernando Rey ) is the French drug kingpin who provides a large percentage of New York City's dope , and Pierre Nicoli ( Marcel Bozzuffi ) is a hired killer and Charnier's right - hand man. Acting on a hunch , Popeye and Buddy start tailing Sal Boca ( Tony Lo Bianco ) and his wife , Angie ( Arlene Faber ), who live pretty high for a couple whose corner store brings in about 7 , 000 dollars a year. It turns out Popeye's suspicions are right -- Sal and Angie are the New York agents for Charnier , who will be smuggling 32 million dollars' worth of heroin into the city in a car shipped over from France. The French Connection broke plenty of new ground for screen thrillers ; Popeye Doyle was a highly unusual "hero , " an often violent , racist , and mean - spirited cop whose dedication to his job fell just short of dangerous obsession. The film's high point , a high - speed car chase with Popeye tailing an elevated train , was one of the most viscerally exciting screen moments of its day and set the stage for dozens of action sequences to follow. And the film's grimy realism ( and downbeat ending ) was a big change from the buff - and - shine gloss and good - guys - always - win heroics of most police dramas that preceded it. The French Connection was inspired by a true story , and Eddie Egan and Sonny Grosso , Popeye and Buddy's real life counterparts , both have small roles in the film. A sequel followed four years later.
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"You've got to ask yourself a question: 'do I feel lucky?' Well do ya punk?" Dirty Harry provoked a critical uproar in 1971 for its "fascist" message about the power of one as it also elevated Clint Eastwood to superstar status through his most enduring screen persona. Harry Callahan (Eastwood in a role meant for Frank Sinatra) is a sardonic hard-working San Francisco cop who can't finish his lunch without having to foil a bank robbery with his 44 Magnum "the most powerful handgun in the world." When hippie-esque psycho Scorpio (Andy Robinson) goes on a killing spree Harry and new partner Chico (Reni Santoni) are assigned to hunt him down but not before the Mayor (John Vernon) and Lt. Bressler (Harry Guardino) admonish Callahan about his heavy-handed tactics. Racing against a deadline to save a kidnap victim from suffocating to death and unbothered by the niceties of Miranda rights and search warrants Callahan brings in Scorpio only to see him released on technicalities. "The law's crazy" opines Harry in disgust before taking it upon himself to ensure that Scorpio doesn't kill again. Directed in violent and efficient fashion by Don Siegel with a propulsive score by Lalo Schifrin Dirty Harry was the fourth Siegel-Eastwood collaboration after Coogan's Bluff (1968) Two Mules for Sister Sara (1970) and The Beguiled (1970). Critics at the time strongly objected to the heroic image of a cop's violations of a suspect's Miranda rights forcing Siegel and Eastwood to deny that they were right-wing reactionaries. All the same Dirty Harry proved to be highly popular and spawned four sequels: Magnum Force (1973) The Enforcer (1976) Sudden Impact (1983) and The Dead Pool (1988).
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"You've got to ask yourself a question : 'do I feel lucky?' Well , do ya , punk?" Dirty Harry provoked a critical uproar in 1971 for its "fascist" message about the power of one , as it also elevated Clint Eastwood to superstar status through his most enduring screen persona. Harry Callahan ( Eastwood , in a role meant for Frank Sinatra ) is a sardonic , hard - working San Francisco cop who can't finish his lunch without having to foil a bank robbery with his 44 Magnum , "the most powerful handgun in the world." When hippie - esque psycho Scorpio ( Andy Robinson ) goes on a killing spree , Harry and new partner Chico ( Reni Santoni ) are assigned to hunt him down , but not before the Mayor ( John Vernon ) and Lt. Bressler ( Harry Guardino ) admonish Callahan about his heavy - handed tactics. Racing against a deadline to save a kidnap victim from suffocating to death and unbothered by the niceties of Miranda rights and search warrants , Callahan brings in Scorpio , only to see him released on technicalities. "The law's crazy , " opines Harry in disgust , before taking it upon himself to ensure that Scorpio doesn't kill again. Directed in violent and efficient fashion by Don Siegel , with a propulsive score by Lalo Schifrin , Dirty Harry was the fourth Siegel - Eastwood collaboration after Coogan's Bluff ( 1968 ), Two Mules for Sister Sara ( 1970 ), and The Beguiled ( 1970 ) . Critics at the time strongly objected to the heroic image of a cop's violations of a suspect's Miranda rights , forcing Siegel and Eastwood to deny that they were right - wing reactionaries. All the same , Dirty Harry proved to be highly popular and spawned four sequels : Magnum Force ( 1973 ), The Enforcer ( 1976 ), Sudden Impact ( 1983 ), and The Dead Pool ( 1988 ) .
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Producer/star Warren Beatty had to convince Warner Bros. to finance this film which went on to become the studio's second-highest grosser. It also caused major controversy by redefining violence in cinema and casting its criminal protagonists as sympathetic anti-heroes. Based loosely on the true exploits of Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker during the 30s the film begins as Clyde (Beatty) tries to steal the car of Bonnie Parker (Faye Dunaway)'s mother. Bonnie is excited by Clyde's outlaw demeanor and he further stimulates her by robbing a store in her presence. Clyde steals a car with Bonnie in tow and their legendary crime spree begins. The two move from town to town pulling off small heists until they join up with Clyde's brother Buck (Gene Hackman) his shrill wife Blanche (Estelle Parsons) and a slow-witted gas station attendant named C.W. Moss (Michael J. Pollard). The new gang robs a bank and Clyde is soon painted in the press as a Depression-era Robin Hood when he allows one bank customer to hold onto his money. Soon the police are on the gang's trail and they are constantly on the run even kidnapping a Texas Ranger (Denver Pyle) and setting him adrift on a raft handcuffed after he spits in Bonnie's face when she kisses him. That same ranger leads a later raid on the gang that leaves Buck dying Blanche captured and both Clyde and Bonnie injured. The ever-loyal C.W. takes them to his father's house. C.W.'s father disaproves his son's affiliation with gangsters and enters a plea bargain with the Texas Rangers. A trap is set that ends in one of the bloodiest death scenes in cinematic history. The film made stars out of Beatty and Dunaway and it also featured the screen debut of Gene Wilder as a mortician briefly captured by the gang. Its portrayal of Bonnie and Clyde as rebels who empathized with the poor working folks of the 1930s struck a chord with the counterculture of the 1960s and helped generate a new young audience for American movies that carried over into Hollywood's renewal of the 1970s. Its combination of sex and violence with dynamic stars social relevance a traditional Hollywood genre and an appeal to hip young audiences set the pace for many American movies to come.
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Producer / star Warren Beatty had to convince Warner Bros. to finance this film , which went on to become the studio's second - highest grosser. It also caused major controversy by redefining violence in cinema and casting its criminal protagonists as sympathetic anti - heroes. Based loosely on the true exploits of Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker during the 30s , the film begins as Clyde ( Beatty ) tries to steal the car of Bonnie Parker ( Faye Dunaway ) 's mother. Bonnie is excited by Clyde's outlaw demeanor , and he further stimulates her by robbing a store in her presence. Clyde steals a car , with Bonnie in tow , and their legendary crime spree begins. The two move from town to town , pulling off small heists , until they join up with Clyde's brother Buck ( Gene Hackman ), his shrill wife Blanche ( Estelle Parsons ), and a slow - witted gas station attendant named C.W. Moss ( Michael J. Pollard ) . The new gang robs a bank and Clyde is soon painted in the press as a Depression - era Robin Hood when he allows one bank customer to hold onto his money. Soon the police are on the gang's trail and they are constantly on the run , even kidnapping a Texas Ranger ( Denver Pyle ) and setting him adrift on a raft , handcuffed , after he spits in Bonnie's face when she kisses him. That same ranger leads a later raid on the gang that leaves Buck dying , Blanche captured , and both Clyde and Bonnie injured. The ever - loyal C.W. takes them to his father's house. C.W.'s father disaproves his son's affiliation with gangsters and enters a plea bargain with the Texas Rangers. A trap is set that ends in one of the bloodiest death scenes in cinematic history. The film made stars out of Beatty and Dunaway , and it also featured the screen debut of Gene Wilder as a mortician briefly captured by the gang. Its portrayal of Bonnie and Clyde as rebels who empathized with the poor working folks of the 1930s struck a chord with the counterculture of the 1960s and helped generate a new , young audience for American movies that carried over into Hollywood's renewal of the 1970s. Its combination of sex and violence with dynamic stars , social relevance , a traditional Hollywood genre , and an appeal to hip young audiences set the pace for many American movies to come.
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In the first film of brothers Joel Coen and Ethan Coen M. Emmett Walsh plays Visser an unscrupulous private eye hired by Texas bar owner Marty (Dan Hedaya) to murder Marty's faithless wife Abby (Frances McDormand) and her paramour Ray (John Getz) one of Marty's employees. But Visser is no more up-front with Marty than with anyone else; he makes some slight modifications of the original plan so that it better serves his own best interests. After a surprise double-cross and the murder of one of the important players matters spiral out of control and the plot gyrates through a complicated string of darkly humorous events. False assumptions guilt and fear all lead to a frantic attempt to conceal evidence and the heart-pounding irony-filled denouement. Blood Simple was re-released in the summer of 2000 with a digitally-remastered soundtrack and -- at the Coens' behest -- a few minutes of dialogue trimmed.
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In the first film of brothers Joel Coen and Ethan Coen , M. Emmett Walsh plays Visser , an unscrupulous private eye hired by Texas bar owner Marty ( Dan Hedaya ) to murder Marty's faithless wife Abby ( Frances McDormand ) and her paramour , Ray ( John Getz ), one of Marty's employees. But Visser is no more up - front with Marty than with anyone else ; he makes some slight modifications of the original plan so that it better serves his own best interests. After a surprise double - cross and the murder of one of the important players , matters spiral out of control , and the plot gyrates through a complicated string of darkly humorous events. False assumptions , guilt , and fear all lead to a frantic attempt to conceal evidence and the heart - pounding , irony - filled denouement. Blood Simple was re - released in the summer of 2000 with a digitally - remastered soundtrack and -- at the Coens' behest -- a few minutes of dialogue trimmed.
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"He wanted to die with me and I dreamed of being lost forever in his arms." A young couple goes on a Midwest crime spree in Terrence Malick's hypnotically assured debut feature based on the 1950s Starkweather-Fugate murders. Fancying himself a rebel like James Dean twentysomething Kit (Martin Sheen) takes off with teen baton-twirler Holly (Sissy Spacek) after shooting her father (Warren Oates) when he tries to split the pair up. Once bounty hunters discover their riverside hiding place Kit and Holly head toward Saskatchewan leaving dead bodies in their wake. As the law closes in however Holly gives herself up -- but Kit doesn't hold it against her as he basks in his new status as a momentary folk hero. Inaugurating the use of voice-over narration that he would continue in Days of Heaven (1978) and The Thin Red Line (1998) Malick juxtaposes Holly's flat readings of her flowery romance-novel diary prose with the banal and surreal details of their journey. Singularly inarticulate with each other Kit and Holly are more intrigued by mythic celebrity gestures as Holly peruses her fan magazines and Kit commemorates key moments before orchestrating a properly dramatic capture for himself (complete with the right hat). The sublime visuals lend a dreamlike beauty to the couple's trip even as their actions are treated casually; Malick neither glamorizes Kit and Holly nor consigns them to the bloody end of their fame-fixated predecessors in Bonnie and Clyde (1967). With the couple's opaque dialogue and Holly's fanzine dream narration Malick further denies an easy explanation for their crimes. Made for under 500000 dollars Badlands debuted at the 1973 New York Film Festival along with Martin Scorsese's Mean Streets and was released within months of two other outlaw-couple road movies Steven Spielberg's The Sugarland Express and Robert Altman's Thieves Like Us. Although Badlands did not make an impression at the box office its pictorial splendor and cool yet disquieting narrative established Malick as one of the most compelling artists to come out of early-'70s Hollywood.
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"He wanted to die with me and I dreamed of being lost forever in his arms." A young couple goes on a Midwest crime spree in Terrence Malick 's hypnotically assured debut feature , based on the 1950s Starkweather - Fugate murders. Fancying himself a rebel like James Dean , twentysomething Kit ( Martin Sheen ) takes off with teen baton - twirler Holly ( Sissy Spacek ) after shooting her father ( Warren Oates ) when he tries to split the pair up. Once bounty hunters discover their riverside hiding place , Kit and Holly head toward Saskatchewan , leaving dead bodies in their wake. As the law closes in , however , Holly gives herself up -- but Kit doesn't hold it against her , as he basks in his new status as a momentary folk hero. Inaugurating the use of voice - over narration that he would continue in Days of Heaven ( 1978 ) and The Thin Red Line ( 1998 ), Malick juxtaposes Holly's flat readings of her flowery romance - novel diary prose with the banal and surreal details of their journey. Singularly inarticulate with each other , Kit and Holly are more intrigued by mythic celebrity gestures , as Holly peruses her fan magazines and Kit commemorates key moments before orchestrating a properly dramatic capture for himself ( complete with the right hat ) . The sublime visuals lend a dreamlike beauty to the couple's trip even as their actions are treated casually ; Malick neither glamorizes Kit and Holly nor consigns them to the bloody end of their fame - fixated predecessors in Bonnie and Clyde ( 1967 ) . With the couple's opaque dialogue and Holly's fanzine dream narration , Malick further denies an easy explanation for their crimes. Made for under 500 , 000 dollars , Badlands debuted at the 1973 New York Film Festival , along with Martin Scorsese 's Mean Streets , and was released within months of two other outlaw - couple road movies , Steven Spielberg 's The Sugarland Express and Robert Altman 's Thieves Like Us . Although Badlands did not make an impression at the box office , its pictorial splendor and cool yet disquieting narrative established Malick as one of the most compelling artists to come out of early - '70s Hollywood.
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Steven Soderbergh directed this crime caper adapted from the novel by Elmore Leonard. When ex-con Jack Foley (George Clooney) robs a bank his car goes dead and Foley lands in a Florida prison. His escape from prison doesn't go as planned since it's witnessed by deputy federal marshal Karen Sisco (Jennifer Lopez). Foley's pal Buddy Bragg (Ving Rhames) intervenes with the result that Sisco winds up in the trunk of the getaway car with Foley and the two realize they're attracted to each other despite being on opposite sides of the law. However that doesn't stop Sisco from her mission to capture Foley who has spent much of his life in prison. Flashbacks introduce Foley's fellow prisoners including dim dude Glenn Michaels (Steve Zahn) violent Maurice "Snoopy" Miller (Don Cheadle) and insider trader and billionaire Richard Ripley (Albert Brooks) who talks too much about his wealth. This later leads to a break-in at Ripley's posh Detroit estate by Miller his brother-in-law Kenneth (Isaiah Washington) and menacing White Boy Rob (Keith Loneker). While seeking a hidden safe the group threatens Ripley's housekeeper Midge (Nancy Allen). Foley and Bragg are in on this operation but they wind up outwitting the others and Sisco is close on their trail. The film features uncredited cameos by Michael Keaton and Samuel L. Jackson and was shot in locations in Florida Louisiana and Michigan.
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Steven Soderbergh directed this crime caper adapted from the novel by Elmore Leonard . When ex - con Jack Foley ( George Clooney ) robs a bank , his car goes dead , and Foley lands in a Florida prison. His escape from prison doesn't go as planned , since it's witnessed by deputy federal marshal Karen Sisco ( Jennifer Lopez ) . Foley's pal Buddy Bragg ( Ving Rhames ) intervenes , with the result that Sisco winds up in the trunk of the getaway car with Foley , and the two realize they're attracted to each other , despite being on opposite sides of the law. However , that doesn't stop Sisco from her mission to capture Foley , who has spent much of his life in prison. Flashbacks introduce Foley's fellow prisoners , including dim dude Glenn Michaels ( Steve Zahn ), violent Maurice "Snoopy" Miller ( Don Cheadle ), and insider trader and billionaire Richard Ripley ( Albert Brooks ), who talks too much about his wealth. This later leads to a break - in at Ripley's posh Detroit estate by Miller , his brother - in - law Kenneth ( Isaiah Washington ), and menacing White Boy Rob ( Keith Loneker ) . While seeking a hidden safe , the group threatens Ripley's housekeeper Midge ( Nancy Allen ) . Foley and Bragg are in on this operation , but they wind up outwitting the others , and Sisco is close on their trail. The film features uncredited cameos by Michael Keaton and Samuel L. Jackson , and was shot in locations in Florida , Louisiana , and Michigan.
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ased on the best-selling novel by James Ellroy and directed by Curtis Hanson this award-winning crime drama explores both the dark side of the Los Angeles police force and Southern California's criminal underbelly in the early '50s when Hollywood was still seen as America's capital of sophistication glitter and glamour. Dudley Smith (James Cromwell) is the head of the LAPD and is loyal to his officers and eager to turn a blind eye to violence or corruption within his department as long as it's the "bad guys" who are getting hurt. Bud White (Russell Crowe) is a police detective whose violent and cynical nature is often at war with his basic sense of decency and justice. Ed Exley (Guy Pearce) is a beat cop-turned-detective whose strict by-the-book philosophy and willingness to blow the whistle on other officers is balanced by a shrewd and opportunistic understanding of the internal politics of the department. And Jack Vincennes (Kevin Spacey) is a flashy "Hollywood" detective who serves as technical advisor for the TV series Badge of Honor. He is also in cahoots with Sid Hudgeons (Danny DeVito) publisher of the scandal sheet Hush Hush who throws kickbacks to Vincennes in exchange for being brought along when showbiz figures get busted. White Exley and Vincennes find themselves drawn into a tangled and sticky web of violence and betrayal following a multiple murder at a coffee shop that is believed to be part of an effort by Mickey Cohen (Paul Guilfoyle) to consolidate his hold on organized crime in L.A. This lead appears to be connected to the discovery of a bizarre pornography and call-girl ring operated by Pierce Patchett (David Strathairn) whose women are given plastic surgery so that they more closely resemble well-known movie stars. White's role in the investigation is complicated when he falls for Lynn Bracken (Kim Basinger) one of Patchett's prostitutes who is the spitting image of Veronica Lake. L.A. Confidential was nominated for nine Academy Awards and netted two with Brian Helgeland honored for Best Adapted Screenplay and Kim Basinger taking home a statuette as Best Supporting Actress.
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Based on the best - selling novel by James Ellroy and directed by Curtis Hanson , this award - winning crime drama explores both the dark side of the Los Angeles police force and Southern California's criminal underbelly in the early '50s , when Hollywood was still seen as America's capital of sophistication , glitter , and glamour. Dudley Smith ( James Cromwell ) is the head of the LAPD and is loyal to his officers and eager to turn a blind eye to violence or corruption within his department , as long as it's the "bad guys" who are getting hurt. Bud White ( Russell Crowe ) is a police detective whose violent and cynical nature is often at war with his basic sense of decency and justice. Ed Exley ( Guy Pearce ) is a beat cop - turned - detective whose strict by - the - book philosophy and willingness to blow the whistle on other officers is balanced by a shrewd and opportunistic understanding of the internal politics of the department. And Jack Vincennes ( Kevin Spacey ) is a flashy "Hollywood" detective who serves as technical advisor for the TV series Badge of Honor . He is also in cahoots with Sid Hudgeons ( Danny DeVito ), publisher of the scandal sheet Hush Hush , who throws kickbacks to Vincennes in exchange for being brought along when showbiz figures get busted. White , Exley , and Vincennes find themselves drawn into a tangled and sticky web of violence and betrayal following a multiple murder at a coffee shop that is believed to be part of an effort by Mickey Cohen ( Paul Guilfoyle ) to consolidate his hold on organized crime in L.A. This lead appears to be connected to the discovery of a bizarre pornography and call - girl ring operated by Pierce Patchett ( David Strathairn ), whose women are given plastic surgery so that they more closely resemble well - known movie stars. White's role in the investigation is complicated when he falls for Lynn Bracken ( Kim Basinger ), one of Patchett's prostitutes , who is the spitting image of Veronica Lake . L.A. Confidential was nominated for nine Academy Awards and netted two , with Brian Helgeland honored for Best Adapted Screenplay , and Kim Basinger taking home a statuette as Best Supporting Actress.
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A gut-wrenching violent psychological crime drama from start to finish this award-winning film by noted Japanese director Shohei Imamura is based on a true story. Iwao Enokizu (Ken Ogata) is a murderous sociopath who kills two money lenders in a gory opening scene. Then flashbacks are interspersed with Enokizu's flight across Japan as his miserable childhood and the development of his malevolent anti-social behavior are portrayed. Vicious and sexually aggressive Enokizu's rage simmers during an earlier stay in prison as he imagines his wife is bedding down his father. Once on the run from the police his aberrant sexual life and violent nature are further revealed in a series of gripping events.
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A gut - wrenching , violent psychological crime drama from start to finish , this award - winning film by noted Japanese director Shohei Imamura is based on a true story. Iwao Enokizu ( Ken Ogata ) is a murderous sociopath who kills two money lenders in a gory opening scene. Then flashbacks are interspersed with Enokizu's flight across Japan as his miserable childhood and the development of his malevolent , anti - social behavior are portrayed. Vicious and sexually aggressive , Enokizu's rage simmers during an earlier stay in prison as he imagines his wife is bedding down his father. Once on the run from the police , his aberrant sexual life and violent nature are further revealed in a series of gripping events.
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Richard Condon's delicious black comedy was lovingly translated to the screen by legendary director John Huston in one of his last movies. The Prizzis are a powerful family of mobsters as devoted to their code of honor as they are to bending laws and breaking skulls. Charley Partanna (Jack Nicholson) a Prizzi hit man is not quite so honorable at least where affairs of the heart are concerned. While attending a mob wedding he throws over his longtime sweetheart Maerose Prizzi (Anjelica Huston) in favor of gorgeous Irene Walker (Kathleen Turner). Supposedly a tax consultant Irene is actually a paid killer like Charley--and this endears her to him all the more. But when it turns out that Irene has betrayed the Prizzis Charley finds himself on the horns of a dilemma: does he kill Irene or marry her? Fortuitously Irene helps Charley make up his mind by attempting to kill him. The film's strongest suit is its matter-of-fact approach to Charley and Irene's profession; in the movie's most memorable scene the two lovers calmly discuss their dinner plans while disposing of the corpse of their latest victim. Nominated for eight Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director Prizzi's Honor won Best Supporting Actress for Huston's daughter Anjelica playing the "art imitates life" role of Nicholson's cast-off girl friend. The win made Anjelica John and Walter Huston the only three generations of one family all to win Oscars.
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Richard Condon 's delicious black comedy was lovingly translated to the screen by legendary director John Huston in one of his last movies. The Prizzis are a powerful family of mobsters , as devoted to their code of honor as they are to bending laws and breaking skulls. Charley Partanna ( Jack Nicholson ), a Prizzi hit man , is not quite so honorable , at least where affairs of the heart are concerned. While attending a mob wedding , he throws over his longtime sweetheart Maerose Prizzi ( Anjelica Huston ) in favor of gorgeous Irene Walker ( Kathleen Turner ) . Supposedly a tax consultant , Irene is actually a paid killer like Charley -- and this endears her to him all the more. But when it turns out that Irene has betrayed the Prizzis , Charley finds himself on the horns of a dilemma : does he kill Irene or marry her? Fortuitously , Irene helps Charley make up his mind by attempting to kill him. The film's strongest suit is its matter - of - fact approach to Charley and Irene's profession ; in the movie's most memorable scene , the two lovers calmly discuss their dinner plans while disposing of the corpse of their latest victim. Nominated for eight Academy Awards , including Best Picture and Best Director , Prizzi's Honor won Best Supporting Actress for Huston's daughter Anjelica , playing the "art imitates life" role of Nicholson's cast - off girl friend. The win made Anjelica , John , and Walter Huston the only three generations of one family all to win Oscars.
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Director Stephen Frears' tense adaptation of Jim Thompson's novel The Grifters was one of a number of revival film noirs in the first half of the '90s. Updating the setting to contemporary Los Angeles the film follows a trio of con artists who are intent on out-foxing each other. Roy Dillon (John Cusack) is a simple two-bit con whose life is thrown into turmoil when his estranged mother Lilly (Anjelica Huston) returns home in an attempt to evade the law. Lilly doesn't warm to Roy's girlfriend Myra Langtry (Annette Bening) who is too similar to herself. Soon the two women are competing for Roy in a battle that is more of a power struggle than a pursuit of affection and the battle quickly turns dangerous. Huston was nominated for an Academy Award for her work.
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Director Stephen Frears ' tense adaptation of Jim Thompson 's novel The Grifters was one of a number of revival film noirs in the first half of the '90s. Updating the setting to contemporary Los Angeles , the film follows a trio of con artists who are intent on out - foxing each other. Roy Dillon ( John Cusack ) is a simple , two - bit con , whose life is thrown into turmoil when his estranged mother Lilly ( Anjelica Huston ) returns home in an attempt to evade the law. Lilly doesn't warm to Roy's girlfriend Myra Langtry ( Annette Bening ), who is too similar to herself. Soon , the two women are competing for Roy in a battle that is more of a power struggle than a pursuit of affection , and the battle quickly turns dangerous. Huston was nominated for an Academy Award for her work.
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Long considered a classic of European film noir this existential gangster drama from French director Jean-Pierre Melville was released in the United States only in a severely truncated re-edited and overdubbed version entitled The Godson. Thirty years after its initial public airing Le Samourai (1967) finally saw a limited American release in its intended form. Alain Delon stars as Jef Costello a professional Parisian assassin-for-hire who by nature of his work's solitary demands has no friends. Although he is loved by Jane Lagrange (Natalie Delon the star's real-life wife) Costello knows that Jane already has a lover. After he successfully wipes out a nightclub owner at the behest of his boss Costello discovers that he was seen by the club's pianist Valerie (Cathy Rosier). Although he survives a police lineup thanks to a lie offered up by the fearless Valerie Costello's alibi disintegrates rapidly and his shadowy employer takes out a contract on him. As he seeks revenge on his betrayer Costello must also stay one step ahead of a wily determined superintendent (Francois Perier). Melville's film influenced several other filmmakers and projects most notably director John Woo's The Killer (1989).
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Long considered a classic of European film noir , this existential gangster drama from French director Jean - Pierre Melville was released in the United States only in a severely truncated , re - edited , and overdubbed version entitled The Godson . Thirty years after its initial public airing , Le Samourai ( 1967 ) finally saw a limited American release in its intended form. Alain Delon stars as Jef Costello , a professional Parisian assassin - for - hire who , by nature of his work's solitary demands , has no friends. Although he is loved by Jane Lagrange ( Natalie Delon , the star's real - life wife ), Costello knows that Jane already has a lover. After he successfully wipes out a nightclub owner at the behest of his boss , Costello discovers that he was seen by the club's pianist , Valerie ( Cathy Rosier ) . Although he survives a police lineup thanks to a lie offered up by the fearless Valerie , Costello's alibi disintegrates rapidly and his shadowy employer takes out a contract on him. As he seeks revenge on his betrayer , Costello must also stay one step ahead of a wily , determined superintendent ( Francois Perier ) . Melville 's film influenced several other filmmakers and projects , most notably director John Woo 's The Killer ( 1989 ) .
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ased on a true 1972 story Sidney Lumet's 1975 drama chronicles a unique bank robbery on a hot summer afternoon in New York City. Shortly before closing time scheming loser Sonny (Al Pacino) and his slow-witted buddy Sal (John Cazale) burst into a Brooklyn bank for what should be a run-of-the-mill robbery but everything goes wrong beginning with the fact that there is almost no money in the bank. The situation swiftly escalates as Sonny and Sal take hostages; enough cops to police the tristate area surround the bank; a large Sonny-sympathetic crowd gathers to watch; the media arrive to complete the circus; and police captain Moretti (Charles Durning) tries to negotiate with Sonny while keeping the volatile spectacle under control. When Sonny's lover Leon (Chris Sarandon) tries to talk Sonny out of the bank we learn the robbery's motive: to finance Leon's sex-change operation. Sonny demands a plane to escape but the end is near once menacingly cool FBI agent Sheldon (James Broderick) arrives to take over the negotiations.
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Based on a true 1972 story , Sidney Lumet 's 1975 drama chronicles a unique bank robbery on a hot summer afternoon in New York City. Shortly before closing time , scheming loser Sonny ( Al Pacino ) and his slow - witted buddy , Sal ( John Cazale ), burst into a Brooklyn bank for what should be a run - of - the - mill robbery , but everything goes wrong , beginning with the fact that there is almost no money in the bank. The situation swiftly escalates , as Sonny and Sal take hostages ; enough cops to police the tristate area surround the bank ; a large Sonny - sympathetic crowd gathers to watch ; the media arrive to complete the circus ; and police captain Moretti ( Charles Durning ) tries to negotiate with Sonny while keeping the volatile spectacle under control. When Sonny's lover , Leon ( Chris Sarandon ), tries to talk Sonny out of the bank , we learn the robbery's motive : to finance Leon's sex - change operation. Sonny demands a plane to escape , but the end is near once menacingly cool FBI agent Sheldon ( James Broderick ) arrives to take over the negotiations.
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Another entry into the "cheer for the most likeable bad guy" series of Hong Kong action flicks Full Contact tells the oft-told tale of betrayal and revenge but serves it up as a potent cocktail of Western convention mixed with the trademarked Hong Kong style. When Jeff's (Hong Kong superstar Chow Yun Fat in true hard-case form) friend Sam (Anthony Wong) steps on the feet of a local loan shark Jeff comes to his rescue creating a powerful enemy in the vengeful gangster. Seeking to skip town and make good the two hatch a plan to hijack an arms shipment with the help of Sam's flamboyant and malicious cousin Judge (a delightfully sleazy Simon Yam) and his gang of dysfunctional thugs. What Jeff doesn't know is that he's being double-crossed by the wild group of brutal killers who plan to bury him as they make their getaway. Judge forces Sam to off his loyal friend Jeff but Sam botches the job leaving Jeff to return for bitter revenge after dealing with an emotionally painful betrayal and a physically challenging rehabilitation. Director Ringo Lam foregoes the melodrama of Hong Kong counterpart John Woo and goes straight for the jugular with unremittingly stark and graphic violence. At the same time the characters retain a certain amount of sympathy keeping their relationships and reactions realistic and identifiable.
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Another entry into the "cheer for the most likeable bad guy" series of Hong Kong action flicks , Full Contact tells the oft - told tale of betrayal and revenge , but serves it up as a potent cocktail of Western convention mixed with the trademarked Hong Kong style. When Jeff's ( Hong Kong superstar Chow Yun Fat in true hard - case form ) friend Sam ( Anthony Wong ) steps on the feet of a local loan shark , Jeff comes to his rescue , creating a powerful enemy in the vengeful gangster. Seeking to skip town and make good , the two hatch a plan to hijack an arms shipment with the help of Sam's flamboyant and malicious cousin Judge ( a delightfully sleazy Simon Yam ) and his gang of dysfunctional thugs. What Jeff doesn't know is that he's being double - crossed by the wild group of brutal killers , who plan to bury him as they make their getaway. Judge forces Sam to off his loyal friend Jeff , but Sam botches the job , leaving Jeff to return for bitter revenge after dealing with an emotionally painful betrayal and a physically challenging rehabilitation. Director Ringo Lam foregoes the melodrama of Hong Kong counterpart John Woo and goes straight for the jugular with unremittingly stark and graphic violence. At the same time , the characters retain a certain amount of sympathy , keeping their relationships and reactions realistic and identifiable.
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Two actors best known for their work in the late 1960s Terence Stamp and Peter Fonda star in The Limey a drama in which a recently released felon contemplates the gulf between aging criminals like himself and their modern counterparts. Wilson (Stamp) is a British career criminal who has been released after nine years in prison. He has learned that his daughter Jenny died under suspicious circumstances in Los Angeles so he travels to America for the first time to find out what happened and who's responsible. With the help of an ex-con named Ed (Luis Guzman) Wilson discovers Jenny was romantically involved with Valentine (Fonda) a middle-aged record producer with a shady past and a fondness for young women. In hopes of getting the truth -- and getting to Valentine -- Wilson finds himself doing battle with some of the worst criminals to crawl from the underbelly of Los Angeles; along the way he also meets Elaine (Lesley Ann Warren) an older actress who knew Jenny and reminds Wilson of how little he really did for his daughter while she was alive. Steven Soderbergh's first film after his commercial comeback with 1998's Out Of Sight The Limey features along with Stamp and Fonda two other notable 60's actors in supporting roles Barry Newman and Joe Dallesandro.
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Two actors best known for their work in the late 1960s , Terence Stamp and Peter Fonda , star in The Limey , a drama in which a recently released felon contemplates the gulf between aging criminals like himself and their modern counterparts. Wilson ( Stamp ) is a British career criminal who has been released after nine years in prison. He has learned that his daughter Jenny died under suspicious circumstances in Los Angeles , so he travels to America for the first time to find out what happened and who's responsible. With the help of an ex - con named Ed ( Luis Guzman ), Wilson discovers Jenny was romantically involved with Valentine ( Fonda ), a middle - aged record producer with a shady past and a fondness for young women. In hopes of getting the truth -- and getting to Valentine -- Wilson finds himself doing battle with some of the worst criminals to crawl from the underbelly of Los Angeles ; along the way , he also meets Elaine ( Lesley Ann Warren ), an older actress who knew Jenny and reminds Wilson of how little he really did for his daughter while she was alive. Steven Soderbergh 's first film after his commercial comeback with 1998's Out Of Sight , The Limey features , along with Stamp and Fonda , two other notable 60's actors in supporting roles , Barry Newman and Joe Dallesandro .
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A surreal crime drama told as only Jim Jarmusch could Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai stars Forest Whitaker as Ghost Dog a hit man living in an unidentified but run-down city in what license plates call "The Industrialized State." Known for his gift of being able to come and go without people noticing him Ghost Dog is a self-taught samurai who is obsessed with order and his strict personal moral code drawn from the philosophies of the Japanese warriors. As every samurai needs a leader to whom he swears loyalty Ghost Dog has devoted himself the service of Louie (John Tormey) a low-level crime boss who once saved his life. When Louie's superiors decide he must be executed Ghost Dog leaps into action methodically wiping out his many enemies. Along with a dizzying series of stylized shoot-outs Ghost Dog also features carrier pigeons characters who read Rashomon a French-speaking ice cream man and a score by RZA from the top-selling hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan who have their own well-documented obsession with Asian culture. Ghost Dog was screened in competition at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival.
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A surreal crime drama told as only Jim Jarmusch could , Ghost Dog : The Way of the Samurai stars Forest Whitaker as Ghost Dog , a hit man living in an unidentified but run - down city in what license plates call "The Industrialized State." Known for his gift of being able to come and go without people noticing him , Ghost Dog is a self - taught samurai who is obsessed with order and his strict personal moral code , drawn from the philosophies of the Japanese warriors. As every samurai needs a leader to whom he swears loyalty , Ghost Dog has devoted himself the service of Louie ( John Tormey ), a low - level crime boss who once saved his life. When Louie's superiors decide he must be executed , Ghost Dog leaps into action , methodically wiping out his many enemies. Along with a dizzying series of stylized shoot - outs , Ghost Dog also features carrier pigeons , characters who read Rashomon , a French - speaking ice cream man , and a score by RZA from the top - selling hip - hop group Wu - Tang Clan , who have their own well - documented obsession with Asian culture. Ghost Dog was screened in competition at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival .
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John Boorman who won the 1998 Cannes Film Festival's Direction award for this film previously won the same Cannes award almost three decades earlier for his Leo the Last (1969) about an alienated aristocrat in a London slum. Shot in widescreen color (but printed in sharp black-and-white) The General is a biographical portrait of ruthless Irish crime lord Martin Cahill shot down outside his home by a single assassin on August 18 1994. After this opening the film then unfolds as a lengthy flashback of the events that led to his death sketching in the raw beginnings of the youthful Martin (Eamonn Owens of The Butcher Boy) and moving into the Dublin slum of Hollyfield to show the adult Cahill (Brendan Gleeson) and his link to a local cop Inspector Ned Kenny (Jon Voight). Various thefts enable Cahill to support his wife Frances (Maria Doyle Kennedy) his four children and his sister-in-law Tina (Angeline Ball). As the years pass Cahill rises as a mobster bamboozling cops constructing airtight alibis pulling off a near-impossible jewel heist and setting up a menage a trois with Frances and Tina. (Both actresses were seen previously in Alan Parker's The Commitments).
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John Boorman , who won the 1998 Cannes Film Festival 's Direction award for this film , previously won the same Cannes award almost three decades earlier for his Leo the Last ( 1969 ) about an alienated aristocrat in a London slum. Shot in widescreen color ( but printed in sharp black - and - white ), The General is a biographical portrait of ruthless Irish crime lord Martin Cahill , shot down outside his home by a single assassin on August 18 , 1994. After this opening , the film then unfolds as a lengthy flashback of the events that led to his death , sketching in the raw beginnings of the youthful Martin ( Eamonn Owens of The Butcher Boy ) and moving into the Dublin slum of Hollyfield to show the adult Cahill ( Brendan Gleeson ) and his link to a local cop , Inspector Ned Kenny ( Jon Voight ) . Various thefts enable Cahill to support his wife Frances ( Maria Doyle Kennedy ), his four children , and his sister - in - law Tina ( Angeline Ball ) . As the years pass , Cahill rises as a mobster , bamboozling cops , constructing airtight alibis , pulling off a near - impossible jewel heist , and setting up a menage a trois with Frances and Tina. ( Both actresses were seen previously in Alan Parker 's The Commitments ) .
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Quentin Tarantino wrote and directed this adaptation of Elmore Leonard's 1995 Rum Punch switching the action from Miami to LA and altering the central character from white to black. Ruthless arms dealer Ordell Robbie (Samuel L. Jackson) who lives with perpetually stoned beach-babe Melanie (Bridget Fonda) teams with his old buddy Louis Gara (Robert De Niro) just released from prison after serving four years for armed robbery. ATF agent Ray Nicolette (Michael Keaton) and cop Mark Dargus (Michael Bowen) bust stewardess Jackie Brown (Pam Grier) who was smuggling money into the country for Ordell. Ordell springs Jackie but when middle-aged bail bondsman Max Cherry (Robert Forster) picks her up at the jail he's attracted to her and they choose a romantic route with detours. Mistrust and suspicions surface after Jackie pits Ordell and the cops against each other convincing Ordell that she's going to double-cross the cops. Tarantino commented on the film's budget: "Jackie Brown only cost $12 million. You can't lose. You absolutely positively can't lose. And you don't have to compromise."
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Quentin Tarantino wrote and directed this adaptation of Elmore Leonard 's 1995 Rum Punch , switching the action from Miami to LA , and altering the central character from white to black. Ruthless arms dealer Ordell Robbie ( Samuel L. Jackson ), who lives with perpetually stoned beach - babe Melanie ( Bridget Fonda ), teams with his old buddy Louis Gara ( Robert De Niro ), just released from prison after serving four years for armed robbery. ATF agent Ray Nicolette ( Michael Keaton ) and cop Mark Dargus ( Michael Bowen ) bust stewardess Jackie Brown ( Pam Grier ), who was smuggling money into the country for Ordell. Ordell springs Jackie , but when middle - aged bail bondsman Max Cherry ( Robert Forster ) picks her up at the jail , he's attracted to her , and they choose a romantic route with detours. Mistrust and suspicions surface after Jackie pits Ordell and the cops against each other , convincing Ordell that she's going to double - cross the cops. Tarantino commented on the film's budget : " Jackie Brown only cost $12 million. You can't lose. You absolutely , positively can't lose. And you don't have to compromise."
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This drama about an undercover cop who learns the hidden dangers of working his way inside the mob was based on a true story. Joe Pistone (Johnny Depp) is an FBI agent who is given an assignment to infiltrate the Mafia; calling himself Donnie Brasco he befriends Lefty Ruggiero (Al Pacino) a low-level mob hit man whose personal life is in tatters. Lefty's marriage is falling apart his son is a junkie and his health is failing which only adds to his growing disillusionment about having spent 30 years with the Mafia (and killing 26 people) with little to show for it. But in Donnie Lefty sees someone who can succeed where he failed; he takes the young man under his wing and under Lefty's tutelage Donnie quickly rises through the ranks of organized crime; however the longer he plays the role of the gangster the more Joe Pistone finds himself becoming Donnie Brasco in his increasingly rare off hours; it drives a wedge between himself and his wife (Anne Heche) and children and Joe realizes that a break in character among the hoodlums he's come to know could mean a death sentence for himself and his family. Just as importantly Joe has come to regard Lefty as a close and trusted friend and Joe realizes that when the day comes where he has to turn in his Mob associates he'll be ending Lefty's life as surely as if he put a slug in his head himself. The supporting cast includes Michael Madsen as Sonny Lefty's boss and Bruno Kirby as Nicky one of Sonny's henchmen. The real-life Joe Pistone today lives under an assumed name with a 500000-dollar contract on his life still in effect.
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This drama about an undercover cop who learns the hidden dangers of working his way inside the mob was based on a true story. Joe Pistone ( Johnny Depp ) is an FBI agent who is given an assignment to infiltrate the Mafia ; calling himself Donnie Brasco , he befriends Lefty Ruggiero ( Al Pacino ), a low - level mob hit man whose personal life is in tatters. Lefty's marriage is falling apart , his son is a junkie , and his health is failing , which only adds to his growing disillusionment about having spent 30 years with the Mafia ( and killing 26 people ) with little to show for it. But in Donnie , Lefty sees someone who can succeed where he failed ; he takes the young man under his wing , and under Lefty's tutelage Donnie quickly rises through the ranks of organized crime ; however , the longer he plays the role of the gangster , the more Joe Pistone finds himself becoming Donnie Brasco in his increasingly rare off hours ; it drives a wedge between himself and his wife ( Anne Heche ) and children , and Joe realizes that a break in character among the hoodlums he's come to know could mean a death sentence for himself and his family. Just as importantly , Joe has come to regard Lefty as a close and trusted friend , and Joe realizes that when the day comes where he has to turn in his Mob associates , he'll be ending Lefty's life as surely as if he put a slug in his head himself. The supporting cast includes Michael Madsen as Sonny , Lefty's boss , and Bruno Kirby as Nicky , one of Sonny's henchmen. The real - life Joe Pistone today lives under an assumed name with a 500 , 000 - dollar contract on his life still in effect.
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Noted Mexican filmmaker Arturo Ripstein directed this darkly comic drama of love and murder. Coral Fabre (Regina Orozco) is an overweight emotionally unstable nurse raising two children on her own. Coral is desperately lonely and through a "Lonely Hearts" club she begins corresponding with Nicolas Estrella (Daniel Gimenez Cacho). When Coral finally meets Nicolas she decides that he resembles her favorite actor Charles Boyer (at least when he wears his toupee) -- and is convinced that they were destined to be together. The fact that Nicolas stole Coral's money after spending the night together does nothing to dissuade her; she learns that Nicolas makes his living by finding rich women and using his charm taking their savings before abandoning them. Leaving her children with an orphanage Coral joins Nicolas as his lover and partner in crime posing as his sister as he continues his work. Nicolas finds Coral's passion for him exciting but their amour fou turns deadly when Coral's all-consuming jealousy leads her to murder Nicolas' victims. Profundo Carmesi was based on the true story of American multiple murderers Martha Beck and Raymond Fernandez which also inspired the film The Honeymoon Killers (1969).
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Noted Mexican filmmaker Arturo Ripstein directed this darkly comic drama of love and murder. Coral Fabre ( Regina Orozco ) is an overweight , emotionally unstable nurse raising two children on her own. Coral is desperately lonely , and through a "Lonely Hearts" club , she begins corresponding with Nicolas Estrella ( Daniel Gimenez Cacho ) . When Coral finally meets Nicolas , she decides that he resembles her favorite actor , Charles Boyer ( at least when he wears his toupee ) -- and is convinced that they were destined to be together. The fact that Nicolas stole Coral's money after spending the night together does nothing to dissuade her ; she learns that Nicolas makes his living by finding rich women and , using his charm , taking their savings before abandoning them. Leaving her children with an orphanage , Coral joins Nicolas as his lover and partner in crime , posing as his sister as he continues his work. Nicolas finds Coral's passion for him exciting , but their amour fou turns deadly when Coral's all - consuming jealousy leads her to murder Nicolas' victims. Profundo Carmesi was based on the true story of American multiple murderers Martha Beck and Raymond Fernandez , which also inspired the film The Honeymoon Killers ( 1969 ) .
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A successful career criminal considers getting out of the business after one last score while an obsessive cop desperately tries to put him behind bars in this intelligent thriller written and directed by Michael Mann. Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro) is a thief who specializes in big risky jobs such as banks and armored cars. He's very good at what he does; he's bright methodical and has honed his skills as a thief at the expense of his personal life vowing never to get involved in a relationship from which he couldn't walk away in 30 seconds. Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino) is an L.A.P.D. detective determined to catch McCauley but while McCauley's personal code has forced him to do without a wife and children Hanna's dedication has made a wreck of the home he's tried to have; he's been divorced twice he's all but a stranger to his third wife and he has no idea how to reach out to his troubled step-daughter. While McCauley has enough money to retire and is planning to move to New Zealand he loves the thrill of robbery as much as the profit and is blocking out plans for one more job; meanwhile he's met a woman Eady (Amy Brenneman) whom he's not so sure he can walk away from. The supporting cast includes Val Kilmer as Chris one of McCauley's partners; Ashley Judd as his wife Charlene; Jon Voight as Nate; Hank Azaria as Alan Marciano; and Henry Rollins as Hugh who is beaten up by Hanna.
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A successful career criminal considers getting out of the business after one last score , while an obsessive cop desperately tries to put him behind bars in this intelligent thriller written and directed by Michael Mann . Neil McCauley ( Robert De Niro ) is a thief who specializes in big , risky jobs , such as banks and armored cars. He's very good at what he does ; he's bright , methodical , and has honed his skills as a thief at the expense of his personal life , vowing never to get involved in a relationship from which he couldn't walk away in 30 seconds. Vincent Hanna ( Al Pacino ) is an L.A.P.D. detective determined to catch McCauley , but while McCauley's personal code has forced him to do without a wife and children , Hanna's dedication has made a wreck of the home he's tried to have ; he's been divorced twice , he's all but a stranger to his third wife , and he has no idea how to reach out to his troubled step - daughter. While McCauley has enough money to retire and is planning to move to New Zealand , he loves the thrill of robbery as much as the profit , and is blocking out plans for one more job ; meanwhile , he's met a woman , Eady ( Amy Brenneman ), whom he's not so sure he can walk away from. The supporting cast includes Val Kilmer as Chris , one of McCauley's partners ; Ashley Judd as his wife Charlene ; Jon Voight as Nate ; Hank Azaria as Alan Marciano ; and Henry Rollins as Hugh , who is beaten up by Hanna.
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The feature film debut of Scottish director Danny Boyle was a dark hip Generation X comedy about a trio of Edinburgh roommates whose narcissistic greed fuels murder and betrayal. Boisterous journalist Alex (Ewan McGregor) flirtatious doctor Juliet (Kerry Fox) and meek accountant David (Christopher Eccleston) possess very different personalities but the roommates are bonded in mutual self-absorbed cynicism. Seeking a fourth boarder to share the rent for their stylish flat they cruelly dismiss several candidates before settling on Hugo (Keith Allen) whose air of detachment meets the roommates' standard of coolness. Hugo's reserve masks criminal involvement however as the roommates discover when they find him dead in bed from a drug overdose with a valise containing enormous amounts of cash. Their nascent greed overwhelms them and the trio dismembers and buries Hugo stealing his money. Only David who understands finance seems to realize that someone's eventually going to seek out such a large sum. As both drug dealers and police get closer to figuring out the friends' secret shy nerdy David becomes violently paranoid while Juliet's allegiance switches back and forth between her roommates. Boyle teamed subsequently with producer Andrew Macdonald and screenwriter John Hodge on several high-profile films.
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The feature film debut of Scottish director Danny Boyle was a dark , hip , Generation X comedy about a trio of Edinburgh roommates whose narcissistic greed fuels murder and betrayal. Boisterous journalist Alex ( Ewan McGregor ), flirtatious doctor Juliet ( Kerry Fox ), and meek accountant David ( Christopher Eccleston ) possess very different personalities , but the roommates are bonded in mutual , self - absorbed cynicism. Seeking a fourth boarder to share the rent for their stylish flat , they cruelly dismiss several candidates before settling on Hugo ( Keith Allen ), whose air of detachment meets the roommates' standard of coolness. Hugo's reserve masks criminal involvement , however , as the roommates discover when they find him dead in bed from a drug overdose , with a valise containing enormous amounts of cash. Their nascent greed overwhelms them , and the trio dismembers and buries Hugo , stealing his money. Only David , who understands finance , seems to realize that someone's eventually going to seek out such a large sum. As both drug dealers and police get closer to figuring out the friends' secret , shy , nerdy David becomes violently paranoid , while Juliet's allegiance switches back and forth between her roommates. Boyle teamed subsequently with producer Andrew Macdonald and screenwriter John Hodge on several high - profile films.
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Director John Dahl's The Last Seduction is an updated film noir centering around a seductive cheerfully lethal femme fatale. Bridget Gregory (Linda Fiorentino) talks her gullible easily manipulated doctor-husband Clay (Bill Pullman) into pulling off a $700000 drug deal to pay off his gambling debts. But while Clay is in the shower Bridget quietly leaves with the money. She ends up in a bar in a small town where she meets Mike (Peter Berg) and uses him to further her scheme to keep the money and get rid of her inconvenient husband. Linda Fiorentino was championed by many critics for a Best Actress Academy Award nomination but neither she nor the movie could be nominated since the film had made its debut on cable television.
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Director John Dahl 's The Last Seduction is an updated film noir centering around a seductive , cheerfully lethal femme fatale. Bridget Gregory ( Linda Fiorentino ) talks her gullible , easily manipulated , doctor - husband Clay ( Bill Pullman ) into pulling off a $700 , 000 drug deal to pay off his gambling debts. But while Clay is in the shower , Bridget quietly leaves with the money. She ends up in a bar in a small town where she meets Mike ( Peter Berg ) and uses him to further her scheme to keep the money and get rid of her inconvenient husband. Linda Fiorentino was championed by many critics for a Best Actress Academy Award nomination , but neither she nor the movie could be nominated since the film had made its debut on cable television.
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Get Carter stars Michael Caine as Jack Carter a powerful British gangster out for blood. His brother has been murdered in Newcastle prompting Carter to declare a one-man war on other racketeers. Carter must also get his niece out of the life she is leading as an actress in pornographic films. Now that he is a loose cannon Carter must be eliminated. Get Carter is typical action fare of the 1970s in that there are virtually no "good guys" -- in fact the assassin is probably the most likable character in the piece! Originally rated X for violence and female nudity Get Carter was reclassified as an R after subsequent crime films became even more bloodthirsty.
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Get Carter stars Michael Caine as Jack Carter , a powerful British gangster out for blood. His brother has been murdered in Newcastle , prompting Carter to declare a one - man war on other racketeers. Carter must also get his niece out of the life she is leading as an actress in pornographic films. Now that he is a loose cannon , Carter must be eliminated. Get Carter is typical action fare of the 1970s in that there are virtually no "good guys" -- in fact , the assassin is probably the most likable character in the piece! Originally rated X for violence and female nudity , Get Carter was reclassified as an R after subsequent crime films became even more bloodthirsty.
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ased on the best-selling novel by George V. Higgins The Friends of Eddie Coyle chronicles the last days of a weary Boston-based weapons dealer. Eddie Coyle (Robert Mitchum) doesn't want to serve a life sentence in prison so he becomes an informant for both the police and the treasury department. Coyle is likewise unwilling to give up his lifestyle thus he continues his illegal gun-running operation for the underworld. The mob becomes aware that Eddie is squealing to the cops so they send his best friend Dillon (Peter Boyle) to rub him out. Dillon compassionately takes Eddie out on the town treating him to dinner and a hockey game...then drives to a deserted field to carry out his orders.
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Based on the best - selling novel by George V. Higgins , The Friends of Eddie Coyle chronicles the last days of a weary Boston - based weapons dealer. Eddie Coyle ( Robert Mitchum ) doesn't want to serve a life sentence in prison , so he becomes an informant for both the police and the treasury department. Coyle is likewise unwilling to give up his lifestyle , thus he continues his illegal gun - running operation for the underworld. The mob becomes aware that Eddie is squealing to the cops , so they send his best friend , Dillon ( Peter Boyle ), to rub him out. Dillon compassionately takes Eddie out on the town , treating him to dinner and a hockey game...then drives to a deserted field to carry out his orders.
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Thoroughly disillusioned by the Vietnam War John a journalist (Michael Moriarty) turns to heroin smuggling. Acting as John's go-between is the equally burnt-out Ray (Nick Nolte) who delivers the narcotics stateside to the journalist's wife Marge (Tuesday Weld). Soon however Ray and Marge are on the lam chased down by the minions of crooked narcotics agent Antheil (Anthony Zerbe). Who'll Stop the Rain? was based on Robert Stone's award-winning novel Dog Soldiers.
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Thoroughly disillusioned by the Vietnam War , John , a journalist ( Michael Moriarty ), turns to heroin smuggling. Acting as John's go - between is the equally burnt - out Ray ( Nick Nolte ), who delivers the narcotics stateside to the journalist's wife , Marge ( Tuesday Weld ) . Soon , however , Ray and Marge are on the lam , chased down by the minions of crooked narcotics agent Antheil ( Anthony Zerbe ) . Who'll Stop the Rain? was based on Robert Stone 's award - winning novel Dog Soldiers .
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In Thief James Caan plays Frank a professional jewel thief who wants to marry Jessie (Tuesday Weld) and settle down into a normal life. In order to achieve his dream of a family Frank--who is used to working solo--has to align himself with a crime boss named Leo (Robert Prosky) who will help him gain the money he needs to begin his domestic life. Frank plans to retire after the heist yet he finds himself indebted to Leo and he struggles to break free. Thief is the first feature film from director Michael Mann and it seethes with his stylish atmospheric direction. Though his cool approach may put off some viewers it's a distinctive and effective story-telling approach and Caan's performance ranks among his very best making Thief a crime movie like few others.
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In Thief , James Caan plays Frank , a professional jewel thief who wants to marry Jessie ( Tuesday Weld ) and settle down into a normal life. In order to achieve his dream of a family , Frank -- who is used to working solo -- has to align himself with a crime boss named Leo ( Robert Prosky ), who will help him gain the money he needs to begin his domestic life. Frank plans to retire after the heist , yet he finds himself indebted to Leo and he struggles to break free. Thief is the first feature film from director Michael Mann and it seethes with his stylish , atmospheric direction. Though his cool approach may put off some viewers , it's a distinctive and effective story - telling approach , and Caan 's performance ranks among his very best , making Thief a crime movie like few others.
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Al Pacino stars as Tony Montana an exiled Cuban criminal who goes to work for Miami drug lord Robert Loggia. Montana rises to the top of Florida's crime chain appropriating Loggia's cokehead mistress (Michelle Pfeiffer) in the process. Howard Hawks' "X Marks the Spot" motif in depicting the story line's many murders is dispensed with in the 1983 Scarface; instead we are inundated with blood by the bucketful especially in the now-infamous buzz saw scene. One carry-over from the original Scarface is Tony Montana's incestuous yearnings for his sister Gina (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio). The screenplay for the 1983 Scarface was written by Oliver Stone.
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Al Pacino stars as Tony Montana , an exiled Cuban criminal who goes to work for Miami drug lord Robert Loggia . Montana rises to the top of Florida's crime chain , appropriating Loggia's cokehead mistress ( Michelle Pfeiffer ) in the process. Howard Hawks ' "X Marks the Spot" motif in depicting the story line's many murders is dispensed with in the 1983 Scarface ; instead , we are inundated with blood by the bucketful , especially in the now - infamous buzz saw scene. One carry - over from the original Scarface is Tony Montana's incestuous yearnings for his sister Gina ( Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio ) . The screenplay for the 1983 Scarface was written by Oliver Stone .
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Joel and Ethan Coen's third collaboration the gangster film Miller's Crossing stars Gabriel Byrne as Tom Reagan the right-hand man of big-city Irish mob boss Leo (Albert Finney). The film opens with Italian mobster Johnny Caspar (Jon Polito) and his second in command Eddie Dane (J.E. Freeman) informing Leo and Tom that they are going to kill bookie Bernie Bernbaum (John Turturro) because he has been revealing Caspar's fixed fights to other gamblers. Leo informs Caspar that Bernie pays for protection and is not to be touched. After the Italians leave in a huff Tom informs Leo that he should give up Bernie. Tom and Leo are both involved with Verna (Marcia Gay Harden) Bernie's sister. After a failed hit on Leo starts a full-scale mob war Tom reveals to Leo the truth about his relationship with Verna. This leads to a falling-out between the pair. Tom goes to work for Caspar but in truth he is still loyal to Leo. Tom figures out how to manipulate all of the situations so that Leo survives but this may cost Tom his relationship with Verna.
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Joel and Ethan Coen 's third collaboration , the gangster film Miller's Crossing , stars Gabriel Byrne as Tom Reagan , the right - hand man of big - city Irish mob boss Leo ( Albert Finney ) . The film opens with Italian mobster Johnny Caspar ( Jon Polito ) and his second in command Eddie Dane ( J.E. Freeman ) informing Leo and Tom that they are going to kill bookie Bernie Bernbaum ( John Turturro ) because he has been revealing Caspar's fixed fights to other gamblers. Leo informs Caspar that Bernie pays for protection and is not to be touched. After the Italians leave in a huff , Tom informs Leo that he should give up Bernie. Tom and Leo are both involved with Verna ( Marcia Gay Harden ), Bernie's sister. After a failed hit on Leo starts a full - scale mob war , Tom reveals to Leo the truth about his relationship with Verna. This leads to a falling - out between the pair. Tom goes to work for Caspar , but in truth , he is still loyal to Leo. Tom figures out how to manipulate all of the situations so that Leo survives , but this may cost Tom his relationship with Verna.
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The Derek Bentley Case has been an uneasy blight on the British legal system since the early 1950s. Two young frightened boys were caught by police trying to break into to a building. One of the boys had a gun. When the policeman reached out to the youth to turn over the gun his friend shouted "Let him have it" and the policeman was killed by a gun blast. Whether the boy understood "Let him have it" to mean he should turn over the gun or to kill the police officer has been debated ever since. But the result was the 19-year-old boy was executed for the crime -- only to be posthumously exonerated in 1953. In this dark and biting film by Peter Medak the life of Derek Bentley (Chris Eccleston) that led up to the crime is recreated in pitiful detail as well as the ensuing trial and execution. The story begins in 1952 when the likable Bentley is released from reform school. Bentley is an impressionable young man who returns home to his loving family -- his parents (Tom Courtenay and Eileen Atkins) and sister (Clare Holman) -- but becomes involved with a group of friends led by the intimidating Chris (Paul Reynolds) who live in the poverty of post-World War II Britain and escape their bleak world by emulating the American gangster films they see at the local cinema. They play-act at being gansters but with real guns ... and tragic results.
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The Derek Bentley Case has been an uneasy blight on the British legal system since the early 1950s. Two young , frightened boys were caught by police trying to break into to a building. One of the boys had a gun. When the policeman reached out to the youth to turn over the gun , his friend shouted "Let him have it , " and the policeman was killed by a gun blast. Whether the boy understood "Let him have it" to mean he should turn over the gun or to kill the police officer has been debated ever since. But the result was the 19 - year - old boy was executed for the crime -- only to be posthumously exonerated in 1953. In this dark and biting film by Peter Medak , the life of Derek Bentley ( Chris Eccleston ) that led up to the crime is recreated in pitiful detail , as well as the ensuing trial and execution. The story begins in 1952 , when the likable Bentley is released from reform school. Bentley is an impressionable young man who returns home to his loving family -- his parents ( Tom Courtenay and Eileen Atkins ) and sister ( Clare Holman ) -- but becomes involved with a group of friends , led by the intimidating Chris ( Paul Reynolds ), who live in the poverty of post - World War II Britain and escape their bleak world by emulating the American gangster films they see at the local cinema. They play - act at being gansters , but with real guns ... and tragic results.
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John Cassavetes takes a contemporary film noir turn (which he would return to in Gloria) after exploring domestic melodrama in A Woman Under the Influence with The Killing of a Chinese Bookie. Ben Gazzara plays Cosmo Vitelli the owner of a sleazy Los Angeles strip joint who loses $20000 at a mob gambling club owned by a small time gangster (Seymour Cassel). Since Cosmo doesn't have the $20000 he is forced to murder a Chinese bookie in order to clear his debt to the mob. What Cosmo doesn't know is he's part of a set-up. The bookie is actually a West Coast mob boss protected around the clock by bodyguards. The mobsters figure that Cosmo will be killed in an impossible hit and they can take over his nightclub. But Cosmo proves luckier than the mobsters think -- he manages to kill his target and now the mobsters have to track down Cosmo and kill him. Initially at 133 minutes the movie was subsequently re-edited by Cassavetes to 109 minutes.
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John Cassavetes takes a contemporary film noir turn ( which he would return to in Gloria ) after exploring domestic melodrama in A Woman Under the Influence with The Killing of a Chinese Bookie . Ben Gazzara plays Cosmo Vitelli , the owner of a sleazy Los Angeles strip joint , who loses $20 , 000 at a mob gambling club owned by a small time gangster ( Seymour Cassel ) . Since Cosmo doesn't have the $20 , 000 , he is forced to murder a Chinese bookie in order to clear his debt to the mob. What Cosmo doesn't know is he's part of a set - up. The bookie is actually a West Coast mob boss protected around the clock by bodyguards. The mobsters figure that Cosmo will be killed in an impossible hit and they can take over his nightclub. But Cosmo proves luckier than the mobsters think -- he manages to kill his target , and now the mobsters have to track down Cosmo and kill him. Initially , at 133 minutes , the movie was subsequently re - edited by Cassavetes to 109 minutes.
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Joe (George Burns) Al (Art Carney) and Willie (Lee Strasberg) are three senior citizens who share a small apartment in New York City. They live off social security checks and spend their days sitting on a park bench reading newspapers feeding pigeons and fending off obnoxious children. It's a dull life and finally Joe is driven to suggest something radical to break the monotony; why not go on a stick up? None of them have a criminal history (though Joe claims he "did some stealing during the war") but just planning the bank robbery puts a new spring in their step. Al surreptitiously borrows some pistols from the collection of his nephew Pete (Charles Hallahan) and the trio disguised with novelty Groucho Marx-style glasses pulls off their heist to the tune of 35000 dollars. Unfortunately the excitement is too much for Willie who suffers a fatal heart attack the same day. At his funeral Joe and Al decide to give the bulk of the dough to Pete and his family and attempt to blow the rest of it on a whirlwind excursion to Las Vegas. Meanwhile the eccentric robbery has become a colorful news story for the media and the police are closing in on the amateur criminals.
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Joe ( George Burns ), Al ( Art Carney ), and Willie ( Lee Strasberg ) are three senior citizens who share a small apartment in New York City. They live off social security checks and spend their days sitting on a park bench , reading newspapers , feeding pigeons , and fending off obnoxious children. It's a dull life , and finally Joe is driven to suggest something radical to break the monotony ; why not go on a stick up? None of them have a criminal history ( though Joe claims he "did some stealing during the war" ), but just planning the bank robbery puts a new spring in their step. Al surreptitiously borrows some pistols from the collection of his nephew , Pete ( Charles Hallahan ), and the trio , disguised with novelty Groucho Marx - style glasses , pulls off their heist to the tune of 35 , 000 dollars. Unfortunately , the excitement is too much for Willie , who suffers a fatal heart attack the same day. At his funeral , Joe and Al decide to give the bulk of the dough to Pete and his family , and attempt to blow the rest of it on a whirlwind excursion to Las Vegas. Meanwhile , the eccentric robbery has become a colorful news story for the media and the police are closing in on the amateur criminals.
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After a break of more than 15 years director Francis Ford Coppola and writer Mario Puzo returned to the well for this third and final story of the fictional Corleone crime family. Two decades have passed and crime kingpin Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) now divorced from his wife Kay (Diane Keaton) has nearly succeeded in keeping his promise that his family would one day be "completely legitimate." A philanthropist devoted to public service Michael is in the news as the recipient of a special award from the Pope for his good works a controversial move given his checkered past. Determined to buy redemption Michael and his lawyer B.J. (George Hamilton) are working on a complicated but legal deal to bail the Vatican out of looming financial troubles that will ultimately reap billions and put Michael on the world stage as a major financial player. However trouble looms in several forms: The press is hostile to his intentions. Michael is in failing health and suffers a mild diabetic stroke. Stylish mob underling Joey Zaza (Joe Mantegna) is muscling into the Corleone turf. "The Commission" of Mafia families represented by patriarch Altobello (Eli Wallach) doesn't want to let their cash cow Corleone out of the Mafia though he has made a generous financial offer in exchange for his release from la cosa nostra. And then there's Vincent Mancini (Andy Garcia) the illegitimate and equally temperamental son of Michael's long-dead brother Sonny. Vincent desperately wants in to the family (both literally and figuratively) and at the urging of his sister Connie (Talia Shire) Michael welcomes the young man and allows him to adopt the Corleone name. However a flirtatious attraction between Vincent and his cousin Michael's naïve daughter Mary (Sofia Coppola) develops and threatens to develop into a full-fledged romance and undo the godfather's future plans.
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After a break of more than 15 years , director Francis Ford Coppola and writer Mario Puzo returned to the well for this third and final story of the fictional Corleone crime family. Two decades have passed , and crime kingpin Michael Corleone ( Al Pacino ), now divorced from his wife Kay ( Diane Keaton ), has nearly succeeded in keeping his promise that his family would one day be "completely legitimate." A philanthropist devoted to public service , Michael is in the news as the recipient of a special award from the Pope for his good works , a controversial move given his checkered past. Determined to buy redemption , Michael and his lawyer B.J. ( George Hamilton ) are working on a complicated but legal deal to bail the Vatican out of looming financial troubles that will ultimately reap billions and put Michael on the world stage as a major financial player. However , trouble looms in several forms : The press is hostile to his intentions. Michael is in failing health and suffers a mild diabetic stroke. Stylish mob underling Joey Zaza ( Joe Mantegna ) is muscling into the Corleone turf. "The Commission" of Mafia families , represented by patriarch Altobello ( Eli Wallach ) doesn't want to let their cash cow Corleone out of the Mafia , though he has made a generous financial offer in exchange for his release from la cosa nostra . And then there's Vincent Mancini ( Andy Garcia ), the illegitimate and equally temperamental son of Michael's long - dead brother Sonny. Vincent desperately wants in to the family ( both literally and figuratively ), and at the urging of his sister Connie ( Talia Shire ), Michael welcomes the young man and allows him to adopt the Corleone name. However , a flirtatious attraction between Vincent and his cousin , Michael's naïve daughter Mary ( Sofia Coppola ) develops , and threatens to develop into a full - fledged romance and undo the godfather's future plans.
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In Sam Peckinpah's version of Walter Hill's script from Jim Thompson's novel an ex-con and his wife go on the lam after a Texas bank heist. Denied parole after four well-behaved years Doc McCoy (Steve McQueen) sends his wife Carol (Ali MacGraw) to dirty politician Jack Benyon (Ben Johnson) to get him out of prison. Carol secures Doc's freedom on the condition that he does one more bank job for Benyon. Doc and his accomplices Rudy (Al Lettieri) and Jackson (Bo Hopkins) get the cash but Doc soon discovers how Rudy intends to keep it all for himself and how Carol convinced Benyon to get him sprung. While Rudy hijacks a veterinarian and his wife (Sally Struthers) to take him to get Doc in El Paso Doc and Carol make their own embattled way south with the money threatening to desert each other before reaching a trash dump rapprochement after a harrowing garbage truck episode. All sides converge in El Paso for a shootout but trust a happily married old-timer (Slim Pickens) to help Doc and Carol have a future. With violence shot in his trademark balletic style Peckinpah does not hide the damage that Doc can do whether to a cop car or an enemy. Still as in such other morally relative outlaw movies as Bonnie and Clyde (1967) and Peckinpah's western The Wild Bunch (1969) Doc may be a criminal and killer when necessary but his and Carol's loyalty to each other elevates them above their crooked milieu. With its non-traditional traditional couple played by the then hot (and notoriously adulterous) stars McQueen and MacGraw The Getaway was a substantial hit. It was lackadaisically remade with Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger in 1994.
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In Sam Peckinpah 's version of Walter Hill 's script , from Jim Thompson 's novel , an ex - con and his wife go on the lam after a Texas bank heist. Denied parole after four well - behaved years , Doc McCoy ( Steve McQueen ) sends his wife Carol ( Ali MacGraw ) to dirty politician Jack Benyon ( Ben Johnson ) to get him out of prison. Carol secures Doc's freedom , on the condition that he does one more bank job for Benyon. Doc and his accomplices Rudy ( Al Lettieri ) and Jackson ( Bo Hopkins ) get the cash , but Doc soon discovers how Rudy intends to keep it all for himself and how Carol convinced Benyon to get him sprung. While Rudy hijacks a veterinarian and his wife ( Sally Struthers ) to take him to get Doc in El Paso , Doc and Carol make their own embattled way south with the money , threatening to desert each other before reaching a trash dump rapprochement after a harrowing garbage truck episode. All sides converge in El Paso for a shootout , but trust a happily married old - timer ( Slim Pickens ) to help Doc and Carol have a future. With violence shot in his trademark balletic style , Peckinpah does not hide the damage that Doc can do , whether to a cop car or an enemy. Still , as in such other morally relative outlaw movies as Bonnie and Clyde ( 1967 ) and Peckinpah's western The Wild Bunch ( 1969 ), Doc may be a criminal and killer when necessary , but his and Carol's loyalty to each other elevates them above their crooked milieu. With its non - traditional traditional couple played by the then hot ( and notoriously adulterous ) stars McQueen and MacGraw , The Getaway was a substantial hit. It was lackadaisically remade with Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger in 1994.
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Adapted from a novel by pulp writer Jim Thompson After Dark My Sweet evokes memories of the film noirs of yore. Jason Patric plays Collie a short-fused ex-boxer who gets mixed up with alcoholic widow Fay (Rachel Ward) and burned-out former lawman Uncle Bud (Bruce Dern). These two lowlifes involve Collie in a kidnapping scheme. At first willing to go along with the plan Collie tires of Fay's drunken mood swings and seeks out new companionship. Doctor George Dickinson proves all too eager to be friends with Collie -- more than friends in fact. Driven back into Fay's arms Collie agrees to aid in the kidnapping. But when the victim turns out to be diabetic things go from bad to worse.
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Adapted from a novel by pulp writer Jim Thompson , After Dark , My Sweet evokes memories of the film noirs of yore. Jason Patric plays Collie , a short - fused ex - boxer who gets mixed up with alcoholic widow Fay ( Rachel Ward ) and burned - out former lawman Uncle Bud ( Bruce Dern ) . These two lowlifes involve Collie in a kidnapping scheme. At first willing to go along with the plan , Collie tires of Fay's drunken mood swings and seeks out new companionship. Doctor George Dickinson proves all too eager to be friends with Collie -- more than friends , in fact. Driven back into Fay's arms , Collie agrees to aid in the kidnapping. But when the victim turns out to be diabetic , things go from bad to worse.
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The Fast and the Furious (2001) screenwriter David Ayer follows up that fast-paced action hit with this gritty cop drama from director Antoine Fuqua. Ethan Hawke stars as Jake Hoyt a fresh-faced Los Angeles Police Department rookie anxious to join the elite narcotics squad headed up by 13-year veteran Detective Sergeant Alonzo Harris (Denzel Washington). Harris has agreed to give Hoyt a shot at joining his team with a one-day ride-along during which Hoyt must prove his mettle. As the day wears on however it becomes increasingly clear to the greenhorn that his experienced mentor has blurred the line between right and wrong to an alarming degree enforcing his own morally compromised code of ethics and street justice. As he struggles with his conscience an increasingly alarmed Hoyt begins to suspect that he's not really being given an audition at all; he's being set up as the fall guy in an elaborate scheme. Training Day co-stars Tom Berenger Scott Glenn and recording artists Snoop Dogg Dr. Dre and Macy Gray.
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The Fast and the Furious ( 2001 ) screenwriter David Ayer follows up that fast - paced action hit with this gritty cop drama from director Antoine Fuqua . Ethan Hawke stars as Jake Hoyt , a fresh - faced Los Angeles Police Department rookie anxious to join the elite narcotics squad headed up by 13 - year veteran Detective Sergeant Alonzo Harris ( Denzel Washington ) . Harris has agreed to give Hoyt a shot at joining his team with a one - day ride - along during which Hoyt must prove his mettle. As the day wears on , however , it becomes increasingly clear to the greenhorn that his experienced mentor has blurred the line between right and wrong to an alarming degree , enforcing his own morally compromised code of ethics and street justice. As he struggles with his conscience , an increasingly alarmed Hoyt begins to suspect that he's not really being given an audition at all ; he's being set up as the fall guy in an elaborate scheme. Training Day co - stars Tom Berenger , Scott Glenn , and recording artists Snoop Dogg , Dr. Dre , and Macy Gray .
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Three generations of method acting giants unite for this crime thriller written by Kario Salem and directed by Frank Oz. Robert De Niro stars as Nick Wells an aging thief whose specialty is safecracking and who is on the verge of retiring to a life of ease running his jazz club and romancing his girlfriend Diane (Angela Bassett). But before he can ride off into the sunset Nick is pressured to do one last job by his mentor and business partner a flamboyant and extravagant upscale fence named Max (Marlon Brando). Max is plotting the heist of the Montreal Customs House and he's got a man on the inside Jackie Teller (Edward Norton) a talented but volatile crook who has managed to ingratiate himself with the facility's staff as a fellow employee suffering from cerebral palsy. Jackie bristles at Nick's interference in "his" score however and threatens violence when it seems he's going to be cut out of the action. In the meantime Nick grows increasingly ill at ease about the operation as it violates his two most important dictums in thievery: always work alone and never pull a job in your own city. The part of Max in The Score was written specifically for Brando by screenwriter Salem although the improvisational star and his director Oz reportedly clashed during filming.
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Three generations of method acting giants unite for this crime thriller written by Kario Salem and directed by Frank Oz . Robert De Niro stars as Nick Wells , an aging thief whose specialty is safecracking and who is on the verge of retiring to a life of ease , running his jazz club and romancing his girlfriend Diane ( Angela Bassett ) . But before he can ride off into the sunset , Nick is pressured to do one last job by his mentor and business partner , a flamboyant and extravagant upscale fence named Max ( Marlon Brando ) . Max is plotting the heist of the Montreal Customs House , and he's got a man on the inside , Jackie Teller ( Edward Norton ), a talented but volatile crook who has managed to ingratiate himself with the facility's staff as a fellow employee suffering from cerebral palsy. Jackie bristles at Nick's interference in "his" score , however , and threatens violence when it seems he's going to be cut out of the action. In the meantime , Nick grows increasingly ill at ease about the operation , as it violates his two most important dictums in thievery : always work alone and never pull a job in your own city. The part of Max in The Score was written specifically for Brando by screenwriter Salem , although the improvisational star and his director Oz reportedly clashed during filming.
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John-Luke Montias makes a triple-threat debut as writer director and star of the tense urban drama Bobby G. Can't Swim. Bobby Grace (John-Luke Montias) is a small-time drug dealer who is just trying to keep himself above water selling cocaine to a collection of losers and ne'er-do-wells in New York's Hell's Kitchen. Despite the pathetic circumstances of his life Bobby and his pals -- girlfriend Lucy (Susan Mitchell) who makes her living as a hooker; Popeet (Norman Milton) a blind man who has a knack for finding salable objects and Coco (Vincent Vega) Bobby's supplier -- are convinced that somehow their lives will get better. One day Bobby's ship would seem to have finally come it; he meets an upscale customer who wants to buy an entire kilo of coke. The deal should earn Bobby a payday big enough to allow him to get out of dealing but the customer demands product before payment and when the payment doesn't arrive Bobby's gravy train turns into an anchor threatening to take him to the bottom of the ocean. Bobby G. Can't Swim received an enthusiastic response in its screening at the 1999 Santa Barbara Film Festival.
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John - Luke Montias makes a triple - threat debut as writer , director and star of the tense urban drama Bobby G. Can't Swim . Bobby Grace ( John - Luke Montias ) is a small - time drug dealer who is just trying to keep himself above water , selling cocaine to a collection of losers and ne'er - do - wells in New York's Hell's Kitchen. Despite the pathetic circumstances of his life , Bobby and his pals -- girlfriend Lucy ( Susan Mitchell ), who makes her living as a hooker ; Popeet ( Norman Milton ), a blind man who has a knack for finding salable objects , and Coco ( Vincent Vega ), Bobby's supplier -- are convinced that somehow their lives will get better. One day , Bobby's ship would seem to have finally come it ; he meets an upscale customer who wants to buy an entire kilo of coke. The deal should earn Bobby a payday big enough to allow him to get out of dealing , but the customer demands product before payment , and when the payment doesn't arrive , Bobby's gravy train turns into an anchor threatening to take him to the bottom of the ocean. Bobby G. Can't Swim received an enthusiastic response in its screening at the 1999 Santa Barbara Film Festival .
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ritish writer Guy Ritchie made his feature directorial debut with this crime-caper comedy-drama set in London's East End and heavy on the Cockney dialogue (with one scene in subtitled Cockney rhyming slang). A big-bucks scheme goes awry: Cardsharp Eddy (Nick Moran) and pals Bacon (Jason Statham) Tom (Jason Flemyng) and Soap (Dexter Fletcher) scuffle to pile up enough money to put Eddy at the card table opposite gangland porn lord Hatchet Harry (P.H. Moriarty). Unfortunately the whole plan backfires leaving Eddy owing Harry a huge sum payable within the week. In truth Harry hopes to acquire the bar run by his rival J.D. (Sting) who is Eddy's father. To raise the cash Eddy sets out to steal from a marijuana business run by Winston (Steven Mackintosh) but the inevitable gunplay doesn't make for an easy heist. World premiere at the 1998 Edinburgh Film Festival (Focus on British Cinema).
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British writer Guy Ritchie made his feature directorial debut with this crime - caper comedy - drama set in London's East End and heavy on the Cockney dialogue ( with one scene in subtitled Cockney rhyming slang ) . A big - bucks scheme goes awry : Cardsharp Eddy ( Nick Moran ) and pals Bacon ( Jason Statham ), Tom ( Jason Flemyng ), and Soap ( Dexter Fletcher ) scuffle to pile up enough money to put Eddy at the card table opposite gangland porn lord Hatchet Harry ( P.H. Moriarty ) . Unfortunately , the whole plan backfires , leaving Eddy owing Harry a huge sum , payable within the week. In truth , Harry hopes to acquire the bar run by his rival , J.D. ( Sting ), who is Eddy's father. To raise the cash , Eddy sets out to steal from a marijuana business run by Winston ( Steven Mackintosh ), but the inevitable gunplay doesn't make for an easy heist. World premiere at the 1998 Edinburgh Film Festival ( Focus on British Cinema ) .
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Set amidst the eerie desolation of the Australian outback Kiss or Kill is a superior reworking of vintage film noir materials from the veteran director Bill Bennett. Its lovers-on-the-run story focuses on Nicole (Frances O'Connor) and Al (Matt Day) a pair of petty thieves running a scam targeting married businessmen; when one of their victims accidentally dies they flee his hotel room absconding with his briefcase. The case contains a videotape of Zipper Doyle (Barry Langrishe) a national soccer hero molesting a young boy; Nicole and Al soon take off for Perth intending to blackmail Doyle -- never suspecting that he as well as the police are already in hot pursuit. As the two make their way across the country they leave a trail of dead bodies in their wake; both Nicole and Al begin to suspect that the other is a murderer and as their journey continues their paranoia only grows. A similar feeling of mistrust and dread informs virtually every interpersonal relationship in the film effectively gnawing at our own perceptions and expectations; a stylistically aggressive picture brimming with jump cuts and inventive camera work its distinctive take on the noir tradition is fresh and exciting.
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Set amidst the eerie desolation of the Australian outback , Kiss or Kill is a superior reworking of vintage film noir materials from the veteran director Bill Bennett . Its lovers - on - the - run story focuses on Nicole ( Frances O'Connor ) and Al ( Matt Day ), a pair of petty thieves running a scam targeting married businessmen ; when one of their victims accidentally dies , they flee his hotel room , absconding with his briefcase. The case contains a videotape of Zipper Doyle ( Barry Langrishe ), a national soccer hero , molesting a young boy ; Nicole and Al soon take off for Perth , intending to blackmail Doyle -- never suspecting that he , as well as the police , are already in hot pursuit. As the two make their way across the country , they leave a trail of dead bodies in their wake ; both Nicole and Al begin to suspect that the other is a murderer , and as their journey continues , their paranoia only grows. A similar feeling of mistrust and dread informs virtually every interpersonal relationship in the film , effectively gnawing at our own perceptions and expectations ; a stylistically aggressive picture , brimming with jump cuts and inventive camera work , its distinctive take on the noir tradition is fresh and exciting.
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Stephen Rea stars as a relentless Russian investigator in this made-for-cable thriller. Based on an actual case this taut film tells the story of Burakov (Rea) a Russian forensic pathologist assigned to track down a brutal serial killer who is targeting young drifters. The nature of the assignment takes its toll on Burakov's personal life as he tracks the killer for years despite the red-tape and bureaucracy of the Soviet state. Nominated for several awards overall that year Donald Sutherland won an Emmy and a Golden Globe Award for his co-starring role as Rea's supportive superior Fetisov. The movie was filmed in Hungary.
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Stephen Rea stars as a relentless Russian investigator in this made - for - cable thriller. Based on an actual case , this taut film tells the story of Burakov ( Rea ), a Russian forensic pathologist assigned to track down a brutal serial killer who is targeting young drifters. The nature of the assignment takes its toll on Burakov's personal life , as he tracks the killer for years despite the red - tape and bureaucracy of the Soviet state. Nominated for several awards overall that year , Donald Sutherland won an Emmy and a Golden Globe Award for his co - starring role as Rea 's supportive superior , Fetisov. The movie was filmed in Hungary.
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A somber portrait of organized crime and family trauma Little Odessa centers on the trouble caused when hit man Joshua Shapira (Tim Roth) returns to his old neighborhood of Brighton Beach Brooklyn. A hired killer for the Russian Mafia Joshua is given an assignment in his hometown where he renews contact with his younger brother Reuben (Edward Furlong) and an old flame (Moira Kelly). But others do not welcome Joshua's return particularly his harsh estranged father (Maximillian Schell) who had disowned Joshua years before and currently attempts to keep him from visiting his seriously ill mother (Vanessa Redgrave). The pressure of these family crises combine with Joshua's deepening involvement in the local crime scene ultimately triggering a bloody confrontation. First-time director James Gray creates a solemn oppressive atmosphere that emphasizes the already grim nature of his story. The slow pace and familiar crime narrative were attacked by many viewers contributing to a mixed critical reaction but Little Odessa nevertheless won admiration for Gray's visual sense and the skilled performance by Roth in the unsympathetic lead role.
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A somber portrait of organized crime and family trauma , Little Odessa centers on the trouble caused when hit man Joshua Shapira ( Tim Roth ) returns to his old neighborhood of Brighton Beach , Brooklyn. A hired killer for the Russian Mafia , Joshua is given an assignment in his hometown , where he renews contact with his younger brother Reuben ( Edward Furlong ) and an old flame ( Moira Kelly ) . But others do not welcome Joshua's return , particularly his harsh , estranged father ( Maximillian Schell ), who had disowned Joshua years before and currently attempts to keep him from visiting his seriously ill mother ( Vanessa Redgrave ) . The pressure of these family crises combine with Joshua's deepening involvement in the local crime scene , ultimately triggering a bloody confrontation. First - time director James Gray creates a solemn , oppressive atmosphere that emphasizes the already grim nature of his story. The slow pace and familiar crime narrative were attacked by many viewers , contributing to a mixed critical reaction , but Little Odessa nevertheless won admiration for Gray 's visual sense and the skilled performance by Roth in the unsympathetic lead role.
0288
A frenetic bloody look at mass murder and the mass media director Oliver Stone's extremely controversial film divided critics and audiences with its mixture of over-the-top violence and bitter cultural satire. At the center of the film written by Stone and Quentin Tarantino among others are Mickey (Woody Harrelson) and Mallory (Juliette Lewis) a young couple united by their desire for each other and their common love of violence. Together they embark on a record-breaking exceptionally gory killing spree that captivates the sensation-hungry tabloid media. Their fame is ensured by one newsman Wayne Gale (Robert Downey Jr.) who reports on Mickey and Mallory for his show American Maniacs. Even the duo's eventual capture by the police only increases their notoriety as Gale develops a plan for a Super Bowl Sunday interview that Mickey and Mallory twist to their own advantage. Visually overwhelming Robert Richardson's hyperkinetic cinematography switches between documentary-style black-and-white surveillance video garishly colored psychedelia and even animation in a rapid-fire fashion that mirrors the psychosis of the killers and the media-saturated culture that makes them popular heroes. The film's extreme violence -- numerous edits were required to win an R rating -- became a subject of debate as some critics asserted that the film irresponsibly glorified its murderers and blamed the filmmakers for potentially inciting copy-cat killings. Defenders argued that the film attacks media obsession with violence and satirizes a sensationalistic celebrity-obsessed society. Certain to provoke discussion Natural Born Killers will thoroughly alienate many viewers with its shock tactics chaotic approach and disturbing subject matter while others will value the combination of technical virtuosity and dark commentary on the modern American landscape.
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A frenetic , bloody look at mass murder and the mass media , director Oliver Stone 's extremely controversial film divided critics and audiences with its mixture of over - the - top violence and bitter cultural satire. At the center of the film , written by Stone and Quentin Tarantino , among others , are Mickey ( Woody Harrelson ) and Mallory ( Juliette Lewis ), a young couple united by their desire for each other and their common love of violence. Together , they embark on a record - breaking , exceptionally gory killing spree that captivates the sensation - hungry tabloid media. Their fame is ensured by one newsman , Wayne Gale ( Robert Downey , Jr. ), who reports on Mickey and Mallory for his show , American Maniacs . Even the duo's eventual capture by the police only increases their notoriety , as Gale develops a plan for a Super Bowl Sunday interview that Mickey and Mallory twist to their own advantage. Visually overwhelming , Robert Richardson 's hyperkinetic cinematography switches between documentary - style black - and - white , surveillance video , garishly colored psychedelia , and even animation in a rapid - fire fashion that mirrors the psychosis of the killers and the media - saturated culture that makes them popular heroes. The film's extreme violence -- numerous edits were required to win an R rating -- became a subject of debate , as some critics asserted that the film irresponsibly glorified its murderers and blamed the filmmakers for potentially inciting copy - cat killings. Defenders argued that the film attacks media obsession with violence and satirizes a sensationalistic , celebrity - obsessed society. Certain to provoke discussion , Natural Born Killers will thoroughly alienate many viewers with its shock tactics , chaotic approach , and disturbing subject matter , while others will value the combination of technical virtuosity and dark commentary on the modern American landscape.
0289
For his first directorial project in six years Robert Towne selected a timeworn romantic-triangle yarn injecting the material with subtlety and conviction. Tequila Sunrise stars Mel Gibson and Kurt Russell as two lifelong friends who in true James Cagney-Pat O'Brien fashion grow up on the opposite sides of the law. One is a retired drug dealer (at least he says he is) the other a "celebrity" cop. Both fall in love with gorgeous restaurateur Michelle Pfeiffer. Veteran movie buffs will enjoy spotting director Budd Boetticher as a judge and will welcome the presence in the production credits of cinematographer Conrad Hall who earned an Oscar nomination for his richly textured color camerawork.
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For his first directorial project in six years , Robert Towne selected a timeworn romantic - triangle yarn , injecting the material with subtlety and conviction. Tequila Sunrise stars Mel Gibson and Kurt Russell as two lifelong friends who , in true James Cagney - Pat O'Brien fashion , grow up on the opposite sides of the law. One is a retired drug dealer ( at least he says he is ), the other a "celebrity" cop. Both fall in love with gorgeous restaurateur Michelle Pfeiffer . Veteran movie buffs will enjoy spotting director Budd Boetticher as a judge , and will welcome the presence in the production credits of cinematographer Conrad Hall , who earned an Oscar nomination for his richly textured color camerawork.
0290
This directorial effort from Phil Joanou stars Sean Penn as an Irish-American undercover cop working the Hell's Kitchen beat. Penn is ostensibly on a sentimental journey to his old neighborhood. Actually he's been assigned to infiltrate a criminal gang led by Ed Harris the brother of Sean's best friend Gary Oldman. Penn suffers the requisite honor vs. duty anguish when he renews his childhood romance with Harris' sister Robin Wright. State of Grace would have had more clout had it been more clear as to time and place: it's supposedly set in the 1990s but the attitudes and behavior are pure 1970s.
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This directorial effort from Phil Joanou stars Sean Penn as an Irish - American undercover cop working the Hell's Kitchen beat. Penn is ostensibly on a sentimental journey to his old neighborhood. Actually he's been assigned to infiltrate a criminal gang led by Ed Harris , the brother of Sean's best friend Gary Oldman . Penn suffers the requisite honor vs. duty anguish when he renews his childhood romance with Harris ' sister Robin Wright . State of Grace would have had more clout had it been more clear as to time and place : it's supposedly set in the 1990s , but the attitudes and behavior are pure 1970s.
0291
ill Duke directs this quirky film adaptation of Chester Himes' crime novel -- a heavily plotted gangster tale with a sweet love story hidden underneath. The film begins in Natchez Mississippi in 1956. During a police shoot-out with the mob leader Slim's (Badja Djola) gang Slim's moll Imabelle (Robin Givens) takes off with a cadre of stolen gold. As a result Imabelle is chased by Slim's mob from Mississippi to New York. By the time she reaches Harlem she is broke and has to figure out a way to ditch the trunk full of gold. She finds herself at the annual Undertaker's Ball where she sees the big and dumb Jackson (Forest Whitaker) a bumbling undertaker's assistant. She spots Jackson as a mark that she can use as a cover and latches onto him immediately. She moves in with him to hide out but Imabelle becomes taken with his innocence. For his part Jackson falls head over heels in love with her. But the Mississippi mob catches up with her and takes her away. Jackson calls in his street-wise brother Goldy (Gregory Hines) to help him rescue Imabelle. Jackson fears that Imabelle has been kidnapped. But Goldy knows better -- he still agrees to help him but Goldy wants the gold for himself.
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Bill Duke directs this quirky film adaptation of Chester Himes' crime novel -- a heavily plotted gangster tale with a sweet love story hidden underneath. The film begins in Natchez , Mississippi in 1956. During a police shoot - out with the mob leader Slim's ( Badja Djola ) gang , Slim's moll Imabelle ( Robin Givens ) takes off with a cadre of stolen gold. As a result , Imabelle is chased by Slim's mob from Mississippi to New York. By the time she reaches Harlem , she is broke and has to figure out a way to ditch the trunk full of gold. She finds herself at the annual Undertaker's Ball , where she sees the big and dumb Jackson ( Forest Whitaker ), a bumbling undertaker's assistant. She spots Jackson as a mark that she can use as a cover and latches onto him immediately. She moves in with him to hide out , but Imabelle becomes taken with his innocence. For his part , Jackson falls head over heels in love with her. But the Mississippi mob catches up with her and takes her away. Jackson calls in his street - wise brother Goldy ( Gregory Hines ) to help him rescue Imabelle. Jackson fears that Imabelle has been kidnapped. But Goldy knows better -- he still agrees to help him but Goldy wants the gold for himself.
0292
New York detective Moe Brummell (George Segal) is assigned to track down a serial killer who has been preying on lonely middle-aged ladies. Each of the bodies is discovered with a lipstick kiss drawn on the forehead. We know (but Brummell doesn't) that the murderer is Christopher Gill (Rod Steiger) a round-the-bend actor whose hatred for his mother has driven him to his killing spree. Gill is fond of adopting a different personality and costume with each killing (a priest a homosexual a plumber etc.) making him doubly difficult to trace. When Brummell comments to the media that he's up against a criminal genius he finds himself the reluctant recipient of Gill's anonymous phone calls wherein the killer plants cryptic clues leading to his next crime. It may not be readily apparent from the previous sentence but No Way to Treat a Lady is a comedy-albeit a jet-black one. Moe Brummell is hampered with an archetypal Jewish mamma (Eileen Heckart) who in her own way is as deadly as the elusive Christopher Gill. Lee Remick plays Brummell's girl friend who as the only person who might be able to identify Gill is placed in harm's way at the film's climax. A curious by-product of No Way to Treat a Lady is the fact that Rod Steiger was cast in the lead in the 1976 biopic W.C. Fields and Me on the basis of the third-rate Fields imitation he offers to George Segal during one of his taunting phone calls.
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New York detective Moe Brummell ( George Segal ) is assigned to track down a serial killer who has been preying on lonely middle - aged ladies. Each of the bodies is discovered with a lipstick kiss drawn on the forehead. We know ( but Brummell doesn't ) that the murderer is Christopher Gill ( Rod Steiger ), a round - the - bend actor whose hatred for his mother has driven him to his killing spree. Gill is fond of adopting a different personality and costume with each killing ( a priest , a homosexual , a plumber etc. ), making him doubly difficult to trace. When Brummell comments to the media that he's up against a criminal genius , he finds himself the reluctant recipient of Gill's anonymous phone calls , wherein the killer plants cryptic clues leading to his next crime. It may not be readily apparent from the previous sentence , but No Way to Treat a Lady is a comedy - albeit a jet - black one. Moe Brummell is hampered with an archetypal Jewish mamma ( Eileen Heckart ), who in her own way is as deadly as the elusive Christopher Gill. Lee Remick plays Brummell's girl friend , who , as the only person who might be able to identify Gill , is placed in harm's way at the film's climax. A curious by - product of No Way to Treat a Lady is the fact that Rod Steiger was cast in the lead in the 1976 biopic W.C. Fields and Me on the basis of the third - rate Fields imitation he offers to George Segal during one of his taunting phone calls.
0293
Either loved or hated by the critics this is the debut film by the 29-year-old writer/director Nick Gomez. A three-day slice-of-life in Brooklyn done in the cinema verite style this is a violent movie portraying two ruthless thieves and their friends involved in illegal activities--following them through the urban underbelly as they commit their crimes and are pursued by the police.
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Either loved or hated by the critics , this is the debut film by the 29 - year - old writer / director , Nick Gomez . A three - day slice - of - life in Brooklyn done in the cinema verite style , this is a violent movie portraying two ruthless thieves and their friends involved in illegal activities -- following them through the urban underbelly as they commit their crimes and are pursued by the police.
0294
In this glossy L.A. crime drama by Mike Figgis Andy Garcia stars as Sgt. Raymond Avila a cop who just joined the Internal Affairs division of the L.A.P.D. An investigation into police corruption has led Avila and his partner Sgt. Amy Wallace (Laurie Metcalf) to Officer Dennis Peck (Richard Gere). Avila suspects something about Peck from the beginning; his influence and dominance over others seems to extend further than the reach of his badge. When officers who wish to testify against Peck start dying the depth of his corruption becomes increasingly clear; at his disposal he has an army of cops and criminals alike. He even agrees to assassinate a sleazy businessman's own parents and humiliates the businessman while they make the deal. In his drive to dominate others Peck attempts to seduce almost every woman around him and is obsessed with children and fatherhood. Peck is most dangerous when the investigation threatens his territory and his extended family; he stalks Avila and turns him against his wife (Nancy Travis).
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In this glossy L.A. crime drama by Mike Figgis , Andy Garcia stars as Sgt. Raymond Avila , a cop who just joined the Internal Affairs division of the L.A.P.D. An investigation into police corruption has led Avila and his partner , Sgt. Amy Wallace ( Laurie Metcalf ), to Officer Dennis Peck ( Richard Gere ) . Avila suspects something about Peck from the beginning ; his influence and dominance over others seems to extend further than the reach of his badge. When officers who wish to testify against Peck start dying , the depth of his corruption becomes increasingly clear ; at his disposal , he has an army of cops and criminals alike. He even agrees to assassinate a sleazy businessman's own parents , and humiliates the businessman while they make the deal. In his drive to dominate others , Peck attempts to seduce almost every woman around him and is obsessed with children and fatherhood. Peck is most dangerous when the investigation threatens his territory and his extended family ; he stalks Avila and turns him against his wife ( Nancy Travis ) .
0295
A rag-tag group of con artists and ex-cons team up for the heist to end all heists in this high-profile remake of the 1960 Rat Pack favorite. As with its predecessor Ocean's Eleven opens with its titular hero Danny Ocean (George Clooney stepping into the Frank Sinatra role) eager for a new challenge. The similarities to the original end there as Ocean conspires with his old pal Rusty Ryan (Brad Pitt) to rob 150 million dollars from an underground vault that serves three of Las Vegas' biggest casinos. Between the two of them they recruit nine other men each with his own criminal specialty to assist in the mission: moneyman Reuben Tishkoff (Elliot Gould) card dealer Frank (Bernie Mac) pickpocket Linus (Matt Damon) aging con artist Saul (Carl Reiner) British explosives pro Basher (Don Cheadle) techie Dell (Eddie Jemison) rude-boy brothers Virgil (Casey Affleck) and Turk (Scott Caan) and professional acrobat Yen (Shaobo Qin). What Ocean doesn't tell the group is that there's another reason he's coordinating the heist: the three casinos they're robbing are all owned by ruthless gambling mogul Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia) who just happens to be married to Ocean's former love Tess (Julia Roberts). Ocean's Eleven was updated by scribe Ted Griffin and marked the third feature shot by director Steven Soderbergh under the alias Peter Andrews.
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A rag - tag group of con artists and ex - cons team up for the heist to end all heists in this high - profile remake of the 1960 Rat Pack favorite. As with its predecessor , Ocean's Eleven opens with its titular hero Danny Ocean ( George Clooney stepping into the Frank Sinatra role ) eager for a new challenge. The similarities to the original end there , as Ocean conspires with his old pal Rusty Ryan ( Brad Pitt ) to rob 150 million dollars from an underground vault that serves three of Las Vegas' biggest casinos. Between the two of them , they recruit nine other men , each with his own criminal specialty , to assist in the mission : moneyman Reuben Tishkoff ( Elliot Gould ), card dealer Frank ( Bernie Mac ), pickpocket Linus ( Matt Damon ), aging con artist Saul ( Carl Reiner ), British explosives pro Basher ( Don Cheadle ), techie Dell ( Eddie Jemison ), rude - boy brothers Virgil ( Casey Affleck ) and Turk ( Scott Caan ), and professional acrobat Yen ( Shaobo Qin ) . What Ocean doesn't tell the group is that there's another reason he's coordinating the heist : the three casinos they're robbing are all owned by ruthless gambling mogul Terry Benedict ( Andy Garcia ), who just happens to be married to Ocean's former love Tess ( Julia Roberts ) . Ocean's Eleven was updated by scribe Ted Griffin and marked the third feature shot by director Steven Soderbergh under the alias Peter Andrews .
0296
The directorial debut of Kiefer Sutherland is part-Western part-gangster flick in the style of Quentin Tarantino. Raymond (Vincent Gallo) is paroled from prison but decides to do one last robbery to get money to help him successfully woo his love Addy (Kim Dickens). With fellow ex-con Curtis Freley (Sutherland) and his friend Marcus Weans (Mykelti Williamson) who is really an undercover narcotics agent Raymond botches a drug heist. Fleeing to Mexico they pick up a pair of young yuppie lovers Donna (Grace Phillips) and Gordon (Kevin Pollack) and hold them hostage for the ride. They change their getaway vehicle to Gordon's Winnebago mobile home. In Las Vegas they try to sell stolen drugs to a mob kingpin Tony Vega (Rod Steiger).
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The directorial debut of Kiefer Sutherland is part - Western , part - gangster flick in the style of Quentin Tarantino . Raymond ( Vincent Gallo ) is paroled from prison but decides to do one last robbery to get money to help him successfully woo his love Addy ( Kim Dickens ) . With fellow ex - con Curtis Freley ( Sutherland ) and his friend Marcus Weans ( Mykelti Williamson ), who is really an undercover narcotics agent , Raymond botches a drug heist. Fleeing to Mexico , they pick up a pair of young yuppie lovers , Donna ( Grace Phillips ) and Gordon ( Kevin Pollack ), and hold them hostage for the ride. They change their getaway vehicle to Gordon's Winnebago mobile home. In Las Vegas , they try to sell stolen drugs to a mob kingpin , Tony Vega ( Rod Steiger ) .
0297
The sophomore film effort from music video director F. Gary Gray Set It Off is a crime thriller about four women bank robbers from a housing project in L.A. Ever since her parents' death Stony (Jada Pinkett Smith) has had to act as a parent to her little brother Stevie (Chaz Lamar Shepard). She works in various capacities to make a future for him at U.C.L.A. Cleo (Queen Latifah) is a butch lesbian who wants nothing more than to customize her classic car. Tisean (Kimberly Elise) is a painfully shy single mother to her son Jajuan struggling to make ends meet. Frankie (Vivica A. Fox) is the stylish bank teller who gets fired in the opening scene and ends up working with the other three at a janitorial service owned by irritating boss Luther (Thomas Jefferson Byrd). With Frankie upset from her unjust firing Stony angry from the wrongful killing of her brother and Tisean losing her baby to the child protective services the four friends are motivated to rob a bank themselves. Looking for thrills Cleo gets some guns from Black Sam (Dr. Dre in a cameo role) and they pull off their first job without a hitch. Their success starts a trend and they rob other banks in the area all the while being investigated by Detective Strode (John C. McGinley). In a romantic subplot Stony finds romance with wealthy Harvard-educated Keith (Blair Underwood) before the violent chase-scene ending.
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The sophomore film effort from music video director F. Gary Gray , Set It Off is a crime thriller about four women bank robbers from a housing project in L.A. Ever since her parents' death , Stony ( Jada Pinkett Smith ) has had to act as a parent to her little brother Stevie ( Chaz Lamar Shepard ) . She works in various capacities to make a future for him at U.C.L.A. Cleo ( Queen Latifah ) is a butch lesbian who wants nothing more than to customize her classic car. Tisean ( Kimberly Elise ) is a painfully shy single mother to her son Jajuan , struggling to make ends meet. Frankie ( Vivica A. Fox ) is the stylish bank teller who gets fired in the opening scene and ends up working with the other three at a janitorial service owned by irritating boss Luther ( Thomas Jefferson Byrd ) . With Frankie upset from her unjust firing , Stony angry from the wrongful killing of her brother , and Tisean losing her baby to the child protective services , the four friends are motivated to rob a bank themselves. Looking for thrills , Cleo gets some guns from Black Sam ( Dr. Dre in a cameo role ), and they pull off their first job without a hitch. Their success starts a trend and they rob other banks in the area , all the while being investigated by Detective Strode ( John C. McGinley ) . In a romantic subplot , Stony finds romance with wealthy Harvard - educated Keith ( Blair Underwood ) before the violent chase - scene ending.
0298
Adapted by Robert Anderson from a story by James A. Michener the Robert Wise-directed soaper Until They Sail is set in World-War-II New Zealand. Paul Newman plays been-there-done-that U.S. marine captain Jack Harding assigned to investigate servicemen's requests to marry local girls. An unemotional cipher Harding begins to warm up when he meets war widow Barbara Leslie Forbes (Jean Simmons) a woman with three sisters (played by Joan Fontaine Piper Laurie and Sandra Dee -- what a gene pool!). The Newman-Simmons relationship is played against the romance between uptight spinster Anne Leslie (Fontaine) and good-natured officer Richard Bates (Charles Drake) and the dysfunctional marriage between the emotionally desperate (and nymphomaniacal) Delia Leslie (Laurie) and slimy Shiner Friskett (Wally Cassell) who is off in battle. The fourth sister Evelyn (Dee) watches her sisters' amorous pursuits longingly her mind occupied by her own true love who is off to war. Until They Sail was a copacetic reunion between star Newman and director Robert Wise who'd previously collaborated in Somebody Up There Likes Me.
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Adapted by Robert Anderson from a story by James A. Michener , the Robert Wise - directed soaper Until They Sail is set in World - War - II New Zealand. Paul Newman plays been - there - done - that U.S. marine captain Jack Harding , assigned to investigate servicemen's requests to marry local girls. An unemotional cipher , Harding begins to warm up when he meets war widow Barbara Leslie Forbes ( Jean Simmons ), a woman with three sisters ( played by Joan Fontaine , Piper Laurie , and Sandra Dee -- what a gene pool! ) . The Newman - Simmons relationship is played against the romance between uptight spinster Anne Leslie ( Fontaine ) and good - natured officer Richard Bates ( Charles Drake ), and the dysfunctional marriage between the emotionally desperate ( and nymphomaniacal ) Delia Leslie ( Laurie ) and slimy Shiner Friskett ( Wally Cassell ), who is off in battle. The fourth sister , Evelyn ( Dee ), watches her sisters' amorous pursuits longingly , her mind occupied by her own true love , who is off to war. Until They Sail was a copacetic reunion between star Newman and director Robert Wise , who'd previously collaborated in Somebody Up There Likes Me .
0299
In this tech-thriller from director Phil Alden Robinson a group of five renegade computer hackers led by Martin Bishop (Robert Redford) are hired by the government to steal a black box containing a code-breaking machine from the mathematician who invented the device. The government is able to persuade Martin to take the job by convincing him that they will drop a decades-old federal warrant for his involvement in computer fraud. Martin agrees and he takes his team on the mission eventually taking the box. Shortly after the hackers have stolen the device the mathematician turns up dead. Before long the quintet realize that they've gotten themselves into more than they'd originally bargained for as Bishop's old rival Cosmo (Ben Kingsley) enters into the fold. The eclectic ensemble also includes River Phoenix Sidney Poitier Dan Aykroyd David Strathairn Mary McDonnell and James Earl Jones.
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In this tech - thriller from director Phil Alden Robinson , a group of five renegade computer hackers , led by Martin Bishop ( Robert Redford ), are hired by the government to steal a black box , containing a code - breaking machine , from the mathematician who invented the device. The government is able to persuade Martin to take the job by convincing him that they will drop a decades - old federal warrant for his involvement in computer fraud. Martin agrees and he takes his team on the mission , eventually taking the box. Shortly after the hackers have stolen the device , the mathematician turns up dead. Before long , the quintet realize that they've gotten themselves into more than they'd originally bargained for , as Bishop's old rival Cosmo ( Ben Kingsley ) enters into the fold. The eclectic ensemble also includes River Phoenix , Sidney Poitier , Dan Aykroyd , David Strathairn , Mary McDonnell , and James Earl Jones .
0300
This debut feature film from music video director Dominic Sena is a romp through the world of serial killing which in its bleakness and moral bankruptcy looks backwards to Terrence Malick's Badlands and forward to Oliver Stone's Natural Born Killers. Michelle Forbes plays hip Mapplethorpe-esque photographer Carrie Laughlin who wants to move to California for a fresh start. Her boyfriend Brian Kessler (David Duchovny) is a writer who has an idea for a new book a travel tome on the sites of serial murders. The two plan to go on a cross-country tour of the murder sites with Brian writing the commentary and Carrie taking the pictures. But they need a couple to share the driving expenses; enter Grayce (Brad Pitt) and his girlfriend Adele (Juliette Lewis in a warm-up for her role in Natural Born Killers). Grayce is an ex-con looking to jump parole while Adele is a childlike naïf. Soon the four are off to California but the yuppie couple doesn't realize how close they are to their serial killer topic. It seems Grayce has murdered his landlord before their trip and bodies begin piling up disturbingly behind them as they make their way across the country.
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This debut feature film from music video director Dominic Sena is a romp through the world of serial killing , which in its bleakness and moral bankruptcy looks backwards to Terrence Malick 's Badlands and forward to Oliver Stone 's Natural Born Killers . Michelle Forbes plays hip , Mapplethorpe - esque photographer Carrie Laughlin , who wants to move to California for a fresh start. Her boyfriend , Brian Kessler ( David Duchovny ), is a writer who has an idea for a new book , a travel tome on the sites of serial murders. The two plan to go on a cross - country tour of the murder sites , with Brian writing the commentary and Carrie taking the pictures. But they need a couple to share the driving expenses ; enter Grayce ( Brad Pitt ) and his girlfriend , Adele ( Juliette Lewis , in a warm - up for her role in Natural Born Killers ) . Grayce is an ex - con looking to jump parole , while Adele is a childlike naïf. Soon the four are off to California , but the yuppie couple doesn't realize how close they are to their serial killer topic. It seems Grayce has murdered his landlord before their trip and bodies begin piling up disturbingly behind them as they make their way across the country.
0301
Ordinary Decent Criminal is a classic gangster movie in modern-day Ireland. It follows the extraordinary adventures of a Robin Hood character Michael Lynch a thief bigamist liar and criminal genius who robs from the rich to give to the poor. Michael is suave sardonic and sexy. When his leather-clad figure weaves its way through the Dublin traffic on a powerful motorbike people stare in awe. He loves his two wives (who happen to be sisters) his wild kids his gang and most of all his way of life. He has two fundamental beliefs: be loyal to your own and the hell with the establishment. As his ego gets bigger and bigger he enjoys his notoriety more than the cash it brings. Determined to break him the police increases its harassment of the whole gang as Michael makes a mistake that could threaten his good name with the public and his reliability as a bread-winner. But he recovers his equilibrium in time to dream up a final grand scheme to survive the trap set for him. The story is reminiscent of John Boorman's The General about a similar real-life character Martin Cahill also a Robin Hood married to two sisters. The impressive cast includes Kevin Spacey Linda Fiorentino and Peter Mullan the tragic hero of My Name is Joe.
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Ordinary Decent Criminal is a classic gangster movie in modern - day Ireland. It follows the extraordinary adventures of a Robin Hood character , Michael Lynch , a thief , bigamist , liar , and criminal genius who robs from the rich to give to the poor. Michael is suave , sardonic , and sexy. When his leather - clad figure weaves its way through the Dublin traffic on a powerful motorbike , people stare in awe. He loves his two wives ( who happen to be sisters ), his wild kids , his gang , and , most of all , his way of life. He has two fundamental beliefs : be loyal to your own and the hell with the establishment. As his ego gets bigger and bigger , he enjoys his notoriety more than the cash it brings. Determined to break him , the police increases its harassment of the whole gang , as Michael makes a mistake that could threaten his good name with the public and his reliability as a bread - winner. But he recovers his equilibrium in time to dream up a final grand scheme to survive the trap set for him. The story is reminiscent of John Boorman 's The General about a similar real - life character , Martin Cahill , also a Robin Hood married to two sisters. The impressive cast includes Kevin Spacey , Linda Fiorentino , and Peter Mullan , the tragic hero of My Name is Joe .
0302
The Double Con is an alternate title for the blaxploitationer Trick Baby. Jan Leighton and Byron Sander star as a pair of African American con artists. One of the slicksters can pass for white enabling the two to pull off any number of clever race-related scams.
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The Double Con is an alternate title for the blaxploitationer Trick Baby . Jan Leighton and Byron Sander star as a pair of African American con artists. One of the slicksters can pass for white , enabling the two to pull off any number of clever race - related scams.
0303
Wealthy metallurgist Harry Mitchell (Roy Scheider) lives to regret his extramarital affair with pretty young Cini (Kelly Preston). A trio of vicious blackmailers (John Glover Robert Trebor Clarence Williams III) show Mitchell a videotape of his most recent roll in the sack with Cini. They demand a huge amount of hush money but Mitchell calls their bluff going so far as to tell his politicially ambitious wife Barbara (Ann-Margret) about the affair. But the extortionists haven't even gotten started yet. Tying Mitchell to a chair they force him to watch a tape of Cini being horribly murdered-with the evidence arranged so that Mitchell will be accused of the crime. But Mitchell remains firm in his refusal to pay up whereupon he mounts a "fight fire with fire" plan all his own. 52 Pick Up was based on a novel by Elmore Leonard which was previously filmed in 1984 as The Ambassador.
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Wealthy metallurgist Harry Mitchell ( Roy Scheider ) lives to regret his extramarital affair with pretty young Cini ( Kelly Preston ) . A trio of vicious blackmailers ( John Glover , Robert Trebor , Clarence Williams III ) show Mitchell a videotape of his most recent roll in the sack with Cini. They demand a huge amount of hush money , but Mitchell calls their bluff , going so far as to tell his politicially ambitious wife Barbara ( Ann - Margret ) about the affair. But the extortionists haven't even gotten started yet. Tying Mitchell to a chair , they force him to watch a tape of Cini being horribly murdered - with the evidence arranged so that Mitchell will be accused of the crime. But Mitchell remains firm in his refusal to pay up , whereupon he mounts a "fight fire with fire" plan all his own. 52 Pick Up was based on a novel by Elmore Leonard , which was previously filmed in 1984 as The Ambassador .
0304
This spectacular epic re-creates the ill-fated maiden voyage of the White Star Line's $7.5 million R.M.S Titanic and the tragic sea disaster of April 15 1912. Running over three hours and made with the combined contributions of two major studios (20th Century-Fox Paramount) at a cost of more than $200 million Titanic ranked as the most expensive film in Hollywood history at the time of its release and became the most successful. Writer-director James Cameron employed state-of-the-art digital special effects for this production realized on a monumental scale and spanning eight decades. Inspired by the 1985 discovery of the Titanic in the North Atlantic the contemporary storyline involves American treasure-seeker Brock Lovett (Bill Paxton) retrieving artifacts from the submerged ship. Lovett looks for diamonds but finds a drawing of a young woman nude except for a necklace. When 102-year-old Rose (Gloria Stuart) reveals she's the person in the portrait she is summoned to the wreckage site to tell her story of the 56-carat diamond necklace and her experiences of 84 years earlier. The scene then shifts to 1912 Southampton where passengers boarding the Titanic include penniless Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio) and society girl Rose DeWitt Bukater (Kate Winslet) returning to Philadelphia with her wealthy fiance Cal Hockley (Billy Zane). After the April 10th launch Rose develops a passionate interest in Jack and Cal's reaction is vengeful. At midpoint in the film the Titanic slides against the iceberg and water rushes into the front compartments. Even engulfed Cal continues to pursue Jack and Rose as the massive liner begins its descent. Cameron launched the project after seeing Robert Ballard's 1987 National Geographic documentary on the wreckage. Blueprints of the real Titanic were followed during construction at Fox's custom-built Rosarito Mexico studio where a hydraulics system moved an immense model in a 17-million-gallon water tank. During three weeks aboard the Russian ship Academik Keldysh underwater sequences were filmed with a 35mm camera in a titanium case mounted on the Russian submersible Mir 1. When the submersible neared the wreck a video camera inside a remote-operated vehicle was sent into the Titanic's 400-foot bow bringing back footage of staterooms furniture and chandeliers. On November 1 1997 the film had its world premiere at the 10th Tokyo International Film Festival.
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This spectacular epic re - creates the ill - fated maiden voyage of the White Star Line's $7.5 million R.M.S Titanic and the tragic sea disaster of April 15 , 1912. Running over three hours and made with the combined contributions of two major studios ( 20th Century - Fox , Paramount ) at a cost of more than $200 million , Titanic ranked as the most expensive film in Hollywood history at the time of its release , and became the most successful. Writer - director James Cameron employed state - of - the - art digital special effects for this production , realized on a monumental scale and spanning eight decades. Inspired by the 1985 discovery of the Titanic in the North Atlantic , the contemporary storyline involves American treasure - seeker Brock Lovett ( Bill Paxton ) retrieving artifacts from the submerged ship. Lovett looks for diamonds but finds a drawing of a young woman , nude except for a necklace. When 102 - year - old Rose ( Gloria Stuart ) reveals she's the person in the portrait , she is summoned to the wreckage site to tell her story of the 56 - carat diamond necklace and her experiences of 84 years earlier. The scene then shifts to 1912 Southampton where passengers boarding the Titanic include penniless Jack Dawson ( Leonardo DiCaprio ) and society girl Rose DeWitt Bukater ( Kate Winslet ), returning to Philadelphia with her wealthy fiance Cal Hockley ( Billy Zane ) . After the April 10th launch , Rose develops a passionate interest in Jack , and Cal's reaction is vengeful. At midpoint in the film , the Titanic slides against the iceberg and water rushes into the front compartments. Even engulfed , Cal continues to pursue Jack and Rose as the massive liner begins its descent. Cameron launched the project after seeing Robert Ballard 's 1987 National Geographic documentary on the wreckage. Blueprints of the real Titanic were followed during construction at Fox's custom - built Rosarito , Mexico studio , where a hydraulics system moved an immense model in a 17 - million - gallon water tank. During three weeks aboard the Russian ship Academik Keldysh , underwater sequences were filmed with a 35mm camera in a titanium case mounted on the Russian submersible Mir 1. When the submersible neared the wreck , a video camera inside a remote - operated vehicle was sent into the Titanic's 400 - foot bow , bringing back footage of staterooms , furniture and chandeliers. On November 1 , 1997 , the film had its world premiere at the 10th Tokyo International Film Festival.
0305
ased on the Holy Scriptures with additional dialogue by several other hands The Ten Commandments was the last film directed by Cecil B. DeMille. The story relates the life of Moses from the time he was discovered in the bullrushes as an infant by the pharoah's daughter to his long hard struggle to free the Hebrews from their slavery at the hands of the Egyptians. Moses (Charlton Heston) starts out "in solid" as Pharoah's adopted son (and a whiz at designing pyramids dispensing such construction-site advice as "Blood makes poor mortar") but when he discovers his true Hebrew heritage he attempts to make life easier for his people. Banished by his jealous half-brother Rameses (Yul Brynner) Moses returns fully bearded to Pharoah's court warning that he's had a message from God and that the Egyptians had better free the Hebrews post-haste if they know what's good for them. Only after the Deadly Plagues have decimated Egypt does Rameses give in. As the Hebrews reach the Red Sea they discover that Rameses has gone back on his word and plans to have them all killed. But Moses rescues his people with a little Divine legerdemain by parting the Seas. Later Moses is again confronted by God on Mt. Sinai who delivers unto him the Ten Commandments. Meanwhile the Hebrews led by the duplicitous Dathan (Edward G. Robinson) are forgetting their religion and behaving like libertines. "Where's your Moses now?" brays Dathan in the manner of a Lower East Side gangster. He soon finds out. DeMille's The Ten Commandments may not be the most subtle and sophisticated entertainment ever concocted but it tells its story with a clarity and vitality that few Biblical scholars have ever been able to duplicate. It is very likely the most eventful 219 minutes ever recorded to film--and who's to say that Nefertiri (Anne Baxter) didn't make speeches like "Oh Moses Moses you splendid stubborn adorable fool"?
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Based on the Holy Scriptures , with additional dialogue by several other hands , The Ten Commandments was the last film directed by Cecil B. DeMille . The story relates the life of Moses , from the time he was discovered in the bullrushes as an infant by the pharoah's daughter , to his long , hard struggle to free the Hebrews from their slavery at the hands of the Egyptians. Moses ( Charlton Heston ) starts out "in solid" as Pharoah's adopted son ( and a whiz at designing pyramids , dispensing such construction - site advice as "Blood makes poor mortar" ), but when he discovers his true Hebrew heritage , he attempts to make life easier for his people. Banished by his jealous half - brother Rameses ( Yul Brynner ), Moses returns fully bearded to Pharoah's court , warning that he's had a message from God and that the Egyptians had better free the Hebrews post - haste if they know what's good for them. Only after the Deadly Plagues have decimated Egypt does Rameses give in. As the Hebrews reach the Red Sea , they discover that Rameses has gone back on his word and plans to have them all killed. But Moses rescues his people with a little Divine legerdemain by parting the Seas. Later , Moses is again confronted by God on Mt. Sinai , who delivers unto him the Ten Commandments. Meanwhile , the Hebrews , led by the duplicitous Dathan ( Edward G. Robinson ), are forgetting their religion and behaving like libertines. "Where's your Moses now?" brays Dathan in the manner of a Lower East Side gangster. He soon finds out. DeMille's The Ten Commandments may not be the most subtle and sophisticated entertainment ever concocted , but it tells its story with a clarity and vitality that few Biblical scholars have ever been able to duplicate. It is very likely the most eventful 219 minutes ever recorded to film -- and who's to say that Nefertiri ( Anne Baxter ) didn't make speeches like , "Oh , Moses , Moses , you splendid , stubborn , adorable fool"?
0306
Ran is Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa's reinterpretation of William Shakespeare's King Lear. The Lear counterpart is an elderly 16th-century warlord (Tatsuya Nakadai) who announces that he's about to divide his kingdom equally among his three sons. In his dotage he falls prey to the false flattery of his treacherous sons (Akira Terao and Jinpachi Nezu) while banishing his youngest son (Daisuke Ryu) the only member of the family who loves him enough to tell him the unvarnished truth. Thanks to his foolish pride his domain collapses under its own weight as the sons battle each other over total control. Kurosawa's first film in five years Ran had been in the planning stages for twice that long; Kurosawa had storyboarded the project with a series of vivid color paintings that have since been published in book form in England. The battle scenes are staged with such brutal vigor that it's hard to imagine that the director was 75 years old at the time. This 160-minute historical epic won several international awards but it was not a hit in Japan and it would be five more years before Kurosawa would be able to finance another picture.
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Ran is Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa 's reinterpretation of William Shakespeare's King Lear . The Lear counterpart is an elderly 16th - century warlord ( Tatsuya Nakadai ), who announces that he's about to divide his kingdom equally among his three sons. In his dotage , he falls prey to the false flattery of his treacherous sons ( Akira Terao and Jinpachi Nezu ), while banishing his youngest son ( Daisuke Ryu ), the only member of the family who loves him enough to tell him the unvarnished truth. Thanks to his foolish pride , his domain collapses under its own weight as the sons battle each other over total control. Kurosawa 's first film in five years , Ran had been in the planning stages for twice that long ; Kurosawa had storyboarded the project with a series of vivid color paintings that have since been published in book form in England. The battle scenes are staged with such brutal vigor that it's hard to imagine that the director was 75 years old at the time. This 160 - minute historical epic won several international awards , but it was not a hit in Japan , and it would be five more years before Kurosawa would be able to finance another picture.
0307
This sweeping highly literate historical epic covers the Allies' mideastern campaign during World War I as seen through the eyes of the enigmatic T. E. Lawrence (Peter O'Toole in the role that made him a star). After a prologue showing us Lawrence's ultimate fate we flash back to Cairo in 1917. A bored general staffer Lawrence talks his way into a transfer to Arabia. Once in the desert he befriends Sherif Ali Ben El Kharish (Omar Sharif making one of the most spectacular entrances in movie history) and draws up plans to aid the Arabs in their rebellion against the Turks. No one is ever able to discern Lawrence's motives in this matter: Prince Feisal (Alec Guinness) dismisses him as yet another "desert-loving Englishman" and his British superiors assume that he's either arrogant or mad. Using a combination of diplomacy and bribery Lawrence unites the rival Arab factions of Feisal and Auda Abu Tayi (Anthony Quinn). After successfully completing his mission Lawrence becomes an unwitting pawn of the Allies as represented by Gen. Allenby (Jack Hawkins) and Dryden (Claude Rains) who decide to keep using Lawrence to secure Arab cooperation against the Imperial Powers. While on a spying mission to Deraa Lawrence is captured and tortured by a sadistic Turkish Bey (Jose Ferrer). In the heat of the next battle a wild-eyed Lawrence screams "No prisoners!" and fights more ruthlessly than ever. Screenwriters Robert Bolt and Michael Wilson used T. E. Lawrence's own self-published memoir The Seven Pillars of Wisdom as their principal source although some of the characters are composites and many of the "historical" incidents are of unconfirmed origin. Two years in the making (you can see O'Toole's weight fluctuate from scene to scene) the movie lensed in Spain and Jordan ended up costing a then-staggering $13 million and won seven Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director. The 1962 Royal Premiere in London was virtually the last time that David Lean's director's cut was seen: 20 minutes were edited from the film's general release and 15 more from the 1971 reissue. This abbreviated version was all that was available for public exhibition until a massive 1989 restoration at 216 minutes that returned several of Lean's favorite scenes while removing others with which he had never been satisfied.
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This sweeping , highly literate historical epic covers the Allies' mideastern campaign during World War I as seen through the eyes of the enigmatic T. E. Lawrence ( Peter O'Toole , in the role that made him a star ) . After a prologue showing us Lawrence 's ultimate fate , we flash back to Cairo in 1917. A bored general staffer , Lawrence talks his way into a transfer to Arabia. Once in the desert , he befriends Sherif Ali Ben El Kharish ( Omar Sharif , making one of the most spectacular entrances in movie history ) and draws up plans to aid the Arabs in their rebellion against the Turks. No one is ever able to discern Lawrence's motives in this matter : Prince Feisal ( Alec Guinness ) dismisses him as yet another "desert - loving Englishman , " and his British superiors assume that he's either arrogant or mad. Using a combination of diplomacy and bribery , Lawrence unites the rival Arab factions of Feisal and Auda Abu Tayi ( Anthony Quinn ) . After successfully completing his mission , Lawrence becomes an unwitting pawn of the Allies , as represented by Gen. Allenby ( Jack Hawkins ) and Dryden ( Claude Rains ), who decide to keep using Lawrence to secure Arab cooperation against the Imperial Powers. While on a spying mission to Deraa , Lawrence is captured and tortured by a sadistic Turkish Bey ( Jose Ferrer ) . In the heat of the next battle , a wild - eyed Lawrence screams "No prisoners!" and fights more ruthlessly than ever. Screenwriters Robert Bolt and Michael Wilson used T. E. Lawrence 's own self - published memoir The Seven Pillars of Wisdom as their principal source , although some of the characters are composites , and many of the "historical" incidents are of unconfirmed origin. Two years in the making ( you can see O'Toole 's weight fluctuate from scene to scene ), the movie , lensed in Spain and Jordan , ended up costing a then - staggering $13 million and won seven Academy Awards , including Best Picture and Best Director. The 1962 Royal Premiere in London was virtually the last time that David Lean 's director's cut was seen : 20 minutes were edited from the film's general release , and 15 more from the 1971 reissue. This abbreviated version was all that was available for public exhibition until a massive 1989 restoration , at 216 minutes that returned several of Lean 's favorite scenes while removing others with which he had never been satisfied.
0308
ased on the Nobel Prize-winning novel by Boris Pasternak Doctor Zhivago covers the years prior to during and after the Russian Revolution as seen through the eyes of poet/physician Yuri Zhivago (Omar Sharif). In the tradition of Russian novels a multitude of characters and subplots intertwine within the film's 197 minutes (plus intermission). Zhivago is married to Tonya (Geraldine Chaplin) but carries on an affair with Lara (Julie Christie) who has been raped by ruthless politician Komarovsky (Rod Steiger). Meanwhile Zhivago's half-brother Yevgraf (Alec Guinness) and the mysterious revenge-seeking Strelnikoff (Tom Courteney) represent the "good" and "bad" elements of the Bolshevik revolution. Composer Maurice Jarre received one of Doctor Zhivago's five Oscars with the others going to screenwriter Robert Bolt cinematographer Freddie Young art directors John Box and Terry Marsh set decorator Dario Simoni and costumer Phyllis Dalton. The best picture Oscar however went to The Sound of Music.
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Based on the Nobel Prize - winning novel by Boris Pasternak , Doctor Zhivago covers the years prior to , during , and after the Russian Revolution , as seen through the eyes of poet / physician Yuri Zhivago ( Omar Sharif ) . In the tradition of Russian novels , a multitude of characters and subplots intertwine within the film's 197 minutes ( plus intermission ) . Zhivago is married to Tonya ( Geraldine Chaplin ), but carries on an affair with Lara ( Julie Christie ), who has been raped by ruthless politician Komarovsky ( Rod Steiger ) . Meanwhile , Zhivago's half - brother Yevgraf ( Alec Guinness ) and the mysterious , revenge - seeking Strelnikoff ( Tom Courteney ) represent the "good" and "bad" elements of the Bolshevik revolution. Composer Maurice Jarre received one of Doctor Zhivago's five Oscars , with the others going to screenwriter Robert Bolt , cinematographer Freddie Young , art directors John Box and Terry Marsh , set decorator Dario Simoni , and costumer Phyllis Dalton . The best picture Oscar , however , went to The Sound of Music .
0309
This 1959 version of Lew Wallace's best-selling novel which had already seen screen versions in 1907 and 1926 went on to win 11 Academy Awards. Adapted by Karl Tunberg and a raft of uncredited writers including Gore Vidal and Maxwell Anderson the film once more recounts the tale of Jewish prince Judah Ben-Hur (Charlton Heston) who lives in Judea with his family during the time that Jesus Christ was becoming known for his "radical" teachings. Ben-Hur's childhood friend Messala (Stephen Boyd) is now an ambitious Roman tribune; when Ben-Hur refuses to help Messala round up local dissidents on behalf of the emperor Messala pounces on the first opportunity to exact revenge on his onetime friend. Tried on a trumped-up charge of attempting to kill the provincial governor (whose head was accidentally hit by a falling tile) Ben-Hur is condemned to the Roman galleys while his mother (Martha Scott) and sister (Cathy O'Donnell) are imprisoned. But during a sea battle Ben-Hur saves the life of commander Quintus Arrius (Jack Hawkins) who in gratitude adopts Ben-Hur as his son and gives him full control over his stable of racing horses. Ben-Hur never gives up trying to find his family or exact revenge on Messala. At crucial junctures in his life he also crosses the path of Jesus and each time he benefits from it. The highlight of the film's 212 minutes is its now-legendary chariot race staged largely by stunt expert Yakima Canutt. Ben-Hur's Oscar haul included Best Picture Best Director for the legendary William Wyler Best Actor for Heston and Best Supporting Actor for Welsh actor Hugh Griffith as an Arab sheik.
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This 1959 version of Lew Wallace 's best - selling novel , which had already seen screen versions in 1907 and 1926 , went on to win 11 Academy Awards. Adapted by Karl Tunberg and a raft of uncredited writers including Gore Vidal and Maxwell Anderson , the film once more recounts the tale of Jewish prince Judah Ben - Hur ( Charlton Heston ), who lives in Judea with his family during the time that Jesus Christ was becoming known for his "radical" teachings. Ben - Hur's childhood friend Messala ( Stephen Boyd ) is now an ambitious Roman tribune ; when Ben - Hur refuses to help Messala round up local dissidents on behalf of the emperor , Messala pounces on the first opportunity to exact revenge on his onetime friend. Tried on a trumped - up charge of attempting to kill the provincial governor ( whose head was accidentally hit by a falling tile ), Ben - Hur is condemned to the Roman galleys , while his mother ( Martha Scott ) and sister ( Cathy O'Donnell ) are imprisoned. But during a sea battle , Ben - Hur saves the life of commander Quintus Arrius ( Jack Hawkins ), who , in gratitude , adopts Ben - Hur as his son and gives him full control over his stable of racing horses. Ben - Hur never gives up trying to find his family or exact revenge on Messala. At crucial junctures in his life , he also crosses the path of Jesus , and each time he benefits from it. The highlight of the film's 212 minutes is its now - legendary chariot race , staged largely by stunt expert Yakima Canutt . Ben - Hur 's Oscar haul included Best Picture , Best Director for the legendary William Wyler , Best Actor for Heston , and Best Supporting Actor for Welsh actor Hugh Griffith as an Arab sheik.
0310
In 1943 North Africa George Patton (George C. Scott) assumes command of (and instills some much-needed discipline in) the American forces. Engaged in battle against Germany's Field Marshal Rommel (Karl Michael Vogler) Patton drives back "The Desert Fox" by using the German's own tactics. Promoted to Lieutenant General Patton is sent to Sicily where he engages in a personal war of egos with British Field Marshal Montgomery (Michael Bates). Performing brilliantly in Italy Patton seriously jeopardizes his future with a single slap. While touring an Army hospital the General comes across a GI (Tim Considine) suffering from nervous fatigue. Incensed by what he considers a slacker Patton smacks the poor soldier and orders him to get well in a hurry. This incident results in his losing his command-and by extension missing out on D-Day. In his final campaign Patton leads the US 3rd Army through Europe. Unabashedly flamboyant Patton remains a valuable resource but ultimately proves too much of a "loose cannon" in comparison to the more level-headed tactics of his old friend Omar Bradley (Karl Malden). Patton won 7 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor for Scott an award that he refused.
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In 1943 North Africa , George Patton ( George C. Scott ) assumes command of ( and instills some much - needed discipline in ) the American forces. Engaged in battle against Germany's Field Marshal Rommel ( Karl Michael Vogler ), Patton drives back "The Desert Fox" by using the German's own tactics. Promoted to Lieutenant General , Patton is sent to Sicily , where he engages in a personal war of egos with British Field Marshal Montgomery ( Michael Bates ) . Performing brilliantly in Italy , Patton seriously jeopardizes his future with a single slap. While touring an Army hospital , the General comes across a GI ( Tim Considine ) suffering from nervous fatigue. Incensed by what he considers a slacker , Patton smacks the poor soldier and orders him to get well in a hurry. This incident results in his losing his command - and , by extension , missing out on D - Day. In his final campaign , Patton leads the US 3rd Army through Europe. Unabashedly flamboyant , Patton remains a valuable resource , but ultimately proves too much of a "loose cannon" in comparison to the more level - headed tactics of his old friend Omar Bradley ( Karl Malden ) . Patton won 7 Academy Awards , including Best Picture and Best Actor for Scott , an award that he refused.
0311
Just as many American studio-era directors found acclaim abroad that was denied them in their home country by 1980 Akira Kurosawa's reputation outside Japan exceeded his esteem at home. As uncompromising as ever he found considerable difficulty securing backing for his ambitious projects. Unsure he would be able to film it the director an aspiring artist before he entered filmmaking converted Kagemusha into a series of paintings and it was partly on the basis of these that he won the financial support of longtime admirers Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas. Set in the 16th century when powerful warlords competed for control of Japan it offers an examination of the nature of political power and the slipperiness of identity. For some time Shingen Takeda Tatsuya Nakadai has been able to stay removed from the heat of battle by using his brother Nobukado Tsutomu Yamazaki as a double. As the film opens Nobukado offers another option having discovered a condemned thief (also played by Tatsuya Nakadai) bearing an uncanny resemblance to the warlord. After he insists on witnessing the fall of an enemy in person Shingen falls victim to a sniper's bullet forcing his advisers to present the thief as the fallen warrior. At first awkward in his new position and plagued by dreams in which the spirit of his double confronts him he slowly grows into the role even as his enemies begin to advance on his kingdom. The winner of the Palm D'Or at Cannes Kagemusha: The Shadow Warrior has also been released as The Double.
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Just as many American studio - era directors found acclaim abroad that was denied them in their home country , by 1980 Akira Kurosawa 's reputation outside Japan exceeded his esteem at home. As uncompromising as ever , he found considerable difficulty securing backing for his ambitious projects. Unsure he would be able to film it , the director , an aspiring artist before he entered filmmaking , converted Kagemusha into a series of paintings , and it was partly on the basis of these that he won the financial support of longtime admirers Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas . Set in the 16th century , when powerful warlords competed for control of Japan , it offers an examination of the nature of political power and the slipperiness of identity. For some time , Shingen Takeda Tatsuya Nakadai has been able to stay removed from the heat of battle by using his brother Nobukado Tsutomu Yamazaki as a double. As the film opens , Nobukado offers another option , having discovered a condemned thief ( also played by Tatsuya Nakadai ) bearing an uncanny resemblance to the warlord. After he insists on witnessing the fall of an enemy in person , Shingen falls victim to a sniper's bullet , forcing his advisers to present the thief as the fallen warrior. At first awkward in his new position and plagued by dreams in which the spirit of his double confronts him , he slowly grows into the role even as his enemies begin to advance on his kingdom. The winner of the Palm D'Or at Cannes , Kagemusha : The Shadow Warrior has also been released as The Double .
0312
This Martin Scorsese film drama detailing the Dalai Lama's life story was in development for seven years with the Dalai Lama having input into the 14 screenplay drafts by Melissa Mathison (The Black Stallion E.T.). With four actors portraying the Dalai Lama at different ages Scorsese's chronicle begins in 1933 with the death of the 13th Dalai Lama. Born in a remote area the new Dalai Lama (seen at ages two and five in early sequences) is observed by monks who determine that he is the 14th reincarnation of the Buddha of Compassion. In 1944 the Dalai Lama uses newsreels and Western magazines to study WWII events and as the war ends he is forced to deal with Chinese Communist aggression. Protests from the Dalai Lama in 1949 are ignored as Mao (Robert Lin) maintains a military stranglehold on Tibet eventually forcing the Dalai Lama to flee to Dharmsala India. With a $28 million budget Scorsese re-created Tibet's tragedy by filming in south-central Morocco with a cast of nonprofessional Tibetan actors. Second unit work took place at locations in Idaho and British Columbia. Avant-garde composer Philip Glass contributed a score with hypnotic ritualistic overtones.
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This Martin Scorsese film drama detailing the Dalai Lama 's life story was in development for seven years , with the Dalai Lama having input into the 14 screenplay drafts by Melissa Mathison ( The Black Stallion , E.T. ) . With four actors portraying the Dalai Lama at different ages , Scorsese 's chronicle begins in 1933 with the death of the 13th Dalai Lama . Born in a remote area , the new Dalai Lama ( seen at ages two and five in early sequences ) is observed by monks who determine that he is the 14th reincarnation of the Buddha of Compassion. In 1944 the Dalai Lama uses newsreels and Western magazines to study WWII events , and as the war ends , he is forced to deal with Chinese Communist aggression. Protests from the Dalai Lama in 1949 are ignored as Mao ( Robert Lin ) maintains a military stranglehold on Tibet , eventually forcing the Dalai Lama to flee to Dharmsala , India. With a $28 million budget , Scorsese re - created Tibet's tragedy by filming in south - central Morocco with a cast of nonprofessional Tibetan actors. Second unit work took place at locations in Idaho and British Columbia. Avant - garde composer Philip Glass contributed a score with hypnotic , ritualistic overtones.
0313
Director/writer Jan Troell's expansive saga deals with the Larsen family who during the 19th century famine in Sweden emigrate to the more fertile fields of Minnesota. With painstaking detail the director follows the Larsens as they make the perilous (and to some of their fellow immigrants fatal) journey by foot steamer train and paddle boat. The film which originally ran 190 minutes but was pared down to 150 by its director for American consumption earned Academy Award nominations for Best Picture Best Foreign Language Picture Best Screenplay Best Direction and Best Actress (Liv Ullmann). The Emigrants was followed by a sequel Nybyggarna ("The New Land"); both films have been edited together for TV release under the title The Emigrant Saga. The subsequent American TV series The New Land (1974) starred Bonnie Bedelia in the role created in The Emigrants by Liv Ullmann and Scott Thomas in the patriarch role originated by Max von Sydow. In 1991 Sven Nykvist directed a "prequel" to The Emigrants titled The Ox.
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Director / writer Jan Troell 's expansive saga deals with the Larsen family , who during the 19th century famine in Sweden emigrate to the more fertile fields of Minnesota. With painstaking detail , the director follows the Larsens as they make the perilous ( and , to some of their fellow immigrants , fatal ) journey by foot , steamer , train , and paddle boat. The film , which originally ran 190 minutes but was pared down to 150 by its director for American consumption , earned Academy Award nominations for Best Picture , Best Foreign Language Picture , Best Screenplay , Best Direction , and Best Actress ( Liv Ullmann ) . The Emigrants was followed by a sequel , Nybyggarna ( " The New Land " ); both films have been edited together for TV release under the title The Emigrant Saga . The subsequent American TV series The New Land ( 1974 ) starred Bonnie Bedelia in the role created in The Emigrants by Liv Ullmann , and Scott Thomas in the patriarch role originated by Max von Sydow . In 1991 , Sven Nykvist directed a "prequel" to The Emigrants titled The Ox .
0314
The Longest Day is a mammoth all-star re-creation of the D-Day invasion personally orchestrated by Darryl F. Zanuck. Whenever possible the original locations were utilized and an all-star international cast impersonates the people involved from high-ranking officials to ordinary GIs. Each actor speaks in his or her native language with subtitles translating for the benefit of the audience (alternate "takes" were made of each scene with the foreign actors speaking English but these were seen only during the first network telecast of the film in 1972). The stars are listed alphabetically with the exception of John Wayne who as Lt. Colonel Vandervoort gets separate billing. Others in the huge cast include Eddie Albert Jean-Louis Barrault Richard Burton Red Buttons Sean Connery Henry Fonda Gert Frobe Curt Jurgens Peter Lawford Robert Mitchum Kenneth More Edmond O'Brien Robert Ryan Jean Servais Rod Steiger and Robert Wagner. Paul Anka who wrote the film's title song shows up as an Army private. Scenes include the Allies parachuting into Ste. Mere Englise where the paratroopers were mowed down by German bullets; a real-life sequence wherein the German and Allied troops unwittingly march side by side in the dark of night; and a spectacular three-minute overhead shot of the troops fighting and dying in the streets of Quistreham. The last major black-and-white road-show attraction The Longest Day made millions enough to recoup some of the cost of 20th Century Fox's concurrently produced Cleopatra.
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The Longest Day is a mammoth , all - star re - creation of the D - Day invasion , personally orchestrated by Darryl F. Zanuck . Whenever possible , the original locations were utilized , and an all - star international cast impersonates the people involved , from high - ranking officials to ordinary GIs. Each actor speaks in his or her native language with subtitles translating for the benefit of the audience ( alternate "takes" were made of each scene with the foreign actors speaking English , but these were seen only during the first network telecast of the film in 1972 ) . The stars are listed alphabetically , with the exception of John Wayne , who as Lt. Colonel Vandervoort gets separate billing. Others in the huge cast include Eddie Albert , Jean - Louis Barrault , Richard Burton , Red Buttons , Sean Connery , Henry Fonda , Gert Frobe , Curt Jurgens , Peter Lawford , Robert Mitchum , Kenneth More , Edmond O'Brien , Robert Ryan , Jean Servais , Rod Steiger and Robert Wagner . Paul Anka , who wrote the film's title song , shows up as an Army private. Scenes include the Allies parachuting into Ste. Mere Englise , where the paratroopers were mowed down by German bullets ; a real - life sequence wherein the German and Allied troops unwittingly march side by side in the dark of night ; and a spectacular three - minute overhead shot of the troops fighting and dying in the streets of Quistreham. The last major black - and - white road - show attraction , The Longest Day made millions , enough to recoup some of the cost of 20th Century Fox's concurrently produced Cleopatra .
0315
The fortunes of a family of Hungarian Jews are followed over the course of nearly 150 years in this epic historical drama with leading man Ralph Fiennes playing three different roles. The story begins in the late 18th century as Aaron and Josefa Sonnenschein (the name means "Sunshine" in German) die in an explosion while making an herb tonic for sale in their village. Their son Emmanuel (David de Keyser) the only survivor of the tragedy travels to Budapest carrying the recipe for the medicine with him. He's able to parlay the formula into a successful business and Emmanuel and his wife Rose (Miriam Margolyes) raise two sons Ignatz (Ralph Fiennes) who becomes a successful lawyer and hot-tempered Gustave (James Frain). The Sonnenscheins also make room in their home for Valerie (Jennifer Ehle) but Emmanuel and Rose become furious when Valerie becomes romantically involved with Ignatz. Eventually Valerie and Ignatz raise two children Istvan (Mark Strong) and Adam (Ralph Fiennes) and the family changes its name to Sors in hopes of avoiding the anti-Semitism sweeping Europe. In time Adam goes so far as to convert to Catholicism and he marries another Catholic Hannah (Molly Parker). He soon begins an affair with his brother's wife Greta (Rachel Weisz) who is unable to persuade Adam to leave as the Nazis rise to power. Adam and Hannah have only one son Ivan who is fated to watch his father die in a concentration camp; as Ivan grows to adulthood (now played by Ralph Fiennes) he swears revenge on the forces of fascism and embraces Communism. Ivan throws in his lot with Communist leader Andor Knorr (William Hurt) but a liaison with the wife of a party official (Deborah Kara Unger) leads Ivan to tragic consequences and a jail term. In time Valarie and Gustave are reunited at the family's estate as the only two members of the Sonnenschein clan who survive to witness the Hungarian Revolution in 1956. Hungarian director Istvan Szabo co-wrote Sunshine's original screenplay in collaboration with American playwright Israel Horovitz.
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The fortunes of a family of Hungarian Jews are followed over the course of nearly 150 years in this epic historical drama , with leading man Ralph Fiennes playing three different roles. The story begins in the late 18th century , as Aaron and Josefa Sonnenschein ( the name means "Sunshine" in German ) die in an explosion while making an herb tonic for sale in their village. Their son Emmanuel ( David de Keyser ), the only survivor of the tragedy , travels to Budapest , carrying the recipe for the medicine with him. He's able to parlay the formula into a successful business , and Emmanuel and his wife Rose ( Miriam Margolyes ) raise two sons , Ignatz ( Ralph Fiennes ), who becomes a successful lawyer , and hot - tempered Gustave ( James Frain ) . The Sonnenscheins also make room in their home for Valerie ( Jennifer Ehle ), but Emmanuel and Rose become furious when Valerie becomes romantically involved with Ignatz. Eventually , Valerie and Ignatz raise two children , Istvan ( Mark Strong ) and Adam ( Ralph Fiennes ), and the family changes its name to Sors in hopes of avoiding the anti - Semitism sweeping Europe. In time , Adam goes so far as to convert to Catholicism , and he marries another Catholic , Hannah ( Molly Parker ) . He soon begins an affair with his brother's wife , Greta ( Rachel Weisz ), who is unable to persuade Adam to leave as the Nazis rise to power. Adam and Hannah have only one son , Ivan , who is fated to watch his father die in a concentration camp ; as Ivan grows to adulthood ( now played by Ralph Fiennes ), he swears revenge on the forces of fascism and embraces Communism. Ivan throws in his lot with Communist leader Andor Knorr ( William Hurt ), but a liaison with the wife of a party official ( Deborah Kara Unger ) leads Ivan to tragic consequences and a jail term. In time , Valarie and Gustave are reunited at the family's estate as the only two members of the Sonnenschein clan who survive to witness the Hungarian Revolution in 1956. Hungarian director Istvan Szabo co - wrote Sunshine 's original screenplay in collaboration with American playwright Israel Horovitz .
0316
Regis Wargnier's epic about French Indochina -- from the years of French colonial imperialism to the days when American presence made itself felt and the country became known as Vietnam -- is a story of romance and separation told through the backdrop of a country in turmoil. The film centers on the relationship of the beautiful and imperious Eliane (Catherine Deneuve) a French rubber-plantation owner and Camille (Linh Dan Pham) her adopted Indochinese daughter. The mother and daughter are very close until a diffident naval officer Jean-Baptiste (Vincent Perez) enters their lives. Eliane is in love with him but Jean-Baptiste and Camille become attracted to each other and fall in love. Thinking that she is doing Camille a favor Eliane arranges to have Jean-Baptiste transferred to the far-away Tonkin Islands. But Camille flees the plantation to go to the man she loves. As she travels the country she gains a greater knowledge and respect for the people of her homeland. When the government tears her from Jean-Baptiste and their infant child and arrests her for crimes against the state she becomes politicized and becomes a supporter of the communists in the country's civil war. As the country rocks in turmoil Eliane becomes a personification of France coolly walking amid her peasant workers neither bowed nor afraid grimly looking westward.
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Regis Wargnier 's epic about French Indochina -- from the years of French colonial imperialism to the days when American presence made itself felt and the country became known as Vietnam -- is a story of romance and separation told through the backdrop of a country in turmoil. The film centers on the relationship of the beautiful and imperious Eliane ( Catherine Deneuve ), a French rubber - plantation owner , and Camille ( Linh Dan Pham ), her adopted Indochinese daughter. The mother and daughter are very close until a diffident naval officer , Jean - Baptiste ( Vincent Perez ) enters their lives. Eliane is in love with him , but Jean - Baptiste and Camille become attracted to each other and fall in love. Thinking that she is doing Camille a favor , Eliane arranges to have Jean - Baptiste transferred to the far - away Tonkin Islands. But Camille flees the plantation to go to the man she loves. As she travels the country , she gains a greater knowledge and respect for the people of her homeland. When the government tears her from Jean - Baptiste and their infant child and arrests her for crimes against the state , she becomes politicized and becomes a supporter of the communists in the country's civil war. As the country rocks in turmoil , Eliane becomes a personification of France , coolly walking amid her peasant workers , neither bowed nor afraid , grimly looking westward.
0317
War and Peace is a commendable attempt to boil down Tolstoy's long difficult novel into 208 minutes' screen time. In recreating the the social and personal upheavals attending Napoleon's 1812 invasion of Russia $6 million was shelled out by coproducers Carlo Ponti Dino de Laurentiis and Paramount Pictures. Some of the panoramic battle sequences are so expertly handled by second-unit director Mario Soldati that they appear to be Technicolor-and-Vistavision newsreel footage of the actual events. Still the film falters dramatically principally because of a lumpy script and King Vidor's surprisingly lustreless direction. In addition the casting is wildly consistent: for example while Audrey Hepburn is flawless as Natasha Henry Fonda is far too "Yankeefied" as the introspective Pierre. Proving too long and unwieldy for most audiences War and Peace died at the box office; far more successful was the epic scrupulously faithful 1968 version filmed in the Soviet Union.
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War and Peace is a commendable attempt to boil down Tolstoy's long , difficult novel into 208 minutes' screen time. In recreating the the social and personal upheavals attending Napoleon's 1812 invasion of Russia , $6 million was shelled out by coproducers Carlo Ponti , Dino de Laurentiis and Paramount Pictures. Some of the panoramic battle sequences are so expertly handled by second - unit director Mario Soldati that they appear to be Technicolor - and - Vistavision newsreel footage of the actual events. Still , the film falters dramatically , principally because of a lumpy script and King Vidor's surprisingly lustreless direction. In addition , the casting is wildly consistent : for example , while Audrey Hepburn is flawless as Natasha , Henry Fonda is far too "Yankeefied" as the introspective Pierre. Proving too long and unwieldy for most audiences , War and Peace died at the box office ; far more successful was the epic , scrupulously faithful 1968 version , filmed in the Soviet Union.
0318
Filmed in Israel and Spain the four-hour made-for-TV The Story of David stars Timothy Bottoms as the Biblical king. The "David and Goliath" legend is presented as credibly as possible while David's later disastrous romance with Bathsheba (Jane Seymour) is handled with taste and decorum. Also in the cast are Anthony Quayle as King Saul and Terence Hardiman as Bathsheba's unfortunate warrior husband Uriah. Ernest Kinoy's teleplay does justice to the Biblical text without lapsing into wearisome "thees" "thous" and other such archaic dialogue. The Story of David premiered in two parts on April 9 and 11 1976.
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Filmed in Israel and Spain , the four - hour made - for - TV The Story of David stars Timothy Bottoms as the Biblical king. The "David and Goliath" legend is presented as credibly as possible , while David's later disastrous romance with Bathsheba ( Jane Seymour ) is handled with taste and decorum. Also in the cast are Anthony Quayle as King Saul , and Terence Hardiman as Bathsheba's unfortunate warrior husband Uriah. Ernest Kinoy 's teleplay does justice to the Biblical text , without lapsing into wearisome "thees" , "thous" and other such archaic dialogue. The Story of David premiered in two parts on April 9 and 11 , 1976.
0319
The biblical story of Noah and the Great Flood gets a decidedly unusual retelling in this film produced as a two-part TV movie and first aired on NBC in May 1999. Noah Jon Voight is an ordinary laborer who one day begins receiving messages from God. It seems the Lord has a special assignment for him: since God is planning on destroying the world with a massive flood he wants Noah to build a giant ark and fill it with one male and one female of each animal on earth. So why Noah of all people? As God tells him "You fit the bill. Good times bad times you believe in me." And why a 500-foot-long ark? "I think big! I made the world in seven days!" Joining Noah on the trip of a lifetime is his wife Naamah (Mary Steenburgen); those not invited along for the ride are F. Murray Abraham as Lot Carol Kane as his wife Sarah and James Coburn as a peddler. Some video versions run 140 minutes.
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The biblical story of Noah and the Great Flood gets a decidedly unusual retelling in this film , produced as a two - part TV movie and first aired on NBC in May 1999. Noah Jon Voight is an ordinary laborer who one day begins receiving messages from God. It seems the Lord has a special assignment for him : since God is planning on destroying the world with a massive flood , he wants Noah to build a giant ark and fill it with one male and one female of each animal on earth. So why Noah of all people? As God tells him , "You fit the bill. Good times , bad times , you believe in me." And why a 500 - foot - long ark? "I think big! I made the world in seven days!" Joining Noah on the trip of a lifetime is his wife Naamah ( Mary Steenburgen ); those not invited along for the ride are F. Murray Abraham as Lot , Carol Kane as his wife Sarah , and James Coburn as a peddler. Some video versions run 140 minutes.
0320
Not a strict adaptation of the oft-filmed Victor Hugo classic director Claude Lelouch's ambitious epic instead focuses on the story of two men a father and a son whose life stories bear striking similarities to Hugo's character Jean Valjean. The father is Henri Fortin (Jean-Paul Belmondo) a chauffeur (in 1900) wrongly accused of his employer's murder. Like Valjean he is subjected to a harsh and unfair prison sentence. While Henri vainly attempts to escape his unjust fate his family suffers with his wife forced to raise their young son alone. The film jumps ahead several decades to show the adult life of this son (also Belmondo) a former boxer turned furniture mover who agrees to help smuggle a Jewish lawyer (Michel Boujenah) out of France during the Nazi occupation. Along the way the lawyer reads to the younger Fortin from Les Misérables and Fortin begins to imagine himself in the role of Jean Valjean on the run from the obsessive Inspector Javert.
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Not a strict adaptation of the oft - filmed Victor Hugo classic , director Claude Lelouch 's ambitious epic instead focuses on the story of two men , a father and a son , whose life stories bear striking similarities to Hugo's character Jean Valjean. The father is Henri Fortin ( Jean - Paul Belmondo ), a chauffeur ( in 1900 ) wrongly accused of his employer's murder. Like Valjean , he is subjected to a harsh and unfair prison sentence. While Henri vainly attempts to escape his unjust fate , his family suffers , with his wife forced to raise their young son alone. The film jumps ahead several decades to show the adult life of this son ( also Belmondo ), a former boxer turned furniture mover who agrees to help smuggle a Jewish lawyer ( Michel Boujenah ) out of France during the Nazi occupation. Along the way , the lawyer reads to the younger Fortin from Les Misérables , and Fortin begins to imagine himself in the role of Jean Valjean , on the run from the obsessive Inspector Javert.
0321
In this epic Ron Howard film Joseph Donelly (Tom Cruise) is an impoverished 19th-century Irish tenant farmer who has recently lost both his father and his home to the agents of his unscrupulous landlord. On a mission to avenge his family's injustice at the hands of the ruthless land baron Joseph meets the landlord's daughter and the two run off to America together where the girl expects to claim a piece of land for herself in the Oklahoma Land Rush. After she is robbed on the boat that carries them to America they arrive with nary a penny and struggle just to keep their heads above water in the slums of Boston. After a series of serious set-backs they do eventually work their way out West where Joseph must fight to realize his dream and claim a piece of the American Dream for himself -- and where they finally acknowledge their love for each other. Shot in wide-screen Panavision the movie was filmed on-location in Ireland and Montana.
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In this epic Ron Howard film , Joseph Donelly ( Tom Cruise ) is an impoverished 19th - century Irish tenant farmer who has recently lost both his father and his home to the agents of his unscrupulous landlord. On a mission to avenge his family's injustice at the hands of the ruthless land baron Joseph meets the landlord's daughter and the two run off to America together where the girl expects to claim a piece of land for herself in the Oklahoma Land Rush. After she is robbed on the boat that carries them to America , they arrive with nary a penny and struggle just to keep their heads above water in the slums of Boston. After a series of serious set - backs they do eventually work their way out West , where Joseph must fight to realize his dream and claim a piece of the American Dream for himself -- and where they finally acknowledge their love for each other. Shot in wide - screen Panavision , the movie was filmed on - location in Ireland and Montana.
0322
This biography of Oliver Cromwell recalls the political and religious struggles of 17th century England. Cromwell (Richard Harris) is the Anglican religious fanatic who fights corruption and Catholicism with equal zeal while King Charles (Alec Guinness) is the vacillating monarch who believes his crown gives him a direct pipeline to the wisdom of God. Also starring Robert Morley and Timothy Dalton Cromwell won an Academy Award for Best Costume Design and was nominated for Best Original Score.
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This biography of Oliver Cromwell recalls the political and religious struggles of 17th century England. Cromwell ( Richard Harris ) is the Anglican religious fanatic who fights corruption and Catholicism with equal zeal , while King Charles ( Alec Guinness ) is the vacillating monarch who believes his crown gives him a direct pipeline to the wisdom of God. Also starring Robert Morley and Timothy Dalton , Cromwell won an Academy Award for Best Costume Design and was nominated for Best Original Score.
0323
The true story of Anna Leonowens' experiences as a governess to the children of an eccentric Asian king has been adapted into a book of memoirs a biography a stage play called Anna and the King of Siam -- which was adapted into a 1946 film a stage musical called The King and I -- made into both the live-action The King and I (1956)) and the animated The King and I (1999) feature films and a short-lived 1972 TV series. Now the story is brought to the screen yet again as Jodie Foster stars as Leonowens hired by the king of Thailand (Chow Yun-Fat) in the 19th century to help care for his children. The king wants the best for his children but Anna soon discovers that he is a strong-willed but quixotic leader and her stay in Thailand becomes a struggle for power with romantic overtones as they decide who will have authority over the royal youngsters. Anna and the King was directed by Andy Tennant best known for his 1998 variation on the Cinderella story Ever After.
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The true story of Anna Leonowens ' experiences as a governess to the children of an eccentric Asian king has been adapted into a book of memoirs , a biography , a stage play called Anna and the King of Siam -- which was adapted into a 1946 film , a stage musical called The King and I -- made into both the live - action The King and I ( 1956 )) and the animated The King and I ( 1999 ) feature films , and a short - lived 1972 TV series. Now the story is brought to the screen yet again , as Jodie Foster stars as Leonowens , hired by the king of Thailand ( Chow Yun - Fat ) in the 19th century to help care for his children. The king wants the best for his children , but Anna soon discovers that he is a strong - willed but quixotic leader , and her stay in Thailand becomes a struggle for power with romantic overtones , as they decide who will have authority over the royal youngsters. Anna and the King was directed by Andy Tennant , best known for his 1998 variation on the Cinderella story , Ever After .
0324
This handsomely-mounted historical epic concerns the birth of the Islamic faith and the story of the prophet Mohammed -- who in accordance with the tenants of Islam is never seen or heard (any physical depiction of the prophet is considered a heinous sin within the faith). In Mecca in the 7th century Mohammed is visited by a vision of the Angel Gabriel who urges him to lead the people of Mecca to cast aside the 300 idols of Kaaba and instead worship the one true God. Speaking out against the corrupt political and military leaders who rule Mecca Mohammed and his followers struggle to worship God as they see fit which eventually leads them into exile in Medina. However one day God gives Mohammed a message to return to Mecca and take up arms against their oppressors -- while recruiting as many followers as they can along the way. With the help of his uncle a brave warrior named Hamza (Anthony Quinn) Mohammed and his followers return to Mecca to liberate the city in the name of God. The Message (originally screened in the U.S. as Mohammed Messenger of God) proved to be highly controversial during its production and initial release. Unfounded rumors had it that Mohammed would not only be depicted in the film but that he was to be played by Charlton Heston or Peter O'Toole. This resulted in angry protests by Muslim extremists until director Moustapha Akkad hired a staff of respected Islamic clerics as technical advisors. The advisors butted heads with Akkad and they quit the production which led the Moroccan government to withdraw their permission to film in their country. In time Akkad ended up shooting on location in Libya under the sponsorship of Muammar Qaddafi which presented a whole new set of political and practical problems for the filmmakers. Finally when the film was scheduled to premier in the U.S. another Muslim extremist group staged a siege against the Washington D.C. chapter of the B'nai B'rith under the mistaken belief that Anthony Quinn played Mohammed in the film threatening to blow up the building and its inhabitants unless the film's opening was cancelled. The standoff was resolved without explosion or injuries though the film's American box office prospects never recovered from the unfortunate controversy. The Message was shot in two versions one in English and one in Arabic (entitled Al-Ris-Alah) with different actors taking over some of the roles due to language requirements.
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This handsomely - mounted historical epic concerns the birth of the Islamic faith and the story of the prophet Mohammed -- who , in accordance with the tenants of Islam , is never seen or heard ( any physical depiction of the prophet is considered a heinous sin within the faith ) . In Mecca in the 7th century , Mohammed is visited by a vision of the Angel Gabriel , who urges him to lead the people of Mecca to cast aside the 300 idols of Kaaba and instead worship the one true God. Speaking out against the corrupt political and military leaders who rule Mecca , Mohammed and his followers struggle to worship God as they see fit , which eventually leads them into exile in Medina. However , one day God gives Mohammed a message to return to Mecca and take up arms against their oppressors -- while recruiting as many followers as they can along the way. With the help of his uncle , a brave warrior named Hamza ( Anthony Quinn ), Mohammed and his followers return to Mecca to liberate the city in the name of God. The Message ( originally screened in the U.S. as Mohammed , Messenger of God ) proved to be highly controversial during its production and initial release. Unfounded rumors had it that Mohammed would not only be depicted in the film , but that he was to be played by Charlton Heston or Peter O'Toole . This resulted in angry protests by Muslim extremists , until director Moustapha Akkad hired a staff of respected Islamic clerics as technical advisors. The advisors butted heads with Akkad , and they quit the production , which led the Moroccan government to withdraw their permission to film in their country. In time , Akkad ended up shooting on location in Libya under the sponsorship of Muammar Qaddafi , which presented a whole new set of political and practical problems for the filmmakers. Finally , when the film was scheduled to premier in the U.S. , another Muslim extremist group staged a siege against the Washington D.C. chapter of the B'nai B'rith under the mistaken belief that Anthony Quinn played Mohammed in the film , threatening to blow up the building and its inhabitants unless the film's opening was cancelled. The standoff was resolved without explosion or injuries , though the film's American box office prospects never recovered from the unfortunate controversy. The Message was shot in two versions , one in English and one in Arabic ( entitled Al - Ris - Alah ), with different actors taking over some of the roles due to language requirements.
0325
Libyan leader Moummar Quaddafi financed this desert epic about a Libyan hero who helped his nation fend off an Italian invasion in 1929. Anthony Quinn stars as Omar Mukhtar who organizes Libyan forces to hold off the encroaching Italian troops under General Rodolfo Graziana (Oliver Reed) who are trying to gain a foothold on Libyan soil under direct orders from the Italian dictator Mussolini (Rod Steiger). With the persistence of Mukhtar the Libyans battling the tanks and guns of the Italian army with their Bedouin troops on horseback managed to hold off y the Italians for twenty years until Mukhtar was finally captured and executed.
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Libyan leader Moummar Quaddafi financed this desert epic about a Libyan hero who helped his nation fend off an Italian invasion in 1929. Anthony Quinn stars as Omar Mukhtar , who organizes Libyan forces to hold off the encroaching Italian troops under General Rodolfo Graziana ( Oliver Reed ), who are trying to gain a foothold on Libyan soil under direct orders from the Italian dictator Mussolini ( Rod Steiger ) . With the persistence of Mukhtar , the Libyans , battling the tanks and guns of the Italian army with their Bedouin troops on horseback , managed to hold off y the Italians for twenty years , until Mukhtar was finally captured and executed.
0326
Filmmaker George Stevens chose Monument Valley Utah for his exterior sequences in The Greatest Story Ever Told this ($20 million) adaptation of Fulton Oursler's best-selling book. The "Greatest Story" is of course the life of Jesus Christ played herein by Max Von Sydow. The large supporting cast includes Dorothy McGuire as Mary Claude Rains as Herod the Great Jose Ferrer as Herod Antipas Charlton Heston as John the Baptist Donald Pleasence as Satan (identified only as "The Dark Hermit") David McCallum as Judas Iscariot Sidney Poitier as Simon of Cyrene Telly Savalas as Pontius Pilate and Martin Landau as Caiaphas. Even Robert Blake as Simon the Zealot Jamie Farr as Thaddaeus and motorcyle-flick veteran Richard Bakalyan as Dismas the repentant thief are well-suited to their roles. Originally roadshown at 260 minutes Greatest Story Ever Told was later available in a 195-minute version.
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Filmmaker George Stevens chose Monument Valley , Utah for his exterior sequences in The Greatest Story Ever Told , this ( $20 million ) adaptation of Fulton Oursler's best - selling book. The "Greatest Story" is , of course , the life of Jesus Christ , played herein by Max Von Sydow . The large supporting cast includes Dorothy McGuire as Mary , Claude Rains as Herod the Great , Jose Ferrer as Herod Antipas , Charlton Heston as John the Baptist , Donald Pleasence as Satan ( identified only as "The Dark Hermit" ), David McCallum as Judas Iscariot , Sidney Poitier as Simon of Cyrene , Telly Savalas as Pontius Pilate and Martin Landau as Caiaphas. Even Robert Blake as Simon the Zealot , Jamie Farr as Thaddaeus , and motorcyle - flick veteran Richard Bakalyan as Dismas , the repentant thief , are well - suited to their roles. Originally roadshown at 260 minutes , Greatest Story Ever Told was later available in a 195 - minute version.
0327
During the ill-fated charge of British troops at Balaclava in the Crimean War loyal soldiers who blindly followed orders were led to certain death. This is the fifth time the story has been told on film but the actual event is an afterthought to the main plot. Snobbish aristocrats and ineffectual politicos combine with pompous blue-bloods to make decisions affecting 600 men thousands of miles away. A decidedly anti-war and satirical slant is presented as inept generals stand knee-deep in bodies each blaming the other for the fiasco. Vividly underscored here is the fanaticism dedication and blind loyalty which caused the total annihilation of hundreds of soldiers. This 5-million-dollar epic film recouped only 1 million after the initial release leaving critics to compare the real-life disaster with the financial one suffered by the producers. Trevor Howard John Gielgud and Vanessa Redgrave head the excellent cast.
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During the ill - fated charge of British troops at Balaclava in the Crimean War , loyal soldiers who blindly followed orders were led to certain death. This is the fifth time the story has been told on film , but the actual event is an afterthought to the main plot. Snobbish aristocrats and ineffectual politicos combine with pompous blue - bloods to make decisions affecting 600 men thousands of miles away. A decidedly anti - war and satirical slant is presented , as inept generals stand knee - deep in bodies , each blaming the other for the fiasco. Vividly underscored here is the fanaticism , dedication , and blind loyalty which caused the total annihilation of hundreds of soldiers. This 5 - million - dollar epic film recouped only 1 million after the initial release , leaving critics to compare the real - life disaster with the financial one suffered by the producers. Trevor Howard , John Gielgud and Vanessa Redgrave head the excellent cast.
0328
This $20 million animated adventure/fantasy quickly became the highest grossing Japanese film in Japanese film history (making $150 million in Japan during its first seven months). Set in the 14th century the ecology-themed epic was directed by Hayao Miyazaki whose previous films were acquired by Disney for U.S. distribution plus other territories. Princess Mononoke depicts a mystical battle between Animal Gods of the forest and humans during Japan's Muromachi Period. Young Ashitaka receives a fatal infection after a demonic wild boar attacks his northern village. Seeking a cure he sets out to locate the deer-like god Shishigami. Along the way he sees the rape of the Earth by a mining village. The constant plundering by the village has brought the wrath of the Wolf God Moro who attacks the village along with San a human who was raised by the wolf god. She communicates with the nature spirits -- which is why she is called Princess Mononoke ("spirits of things"). Ashitaka wants these opposing forces to co-exist and he hopes to bring peace between San and the ironworks owner Lady Eboshi. However he is thwarted as higher powers intent on killing the Shishigama intrude and a battle erupts over the future of all nature.
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This $20 million animated adventure / fantasy quickly became the highest grossing Japanese film in Japanese film history ( making $150 million in Japan during its first seven months ) . Set in the 14th century , the ecology - themed epic was directed by Hayao Miyazaki whose previous films were acquired by Disney for U.S. distribution plus other territories. Princess Mononoke depicts a mystical battle between Animal Gods of the forest and humans during Japan's Muromachi Period. Young Ashitaka receives a fatal infection after a demonic wild boar attacks his northern village. Seeking a cure , he sets out to locate the deer - like god Shishigami. Along the way , he sees the rape of the Earth by a mining village. The constant plundering by the village has brought the wrath of the Wolf God , Moro , who attacks the village along with San , a human who was raised by the wolf god. She communicates with the nature spirits -- which is why she is called Princess Mononoke ( "spirits of things" ) . Ashitaka wants these opposing forces to co - exist , and he hopes to bring peace between San and the ironworks owner , Lady Eboshi. However , he is thwarted as higher powers , intent on killing the Shishigama , intrude , and a battle erupts over the future of all nature.
0329
Damiel (Bruno Ganz) and Cassiel (Otto Sander) are angels who watch over the city of Berlin. They don't have harps or wings (well they usually don't have wings) and they prefer overcoats to gossamer gowns. But they can travel unseen through the city listening to people's thoughts watching their actions and studying their lives. While they can make their presence felt in small ways only children and other angels can see them. They spend their days serenely observing unable to interact with people and they feel neither pain nor joy. One day Damiel finds his way into a circus and sees Marion (Solveig Dommartin) a high-wire artist practicing her act; he is immediately smitten. After the owners of the circus tell the company that the show is out of money and must disband Marion sinks into a funk shuffling back to her trailer to ponder what to do next. As he watches her Damiel makes a decision: he wants to be human and he wants to be with Marion to lift her spirits and if need be to share her pain. Wim Wenders' Wings of Desire is a remarkable modern fairy tale about the nature of being alive. The angels witness the gamut of human emotions and they experience the luxury of simple pleasures (even a cup of coffee and a cigarette) as ones who've never known them. From the angels' viewpoint Berlin is seen in gorgeous black-and-white -- strikingly beautiful but unreal; when they join the humans the image shifts to rough but natural-looking color and the waltz-like grace of the angels' drift through the city changes to a harsher rhythm. Peter Falk appears as himself revealing a secret that we may not have known about the man who played Columbo and there's also a brief but powerful appearance by Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds. Wings of Desire hinges on the intangible and elusive and it builds something beautiful from those qualities.
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Damiel ( Bruno Ganz ) and Cassiel ( Otto Sander ) are angels who watch over the city of Berlin. They don't have harps or wings ( well , they usually don't have wings ) and they prefer overcoats to gossamer gowns. But they can travel unseen through the city , listening to people's thoughts , watching their actions and studying their lives. While they can make their presence felt in small ways , only children and other angels can see them. They spend their days serenely observing , unable to interact with people , and they feel neither pain nor joy. One day , Damiel finds his way into a circus and sees Marion ( Solveig Dommartin ), a high - wire artist , practicing her act ; he is immediately smitten. After the owners of the circus tell the company that the show is out of money and must disband , Marion sinks into a funk , shuffling back to her trailer to ponder what to do next. As he watches her , Damiel makes a decision : he wants to be human , and he wants to be with Marion , to lift her spirits and , if need be , to share her pain. Wim Wenders ' Wings of Desire is a remarkable modern fairy tale about the nature of being alive. The angels witness the gamut of human emotions , and they experience the luxury of simple pleasures ( even a cup of coffee and a cigarette ) as ones who've never known them. From the angels' viewpoint , Berlin is seen in gorgeous black - and - white -- strikingly beautiful but unreal ; when they join the humans , the image shifts to rough but natural - looking color , and the waltz - like grace of the angels' drift through the city changes to a harsher rhythm. Peter Falk appears as himself , revealing a secret that we may not have known about the man who played Columbo , and there's also a brief but powerful appearance by Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds . Wings of Desire hinges on the intangible and elusive , and it builds something beautiful from those qualities.
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Widely considered to be the definitive of the many film versions of Charles Dickens' classic novel is this 1951 British adaptation starring Alastair Sim (entitled "Scrooge" in its U.K. release). Sim plays Ebenezer Scrooge a London miser who despite his wealth refuses to make charitable contributions and treats his sole employee Bob Cratchit as an indentured servant. On Christmas Eve Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his late business partner Jacob Marley who was as selfish as Scrooge in life and has been condemned to an eternity of wandering the Earth in shackles. Marley informs Scrooge that he's to receive a trio of spirits that night who will take him on a journey through Christmases Past Present and Yet to Come. As Scrooge encounters each apparition he is taken on a tour of his life and realizes what a wretch he is transformed by greed from an idealistic youth into an embittered ogre. Infused with a new cheery outlook Scrooge sets about earning his redemption.
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Widely considered to be the definitive of the many film versions of Charles Dickens ' classic novel is this 1951 British adaptation , starring Alastair Sim ( entitled "Scrooge" in its U.K. release ) . Sim plays Ebenezer Scrooge , a London miser who , despite his wealth , refuses to make charitable contributions and treats his sole employee , Bob Cratchit , as an indentured servant. On Christmas Eve , Scrooge is visited by the ghost of his late business partner , Jacob Marley , who was as selfish as Scrooge in life and has been condemned to an eternity of wandering the Earth in shackles. Marley informs Scrooge that he's to receive a trio of spirits that night who will take him on a journey through Christmases Past , Present , and Yet to Come. As Scrooge encounters each apparition , he is taken on a tour of his life and realizes what a wretch he is , transformed by greed from an idealistic youth into an embittered ogre. Infused with a new , cheery outlook , Scrooge sets about earning his redemption.
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The best-selling novel by J.K. Rowling (titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in England as was this film adaptation) becomes this hotly anticipated fantasy adventure from Chris Columbus the winner of a high-stakes search for a director to bring the first in a hoped-for franchise of Potter films to the screen by Warner Bros. Upon his 11th birthday Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) who lives in misery with an aunt and uncle that don't want him learns from a giant named Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane) that he is the orphaned son of powerful wizards. Harry is offered a place at prestigious Hogwarts a boarding school for wizards that exists in a realm of magic and fantasy outside the dreary existence of normal humans or "Muggles." At Hogwarts Harry quickly makes new friends and begins piecing together the mystery of his parents' deaths which appear not to have been accidental after all. The film features alternate-version scenes for every mention of the titular rock. Richard Harris Alan Rickman Maggie Smith John Cleese and Fiona Shaw co-star.
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The best - selling novel by J.K. Rowling ( titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in England , as was this film adaptation ) becomes this hotly anticipated fantasy adventure from Chris Columbus , the winner of a high - stakes search for a director to bring the first in a hoped - for franchise of Potter films to the screen by Warner Bros. Upon his 11th birthday , Harry Potter ( Daniel Radcliffe ), who lives in misery with an aunt and uncle that don't want him , learns from a giant named Hagrid ( Robbie Coltrane ) that he is the orphaned son of powerful wizards. Harry is offered a place at prestigious Hogwarts , a boarding school for wizards that exists in a realm of magic and fantasy outside the dreary existence of normal humans or "Muggles." At Hogwarts , Harry quickly makes new friends and begins piecing together the mystery of his parents' deaths , which appear not to have been accidental after all. The film features alternate - version scenes for every mention of the titular rock. Richard Harris , Alan Rickman , Maggie Smith , John Cleese , and Fiona Shaw co - star.
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Yellow Submarine is an animated meandering journey filled with puns and dry British humor where psychedelic music videos take precedent over any linear story. What little there is of a plot however concerns a vibrantly colored place called Pepperland that resembles the album cover for Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band come to life. The swirling animation is a mixture of pop-culture images and modern artistic styles brought loosely together with a naïve antiwar message and some clever political commentary. The Blue Meanies take over Pepperland draining it of all its color and music firing anti-music missiles bonking people with green apples and turning the inhabitants to stone by way of the pointed finger of a giant white glove. As the only survivor the Lord Admiral escapes in the yellow submarine and goes to London to enlist the help of the Beatles (voiced by actors). The charming and innocent boys travel through strange worlds and meet bizarre characters including the tagalong Nowhere Man. Several blissed-filled musical sequences and drug references later the Beatles drive out the Blue Meanies and restore Pepperland to tranquility armed with only music love and witty remarks.
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Yellow Submarine is an animated meandering journey filled with puns and dry British humor , where psychedelic music videos take precedent over any linear story. What little there is of a plot , however , concerns a vibrantly colored place called Pepperland that resembles the album cover for Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band come to life. The swirling animation is a mixture of pop - culture images and modern artistic styles brought loosely together with a naïve antiwar message and some clever political commentary. The Blue Meanies take over Pepperland , draining it of all its color and music , firing anti - music missiles , bonking people with green apples , and turning the inhabitants to stone by way of the pointed finger of a giant white glove. As the only survivor , the Lord Admiral escapes in the yellow submarine and goes to London to enlist the help of the Beatles ( voiced by actors ) . The charming and innocent boys travel through strange worlds and meet bizarre characters , including the tagalong Nowhere Man. Several blissed - filled musical sequences and drug references later , the Beatles drive out the Blue Meanies and restore Pepperland to tranquility armed with only music , love , and witty remarks.
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The 1995 Academy award-winning film Babe was Australian-made and featured the latest in talking animal anima-tronics. It told the heart-warming story of a sheepherding pig named Babe and his rise to community fame. The film was a tremendous hit both financially and critically. Babe: Pig in the City is the higher budgeted American-made sequel that picks up where the original left off. It was directed by George Miller (Mad Max trilogy) who produced the original Babe film and received a lot of criticism for being much darker than the original. The story owes more to George Orwell's Animal Farm or Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist than the original film. Having triumphed at the National Sheepdog trials Babe returns home a hero. But after farmer Hoggett (James Cromwell) suffers from a farming accident Mrs. Hoggett a naive portly woman is left to work the ranch alone. It's not long before the bank comes knocking. Desperate to save her farm from foreclosure she accepts an offer for Babe to perform his sheepherding abilities at an overseas state fair. Babe Mrs. Hoggett Ferdinand the duck and the singing mice travel across the ocean to a surreal metropolis where they suddenly become stranded and separated. Soon Babe is performing with circus apes being chased by wild strays (sounding a lot like Marlon Brando in The Godfather) and making a new wheelchair-bound canine friend (voiced by Adam Goldberg). He also is anointed leader of the animal community. What Babe lacks in street smarts he makes up for in honest goodness as he teaches audiences yet again that "an unprejudiced heart can mend a broken world."
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The 1995 Academy award - winning film Babe was Australian - made and featured the latest in talking animal anima - tronics. It told the heart - warming story of a sheepherding pig named Babe and his rise to community fame. The film was a tremendous hit , both financially and critically. Babe : Pig in the City is the higher budgeted American - made sequel that picks up where the original left off. It was directed by George Miller ( Mad Max trilogy ) who produced the original Babe film , and received a lot of criticism for being much darker than the original. The story owes more to George Orwell 's Animal Farm or Charles Dickens ' Oliver Twist than the original film. Having triumphed at the National Sheepdog trials , Babe returns home a hero. But after farmer Hoggett ( James Cromwell ) suffers from a farming accident , Mrs. Hoggett , a naive portly woman , is left to work the ranch alone. It's not long before the bank comes knocking. Desperate to save her farm from foreclosure , she accepts an offer for Babe to perform his sheepherding abilities at an overseas state fair. Babe , Mrs. Hoggett , Ferdinand the duck , and the singing mice travel across the ocean to a surreal metropolis , where they suddenly become stranded and separated. Soon Babe is performing with circus apes , being chased by wild strays ( sounding a lot like Marlon Brando in The Godfather ), and making a new wheelchair - bound canine friend ( voiced by Adam Goldberg ) . He also is anointed leader of the animal community. What Babe lacks in street smarts he makes up for in honest goodness as he teaches audiences yet again that "an unprejudiced heart can mend a broken world."
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In 1966 a famous actor (Peter O'Toole) is taken by a rowboat to a fabulous old hotel on an island in the middle of a lake. He comes to find out that time stands still here -- and the reason is that he is dead. He discovers that all the residents of the hotel are famous but dead people including Albert Einstein and Ernest Hemingway. It seems that as public interest in a dead celebrity fades away the celebrity is given smaller and smaller rooms until finally they are thrown out. Among the famous people that the actor meets is the writer who killed him -- for a good reason.
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In 1966 , a famous actor ( Peter O'Toole ) is taken by a rowboat to a fabulous old hotel on an island in the middle of a lake. He comes to find out that time stands still here -- and the reason is that he is dead. He discovers that all the residents of the hotel are famous but dead people , including Albert Einstein and Ernest Hemingway. It seems that as public interest in a dead celebrity fades away , the celebrity is given smaller and smaller rooms , until finally they are thrown out. Among the famous people that the actor meets is the writer who killed him -- for a good reason.
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Independent filmmaker Sally Potter's gender-bending epic which views four centuries of sexual politics through the eyes of a sex-switching main character is based on the 1928 novel by Virginia Woolf. The androgynous title character is played with delicate quietude by Tilda Swinton. The story begins during the reign of the aging Queen Elizabeth I (Quentin Crisp in a droll turn recalling his The Naked Civil Servant). Queen Elizabeth takes a shine to the attractive young Orlando and seeks out his sexual favors. In return Elizabeth grants him a large estate commanding him "Do not fade do not wither do not grow old." Orlando takes the queen at her word and doesn't. When Elizabeth dies Orlando becomes attracted to Sasha (Charlotte Valandrey) the daughter of a Russian diplomat but she rebuffs his advances. Crushed Orlando accepts an ambassadorship to Constantinople. After witnessing the killing of a man in battle Orlando undergoes a change of sex becoming a woman and returning to England where she hobnobs with 18th-century geniuses like Jonathan Swift Alexander Pope and John Addison. Walking through a garden labyrinth the time frame shifts to the 19th century and Orlando falls in love with a handsome American (Billy Zane). Now in the 20th century Orlando gives birth to his child and continues on.
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Independent filmmaker Sally Potter 's gender - bending epic , which views four centuries of sexual politics through the eyes of a sex - switching main character , is based on the 1928 novel by Virginia Woolf . The androgynous title character is played with delicate quietude by Tilda Swinton . The story begins during the reign of the aging Queen Elizabeth I ( Quentin Crisp , in a droll turn recalling his The Naked Civil Servant ) . Queen Elizabeth takes a shine to the attractive young Orlando and seeks out his sexual favors. In return , Elizabeth grants him a large estate , commanding him , "Do not fade , do not wither , do not grow old." Orlando takes the queen at her word and doesn't. When Elizabeth dies , Orlando becomes attracted to Sasha ( Charlotte Valandrey ), the daughter of a Russian diplomat , but she rebuffs his advances. Crushed , Orlando accepts an ambassadorship to Constantinople. After witnessing the killing of a man in battle , Orlando undergoes a change of sex , becoming a woman and returning to England , where she hobnobs with 18th - century geniuses like Jonathan Swift , Alexander Pope , and John Addison. Walking through a garden labyrinth , the time frame shifts to the 19th century , and Orlando falls in love with a handsome American ( Billy Zane ) . Now in the 20th century , Orlando gives birth to his child and continues on.
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Promoted as a family musical by Paramount Pictures Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is more of a black comedy perversely faithful to the spirit of Roald Dahl's original book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Enigmatic candy manufacturer Willy Wonka (Gene Wilder) stages a contest by hiding five golden tickets in five of his scrumptious candy bars. Whoever comes up with these tickets will win a free tour of the Wonka factory as well as a lifetime supply of candy. Four of the five winning children are insufferable brats: the fifth is a likeable young lad named Charlie Bucket (Peter Ostrum) who takes the tour in the company of his equally amiable grandfather (Jack Albertson). In the course of the tour Willy Wonka punishes the four nastier children in various diabolical methods -- one kid is inflated and covered with blueberry dye another ends up as a principal ingredient of the chocolate and so on -- because these kids have violated the ethics of Wonka's factory. In the end only Charlie and his grandfather are left. Ostensibly set in England Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory was lensed in Germany (as revealed by the film's final overhead shot).
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Promoted as a family musical by Paramount Pictures , Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is more of a black comedy , perversely faithful to the spirit of Roald Dahl 's original book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory . Enigmatic candy manufacturer Willy Wonka ( Gene Wilder ) stages a contest by hiding five golden tickets in five of his scrumptious candy bars. Whoever comes up with these tickets will win a free tour of the Wonka factory , as well as a lifetime supply of candy. Four of the five winning children are insufferable brats : the fifth is a likeable young lad named Charlie Bucket ( Peter Ostrum ), who takes the tour in the company of his equally amiable grandfather ( Jack Albertson ) . In the course of the tour , Willy Wonka punishes the four nastier children in various diabolical methods -- one kid is inflated and covered with blueberry dye , another ends up as a principal ingredient of the chocolate , and so on -- because these kids have violated the ethics of Wonka's factory. In the end , only Charlie and his grandfather are left. Ostensibly set in England , Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory was lensed in Germany ( as revealed by the film's final overhead shot ) .
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Pianist Nina (Juliet Stevenson) and cellist Jamie (Alan Rickman) played together and loved together. When they weren't making music with each other they made love. It was an idyllic romantic and musical partnership and when Jamie dies Nina takes it very hard. The condolences of friends and relatives don't help much when everything in the apartment they shared reminds her of him. She's a real basket case and can barely get on with her life. One day while plunking dejectedly on the piano Nina looks up to discover Jamie in ghostly form lively as ever and just as loving. With a few new wrinkles (such as parties which include Jamie's newfound ghost friends) they resume living their relationship almost as before. Nina's friends are puzzled at her change from suicidal despondency to giddy cheefulness but Jamie has pledged Nina to secrecy about their renewed relationship. For that reason she cannot find any good excuses for not responding to the romantic advances of a living man Mark (Michael Maloney). Before long she will have to choose between the two of them.
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Pianist Nina ( Juliet Stevenson ) and cellist Jamie ( Alan Rickman ) played together and loved together. When they weren't making music with each other , they made love. It was an idyllic romantic and musical partnership , and when Jamie dies , Nina takes it very hard. The condolences of friends and relatives don't help much when everything in the apartment they shared reminds her of him. She's a real basket case , and can barely get on with her life. One day , while plunking dejectedly on the piano , Nina looks up to discover Jamie , in ghostly form , lively as ever and just as loving. With a few new wrinkles ( such as parties which include Jamie's newfound ghost friends ), they resume living their relationship almost as before. Nina's friends are puzzled at her change from suicidal despondency to giddy cheefulness , but Jamie has pledged Nina to secrecy about their renewed relationship. For that reason , she cannot find any good excuses for not responding to the romantic advances of a living man , Mark ( Michael Maloney ) . Before long , she will have to choose between the two of them.
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During her 25th high school class reunion middle-aged Peggy Sue (Kathleen Turner) tries to forget her marital problems with husband Charlie (Nicolas Cage) by renewing old friendships. Wondering if she made the right decisions in her life Peggy Sue gets a chance to try again when zapped into a time warp she finds herself a teenager back in 1960. Armed with foreknowledge (the scene in which she tells off her algebra teacher is a particular treat) Peggy Sue gets to retrace the steps leading up to her unhappy marriage to high-school sweetheart Charlie. Will nerdish Richard Norvik (Barry Miller) who always carried a torch for Peggy Sue and whom she knows will become a millionaire computer mogul by 1985 win out over the unreliable Charlie this time? A "small" film from the otherwise profligate Francis Ford Coppola Peggy Sue Got Married possesses an irresistible charm that makes up for its glaring plot deficiencies. The youthful cast is matched in its appeal by such veterans as Leon Ames Maureen O'Sullivan and John Carradine. And yes that is Jim Carrey as Walter Getz.
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During her 25th high school class reunion , middle - aged Peggy Sue ( Kathleen Turner ) tries to forget her marital problems with husband Charlie ( Nicolas Cage ) by renewing old friendships. Wondering if she made the right decisions in her life , Peggy Sue gets a chance to try again when , zapped into a time warp , she finds herself a teenager back in 1960. Armed with foreknowledge ( the scene in which she tells off her algebra teacher is a particular treat ), Peggy Sue gets to retrace the steps leading up to her unhappy marriage to high - school sweetheart Charlie. Will nerdish Richard Norvik ( Barry Miller ), who always carried a torch for Peggy Sue and whom she knows will become a millionaire computer mogul by 1985 , win out over the unreliable Charlie this time? A "small" film from the otherwise profligate Francis Ford Coppola , Peggy Sue Got Married possesses an irresistible charm that makes up for its glaring plot deficiencies. The youthful cast is matched in its appeal by such veterans as Leon Ames , Maureen O'Sullivan and John Carradine . And yes , that is Jim Carrey as Walter Getz.
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Opting for light entertainment after the critical satire of Shampoo (1975) producer-director-writer-star Warren Beatty remade the 1941 comic fantasy Here Comes Mr. Jordan. Dimly amiable L.A. Rams quarterback Joe Pendleton (Beatty) is prematurely called to Heaven by an over-eager escort (Buck Henry who co-directed) after a traffic accident. When archangel Mr. Jordan (James Mason) discovers the error he offers to return Joe to his body only to find that it has been cremated. On the verge of playing in the Super Bowl Joe demands a fit body rather than the old about-to-be-murdered industrialist Farnsworth he has been offered but he reconsiders when he sees environmentalist Betty Logan (Julie Christie) in Farnsworth's house. Assuming Farnsworth's body while keeping his sweet self Joe hires his beloved coach Max Corkle (Jack Warden) to get him in shape (after convincing Max who he really is) sets Farnsworth's business on an eco-friendly path and romances Betty. Farnsworth's homicidal wife (Dyan Cannon) and secretary (Charles Grodin) however are still determined to succeed in their plan to kill him. When Mr. Jordan finally finds the Super Bowl body Joe wanted Joe has to trade his old self for the new life -- but will he remember his love for Betty? Heaven Can Wait offered contemporary yet old-fashioned escapism and tapped into the late-1970s vogue for nostalgic fun becoming one of 1978's most popular summer movies after Grease. Updating the original while following its blueprint Beatty and co-writer Elaine May switched Joe's sport and turned Joe into a man of his '70s moment adoring Betty for her convictions and favoring "green" policies over corporate greed. Gently breathing life into a classic form Heaven Can Wait found romantic innocence in a jaded time and it went on to receive nine Oscar nominations including Best Picture.
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Opting for light entertainment after the critical satire of Shampoo ( 1975 ), producer - director - writer - star Warren Beatty remade the 1941 comic fantasy Here Comes Mr. Jordan . Dimly amiable L.A. Rams quarterback Joe Pendleton ( Beatty ) is prematurely called to Heaven by an over - eager escort ( Buck Henry , who co - directed ) after a traffic accident. When archangel Mr. Jordan ( James Mason ) discovers the error , he offers to return Joe to his body , only to find that it has been cremated. On the verge of playing in the Super Bowl , Joe demands a fit body rather than the old about - to - be - murdered industrialist Farnsworth he has been offered , but he reconsiders when he sees environmentalist Betty Logan ( Julie Christie ) in Farnsworth's house. Assuming Farnsworth's body while keeping his sweet self , Joe hires his beloved coach Max Corkle ( Jack Warden ) to get him in shape ( after convincing Max who he really is ), sets Farnsworth's business on an eco - friendly path , and romances Betty. Farnsworth's homicidal wife ( Dyan Cannon ) and secretary ( Charles Grodin ), however , are still determined to succeed in their plan to kill him. When Mr. Jordan finally finds the Super Bowl body Joe wanted , Joe has to trade his old self for the new life -- but will he remember his love for Betty? Heaven Can Wait offered contemporary yet old - fashioned escapism and tapped into the late - 1970s vogue for nostalgic fun , becoming one of 1978's most popular summer movies after Grease . Updating the original while following its blueprint , Beatty and co - writer Elaine May switched Joe's sport and turned Joe into a man of his '70s moment , adoring Betty for her convictions and favoring "green" policies over corporate greed. Gently breathing life into a classic form , Heaven Can Wait found romantic innocence in a jaded time , and it went on to receive nine Oscar nominations , including Best Picture.
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An interesting hybrid of popular film genres Ghost showcases the talents of its entire cast. While out on the town one evening New York couple Sam (Patrick Swayze) and Molly (Demi Moore) are confronted by a mugger. After submitting to his demands Sam is murdered anyway. He then finds himself a disembodied spirit invisible to the living world wandering without hope until he finds a spiteful spirit aboard the subway (Vincent Schiavelli) who gives him some helpful pointers on how to co-exist. Soon Sam comes back into contact with those he knew in life and he begins to learn piece-by-piece of his close friend and co-worker Carl's (Tony Goldwyn) embezzling plot which caused his death; the apparent mugging was in fact a premeditated murder. In the meantime Carl has designs on Molly and Sam is determined to extract revenge. He contacts a psychic (Whoopi Goldberg) and together the two set out to serve justice and stop the maniacal Carl from getting to Molly. Blending comedy romance action and horror Ghost was a box-office smash and managed to garner five Academy Award nominations including "Best Picture" "Best Supporting Actress" (Goldberg) "Best Original Screenplay" "Best Editing" and "Best Score"; Goldberg won her first Oscar.
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An interesting hybrid of popular film genres , Ghost showcases the talents of its entire cast. While out on the town one evening , New York couple Sam ( Patrick Swayze ) and Molly ( Demi Moore ) are confronted by a mugger. After submitting to his demands , Sam is murdered anyway. He then finds himself a disembodied spirit , invisible to the living world , wandering without hope until he finds a spiteful spirit aboard the subway ( Vincent Schiavelli ) who gives him some helpful pointers on how to co - exist. Soon Sam comes back into contact with those he knew in life , and he begins to learn piece - by - piece of his close friend and co - worker Carl's ( Tony Goldwyn ) embezzling plot which caused his death ; the apparent mugging was , in fact , a premeditated murder. In the meantime , Carl has designs on Molly , and Sam is determined to extract revenge. He contacts a psychic ( Whoopi Goldberg ), and together , the two set out to serve justice and stop the maniacal Carl from getting to Molly. Blending comedy , romance , action , and horror , Ghost was a box - office smash and managed to garner five Academy Award nominations , including "Best Picture , " "Best Supporting Actress" ( Goldberg ), "Best Original Screenplay , " "Best Editing , " and "Best Score" ; Goldberg won her first Oscar.
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John Boorman directed this gloriously savage interpretation of Arthurian legend loosely based on Thomas Malory's novel Le Morte d'Arthur. By turns gleaming and filthy tender and bloody the film is a visually stunning epic which is never less than compelling. Nigel Terry is perfectly cast as Arthur whose unwavering trust and faith are shown to be both quietly heroic and achingly naïve. Interestingly the quest for the Grail is the least effective part of the film despite bold cinematography by Alex Thomson (who was nominated for an Oscar) and a fine performance by Paul Geoffrey as Perceval whose greatest desire is attained in his dying sight. It is the scenes of Camelot in which Boorman is at his most effective as Arthur is betrayed by the burning passions of Guenevere (Cherie Lunghi) and Lancelot (Nicholas Clay) whose boiling internal forces cannot be denied whatever the cost. The wicked Mordred (Robert Addie) and Morgana (Helen Mirren) are commanding when onscreen and Nicol Williamson's performance as the grandiosely self-sacrificing Merlin is outstanding. Liam Neeson and Patrick Stewart also appear in this dense passionate and stirring triumph featuring a marvelous Trevor Jones score. The gruesome effects by Peter Hutchinson and Alan Whibley however and sights such as a knight having sex in full body armor make this a fairy tale strictly for adults.
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John Boorman directed this gloriously savage interpretation of Arthurian legend loosely based on Thomas Malory 's novel Le Morte d'Arthur . By turns gleaming and filthy , tender and bloody , the film is a visually stunning epic which is never less than compelling. Nigel Terry is perfectly cast as Arthur , whose unwavering trust and faith are shown to be both quietly heroic and achingly naïve. Interestingly , the quest for the Grail is the least effective part of the film , despite bold cinematography by Alex Thomson ( who was nominated for an Oscar ) and a fine performance by Paul Geoffrey as Perceval , whose greatest desire is attained in his dying sight. It is the scenes of Camelot in which Boorman is at his most effective , as Arthur is betrayed by the burning passions of Guenevere ( Cherie Lunghi ) and Lancelot ( Nicholas Clay ), whose boiling internal forces cannot be denied , whatever the cost. The wicked Mordred ( Robert Addie ) and Morgana ( Helen Mirren ) are commanding when onscreen , and Nicol Williamson 's performance as the grandiosely self - sacrificing Merlin is outstanding. Liam Neeson and Patrick Stewart also appear in this dense , passionate , and stirring triumph featuring a marvelous Trevor Jones score. The gruesome effects by Peter Hutchinson and Alan Whibley , however , and sights such as a knight having sex in full body armor make this a fairy tale strictly for adults.
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Tim Burton's Edward Scissorhands opens as an eccentric inventor (Vincent Price) lovingly assembles a synthetic youth named Edward (Johnny Depp). Edward has all the essential ingredients for today's standard body with the exception of a pair of hands. For what is initially thought to be a temporary period he is fitted with long scissor-like extremities that while able to trim a mean hedge are hardly conducive to day-to-day life. When the kindly inventor dies however Edward is left lonely and cursed with some very heavy metal for hands. He is eventually taken in by Peg Boggs (Dianne Weist) an Avon lady who takes pity on him after seeing his bleak existence. Edward in spite of his inherent ability to slay anyone he comes across is a gentle soul whose only wish is to be loved. His impromptu family has at best a limited understanding of Edward but he finds himself drawn to Peg's weary but sympathetic daughter Kim (Winona Ryder) who is dating Jim (Anthony Michael Hall) the neighborhood bully. Meanwhile Edward finds himself a local celebrity after the town realizes that his talents include creative hedge trimming and an unrivaled ability to cut hair. His so-called friends are proven fair-weather when Edward is accused of a crime after which his only supporters are Peg and Kim.
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Tim Burton 's Edward Scissorhands opens as an eccentric inventor ( Vincent Price ) lovingly assembles a synthetic youth named Edward ( Johnny Depp ) . Edward has all the essential ingredients for today's standard body , with the exception of a pair of hands. For what is initially thought to be a temporary period , he is fitted with long , scissor - like extremities that , while able to trim a mean hedge , are hardly conducive to day - to - day life. When the kindly inventor dies , however , Edward is left lonely and cursed with some very heavy metal for hands. He is eventually taken in by Peg Boggs ( Dianne Weist ), an Avon lady who takes pity on him after seeing his bleak existence. Edward , in spite of his inherent ability to slay anyone he comes across , is a gentle soul whose only wish is to be loved. His impromptu family has , at best , a limited understanding of Edward , but he finds himself drawn to Peg's weary but sympathetic daughter , Kim ( Winona Ryder ), who is dating Jim ( Anthony Michael Hall ), the neighborhood bully. Meanwhile , Edward finds himself a local celebrity after the town realizes that his talents include creative hedge trimming and an unrivaled ability to cut hair. His so - called friends are proven fair - weather when Edward is accused of a crime , after which his only supporters are Peg and Kim.
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Albert Brooks wrote directed and stars in this philosophical comedy about a man having a hard time making a case for himself in the afterlife. When advertising executive Daniel Miller (Albert Brooks) finds himself in a fatal car crash minutes after taking delivery on a new BMW he's whisked away to Judgment City where the recently dead are put on a sort of trial to decide their fate. If in your time on Earth you were able to face your fears and learn from your mistakes you get to move on to a life in a better world. However if you didn't you have to go back to Earth and try again. As he spends the next several days watching various episodes from his life Daniel gets the impression he doesn't stand much of a chance of moving on -- and his representative Bob Diamond (Rip Torn) seems to have little confidence in his case. In the meantime he frequents Judgment City's many restaurants (where the food is delicious and you can eat all you want without gaining an ounce) pays a visit to the Past Life Pavilion and meets Julia (Meryl Streep) who seems so kind sweet and noble that her advancement is practically assured. Daniel and Julia fall in love but what's going to happen if they don't end up in the same place? Albert Brooks and Meryl Streep make a witty and engaging romantic team in Defending Your Life and Shirley MacLaine appears in a highly appropriate cameo.
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Albert Brooks wrote , directed , and stars in this philosophical comedy about a man having a hard time making a case for himself in the afterlife. When advertising executive Daniel Miller ( Albert Brooks ) finds himself in a fatal car crash minutes after taking delivery on a new BMW , he's whisked away to Judgment City , where the recently dead are put on a sort of trial to decide their fate. If in your time on Earth you were able to face your fears and learn from your mistakes , you get to move on to a life in a better world. However , if you didn't , you have to go back to Earth and try again. As he spends the next several days watching various episodes from his life , Daniel gets the impression he doesn't stand much of a chance of moving on -- and his representative , Bob Diamond ( Rip Torn ), seems to have little confidence in his case. In the meantime , he frequents Judgment City's many restaurants ( where the food is delicious and you can eat all you want without gaining an ounce ), pays a visit to the Past Life Pavilion , and meets Julia ( Meryl Streep ), who seems so kind , sweet , and noble that her advancement is practically assured. Daniel and Julia fall in love , but what's going to happen if they don't end up in the same place? Albert Brooks and Meryl Streep make a witty and engaging romantic team in Defending Your Life , and Shirley MacLaine appears in a highly appropriate cameo.
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Company of Wolves is Little Red Riding Hood for the Alien generation. Sheltered 13-year-old Sarah Patterson living on the edge of a foreboding woods is visited by her grandmother Angela Lansbury. The old lady delights in telling Sarah the most horrific stories usually involving what happens to little girls if they trust wolves--the actual rather than symbolic kind. Later on Sarah sets out through the woods to visit her grandmother. She makes the acquaintance of a seductive young huntsman (Micha Bergese) who turns out to be.....well what big teeth he's got. The ads for Company of Wolves showing a wolf springing from the open mouth of poor little Sarah Patterson were warning enough for the faint of heart. Actually the horror is secondary to the remarkable Grimms-Fairy-Tale ambience which the film successfully sustains from beginning to end. And in keeping with the original unexpurgated versions of most fairy tales the sexual subtext is never far from the surface. Director Neil Jordan would further develop some of the subliminal themes in Company of Wolves in his 1994 production Interview with the Vampire.
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Company of Wolves is Little Red Riding Hood for the Alien generation. Sheltered 13 - year - old Sarah Patterson , living on the edge of a foreboding woods , is visited by her grandmother Angela Lansbury . The old lady delights in telling Sarah the most horrific stories , usually involving what happens to little girls if they trust wolves -- the actual , rather than symbolic kind. Later on , Sarah sets out through the woods to visit her grandmother. She makes the acquaintance of a seductive young huntsman ( Micha Bergese ), who turns out to be.....well , what big teeth he's got. The ads for Company of Wolves , showing a wolf springing from the open mouth of poor little Sarah Patterson , were warning enough for the faint of heart. Actually , the horror is secondary to the remarkable Grimms - Fairy - Tale ambience which the film successfully sustains from beginning to end. And , in keeping with the original unexpurgated versions of most fairy tales , the sexual subtext is never far from the surface. Director Neil Jordan would further develop some of the subliminal themes in Company of Wolves in his 1994 production Interview with the Vampire.
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ehind the black cowl Gotham City superhero Batman is really millionaire philanthropist Bruce Wayne (Michael Keaton) who turned to crimefighting after his parents were brutally murdered before his eyes. The only person to share Wayne's secret is faithful butler Alfred (Michael Gough). The principal villain in Batman is The Joker (Jack Nicholson) who'd been mob torpedo Jack Napier before he was horribly disfigured in a vat of acid. The Joker's plan to destroy Batman and gain control of Gotham City is manifold. First he distributes a line of booby-trapped cosmetics then he goes on a destruction spree in the Gotham Art Museum while the music of Prince blasts away in the background and finally he orchestrates an all-out campaign to win the hearts and minds of the Gothamites hoping to turn them against the Cowled One. Meanwhile reporter Vicki Vale (Kim Basinger) becomes the love of Batman's life-which of course plays right into the Joker's hands. Photographed by Roger Pratt designed by Anton Furst and scored by Tim Burton's favorite composer Danny Elfman Batman was a monstrous box-office hit making $100 million in the first ten days of release--$82800000 in North America alone. Incidentally Billy Dee Williams' comparatively small role as DA Harvey Dent was originally designed to set up the sequel wherein Dent was to convert into master criminal Two-Face; but by the time the producers got around to that character in 1995's Batman Forever Two-Face was played by Tommy Lee Jones.
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Behind the black cowl , Gotham City superhero Batman is really millionaire philanthropist Bruce Wayne ( Michael Keaton ), who turned to crimefighting after his parents were brutally murdered before his eyes. The only person to share Wayne's secret is faithful butler Alfred ( Michael Gough ) . The principal villain in Batman is The Joker ( Jack Nicholson ) who'd been mob torpedo Jack Napier before he was horribly disfigured in a vat of acid. The Joker's plan to destroy Batman and gain control of Gotham City is manifold. First he distributes a line of booby - trapped cosmetics , then he goes on a destruction spree in the Gotham Art Museum while the music of Prince blasts away in the background , and finally he orchestrates an all - out campaign to win the hearts and minds of the Gothamites , hoping to turn them against the Cowled One. Meanwhile , reporter Vicki Vale ( Kim Basinger ) becomes the love of Batman's life - which of course plays right into the Joker's hands. Photographed by Roger Pratt , designed by Anton Furst , and scored by Tim Burton 's favorite composer Danny Elfman , Batman was a monstrous box - office hit , making $100 million in the first ten days of release -- $82 , 800 , 000 in North America alone. Incidentally , Billy Dee Williams ' comparatively small role as DA Harvey Dent was originally designed to set up the sequel , wherein Dent was to convert into master criminal Two - Face ; but by the time the producers got around to that character in 1995's Batman Forever , Two - Face was played by Tommy Lee Jones .
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While investigating an infidelity case an unconventional private detective discovers a far-reaching conspiracy in the magical world of 1950s Hollywood -- and in this film the word "magical" is meant literally. Director Paul Schrader's comic mystery originally made for cable is set in an alternate universe where witchcraft is commonplace and magic just another modern convenience. The magic trend is particularly prominent in Hollywood where detective H. Phillip Lovecraft is considered unusual for preferring to do things the old-fashioned non-magical way. Still Lovecraft is successful enough to be hired by famed movie star Kim Hudson who suspects that she's being cheated on by her husband wealthy producer N. G. Gottleib. It seems like a cut-and-dry case until Gottleib winds up dead the victim of a magic spell. Lovecraft's subsequent investigation finds this murder is part of a conspiracy centering around a secret magic-run brothel and somehow involving Senator Lance Crockett a McCarthy-like conservative leading a popular campaign to outlaw magic. When Crockett frames one of Lovecraft's friends as the witch responsible for Gottleib's death it is up to Lovecraft to reveal the truth before his friend is burned at the stake.
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While investigating an infidelity case , an unconventional private detective discovers a far - reaching conspiracy in the magical world of 1950s Hollywood -- and in this film , the word "magical" is meant literally. Director Paul Schrader 's comic mystery , originally made for cable , is set in an alternate universe where witchcraft is commonplace and magic just another modern convenience. The magic trend is particularly prominent in Hollywood , where detective H. Phillip Lovecraft is considered unusual for preferring to do things the old - fashioned , non - magical way. Still , Lovecraft is successful enough to be hired by famed movie star Kim Hudson , who suspects that she's being cheated on by her husband , wealthy producer N. G. Gottleib. It seems like a cut - and - dry case , until Gottleib winds up dead , the victim of a magic spell. Lovecraft's subsequent investigation finds this murder is part of a conspiracy centering around a secret , magic - run brothel and somehow involving Senator Lance Crockett , a McCarthy - like conservative leading a popular campaign to outlaw magic. When Crockett frames one of Lovecraft's friends as the witch responsible for Gottleib's death , it is up to Lovecraft to reveal the truth before his friend is burned at the stake.
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This visually inventive French sci-fi/fantasy tale began winning a cult following practically from the moment it was released. Krank (Daniel Emilfork) is a foul monstrous creature who lords over the inhabitants of a small island; Krank's emotional being is every bit as ugly as his physical personage largely because he does not have the ability to dream. However he has developed a machine that can drain the dreams of others from their heads and he devotes himself to kidnapping children from a nearby harbor town so that he can steal their pleasant dreams. Denree (Joseph Lucien) is one of the children who has been spirited off to the island; Krank discovers that he's an even bigger problem than he imagined when his big brother One (Ron Perlman) a harpoon-wielding mountain of a man sets out on a rescue mission. Once he arrives on Krank's island One encounters a brain in a fish tank that has learned to talk a group of clones who can't decide who is the original a pair of Siamese twins an octopus that guides a group of orphaned thieves and a girl named Miette (Judith Vittet) who says she can guide One to Denree.
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This visually inventive French sci - fi / fantasy tale began winning a cult following practically from the moment it was released. Krank ( Daniel Emilfork ) is a foul , monstrous creature who lords over the inhabitants of a small island ; Krank's emotional being is every bit as ugly as his physical personage , largely because he does not have the ability to dream. However , he has developed a machine that can drain the dreams of others from their heads , and he devotes himself to kidnapping children from a nearby harbor town so that he can steal their pleasant dreams. Denree ( Joseph Lucien ) is one of the children who has been spirited off to the island ; Krank discovers that he's an even bigger problem than he imagined when his big brother One ( Ron Perlman ), a harpoon - wielding mountain of a man , sets out on a rescue mission. Once he arrives on Krank's island , One encounters a brain in a fish tank that has learned to talk , a group of clones who can't decide who is the original , a pair of Siamese twins , an octopus that guides a group of orphaned thieves , and a girl named Miette ( Judith Vittet ) who says she can guide One to Denree.
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Hyperactive mayhem results when a mild-manned banker discovers an ancient mask that transforms him into a zany prankster with superhuman powers in this special-effects-intensive comedy. The wildly improvisational Jim Carrey plays Stanley Ipkiss a decent-hearted but socially awkward guy who one night finds a strange mask. Carrey's trademark energy reveals itself after Stanley puts on the mask and the banker transforms into The Mask a green-skinned zoot-suited fireball. The rubber-faced Mask possesses the courage to do the wild fun things that Stanley fears including romancing Tina Carlyle (Cameron Diaz). In addition to Carrey's physical talents the film makes effective use of digital visual effects that bestow the Mask with superhuman speed insane flexibility and popping eyes out of a Tex Avery cartoon. The larger narrative involving the efforts of Tina's gangster boyfriend to destroy Stanley and use the mask's powers for evil prove less interesting than the anarchic comic set pieces including a particularly memorable dance number to "Cuban Pete." The film delivered enough laughs to become a surprise hit and along with the same year's Dumb and Dumber establish Carrey's status as a comedy superstar.
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Hyperactive mayhem results when a mild - manned banker discovers an ancient mask that transforms him into a zany prankster with superhuman powers in this special - effects - intensive comedy. The wildly improvisational Jim Carrey plays Stanley Ipkiss , a decent - hearted but socially awkward guy who one night finds a strange mask. Carrey's trademark energy reveals itself after Stanley puts on the mask and the banker transforms into The Mask , a green - skinned , zoot - suited fireball. The rubber - faced Mask possesses the courage to do the wild , fun things that Stanley fears , including romancing Tina Carlyle ( Cameron Diaz ) . In addition to Carrey's physical talents , the film makes effective use of digital visual effects that bestow the Mask with superhuman speed , insane flexibility , and popping eyes out of a Tex Avery cartoon. The larger narrative , involving the efforts of Tina's gangster boyfriend to destroy Stanley and use the mask's powers for evil , prove less interesting than the anarchic comic set pieces , including a particularly memorable dance number to "Cuban Pete." The film delivered enough laughs to become a surprise hit and , along with the same year's Dumb and Dumber , establish Carrey's status as a comedy superstar.
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ased on the graphic novel by James O'Barr this fantasy follows Eric Draven (Brandon Lee) a rock musician who is murdered along with his fiancée Shelly (Sofia Shinas) by a group of marauding thugs who terrorize the decaying city in which they live. One year to the day after his death (which happens to be Devil's Night) a mystical crow appears at Eric's grave; Eric rises from the dead and with the bird as his guide goes on a mission to avenge himself against Top Dollar (Michael Wincott) the leader of the gang who killed him. Star Brandon Lee was killed while filming a scene in which he was shot with a shell from an improperly cleaned gun that was supposed to be loaded with blanks. Like his father martial arts superstar Bruce Lee Brandon was fated to enjoy his greatest popular success after his premature death.
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Based on the graphic novel by James O'Barr , this fantasy follows Eric Draven ( Brandon Lee ), a rock musician who is murdered along with his fiancée Shelly ( Sofia Shinas ) by a group of marauding thugs who terrorize the decaying city in which they live. One year to the day after his death ( which happens to be Devil's Night ), a mystical crow appears at Eric's grave ; Eric rises from the dead and , with the bird as his guide , goes on a mission to avenge himself against Top Dollar ( Michael Wincott ), the leader of the gang who killed him. Star Brandon Lee was killed while filming a scene in which he was shot with a shell from an improperly cleaned gun that was supposed to be loaded with blanks. Like his father , martial arts superstar Bruce Lee , Brandon was fated to enjoy his greatest popular success after his premature death.
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This modest Australian fantasy stars Hamish McFarlane as a young 14th Century boy with acute psychic powers. During the period of the Black Death Hamish believes that he can rescue his fellow villagers by leading them into an abandoned mine. The fugitives tunnel their way through the darkness and emerge on the other side--into a bustling New Zealand metropolis in the year 1988. The phenomenon is seen from the point of view of the "aliens" to whom every modern convenience and invention is a miracle comparable to the Resurrection. The Navigator: A Medieval Odyssey successfully creates and sustains its own logic framing the story in the linear form of an ancient legend and never treating the bedazzled time-travellers in a condescending manner.
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This modest Australian fantasy stars Hamish McFarlane as a young 14th Century boy with acute psychic powers. During the period of the Black Death , Hamish believes that he can rescue his fellow villagers by leading them into an abandoned mine. The fugitives tunnel their way through the darkness and emerge on the other side -- into a bustling New Zealand metropolis in the year 1988. The phenomenon is seen from the point of view of the "aliens , " to whom every modern convenience and invention is a miracle comparable to the Resurrection. The Navigator : A Medieval Odyssey successfully creates and sustains its own logic , framing the story in the linear form of an ancient legend , and never treating the bedazzled time - travellers in a condescending manner.
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With Goldfinger the James Bond series took a turn away from relatively straightforward spy thrillers and toward campy gadgetry extravagant sets and kitschy jokes. Bond (Sean Connery) has to prevent a notorious gold smuggler appropriately named Goldfinger (Gert Fröbe) from robbing Fort Knox. Goldfinger is surrounded by evil henchmen such as the sexy female pilot Pussy Galore (Honor Blackman) and Oddjob (Harold Sakata) who kills with his steel-rimmed bowler hats. In order to stop Goldfinger Bond has to survive several perilous situations including a huge deadly laser. Goldfinger is one of the most popular films in the James Bond series and it set the tone not only for the rest of the series but also for most of the action/adventure films of the late '60s and early '70s.
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With Goldfinger , the James Bond series took a turn away from relatively straightforward spy thrillers and toward campy gadgetry , extravagant sets , and kitschy jokes. Bond ( Sean Connery ) has to prevent a notorious gold smuggler , appropriately named Goldfinger ( Gert Fröbe ), from robbing Fort Knox. Goldfinger is surrounded by evil henchmen such as the sexy female pilot Pussy Galore ( Honor Blackman ) and Oddjob ( Harold Sakata ), who kills with his steel - rimmed bowler hats. In order to stop Goldfinger , Bond has to survive several perilous situations , including a huge , deadly laser. Goldfinger is one of the most popular films in the James Bond series , and it set the tone not only for the rest of the series but also for most of the action / adventure films of the late '60s and early '70s.
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From Russia With Love the second in the series of James Bond films is the film that solidifies all the Bond film elements into a formula -- the action sequences are intensified and lend greater tension to the proceedings; John Barry's inimitable score makes its first appearance; and Sean Connery as Bond has nailed down his role as 007 -- accentuating Bond's stylishness and sophistication while toning down his cold-bloodedness. In From Russia With Love the bad guys don't want to take over the world. They want something more mundane -- a Russian decoding device. Assigned to the mission of stealing the decoding device are No. 3 former KGB agent Rosa Klebb (Lotte Lenya) and No. 5 Kronsteen (Vladek Sheybal) an expert chess player who has plotted every move of the mission. Kronsteen's plan requires using Bond's weakness for women as an element in acquiring the decoding device. Once Bond obtains the decoding device from Russian cipher clerk Tatiana Romanova (Daniela Bianchi) SPECTRE muscleman Red Grant (Robert Shaw) is to forcibly take it from Bond and kill him. But Bond suspects a trap. Being Bond however he can't resist the lure of a beautiful woman. So flaunting danger Bond travels to Istanbul to meet Tatiana. The centerpiece of this 007 feature is the thrilling fight to the death between Bond and enemy agent Red Grant aboard the Orient Express.
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From Russia With Love , the second in the series of James Bond films , is the film that solidifies all the Bond film elements into a formula -- the action sequences are intensified and lend greater tension to the proceedings ; John Barry 's inimitable score makes its first appearance ; and Sean Connery as Bond has nailed down his role as 007 -- accentuating Bond's stylishness and sophistication , while toning down his cold - bloodedness. In From Russia With Love , the bad guys don't want to take over the world. They want something more mundane -- a Russian decoding device. Assigned to the mission of stealing the decoding device are No. 3 , former KGB agent Rosa Klebb ( Lotte Lenya ), and No. 5 , Kronsteen ( Vladek Sheybal ), an expert chess player who has plotted every move of the mission. Kronsteen's plan requires using Bond's weakness for women as an element in acquiring the decoding device. Once Bond obtains the decoding device from Russian cipher clerk Tatiana Romanova ( Daniela Bianchi ), SPECTRE muscleman Red Grant ( Robert Shaw ) is to forcibly take it from Bond and kill him. But Bond suspects a trap. Being Bond , however , he can't resist the lure of a beautiful woman. So , flaunting danger , Bond travels to Istanbul to meet Tatiana. The centerpiece of this 007 feature is the thrilling fight to the death between Bond and enemy agent Red Grant aboard the Orient Express.
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James Bond heads East to save the world (and to learn how to serve saki properly) in this action-packed espionage adventure. When an American spacecraft disappears during a mission it's widely believed to have been intercepted by the Soviet Union and after a Russian space capsule similarly goes missing most consider it to be an act of American retaliation. Soon the two nations are at the brink of war but British intelligence discovers that some sort of UFO has crashed into the Sea of Japan. Agent 007 James Bond (Sean Connery) is sent in to investigate. After staging his own death to avoid being followed Bond disguised as a Japanese civilian teams up with agent Tiger Tanaka (Tetsuro Tamba) and his beautiful associate Aki (Akiko Wakabayashi). With their help Bond learns that both the American and Russian space missions were actually scuttled by supercriminal Ernst Blofeld (Donald Pleasance) in yet another bid by his evil empire SPECTRE to take over the world. As he battles the bad guys Bond finds time to romance both Kissy Suziki (Mie Hama) and Helga Brandt (Karin Dor). You Only Live Twice was one of Sean Connery's last outings as James Bond. The next Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service would star George Lazenby as 007 and while Connery would return for Diamonds Are Forever in 1973 Roger Moore took over the role. (Connery would play Bond one last time in 1983's Never Say Never Again which was produced outside the official series.)
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James Bond heads East to save the world ( and to learn how to serve saki properly ) in this action - packed espionage adventure. When an American spacecraft disappears during a mission , it's widely believed to have been intercepted by the Soviet Union , and after a Russian space capsule similarly goes missing , most consider it to be an act of American retaliation. Soon the two nations are at the brink of war , but British intelligence discovers that some sort of UFO has crashed into the Sea of Japan. Agent 007 , James Bond ( Sean Connery ) is sent in to investigate. After staging his own death to avoid being followed , Bond , disguised as a Japanese civilian , teams up with agent Tiger Tanaka ( Tetsuro Tamba ) and his beautiful associate Aki ( Akiko Wakabayashi ) . With their help , Bond learns that both the American and Russian space missions were actually scuttled by supercriminal Ernst Blofeld ( Donald Pleasance ) in yet another bid by his evil empire SPECTRE to take over the world. As he battles the bad guys , Bond finds time to romance both Kissy Suziki ( Mie Hama ) and Helga Brandt ( Karin Dor ) . You Only Live Twice was one of Sean Connery 's last outings as James Bond. The next Bond film , On Her Majesty's Secret Service , would star George Lazenby as 007 , and while Connery would return for Diamonds Are Forever , in 1973 , Roger Moore took over the role. ( Connery would play Bond one last time , in 1983's Never Say Never Again , which was produced outside the official series. )
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A top-secret Soviet spy satellite -- using stolen Western technology -- malfunctions and then goes into a descent that lands it near an isolated Arctic research encampment called Ice Station Zebra belonging to the British which starts sending out distress signals before falling silent. The atomic submarine Tigerfish commanded by Cmdr. James Ferraday (Rock Hudson) is dispatched with orders to get to Ice Station Zebra carrying three passengers a Englishman going by the name of David Jones (Patrick McGoohan) a Soviet turncoat named Boris Vaslov (Ernest Borgnine) and an American Marine officer Captain Anders (Jim Brown) who is supposed to command the Marine unit assigned to the mission. Jones is problem enough as he is in command of the mission and he prefers to withhold as much information as it's possible to do from Ferraday even at the risk of the Tigerfish's safety. Add to that the fact that Anders is suspicious of Vaslov and Vaslov seems much too inquisitive and is telling even less of what he knows about the mission and Ferraday has his hands full trying to get these men to the polar ice -- 600 miles of dangerous travel -- in just two days. When an attempt to break through the ice -- coupled with some timely sabotage -- kills one man and nearly destroys the boat the men surrounding these contending parties start to understand just how high the stakes are for everyone. It turns out that the Soviets want what was aboard that satellite as much as the West does; indeed both sides are frantic to get it and just as much to keep the other side from getting it -- and they're prepared to take it by brute force. Once Ferraday and his men arrive at Zebra they find a disaster and still more mystery with most of the men dead and the object that Mr. Jones is supposed to secure nowhere in evidence and he and his two fellow men of mystery suddenly showing their killing instincts quite freely. And with the storm clearing from the Soviet side first their planes and their paratroops are closing in on Ferraday and his relative handful of men.
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A top - secret Soviet spy satellite -- using stolen Western technology -- malfunctions and then goes into a descent that lands it near an isolated Arctic research encampment called Ice Station Zebra , belonging to the British , which starts sending out distress signals before falling silent. The atomic submarine Tigerfish , commanded by Cmdr. James Ferraday ( Rock Hudson ), is dispatched with orders to get to Ice Station Zebra carrying three passengers , a Englishman going by the name of David Jones ( Patrick McGoohan ), a Soviet turncoat named Boris Vaslov ( Ernest Borgnine ), and an American Marine officer , Captain Anders ( Jim Brown ), who is supposed to command the Marine unit assigned to the mission. Jones is problem enough , as he is in command of the mission and he prefers to withhold as much information as it's possible to do from Ferraday , even at the risk of the Tigerfish 's safety. Add to that the fact that Anders is suspicious of Vaslov , and Vaslov seems much too inquisitive and is telling even less of what he knows about the mission , and Ferraday has his hands full trying to get these men to the polar ice -- 600 miles of dangerous travel -- in just two days. When an attempt to break through the ice -- coupled with some timely sabotage -- kills one man and nearly destroys the boat , the men surrounding these contending parties start to understand just how high the stakes are for everyone. It turns out that the Soviets want what was aboard that satellite as much as the West does ; indeed , both sides are frantic to get it , and , just as much , to keep the other side from getting it -- and they're prepared to take it by brute force. Once Ferraday and his men arrive at Zebra , they find a disaster and still more mystery , with most of the men dead and the object that Mr. Jones is supposed to secure nowhere in evidence , and he and his two fellow men of mystery suddenly showing their killing instincts quite freely. And with the storm clearing from the Soviet side first , their planes and their paratroops are closing in on Ferraday , and his relative handful of men.
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John Schlesinger directed this fact-based drama - adapted from Robert Lindsay's bestseller of the same title -- about two Californians friends since boyhood who are caught selling government secrets to the Soviet Union. Christopher Boyce (Timothy Hutton) is an all-American boy studying for the priesthood in a seminary. But Boyce decides to drop out of school and with the help of his father (Pat Hingle) a FBI agent he gets a job working for the CIA in a message-routing center. While reading the messages Boyce is shocked to learn that the CIA is involved in fixing Australian elections. Watching the Watergate hearings on television he feels an ever-mounting sense of outrage at the arrogance of the U.S. government and decides to do something about it. Deciding to supply the CIA messages to the Russians he enlists his childhood friend Daulton Lee (Sean Penn) to help him. Lee is to deliver the CIA secrets to a Russian operative (David Suchet) at the Soviet Embassy in Mexico City. But Lee is an unreliable drug dealer and his sloppy spy trail leads the two old friends into more trouble than they bargained for.
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John Schlesinger directed this fact - based drama - adapted from Robert Lindsay 's bestseller of the same title -- about two Californians , friends since boyhood , who are caught selling government secrets to the Soviet Union. Christopher Boyce ( Timothy Hutton ) is an all - American boy , studying for the priesthood in a seminary. But Boyce decides to drop out of school , and with the help of his father ( Pat Hingle ), a FBI agent , he gets a job working for the CIA in a message - routing center. While reading the messages , Boyce is shocked to learn that the CIA is involved in fixing Australian elections. Watching the Watergate hearings on television , he feels an ever - mounting sense of outrage at the arrogance of the U.S. government and decides to do something about it. Deciding to supply the CIA messages to the Russians , he enlists his childhood friend Daulton Lee ( Sean Penn ) to help him. Lee is to deliver the CIA secrets to a Russian operative ( David Suchet ) at the Soviet Embassy in Mexico City. But Lee is an unreliable drug dealer , and his sloppy spy trail leads the two old friends into more trouble than they bargained for.
0356
Terence Young directed this first of a long line of screen adventures with Ian Fleming's unflappable British Secret Service Agent 007 in a fast-paced tongue-in-cheek style that set the tone for the rest of the popular series. Sean Connery sets the standard by which all future takers must measure themselves as the insouciant and devil-may-care James Bond. The story concerns Bond being sent to Jamaica to investigate the murders of a British agent and his secretary. During his investigation he comes into contact with the evil and unscrupulous Chinese scientist Dr. No (Joseph Wiseman) who living on an island called Crab Key is hard at work in a nuclear laboratory. Dr. No's scheme is to divert rockets being fired from Cape Canaveral off their charted course and to blackmail the United States to get their rocket launches restored to normal. Helping Bond is Ursula Andress (mostly undressed in a bikini throughout most of the film) as well as bad gals like Zena Marshall who almost leads Bond to his death in her bedroom and Eunice Gayson a Bond pickup in a London gambling house who proves herself a greater adversary than even James Bond can handle.
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Terence Young directed this first of a long line of screen adventures with Ian Fleming 's unflappable British Secret Service Agent 007 in a fast - paced , tongue - in - cheek style that set the tone for the rest of the popular series. Sean Connery sets the standard by which all future takers must measure themselves as the insouciant and devil - may - care James Bond. The story concerns Bond being sent to Jamaica to investigate the murders of a British agent and his secretary. During his investigation , he comes into contact with the evil and unscrupulous Chinese scientist Dr. No ( Joseph Wiseman ) who , living on an island called Crab Key , is hard at work in a nuclear laboratory. Dr. No's scheme is to divert rockets being fired from Cape Canaveral off their charted course and to blackmail the United States to get their rocket launches restored to normal. Helping Bond is Ursula Andress ( mostly undressed in a bikini throughout most of the film ), as well as bad gals like Zena Marshall , who almost leads Bond to his death in her bedroom , and Eunice Gayson , a Bond pickup in a London gambling house who proves herself a greater adversary than even James Bond can handle.
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Set amidst the controversy of the handover of the Panama Canal from America to Panama in late 1999 this espionage thriller follows seductive British spy Andrew Osnard (Pierce Brosnan) who has found himself recently banished to Panama. When Osnard stumbles into a tailor shop he meets Harry Pendel (Geoffrey Rush) a garrulous sort with an unmatched penchant for "fluence" -- that is fabricating wild tales with real-life details. Osnard threatens to expose his shady past until Pendel agrees to provide him with information about the political situation in Panama. Pendel's wife Louisa (Jamie Lee Curtis) tries to remain unscathed by her husband's constant follies which escalate and put him in the midst of international discord while also threatening the shaky relationship between himself and Osnard who cannot escape each other's grasp. Based on John le Carré's popular 1996 novel the film also features Catherine McCormack David Hayman and young Daniel Radcliffe who completed this film before his starring role in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone released later in the year.
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Set amidst the controversy of the handover of the Panama Canal from America to Panama in late 1999 , this espionage thriller follows seductive British spy Andrew Osnard ( Pierce Brosnan ), who has found himself recently banished to Panama. When Osnard stumbles into a tailor shop , he meets Harry Pendel ( Geoffrey Rush ), a garrulous sort with an unmatched penchant for "fluence" -- that is , fabricating wild tales with real - life details. Osnard threatens to expose his shady past , until Pendel agrees to provide him with information about the political situation in Panama. Pendel's wife Louisa ( Jamie Lee Curtis ) tries to remain unscathed by her husband's constant follies , which escalate and put him in the midst of international discord , while also threatening the shaky relationship between himself and Osnard , who cannot escape each other's grasp. Based on John le Carré's popular 1996 novel , the film also features Catherine McCormack , David Hayman , and young Daniel Radcliffe , who completed this film before his starring role in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone , released later in the year.
0358
Though not Ian Fleming's most famous James Bond novel 1962's The Spy Who Loved Me was distinguished by the unique device of telling the story from the heroine's point of view; in fact Bond doesn't make an appearance until the book is two-thirds over. This would hardly work in the film world's Bond franchise so the original austere plotline of the novel was eschewed altogether in favor of a labyrinthine story involving outer-space extortion. The leading lady a "hard-luck kid" in the original is now sexy Russian secret agent Barbara Bach who joins forces with Bond (Roger Moore making his third appearance as 007) to foil yet another megalomaniac villain (Curt Jurgens) who plans to threaten New York City with nuclear weaponry. Beyond the eye-popping opening ski-jump sequence the film's best scenes involve seven-foot-two Richard Kiel as steel-toothed henchman Jaws. Fifteen scriptwriters worked on The Spy Who Loved Me; only two were credited including Bond-film veteran Richard Maibaum.
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Though not Ian Fleming 's most famous James Bond novel , 1962's The Spy Who Loved Me was distinguished by the unique device of telling the story from the heroine's point of view ; in fact , Bond doesn't make an appearance until the book is two - thirds over. This would hardly work in the film world's Bond franchise , so the original austere plotline of the novel was eschewed altogether in favor of a labyrinthine story involving outer - space extortion. The leading lady , a "hard - luck kid" in the original , is now sexy Russian secret agent Barbara Bach , who joins forces with Bond ( Roger Moore , making his third appearance as 007 ) to foil yet another megalomaniac villain ( Curt Jurgens ), who plans to threaten New York City with nuclear weaponry. Beyond the eye - popping opening ski - jump sequence , the film's best scenes involve seven - foot - two Richard Kiel as steel - toothed henchman Jaws. Fifteen scriptwriters worked on The Spy Who Loved Me ; only two were credited , including Bond - film veteran Richard Maibaum .
0359
"Barley" Scott Blair (Sean Connery) is an alcoholic book editor from a bargain-basement publishing house in Great Britain who'd rather be drinking in Lisbon than attending a book dealers' show in Russia. So he's surprised when a CIA agent (Mac McDonald) pulls him from his boozy holiday. It seems that the CIA has through a book show intermediary received a package from a Russian book editor named Katya (Michelle Pfeiffer) containing amazingly detailed notebooks written by a cynical Russian physicist named "Dante" (Klaus-Maria Brandauer). The notebooks show that Russia's nuclear threat is a joke: Russian rockets "suck instead of blow...and can't hit Nevada on a clear day" in the acerbic words of CIA Agent Russell Sheridan (Roy Scheider). But why is Dante sending the notebooks to Blair? How shall the Western world respond to what could be the end of the nuclear arms race? Blair gets drafted by a British Secret Service agent (James Fox) to go to the new Russia to meet Katya. He must see whether the new Russia is still immersed in the old Cold War and whether the notebooks are genuine or another deadly chapter in the war of the spies.
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"Barley" Scott Blair ( Sean Connery ) is an alcoholic book editor from a bargain - basement publishing house in Great Britain who'd rather be drinking in Lisbon than attending a book dealers' show in Russia. So he's surprised when a CIA agent ( Mac McDonald ) pulls him from his boozy holiday. It seems that the CIA has through a book show intermediary received a package from a Russian book editor named Katya ( Michelle Pfeiffer ) containing amazingly detailed notebooks written by a cynical Russian physicist named "Dante" ( Klaus - Maria Brandauer ) . The notebooks show that Russia's nuclear threat is a joke : Russian rockets "suck instead of blow...and can't hit Nevada on a clear day , " in the acerbic words of CIA Agent Russell Sheridan ( Roy Scheider ) . But why is Dante sending the notebooks to Blair? How shall the Western world respond to what could be the end of the nuclear arms race? Blair gets drafted by a British Secret Service agent ( James Fox ) to go to the new Russia to meet Katya. He must see whether the new Russia is still immersed in the old Cold War and whether the notebooks are genuine or another deadly chapter in the war of the spies.
0360
The year is 1908; after centuries of unchecked power the Ottoman empire is rapidly crumbling. As a result Turkey's secret agents--those that haven't already been eliminated by downsizing or death--operate in a vacuum their superiors knowing little and caring less about their activities. One such spy is Ben Kingsley a minor bureaucrat of no ambition. When ordered to help disreputable English citizens Charles Dance and Helen Mirren in the theft of a precious Greek artifact Kingsley goes along without question. He is even prepared to follow orders and double-cross Dance the moment the robbery is pulled off. But as the film progresses Kingsley becomes less and less of a by-the-book government functionary and more and more of an enigma--to Dance to Mirren to his country to himself. More than your usual "caper" film Pascali's Island has more layers than an artichoke.
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The year is 1908 ; after centuries of unchecked power , the Ottoman empire is rapidly crumbling. As a result , Turkey's secret agents -- those that haven't already been eliminated by downsizing or death -- operate in a vacuum , their superiors knowing little and caring less about their activities. One such spy is Ben Kingsley , a minor bureaucrat of no ambition. When ordered to help disreputable English citizens Charles Dance and Helen Mirren in the theft of a precious Greek artifact , Kingsley goes along without question. He is even prepared to follow orders and double - cross Dance the moment the robbery is pulled off. But as the film progresses , Kingsley becomes less and less of a by - the - book government functionary and more and more of an enigma -- to Dance , to Mirren , to his country , to himself. More than your usual "caper" film , Pascali's Island has more layers than an artichoke.
0361
It wasn't as well received at the box office as the pictures that preceded it or followed it but Peter Hunt's On Her Majesty's Secret Service was the finest of the James Bond movies and also arguably the last truly great movie in the series. James Bond portrayed here by George Lazenby (in his only performance in the role) has spent nearly two years trying to track down Ernst Stavro Blofeld (Telly Savalas) the head of SPECTRE. He has been taken off the case by his chief (Bernard Lee) an action the pushes him to the point of considering resigning from Her Majesty's Secret Service just as he opens a possible new avenue of attack on his quarry. Whilst in the field Bond has chanced to cross paths with the Contessa Teresa Di Vicenzo (Diana Rigg) a beautiful but desperately unhappy woman whom he rescues from one apparent suicide attempt and an embarrassing moment at a casino gaming table -- the Contessa who prefers to be called Tracy ("Teresa was a saint") is the daughter of Marc Ange Draco (Gabriele Ferzetti) an industrial and construction magnate and also a crime boss who is impressed with Bond personally as well as professionally and would like to see him marry his daughter. Bond is at first unwilling to involve himself with a woman -- any woman -- on that level but Draco's underworld contacts give Bond a vital clue to Blofeld's whereabouts that get him back on the case and hot on the man's trail. Journeying incognito to Blofeld's mountaintop retreat in the Swiss Alps Bond finds the criminal mastermind posing as a would-be nobleman and also as a philanthropist running a clinic devoted to the treatment and eradication of allergies. It's all a front for a surprisingly sinister (and scientifically valid) plot for international blackmail that would make any previous Bond villain quake in fear. And in the process of staying alive long enough to have a chance of stopping Blofeld Bond discovers the Tracy is truly like no woman he's ever known before -- one special enough that he finds himself willing to give up his life as a free-living free-loving bachelor.
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It wasn't as well received at the box office as the pictures that preceded it or followed it , but Peter Hunt 's On Her Majesty's Secret Service was the finest of the James Bond movies and also arguably the last truly great movie in the series. James Bond , portrayed here by George Lazenby ( in his only performance in the role ) has spent nearly two years trying to track down Ernst Stavro Blofeld ( Telly Savalas ), the head of SPECTRE. He has been taken off the case by his chief ( Bernard Lee ), an action the pushes him to the point of considering resigning from Her Majesty's Secret Service , just as he opens a possible new avenue of attack on his quarry. Whilst in the field , Bond has chanced to cross paths with the Contessa Teresa Di Vicenzo ( Diana Rigg ), a beautiful but desperately unhappy woman , whom he rescues from one apparent suicide attempt and an embarrassing moment at a casino gaming table -- the Contessa , who prefers to be called Tracy ( "Teresa was a saint" ), is the daughter of Marc Ange Draco ( Gabriele Ferzetti ), an industrial and construction magnate and also a crime boss , who is impressed with Bond personally as well as professionally , and would like to see him marry his daughter. Bond is , at first , unwilling to involve himself with a woman -- any woman -- on that level , but Draco's underworld contacts give Bond a vital clue to Blofeld's whereabouts that get him back on the case and hot on the man's trail. Journeying incognito to Blofeld's mountaintop retreat in the Swiss Alps , Bond finds the criminal mastermind posing as a would - be nobleman and also as a philanthropist , running a clinic devoted to the treatment and eradication of allergies. It's all a front for a surprisingly sinister ( and scientifically valid ) plot for international blackmail that would make any previous Bond villain quake in fear. And in the process of staying alive long enough to have a chance of stopping Blofeld , Bond discovers the Tracy is truly like no woman he's ever known before -- one special enough that he finds himself willing to give up his life as a free - living , free - loving bachelor.
0362
For Your Eyes Only eschews the gimmickry and campiness of earlier James Bond films concentrating instead on telling the story and maintaining suspense. Roger Moore is back as Secret Agent 007 this time on the trail of Soviet spies while he romances the beautiful Melina played by Carole Bouquet. Richard Maibaum's screenplay has very little to do with the collection of short stories that made up Ian Fleming's For Your Eyes Only save for the plotline involving Melina's seeking vengeance for the death of her father. The direction is by John Glen who'd previously done second unit work on other Bond films.
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For Your Eyes Only eschews the gimmickry and campiness of earlier James Bond films , concentrating instead on telling the story and maintaining suspense. Roger Moore is back as Secret Agent 007 , this time on the trail of Soviet spies while he romances the beautiful Melina , played by Carole Bouquet . Richard Maibaum 's screenplay has very little to do with the collection of short stories that made up Ian Fleming 's For Your Eyes Only , save for the plotline involving Melina's seeking vengeance for the death of her father. The direction is by John Glen , who'd previously done second unit work on other Bond films.
0363
After George Lazenby portrayed James Bond in On Her Majesty's Secret Service Sean Connery returned to the tux gimmicks and catchphrases of Secret Agent 007 in his penultimate Bond outing Diamonds Are Forever. Fragments of Ian Fleming's original 1954 novel remain including the characters of the alluring Tiffany Case (Jill St. John) and fey hitmen Wint (Bruce Glover) and Mr. Kidd (Putter Smith). The remainder of Richard Maibaum and Tom Mankiewicz's script diverges dramatically from the novel involving Bond in a scheme by the insidious Ernst Blofeld (Charles Gray) to force the world powers to disarm so that he can take over the globe. Folksinger Jimmy Dean shows up briefly as a Howard Hughes-like reclusive billionaire while Lana Wood (Natalie's sister) participates in one of the film's edgiest cliffhangers. Agreeing to make Diamonds Are Forever only because of the money offered him Sean Connery parted company with the role for 12 years after this film; he returned to the role once more in 1983 for Irvin Kershner's underrated Thunderball remake Never Say Never Again.
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After George Lazenby portrayed James Bond in On Her Majesty's Secret Service , Sean Connery returned to the tux , gimmicks , and catchphrases of Secret Agent 007 in his penultimate Bond outing , Diamonds Are Forever . Fragments of Ian Fleming 's original 1954 novel remain , including the characters of the alluring Tiffany Case ( Jill St. John ) and fey hitmen Wint ( Bruce Glover ) and Mr. Kidd ( Putter Smith ) . The remainder of Richard Maibaum and Tom Mankiewicz 's script diverges dramatically from the novel , involving Bond in a scheme by the insidious Ernst Blofeld ( Charles Gray ) to force the world powers to disarm so that he can take over the globe. Folksinger Jimmy Dean shows up briefly as a Howard Hughes - like reclusive billionaire , while Lana Wood ( Natalie 's sister ) participates in one of the film's edgiest cliffhangers. Agreeing to make Diamonds Are Forever only because of the money offered him , Sean Connery parted company with the role for 12 years after this film ; he returned to the role once more in 1983 , for Irvin Kershner 's underrated Thunderball remake Never Say Never Again .
0364
After he is framed for the death of several colleagues and falsely branded a traitor a secret agent embarks on a daring scheme to clear his name in this spy adventure. Though it drew its name from the familiar television series director Brian DePalma's big-budget adaptation shares little more with the original show than the occasional self-destructing message and the name of team leader Jim Phelps (Jon Voight). The film focuses not on Phelps but his protégé Ethan Hunt (a reserved Tom Cruise) who becomes a fugitive after taking the blame for a botched operation. He responds by banding together with a group of fellow renegades and he is soon maneuvering his way through a twisted series of double crosses that mainly serve as excuses for spectacular high-tech action sequences. Much of the activity revolves around a missing computer disk with the film's most famous scene depicting Hunt's delicate efforts to retrieve the disk from a secure well-alarmed room in CIA headquarters.
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After he is framed for the death of several colleagues and falsely branded a traitor , a secret agent embarks on a daring scheme to clear his name in this spy adventure. Though it drew its name from the familiar television series , director Brian DePalma 's big - budget adaptation shares little more with the original show than the occasional self - destructing message and the name of team leader Jim Phelps ( Jon Voight ) . The film focuses not on Phelps but his protégé , Ethan Hunt ( a reserved Tom Cruise ), who becomes a fugitive after taking the blame for a botched operation. He responds by banding together with a group of fellow renegades , and he is soon maneuvering his way through a twisted series of double crosses that mainly serve as excuses for spectacular high - tech action sequences. Much of the activity revolves around a missing computer disk , with the film's most famous scene depicting Hunt's delicate efforts to retrieve the disk from a secure , well - alarmed room in CIA headquarters.
0365
orrowing liberally from the French film La Totale this is an action picture domestic comedy and political thriller rolled into a crowd-pleasing ball of entertainment. Producer James Cameron wrote and directed the film. Henry Tasker (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is a workaholic computer salesman neglecting his mousy wife Helen (Jamie Lee Curtis) a legal secretary. Simon (Bill Paxton) seduces Helen with the lie that he is a secret agent; he's really a used car salesman. Harry suspects that Helen is cheating on him and he sends a few colleagues to kidnap them. Helen then discovers that Harry is a secret agent by night working for a shadowy group called the Omega Sector. Harry and his partner Gib (Tom Arnold) are trying to find four nuclear warheads that have disappeared from a former Soviet republic.
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Borrowing liberally from the French film La Totale , this is an action picture , domestic comedy , and political thriller rolled into a crowd - pleasing ball of entertainment. Producer James Cameron wrote and directed the film. Henry Tasker ( Arnold Schwarzenegger ) is a workaholic computer salesman neglecting his mousy wife Helen ( Jamie Lee Curtis ), a legal secretary. Simon ( Bill Paxton ) seduces Helen with the lie that he is a secret agent ; he's really a used car salesman. Harry suspects that Helen is cheating on him , and he sends a few colleagues to kidnap them. Helen then discovers that Harry is a secret agent by night , working for a shadowy group called the Omega Sector. Harry and his partner Gib ( Tom Arnold ) are trying to find four nuclear warheads that have disappeared from a former Soviet republic.
0366
Julie Andrews made a bid to change her squeaky clean image with this elaborately mounted World War I musical. Lili Smith (Andrews) is a popular British music hall singer who is regarded as a femme fatale and has been known to throw a bit of striptease into her act. However Lili has a secret: she's actually a German spy and the uncle she dotes upon is really Von Ruger (Jeremy Kemp) a fellow espionage agent and her contact for the Huns. In hopes of gaining valuable information Lili begins using her feminine wiles on Maj. William Larrabee (Rock Hudson) a top American pilot. However Lili soon discovers that she's falling in love with Larrabee and can't find the courage to betray him; Larrabee discovers Lili's secret but he refuses to turn her in. Darling Lili was a notorious box-office disappointment grossing a mere $5 million on a budget that rose to $25 million due to a variety of production mishaps. Director Blake Edwards (Andrews' husband) was stung by the poor reception and he later trimmed the 136-minute film to 114 minutes downplaying its comic elements in favor of a more serious tone.
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Julie Andrews made a bid to change her squeaky clean image with this elaborately mounted World War I musical. Lili Smith ( Andrews ) is a popular British music hall singer who is regarded as a femme fatale and has been known to throw a bit of striptease into her act. However , Lili has a secret : she's actually a German spy , and the uncle she dotes upon is really Von Ruger ( Jeremy Kemp ), a fellow espionage agent and her contact for the Huns. In hopes of gaining valuable information , Lili begins using her feminine wiles on Maj. William Larrabee ( Rock Hudson ), a top American pilot. However , Lili soon discovers that she's falling in love with Larrabee and can't find the courage to betray him ; Larrabee discovers Lili's secret , but he refuses to turn her in. Darling Lili was a notorious box - office disappointment , grossing a mere $5 million on a budget that rose to $25 million due to a variety of production mishaps. Director Blake Edwards ( Andrews ' husband ) was stung by the poor reception , and he later trimmed the 136 - minute film to 114 minutes , downplaying its comic elements in favor of a more serious tone.
0367
Roger Moore took a brief vacation from playing James Bond in this witty adventure drama. Rufus Excalibur ffolkes (Moore) who for some reason prefers not to capitalize his last name is a scuba-diving adventurer for hire with a sharp mind a quick wit a fondness for cats and a certain distrust of women. When terrorist Lou Kramer (Anthony Perkins) takes over an oil drilling platform in the North Sea and threatens to blow it sky high if his demands are not met ffolkes is called in by Admiral Brinsden (James Mason) to foil Kramer's scheme before it's too late. ffolkes also released as North Sea Hijack and Assault Force was based on the novel Esther Ruth and Jennifer by Jack Davies who also penned the screenplay ("Esther Ruth and Jennifer" incidentally are the code names for the ship drilling rig and platform seized by Kramer in the film).
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Roger Moore took a brief vacation from playing James Bond in this witty adventure drama. Rufus Excalibur ffolkes ( Moore ), who for some reason prefers not to capitalize his last name , is a scuba - diving adventurer for hire with a sharp mind , a quick wit , a fondness for cats , and a certain distrust of women. When terrorist Lou Kramer ( Anthony Perkins ) takes over an oil drilling platform in the North Sea and threatens to blow it sky high if his demands are not met , ffolkes is called in by Admiral Brinsden ( James Mason ) to foil Kramer's scheme before it's too late. ffolkes , also released as North Sea Hijack and Assault Force , was based on the novel Esther , Ruth , and Jennifer by Jack Davies , who also penned the screenplay ( "Esther , Ruth , and Jennifer , " incidentally , are the code names for the ship , drilling rig , and platform seized by Kramer in the film ) .
0368
Thunderball finds James Bond matching wits with the sinister espionage organization S.P.E.C.T.R.E (which stands for Special Executive for Counterintelligence Terrorism Revenge and Extortion). This time S.P.E.C.T.R.E. hijacks a NATO nuclear bomber hiding the bombs under the ocean depths and threatening to detonate the weapons unless a ransom of 100000000 pounds is paid. The mastermind behind this scheme is international business executive Emilio Largo (Adolfo Celi) who maintains a pool full of sharks for the purpose of eliminating enemies and those henchmen who fail to come up to standard. Dispatched to the Bahamas lucky Mr. Bond enjoys the attentions of three nubile ladies: Largo's mistress Domino Derval (Claudine Auger) British spy Paula Caplan (Martine Beswick previously seen as a gypsy girl in the 1962 Bond epic From Russia With Love) and enemy agent Fiona Volpe (Luciana Paluzzi).
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Thunderball finds James Bond matching wits with the sinister espionage organization S.P.E.C.T.R.E , ( which stands for Special Executive for Counterintelligence , Terrorism , Revenge and Extortion ) . This time , S.P.E.C.T.R.E. hijacks a NATO nuclear bomber , hiding the bombs under the ocean depths and threatening to detonate the weapons unless a ransom of 100 , 000 , 000 pounds is paid. The mastermind behind this scheme is international business executive Emilio Largo ( Adolfo Celi ), who maintains a pool full of sharks for the purpose of eliminating enemies and those henchmen who fail to come up to standard. Dispatched to the Bahamas , lucky Mr. Bond enjoys the attentions of three nubile ladies : Largo's mistress Domino Derval ( Claudine Auger ), British spy Paula Caplan ( Martine Beswick , previously seen as a gypsy girl in the 1962 Bond epic From Russia With Love ) and enemy agent Fiona Volpe ( Luciana Paluzzi ) .
0369
Arthur Penn takes a crack at subverting the espionage film genre in Target. Walter Lloyd (Gene Hackman) is a quiet and unassuming lumberyard owner in Dallas Texas. Chris (Matt Dillon) has dropped out of college to pursue a career as a race car driver. But all mundane tasks come to an end when Walter's wife Donna (Gayle Hunnicutt) is kidnapped while on a European trip. Walter flies to Paris with Chris to see what can be done. Once in Europe Chris is shocked to discover that his dad was once a top CIA agent. Together the two visit all of Walter's old CIA contacts in an effort to locate Donna. Finally Walter discovers that Donna has been kidnapped by a rogue spy seeking revenge for an incident that happened eighteen years earlier. Now Walter must apply his old and vicious CIA tricks to save his wife from an old and vicious CIA operative.
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Arthur Penn takes a crack at subverting the espionage film genre in Target . Walter Lloyd ( Gene Hackman ) is a quiet and unassuming lumberyard owner in Dallas , Texas. Chris ( Matt Dillon ) has dropped out of college to pursue a career as a race car driver. But all mundane tasks come to an end when Walter's wife Donna ( Gayle Hunnicutt ) is kidnapped while on a European trip. Walter flies to Paris with Chris to see what can be done. Once in Europe , Chris is shocked to discover that his dad was once a top CIA agent. Together , the two visit all of Walter's old CIA contacts in an effort to locate Donna. Finally , Walter discovers that Donna has been kidnapped by a rogue spy seeking revenge for an incident that happened eighteen years earlier. Now Walter must apply his old and vicious CIA tricks to save his wife from an old and vicious CIA operative.
0370
This big-budget big-studio espionage film is set in the last years of World War II. George Peppard Tom Courtenay and Jeremy Kemp parachute into Germany with orders to destroy the Nazis' V-1 rocket base at Peenemunde. Given the order of billing guess which special operative survives the longest. This being an MGM production Peppard has time to commiserate with Sophia Loren the wife of the Nazi collaborator whom Peppard is pretending to be. If you're wondering about the film's outcome remember who won the war. Operation Crossbow failed badly in its first release; MGM deciding that the title misled moviegoers into thinking that the picture was a "Robin Hood" derivation cleared up matters by renaming the film The Great Spy Mission.
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This big - budget , big - studio espionage film is set in the last years of World War II. George Peppard , Tom Courtenay and Jeremy Kemp parachute into Germany , with orders to destroy the Nazis' V - 1 rocket base at Peenemunde. Given the order of billing , guess which special operative survives the longest. This being an MGM production , Peppard has time to commiserate with Sophia Loren , the wife of the Nazi collaborator whom Peppard is pretending to be. If you're wondering about the film's outcome , remember who won the war. Operation Crossbow failed badly in its first release ; MGM , deciding that the title misled moviegoers into thinking that the picture was a "Robin Hood" derivation , cleared up matters by renaming the film The Great Spy Mission .
0371
John Huston directed this cold war spy thriller (from a script by Walter Hill) concerning a British agent trying infiltrate the organization of a nefarious communist spy. Paul Newman is Joseph Reardon a British secret agent commissioned by Mackintosh (Harry Andrews) to impersonate a jewel thief. When the police are tipped off about his diamond robbery Reardon is arrested and shipped off to a high-security prison. At the prison he meets a convicted Russian spy and the two are involved in a prison break arranged by a mysterious group called the Scarperers. After the successful breakout Reardon finds himself drugged and sent to Ireland. It turns out that the escapade was organized by Mackintosh in the hopes Reardon could infiltrate the Scarperers and gather information on the group's leader Sir George Wheeler (James Mason) and prove him to be a Russian spy.
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John Huston directed this cold war spy thriller ( from a script by Walter Hill ) concerning a British agent trying infiltrate the organization of a nefarious communist spy. Paul Newman is Joseph Reardon , a British secret agent commissioned by Mackintosh ( Harry Andrews ) to impersonate a jewel thief. When the police are tipped off about his diamond robbery , Reardon is arrested and shipped off to a high - security prison. At the prison , he meets a convicted Russian spy and the two are involved in a prison break , arranged by a mysterious group called the Scarperers. After the successful breakout , Reardon finds himself drugged and sent to Ireland. It turns out that the escapade was organized by Mackintosh in the hopes Reardon could infiltrate the Scarperers and gather information on the group's leader , Sir George Wheeler ( James Mason ), and prove him to be a Russian spy.
0372
ased on John Le Carré's novel by the same name this story about Charlie (Diane Keaton) a female double agent working between the Palestinians and Israelis loses some of the excitement and in-depth characterization engendered by the long novel -- mainly because the novel is hard to capture in a two-hour filmed format. But the action itself carries viewers along as Charlie ends up leaving England and her job as an actress in a Brit repertory company to meet Kurtz (Klaus Kinski) in Greece who recruits her as a spy. Charlie later has to handle her own emotions when she gets romantically involved with her Israeli contact (Yorgo Voyagis) though events move her quickly along to a Palestinian military camp near Beirut. Once she has passed herself off as a reliable Palestinian agent and completed her military training at the camp she goes to Germany to hunt down a Palestinian terrorist (Sami Frey). Filled with a multitude of characters and locations not to mention camera shots the intensity of this story is dissipated somewhat by literally and figuratively covering a lot of territory though the thread of the story itself is never lost.
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Based on John Le Carré 's novel by the same name , this story about Charlie ( Diane Keaton ) a female double agent working between the Palestinians and Israelis , loses some of the excitement and in - depth characterization engendered by the long novel -- mainly because the novel is hard to capture in a two - hour filmed format. But the action itself carries viewers along as Charlie ends up leaving England and her job as an actress in a Brit repertory company to meet Kurtz ( Klaus Kinski ) in Greece who recruits her as a spy. Charlie later has to handle her own emotions when she gets romantically involved with her Israeli contact ( Yorgo Voyagis ), though events move her quickly along to a Palestinian military camp near Beirut. Once she has passed herself off as a reliable Palestinian agent and completed her military training at the camp , she goes to Germany to hunt down a Palestinian terrorist ( Sami Frey ) . Filled with a multitude of characters and locations , not to mention camera shots , the intensity of this story is dissipated somewhat by literally and figuratively covering a lot of territory , though the thread of the story itself is never lost.
0373
"Gotcha!" is a puerile but popular campus game at UCLA in which students stalk one another armed with paint-spewing pellet guns. Veterinary student Anthony Edwards may not be any great shakes in the classroom but he's a whiz at Gotcha. His skills come in handy when Edwards on vacation in Paris becomes acquainted with the mysterious Linda Fiorentino. She gets him mixed up in international espionage; fortunately the well-armed spies aren't quite as adept at "Gotcha" as Edwards is. Most of the film was lensed in Paris and Berlin.
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"Gotcha!" is a puerile but popular campus game at UCLA in which students stalk one another armed with paint - spewing pellet guns. Veterinary student Anthony Edwards may not be any great shakes in the classroom , but he's a whiz at Gotcha. His skills come in handy when Edwards , on vacation in Paris , becomes acquainted with the mysterious Linda Fiorentino . She gets him mixed up in international espionage ; fortunately , the well - armed spies aren't quite as adept at "Gotcha" as Edwards is. Most of the film was lensed in Paris and Berlin.
0374
Scripted by Frederick Forsyth from his own novel The Fourth Protocol is a fact-based spy thriller. The titular protocol is a secret agreement between America Britain and Russia to cease smuggling nuclear weapons into their respective countries. This figures into the schemes of several rogue spies who hope to destroy NATO by embarking on just such a smuggling endeavor. Russian agent Valeri Petrofsky (Pierce Brosnan) is ordered to stage a nuclear accident in England then arrange the evidence to point to the Americans. British intelligence agent John Preston (Michael Caine) begins wondering why such nuclear-weapon components like lithium are showing up in the unlikeliest places. Ignored by his superiors who figure that Preston is merely an old-line anti-Commie paranoic Preston gathers the clues that will enable him to find out who's behind the potential breaking of The Fourth Protocol.
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Scripted by Frederick Forsyth from his own novel , The Fourth Protocol is a fact - based spy thriller. The titular protocol is a secret agreement between America , Britain and Russia to cease smuggling nuclear weapons into their respective countries. This figures into the schemes of several rogue spies , who hope to destroy NATO by embarking on just such a smuggling endeavor. Russian agent Valeri Petrofsky ( Pierce Brosnan ) is ordered to stage a nuclear accident in England , then arrange the evidence to point to the Americans. British intelligence agent John Preston ( Michael Caine ) begins wondering why such nuclear - weapon components like lithium are showing up in the unlikeliest places. Ignored by his superiors , who figure that Preston is merely an old - line anti - Commie paranoic , Preston gathers the clues that will enable him to find out who's behind the potential breaking of The Fourth Protocol.
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Having already been seen spying for the Nazis in 1979's The Eagle Has Landed Donald Sutherland once more infiltrates wartime England on behalf of Der Fuhrer in Eye of the Needle. Willing to kill even the most innocent of bystanders to complete his task Sutherland manages to remain in Britain until the eve of D-Day in 1944. Discovering that the invasion is to take place on Normandy Sutherland scurries to rendezvous with a U-boat off the treacherous Isle of Storms. His mission is thwarted by Kate Nelligan the frustrated wife of paralyzed RAF commander Christopher Cazenove. Though having fallen in love with Sutherland Nelligan nonetheless prepares to turn the man in when he kills her husband. Tension mounts in the closing scene as Sutherland races against time to (a) make contact with the U-boat and (b) stop Nelligan before she blows the whistle on him.
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Having already been seen spying for the Nazis in 1979's The Eagle Has Landed , Donald Sutherland once more infiltrates wartime England on behalf of Der Fuhrer in Eye of the Needle . Willing to kill even the most innocent of bystanders to complete his task , Sutherland manages to remain in Britain until the eve of D - Day in 1944. Discovering that the invasion is to take place on Normandy , Sutherland scurries to rendezvous with a U - boat off the treacherous Isle of Storms. His mission is thwarted by Kate Nelligan , the frustrated wife of paralyzed RAF commander Christopher Cazenove . Though having fallen in love with Sutherland , Nelligan nonetheless prepares to turn the man in when he kills her husband. Tension mounts in the closing scene as Sutherland races against time to ( a ) make contact with the U - boat and ( b ) stop Nelligan before she blows the whistle on him.
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John Sturges directed this taut adaptation of Jack Higgins' suspense novel about an attempted kidnapping of Winston Churchill by the German high command during World War II. When it is discovered that in November 1943 Winston Churchill is scheduled to spend a weekend in a country home in Norfolk the Germans plan to kidnap him. Heinrich Himmler (Donald Pleasence) under orders from Hitler assigns Nazi colonel Max Radl (Robert Duvall) the chore of sneaking the English-hating Irishman Liam Devlin (Donald Sutherland) into the British countryside and arranging for a 16-man task force to be parachuted into the English country town of Sudley Constable under the auspices of Colonel Kurt Steiner (Michael Caine). The efficient planning works too well and before long their exactingly perfect timetable begins to come apart.
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John Sturges directed this taut adaptation of Jack Higgins' suspense novel about an attempted kidnapping of Winston Churchill by the German high command during World War II. When it is discovered that in November 1943 Winston Churchill is scheduled to spend a weekend in a country home in Norfolk , the Germans plan to kidnap him. Heinrich Himmler ( Donald Pleasence ), under orders from Hitler , assigns Nazi colonel Max Radl ( Robert Duvall ) the chore of sneaking the English - hating Irishman Liam Devlin ( Donald Sutherland ) into the British countryside and arranging for a 16 - man task force to be parachuted into the English country town of Sudley Constable , under the auspices of Colonel Kurt Steiner ( Michael Caine ) . The efficient planning works too well , and before long their exactingly perfect timetable begins to come apart.
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The true story of a major breakthrough in intelligence technology created during World War II provides the backdrop for this blend of mystery romance and espionage based on the novel by Robert Harris. Tom Jericho (Dougray Scott) is a gifted mathematician who is working with the British government on the development and maintenance of the Enigma machine an electronic device that allows Allied intelligence agents to decode scrambled messages sent by Germany military officers. But the emotionally fragile Jericho is buckling under both the pressure of his work and the collapse of his relationship with Claire Romilly (Saffron Burrows) a co-worker with whom he's fallen deeply in love. After suffering a minor breakdown Jericho is sent on a leave of absence but when he returns to work a crisis awaits: it seems the Germans have instituted a new code that the Enigma is not yet able to crack and Jericho is needed to help unravel Axis communiqués before an important convoy of troops and materiel sets sail. It is also suspected that a German undercover agent has infiltrated the Enigma project and Wigram (Jeremy Northam) is determined to ferret them out. In the midst of all this Jericho receives troubling news that Claire has gone missing -- and that a file of German messages waiting to be decoded was found at her home. As Jericho works against the clock to crack the new German code he forms an initially uneasy alliance with Hester Wallace (Kate Winslet) Claire's roommate and a fellow member of the Enigma project as they try to discover Claire's whereabouts. Enigma was co-produced by Mick Jagger who has a keen interest in the history of the real-life Enigma project and even owns one of the original Enigma decoding machines.
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The true story of a major breakthrough in intelligence technology created during World War II provides the backdrop for this blend of mystery , romance , and espionage , based on the novel by Robert Harris . Tom Jericho ( Dougray Scott ) is a gifted mathematician who is working with the British government on the development and maintenance of the Enigma machine , an electronic device that allows Allied intelligence agents to decode scrambled messages sent by Germany military officers. But the emotionally fragile Jericho is buckling under both the pressure of his work and the collapse of his relationship with Claire Romilly ( Saffron Burrows ), a co - worker with whom he's fallen deeply in love. After suffering a minor breakdown , Jericho is sent on a leave of absence , but when he returns to work , a crisis awaits : it seems the Germans have instituted a new code that the Enigma is not yet able to crack , and Jericho is needed to help unravel Axis communiqués before an important convoy of troops and materiel sets sail. It is also suspected that a German undercover agent has infiltrated the Enigma project , and Wigram ( Jeremy Northam ) is determined to ferret them out. In the midst of all this , Jericho receives troubling news that Claire has gone missing -- and that a file of German messages waiting to be decoded was found at her home. As Jericho works against the clock to crack the new German code , he forms an initially uneasy alliance with Hester Wallace ( Kate Winslet ), Claire's roommate and a fellow member of the Enigma project , as they try to discover Claire's whereabouts. Enigma was co - produced by Mick Jagger , who has a keen interest in the history of the real - life Enigma project , and even owns one of the original Enigma decoding machines.
0378
James Bond the world's greatest secret agent is sent once more into the breach in the name of Queen Country and a dry martini. In the 19th Bond adventure 007 (Pierce Brosnan) must resolve a potentially deadly power struggle between two unstable nations with control of the world's oil supply as the ultimate prize. Bond is assigned as bodyguard to Elektra King (Sophie Marceau) the daughter of a petroleum magnate who was brutally murdered and is trying to foil the fiendish plot of Renard (Robert Carlyle) a villain who was shot in the head with an unusual result: he cannot feel physical pain an apparent failing that proves to be a considerable asset. Denise Richards appears as Dr. Christmas Jones an expert on nuclear weapons alongside Desmond Llewelyn as Q Judi Dench as M Samantha Bond as Miss Moneypenny and John Cleese as R. Alternative rock band Garbage performs the theme song.
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James Bond , the world's greatest secret agent , is sent once more into the breach in the name of Queen , Country , and a dry martini. In the 19th Bond adventure , 007 ( Pierce Brosnan ) must resolve a potentially deadly power struggle between two unstable nations , with control of the world's oil supply as the ultimate prize. Bond is assigned as bodyguard to Elektra King ( Sophie Marceau ), the daughter of a petroleum magnate who was brutally murdered , and is trying to foil the fiendish plot of Renard ( Robert Carlyle ), a villain who was shot in the head with an unusual result : he cannot feel physical pain , an apparent failing that proves to be a considerable asset. Denise Richards appears as Dr. Christmas Jones , an expert on nuclear weapons , alongside Desmond Llewelyn as Q , Judi Dench as M , Samantha Bond as Miss Moneypenny , and John Cleese as R. Alternative rock band Garbage performs the theme song.
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Hong Kong director John Woo's second U.S. film (his first was Hard Target) delivers a number of exciting action sequences but is let down by a credibility-straining plot. John Travolta plays Vic Deakins an Air Force pilot on what is supposed to be a routine night flight mission with his co-pilot the younger Riley Hale (Christian Slater) whom Deakins constantly kids for lacking the "will to win." Deakins is actually a traitor who crashlands their Stealth Bomber in Death Valley so that he can steal two nuclear warheads onboard and sell them to terrorists who plan to blackmail the government. Deakins meets up with his cohorts who have been waiting in the park while Hale survives and teams up with a young attractive park ranger (Samantha Mathis) to foil Deakins's plans. Plenty of action ensues with car chases collapsing mine shafts fights on burning trains and even the underground detonation of a nuclear device. Despite the script's implausibilities and inconsistencies Woo amply displays the expertise with action sequences and man-to-man conflict that has made his Hong Kong films cult favorites.
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Hong Kong director John Woo 's second U.S. film ( his first was Hard Target ) delivers a number of exciting action sequences but is let down by a credibility - straining plot. John Travolta plays Vic Deakins , an Air Force pilot on what is supposed to be a routine night flight mission with his co - pilot , the younger Riley Hale ( Christian Slater ), whom Deakins constantly kids for lacking the "will to win." Deakins is actually a traitor who crashlands their Stealth Bomber in Death Valley so that he can steal two nuclear warheads onboard and sell them to terrorists who plan to blackmail the government. Deakins meets up with his cohorts , who have been waiting in the park , while Hale survives and teams up with a young , attractive park ranger ( Samantha Mathis ) to foil Deakins's plans. Plenty of action ensues , with car chases , collapsing mine shafts , fights on burning trains , and even the underground detonation of a nuclear device. Despite the script's implausibilities and inconsistencies , Woo amply displays the expertise with action sequences and man - to - man conflict that has made his Hong Kong films cult favorites.
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Pierce Brosnan made his first appearance as James Bond in this action thriller the 17th in the series (excluding the 1967 Casino Royale and the 1983 Never Say Never Again) featuring the suave British super-agent. As the story begins Agent 007 and his partner Agent 006 (Sean Bean) pull a daring raid on a chemical weapons plant in the Soviet Union; however they are captured by Russian troops and while Bond is able to escape 006 is not so lucky. Several years later the Soviet Union and the Cold War are a thing of the past but Bond is still at work ferreting out evildoers everywhere. Xenia Onatopp (Famke Janssen) a beautiful but vicious villain working with the Russian Mafia spearheads the theft of the controls to GoldenEye a high-tech satellite weapons system and with her gunmen she kills most of the soldiers and guards at a top-secret military facility in the process. Bond joins forces with Natalya Simonova (Izabella Scorupco) one of the base's few survivors to help track down Onatopp's minions and the controls to GoldenEye which can destroy all electronic circuits in a given area in a matter of seconds; however in time Bond discovers the true identity of the criminal mastermind who is behind this bid for unholy power and world domination -- none other than Alec Trevelyan the man Bond once knew as 006. In addition to Brosnan GoldenEye also marked another significant cast change for the Bond series -- Judi Dench made her debut as M Bond's superior. Minnie Driver also has a cameo as a nightclub singer. Sadly this was the last film in the Bond series for special-effects supervisor Derek Meddings who died in the midst of production; the film was dedicated to him.
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Pierce Brosnan made his first appearance as James Bond in this action thriller , the 17th in the series ( excluding the 1967 Casino Royale and the 1983 Never Say Never Again ) featuring the suave British super - agent. As the story begins , Agent 007 and his partner , Agent 006 ( Sean Bean ), pull a daring raid on a chemical weapons plant in the Soviet Union ; however , they are captured by Russian troops , and while Bond is able to escape , 006 is not so lucky. Several years later , the Soviet Union and the Cold War are a thing of the past , but Bond is still at work ferreting out evildoers everywhere. Xenia Onatopp ( Famke Janssen ), a beautiful but vicious villain working with the Russian Mafia , spearheads the theft of the controls to GoldenEye , a high - tech satellite weapons system , and with her gunmen , she kills most of the soldiers and guards at a top - secret military facility in the process. Bond joins forces with Natalya Simonova ( Izabella Scorupco ), one of the base's few survivors , to help track down Onatopp's minions and the controls to GoldenEye , which can destroy all electronic circuits in a given area in a matter of seconds ; however , in time , Bond discovers the true identity of the criminal mastermind who is behind this bid for unholy power and world domination -- none other than Alec Trevelyan , the man Bond once knew as 006. In addition to Brosnan , GoldenEye also marked another significant cast change for the Bond series -- Judi Dench made her debut as M , Bond's superior. Minnie Driver also has a cameo as a nightclub singer. Sadly , this was the last film in the Bond series for special - effects supervisor Derek Meddings , who died in the midst of production ; the film was dedicated to him.
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Secret Agent 007 must stop a megalomaniacal technology mogul from destroying Silicon Valley in this unexceptional entry in the James Bond series. Computer baron Max Zorin (Christopher Walken) is planning to trigger a major California earthquake in order to wipe out his competitors. Bond is assigned to stop him but first he must do battle with Zorin's statuesque partner in crime May Day (Grace Jones). The expected high-wire confrontations ensue as Bond battles the villains at international landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and takes the occasional break to romance an attractive geologist. Unfortunately nothing fresh is brought to the familiar formula and even the well-staged action sequences prove less than exciting. Indeed this otherwise by-the-numbers production is most notable for the fact that it marked the final appearance of Roger Moore as the dashing Bond.
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Secret Agent 007 must stop a megalomaniacal technology mogul from destroying Silicon Valley in this unexceptional entry in the James Bond series. Computer baron Max Zorin ( Christopher Walken ) is planning to trigger a major California earthquake in order to wipe out his competitors. Bond is assigned to stop him , but first he must do battle with Zorin's statuesque partner in crime , May Day ( Grace Jones ) . The expected high - wire confrontations ensue , as Bond battles the villains at international landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and takes the occasional break to romance an attractive geologist. Unfortunately , nothing fresh is brought to the familiar formula , and even the well - staged action sequences prove less than exciting. Indeed , this otherwise by - the - numbers production is most notable for the fact that it marked the final appearance of Roger Moore as the dashing Bond.
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Don Siegel took over the directing chores from Peter Hyams on this taut cold war action film based on the novel by Walter Wager. With the cold war between the United States and the Soviet Union thawing old KGB hard-liner Nicolai Dalchimsky (Donald Pleasence) activates a group of Americans who were brainwashed twenty years earlier to blow up United States defenses when a passage from a Robert Frost poem is recited to them. When bombs go off at an abandoned United States defense installation the Kremlin realizes that they have a rogue KGB agent on their hands who is trying to re-ignite the cold war. To stop him the Russians send out KGB agent Grigori Borzov (Charles Bronson). Accompanying him is KGB double agent Barbara (Lee Remick). As the two agents try to stop Nicolai from starting World War III they find time to fall in love with each other.
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Don Siegel took over the directing chores from Peter Hyams on this taut cold war action film , based on the novel by Walter Wager. With the cold war between the United States and the Soviet Union thawing , old KGB hard - liner Nicolai Dalchimsky ( Donald Pleasence ) activates a group of Americans who were brainwashed twenty years earlier to blow up United States defenses when a passage from a Robert Frost poem is recited to them. When bombs go off at an abandoned United States defense installation , the Kremlin realizes that they have a rogue KGB agent on their hands who is trying to re - ignite the cold war. To stop him , the Russians send out KGB agent Grigori Borzov ( Charles Bronson ) . Accompanying him is KGB double agent Barbara ( Lee Remick ) . As the two agents try to stop Nicolai from starting World War III , they find time to fall in love with each other.
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lake Edwards's stylish direction bolsters this Cold War romance starring Julie Andrews and Omar Sharif. Andrews plays Judith Farrow a British civil service functionary who meets dashing Russian agent Feodor Sverdlov (Omar Sharif) under the romantic skies of the Caribbean. The Caribbean breezes work their magic and soon Judith is head-over-heels in love with Feodor. Feodor then tries to enlist Judith to become an agent for the Soviet Union. But after Judith is warned by the British government to stay away from him Feodor decides that he'd rather have her than the Soviet Union. However a kink is thrown into their love affair when an undercover Russian secret agent posing as a British agent decides to eradicate the two lovers.
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Blake Edwards 's stylish direction bolsters this Cold War romance starring Julie Andrews and Omar Sharif . Andrews plays Judith Farrow , a British civil service functionary who meets dashing Russian agent Feodor Sverdlov ( Omar Sharif ) under the romantic skies of the Caribbean. The Caribbean breezes work their magic and soon Judith is head - over - heels in love with Feodor. Feodor then tries to enlist Judith to become an agent for the Soviet Union. But after Judith is warned by the British government to stay away from him , Feodor decides that he'd rather have her than the Soviet Union. However , a kink is thrown into their love affair when an undercover Russian secret agent , posing as a British agent , decides to eradicate the two lovers.
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This (13th) time around "007" receives the usual call to come and visit "Mother" when another agent drops off a fake Faberge jeweled egg at the British embassy in East Berlin and is later killed at a traveling circus. Suspicions mount when the assistant manager of the circus Kamal (Louis Jourdan) outbids Bond for the real Faberge piece at Sotheby's. Bond follows Kamal to India where the superspy thwarts many an ingenious attack and encounters the antiheroine of the title (Maud Adams) an international smuggler who runs the circus as a cover for her illegal operations. It does not take long to figure out that Orlov (Steven Berkoff) a decidedly rank Russian general is planning to raise enough money with the fake Faberges to detonate a nuclear bomb in Europe and then defeat NATO forces once and for all in conventional warfare.
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This ( 13th ) time around , "007" receives the usual call to come and visit "Mother" when another agent drops off a fake Faberge jeweled egg at the British embassy in East Berlin and is later killed at a traveling circus. Suspicions mount when the assistant manager of the circus Kamal ( Louis Jourdan ), outbids Bond for the real Faberge piece at Sotheby's. Bond follows Kamal to India where the superspy thwarts many an ingenious attack and encounters the antiheroine of the title ( Maud Adams ), an international smuggler who runs the circus as a cover for her illegal operations. It does not take long to figure out that Orlov ( Steven Berkoff ), a decidedly rank Russian general is planning to raise enough money with the fake Faberges to detonate a nuclear bomb in Europe and then defeat NATO forces once and for all in conventional warfare.
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The title of the 1983 James Bond adventure Never Say Never Again is a self-mocking reference to star Sean Connery's insistence back in 1971 that he would never play Bond again. Reportedly the huge salary offered Connery was but one consideration that brought him back to the 007 fold; the other was the producers' assurance that Connery would have full control over all aspects of production a promise that was not kept often enough to the star's liking. Essentially this film is a remake of the 1965 Bond flick Thunderball (the producers were able to get away with this due to a legal tangle involving the original 1961 Ian Fleming novel). Bond emerges from cozy retirement to cross swords with Largo (Klaus Maria Brandauer) a megalomaniacal business exec who steals several nuclear missiles intending to bring the World Powers to their knees. Kim Basinger plays Domino Largo's mistress whose loyalty Bond secures when she learns that Largo was responsible for the death of her brother. In addition to Basinger the film boasts a toothsome villainess by the name of Fatima Blush (played by Barbara Carrera). After wrapping Never Say Never Again Sean Connery swore that this was his absolutely final performance as James Bond; thus far he's kept his word.
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The title of the 1983 James Bond adventure Never Say Never Again is a self - mocking reference to star Sean Connery 's insistence back in 1971 that he would never play Bond again. Reportedly , the huge salary offered Connery was but one consideration that brought him back to the 007 fold ; the other was the producers' assurance that Connery would have full control over all aspects of production , a promise that was not kept often enough to the star's liking. Essentially , this film is a remake of the 1965 Bond flick Thunderball ( the producers were able to get away with this due to a legal tangle involving the original 1961 Ian Fleming novel ) . Bond emerges from cozy retirement to cross swords with Largo ( Klaus Maria Brandauer ), a megalomaniacal business exec who steals several nuclear missiles , intending to bring the World Powers to their knees. Kim Basinger plays Domino , Largo's mistress , whose loyalty Bond secures when she learns that Largo was responsible for the death of her brother. In addition to Basinger , the film boasts a toothsome villainess by the name of Fatima Blush ( played by Barbara Carrera ) . After wrapping Never Say Never Again , Sean Connery swore that this was his absolutely final performance as James Bond ; thus far , he's kept his word.
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In this adaptation of Ian Fleming's 1955 novel James Bond (Roger Moore) must thwart Sir Hugo Drax (Michel Lonsdale) who plans to wipe out all of humankind and replace it with a super race that he has cultivated in a massive space station. The girl in the case is American secret agent Holly Goodhead intelligently played by Lois Chiles. "Jaws" the steel-mouthed henchman played by Richard Kiel in The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) makes a return appearance in Moonraker turning good guy (complete with a girlfriend of his own) in the process. Bernard Lee makes his last appearance as "M" in this most costly of James Bond's 1970s escapades.
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In this adaptation of Ian Fleming 's 1955 novel , James Bond ( Roger Moore ) must thwart Sir Hugo Drax ( Michel Lonsdale ), who plans to wipe out all of humankind and replace it with a super race that he has cultivated in a massive space station. The girl in the case is American secret agent Holly Goodhead , intelligently played by Lois Chiles . "Jaws , " the steel - mouthed henchman played by Richard Kiel in The Spy Who Loved Me ( 1977 ), makes a return appearance in Moonraker , turning good guy ( complete with a girlfriend of his own ) in the process. Bernard Lee makes his last appearance as "M" in this most costly of James Bond's 1970s escapades.
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The Living Daylights represents the first appearance by Timothy Dalton as "Bond...James Bond." Based very very loosely on an obscure Ian Fleming short story the film finds Bond assigned to aid in the defection of KGB agent Jeroen Krabbe. 007 must prevent an unknown sniper from killing Krabbe before he can reach the West. The mysterious assailant turns out to be the luscious Maryam d'Abo who like practically everyone in the film except Bond is Not All That She Seems. The plot wends its way through a scheme to trade several million dollars' worth of diamonds for weapons which will be shipped off to mercenaries worldwide. The climax takes place high above the clouds in a cargo plane loaded with opium. Dalton would play Bond one more time in License to Kill (1989) before handing the franchise over to Pierce Brosnan.
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The Living Daylights represents the first appearance by Timothy Dalton as "Bond...James Bond." Based very , very loosely on an obscure Ian Fleming short story , the film finds Bond assigned to aid in the defection of KGB agent Jeroen Krabbe . 007 must prevent an unknown sniper from killing Krabbe before he can reach the West. The mysterious assailant turns out to be the luscious Maryam d'Abo , who like practically everyone in the film except Bond is Not All That She Seems. The plot wends its way through a scheme to trade several million dollars' worth of diamonds for weapons , which will be shipped off to mercenaries worldwide. The climax takes place high above the clouds in a cargo plane loaded with opium. Dalton would play Bond one more time in License to Kill ( 1989 ) before handing the franchise over to Pierce Brosnan .
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Roger Moore makes his first appearance as "Bond...James Bond" in 1973's Live and Let Die. Bond is dispatched to the States to stem the activities of Mr. Big (Yaphet Kotto) who plans to take over the Western Hemisphere by converting everyone into heroin addicts. The woman in the case is Solitaire (Jane Seymour in her movie debut) an enigmatic interpreter of tarot cards. The obligatory destructive-chase sequence occurs at the film's midpoint with Bond being chased in a motorboat by Mr. Big's henchmen slashing his way through the marshlands and smashing up a wedding party. Clifton James makes the first of several Bond appearances as redneck sheriff Pepper while Geoffrey Holder is an enthusiastic secondary villain. The title song written by Paul McCartney and Linda McCartney provides the frosting on this 007 confection.
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Roger Moore makes his first appearance as "Bond...James Bond" in 1973's Live and Let Die . Bond is dispatched to the States to stem the activities of Mr. Big ( Yaphet Kotto ), who plans to take over the Western Hemisphere by converting everyone into heroin addicts. The woman in the case is Solitaire ( Jane Seymour in her movie debut ), an enigmatic interpreter of tarot cards. The obligatory destructive - chase sequence occurs at the film's midpoint , with Bond being chased in a motorboat by Mr. Big's henchmen , slashing his way through the marshlands and smashing up a wedding party. Clifton James makes the first of several Bond appearances as redneck sheriff Pepper , while Geoffrey Holder is an enthusiastic secondary villain. The title song , written by Paul McCartney and Linda McCartney , provides the frosting on this 007 confection.
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The Fourth War finds director John Frankenheimer delving into the same Cold-war territory he'd previously cultivated in films like The Manchurian Candidate. Col. Jack Knowles (Roy Scheider) serving at a faraway post on the German-Czech border carries on a personal war with his Soviet counterpart Colonel Valachev (Jurgen Prochnow). Both have been hardened by past combat experiences and both have been embittered by the exigencies of red tape bureaucracy and diplomatic deal-making. Their friendly rivalry snowballs (literally so!) into a guerilla-like combat situation culminating in a one-on-one showdown. It's essentially a shaggy dog story but a compelling one. Based on a novel by Stephen Peters The Fourth War was given surprisingly short shrift by Cannon Films' distribution channels.
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The Fourth War finds director John Frankenheimer delving into the same Cold - war territory he'd previously cultivated in films like The Manchurian Candidate . Col. Jack Knowles ( Roy Scheider ), serving at a faraway post on the German - Czech border , carries on a personal war with his Soviet counterpart , Colonel Valachev ( Jurgen Prochnow ) . Both have been hardened by past combat experiences , and both have been embittered by the exigencies of red tape , bureaucracy , and diplomatic deal - making. Their friendly rivalry snowballs ( literally so! ) into a guerilla - like combat situation , culminating in a one - on - one showdown. It's essentially a shaggy dog story , but a compelling one. Based on a novel by Stephen Peters , The Fourth War was given surprisingly short shrift by Cannon Films' distribution channels.
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Robert Mitchum seems more aloof and detached than usual in the Hong Kong-produced crime caper Amsterdam Kill. Mitchum plays a washed-up police officer hired by DEA agent Bradford Dillman to help plug up a security leak. Someone is blabbing the name of the department's contacts in Hong Kong and that someone must be stopped before every one of the informants is pushing up daisies. With but a single clue-the word "Juliana"--Mitchum flies off to Amsterdam where he mingles with the city's drug culture before his final showdown with the villains. Other familiar faces lurking about in Amsterdam Kill include Richard Egan Leslie Nielsen and Keye Luke.
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Robert Mitchum seems more aloof and detached than usual in the Hong Kong - produced crime caper Amsterdam Kill . Mitchum plays a washed - up police officer , hired by DEA agent Bradford Dillman to help plug up a security leak. Someone is blabbing the name of the department's contacts in Hong Kong , and that someone must be stopped before every one of the informants is pushing up daisies. With but a single clue - the word "Juliana" -- Mitchum flies off to Amsterdam , where he mingles with the city's drug culture before his final showdown with the villains. Other familiar faces lurking about in Amsterdam Kill include Richard Egan , Leslie Nielsen , and Keye Luke .
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A young man unthinkingly throws himself into a world of political and sexual turmoil in John Schlesinger's adaptation of the novel by Ian McEwan. Leonard Markham (Campbell Scott) is a British communications and surveillance expert who is sent to Germany in the early 1950s at the height of the Cold War. Leonard is put under the command of Bob Glass (Anthony Hopkins) an American agent who goes out of his way to show him around town. Leonard is woefully naive about most subjects not directly involving his job and when Bob takes him to a typically decadent Berlin nightclub he is astonished to discover that Maria (Isabella Rossellini) a beautiful and mysterious woman announces that she's quite attracted to him. Soon Leonard is no longer a 24-year-old virgin but (as one might expect) Maria's interest in him is not entirely a matter of physical attraction. Bob's secret project is a hidden tunnel beneath Berlin that allows his forces to tap into Russian telephone transmissions which is Leonard's responsibility. But the Americans are also obtaining coded information that they aren't passing along to the British; while Leonard helps Bob he's also finding out what Bob knows and passing it along to the British. However Maria is also looking for certain information and she sees the innocent and gullible Leonard as an easy way to get it. The Innocent was originally completed in 1993 but it was not shown in the United States until 1996 when it was given a brief theatrical release before appearing on home video.
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A young man unthinkingly throws himself into a world of political and sexual turmoil in John Schlesinger 's adaptation of the novel by Ian McEwan . Leonard Markham ( Campbell Scott ) is a British communications and surveillance expert who is sent to Germany in the early 1950s , at the height of the Cold War. Leonard is put under the command of Bob Glass ( Anthony Hopkins ), an American agent who goes out of his way to show him around town. Leonard is woefully naive about most subjects not directly involving his job , and when Bob takes him to a typically decadent Berlin nightclub , he is astonished to discover that Maria ( Isabella Rossellini ), a beautiful and mysterious woman , announces that she's quite attracted to him. Soon Leonard is no longer a 24 - year - old virgin , but ( as one might expect ) Maria's interest in him is not entirely a matter of physical attraction. Bob's secret project is a hidden tunnel beneath Berlin that allows his forces to tap into Russian telephone transmissions , which is Leonard's responsibility. But the Americans are also obtaining coded information that they aren't passing along to the British ; while Leonard helps Bob , he's also finding out what Bob knows and passing it along to the British. However , Maria is also looking for certain information , and she sees the innocent and gullible Leonard as an easy way to get it. The Innocent was originally completed in 1993 , but it was not shown in the United States until 1996 , when it was given a brief theatrical release before appearing on home video.
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Timothy Dalton is better in Licence to Kill than in his first James Bond endeavor (The Living Daylights) but he still seems uncomfortable on the right side of the law. This time around Bond is working on his own rather than on behalf of the British Secret Service. His American friend Felix Leiter (David Hedison) an agent of the Drug Enforcement Administration has been seriously injured by drug dealer Robert Davi and 007 is out for blood. There is precious little time for the usual Bondian quippery and directorial campiness resulting in a marked increase in bloodletting (including the "implosion" of secondary villain Anthony Zerbe). A climactic highway chase involving an oil tanker and a helicopter is stretched slightly beyond its value but is still one of the best action setpieces in any Bond film. Licence to Kill was a refreshingly serious change of pace for the series albeit one that tended to lessen Bond's box-office value.
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Timothy Dalton is better in Licence to Kill than in his first James Bond endeavor ( The Living Daylights ), but he still seems uncomfortable on the right side of the law. This time around , Bond is working on his own rather than on behalf of the British Secret Service. His American friend Felix Leiter ( David Hedison ), an agent of the Drug Enforcement Administration , has been seriously injured by drug dealer Robert Davi , and 007 is out for blood. There is precious little time for the usual Bondian quippery and directorial campiness , resulting in a marked increase in bloodletting ( including the "implosion" of secondary villain Anthony Zerbe ) . A climactic highway chase involving an oil tanker and a helicopter is stretched slightly beyond its value , but is still one of the best action setpieces in any Bond film. Licence to Kill was a refreshingly serious change of pace for the series , albeit one that tended to lessen Bond's box - office value.
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When American agents in Moscow try to recover a stolen letter implicating America in an anti-Red China plot they discover a hornet's nest of treason double agents murder and betrayal. The plot has as many switchbacks as a Formula One racetrack and a pad and paper to keep track of the agents and their code names wouldn't hurt. Still The Kremlin Letter is an interesting espionage movie with some good performances.
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When American agents in Moscow try to recover a stolen letter implicating America in an anti - Red China plot , they discover a hornet's nest of treason , double agents , murder , and betrayal. The plot has as many switchbacks as a Formula One racetrack , and a pad and paper to keep track of the agents and their code names wouldn't hurt. Still , The Kremlin Letter is an interesting espionage movie with some good performances.
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Woody Allen took a Japanese spy movie called Kagi No Kagi and replaced its original dialogue with an entirely new plot. In its revised state this film follows the adventures of agent Phil Moskowitz who is on a deadly mission to secure the recipe for the "world's greatest egg salad." However Moskowitz with the help of the beautiful Suki and Terri Yaki must prevent this unique recipe from falling into the hands of the evil Shepherd Wong. The group Lovin' Spoonful recorded the majority of the songs for this film.
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Woody Allen took a Japanese spy movie called Kagi No Kagi , and replaced its original dialogue with an entirely new plot. In its revised state , this film follows the adventures of agent Phil Moskowitz who is on a deadly mission to secure the recipe for the "world's greatest egg salad." However , Moskowitz , with the help of the beautiful Suki and Terri Yaki , must prevent this unique recipe from falling into the hands of the evil Shepherd Wong. The group Lovin' Spoonful recorded the majority of the songs for this film.
0395
A double agent has to contend with enemies on both sides of the political fence as well as the woman he loves in this thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Prof. Michael Armstrong (Paul Newman) is an gifted American physicist who at the height of the Cold War decides to defect to East Germany. To his surprise his fiancée fellow scientist Sarah Sherman (Julie Andrews) follows him and she soon discovers Armstrong is no traitor but acting as a secret undercover agent. As Armstrong attempts to ingratiate himself with political and scientific factions in East Germany Gromek (Wolfgang Kieling) becomes his guide though Armstrong is aware he's a government agent assigned to trail him and as he tries to shake Gromek Armstrong realizes his new "friend" knows what his real agenda happens to be. Torn Curtain was one of the rare Hitchcock films from his "classic" era which did not feature a score by Bernard Herrman; due to objections from his studio Hitchcock removed Herrman from the project though excerpts from the score he had begun were included as a bonus on the film's DVD release in 2002.
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A double agent has to contend with enemies on both sides of the political fence as well as the woman he loves in this thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock . Prof. Michael Armstrong ( Paul Newman ) is an gifted American physicist who , at the height of the Cold War , decides to defect to East Germany. To his surprise , his fiancée , fellow scientist Sarah Sherman ( Julie Andrews ) follows him , and she soon discovers Armstrong is no traitor , but acting as a secret undercover agent. As Armstrong attempts to ingratiate himself with political and scientific factions in East Germany , Gromek ( Wolfgang Kieling ) becomes his guide , though Armstrong is aware he's a government agent assigned to trail him , and as he tries to shake Gromek , Armstrong realizes his new "friend" knows what his real agenda happens to be. Torn Curtain was one of the rare Hitchcock films from his "classic" era which did not feature a score by Bernard Herrman ; due to objections from his studio , Hitchcock removed Herrman from the project , though excerpts from the score he had begun were included as a bonus on the film's DVD release in 2002.
0396
Director John Landis helmed this Cold War farce starring Dan Aykroyd and Chevy Chase as Austin Millbarge and Emmett Fitz-Hume -- two loser misfits who dwell in the lower ranks of the Central Intelligence Agency. Convinced despite much evidence to the contrary that they're prime secret agent material both men keep taking service exams in an effort to win promotion. Caught cheating on their latest round of tests Austin and Emmett expect to be fired but are instead made full field agents and ushered into intense training. Little do they know that it's all a ruse and that they're about to be dumped in Pakistan to throw Russian spies off the scent of two real agents with an important clandestine assignment. A spoof of the "road" pictures popularized by Bing Crosby and Bob Hope the film features a cameo by the latter as his golf-playing self.
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Director John Landis helmed this Cold War farce starring Dan Aykroyd and Chevy Chase as Austin Millbarge and Emmett Fitz - Hume -- two loser misfits who dwell in the lower ranks of the Central Intelligence Agency. Convinced despite much evidence to the contrary that they're prime secret agent material , both men keep taking service exams in an effort to win promotion. Caught cheating on their latest round of tests , Austin and Emmett expect to be fired but are instead made full field agents and ushered into intense training. Little do they know that it's all a ruse and that they're about to be dumped in Pakistan to throw Russian spies off the scent of two real agents with an important clandestine assignment. A spoof of the "road" pictures popularized by Bing Crosby and Bob Hope , the film features a cameo by the latter as his golf - playing self.
0397
This spy thriller from future Death Wish (1974) director Michael Winner stars Burt Lancaster as the enigmatic Cross a CIA agent who has hired a government assassin Jean Laurier (Alain Delon) to kill an Arab terrorist. Once they return home Laurier is arrested by his superior McLeod (John Colicos) who wants to know why Cross is still alive as Laurier was ordered to kill him as well. Laurier doesn't think that Cross is guilty of the crime but he relents and agrees to carry out the contract for a higher price. Cross suspected of selling secrets to the Soviets learns that his life is in danger and flees to Vienna where he is aided by a former comrade-in-arms from WWII the sympathetic KGB agent Sergei Zharkov (Paul Scofield). When Cross learns that his wife (Joanne Linville) has been murdered by McLeod he returns to the U.S. and kills him leading to a bloody final confrontation with a reluctant Laurier who is shocked to discover that his lover (Gayle Hunnicutt) is in league with Cross. Scorpio (1973) was the writing debut of David W. Rintels who went on to author several critically respected made-for-TV films.
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This spy thriller from future Death Wish ( 1974 ) director Michael Winner stars Burt Lancaster as the enigmatic Cross , a CIA agent who has hired a government assassin , Jean Laurier ( Alain Delon ), to kill an Arab terrorist. Once they return home , Laurier is arrested by his superior , McLeod ( John Colicos ), who wants to know why Cross is still alive , as Laurier was ordered to kill him as well. Laurier doesn't think that Cross is guilty of the crime , but he relents and agrees to carry out the contract for a higher price. Cross , suspected of selling secrets to the Soviets , learns that his life is in danger and flees to Vienna , where he is aided by a former comrade - in - arms from WWII , the sympathetic KGB agent Sergei Zharkov ( Paul Scofield ) . When Cross learns that his wife ( Joanne Linville ) has been murdered by McLeod , he returns to the U.S. and kills him , leading to a bloody final confrontation with a reluctant Laurier , who is shocked to discover that his lover ( Gayle Hunnicutt ) is in league with Cross. Scorpio ( 1973 ) was the writing debut of David W. Rintels , who went on to author several critically respected made - for - TV films.
0398
A man discovers that his best friends are actually spies -- or are they? -- in this thriller based on Robert Ludlum's best-selling novel. John Tanner (Rutger Hauer) is the host of a television news show who once a year spends a long weekend with three of his best friends from college Bernard Osterman (Craig T. Nelson) Joseph Cardone (Chris Sarandon) and Richard Tremayne (Dennis Hopper). Tanner is approached by Lawrence Fassett (John Hurt) a CIA agent who has evidence proving that his three pals are actually agents working with the Soviet Union. With Tanner's reluctant approval his house is wired with video surveillance equipment so that the CIA can monitor what Osterman Cardone and Tremayne say and do over their weekend together in hopes of putting the traitors behind bars. However Tanner soon realizes that Fassett's agenda is not all that it appears to be. The Osterman Weekend was directed by Sam Peckinpah; it proved to be his last film as he died a year after its release.
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A man discovers that his best friends are actually spies -- or are they? -- in this thriller based on Robert Ludlum's best - selling novel. John Tanner ( Rutger Hauer ) is the host of a television news show who once a year spends a long weekend with three of his best friends from college , Bernard Osterman ( Craig T. Nelson ), Joseph Cardone ( Chris Sarandon ), and Richard Tremayne ( Dennis Hopper ) . Tanner is approached by Lawrence Fassett ( John Hurt ), a CIA agent who has evidence proving that his three pals are actually agents working with the Soviet Union. With Tanner's reluctant approval , his house is wired with video surveillance equipment so that the CIA can monitor what Osterman , Cardone , and Tremayne say and do over their weekend together in hopes of putting the traitors behind bars. However , Tanner soon realizes that Fassett's agenda is not all that it appears to be. The Osterman Weekend was directed by Sam Peckinpah ; it proved to be his last film , as he died a year after its release.
0399
Jeff Grant (River Phoenix) is a San Diego teen who discovers his father Richard (Richard Jenkins) and mother Elizabeth Grant) are KGB agents. When he applies to the Air Force Academy a routine FBI check leads to the shocking news. Soon the suburb of Fountain Grove becomes the focus of international agents and espionage. FBI agent Roy Parmenter (Sidney Poitier) helps Jeff absorb the shock and he battles KGB agent Konstantin Karpov (Richard Bradford) in a race to capture the Soviet agents. The excellent performances from Poitier and Phoenix are the highlight of this feature.
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Jeff Grant ( River Phoenix ) is a San Diego teen who discovers his father Richard ( Richard Jenkins ) and mother Elizabeth Grant ) are KGB agents. When he applies to the Air Force Academy , a routine FBI check leads to the shocking news. Soon the suburb of Fountain Grove becomes the focus of international agents and espionage. FBI agent Roy Parmenter ( Sidney Poitier ) helps Jeff absorb the shock and he battles KGB agent Konstantin Karpov ( Richard Bradford ) in a race to capture the Soviet agents. The excellent performances from Poitier and Phoenix are the highlight of this feature.
0400
CIA computer technician John Savage seeks revenge for the terrorist killing of his girlfriend. Threatening to make public his insider's information Savage forces his reluctant bosses to train him in the art of assassination. He then heads into enemy territory (at least it was enemy territory back in 1982) on a search-and-destroy mission. There is nothing in The Amateur that we haven't seen elsewhere but Savage and a solid cast of supporting players Christopher PlummerMarthe Keller Arthur Hill Ed Lauter Nicholas Campbell Jan Rubes et. al.-- keep the proceedings lively. Robert Littell co-adapted the film's screenplay from his own novel.
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CIA computer technician John Savage seeks revenge for the terrorist killing of his girlfriend. Threatening to make public his insider's information , Savage forces his reluctant bosses to train him in the art of assassination. He then heads into enemy territory ( at least , it was enemy territory back in 1982 ) on a search - and - destroy mission. There is nothing in The Amateur that we haven't seen elsewhere , but Savage and a solid cast of supporting players Christopher Plummer , Marthe Keller , Arthur Hill , Ed Lauter , Nicholas Campbell , Jan Rubes et. al. -- keep the proceedings lively. Robert Littell co - adapted the film's screenplay from his own novel.
0401
Nick and Nora Charles are updated to a touchy-feely couple of the 1990s who take a break from the action to raise their eleven-month-old child. Kathleen Turner and Dennis Quaid star as Jane and Jeff Blue two CIA super-agents who have abandoned the daily grind to devote quality time to their baby but find trouble on vacation in New Orleans. First a group of muggers try to take advantage of Jeff as he walks down the street with his baby in tow. Jeff teaches the boys a humiliating lesson but one of the creepy bad guys Muerte (Stanley Tucci) vows revenge and he spends the rest of the movie dogging Jeff and Jane and getting kicked in the teeth in the process. But Muerte is small potatoes compared to Novacek (Fiona Shaw) a former Czech agent. Convinced to return to work by their superiors Jeff and Jane have to catch Novacek red-handed buying illegal explosives from a New Orleans traitor so that the government can send her back to the Czech republic.
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Nick and Nora Charles are updated to a touchy - feely couple of the 1990s who take a break from the action to raise their eleven - month - old child. Kathleen Turner and Dennis Quaid star as Jane and Jeff Blue , two CIA super - agents who have abandoned the daily grind to devote quality time to their baby but find trouble on vacation in New Orleans. First a group of muggers try to take advantage of Jeff as he walks down the street with his baby in tow. Jeff teaches the boys a humiliating lesson , but one of the creepy bad guys , Muerte ( Stanley Tucci ), vows revenge , and he spends the rest of the movie dogging Jeff and Jane and getting kicked in the teeth in the process. But Muerte is small potatoes compared to Novacek ( Fiona Shaw ), a former Czech agent. Convinced to return to work by their superiors , Jeff and Jane have to catch Novacek red - handed buying illegal explosives from a New Orleans traitor so that the government can send her back to the Czech republic.
0402
Steven Spielberg directed this powerful realistic re-creation of WWII's D-day invasion and the immediate aftermath. The story opens with a prologue in which a veteran brings his family to the American cemetery at Normandy and a flashback then joins Capt. John Miller (Tom Hanks) and GIs in a landing craft making the June 6 1944 approach to Omaha Beach to face devastating German artillery fire. This mass slaughter of American soldiers is depicted in a compelling unforgettable 24-minute sequence. Miller's men slowly move forward to finally take a concrete pillbox. On the beach littered with bodies is one with the name "Ryan" stenciled on his backpack. Army Chief of Staff Gen. George C. Marshall (Harve Presnell) learning that three Ryan brothers from the same family have all been killed in a single week requests that the surviving brother Pvt. James Ryan (Matt Damon) be located and brought back to the United States. Capt. Miller gets the assignment and he chooses a translator Cpl. Upham (Jeremy Davis) skilled in language but not in combat to join his squad of right-hand man Sgt. Horvath (Tom Sizemore) plus privates Mellish (Adam Goldberg) Medic Wade (Giovanni Ribisi) cynical Reiben (Edward Burns) from Brooklyn Italian-American Caparzo (Vin Diesel) and religious Southerner Jackson (Barry Pepper) an ace sharpshooter who calls on the Lord while taking aim. Having previously experienced action in Italy and North Africa the close-knit squad sets out through areas still thick with Nazis. After they lose one man in a skirmish at a bombed village some in the group begin to question the logic of losing more lives to save a single soldier. The film's historical consultant is Stephen E. Ambrose and the incident is based on a true occurance in Ambrose's 1994 bestseller D-Day: June 6 1944.
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Steven Spielberg directed this powerful , realistic re - creation of WWII's D - day invasion and the immediate aftermath. The story opens with a prologue in which a veteran brings his family to the American cemetery at Normandy , and a flashback then joins Capt. John Miller ( Tom Hanks ) and GIs in a landing craft making the June 6 , 1944 , approach to Omaha Beach to face devastating German artillery fire. This mass slaughter of American soldiers is depicted in a compelling , unforgettable 24 - minute sequence. Miller's men slowly move forward to finally take a concrete pillbox. On the beach littered with bodies is one with the name "Ryan" stenciled on his backpack. Army Chief of Staff Gen. George C. Marshall ( Harve Presnell ), learning that three Ryan brothers from the same family have all been killed in a single week , requests that the surviving brother , Pvt. James Ryan ( Matt Damon ), be located and brought back to the United States. Capt. Miller gets the assignment , and he chooses a translator , Cpl. Upham ( Jeremy Davis ), skilled in language but not in combat , to join his squad of right - hand man Sgt. Horvath ( Tom Sizemore ), plus privates Mellish ( Adam Goldberg ), Medic Wade ( Giovanni Ribisi ), cynical Reiben ( Edward Burns ) from Brooklyn , Italian - American Caparzo ( Vin Diesel ), and religious Southerner Jackson ( Barry Pepper ), an ace sharpshooter who calls on the Lord while taking aim. Having previously experienced action in Italy and North Africa , the close - knit squad sets out through areas still thick with Nazis. After they lose one man in a skirmish at a bombed village , some in the group begin to question the logic of losing more lives to save a single soldier. The film's historical consultant is Stephen E. Ambrose , and the incident is based on a true occurance in Ambrose's 1994 bestseller D - Day : June 6 , 1944 .
0403
ased on a true story Steven Spielberg's Schindler's List stars Liam Neeson as Oskar Schindler a German businessman in Poland who sees an opportunity to make money from the Nazis' rise to power. He starts a company to make cookware and utensils using flattery and bribes to win military contracts and brings in accountant and financier Itzhak Stern (Ben Kingsley) to help run the factory. By staffing his plant with Jews who've been herded into Krakow's ghetto by Nazi troops Schindler has a dependable unpaid labor force. For Stern a job in a war-related plant could mean survival for himself and the other Jews working for Schindler. However in 1942 all of Krakow's Jews are assigned to the Plaszow Forced Labor Camp overseen by Commandant Amon Goeth (Ralph Fiennes) an embittered alcoholic who occasionally shoots prisoners from his balcony. Schindler arranges to continue using Polish Jews in his plant but as he sees what is happening to his employees he begins to develop a conscience. He realizes that his factory (now refitted to manufacture ammunition) is the only thing preventing his staff from being shipped to the death camps. Soon Schindler demands more workers and starts bribing Nazi leaders to keep Jews on his employee lists and out of the camps. By the time Germany falls to the allies Schindler has lost his entire fortune -- and saved 1100 people from likely death. Schindler's List was nominated for 12 Academy Awards and won seven including Best Picture and a long-coveted Best Director for Spielberg and it quickly gained praise as one of the finest American movies about the Holocaust.
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Based on a true story , Steven Spielberg 's Schindler's List stars Liam Neeson as Oskar Schindler , a German businessman in Poland who sees an opportunity to make money from the Nazis' rise to power. He starts a company to make cookware and utensils , using flattery and bribes to win military contracts , and brings in accountant and financier Itzhak Stern ( Ben Kingsley ) to help run the factory. By staffing his plant with Jews who've been herded into Krakow's ghetto by Nazi troops , Schindler has a dependable unpaid labor force. For Stern , a job in a war - related plant could mean survival for himself and the other Jews working for Schindler . However , in 1942 , all of Krakow's Jews are assigned to the Plaszow Forced Labor Camp , overseen by Commandant Amon Goeth ( Ralph Fiennes ), an embittered alcoholic who occasionally shoots prisoners from his balcony. Schindler arranges to continue using Polish Jews in his plant , but , as he sees what is happening to his employees , he begins to develop a conscience. He realizes that his factory ( now refitted to manufacture ammunition ) is the only thing preventing his staff from being shipped to the death camps. Soon Schindler demands more workers and starts bribing Nazi leaders to keep Jews on his employee lists and out of the camps. By the time Germany falls to the allies , Schindler has lost his entire fortune -- and saved 1 , 100 people from likely death. Schindler's List was nominated for 12 Academy Awards and won seven , including Best Picture and a long - coveted Best Director for Spielberg , and it quickly gained praise as one of the finest American movies about the Holocaust.
0404
Das Boot is one of the most gripping and authentic war movies ever made. Based on an autobiographical novel by German World War II photographer Lothar-Guenther Buchheim the film follows the lives of a fearless U-Boat captain (Jurgen Prochnow) and his inexperienced crew as they patrol the Atlantic and Mediterranean in search of Allied vessels taking turns as hunter and prey. There's very little plot so the movie's power comes from both its riveting epic battle scenes and its details of the boring hours spent waiting for orders or signs of the enemy. With the exception of one staunch Hitler Youth lieutenant none of the crew is particularly loyal to the Nazis and some are openly hostile toward their Fuhrer; this allows viewer sympathy with the men as they perform their laborious monotonous duties in cramped filthy quarters or await death as depth charges explode all around the sub. Prochnow is excellent as the nerves-of-steel commander and many of the supporting actors -- all German -- are solid as well although the characterizations border on war movie clichés (the young crewman who has left behind his pregnant girlfriend the Chief Engineer whose wife is seriously ill). The real star however is cinematographer Jost Vacano who makes the sub's grimy claustrophobic interior come to vivid life as his camera follows the crew through hatches up ladders into bunks and under pipes creating a palpable sense of claustrophobia while injecting it with movement. Originally edited by writer/director Wolfgang Petersen as both a two-and-a-half hour theatrical release and a six-hour German miniseries Das Boot was re-released in a restored version in 1997 with nearly one hour of added footage which made it even more suspenseful than before.
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Das Boot is one of the most gripping and authentic war movies ever made. Based on an autobiographical novel by German World War II photographer Lothar - Guenther Buchheim , the film follows the lives of a fearless U - Boat captain ( Jurgen Prochnow ) and his inexperienced crew as they patrol the Atlantic and Mediterranean in search of Allied vessels , taking turns as hunter and prey. There's very little plot , so the movie's power comes from both its riveting , epic battle scenes and its details of the boring hours spent waiting for orders or signs of the enemy. With the exception of one staunch Hitler Youth lieutenant , none of the crew is particularly loyal to the Nazis , and some are openly hostile toward their Fuhrer ; this allows viewer sympathy with the men as they perform their laborious , monotonous duties in cramped , filthy quarters , or await death as depth charges explode all around the sub. Prochnow is excellent as the nerves - of - steel commander , and many of the supporting actors -- all German -- are solid as well , although the characterizations border on war movie clichés ( the young crewman who has left behind his pregnant girlfriend , the Chief Engineer whose wife is seriously ill ) . The real star , however , is cinematographer Jost Vacano , who makes the sub's grimy , claustrophobic interior come to vivid life , as his camera follows the crew through hatches , up ladders , into bunks , and under pipes , creating a palpable sense of claustrophobia while injecting it with movement. Originally edited by writer / director Wolfgang Petersen as both a two - and - a - half hour theatrical release and a six - hour German miniseries , Das Boot was re - released in a restored version in 1997 with nearly one hour of added footage which made it even more suspenseful than before.
0405
The scene is Schofield Army Barracks in Honolulu in the languid days before the attack on Pearl Harbor where James Jones' acclaimed war novel From Here to Eternity brought the aspirations and frustrations of several people sharply into focus. Sergeant Milt Warden (Burt Lancaster) enters into an affair with Karen (Deborah Kerr) the wife of his commanding officer. Private Robert E. Lee "Prew" Prewitt (Montgomery Clift) is a loner who lives by his own code of ethics and communicates better with his bugle than he does with words. Prew's best friend is wisecracking Maggio (Frank Sinatra in an Oscar-winning performance that revived his flagging career) who has been targeted for persecution by sadistic stockade sergeant Fatso Judson (Ernest Borgnine). Rounding out the principals is Alma Lorene (Donna Reed) a "hostess" at the euphemistically named whorehouse The New Congress Club. All these melodramatic joys and sufferings are swept away by the Japanese attack on the morning of December 7. No words could do justice to the film's most famous scene: the nocturnal romantic rendezvous on the beach with Burt Lancaster's and Deborah Kerr's bodies intertwining as the waves crash over them. If you're able to take your eyes off the principals for a moment or two keep an eye out for George Reeves; his supporting role was shaved down when during previews audiences yelled "There's Superman!" and began to laugh. From Here to Eternity won eight Academy Awards including Best Picture Best Director Best Adapted Screenplay and supporting awards to Sinatra and Reed.
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The scene is Schofield Army Barracks in Honolulu , in the languid days before the attack on Pearl Harbor , where James Jones ' acclaimed war novel From Here to Eternity brought the aspirations and frustrations of several people sharply into focus. Sergeant Milt Warden ( Burt Lancaster ) enters into an affair with Karen ( Deborah Kerr ), the wife of his commanding officer. Private Robert E. Lee "Prew" Prewitt ( Montgomery Clift ) is a loner who lives by his own code of ethics and communicates better with his bugle than he does with words. Prew's best friend is wisecracking Maggio ( Frank Sinatra , in an Oscar - winning performance that revived his flagging career ), who has been targeted for persecution by sadistic stockade sergeant Fatso Judson ( Ernest Borgnine ) . Rounding out the principals is Alma Lorene ( Donna Reed ), a "hostess" at the euphemistically named whorehouse The New Congress Club. All these melodramatic joys and sufferings are swept away by the Japanese attack on the morning of December 7. No words could do justice to the film's most famous scene : the nocturnal romantic rendezvous on the beach , with Burt Lancaster 's and Deborah Kerr 's bodies intertwining as the waves crash over them. If you're able to take your eyes off the principals for a moment or two , keep an eye out for George Reeves ; his supporting role was shaved down when , during previews , audiences yelled "There's Superman!" and began to laugh. From Here to Eternity won eight Academy Awards , including Best Picture , Best Director , Best Adapted Screenplay , and supporting awards to Sinatra and Reed .
0406
The Bridge on the River Kwai opens in a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp in Burma in 1943 where a battle of wills rages between camp commander Colonel Saito (Sessue Hayakawa) and newly arrived British colonel Nicholson (Alec Guinness). Saito insists that Nicholson order his men to build a bridge over the river Kwai which will be used to transport Japanese munitions. Nicholson refuses despite all the various "persuasive" devices at Saito's disposal. Finally Nicholson agrees not so much to cooperate with his captor as to provide a morale-boosting project for the military engineers under his command. The colonel will prove that by building a better bridge than Saito's men could build the British soldier is a superior being even when under the thumb of the enemy. As the bridge goes up Nicholson becomes obsessed with completing it to perfection eventually losing sight of the fact that it will benefit the Japanese. Meanwhile American POW Shears (William Holden) having escaped from the camp agrees to save himself from a court martial by leading a group of British soldiers back to the camp to destroy Nicholson's bridge. Upon his return Shears realizes that Nicholson's mania to complete his project has driven him mad. Filmed in Ceylon Bridge on the River Kwai won seven Academy Awards including Best Picture Best Director for the legendary British filmmaker David Lean and Best Actor for Guinness. It also won Best Screenplay for Pierre Boulle the author of the novel on which the film was based even though the actual writers were blacklisted writers Carl Foreman and Michael Wilson who were given their Oscars under the table.
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The Bridge on the River Kwai opens in a Japanese prisoner - of - war camp in Burma in 1943 , where a battle of wills rages between camp commander Colonel Saito ( Sessue Hayakawa ) and newly arrived British colonel Nicholson ( Alec Guinness ) . Saito insists that Nicholson order his men to build a bridge over the river Kwai , which will be used to transport Japanese munitions. Nicholson refuses , despite all the various "persuasive" devices at Saito's disposal. Finally , Nicholson agrees , not so much to cooperate with his captor as to provide a morale - boosting project for the military engineers under his command. The colonel will prove that , by building a better bridge than Saito's men could build , the British soldier is a superior being even when under the thumb of the enemy. As the bridge goes up , Nicholson becomes obsessed with completing it to perfection , eventually losing sight of the fact that it will benefit the Japanese. Meanwhile , American POW Shears ( William Holden ), having escaped from the camp , agrees to save himself from a court martial by leading a group of British soldiers back to the camp to destroy Nicholson's bridge. Upon his return , Shears realizes that Nicholson's mania to complete his project has driven him mad. Filmed in Ceylon , Bridge on the River Kwai won seven Academy Awards , including Best Picture , Best Director for the legendary British filmmaker David Lean , and Best Actor for Guinness. It also won Best Screenplay for Pierre Boulle , the author of the novel on which the film was based , even though the actual writers were blacklisted writers Carl Foreman and Michael Wilson , who were given their Oscars under the table.
0407
One of a cluster of late-1970s films about the Vietnam War Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now adapts the Joseph Conrad novella Heart of Darkness to depict the war as a descent into primal madness. Capt. Willard (Martin Sheen) already on the edge is assigned to find and deal with AWOL Col. Kurtz (Marlon Brando) rumored to have set himself up in the Cambodian jungle as a local lethal godhead. Along the way Willard encounters napalm and Wagner fan Col. Kilgore (Robert Duvall) draftees who prefer to surf and do drugs a USO Playboy Bunny show turned into a riot by the raucous soldiers and a jumpy photographer (Dennis Hopper) telling wild reverent tales about Kurtz. By the time Willard sees the heads mounted on stakes near Kurtz's compound he knows Kurtz has gone over the deep end but it is uncertain whether Willard himself now agrees with Kurtz's insane dictum to "Drop the Bomb. Exterminate them all." Coppola himself was not certain either and he tried several different endings between the film's early rough-cut screenings for the press the Palme d'Or-winning "work-in-progress" shown at Cannes and the final 35 mm U.S. release (also the ending on the video cassette). The chaotic production also experienced shut-downs when a typhoon destroyed the set and star Sheen suffered a heart attack; the budget ballooned and Coppola covered the overages himself. These production headaches which Coppola characterized as being like the Vietnam War itself have been superbly captured in the documentary Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse. Despite the studio's fears and mixed reviews of the film's ending Apocalypse Now became a substantial hit and was nominated for eight Academy Awards including Best Picture Best Director Best Supporting Actor for Duvall's psychotic Kilgore and Best Screenplay. It won Oscars for sound and for Vittorio Storaro's cinematography. This hallucinatory Wagnerian project has produced admirers and detractors of equal ardor; it resembles no other film ever made and its nightmarish aura and polarized reception aptly reflect the tensions and confusions of the Vietnam era.
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One of a cluster of late - 1970s films about the Vietnam War , Francis Ford Coppola 's Apocalypse Now adapts the Joseph Conrad novella Heart of Darkness to depict the war as a descent into primal madness. Capt. Willard ( Martin Sheen ), already on the edge , is assigned to find and deal with AWOL Col. Kurtz ( Marlon Brando ), rumored to have set himself up in the Cambodian jungle as a local , lethal godhead. Along the way Willard encounters napalm and Wagner fan Col. Kilgore ( Robert Duvall ), draftees who prefer to surf and do drugs , a USO Playboy Bunny show turned into a riot by the raucous soldiers , and a jumpy photographer ( Dennis Hopper ) telling wild , reverent tales about Kurtz. By the time Willard sees the heads mounted on stakes near Kurtz's compound , he knows Kurtz has gone over the deep end , but it is uncertain whether Willard himself now agrees with Kurtz's insane dictum to "Drop the Bomb. Exterminate them all." Coppola himself was not certain either , and he tried several different endings between the film's early rough - cut screenings for the press , the Palme d'Or - winning "work - in - progress" shown at Cannes , and the final 35 mm U.S. release ( also the ending on the video cassette ) . The chaotic production also experienced shut - downs when a typhoon destroyed the set and star Sheen suffered a heart attack ; the budget ballooned and Coppola covered the overages himself. These production headaches , which Coppola characterized as being like the Vietnam War itself , have been superbly captured in the documentary , Hearts of Darkness : A Filmmaker's Apocalypse . Despite the studio's fears and mixed reviews of the film's ending , Apocalypse Now became a substantial hit and was nominated for eight Academy Awards , including Best Picture , Best Director , Best Supporting Actor for Duvall's psychotic Kilgore , and Best Screenplay. It won Oscars for sound and for Vittorio Storaro 's cinematography. This hallucinatory , Wagnerian project has produced admirers and detractors of equal ardor ; it resembles no other film ever made , and its nightmarish aura and polarized reception aptly reflect the tensions and confusions of the Vietnam era.
0408
Francis Coppola had more than his share of production difficulties while shooting his epic-scale Vietnam War drama Apocalypse Now including disastrous weather conditions problems with his leading men (Harvey Keitel was fired after less than two weeks on the project and was replaced by Martin Sheen who suffered a heart attack midway through production) and a schedule and budget that quickly spiraled out of control (originally budgeted at $10 million the film's final cost was over $30 million). But Coppola's troubles didn't end when he got his footage into the editing room and he tinkered with a number of different structures and endings before settling on the film's 153-minute final cut in time for its initial theatrical release in 1979. Twenty-two years later Francis Coppola returned to the material and created Apocalypse Now Redux an expanded and re-edited version of the film that adds 53 minutes of footage excised from the film's original release. In addition to adding a number of smaller moments that even out the film's rhythms Apocalypse Now Redux restores two much-discussed sequences that Coppola chose not to include in his original edition of the film -- an encounter in the jungle between Willard (Martin Sheen) his crewmates Chief (Albert Hall) Clean (Larry Fishburne) Chef (Frederic Forrest) and Lance (Sam Bottoms) and a trio of stranded Playboy models on a U.S.O. tour as well as a stopover at a plantation operated by French colonists De Marais (Christian Marquand) and Roxanne (Aurore Clement). Apocalypse Now Redux received a limited theatrical release in August of 2001 after a well-received screening at the Cannes Film Festival -- the same month that the film finally reached theaters in 1979 after a rough cut received a Golden Palm award at the Cannes Festival.
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Francis Coppola had more than his share of production difficulties while shooting his epic - scale Vietnam War drama Apocalypse Now , including disastrous weather conditions , problems with his leading men ( Harvey Keitel was fired after less than two weeks on the project and was replaced by Martin Sheen , who suffered a heart attack midway through production ), and a schedule and budget that quickly spiraled out of control ( originally budgeted at $10 million , the film's final cost was over $30 million ) . But Coppola 's troubles didn't end when he got his footage into the editing room , and he tinkered with a number of different structures and endings before settling on the film's 153 - minute final cut in time for its initial theatrical release in 1979. Twenty - two years later , Francis Coppola returned to the material , and created Apocalypse Now Redux , an expanded and re - edited version of the film that adds 53 minutes of footage excised from the film's original release. In addition to adding a number of smaller moments that even out the film's rhythms , Apocalypse Now Redux restores two much - discussed sequences that Coppola chose not to include in his original edition of the film -- an encounter in the jungle between Willard ( Martin Sheen ), his crewmates Chief ( Albert Hall ), Clean ( Larry Fishburne ), Chef ( Frederic Forrest ), and Lance ( Sam Bottoms ) and a trio of stranded Playboy models on a U.S.O. tour , as well as a stopover at a plantation operated by French colonists De Marais ( Christian Marquand ) and Roxanne ( Aurore Clement ) . Apocalypse Now Redux received a limited theatrical release in August of 2001 after a well - received screening at the Cannes Film Festival -- the same month that the film finally reached theaters in 1979 , after a rough cut received a Golden Palm award at the Cannes Festival.
0409
Three stars team up for this unusual look at America's role in the war against Iraq. In 1991 as the Gulf War winds to a close three American servicemen find themselves happy to have achieved victory but wondering about the ultimate importance of what they've done (especially since Saddam Hussein is still in power). Major Archie Gates (George Clooney) is a decorated Vietnam veteran and special forces officer with two weeks to go before he retires; Sgt. Troy Barlow (Mark Wahlberg) has a new baby at home; and Chief Elgin (Ice Cube) is probably just going to end up back in Detroit. So when one of them comes across a map that seems to point out where Saddam's forces have stashed a large cache of gold they stole from Kuwait they decide to follow the trail and take some of the war booty for themselves. However the deeper they journey into Iraq the more they see of the consequences of America's policies in the Middle East. Although President George Bush and the American military urged Iraqi citizens to rise up against Saddam Hussein and pledged their support to a people's movement against the leader Iraqis found that when they took to the streets against Saddam the United States did not back them up and the loss of Iraqi lives was fearsome. When Gates Barlow and Elgin become aware of what's happening they're torn between their desire to grab the fortune they came for and the demands of their conscience to help the people they came to liberate. Three Kings was directed by David O. Russell and marked a significant change of direction after his dark-humored relationship comedies Spanking the Monkey and Flirting with Disaster.
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Three stars team up for this unusual look at America's role in the war against Iraq. In 1991 , as the Gulf War winds to a close , three American servicemen find themselves happy to have achieved victory but wondering about the ultimate importance of what they've done ( especially since Saddam Hussein is still in power ) . Major Archie Gates ( George Clooney ) is a decorated Vietnam veteran and special forces officer with two weeks to go before he retires ; Sgt. Troy Barlow ( Mark Wahlberg ) has a new baby at home ; and Chief Elgin ( Ice Cube ) is probably just going to end up back in Detroit. So when one of them comes across a map that seems to point out where Saddam's forces have stashed a large cache of gold they stole from Kuwait , they decide to follow the trail and take some of the war booty for themselves. However , the deeper they journey into Iraq , the more they see of the consequences of America's policies in the Middle East. Although President George Bush and the American military urged Iraqi citizens to rise up against Saddam Hussein , and pledged their support to a people's movement against the leader , Iraqis found that when they took to the streets against Saddam , the United States did not back them up , and the loss of Iraqi lives was fearsome. When Gates , Barlow and Elgin become aware of what's happening , they're torn between their desire to grab the fortune they came for and the demands of their conscience to help the people they came to liberate. Three Kings was directed by David O. Russell and marked a significant change of direction after his dark - humored relationship comedies , Spanking the Monkey and Flirting with Disaster .
0410
ased on the acclaimed graphic novel by artist Keiji Nakazawa Barefoot Gen is an animated drama about a family's struggle to survive in Japan during the waning days of World War II. The family's patriarch has run afoul of the local government due to his opposition to the war. The government begins to deprive the family of life's little luxuries and its necessities. The hardships they suffer through are put into perspective by the atomic bombing of Hiroshima by Allied forces. The family's six-year-old son Gen who has lived with the reality of the war nearly his entire life provides the center of this animated drama.
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Based on the acclaimed graphic novel by artist Keiji Nakazawa , Barefoot Gen is an animated drama about a family's struggle to survive in Japan during the waning days of World War II. The family's patriarch has run afoul of the local government due to his opposition to the war. The government begins to deprive the family of life's little luxuries , and its necessities. The hardships they suffer through are put into perspective by the atomic bombing of Hiroshima by Allied forces. The family's six - year - old son , Gen , who has lived with the reality of the war nearly his entire life , provides the center of this animated drama.
0411
The return of director Terrence Malick to feature filmmaking after a twenty year sabbatical this World War II drama is an elegiac rumination on man's destruction of nature and himself based on James Jones' semi-autobiographical novel his follow-up to From Here to Eternity. James Caviezel stars as Private Witt a deserter living in peace and harmony with the natives of a Pacific island paradise. Captured by the Navy Witt is debriefed by a senior officer (Sean Penn) and returned to an active duty unit preparing for what will be the Battle of Guadalcanal. As Witt goes ashore in the company of his fellow soldiers they meet diverse fates. Sergeant Keck (Woody Harrelson) is killed by an exploding grenade. Captain John Gaff (John Cusack) is an intelligent sober leader facing the destruction of his command because his commanding officer Colonel Tall (Nick Nolte) is bucking for a general's star. Sergeant McCron (John Savage) loses his mind. Private Bell (Ben Chaplin) gets a "Dear John" letter from his beloved wife. However as the U.S. troops advance up grassy slopes toward entrenched Japanese positions it is Witt's voiced-over ruminations on life death and nature that are the real heart and soul of The Thin Red Line (1998). Adrien Brody appears as Private Fife the major character of Jones' novel and the author's alter-ego although Fife has been relegated to a minor supporting role by Malick's filmed adaptation.
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The return of director Terrence Malick to feature filmmaking after a twenty year sabbatical , this World War II drama is an elegiac rumination on man's destruction of nature and himself , based on James Jones ' semi - autobiographical novel , his follow - up to From Here to Eternity . James Caviezel stars as Private Witt , a deserter living in peace and harmony with the natives of a Pacific island paradise. Captured by the Navy , Witt is debriefed by a senior officer ( Sean Penn ) and returned to an active duty unit preparing for what will be the Battle of Guadalcanal. As Witt goes ashore in the company of his fellow soldiers , they meet diverse fates. Sergeant Keck ( Woody Harrelson ) is killed by an exploding grenade. Captain John Gaff ( John Cusack ) is an intelligent , sober leader facing the destruction of his command because his commanding officer Colonel Tall ( Nick Nolte ) is bucking for a general's star. Sergeant McCron ( John Savage ) loses his mind. Private Bell ( Ben Chaplin ) gets a "Dear John" letter from his beloved wife. However , as the U.S. troops advance up grassy slopes toward entrenched Japanese positions , it is Witt's voiced - over ruminations on life , death , and nature that are the real heart and soul of The Thin Red Line ( 1998 ) . Adrien Brody appears as Private Fife , the major character of Jones' novel and the author's alter - ego , although Fife has been relegated to a minor supporting role by Malick 's filmed adaptation.
0412
With this fact-based World War II drama and the equally memorable The Fourth Man (1983) Dutch director Paul Verhoeven gained an international following eventually translating his reputation into Hollywood fame as the director of bloody science fiction spectacles and prurient sex thrillers. Rutger Hauer stars as Erik Lanshof an aristocratic Dutch student one of six carefree friends who don't care much for politics. When the Nazis invade Holland however the group is drawn inevitably into the conflict. While Alex (Derek de Lint) joins the German army the suave Gus (Jeroen Krabbe) becomes a resistance leader eventually escaping with Erik to England where they become pawns in a much larger underground movement to restore their country's Queen Wilhelmina (Andrea Domburg) to her rightful throne. Based on an autobiographical novel by Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema Soldaat van Oranje (1978) also features early work by another Dutch master who went on to success as a director of big budget Hollywood films cinematographer Jan De Bont.
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With this fact - based World War II drama and the equally memorable The Fourth Man ( 1983 ), Dutch director Paul Verhoeven gained an international following , eventually translating his reputation into Hollywood fame as the director of bloody science fiction spectacles and prurient sex thrillers. Rutger Hauer stars as Erik Lanshof , an aristocratic Dutch student , one of six carefree friends who don't care much for politics. When the Nazis invade Holland , however , the group is drawn inevitably into the conflict. While Alex ( Derek de Lint ) joins the German army , the suave Gus ( Jeroen Krabbe ) becomes a resistance leader , eventually escaping with Erik to England , where they become pawns in a much larger underground movement to restore their country's Queen Wilhelmina ( Andrea Domburg ) to her rightful throne. Based on an autobiographical novel by Erik Hazelhoff Roelfzema , Soldaat van Oranje ( 1978 ) also features early work by another Dutch master who went on to success as a director of big budget Hollywood films , cinematographer Jan De Bont .
0413
Oliver Stone's breakthrough as a director Platoon is a brutally realistic look at a young soldier's tour of duty in Vietnam. Chris Taylor (Charlie Sheen) is a college student who quits school to volunteer for the Army in the late '60s. He's shipped off to Vietnam where he serves with a culturally diverse group of fellow soldiers under two men who lead the platoon: Sgt. Barnes (Tom Berenger) whose facial scars are a mirror of the violence and corruption of his soul and Sgt. Elias (Willem Dafoe) who maintains a Zen-like calm in the jungle and fights with both personal and moral courage even though he no longer believes in the war. After a few weeks "in country" Taylor begins to see the naïveté of his views of the war especially after a quick search for enemy troops devolves into a round of murder and rape. Unlike Hollywood's first wave of Vietnam movies (including The Deer Hunter Apocalypse Now and Coming Home) Platoon is a grunt's-eye view of the war touching on moral issues but focusing on the men who fought the battles and suffered the wounds. In this sense it resembles older war movies more than its Vietnam peers as it mixes familiar elements of onscreen battle with small realistic details: bugs jungle rot exhaustion C-rations marijuana and counting the days before you go home. This mix of traditional war movie elements with a contemporary sensibility won Platoon four Oscars including Best Picture and Best Director and a reputation as one of the definitive modern war films.
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Oliver Stone 's breakthrough as a director , Platoon is a brutally realistic look at a young soldier's tour of duty in Vietnam. Chris Taylor ( Charlie Sheen ) is a college student who quits school to volunteer for the Army in the late '60s. He's shipped off to Vietnam , where he serves with a culturally diverse group of fellow soldiers under two men who lead the platoon : Sgt. Barnes ( Tom Berenger ), whose facial scars are a mirror of the violence and corruption of his soul , and Sgt. Elias ( Willem Dafoe ), who maintains a Zen - like calm in the jungle and fights with both personal and moral courage even though he no longer believes in the war. After a few weeks "in country , " Taylor begins to see the naïveté of his views of the war , especially after a quick search for enemy troops devolves into a round of murder and rape. Unlike Hollywood's first wave of Vietnam movies ( including The Deer Hunter , Apocalypse Now , and Coming Home ), Platoon is a grunt's - eye view of the war , touching on moral issues but focusing on the men who fought the battles and suffered the wounds. In this sense , it resembles older war movies more than its Vietnam peers , as it mixes familiar elements of onscreen battle with small realistic details : bugs , jungle rot , exhaustion , C - rations , marijuana , and counting the days before you go home. This mix of traditional war movie elements with a contemporary sensibility won Platoon four Oscars including Best Picture and Best Director , and a reputation as one of the definitive modern war films.
0414
The first of two consecutive films to see director Peter Weir team with Mel Gibson (the other being The Year of Living Dangerously) Gallipoli follows two idealistic young friends Frank (Gibson) and Archy (Mark Lee) who join the Australian army during World War I and fight the doomed Battle of Gallipoli in Turkey. The first half of the film documents the lives of the young men in Australia detailing their personalities and beliefs. The second half of the movie chronicles the ill-fated and ill-planned battle where the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps is hopelessly outmatched by the enemy forces. Gallipoli was the recipient of eight prizes at the 1981 Australian Film Institute Awards.
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The first of two consecutive films to see director Peter Weir team with Mel Gibson ( the other being The Year of Living Dangerously ), Gallipoli follows two idealistic young friends , Frank ( Gibson ) and Archy ( Mark Lee ), who join the Australian army during World War I and fight the doomed Battle of Gallipoli in Turkey. The first half of the film documents the lives of the young men in Australia , detailing their personalities and beliefs. The second half of the movie chronicles the ill - fated and ill - planned battle , where the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps is hopelessly outmatched by the enemy forces. Gallipoli was the recipient of eight prizes at the 1981 Australian Film Institute Awards.
0415
A startling examination of the Bosnian war of the mid-1990s and the role of journalists in covering it this film was based on real-life journalist Michael Nicholson's book Natasha's Story. Like Nicholson cynical journalist Henderson (Stephen Dillane) is one of the rat pack of reporters looking for gore in the streets of besieged Sarajevo. He is outraged when grandstanding reporter Flynn (Woody Harrelson) helps local citizens remove the corpse of a mother gunned down on a family outing. But the next day Henderson is among the journalist vultures at a grisly scene and he has to tell a little girl that both her parents were killed. When his story is demoted by his television network in favor of a celebrity puff piece Henderson is angry. At the behest of his producer Jane Carson (Kerry Fox) he visits a local orphanage. Henderson becomes deeply involved with the plight of the children and starts documenting their individual stories even as his employers express increasing disinterest. Henderson campaigns to get the kids out of Yugoslavia with the help of an American aid worker Nina (Marisa Tomei). He promises a girl named Emira (Emira Nusevic) that he'll take her back to his home in England. To make good on his vow he must risk both his career and his life. He adopts the child and she is happy in England. But he must return to war-torn Sarajevo when her birth mother who had abandoned her demands her daughter back.
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A startling examination of the Bosnian war of the mid - 1990s and the role of journalists in covering it , this film was based on real - life journalist Michael Nicholson's book Natasha's Story . Like Nicholson , cynical journalist Henderson ( Stephen Dillane ) is one of the rat pack of reporters looking for gore in the streets of besieged Sarajevo. He is outraged when grandstanding reporter Flynn ( Woody Harrelson ) helps local citizens remove the corpse of a mother gunned down on a family outing. But the next day , Henderson is among the journalist vultures at a grisly scene , and he has to tell a little girl that both her parents were killed. When his story is demoted by his television network in favor of a celebrity puff piece , Henderson is angry. At the behest of his producer , Jane Carson ( Kerry Fox ), he visits a local orphanage. Henderson becomes deeply involved with the plight of the children and starts documenting their individual stories even as his employers express increasing disinterest. Henderson campaigns to get the kids out of Yugoslavia , with the help of an American aid worker , Nina ( Marisa Tomei ) . He promises a girl named Emira ( Emira Nusevic ) that he'll take her back to his home in England. To make good on his vow , he must risk both his career and his life. He adopts the child and she is happy in England. But he must return to war - torn Sarajevo when her birth mother , who had abandoned her , demands her daughter back.
0416
ased on a novel by William Wharton A Midnight Clear is set in the Adriennes Forest in December of 1944. A group of American GIs all of whom have been together a bit too long cling to the vestiges of their peacetime interests to remain sane. None are brilliant soldiers though Will Knot Ethan Hawke is the one who exhibits the strongest leadership qualities. Billeted at a chateau the soldiers begin hearing strange noises emanating from a graveyard the handiwork of a group of mischievous German soldiers. The two enemy camps draw closer to one another as Christmas approaches due in great part to the influence of GI Vince "Mother" Wilkins Gary Sinise. A sudden impulsive hostile act results in the wholesale -- and unnecessary -- slaughter of the German soldiers. Though the exteriors are convincingly mid-European the film was actually lensed in Utah.
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Based on a novel by William Wharton , A Midnight Clear is set in the Adriennes Forest in December of 1944. A group of American GIs , all of whom have been together a bit too long , cling to the vestiges of their peacetime interests to remain sane. None are brilliant soldiers , though Will Knot Ethan Hawke is the one who exhibits the strongest leadership qualities. Billeted at a chateau , the soldiers begin hearing strange noises emanating from a graveyard , the handiwork of a group of mischievous German soldiers. The two enemy camps draw closer to one another as Christmas approaches , due in great part to the influence of GI Vince "Mother" Wilkins Gary Sinise . A sudden , impulsive hostile act results in the wholesale -- and unnecessary -- slaughter of the German soldiers. Though the exteriors are convincingly mid - European , the film was actually lensed in Utah.
0417
Star Gregory Peck went into MacArthur disliking the title character that he was slated to play but emerged from the experience with a deeper understanding and respect for this complex historical figure. The film is framed in flashback with an octogenarian General Douglas MacArthur (Peck) making his final address before his alma mater of West Point. We flash back to the fall of Corregidor in 1942 with MacArthur promising "I shall return" to the beleaguered (and eventually imprisoned) American and Filipino troops. The story follows MacArthur's subsequent victories in the South Pacific occasionally pausing to show us the General's omnipresent sense of "showmanship" (e.g. his wading ashore on the beaches of the Philippines for the benefit of the newsreel cameras). The greater part of the film involves MacArthur's attempts to restore dignity to the defeated postwar Japan and to keep the Russian Communists from overtaking the orient as they had Eastern Europe. MacArthur is eventually fired from his post by President Truman after the general defies orders during the Korean conflict. MacArthur was intended as Universal's "answer" to 20th Century-Fox's enormously successful Patton (1970) but box-office returns were disappointing.
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Star Gregory Peck went into MacArthur disliking the title character that he was slated to play , but emerged from the experience with a deeper understanding and respect for this complex historical figure. The film is framed in flashback , with an octogenarian General Douglas MacArthur ( Peck ) making his final address before his alma mater of West Point. We flash back to the fall of Corregidor in 1942 , with MacArthur promising "I shall return" to the beleaguered ( and eventually imprisoned ) American and Filipino troops. The story follows MacArthur's subsequent victories in the South Pacific , occasionally pausing to show us the General's omnipresent sense of "showmanship" ( e.g. his wading ashore on the beaches of the Philippines for the benefit of the newsreel cameras ) . The greater part of the film involves MacArthur's attempts to restore dignity to the defeated postwar Japan , and to keep the Russian Communists from overtaking the orient as they had Eastern Europe. MacArthur is eventually fired from his post by President Truman after the general defies orders during the Korean conflict. MacArthur was intended as Universal's "answer" to 20th Century - Fox's enormously successful Patton ( 1970 ), but box - office returns were disappointing.
0418
The guns of Navarone are huge Nazi cannons installed on an Aegean island behind enemy lines. Anthony Quayle is the officer assigned by the British to lead a task force to put the guns out of commission. When Quayle is injured the mission winds up in the relatively inexperienced hands of Gregory Peck. There's little love lost between Peck explosives expert David Niven and Greek patriot Anthony Quinn especially when it becomes known that there's a traitor in their midst. Resistance leader Irene Papas weeds out the traitor but there's still those guns to take care of. Filmed on location in Rhodes and distinguished by Oscar-winning special effects Guns of Navarone (based on Alistair MacLean's best-seller was a major box-office hit of 1961; less successful was the pared-down 1977 sequel Force Ten From Navarone.
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The guns of Navarone are huge Nazi cannons , installed on an Aegean island behind enemy lines. Anthony Quayle is the officer assigned by the British to lead a task force to put the guns out of commission. When Quayle is injured , the mission winds up in the relatively inexperienced hands of Gregory Peck . There's little love lost between Peck , explosives expert David Niven and Greek patriot Anthony Quinn , especially when it becomes known that there's a traitor in their midst. Resistance leader Irene Papas weeds out the traitor , but there's still those guns to take care of. Filmed on location in Rhodes and distinguished by Oscar - winning special effects , Guns of Navarone ( based on Alistair MacLean 's best - seller was a major box - office hit of 1961 ; less successful was the pared - down 1977 sequel , Force Ten From Navarone .
0419
Stanley Kubrick's return to filmmaking after a seven-year hiatus this film crystallizes the experience of the Vietnam War by concentrating on a group of raw Marine volunteers. Based on Gustav Hasford's novel The Short Timers the film's first half details the volunteers' harrowing boot-camp training under the profane power-saw guidance of drill instructor Sgt. Hartman (R. Lee Ermey a real-life drill instructor whose performance is one of the most terrifyingly realistic on record). Part two takes place in Nam as seen through the eyes of the now thoroughly indoctrinated marines. Ironically Full Metal Jacket was filmed almost entirely in England.
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Stanley Kubrick 's return to filmmaking after a seven - year hiatus , this film crystallizes the experience of the Vietnam War by concentrating on a group of raw Marine volunteers. Based on Gustav Hasford 's novel The Short Timers , the film's first half details the volunteers' harrowing boot - camp training under the profane , power - saw guidance of drill instructor Sgt. Hartman ( R. Lee Ermey , a real - life drill instructor whose performance is one of the most terrifyingly realistic on record ) . Part two takes place in Nam , as seen through the eyes of the now thoroughly indoctrinated marines. Ironically , Full Metal Jacket was filmed almost entirely in England.
0420
Samuel Fuller's valedictory war picture The Big Red One follows the First Infantry Division from Africa to Europe during the years 1942 through 1945. Lee Marvin portrays the division sergeant; he's tough and experienced to be sure but he takes on his job with cool professionalism rather than Hollywood bravado. Based on Fuller's own experiences the film is a loosely constructed series of anecdotes. Among them are an insane asylum under bombardment while the inmates applaud and a climactic vignette in which a very young concentration camp internee dies while a friendly soldier plays piggy-back with the boy.
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Samuel Fuller 's valedictory war picture , The Big Red One follows the First Infantry Division from Africa to Europe during the years 1942 through 1945. Lee Marvin portrays the division sergeant ; he's tough and experienced , to be sure , but he takes on his job with cool professionalism rather than Hollywood bravado. Based on Fuller's own experiences , the film is a loosely constructed series of anecdotes. Among them are an insane asylum under bombardment while the inmates applaud and a climactic vignette in which a very young concentration camp internee dies while a friendly soldier plays piggy - back with the boy.
0421
A soldier discovers how elusive the truth can be in this first major film about America's role in the Gulf War. Lt. Col. Nathaniel Serling (Denzel Washington) was the commander of a unit during Operation Desert Storm who mistakenly ordered the destruction of what he believed to be an enemy tank only to discover that it actually held U.S. soldiers including a close friend. Since then Serling has been an emotional wreck drinking heavily and allowing his marriage to teeter on the brink of collapse. As a means of redeeming himself Serling is given a new assignment by his superior Gen. Hershberg (Michael Moriarty). Capt. Karen Walden (Meg Ryan) was a helicopter pilot who died in battle during the Iraqi conflict and the White House has proposed that Walden be posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Serling is asked to investigate Walden's actions on the field of battle but he quickly discovers that no two stories about her are quite the same; Ilario (Matt Damon) says Walden acted heroically and sacrificed herself to save the others in her company while Monfriez (Lou Diamond Phillps) claims she was a coward who was attempting to surrender to enemy troops. Meanwhile reporter Tony Gartner (Scott Glenn) is hounding Serling trying to get the inside story on Walden and on Serling's own difficulties. Matt Damon lost 40 pounds to prepare for his role in Courage Under Fire which resulted in a potentially life-threatening illness for the young actor.
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A soldier discovers how elusive the truth can be in this first major film about America's role in the Gulf War. Lt. Col. Nathaniel Serling ( Denzel Washington ) was the commander of a unit during Operation Desert Storm who mistakenly ordered the destruction of what he believed to be an enemy tank , only to discover that it actually held U.S. soldiers , including a close friend. Since then , Serling has been an emotional wreck , drinking heavily and allowing his marriage to teeter on the brink of collapse. As a means of redeeming himself , Serling is given a new assignment by his superior , Gen. Hershberg ( Michael Moriarty ) . Capt. Karen Walden ( Meg Ryan ) was a helicopter pilot who died in battle during the Iraqi conflict , and the White House has proposed that Walden be posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Serling is asked to investigate Walden's actions on the field of battle , but he quickly discovers that no two stories about her are quite the same ; Ilario ( Matt Damon ) says Walden acted heroically and sacrificed herself to save the others in her company , while Monfriez ( Lou Diamond Phillps ) claims she was a coward who was attempting to surrender to enemy troops. Meanwhile , reporter Tony Gartner ( Scott Glenn ) is hounding Serling , trying to get the inside story on Walden and on Serling's own difficulties. Matt Damon lost 40 pounds to prepare for his role in Courage Under Fire , which resulted in a potentially life - threatening illness for the young actor.
0422
An expensive but enormously profitable war picture Where Eagles Dare centers upon a daring rescue and even more daring escape. Disguised as Nazi officers commandoes Maj. John Smith (Richard Burton) Lt. Morris Schaffer Clint Eastwood and six other courageous souls parachute behind enemy lines. Their mission: to rescue an American general held captive in a supposedly impenetrable Alpine castle. Aiding and abetting the commandoes are Allied undercover agents Mary (Mary Ure) and Heidi (Ingrid Pitt). Also on hand is a British officer (Patrick Wymark) who masterminded the mission. Somewhere somehow someone amongst the Allies is going to turn out to be a traitor. There's also a neat plot twist in store when the commandoes manage to reach the American general -- which leads to yet another twist. The vertigo-inducing climax has made Where Eagles Dare one of the most sought-after of "early" Eastwood starring features. The film was written directly for the screen by espionage novelist Alistair MacLean.
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An expensive but enormously profitable war picture , Where Eagles Dare centers upon a daring rescue and even more daring escape. Disguised as Nazi officers , commandoes Maj. John Smith ( Richard Burton ), Lt. Morris Schaffer Clint Eastwood and six other courageous souls parachute behind enemy lines. Their mission : to rescue an American general , held captive in a supposedly impenetrable Alpine castle. Aiding and abetting the commandoes are Allied undercover agents Mary ( Mary Ure ) and Heidi ( Ingrid Pitt ) . Also on hand is a British officer ( Patrick Wymark ), who masterminded the mission. Somewhere , somehow , someone amongst the Allies is going to turn out to be a traitor. There's also a neat plot twist in store when the commandoes manage to reach the American general -- which leads to yet another twist. The vertigo - inducing climax has made Where Eagles Dare one of the most sought - after of "early" Eastwood starring features. The film was written directly for the screen by espionage novelist Alistair MacLean .
0423
Von Ryan's Express is a fast-paced well-acted World War II drama featuring a squadron of Allied soldiers trying to escape a prison camp in Italy. While most of the prisoners at the camp are British a determined resourceful American Air Force colonel (Frank Sinatra) takes charge and leads the escape which requires that the prisoners wrest control of a German train and propel it through Italy to Switzerland. The subsequent ride featuring good special effects and outstanding stunt work is great fun and very suspenseful. Frank Sinatra makes an effective action hero aided by veteran actor Trevor Howard as a British officer. The CinemaScope photography is outstanding and director Mark Robson directs the exciting action sequences with skill.
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Von Ryan's Express is a fast - paced , well - acted World War II drama , featuring a squadron of Allied soldiers trying to escape a prison camp in Italy. While most of the prisoners at the camp are British , a determined , resourceful American Air Force colonel ( Frank Sinatra ) takes charge and leads the escape , which requires that the prisoners wrest control of a German train and propel it through Italy to Switzerland. The subsequent ride , featuring good special effects and outstanding stunt work , is great fun and very suspenseful. Frank Sinatra makes an effective action hero aided by veteran actor Trevor Howard as a British officer. The CinemaScope photography is outstanding and director Mark Robson directs the exciting action sequences with skill.
0424
Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence was the first English-language project of Japanese director Nagisa Oshima (Death by Hanging In the Realm of the Senses). In tune with his previous filmic essays on racism and brutality Merry Christmas concentrates on a war of wills between rebellious POW David Bowie and camp commandant Ryuichi Sakomoto. Assuming that his other prisoners' unwillingness to protest their cruel treatment is a sign of weakness Sakomoto is most impressed by Bowie's enigmatic defiance. While Bowie and Sakomoto seem to be operating on a high spiritual and intellectual plane bilingual prisoner Tom Conti (the "Mr. Lawrence" of the title) engages in a more standard adversarial relationship with sadistic sergeant Takeshi Kitano.
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Merry Christmas , Mr. Lawrence was the first English - language project of Japanese director Nagisa Oshima ( Death by Hanging , In the Realm of the Senses ) . In tune with his previous filmic essays on racism and brutality , Merry Christmas concentrates on a war of wills between rebellious POW David Bowie and camp commandant Ryuichi Sakomoto . Assuming that his other prisoners' unwillingness to protest their cruel treatment is a sign of weakness , Sakomoto is most impressed by Bowie's enigmatic defiance. While Bowie and Sakomoto seem to be operating on a high spiritual and intellectual plane , bilingual prisoner Tom Conti ( the "Mr. Lawrence" of the title ) engages in a more standard adversarial relationship with sadistic sergeant Takeshi Kitano .
0425
ased on J.G. Ballard's autobiographical novel Empire of the Sun stars Christian Bale as a spoiled young British boy living with his wealthy family in pre-World War II Shanghai. During the Japanese invasion Bale is separated from his parents. With the help of soldier-of-fortune John Malkovich Bale learns to survive without a retinue of servants at his beck and call. By the time Malkovich and Bale are tossed into a Japanese prison camp the boy has picked up enough street-smarts and developed enough intestinal fortitude to regard his imprisonment as an exciting adventure. The story ends during the 1945 liberation: on the verge of manhood the 13-year-old Bale will never again be the pampered privileged brat whom we met in the early scenes.
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Based on J.G. Ballard 's autobiographical novel , Empire of the Sun stars Christian Bale as a spoiled young British boy , living with his wealthy family in pre - World War II Shanghai. During the Japanese invasion , Bale is separated from his parents. With the help of soldier - of - fortune John Malkovich , Bale learns to survive without a retinue of servants at his beck and call. By the time Malkovich and Bale are tossed into a Japanese prison camp , the boy has picked up enough street - smarts and developed enough intestinal fortitude to regard his imprisonment as an exciting adventure. The story ends during the 1945 liberation : on the verge of manhood , the 13 - year - old Bale will never again be the pampered , privileged brat whom we met in the early scenes.
0426
Christopher Walken stars in John Irvin's graphic adaptation of Frederick Forsythe's novel about a mercenary sent to overthrow the government of an African country. Walken is Shannon an American soldier of fortune who has staged incidents in Central America and Africa that helped topple governments. Shannon decides to take on one more mission when American businessman Endean (Hugh Millais) working for a large mining company wanting to move into an African country hires Shannon to scout out the terrain of the country and see if the government is weak enough to be overthrown. Shannon assumes the guise of a photographer for a nature magazine and travels through the country meeting a wide-array of people. But the government becomes suspicious of Shannon and throws him in jail where between torture sessions he meets an imprisoned dissident leader. Through his imprisonment Shannon comes to understand more fully the struggles of the African country.
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Christopher Walken stars in John Irvin 's graphic adaptation of Frederick Forsythe's novel about a mercenary sent to overthrow the government of an African country. Walken is Shannon , an American soldier of fortune who has staged incidents in Central America and Africa that helped topple governments. Shannon decides to take on one more mission when American businessman Endean ( Hugh Millais ), working for a large mining company wanting to move into an African country , hires Shannon to scout out the terrain of the country and see if the government is weak enough to be overthrown. Shannon assumes the guise of a photographer for a nature magazine and travels through the country , meeting a wide - array of people. But the government becomes suspicious of Shannon and throws him in jail , where , between torture sessions , he meets an imprisoned dissident leader. Through his imprisonment , Shannon comes to understand more fully the struggles of the African country.
0427
Casualties of War was based on a New Yorker article by Daniel Lang. This in turn was inspired by a true incident which illustrated the dehumanizing aspects of the Vietnam experience. Michael J. Fox plays Eriksson a member of an American squadron stationed in the deepest jungles of Southeast Asia. Sean Penn co-stars as Meserve the squadron sergeant who vows revenge after his best friend is killed. He orders his men to invade a village and "requisition" a young Vietnamese girl (Thuy Thu Lee) who is repeatedly tied gagged and gang-raped. The horrified Eriksson refuses to participate in these atrocities and he does his best to console the girl and to attempt to free her. Before this can happen however Meserve orders another man to kill the girl. Once he returns to camp Eriksson attempts to file a report on the tragedy and to bring Meserve and the others to justice but he is stonewalled by the brass and threatened with death by his fellow soldiers. Eventually Meserve and his co-conspirators are jailed for their crimes but Eriksson can never forget his "compliance" in the incident by failing to save the girl. The script is by well-known playwright David Rabe.
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Casualties of War was based on a New Yorker article by Daniel Lang . This , in turn , was inspired by a true incident which illustrated the dehumanizing aspects of the Vietnam experience. Michael J. Fox plays Eriksson , a member of an American squadron stationed in the deepest jungles of Southeast Asia. Sean Penn co - stars as Meserve , the squadron sergeant , who vows revenge after his best friend is killed. He orders his men to invade a village and "requisition" a young Vietnamese girl ( Thuy Thu Lee ), who is repeatedly tied , gagged and gang - raped. The horrified Eriksson refuses to participate in these atrocities , and he does his best to console the girl and to attempt to free her. Before this can happen , however , Meserve orders another man to kill the girl. Once he returns to camp , Eriksson attempts to file a report on the tragedy and to bring Meserve and the others to justice , but he is stonewalled by the brass and threatened with death by his fellow soldiers. Eventually Meserve and his co - conspirators are jailed for their crimes , but Eriksson can never forget his "compliance" in the incident by failing to save the girl. The script is by well - known playwright David Rabe .
0428
It's late 1944 and the Allied armies are confident they'll win the World War II and be home in time for Christmas. What's needed says British general Bernard Law Montgomery is a knockout punch a bold strike through Holland where German troops are spread thin that will put the Allies into Germany. Paratroops led by British major general Robert Urquhart (Sean Connery) and American brigadier general James Gavin (Ryan O'Neal) will seize a thin road and five bridges through Holland into Germany with paratroops led by Lieutenant Col. John Frost (Sir Anthony Hopkins) holding the most critical bridge at a small town called Arnhem. Over this road shall pass combined forces led by British Lieutenant Gen. Brian Horrocks (Edward Fox) and British Lieutenant Col. Joe Vandeleur (Michael Caine). The plan requires precise timing so much so that one planner tells Lieutenant Gen. Frederick Browning (Dirk Bogarde) "Sir I think we may be going a bridge too far." The plan also has one critical flaw: Instead of a smattering of German soldiers the area around Arnhem is loaded with crack SS troops. Disaster ensues. Based on a book by historian Cornelius Ryan A Bridge Too Far is reminiscent of another movie based on a Ryan book The Longest Day. Like that movie it is loaded with more than 15 international stars including Sir Laurence Olivier Robert Redford Hardy Krueger Gene Hackman Maximilian Schell and Liv Ullman.
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It's late 1944 , and the Allied armies are confident they'll win the World War II and be home in time for Christmas. What's needed , says British general Bernard Law Montgomery , is a knockout punch , a bold strike through Holland , where German troops are spread thin , that will put the Allies into Germany. Paratroops led by British major general Robert Urquhart ( Sean Connery ) and American brigadier general James Gavin ( Ryan O'Neal ) will seize a thin road and five bridges through Holland into Germany , with paratroops led by Lieutenant Col. John Frost ( Sir Anthony Hopkins ) holding the most critical bridge at a small town called Arnhem. Over this road shall pass combined forces led by British Lieutenant Gen. Brian Horrocks ( Edward Fox ) and British Lieutenant Col. Joe Vandeleur ( Michael Caine ) . The plan requires precise timing , so much so that one planner tells Lieutenant Gen. Frederick Browning ( Dirk Bogarde ), "Sir , I think we may be going a bridge too far." The plan also has one critical flaw : Instead of a smattering of German soldiers , the area around Arnhem is loaded with crack SS troops. Disaster ensues. Based on a book by historian Cornelius Ryan , A Bridge Too Far is reminiscent of another movie based on a Ryan book , The Longest Day . Like that movie , it is loaded with more than 15 international stars , including Sir Laurence Olivier , Robert Redford , Hardy Krueger , Gene Hackman , Maximilian Schell , and Liv Ullman .
0429
ased on a true story Bat 21 follows the harrowing adventures of Lt. Colonel Iceal Hambleton (Gene Hackman) whose plane is shot down over enemy territory while on reconnaissance behind enemy lines in Vietnam. Because Hambleton used to call the shots from behind a desk he lacks combat survival experience and is forced to adapt while the enemy surrounds him on all sides. As the Air Force plans a risky rescue mission he is befriended by pilot Bartholomew Clark (Danny Glover) who can't land to pick up Hambleton due to the enemy activity but keeps him company by radio. Hambleton's plight takes a turn for the worse once the brass decide to execute an intensive bombing mission in the area whether or not they can rescue Hambleton. The colonel meanwhile confronted for the first time by the horrors of war begins to reassess his role in the bloodshed. An overlooked film at the time of its release Bat 21 is a smaller war picture that focuses on an ordinary man in an excruciating situation and how it ultimately changes his life.
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Based on a true story , Bat 21 follows the harrowing adventures of Lt. Colonel Iceal Hambleton ( Gene Hackman ), whose plane is shot down over enemy territory while on reconnaissance behind enemy lines in Vietnam. Because Hambleton used to call the shots from behind a desk , he lacks combat survival experience and is forced to adapt while the enemy surrounds him on all sides. As the Air Force plans a risky rescue mission , he is befriended by pilot Bartholomew Clark ( Danny Glover ), who can't land to pick up Hambleton due to the enemy activity but keeps him company by radio. Hambleton's plight takes a turn for the worse once the brass decide to execute an intensive bombing mission in the area , whether or not they can rescue Hambleton. The colonel , meanwhile , confronted for the first time by the horrors of war , begins to reassess his role in the bloodshed. An overlooked film at the time of its release , Bat 21 is a smaller war picture that focuses on an ordinary man in an excruciating situation , and how it ultimately changes his life.
0430
In this World War II action thriller American reconnaissance agents learn that a German submarine is sinking. The doomed ship carries an Enigma Machine a special coding device that allows high-level Axis forces to send messages that can't be read without a similar encryption mechanism. Obtaining a working Enigma device would be invaluable for the Allied war effort so a U.S. sub is sent out to rescue the machine. However German forces have already picked up the sub's distress signal and are en route to rescue their comrades. U-571 features a distinguished cast including Matthew McConaughey Bill Paxton Harvey Keitel and Jon Bon Jovi.
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In this World War II action thriller , American reconnaissance agents learn that a German submarine is sinking. The doomed ship carries an Enigma Machine , a special coding device that allows high - level Axis forces to send messages that can't be read without a similar encryption mechanism. Obtaining a working Enigma device would be invaluable for the Allied war effort , so a U.S. sub is sent out to rescue the machine. However , German forces have already picked up the sub's distress signal and are en route to rescue their comrades. U - 571 features a distinguished cast , including Matthew McConaughey , Bill Paxton , Harvey Keitel , and Jon Bon Jovi .
0431
Using relatively unknown actors first-time screenwriter-director Preston A. Whitmore II examines the effects of the Vietnam War on four black Marines sent on a doomed prisoner-of-war rescue mission. The four men are what's left of a platoon that's been decimated after landing behind enemy lines. In charge is Sergeant Barkley (Joe Morton) a no-nonsense Bible-quoting preacher who is leading three privates to find a POW camp in an abandoned temple. Cole Evans (Allen Payne) is an intellectual who is highly political racially proud and a devoted family man. Joe Brooks (Vonte Sweet) is a cheerful naïve and brave young soldier. Hoover Branche (Eddie Griffin) is a dope-smoking foul-mouthed rebel who hates the war and fights the sergeant constantly. They eventually are joined by a crazy bloodthirsty white soldier Pippins (Roger Floyd). Flashbacks reveal why each character joined the Marines. Pippins entered the recruiting office to escape rival gang members who were trying to kill him. Brooks enlisted to impress his girlfriend. Branche signed up after being fired from a meat-packing plant for stealing a ham that he used as admission to a party where he wanted to woo a girl. Evans enlisted because bigoted real estate agents prevented him from buying a decent home for his family in L.A. -- he intended to become a Marine officer so that he can get free housing.
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Using relatively unknown actors , first - time screenwriter - director Preston A. Whitmore II examines the effects of the Vietnam War on four black Marines sent on a doomed prisoner - of - war rescue mission. The four men are what's left of a platoon that's been decimated after landing behind enemy lines. In charge is Sergeant Barkley ( Joe Morton ), a no - nonsense , Bible - quoting preacher who is leading three privates to find a POW camp in an abandoned temple. Cole Evans ( Allen Payne ) is an intellectual who is highly political , racially proud , and a devoted family man. Joe Brooks ( Vonte Sweet ) is a cheerful , naïve , and brave young soldier. Hoover Branche ( Eddie Griffin ) is a dope - smoking , foul - mouthed rebel who hates the war and fights the sergeant constantly. They eventually are joined by a crazy , bloodthirsty white soldier , Pippins ( Roger Floyd ) . Flashbacks reveal why each character joined the Marines. Pippins entered the recruiting office to escape rival gang members who were trying to kill him. Brooks enlisted to impress his girlfriend. Branche signed up after being fired from a meat - packing plant for stealing a ham that he used as admission to a party where he wanted to woo a girl. Evans enlisted because bigoted real estate agents prevented him from buying a decent home for his family in L.A. -- he intended to become a Marine officer so that he can get free housing.
0432
A special group of navy divers is created when a disabled Nazi warship is discovered in a fjord in Norway. Commander Bolton (James Caan) is the Canadian expert designated to train the new unit. Their mission is to plant a bomb on the warship as it undergoes repairs. The hard-driving Bolton encounters resentment from the British soldiers he trains but he ultimately earns their respect as a leader. Their intense training operation is interrupted by an attack of Nazi paratroopers just before the unit leaves for Norway. Spectacular underwater photography is seen in this World War II adventure story based on an actual mission.
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A special group of navy divers is created when a disabled Nazi warship is discovered in a fjord in Norway. Commander Bolton ( James Caan ) is the Canadian expert designated to train the new unit. Their mission is to plant a bomb on the warship as it undergoes repairs. The hard - driving Bolton encounters resentment from the British soldiers he trains , but he ultimately earns their respect as a leader. Their intense training operation is interrupted by an attack of Nazi paratroopers just before the unit leaves for Norway. Spectacular underwater photography is seen in this World War II adventure story based on an actual mission.
0433
Scream is at once a slasher film and a tongue-in-cheek position paper on the "dead teenagers" movies of the late 1970s/early 1980s that plays as half-parody half-tribute. Sydney Prescott (Neve Campbell) is having a rough time lately: she's still getting over the brutal rape and murder of her mother a year ago and now one of her friends (Drew Barrymore) has been killed by a lunatic who harassed her with terrifying phone calls then stabbed her to death while wearing a Halloween costume. Soon Sydney is receiving similar phone calls quizzing her on the arcane details of such films as Friday the 13th and Prom Night and is attacked by the same cloaked maniac. With her father missing she has hardly anyone on her side except her best friend Tatum (Rose McGowan) and Tatum's brother Dewey (David Arquette) a half-bright cop. As for the murderer it could be any number of people: Syd's father; her cute but overly intense boyfriend Billy (Skeet Ullrich); Tatum's goofball boyfriend Stuart (Matthew Lillard); or Randy (Jamie Kennedy) who works at the local video store and seems to like horror movies just a little too much. Much like Halloween Scream spawned a series of sequels and inspired a large number of similar films -- its original working title Scary Movie became the title of the 2000 parody film by Damon Wayans.
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Scream is at once a slasher film and a tongue - in - cheek position paper on the "dead teenagers" movies of the late 1970s / early 1980s that plays as half - parody , half - tribute. Sydney Prescott ( Neve Campbell ) is having a rough time lately : she's still getting over the brutal rape and murder of her mother a year ago , and now one of her friends ( Drew Barrymore ) has been killed by a lunatic who harassed her with terrifying phone calls , then stabbed her to death while wearing a Halloween costume. Soon Sydney is receiving similar phone calls , quizzing her on the arcane details of such films as Friday the 13th and Prom Night , and is attacked by the same cloaked maniac. With her father missing , she has hardly anyone on her side except her best friend Tatum ( Rose McGowan ) and Tatum's brother Dewey ( David Arquette ), a half - bright cop. As for the murderer , it could be any number of people : Syd's father ; her cute but overly intense boyfriend Billy ( Skeet Ullrich ); Tatum's goofball boyfriend Stuart ( Matthew Lillard ); or Randy ( Jamie Kennedy ), who works at the local video store and seems to like horror movies just a little too much. Much like Halloween , Scream spawned a series of sequels and inspired a large number of similar films -- its original working title , Scary Movie , became the title of the 2000 parody film by Damon Wayans .
0434
The scene is a distant Arctic research station where a UFO has crashed. The investigating scientists discover that the circular craft has melted its way into the ice which has frozen up again. While attempting to recover the ship Captain Patrick Hendry (Kenneth Tobey) accidentally explodes the vessel but the pilot -- at least what seems to be the pilot -- remains frozen in a block of ice. The body is taken to base headquarters where it is inadvertently thawed out by an electric blanket. The alien attacks the soldier guarding him and escapes into the snowy wastes. An attack dog rips off the alien's arm whereupon Dr. Carrington (Robert Cornthwaite) discerns that "The Thing" (played by future Gunsmoke star James Arness!) is not animal but a member of the carrot family subsisting on blood. While the misguided Carrington attempts to spawn baby "Things" with the severed arm the parent creature wreaks murderous havoc all over the base. Female scientist Nikki (Margaret Sheridan) suggests that the best way to destroy a vegetable is to cook it. Over the protests of Carrington who wants to reason with the "visitor" (a very foolhardy notion as it turns out) the soldiers devise a devious method for stopping The Thing once and for all. This oversimplification of The Thing does not do full justice to the overall mood and tension of the piece nor does it convey the lifelike "business as usual" approach taken by the residents of the military base in dealing with something beyond their understanding. A superior blend of science fiction horror naturalistic dialogue and flesh-and-blood characterizations The Thing is a model of its kind.
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The scene is a distant Arctic research station , where a UFO has crashed. The investigating scientists discover that the circular craft has melted its way into the ice , which has frozen up again. While attempting to recover the ship , Captain Patrick Hendry ( Kenneth Tobey ) accidentally explodes the vessel , but the pilot -- at least , what seems to be the pilot -- remains frozen in a block of ice. The body is taken to base headquarters , where it is inadvertently thawed out by an electric blanket. The alien attacks the soldier guarding him and escapes into the snowy wastes. An attack dog rips off the alien's arm , whereupon Dr. Carrington ( Robert Cornthwaite ) discerns that "The Thing" ( played by future Gunsmoke star James Arness ! ) is not animal but a member of the carrot family , subsisting on blood. While the misguided Carrington attempts to spawn baby "Things" with the severed arm , the parent creature wreaks murderous havoc all over the base. Female scientist Nikki ( Margaret Sheridan ) suggests that the best way to destroy a vegetable is to cook it. Over the protests of Carrington , who wants to reason with the "visitor" ( a very foolhardy notion , as it turns out ), the soldiers devise a devious method for stopping The Thing once and for all. This oversimplification of The Thing does not do full justice to the overall mood and tension of the piece , nor does it convey the lifelike "business as usual" approach taken by the residents of the military base in dealing with something beyond their understanding. A superior blend of science fiction , horror , naturalistic dialogue , and flesh - and - blood characterizations , The Thing is a model of its kind.
0435
When unexpected radiation raises the dead a microcosm of Average America has to battle flesh-eating zombies in George A. Romero's landmark cheapie horror film. Siblings Johnny (Russ Streiner) and Barbara (Judith O'Dea) whine and pout their way through a graveside visit in a small Pennsylvania town but it all takes a turn for the worse when a zombie kills Johnny. Barbara flees to an isolated farmhouse where a group of people are already holed up. Bickering and panic ensue as the group tries to figure out how best to escape while hoards of undead converge on the house; news reports reveal that fire wards them off while a local sheriff-led posse discovers that if you "kill the brain you kill the ghoul." After a night of immolation and parricide one survivor is left in the house.... Romero's grainy black-and-white cinematography and casting of locals emphasize the terror lurking in ordinary life; as in Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds (1963) Romero's victims are not attacked because they did anything wrong and the randomness makes the attacks all the more horrifying. Nothing holds the key to salvation either whether it's family love or law. Topping off the existential dread is Romero's then-extreme use of gore as zombies nibble on limbs and viscera. Initially distributed by a Manhattan theater chain owner Night made for about 100000 dollars was dismissed as exploitation but after a 1969 re-release it began to attract favorable attention for scarily tapping into Vietnam-era uncertainty and nihilistic anxiety. By 1979 it had grossed over 12 million inspired a cycle of apocalyptic splatter films like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) and set the standard for finding horror in the mundane. However cheesy the film may look few horror movies reach a conclusion as desolately unsettling.
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When unexpected radiation raises the dead , a microcosm of Average America has to battle flesh - eating zombies in George A. Romero 's landmark cheapie horror film. Siblings Johnny ( Russ Streiner ) and Barbara ( Judith O'Dea ) whine and pout their way through a graveside visit in a small Pennsylvania town , but it all takes a turn for the worse when a zombie kills Johnny. Barbara flees to an isolated farmhouse where a group of people are already holed up. Bickering and panic ensue as the group tries to figure out how best to escape , while hoards of undead converge on the house ; news reports reveal that fire wards them off , while a local sheriff - led posse discovers that if you "kill the brain , you kill the ghoul." After a night of immolation and parricide , one survivor is left in the house.... Romero 's grainy black - and - white cinematography and casting of locals emphasize the terror lurking in ordinary life ; as in Alfred Hitchcock 's The Birds ( 1963 ), Romero 's victims are not attacked because they did anything wrong , and the randomness makes the attacks all the more horrifying. Nothing holds the key to salvation , either , whether it's family , love , or law. Topping off the existential dread is Romero 's then - extreme use of gore , as zombies nibble on limbs and viscera. Initially distributed by a Manhattan theater chain owner , Night , made for about 100 , 000 dollars , was dismissed as exploitation , but after a 1969 re - release , it began to attract favorable attention for scarily tapping into Vietnam - era uncertainty and nihilistic anxiety. By 1979 , it had grossed over 12 million , inspired a cycle of apocalyptic splatter films like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre ( 1974 ), and set the standard for finding horror in the mundane. However cheesy the film may look , few horror movies reach a conclusion as desolately unsettling.
0436
It was "The Night HE Came Home" warned the posters for John Carpenter's career-making horror smash. In Haddonfield IL on Halloween night 1963 six-year-old Michael Myers inexplicably slaughters his teenage sister. His psychiatrist Dr. Loomis (Donald Pleasence) can't penetrate Michael's psyche after years of institutionalization but he knows that when Myers escapes before Halloween in 1978 there is going to be hell to pay in Haddonfield. While Loomis heads to Haddonfield to alert police Myers spots bookish teenager Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) and follows her constantly appearing and vanishing as Laurie and her looser friends Lynda (P.J. Soles) and Annie (Nancy Loomis) make their Halloween plans. By nightfall the responsible Laurie is doing her own and Annie's babysitting jobs while Annie and Lynda frolic in the parent-free house across the street. But Annie and Lynda are not answering the phone and suspicious Laurie heads across the street to the darkened house to see what is going on....
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It was "The Night HE Came Home , " warned the posters for John Carpenter 's career - making horror smash. In Haddonfield , IL , on Halloween night 1963 , six - year - old Michael Myers inexplicably slaughters his teenage sister. His psychiatrist Dr. Loomis ( Donald Pleasence ) can't penetrate Michael's psyche after years of institutionalization , but he knows that , when Myers escapes before Halloween in 1978 , there is going to be hell to pay in Haddonfield. While Loomis heads to Haddonfield to alert police , Myers spots bookish teenager Laurie Strode ( Jamie Lee Curtis ) and follows her , constantly appearing and vanishing as Laurie and her looser friends Lynda ( P.J. Soles ) and Annie ( Nancy Loomis ) make their Halloween plans. By nightfall , the responsible Laurie is doing her own and Annie's babysitting jobs , while Annie and Lynda frolic in the parent - free house across the street. But Annie and Lynda are not answering the phone , and suspicious Laurie heads across the street to the darkened house to see what is going on....
0437
Novelist William Peter Blatty based his best-seller on the last known Catholic-sanctioned exorcism in the United States. Blatty transformed the little boy in the 1949 incident into a little girl named Regan played by 14-year-old Linda Blair. Suddenly prone to fits and bizarre behavior Regan proves quite a handful for her actress-mother Chris MacNeil (played by Ellen Burstyn although Blatty reportedly based the character on his next-door neighbor Shirley MacLaine). When Regan gets completely out of hand Chris calls in young priest Father Karras (Jason Miller) who becomes convinced that the girl is possessed by the Devil and that they must call in an exorcist: namely Father Merrin (Max von Sydow). His foe proves to be no run-of-the-mill demon and both the priest and the girl suffer numerous horrors during their struggles. The Exorcist received a theatrical rerelease in 2000 in a special edition that added 11 minutes of footage trimmed from the film's original release and digitally enhanced Chris Newman's Oscar-winning sound work.
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Novelist William Peter Blatty based his best - seller on the last known Catholic - sanctioned exorcism in the United States. Blatty transformed the little boy in the 1949 incident into a little girl named Regan , played by 14 - year - old Linda Blair . Suddenly prone to fits and bizarre behavior , Regan proves quite a handful for her actress - mother , Chris MacNeil ( played by Ellen Burstyn , although Blatty reportedly based the character on his next - door neighbor Shirley MacLaine ) . When Regan gets completely out of hand , Chris calls in young priest Father Karras ( Jason Miller ), who becomes convinced that the girl is possessed by the Devil and that they must call in an exorcist : namely , Father Merrin ( Max von Sydow ) . His foe proves to be no run - of - the - mill demon , and both the priest and the girl suffer numerous horrors during their struggles. The Exorcist received a theatrical rerelease in 2000 , in a special edition that added 11 minutes of footage trimmed from the film's original release and digitally enhanced Chris Newman 's Oscar - winning sound work.
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"In space no one can hear you scream." A close encounter of the third kind becomes a Jaws-style nightmare when an alien invades a spacecraft in Ridley Scott's sci-fi horror classic. On the way home from a mission for the Company the Nostromo's crew is woken up from hibernation by the ship's Mother computer to answer a distress signal from a nearby planet. Capt. Dallas's (Tom Skerritt) rescue team discovers a bizarre pod field but things get even stranger when a face-hugging creature bursts out of a pod and attaches itself to Kane (John Hurt). Over the objections of Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) science officer Ash (Ian Holm) lets Kane back on the ship. The acid-blooded incubus detaches itself from an apparently recovered Kane but an alien erupts from Kane's stomach and escapes. The alien starts stalking the humans pitting Dallas and his crew (and cat) against a malevolent killing machine that also has a protector in the nefarious Company.
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"In space , no one can hear you scream." A close encounter of the third kind becomes a Jaws - style nightmare when an alien invades a spacecraft in Ridley Scott 's sci - fi horror classic. On the way home from a mission for the Company , the Nostromo's crew is woken up from hibernation by the ship's Mother computer to answer a distress signal from a nearby planet. Capt. Dallas's ( Tom Skerritt ) rescue team discovers a bizarre pod field , but things get even stranger when a face - hugging creature bursts out of a pod and attaches itself to Kane ( John Hurt ) . Over the objections of Ripley ( Sigourney Weaver ), science officer Ash ( Ian Holm ) lets Kane back on the ship. The acid - blooded incubus detaches itself from an apparently recovered Kane , but an alien erupts from Kane's stomach and escapes. The alien starts stalking the humans , pitting Dallas and his crew ( and cat ) against a malevolent killing machine that also has a protector in the nefarious Company.
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John Carpenter's The Thing is both a remake of Howard Hawks' 1951 film of the same name and a re-adaptation of the John W. Campbell Jr. story "Who Goes There?" on which it was based. Carpenter's film is more faithful to Campbell's story than Hawks' version and also substantially more reliant on special effects provided in abundance by a team of over 40 technicians including veteran creature-effects artists Rob Bottin and Stan Winston. The film opens enigmatically with a Siberian Husky running through the Antarctic tundra chased by two men in a helicopter firing at it from above. Even after the dog finds shelter at an American research outpost the men in the helicopter (Norwegians from an outpost nearby) land and keep shooting. One of the Norwegians drops a grenade and blows himself and the helicopter to pieces; the other is shot dead in the snow by Garry (Donald Moffat) the American outpost captain. American helicopter pilot MacReady (Kurt Russell fresh from Carpenter's Escape From New York) and camp doctor Copper (Richard Dysart) fly off to find the Norwegian base and discover some pretty strange goings-on. The base is in ruins and the only occupants are a man frozen to a chair (having cut his own throat) and the burned remains of what could be one man or several men. In a side room Copper and MacReady find a coffin-like block of ice from which something has been recently cut. That night at the American base the Husky changes into the Thing and the Americans learn first-hand that the creature has the ability to mutate into anything it kills. For the rest of the film the men fight a losing (and very gory) battle against it never knowing if one of their own dwindling number is the Thing in disguise. Though resurrected as a cult favorite The Thing failed at the box office during its initial run possibly because of its release just two weeks after Steven Spielberg's warmly received E.T.The Extra-Terrestrial. Along with Ridley Scott's futuristic Alien The Thing helped stimulate a new wave of sci-fi horror films in which action and special effects wizardry were often seen as ends in themselves.
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John Carpenter 's The Thing is both a remake of Howard Hawks ' 1951 film of the same name and a re - adaptation of the John W. Campbell Jr. story "Who Goes There?" on which it was based. Carpenter 's film is more faithful to Campbell's story than Hawks ' version and also substantially more reliant on special effects , provided in abundance by a team of over 40 technicians , including veteran creature - effects artists Rob Bottin and Stan Winston . The film opens enigmatically with a Siberian Husky running through the Antarctic tundra , chased by two men in a helicopter firing at it from above. Even after the dog finds shelter at an American research outpost , the men in the helicopter ( Norwegians from an outpost nearby ) land and keep shooting. One of the Norwegians drops a grenade and blows himself and the helicopter to pieces ; the other is shot dead in the snow by Garry ( Donald Moffat ), the American outpost captain. American helicopter pilot MacReady ( Kurt Russell , fresh from Carpenter 's Escape From New York ) and camp doctor Copper ( Richard Dysart ) fly off to find the Norwegian base and discover some pretty strange goings - on. The base is in ruins , and the only occupants are a man frozen to a chair ( having cut his own throat ) and the burned remains of what could be one man or several men. In a side room , Copper and MacReady find a coffin - like block of ice from which something has been recently cut. That night at the American base , the Husky changes into the Thing , and the Americans learn first - hand that the creature has the ability to mutate into anything it kills. For the rest of the film the men fight a losing ( and very gory ) battle against it , never knowing if one of their own dwindling number is the Thing in disguise. Though resurrected as a cult favorite , The Thing failed at the box office during its initial run , possibly because of its release just two weeks after Steven Spielberg 's warmly received E.T.The Extra - Terrestrial . Along with Ridley Scott 's futuristic Alien , The Thing helped stimulate a new wave of sci - fi horror films in which action and special effects wizardry were often seen as ends in themselves.
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Tobe Hooper's influential cult classic continues the subgenre of horror films based on the life and "career" of Wisconsin serial killer Ed Gein which began with Alfred Hitchcock's own influential cult classic Psycho. When Sally Hardesty (Marilyn Burns) hears that the Texas cemetery where her grandfather is buried has been vandalized she gathers her wheelchair-bound brother Franklin (Paul A. Partain) and several other friends together to see if grandpa's remains are still in one piece. While in the area Sally and her friends decide to visit grandfather's old farmhouse. Unfortunately a family of homicidal slaughterhouse workers who take their job home with them have taken over the house next door. Included amongst the brood is Leatherface (Gunnar Hansen) a chainsaw-wielding human horror show who wears a face mask made out of human skin. Sally's friends are rapidly exterminated one-by-one by the next-door neighbors leaving only Sally left to fight off Leatherface and his clan.
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Tobe Hooper 's influential cult classic continues the subgenre of horror films based on the life and "career" of Wisconsin serial killer Ed Gein , which began with Alfred Hitchcock 's own influential cult classic Psycho . When Sally Hardesty ( Marilyn Burns ) hears that the Texas cemetery where her grandfather is buried has been vandalized , she gathers her wheelchair - bound brother Franklin ( Paul A. Partain ) and several other friends together to see if grandpa's remains are still in one piece. While in the area , Sally and her friends decide to visit grandfather's old farmhouse. Unfortunately , a family of homicidal slaughterhouse workers who take their job home with them have taken over the house next door. Included amongst the brood is Leatherface ( Gunnar Hansen ), a chainsaw - wielding human horror show who wears a face mask made out of human skin. Sally's friends are rapidly exterminated one - by - one by the next - door neighbors , leaving only Sally left to fight off Leatherface and his clan.
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"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" -- or rather a homicidal boy in Stanley Kubrick's eerie 1980 adaptation of Stephen King's horror novel. With wife Wendy (Shelley Duvall) and psychic son Danny (Danny Lloyd) in tow frustrated writer Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) takes a job as the winter caretaker at the opulently ominous mountain-locked Overlook Hotel so that he can write in peace. Before the Overlook is vacated for the Torrances the manager (Barry Nelson) informs Jack that a previous caretaker went crazy and slaughtered his family; Jack thinks it's no problem but Danny's "shining" hints otherwise. Settling into their routine Danny cruises through the empty corridors on his Big Wheel and plays in the topiary maze with Wendy while Jack sets up shop in a cavernous lounge with strict orders not to be disturbed. Danny's alter ego "Tony" however starts warning of "redrum" as Danny is plagued by more blood-soaked visions of the past and a blocked Jack starts visiting the hotel bar for a few visions of his own. Frightened by her husband's behavior and Danny's visit to the forbidding Room 237 Wendy soon discovers what Jack has really been doing in his study all day and what the hotel has done to Jack.
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"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" -- or , rather , a homicidal boy in Stanley Kubrick 's eerie 1980 adaptation of Stephen King 's horror novel. With wife Wendy ( Shelley Duvall ) and psychic son Danny ( Danny Lloyd ) in tow , frustrated writer Jack Torrance ( Jack Nicholson ) takes a job as the winter caretaker at the opulently ominous , mountain - locked Overlook Hotel so that he can write in peace. Before the Overlook is vacated for the Torrances , the manager ( Barry Nelson ) informs Jack that a previous caretaker went crazy and slaughtered his family ; Jack thinks it's no problem , but Danny's "shining" hints otherwise. Settling into their routine , Danny cruises through the empty corridors on his Big Wheel and plays in the topiary maze with Wendy , while Jack sets up shop in a cavernous lounge with strict orders not to be disturbed. Danny's alter ego , "Tony , " however , starts warning of "redrum" as Danny is plagued by more blood - soaked visions of the past , and a blocked Jack starts visiting the hotel bar for a few visions of his own. Frightened by her husband's behavior and Danny's visit to the forbidding Room 237 , Wendy soon discovers what Jack has really been doing in his study all day , and what the hotel has done to Jack.
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In Roman Polanski's first American film adapted from Ira Levin's horror bestseller a young wife comes to believe that her offspring is not of this world. Waifish Rosemary Woodhouse (Mia Farrow) and her struggling actor husband Guy (John Cassavetes) move into the Bramford an old New York City apartment building with an ominous reputation and only elderly residents. Neighbors Roman and Minnie Castevet (Sidney Blackmer and Ruth Gordon) soon come nosing around to welcome the Woodhouses to the building; despite Rosemary's reservations about their eccentricity and the weird noises that she keeps hearing Guy starts spending time with the Castevets. Shortly after Guy lands a plum Broadway role Minnie starts showing up with homemade chocolate mousse for Rosemary. When Rosemary becomes pregnant after a mousse-provoked nightmare of being raped by a beast the Castevets take a special interest in her welfare. As the sickened Rosemary becomes increasingly isolated she begins to suspect that the Castevets' circle is not what it seems. The diabolical truth is revealed only after Rosemary gives birth and the baby is taken away from her. Polanski's camerawork and Richard Sylbert's production design transform the realistic setting (shot on-location in Manhattan's Dakota apartment building) into a sinister projection of Rosemary's fears chillingly locating supernatural horror in the familiar by leaving the most grotesque frights to the viewer's imagination. This apocalyptic yet darkly comic paranoia about the hallowed institution of childbirth touched a nerve with late-'60s audiences feeling uneasy about traditional norms. Produced by B-horror maestro William Castle Rosemary's Baby became a critically praised hit winning Gordon an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. Inspiring a wave of satanic horror from The Exorcist (1973) to The Omen (1976) Rosemary's Baby helped usher in the genre's modern era by combining a supernatural story with Alfred Hitchcock's propensity for finding normality horrific.
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In Roman Polanski 's first American film , adapted from Ira Levin 's horror bestseller , a young wife comes to believe that her offspring is not of this world. Waifish Rosemary Woodhouse ( Mia Farrow ) and her struggling actor husband , Guy ( John Cassavetes ), move into the Bramford , an old New York City apartment building with an ominous reputation and only elderly residents. Neighbors Roman and Minnie Castevet ( Sidney Blackmer and Ruth Gordon ) soon come nosing around to welcome the Woodhouses to the building ; despite Rosemary's reservations about their eccentricity and the weird noises that she keeps hearing , Guy starts spending time with the Castevets. Shortly after Guy lands a plum Broadway role , Minnie starts showing up with homemade chocolate mousse for Rosemary. When Rosemary becomes pregnant after a mousse - provoked nightmare of being raped by a beast , the Castevets take a special interest in her welfare. As the sickened Rosemary becomes increasingly isolated , she begins to suspect that the Castevets' circle is not what it seems. The diabolical truth is revealed only after Rosemary gives birth , and the baby is taken away from her. Polanski 's camerawork and Richard Sylbert 's production design transform the realistic setting ( shot on - location in Manhattan's Dakota apartment building ) into a sinister projection of Rosemary's fears , chillingly locating supernatural horror in the familiar by leaving the most grotesque frights to the viewer's imagination. This apocalyptic yet darkly comic paranoia about the hallowed institution of childbirth touched a nerve with late - '60s audiences feeling uneasy about traditional norms. Produced by B - horror maestro William Castle , Rosemary's Baby became a critically praised hit , winning Gordon an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. Inspiring a wave of satanic horror from The Exorcist ( 1973 ) to The Omen ( 1976 ), Rosemary's Baby helped usher in the genre's modern era by combining a supernatural story with Alfred Hitchcock 's propensity for finding normality horrific.
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One of the most highly regarded haunted house films ever produced Robert Wise's The Haunting (based on Shirley Jackson's novel The Haunting of Hill House) weaves the dark tale of a questionably sane young woman and a sinister house which holds a terrifying past. Invited to join anthropologist Dr. Markway (Richard Johnson) ESP expert Theodora (Claire Bloom) and probable heir to the estate Luke Sanderson (Russ Tamblyn) in order to dispel the near mythical tales that surround the house unstable Eleanor Vance (Julie Harris) agrees to spend a few nights in the house following the death of her mother. As they slowly begin to discover the horrific and seemingly unbelievable tales may hold more truth than the skeptical guests might have previously expected. With a seemingly unstoppable supernatural force lurking in every shadow the probability of anyone escaping the evil clutch of the cursed mansion seems increasingly remote.
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One of the most highly regarded haunted house films ever produced , Robert Wise 's The Haunting ( based on Shirley Jackson 's novel The Haunting of Hill House ) weaves the dark tale of a questionably sane young woman and a sinister house which holds a terrifying past. Invited to join anthropologist Dr. Markway ( Richard Johnson ), ESP expert Theodora ( Claire Bloom ), and probable heir to the estate Luke Sanderson ( Russ Tamblyn ) in order to dispel the near mythical tales that surround the house , unstable Eleanor Vance ( Julie Harris ) agrees to spend a few nights in the house following the death of her mother. As they slowly begin to discover , the horrific and seemingly unbelievable tales may hold more truth than the skeptical guests might have previously expected. With a seemingly unstoppable supernatural force lurking in every shadow , the probability of anyone escaping the evil clutch of the cursed mansion seems increasingly remote.
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Considered fairly gruesome in its day the original 1958 The Fly looks like Mister Rogers' Neighborhood compared to this 1986 remake. Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis star as Seth Brundle a self-involved research scientist and Veronica Quaife a science-magazine reporter. Inviting Veronica to his lab Seth prepares to demonstrate his "telepod" which can theoretically transfer matter through space. As they grow closer over the next few weeks she inadvertently goads Seth into experimenting with human beings rather than inanimate objects. Seth himself enters the telepod preparing to transmit himself through the ether -- but he doesn't know that he is sharing the telepod with a tiny housefly.
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Considered fairly gruesome in its day , the original 1958 The Fly looks like Mister Rogers' Neighborhood compared to this 1986 remake. Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis star as Seth Brundle , a self - involved research scientist , and Veronica Quaife , a science - magazine reporter. Inviting Veronica to his lab , Seth prepares to demonstrate his "telepod , " which can theoretically transfer matter through space. As they grow closer over the next few weeks , she inadvertently goads Seth into experimenting with human beings rather than inanimate objects. Seth himself enters the telepod , preparing to transmit himself through the ether -- but he doesn't know that he is sharing the telepod with a tiny housefly.
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ased on Montague R. James' classic shiver tale Casting the Runes Curse of the Demon (aka Night of the Demon) is an exercise in psychological terror. American Professor Dana Andrews investigates a devil-worshipping cult active in England. The cult has apparently been responsible for more than one death in recent months and it's all the handiwork of the group's leader an Aleister Crowley type played by Niall MacGinnis. When Andrews comes too close to MacGinnis for comfort the devil worshipper slips a ancient parchment into Andrews' research files. The document carries a curse that will mean death for whoever possesses it.
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Based on Montague R. James ' classic shiver tale Casting the Runes , Curse of the Demon ( aka Night of the Demon ) is an exercise in psychological terror. American Professor Dana Andrews investigates a devil - worshipping cult active in England. The cult has apparently been responsible for more than one death in recent months , and it's all the handiwork of the group's leader , an Aleister Crowley type played by Niall MacGinnis . When Andrews comes too close to MacGinnis for comfort , the devil worshipper slips a ancient parchment into Andrews' research files. The document carries a curse that will mean death for whoever possesses it.
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This classic horror movie based on Stephen King's first novel stars Sissy Spacek as Carrie White a shy diffident teenager who is the butt of practical jokes at her small-town high school. Her blind panic at her first menstruation a result of ignorance and religious guilt drummed into her by her fanatical mother Margaret (Piper Laurie) only causes her classmates' vicious cruelty to escalate despite the attentions of her overly solicitous gym teacher (Betty Buckley). Finally when the venomous Chris Hargenson (Nancy Allen) engineers a reprehensible prank at the school prom Carrie lashes out in a horrifying display of her heretofore minor telekinetic powers. Many films had featured school bullies but Carrie was one of the first to focus on the special brand of cruelty unique to teenage girls. Carrie's world is presented as a snake pit where the well-to-do female students all have fangs -- even the reticent Sue Snell (Amy Irving) -- and all the males are blind pawns sexually twisted around the fingers of Chris and her evil cronies. The talented supporting cast includes John Travolta P.J. Soles and William Katt. One of the genre's true classics the film was followed by a sequel in 1999 as well as by a famously unsuccessful Broadway musical adaptation that starred Betty Buckley the movie's gym teacher as Margaret White.
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This classic horror movie based on Stephen King 's first novel stars Sissy Spacek as Carrie White , a shy , diffident teenager who is the butt of practical jokes at her small - town high school. Her blind panic at her first menstruation , a result of ignorance and religious guilt drummed into her by her fanatical mother , Margaret ( Piper Laurie ), only causes her classmates' vicious cruelty to escalate , despite the attentions of her overly solicitous gym teacher ( Betty Buckley ) . Finally , when the venomous Chris Hargenson ( Nancy Allen ) engineers a reprehensible prank at the school prom , Carrie lashes out in a horrifying display of her heretofore minor telekinetic powers. Many films had featured school bullies , but Carrie was one of the first to focus on the special brand of cruelty unique to teenage girls. Carrie's world is presented as a snake pit , where the well - to - do female students all have fangs -- even the reticent Sue Snell ( Amy Irving ) -- and all the males are blind pawns , sexually twisted around the fingers of Chris and her evil cronies. The talented supporting cast includes John Travolta , P.J. Soles , and William Katt . One of the genre's true classics , the film was followed by a sequel in 1999 , as well as by a famously unsuccessful Broadway musical adaptation that starred Betty Buckley , the movie's gym teacher , as Margaret White.
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ig-budget special effects swiftly paced action and a distinct feminist subtext from writer/director James Cameron turned what should have been a by-the-numbers sci-fi sequel into both a blockbuster and a seven-time Oscar nominee. Sigourney Weaver returns as Ellen Ripley the last surviving crew member of a corporate spaceship destroyed after an attack by a vicious virtually unbeatable alien life form. Adrift in space for half a century Ripley grapples with depression until she's informed by her company's representative Carter Burke (Paul Reiser) that the planet where her crew discovered the alien has since been settled by colonists. Contact with the colony has suddenly been lost and a detachment of colonial marines is being sent to investigate. Invited along as an advisor Ripley predicts disaster and sure enough the aliens have infested the colony leaving a sole survivor the young girl Newt (Carrie Henn). With the soldiers picked off one by one a final all-female showdown brews between the alien queen and Ripley who's become a surrogate mother to Newt. Several future stars made early career appearances in Aliens (1986) including Lance Henriksen Bill Paxton and Reiser.
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Big - budget special effects , swiftly paced action , and a distinct feminist subtext from writer / director James Cameron turned what should have been a by - the - numbers sci - fi sequel into both a blockbuster and a seven - time Oscar nominee. Sigourney Weaver returns as Ellen Ripley , the last surviving crew member of a corporate spaceship destroyed after an attack by a vicious , virtually unbeatable alien life form. Adrift in space for half a century , Ripley grapples with depression until she's informed by her company's representative , Carter Burke ( Paul Reiser ) that the planet where her crew discovered the alien has since been settled by colonists. Contact with the colony has suddenly been lost , and a detachment of colonial marines is being sent to investigate. Invited along as an advisor , Ripley predicts disaster , and sure enough , the aliens have infested the colony , leaving a sole survivor , the young girl Newt ( Carrie Henn ) . With the soldiers picked off one by one , a final all - female showdown brews between the alien queen and Ripley , who's become a surrogate mother to Newt. Several future stars made early career appearances in Aliens ( 1986 ), including Lance Henriksen , Bill Paxton , and Reiser .
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Spanish filmmaker Alejandro Amenabar's first English-language production is a creepy period ghost story that continues in the vein of his earlier art house hit Open Your Eyes (1997). Nicole Kidman stars as Grace a devoutly religious mother of two ailing children who has moved with her family to a mansion on the English coast while awaiting her husband's return from World War II though he has been declared missing. Their children Anne (Alakina Mann) and Nicholas (James Bentley) both suffer from a rare photosensitivity disease that renders them extremely vulnerable to sunlight prompting Grace's rule of having only one door open in the house at a time. When Anne begins claiming to see ghosts Grace at first believes her newly arrived family of eccentric servants to be responsible but chilling events and visions soon lead her to believe that something supernatural is indeed going on. The Others was released only a few months prior to Vanilla Sky (2001) the American remake of Alejandro's Open Your Eyes (1997) ironically starring Kidman's then-estranged husband Tom Cruise.
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Spanish filmmaker Alejandro Amenabar 's first English - language production is a creepy period ghost story that continues in the vein of his earlier art house hit Open Your Eyes ( 1997 ) . Nicole Kidman stars as Grace , a devoutly religious mother of two ailing children who has moved with her family to a mansion on the English coast while awaiting her husband's return from World War II , though he has been declared missing. Their children , Anne ( Alakina Mann ) and Nicholas ( James Bentley ), both suffer from a rare photosensitivity disease that renders them extremely vulnerable to sunlight , prompting Grace's rule of having only one door open in the house at a time. When Anne begins claiming to see ghosts , Grace at first believes her newly arrived family of eccentric servants to be responsible , but chilling events and visions soon lead her to believe that something supernatural is indeed going on. The Others was released only a few months prior to Vanilla Sky ( 2001 ), the American remake of Alejandro 's Open Your Eyes ( 1997 ), ironically starring Kidman 's then - estranged husband Tom Cruise .
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Combining Hi-8 video with black-and-white 16 mm film this film presents a raw look at what can happen when college students forego common sense and enter the world of voodoo and witchcraft. Presented as a straightforward documentary the film opens with a title card explaining that in 1994 three students went into the Maryland back woods to do a film project on the Blair Witch incidents. These kids were never seen again and the film you are about to see is from their recovered equipment found in the woods a year later. The entire movie documents their adventures leading up to their final minutes. The Blair Witch incident as we initially learn from the local town elders is an old legend about a group of witches who tortured and killed several children many years ago. Everyone in town knows the story and they're all sketchy on the details. Out in the woods and away from their parked car (and civilization) what starts as a school exercise turns into a nightmare when the three kids lose their map. Forced to spend extra days finding their way out the kids then start to hear horrific sounds outside their tents in the pitch-black middle of night. They also find strange artifacts from (what can only be) the Blair Witch still living in the woods. Frightened they desperately try to find their way out of the woods with no luck. Slowly these students start to unravel knowing they have no way of getting out no food and it's getting cold. Each night they are confronted with shrieking and sounds so haunting that they are convinced someone is following them and they quickly begin to fear for their lives. The film premiered in the midnight movie section at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival.
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Combining Hi - 8 video with black - and - white 16 mm film , this film presents a raw look at what can happen when college students forego common sense and enter the world of voodoo and witchcraft. Presented as a straightforward documentary , the film opens with a title card explaining that in 1994 , three students went into the Maryland back woods to do a film project on the Blair Witch incidents. These kids were never seen again , and the film you are about to see is from their recovered equipment , found in the woods a year later. The entire movie documents their adventures leading up to their final minutes. The Blair Witch incident , as we initially learn from the local town elders , is an old legend about a group of witches who tortured and killed several children many years ago. Everyone in town knows the story and they're all sketchy on the details. Out in the woods and away from their parked car ( and civilization ), what starts as a school exercise turns into a nightmare when the three kids lose their map. Forced to spend extra days finding their way out , the kids then start to hear horrific sounds outside their tents in the pitch - black middle of night. They also find strange artifacts from ( what can only be ) the Blair Witch , still living in the woods. Frightened , they desperately try to find their way out of the woods , with no luck. Slowly these students start to unravel , knowing they have no way of getting out , no food , and it's getting cold. Each night they are confronted with shrieking and sounds so haunting that they are convinced someone is following them , and they quickly begin to fear for their lives. The film premiered in the midnight movie section at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival .
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This Russian film adaptation of Nikolai Gogol's story was for a long time the only horror film made in the Soviet Union. Khoma (Leonid Kuravlev) a young novice travels across the countryside and stays for a night in a barn that belongs to an ugly old woman. When she attacks him at night and takes him for a broom ride the scared novice fatally wounds her and before she dies she turns into a beautiful young noblewoman (Natalya Varley). The latter leaves a will according to which Khoma should pray for her for three nights in the chapel until her body is buried. At night the witch rises from the coffin and tries to catch Khoma. She flies around but she can't reach him or see him because he stays inside the circle that he has drawn around himself. During the third and last night the witch makes the last attempt to scare him out of the circle and she calls all sorts of ugly creatures to help her... Gogol wrote several stories based on Ukrainian folklore many of them dealing with the Devil and the supernatural.
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This Russian film adaptation of Nikolai Gogol's story was for a long time the only horror film made in the Soviet Union. Khoma ( Leonid Kuravlev ), a young novice , travels across the countryside and stays for a night in a barn that belongs to an ugly old woman. When she attacks him at night and takes him for a broom ride , the scared novice fatally wounds her , and before she dies , she turns into a beautiful young noblewoman ( Natalya Varley ) . The latter leaves a will , according to which Khoma should pray for her for three nights in the chapel until her body is buried. At night , the witch rises from the coffin and tries to catch Khoma. She flies around but she can't reach him or see him because he stays inside the circle that he has drawn around himself. During the third and last night , the witch makes the last attempt to scare him out of the circle , and she calls all sorts of ugly creatures to help her... Gogol wrote several stories based on Ukrainian folklore , many of them dealing with the Devil and the supernatural.
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This surreal variant on the classic vampire tale is the directorial debut of Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro who garnered international acclaim and several awards. The film tells the story of elderly antique dealer Jesus Gris (Federico Luppi in a role originally written for Max Von Sydow) who with his eight-year-old granddaughter Aurora (Tamara Shanath) discovers an ancient artifact secreted within a statue obtained from the estate of a 16th-century alchemist. Unbeknownst to Gris the device -- which resembles an ornate gilded mechanical beetle -- houses an immortal parasite which will grant eternal life to its host. Naturally there is a terrible price for this gift which Gris is doomed to discover after the object anchors itself to his body. He begins to develop an extreme aversion to daylight as well as an agonizing thirst for human blood. To compound matters dying millionaire Dieter de la Guardia (Claudio Brook) has learned of the device's existence -- thanks to an occult tome obtained from its inventor -- and wishes to obtain it for his own use. To this end he employs his vain brutish nephew Angel (Ron Perlman) to retrieve it for him. Angel's techniques are less than subtle and he inevitably winds up killing Gris in his futile search for the artifact... but death is not permanent for the host of the Cronos and he rises from the mortuary slab to reunite with the long-suffering Aurora. Together they confront de la Guardia and his nephew one last time hoping to find a way to reverse the horrible process before Gris suffers the same monstrous fate as the device's creator.
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This surreal variant on the classic vampire tale is the directorial debut of Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro , who garnered international acclaim and several awards. The film tells the story of elderly antique dealer Jesus Gris ( Federico Luppi , in a role originally written for Max Von Sydow ) who , with his eight - year - old granddaughter Aurora ( Tamara Shanath ), discovers an ancient artifact secreted within a statue obtained from the estate of a 16th - century alchemist. Unbeknownst to Gris , the device -- which resembles an ornate , gilded mechanical beetle -- houses an immortal parasite which will grant eternal life to its host. Naturally , there is a terrible price for this gift , which Gris is doomed to discover after the object anchors itself to his body. He begins to develop an extreme aversion to daylight , as well as an agonizing thirst for human blood. To compound matters , dying millionaire Dieter de la Guardia ( Claudio Brook ) has learned of the device's existence -- thanks to an occult tome obtained from its inventor -- and wishes to obtain it for his own use. To this end he employs his vain , brutish nephew Angel ( Ron Perlman ) to retrieve it for him. Angel's techniques are less than subtle , and he inevitably winds up killing Gris in his futile search for the artifact... but death is not permanent for the host of the Cronos , and he rises from the mortuary slab to reunite with the long - suffering Aurora. Together they confront de la Guardia and his nephew one last time , hoping to find a way to reverse the horrible process before Gris suffers the same monstrous fate as the device's creator.
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For Werner Herzog's 1979 remake of F.W. Murnau's classic 1922 silent horror-fest Nosferatu star Klaus Kinski adopts the same makeup style used by Murnau's leading man Max Schreck. Yet in the Herzog version the crucial difference is that Nosferatu becomes more and more decayed and desiccated as the film progresses. Essentially a retelling of Bram Stoker's Dracula Nosferatu the Vampyre traces the blood-sucking progress of the count as he takes over a small German village then attempts to spread his influence and activities to the rest of the world. All that prevents Dracula from continuing his demonic practices is the self-sacrifice of Lucy Harker played by Isabelle Adjani. Director Werner Herzog used the story to parallel the rise of Nazism. The film was lensed in the Dutch towns of Delft and Scheiberg. Nosferatu the Vampyre was filmed in both an English and a German-speaking version; the latter runs 11 minutes longer.
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For Werner Herzog 's 1979 remake of F.W. Murnau 's classic 1922 silent horror - fest Nosferatu , star Klaus Kinski adopts the same makeup style used by Murnau 's leading man Max Schreck . Yet in the Herzog version , the crucial difference is that Nosferatu becomes more and more decayed and desiccated as the film progresses. Essentially a retelling of Bram Stoker 's Dracula , Nosferatu the Vampyre traces the blood - sucking progress of the count as he takes over a small German village , then attempts to spread his influence and activities to the rest of the world. All that prevents Dracula from continuing his demonic practices is the self - sacrifice of Lucy Harker , played by Isabelle Adjani . Director Werner Herzog used the story to parallel the rise of Nazism. The film was lensed in the Dutch towns of Delft and Scheiberg. Nosferatu the Vampyre was filmed in both an English and a German - speaking version ; the latter runs 11 minutes longer.
0453
In this 1961 William Castle film based on Ray Russell's novel Sardonicus Guy Rolfe stars as the wicked Sardonicus a wealthy count who wears a mask because his face is frozen in a horrifying death grimace. Ronald Lewis stars as Sir Robert Cargrave a brilliant doctor who is at the top of his field in the early 20th century. A curious letter from his former love Maude (Audrey Dalton) draws him to Europe where she lives in a remote castle with her brooding husband his badly scarred but dedicated man-servant Krull (Oscar Homolka) and a frightened housekeeper whom Sir Robert finds tied up and covered with leeches. The good doctor soon discovers the truth behind the leeches...and the true nature of his visit when Sardonicus reveals his terrible story: He dug up his father's grave in search of a winning lottery ticket and upon seeing the corpse his face muscles froze leaving him looking like a living skull. Dangling Maude as his ransom Sardonicus forces Sir Robert into attempting a radical treatment to make his face normal again but even when it is a success the evil Sardonicus can find no cure from the curse of his father's desecrated corpse. Castle appears in the climax to offer viewers an opportunity to afford additional punishment on Sardonicus which leads to a satisfying conclusion.
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In this 1961 William Castle film based on Ray Russell 's novel Sardonicus , Guy Rolfe stars as the wicked Sardonicus , a wealthy count who wears a mask because his face is frozen in a horrifying death grimace. Ronald Lewis stars as Sir Robert Cargrave , a brilliant doctor who is at the top of his field in the early 20th century. A curious letter from his former love , Maude ( Audrey Dalton ), draws him to Europe where she lives in a remote castle with her brooding husband , his badly scarred , but dedicated man - servant , Krull ( Oscar Homolka ), and a frightened housekeeper whom Sir Robert finds tied up and covered with leeches. The good doctor soon discovers the truth behind the leeches...and the true nature of his visit when Sardonicus reveals his terrible story : He dug up his father's grave in search of a winning lottery ticket , and upon seeing the corpse , his face muscles froze leaving him looking like a living skull. Dangling Maude as his ransom , Sardonicus forces Sir Robert into attempting a radical treatment to make his face normal again , but even when it is a success , the evil Sardonicus can find no cure from the curse of his father's desecrated corpse. Castle appears in the climax to offer viewers an opportunity to afford additional punishment on Sardonicus which leads to a satisfying conclusion.
0454
Homicidal represents producer/director William Castle's slant on Hitchcock's Psycho. The film concerns a young woman named Miriam Webster (Patricia Breslin) who seemingly has everything a girl could want - including a successful flower shop business and a handsome beau Karl (Glenn Corbett) who works as a pharmacist. Events take a turn for the worse however when Miriam's half-brother Warren returns from Europe - with a rather unpleasant friend in-tow: a blonde named Emily (Jean Arless). Emily promptly sets about destroying Miriam's life: the newcomer attempts to wheedle Karl away from Miriam then rips the flower shop to pieces then ultimately reveals a little taste for knife-wielding that directly threatens Miriam's safety. Like The Tingler and other Castle outings this one originally featured a gimmick preserved in the video release: a "fright-break" just prior to the climax which allowed terrified audience members approximately 45 seconds to get out of their seats and leave the theater - to avoid the prospect of being "frightened to death." One look at Jean Arless's credit in the cast listing betrays the final twist in this one directly (and unapologetically) lifted by Castle from Psycho.
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Homicidal represents producer / director William Castle 's slant on Hitchcock 's Psycho . The film concerns a young woman named Miriam Webster ( Patricia Breslin ) who seemingly has everything a girl could want - including a successful flower shop business , and a handsome beau , Karl ( Glenn Corbett ), who works as a pharmacist. Events take a turn for the worse , however , when Miriam's half - brother , Warren , returns from Europe - with a rather unpleasant friend in - tow : a blonde named Emily ( Jean Arless ) . Emily promptly sets about destroying Miriam's life : the newcomer attempts to wheedle Karl away from Miriam , then rips the flower shop to pieces , then ultimately reveals a little taste for knife - wielding that directly threatens Miriam's safety. Like The Tingler and other Castle outings , this one originally featured a gimmick , preserved in the video release : a "fright - break" just prior to the climax , which allowed terrified audience members approximately 45 seconds to get out of their seats and leave the theater - to avoid the prospect of being "frightened to death." One look at Jean Arless 's credit in the cast listing betrays the final twist in this one , directly ( and unapologetically ) lifted by Castle from Psycho .
0455
A young woman's unplanned visit to an abandoned village awakens a deadly ancient evil in director Amando De Ossorio's eerie graphic horror flick that spawned a trio of lesser sequels. While vacationing with a male friend named Roger (Cesar Burner) pretty Virginia (Elena Arpon aka "Helen Harp\") runs into her old girlfriend Betty (Lone Fleming) with whom she once shared an intimate experience. At Roger's insistence -- and to Virginia's annoyance -- Betty joins the couple on a train excursion. Virginia decides to jump off the train and camp out in the solitary village of Berzano. She discovers the place is a ghost town but as night closes in evil Templar knights rise from their graves to kill her and to drink her blood. The next day Betty and Roger begin searching for their friend but are shocked when a detective (Rufino Ingles) takes them to identify her brutalized corpse. Their investigation leads them to a local expert Professor Cantell (Francisco Sanz) who explains the terrifying legend of the Templars: 13th century Satan-worshipping knights who were executed and had their eyes plucked out by crows. Meanwhile Virginia's corpse rises from the dead and kills a morgue attendant before being torched by Betty's frightened assistant. Not wanting to believe Cantell's outrageous story Roger and Betty meet with the professor's son Pedro (Joseph Thelman) a suspect in Virginia's murder because of his criminal background. He agrees to help them stake out Berzano and find the real killer but as night arrives the blind Knights rise once again from their graves leading to murder and mayhem. Betty manages to escape and jumps on a passing train but it's all for nought as the horse-riding Templars catch up to the train and continue their bloody rampage.
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A young woman's unplanned visit to an abandoned village awakens a deadly ancient evil in director Amando De Ossorio 's eerie , graphic horror flick that spawned a trio of lesser sequels. While vacationing with a male friend named Roger ( Cesar Burner ), pretty Virginia ( Elena Arpon aka " Helen Harp \ " ) runs into her old girlfriend , Betty ( Lone Fleming ), with whom she once shared an intimate experience. At Roger's insistence -- and to Virginia's annoyance -- Betty joins the couple on a train excursion. Virginia decides to jump off the train and camp out in the solitary village of Berzano. She discovers the place is a ghost town , but as night closes in , evil Templar knights rise from their graves to kill her and to drink her blood. The next day , Betty and Roger begin searching for their friend , but are shocked when a detective ( Rufino Ingles ) takes them to identify her brutalized corpse. Their investigation leads them to a local expert , Professor Cantell ( Francisco Sanz ), who explains the terrifying legend of the Templars : 13th century Satan - worshipping knights who were executed and had their eyes plucked out by crows. Meanwhile , Virginia's corpse rises from the dead and kills a morgue attendant before being torched by Betty's frightened assistant. Not wanting to believe Cantell's outrageous story , Roger and Betty meet with the professor's son , Pedro ( Joseph Thelman ), a suspect in Virginia's murder because of his criminal background. He agrees to help them stake out Berzano and find the real killer , but as night arrives , the blind Knights rise once again from their graves leading to murder and mayhem. Betty manages to escape and jumps on a passing train , but it's all for nought as the horse - riding Templars catch up to the train and continue their bloody rampage.
0456
Hardcore pornography sadomasochism mind control and living televisions all play crucial roles in Videodrome one of director David Cronenberg's explorations of dangerous sexuality and technological obsession. The morally questionable hero of the tale is one Max Renn (James Woods) a television executive searching for an intense new program for his sex-oriented network. He ultimately discovers an underground program called "Videodrome" which appears to broadcast pornographic snuff films of actual murders. Horrified but perversely intrigued Renn sets out to find the truth behind the program. During his search he meets alluring femme fatale Nicki (Blondie lead singer Debbie Harry) technology cult leader Bianca O'Blivion and other mysterious figures. Things become even more disturbing for Renn as his addiction grows and the program begins to infect the outside world -- or perhaps merely destroy own his sanity. Cronenberg mingles his cerebral concerns about the nature of reality in the video age with enough visceral gore (courtesy of Rick Baker) to satisfy the film's intended horror audience.
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Hardcore pornography , sadomasochism , mind control , and living televisions all play crucial roles in Videodrome , one of director David Cronenberg's explorations of dangerous sexuality and technological obsession. The morally questionable hero of the tale is one Max Renn ( James Woods ), a television executive searching for an intense new program for his sex - oriented network. He ultimately discovers an underground program called "Videodrome , " which appears to broadcast pornographic snuff films of actual murders. Horrified but perversely intrigued , Renn sets out to find the truth behind the program. During his search , he meets alluring femme fatale Nicki ( Blondie lead singer Debbie Harry ), technology cult leader Bianca O'Blivion , and other mysterious figures. Things become even more disturbing for Renn as his addiction grows , and the program begins to infect the outside world -- or perhaps merely destroy own his sanity. Cronenberg mingles his cerebral concerns about the nature of reality in the video age with enough visceral gore ( courtesy of Rick Baker ) to satisfy the film's intended horror audience.
0457
Tremors is actually two movies in one. On its own terms it's an enjoyable modern sci-fi horror-thriller with good pacing and a sense of humor; but it's also a loving tribute to such 1950s low-budget desert-based sci-fi-horror films like Them! It Came From Outer Space Tarantula and The Monolith Monsters. Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward are the stars a pair of small-town handymen living in a small desert community who stumble upon several difficult-to-explain phenomena including a couple of people who've died under extremely strange (and in one instance very grisly) circumstances. Eventually they and a handful of their neighbors find the cause: gigantic prehistoric worm-like creatures that streak under the desert the way fish swim through oceans reaching up and grabbing anything they need for food. Cut off from the outside world they have to figure out how to get across the desert alive while these creatures -- that are smart as well as fast -- close in on them stalking them like monster sharks. The film benefits from the presence of special effects that are good enough to pull this all off keeping the shock value high and also from a subtly humorous script and performances to match by the entire cast and director Ron Underwood's breezy pacing of the whole picture.
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Tremors is actually two movies in one. On its own terms , it's an enjoyable modern sci - fi horror - thriller , with good pacing and a sense of humor ; but it's also a loving tribute to such 1950s low - budget desert - based sci - fi - horror films like Them! , It Came From Outer Space , Tarantula , and The Monolith Monsters . Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward are the stars , a pair of small - town handymen living in a small desert community , who stumble upon several difficult - to - explain phenomena , including a couple of people who've died under extremely strange ( and , in one instance , very grisly ) circumstances. Eventually , they and a handful of their neighbors find the cause : gigantic prehistoric worm - like creatures that streak under the desert the way fish swim through oceans , reaching up and grabbing anything they need for food. Cut off from the outside world , they have to figure out how to get across the desert alive while these creatures -- that are smart as well as fast -- close in on them , stalking them like monster sharks. The film benefits from the presence of special effects that are good enough to pull this all off , keeping the shock value high , and also from a subtly humorous script and performances to match by the entire cast , and director Ron Underwood 's breezy pacing of the whole picture.
0458
A gripping exercise in body horror and social paranoia prolific Canadian director David Cronenberg's debut feature offers a startling look at modern isolationist society with a parasitic twist. When a scientist experimenting with a new form of organ transplants kills a young female resident of a fortress-like apartment complex before subsequently committing suicide the investigation into her death leads to a frightening discovery. Originally conceived by the misguided scientist in a bid to aid organ transplant an overzealous parasite quickly escapes into the complex in search of a host. One by one the unsuspecting residents fall prey to the parasite and the result is an aggressive horde of sex maniacs who will stop at nothing to satisfy their primal lust and pass the infection on through sexual contact. When the resident doctor learns the sinister truth behind the malevolent creation only one man stands between an apartment complex overflowing with id-driven zombies and the outside world. Will he be able to stop the rapidly spreading parasite before it escapes into society or is it only a matter of time until he too falls prey to its rapturous effects and gives in to the temptations of the flesh?
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A gripping exercise in body horror and social paranoia , prolific Canadian director David Cronenberg 's debut feature offers a startling look at modern isolationist society with a parasitic twist. When a scientist experimenting with a new form of organ transplants kills a young female resident of a fortress - like apartment complex before subsequently committing suicide , the investigation into her death leads to a frightening discovery. Originally conceived by the misguided scientist in a bid to aid organ transplant , an overzealous parasite quickly escapes into the complex in search of a host. One by one , the unsuspecting residents fall prey to the parasite , and the result is an aggressive horde of sex maniacs who will stop at nothing to satisfy their primal lust and pass the infection on through sexual contact. When the resident doctor learns the sinister truth behind the malevolent creation , only one man stands between an apartment complex overflowing with id - driven zombies and the outside world. Will he be able to stop the rapidly spreading parasite before it escapes into society , or is it only a matter of time until he , too , falls prey to its rapturous effects and gives in to the temptations of the flesh?
0459
The title of this David Cronenberg sci-fi horror film refers to a group of people who have telekinetic powers that allow them to read minds and give them the ability to make other people's heads explode. The children of a group of women who took an experimental tranquilizer during their pregnancies the scanners are now adults and have become outcasts from society. But Darryl (Michael Ironside) decides to create an army of scanners to take over the world. The only person who can stop him is his brother Cameron (Stephen Lack) who wants to forget that he was ever a scanner. Winner of the International Fantasy Film Award at the 1983 Fantasporto Film Festival Scanners was followed by a pair of sequels neither of which involved Cronenberg.
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The title of this David Cronenberg sci - fi horror film refers to a group of people who have telekinetic powers that allow them to read minds and give them the ability to make other people's heads explode. The children of a group of women who took an experimental tranquilizer during their pregnancies , the scanners are now adults and have become outcasts from society. But Darryl ( Michael Ironside ) decides to create an army of scanners to take over the world. The only person who can stop him is his brother Cameron ( Stephen Lack ), who wants to forget that he was ever a scanner. Winner of the International Fantasy Film Award at the 1983 Fantasporto Film Festival , Scanners was followed by a pair of sequels , neither of which involved Cronenberg .
0460
Herbert West (Jeffrey Combs) is a brilliant medical student who has perfected a green-glowing serum for regenerating life into dead things -- or even parts of dead things. But a corrupt superior Dr. Carl Hill (David Gale) assumes control of West's experiments and winds up by ghastly necessity using the stuff on his own severed head and body. West and in-over-his-head co-worker Dan Cain (Bruce Abbott) struggle to control the now out-of-control effects of the serum but the bone-saws and zombies complicate their plans.
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Herbert West ( Jeffrey Combs ) is a brilliant medical student who has perfected a green - glowing serum for regenerating life into dead things -- or even parts of dead things. But a corrupt superior , Dr. Carl Hill ( David Gale ), assumes control of West's experiments and winds up , by ghastly necessity , using the stuff on his own severed head and body. West and in - over - his - head co - worker Dan Cain ( Bruce Abbott ) struggle to control the now out - of - control effects of the serum , but the bone - saws and zombies complicate their plans.
0461
Although Roger Corman narrowly managed to avoid self-mockery in his pulpy flamboyant adaptations of Edgar Allan Poe tales it appears that the director chose this opportunity to let loose with outright parody; the result is a wonderfully entertaining romp with tongue planted firmly in cheek. The first screen teaming of legendary horror stars Boris Karloff Vincent Price and Peter Lorre -- later billed as "The Triumvirate of Terror" -- this so-called "adaptation" uses Poe's most famous poem as a springboard for Grand Guignol comedy from scriptwriter Richard Matheson. Melancholy magician Erasmus Craven (Price) having recently relinquished his membership in the Brotherhood of Sorcerers after the apparent death of his wife Lenore (Hazel Court) is paid a visit by a foul-mouthed talking raven claiming to be small-time wizard Adolphus Bedlo (Lorre). After some persuasion Craven returns Bedlo to human form reversing a spell placed by the evil Dr. Scarabus (Karloff) Craven's chief rival. After learning that a woman bearing a strong likeness to Lenore was seen in the Doctor's company Craven accompanies Bedlo to Scarabus' castle where the resulting battle of wills escalates into all-out magical warfare between the two embittered sorcerers. Corman and company relished the opportunity to poke fun at the staid Poe series and the distinguished leads contribute to the spirit of fun by lampooning their own cinematic reputations. Fans of Jack Nicholson (who cut his acting teeth on this and other AIP productions) should enjoy his melodramatic performance here as Bedlo's straight-arrow son; Nicholson would later co-star with Karloff in Corman's The Terror which was shot in two days using the same sets!
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Although Roger Corman narrowly managed to avoid self - mockery in his pulpy , flamboyant adaptations of Edgar Allan Poe tales , it appears that the director chose this opportunity to let loose with outright parody ; the result is a wonderfully entertaining romp with tongue planted firmly in cheek. The first screen teaming of legendary horror stars Boris Karloff , Vincent Price , and Peter Lorre -- later billed as "The Triumvirate of Terror" -- this so - called "adaptation" uses Poe 's most famous poem as a springboard for Grand Guignol comedy from scriptwriter Richard Matheson . Melancholy magician Erasmus Craven ( Price ), having recently relinquished his membership in the Brotherhood of Sorcerers after the apparent death of his wife Lenore ( Hazel Court ), is paid a visit by a foul - mouthed talking raven , claiming to be small - time wizard Adolphus Bedlo ( Lorre ) . After some persuasion , Craven returns Bedlo to human form , reversing a spell placed by the evil Dr. Scarabus ( Karloff ), Craven's chief rival. After learning that a woman bearing a strong likeness to Lenore was seen in the Doctor's company , Craven accompanies Bedlo to Scarabus' castle , where the resulting battle of wills escalates into all - out magical warfare between the two embittered sorcerers. Corman and company relished the opportunity to poke fun at the staid Poe series , and the distinguished leads contribute to the spirit of fun by lampooning their own cinematic reputations. Fans of Jack Nicholson ( who cut his acting teeth on this and other AIP productions ) should enjoy his melodramatic performance here as Bedlo's straight - arrow son ; Nicholson would later co - star with Karloff in Corman 's The Terror , which was shot in two days using the same sets!
0462
Satan's son has arrived on Earth and He's not about to let human parents get in the way. When his wife Katherine's (Lee Remick) pregnancy ends in a stillbirth in a Rome hospital U.S. diplomat Robert Thorn (Gregory Peck) substitutes another baby whose mother died. Little Damien (Harvey Stephens) thrives but at his fifth birthday party his nanny mysteriously dies; Father Brennan (Patrick G. Troughton) also expires after warning Thorn that he has adopted Lucifer's son. While sinister new nanny Mrs. Baylock (Billie Whitelaw) assiduously protects Damien Thorn's fears escalate when photographer Jennings (David Warner) shows him pictures from Damien's party with marks suggesting how the nanny and Brennan would die. Thorn seeks out Bugenhagen (Leo McKern) an exorcist who confirms Damien's identity and tells Thorn that the only solution is to kill his adopted son. As the bodies pile up Thorn tries to do his duty but trust the law to get in the way of saving the world from future Armageddon.
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Satan's son has arrived on Earth and He's not about to let human parents get in the way. When his wife Katherine's ( Lee Remick ) pregnancy ends in a stillbirth in a Rome hospital , U.S. diplomat Robert Thorn ( Gregory Peck ) substitutes another baby , whose mother died. Little Damien ( Harvey Stephens ) thrives , but , at his fifth birthday party , his nanny mysteriously dies ; Father Brennan ( Patrick G. Troughton ) also expires after warning Thorn that he has adopted Lucifer's son. While sinister new nanny Mrs. Baylock ( Billie Whitelaw ) assiduously protects Damien , Thorn's fears escalate when photographer Jennings ( David Warner ) shows him pictures from Damien's party with marks suggesting how the nanny and Brennan would die. Thorn seeks out Bugenhagen ( Leo McKern ), an exorcist who confirms Damien's identity and tells Thorn that the only solution is to kill his adopted son. As the bodies pile up , Thorn tries to do his duty , but trust the law to get in the way of saving the world from future Armageddon.
0463
Multimedia horror maven Clive Barker followed the success of his feature directorial debut Hellraiser with this equally surreal effort based on his novella Cabal. The story involves the plight of Aaron Boone (Craig Sheffer) a young man tormented by visions of monstrous graveyard-dwelling creatures. Seeking the aid of his clinically cold therapist Dr. Decker (played by Canadian horror auteur David Cronenberg) in deciphering his nightmares Boone becomes convinced that his frequent blackouts are linked to a recent spate of mutilation murders in the area. His frantic search for the truth leads him to the subterranean city of Midian the dwelling place of a mythical race of undead nocturnal monsters known as the "Nightbreed." But it is only after he is cornered and shot dead by police that Boone's real journey begins -- he finds himself resurrected as one of the Breed and initiated into Midian's inner circle where his latent supernatural powers are unleashed leading to his realization of Dr. Decker's sinister role in the murders for which he was framed. Though Barker's unique and graphic vision is somewhat blunted by choppy editing (thanks to relentless tampering from the studio) this is nevertheless a fine sophomore project from a talented storyteller; the central conceit of presenting the monsters as the "good guys" -- at least compared to the gun-and-bible-toting lunatics who hunt them -- is handled with verve and originality.
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Multimedia horror maven Clive Barker followed the success of his feature directorial debut , Hellraiser , with this equally surreal effort , based on his novella Cabal . The story involves the plight of Aaron Boone ( Craig Sheffer ), a young man tormented by visions of monstrous , graveyard - dwelling creatures. Seeking the aid of his clinically cold therapist Dr. Decker ( played by Canadian horror auteur David Cronenberg ) in deciphering his nightmares , Boone becomes convinced that his frequent blackouts are linked to a recent spate of mutilation murders in the area. His frantic search for the truth leads him to the subterranean city of Midian , the dwelling place of a mythical race of undead nocturnal monsters known as the "Nightbreed." But it is only after he is cornered and shot dead by police that Boone's real journey begins -- he finds himself resurrected as one of the Breed and initiated into Midian's inner circle , where his latent supernatural powers are unleashed , leading to his realization of Dr. Decker's sinister role in the murders for which he was framed. Though Barker 's unique and graphic vision is somewhat blunted by choppy editing ( thanks to relentless tampering from the studio ), this is nevertheless a fine sophomore project from a talented storyteller ; the central conceit of presenting the monsters as the "good guys" -- at least compared to the gun - and - bible - toting lunatics who hunt them -- is handled with verve and originality.
0464
In Kathryn Bigelow's tale of vampires in the American Southwest the creatures of the night aren't elegant cloaked aristocrats. They're a gun-toting gang that dresses and acts like a motorcycle gang. Caleb (Adrian Pasdar) a restless young man from a small farm town meets an alluring drifter named Mae (Jenny Wright). She reveals herself to be a vampire who "turns" Caleb into one of her kind rather than kill him. But the rest of her "family" is slow to accept the newcomer. The ancient leader Jesse (Lance Henriksen) and his psychotic henchman Severen (Bill Paxton) lay down the law; Caleb has to carry his own weight or die. However he can't bring himself to kill. He manages to win the gang's approval when he rescues them from certain death in a daytime gunfight during a spectacular motel shoot-out in which every bullet hole lets in a deadly ray of sunlight. When the vampires threaten Caleb's real family he's forced to choose between life and death. The film avoids the complex vampire mythology of such films as Interview with the Vampire. Instead it emphasizes the intense seductive bond that forms between Caleb and the violent but tightly knit gang. Bigelow would later utilize this powerful dramatic device in her 1991 film Point Break.
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In Kathryn Bigelow 's tale of vampires in the American Southwest , the creatures of the night aren't elegant , cloaked aristocrats. They're a gun - toting gang that dresses and acts like a motorcycle gang. Caleb ( Adrian Pasdar ), a restless young man from a small farm town , meets an alluring drifter named Mae ( Jenny Wright ) . She reveals herself to be a vampire , who "turns" Caleb into one of her kind rather than kill him. But the rest of her "family" is slow to accept the newcomer. The ancient leader , Jesse ( Lance Henriksen ), and his psychotic henchman Severen ( Bill Paxton ) lay down the law ; Caleb has to carry his own weight or die. However , he can't bring himself to kill. He manages to win the gang's approval when he rescues them from certain death in a daytime gunfight during a spectacular motel shoot - out in which every bullet hole lets in a deadly ray of sunlight. When the vampires threaten Caleb's real family , he's forced to choose between life and death. The film avoids the complex vampire mythology of such films as Interview with the Vampire . Instead , it emphasizes the intense , seductive bond that forms between Caleb and the violent but tightly knit gang. Bigelow would later utilize this powerful dramatic device in her 1991 film Point Break .
0465
This groundbreaking darkly comic horror film from director Joe Dante changed the look and feel of werewolf movies in ways light-years distant from Universal's horror classic The Wolf Man. The story begins with television reporter/anchor Karen White (Dee Wallace) taking part in a dangerous police operation intended to trap psychopath Eddie Quist (Robert Picardo). When confronted by Eddie face to face she witnesses something horrifying enough to trigger selective amnesia. Plagued by a series of violent nightmares Karen decides to admit herself to a posh recovery resort known only as "The Colony" run by her eccentric New Age therapist Dr. Waggner (Patrick MacNee) and brings along her husband Bill (Christopher Stone) for support. The night after they arrive Karen and Bill are unnerved by eerie howling in the woods. Back in the city Karen's co-workers Chris (Dennis Dugan) and Terry (Belinda Balaski) have been investigating Eddie's background after discovering that his body has disappeared from the morgue. Sifting through Eddie's possessions they find a strange collection of artwork depicting wolf-like creatures and decide to consult with Walter Paisley (Dick Miller of course) the owner of an occult bookshop on werewolf lore. Though he claims not to believe in the stuff he's selling Paisley nevertheless convinces Chris to purchase a handful of silver bullets...just in case. Back at the colony Dr. Waggner has organized a hunting party after hearing Karen's account of the nocturnal howling but the men find nothing but a rabbit which Bill is told to bring to the cabin of the sultry Marsha (Elisabeth Brooks) to prepare for dinner. After resisting Marsha's less-than-subtle sexual overtures Bill is attacked by a wolf while returning to his cabin. The following moonlit night the sleepless Bill wanders outside to find Marsha waiting and the two make love by the campfire their bodies undergoing a frightening transformation. Just as Karen is beginning to suspect that her husband is hiding a secret far more threatening than marital infidelity Chris and Terry have come to realize -- too late in Terry's case -- that Eddie Quist is not only still alive but not quite human...and he knows he's being followed. Chris arrives at the colony too late to save Terry but manages to find Karen just as the colony's residents -- all of whom are werewolves including Dr. Waggner -- are assembling to decide her fate. Dante fills his film with heartfelt homages to The Wolf Man and other classic horror movies as well as a few clever visual puns and in-jokes from his tenure with Roger Corman but never strays from the path to genuine horror particularly when Rob Bottin's chilling monsters are onscreen.
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This groundbreaking , darkly comic horror film from director Joe Dante changed the look and feel of werewolf movies in ways light - years distant from Universal's horror classic The Wolf Man . The story begins with television reporter / anchor Karen White ( Dee Wallace ) taking part in a dangerous police operation intended to trap psychopath Eddie Quist ( Robert Picardo ) . When confronted by Eddie face to face , she witnesses something horrifying enough to trigger selective amnesia. Plagued by a series of violent nightmares , Karen decides to admit herself to a posh recovery resort known only as "The Colony , " run by her eccentric New Age therapist , Dr. Waggner ( Patrick MacNee ), and brings along her husband , Bill ( Christopher Stone ), for support. The night after they arrive , Karen and Bill are unnerved by eerie howling in the woods. Back in the city , Karen's co - workers Chris ( Dennis Dugan ) and Terry ( Belinda Balaski ) have been investigating Eddie's background after discovering that his body has disappeared from the morgue. Sifting through Eddie's possessions , they find a strange collection of artwork depicting wolf - like creatures , and decide to consult with Walter Paisley ( Dick Miller , of course ), the owner of an occult bookshop , on werewolf lore. Though he claims not to believe in the stuff he's selling , Paisley nevertheless convinces Chris to purchase a handful of silver bullets...just in case. Back at the colony , Dr. Waggner has organized a hunting party after hearing Karen's account of the nocturnal howling , but the men find nothing but a rabbit , which Bill is told to bring to the cabin of the sultry Marsha ( Elisabeth Brooks ) to prepare for dinner. After resisting Marsha's less - than - subtle sexual overtures , Bill is attacked by a wolf while returning to his cabin. The following moonlit night , the sleepless Bill wanders outside to find Marsha waiting and the two make love by the campfire , their bodies undergoing a frightening transformation. Just as Karen is beginning to suspect that her husband is hiding a secret far more threatening than marital infidelity , Chris and Terry have come to realize -- too late , in Terry's case -- that Eddie Quist is not only still alive , but not quite human...and he knows he's being followed. Chris arrives at the colony too late to save Terry , but manages to find Karen just as the colony's residents -- all of whom are werewolves , including Dr. Waggner -- are assembling to decide her fate. Dante fills his film with heartfelt homages to The Wolf Man and other classic horror movies , as well as a few clever visual puns and in - jokes from his tenure with Roger Corman , but never strays from the path to genuine horror , particularly when Rob Bottin 's chilling monsters are onscreen.
0466
This high-octane semi-sequel to Sam Raimi's cult hit The Evil Dead has nearly eclipsed its predecessor's reputation thanks to an endless barrage of hyperkinetic camera acrobatics rapid-fire editing and "splatstick" gore effects ... not to mention a truly goofy performance by Bruce Campbell. Nearly the entire storyline of the previous film has been re-shot and presented in a drastically condensed form within the first few minutes: rock-jawed but clueless "hero" Ash (Campbell) now visits the mountain cabin only with girlfriend Linda (played here by Denise Bixler). Upon arrival at the cabin Ash discovers the Sumerian Book of the Dead the ritual dagger and a reel-to-reel tape containing the professor's translations of the book's hieroglyphics. The incantations summon an unseen growling spirit from within the woods which bursts into the cabin and takes possession of Linda's soul. Ash is forced to decapitate her with a shovel after which he buries her in the forest. At first dawn Ash tries to make his escape but is promptly set upon by the spirits given a solid thrashing and nearly possessed himself saved only by the arrival of sunlight. Cut off from the outside world Ash is forced to hole up in the cabin and wait for the next demonic onslaught -- which arrives sooner than expected led by Linda's rotting corpse. After being bitten by Linda's chatty decapitated head Ash's hand becomes independent of his body and begins pummeling him repeatedly. The story then jumps to a local airport where the professor's daughter Annie (Sarah Berry) and her partner Ed Getley (Richard Domeier) have just arrived with the missing pages to the Necronomicon. They employ a cranky pair of local rednecks Jake (Dan Hicks) and Bobbie Joe (Kassie Wesley) as guides to lead them through the dense woods to the cabin ... where at that very moment Ash is removing his belligerent hand with a chainsaw creating yet another ambulatory foe. Driven to the brink of insanity Ash fires blindly at a noise outside unaware that the new arrivals are Annie and company. Bobbie Joe is injured by the gunshot which incurs the wrath of Jake who knocks Ash senseless and locks him in the fruit cellar. Believing her father was murdered by Ash Annie plays the rest of the professor's recording to learn the truth and discovers her possessed mother was buried in the same cellar -- and not exactly resting in peace. This touches off a string of unbelievably gruesome (and hysterically funny) events including Henrietta's transformation into a stop-motion creature (reminiscent of a Ray Harryhausen creation) Ed's sudden metamorphosis into a toothy levitating ghoul and Ash's climactic confrontation with the forest demon itself. The obvious glee with which Raimi and company present this cavalcade of slime-drenched monstrosities and Three Stooges pratfalls makes it impossible to take seriously as a horror film but Evil Dead 2 is nevertheless essential viewing among connoisseurs of truly demented cinema. The film's sardonic coda opened the way for a slightly less successful sequel Army of Darkness.
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This high - octane semi - sequel to Sam Raimi 's cult hit The Evil Dead has nearly eclipsed its predecessor's reputation thanks to an endless barrage of hyperkinetic camera acrobatics , rapid - fire editing and "splatstick" gore effects ... not to mention a truly goofy performance by Bruce Campbell . Nearly the entire storyline of the previous film has been re - shot and presented in a drastically condensed form within the first few minutes : rock - jawed but clueless "hero" Ash ( Campbell ) now visits the mountain cabin only with girlfriend Linda ( played here by Denise Bixler ) . Upon arrival at the cabin , Ash discovers the Sumerian Book of the Dead , the ritual dagger and a reel - to - reel tape containing the professor's translations of the book's hieroglyphics. The incantations summon an unseen , growling spirit from within the woods , which bursts into the cabin and takes possession of Linda's soul. Ash is forced to decapitate her with a shovel , after which he buries her in the forest. At first dawn , Ash tries to make his escape , but is promptly set upon by the spirits , given a solid thrashing and nearly possessed himself , saved only by the arrival of sunlight. Cut off from the outside world , Ash is forced to hole up in the cabin and wait for the next demonic onslaught -- which arrives sooner than expected , led by Linda's rotting corpse. After being bitten by Linda's chatty decapitated head , Ash's hand becomes independent of his body and begins pummeling him repeatedly. The story then jumps to a local airport , where the professor's daughter Annie ( Sarah Berry ) and her partner Ed Getley ( Richard Domeier ) have just arrived with the missing pages to the Necronomicon. They employ a cranky pair of local rednecks , Jake ( Dan Hicks ) and Bobbie Joe ( Kassie Wesley ), as guides to lead them through the dense woods to the cabin ... where , at that very moment , Ash is removing his belligerent hand with a chainsaw , creating yet another ambulatory foe. Driven to the brink of insanity , Ash fires blindly at a noise outside , unaware that the new arrivals are Annie and company. Bobbie Joe is injured by the gunshot , which incurs the wrath of Jake , who knocks Ash senseless and locks him in the fruit cellar. Believing her father was murdered by Ash , Annie plays the rest of the professor's recording to learn the truth , and discovers her possessed mother was buried in the same cellar -- and not exactly resting in peace. This touches off a string of unbelievably gruesome ( and hysterically funny ) events , including Henrietta's transformation into a stop - motion creature ( reminiscent of a Ray Harryhausen creation ), Ed's sudden metamorphosis into a toothy , levitating ghoul , and Ash's climactic confrontation with the forest demon itself. The obvious glee with which Raimi and company present this cavalcade of slime - drenched monstrosities and Three Stooges pratfalls makes it impossible to take seriously as a horror film , but Evil Dead 2 is nevertheless essential viewing among connoisseurs of truly demented cinema. The film's sardonic coda opened the way for a slightly less successful sequel , Army of Darkness .
0467
In this stylish supernatural horror story Hitch (Robert Burke) a mysterious loner wanders the deserts of the African nation of Nambia as he searches for the lost and suicidal. Hitch is wanted by the police in connection with the death a woman whose blood was used in a strange magic ceremony. A shaman consulted by the police and a pathologist investigating the killing believe that Hitch is a "Dust Devil" an evil spirit who can shift shape at will taking the form of a man when it's convenient. Meanwhile Hitch encounters Wendy (Chelsea Field) a woman who is despondent after the collapse of her marriage. Wendy gives him a ride along a lonely highway and later that night as Wendy contemplates suicide Hitch waits patiently outside her door. The next day Wendy runs into Hitch again and casually looks through his bag to discover that it's filled with human fingers. Convinced that Hitch is no harmless eccentric she tries to escape but she discovers that he's difficult to get away from; meanwhile Mark (Rufus Swart) Wendy's ex-husband is searching for her convinced that she's fallen victim to foul play. Dust Devil has been released in a number of different forms; the original European cut ran 125 minutes while the American version which features redubbed voices and a different narration ran only 87. The "final cut" prepared by director Richard Stanley meanwhile is 103 minutes in length.
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In this stylish supernatural horror story , Hitch ( Robert Burke ), a mysterious loner , wanders the deserts of the African nation of Nambia as he searches for the lost and suicidal. Hitch is wanted by the police in connection with the death a woman whose blood was used in a strange magic ceremony. A shaman consulted by the police and a pathologist investigating the killing believe that Hitch is a "Dust Devil , " an evil spirit who can shift shape at will , taking the form of a man when it's convenient. Meanwhile , Hitch encounters Wendy ( Chelsea Field ), a woman who is despondent after the collapse of her marriage. Wendy gives him a ride along a lonely highway , and later that night , as Wendy contemplates suicide , Hitch waits patiently outside her door. The next day , Wendy runs into Hitch again and casually looks through his bag to discover that it's filled with human fingers. Convinced that Hitch is no harmless eccentric , she tries to escape , but she discovers that he's difficult to get away from ; meanwhile , Mark ( Rufus Swart ), Wendy's ex - husband , is searching for her , convinced that she's fallen victim to foul play. Dust Devil has been released in a number of different forms ; the original European cut ran 125 minutes , while the American version , which features redubbed voices and a different narration , ran only 87. The "final cut" prepared by director Richard Stanley , meanwhile , is 103 minutes in length.
0468
Director Peter Jackson's second feature cheerfully trumps the gross-out quotient of his splatterfest debut the appropriately named Bad Taste. The tone is cartoonishly comic and the premise is simple: The village dweeb (Timothy Balme) is trying to maintain a budding romance with the sweet Paquita (Diana Penalver) while concealing the fact that his overbearing mum (Elizabeth Moody in an amazing good-sport performance) is a flesh-eating zombie. (She owes her condition to a bite from a "Sumatran Rat Monkey" at the local zoo.) Complicating matters even further is Les a greedy uncle (Ian Watkin) who suspects that his sister has died and is eager to occupy her elegantly furnished Victorian mansion. The climax is a housewarming party Les throws to celebrate his "inheritance;" what he really gets is his comeuppance thanks to his sister and her similarly afflicted zombie pals who burst out of their basement prison to turn the guests into appetizers. Our hero finally cuts a wide swath through the zombie party crashers with the help of a rotary blade lawn mower leaving the house awash in blood and body parts in order to save his romance.
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Director Peter Jackson 's second feature cheerfully trumps the gross - out quotient of his splatterfest debut , the appropriately named Bad Taste . The tone is cartoonishly comic , and the premise is simple : The village dweeb ( Timothy Balme ) is trying to maintain a budding romance with the sweet Paquita ( Diana Penalver ) while concealing the fact that his overbearing mum ( Elizabeth Moody , in an amazing good - sport performance ) is a flesh - eating zombie. ( She owes her condition to a bite from a "Sumatran Rat Monkey" at the local zoo. ) Complicating matters even further is Les , a greedy uncle ( Ian Watkin ), who suspects that his sister has died and is eager to occupy her elegantly furnished Victorian mansion. The climax is a housewarming party Les throws to celebrate his "inheritance ; " what he really gets is his comeuppance , thanks to his sister and her similarly afflicted zombie pals , who burst out of their basement prison to turn the guests into appetizers. Our hero finally cuts a wide swath through the zombie party crashers with the help of a rotary blade lawn mower , leaving the house awash in blood and body parts in order to save his romance.
0469
The story begins as an innocuous romantic triangle involving wealthy spoiled Melanie Daniels (Tippi Hedren) handsome Mitch Brenner (Rod Taylor) and schoolteacher Annie Hayworth (Suzanne Pleshette). The human story begins in a San Francisco pet shop and culminates at the home of Mitch's mother (Jessica Tandy) at Bodega Bay where the characters' sense of security is slowly eroded by the curious behavior of the birds in the area. At first it's no more than a sea gull swooping down and pecking at Melanie's head. Things take a truly ugly turn when hundreds of birds converge on a children's party. There is never an explanation as to why the birds have run amok but once the onslaught begins there's virtually no letup.
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The story begins as an innocuous romantic triangle involving wealthy , spoiled Melanie Daniels ( Tippi Hedren ), handsome Mitch Brenner ( Rod Taylor ), and schoolteacher Annie Hayworth ( Suzanne Pleshette ) . The human story begins in a San Francisco pet shop and culminates at the home of Mitch's mother ( Jessica Tandy ) at Bodega Bay , where the characters' sense of security is slowly eroded by the curious behavior of the birds in the area. At first , it's no more than a sea gull swooping down and pecking at Melanie's head. Things take a truly ugly turn when hundreds of birds converge on a children's party. There is never an explanation as to why the birds have run amok , but once the onslaught begins , there's virtually no letup.
0470
While wandering the English moors on vacation college yanks David (David Naughton) and Jack (Griffin Dunne) happen upon a quaint pub with a mysterious patronage who warn them not to leave the road when walking after dark. Irreverent of such advice as characters in horror films always are the two decide to find a short cut....David wakes up in the hospital with a nasty bite wound to his shoulder; the freshly deceased and rapidly decomposing Jack arrives soon after to deliver the grim news that unless he commits suicide David will become a werewolf when the moon is full. David dismisses the encounter as a hallucination but all indicators point to lycanthrope; evenings of barking and bloodletting follow closely behind. While the story is thin and much of the tongue-in-cheek humor is overdone there are plenty of genuine jolts thanks to makeup guru Rick Baker's eye-popping special effects. The werewolf resembling a cross between a bear and a wolverine appears frighteningly real and given the fantastic premise the gore is most convincing (although surprisingly and refreshingly scant). The hospital dream sequences are creative and the scenes in which the werewolf runs rampant through downtown London are particularly good. In all An American Werewolf in London is an original atmospheric film that manages both to scare and amuse. While dismissed by most American critics upon its release the film managed to secure a place in the annals of American cinema when Baker won an Academy Award for his amazing effects and creature designs.
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While wandering the English moors on vacation , college yanks David ( David Naughton ) and Jack ( Griffin Dunne ) happen upon a quaint pub with a mysterious patronage who warn them not to leave the road when walking after dark. Irreverent of such advice as characters in horror films always are , the two decide to find a short cut....David wakes up in the hospital with a nasty bite wound to his shoulder ; the freshly deceased , and rapidly decomposing , Jack arrives soon after to deliver the grim news that , unless he commits suicide , David will become a werewolf when the moon is full. David dismisses the encounter as a hallucination , but all indicators point to lycanthrope ; evenings of barking and bloodletting follow closely behind. While the story is thin and much of the tongue - in - cheek humor is overdone , there are plenty of genuine jolts thanks to makeup guru Rick Baker 's eye - popping special effects. The werewolf , resembling a cross between a bear and a wolverine , appears frighteningly real , and , given the fantastic premise , the gore is most convincing ( although surprisingly and refreshingly scant ) . The hospital dream sequences are creative , and the scenes in which the werewolf runs rampant through downtown London are particularly good. In all , An American Werewolf in London is an original , atmospheric film that manages both to scare and amuse. While dismissed by most American critics upon its release , the film managed to secure a place in the annals of American cinema when Baker won an Academy Award for his amazing effects and creature designs.
0471
Washington Irving's tale of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman gets a few new twists in a screen adaptation directed by Tim Burton. In this version Ichabod (Johnny Depp) is a New York City detective whose unorthodox techniques and penchant for gadgets make him unpopular with is colleagues. He is sent to the remote town of Sleepy Hollow to investigate a series of bizarre murders in which a number of people have been found dead in the woods with their heads cut off. Local legend has it that a Hessian ghost rides through the woods on horseback lopping off the heads of the unsuspecting and unbelieving. Ichabod refuses to believe in this legend convinced that there must be a logical explanation for the murders. In time Ichabod becomes smitten with a local lass Katrina Van Tassel (Christina Ricci) who is the sweetheart of the burly Brom Bones (Casper Van Dien) and he becomes determined to capture the murderer to prove his bravery and win her heart. Christopher Walken Jeffrey Jones and Christopher Lee highlight the supporting cast; Lee's appearance is particularly apt since Burton has cited the Hammer films of the 1960s as a major influence in making this film. Andrew Kevin Walker and Tom Stoppard contributed to the screenplay.
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Washington Irving's tale of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman gets a few new twists in a screen adaptation directed by Tim Burton . In this version , Ichabod ( Johnny Depp ) is a New York City detective whose unorthodox techniques and penchant for gadgets make him unpopular with is colleagues. He is sent to the remote town of Sleepy Hollow to investigate a series of bizarre murders , in which a number of people have been found dead in the woods , with their heads cut off. Local legend has it that a Hessian ghost rides through the woods on horseback , lopping off the heads of the unsuspecting and unbelieving. Ichabod refuses to believe in this legend , convinced that there must be a logical explanation for the murders. In time , Ichabod becomes smitten with a local lass , Katrina Van Tassel ( Christina Ricci ), who is the sweetheart of the burly Brom Bones ( Casper Van Dien ), and he becomes determined to capture the murderer to prove his bravery and win her heart. Christopher Walken , Jeffrey Jones , and Christopher Lee highlight the supporting cast ; Lee's appearance is particularly apt , since Burton has cited the Hammer films of the 1960s as a major influence in making this film. Andrew Kevin Walker and Tom Stoppard contributed to the screenplay.
0472
A scientist stricken with an insatiable hunger for blood dominates this strikingly atmospheric drama. Dr. Hess Green (Duane Jones) a wealthy and respected African-American anthropologist is assigned a new assistant an intelligent but unstable man named George Meda (Bill Gunn). One drunken night George stabs Hess with a dagger from the ancient African tribe of Myrthia and then kills himself. The Myrthians were cursed with a thirst for human blood and by the time George's wife Ganja (Marlene Clark) comes looking for him Hess has developed a similar addiction to blood. Hess and Ganja fall in love and they soon marry but Hess infects his new bride with the Myrthian curse which gives them eternal life but at a terrible price. Actor playwright and novelist Bill Gunn was hired to write and direct a low-budget black vampire movie but instead he delivered a thoughtful impressionistic film that uses addiction to blood as a metaphor for African-American cultural and spiritual identity (and never once uses the word "vampire"). Ganja and Hess proved too deliberately paced and self-consciously surreal for the producers who chopped it to 83 minutes removed Sam Waymon's superb musical score and retitled it Blood Couple. This mangled version was for many years the only one available and it appeared under six different titles on home video before Bill Gunn's original version was restored for DVD release in 1998.
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A scientist stricken with an insatiable hunger for blood dominates this strikingly atmospheric drama. Dr. Hess Green ( Duane Jones ), a wealthy and respected African - American anthropologist , is assigned a new assistant , an intelligent but unstable man named George Meda ( Bill Gunn ) . One drunken night , George stabs Hess with a dagger from the ancient African tribe of Myrthia and then kills himself. The Myrthians were cursed with a thirst for human blood , and , by the time George's wife , Ganja ( Marlene Clark ), comes looking for him , Hess has developed a similar addiction to blood. Hess and Ganja fall in love , and they soon marry , but Hess infects his new bride with the Myrthian curse , which gives them eternal life , but at a terrible price. Actor , playwright , and novelist Bill Gunn was hired to write and direct a low - budget black vampire movie , but instead he delivered a thoughtful , impressionistic film that uses addiction to blood as a metaphor for African - American cultural and spiritual identity ( and never once uses the word "vampire" ) . Ganja and Hess proved too deliberately paced and self - consciously surreal for the producers , who chopped it to 83 minutes , removed Sam Waymon 's superb musical score , and retitled it Blood Couple . This mangled version was for many years the only one available , and it appeared under six different titles on home video before Bill Gunn 's original version was restored for DVD release in 1998.
0473
Dario Argento leaves a distinct and bloody impression with this Italian horror film that took the slasher genre to graphic new limits at the time of its release. Novelist Peter Neal (Anthony Franciosa) jets into Rome to promote his new book. Simultaneously a killer obsessed with Neal begins a brutal series of murders that are followed by cryptic notes to the author. Inspector Germani (Giuliano Gemma) questions Neal who then begins his own investigation into the bizarre case with the help of his assistant Anne (Daria Nicolodi) and local youth Gianni (Christian Borromeo). Neal and Gianni follow leads to the home of a TV talk-show host (John Steiner) who is axed to death in front of Gianni while Neal is knocked unconscious. As they close in on the killer flashbacks show the killer's murderous beginnings and an obsession with red shoes. Meanwhile Neal's publicist Bullmer (John Saxon) is revealed to be having an affair with the author's ex-lover Jane (Veronica Lario) making them both potential suspects. Inspector Germani insists that Neal leave town but even when he does the killer strikes again knifing Bullmer in broad daylight. At the same time Gianni returns to the home of the dead talk-show host and recalls an important detail about the murder. However he is strangled before he can tell anyone. At her apartment Jane is brutally slain just as Inspector Germani arrives to discover the murderer's identity along with the shocking twist-filled truth behind the entire case.
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Dario Argento leaves a distinct and bloody impression with this Italian horror film that took the slasher genre to graphic new limits at the time of its release. Novelist Peter Neal ( Anthony Franciosa ) jets into Rome to promote his new book. Simultaneously , a killer obsessed with Neal begins a brutal series of murders that are followed by cryptic notes to the author. Inspector Germani ( Giuliano Gemma ) questions Neal , who then begins his own investigation into the bizarre case with the help of his assistant , Anne ( Daria Nicolodi ), and local youth Gianni ( Christian Borromeo ) . Neal and Gianni follow leads to the home of a TV talk - show host ( John Steiner ), who is axed to death in front of Gianni while Neal is knocked unconscious. As they close in on the killer , flashbacks show the killer's murderous beginnings and an obsession with red shoes. Meanwhile , Neal's publicist , Bullmer ( John Saxon ), is revealed to be having an affair with the author's ex - lover , Jane ( Veronica Lario ), making them both potential suspects. Inspector Germani insists that Neal leave town , but even when he does , the killer strikes again , knifing Bullmer in broad daylight. At the same time , Gianni returns to the home of the dead talk - show host and recalls an important detail about the murder. However , he is strangled before he can tell anyone. At her apartment , Jane is brutally slain just as Inspector Germani arrives to discover the murderer's identity , along with the shocking , twist - filled truth behind the entire case.
0474
After a carnival comes to Green Town the good citizens are compelled to follow their deepest desires caught under the spell of the malevolent Dr. Dark (Jonathan Pryce) who can grant those desires on one condition: that the grantees will forever join his freak show. Dr. Dark is after two young boys from the town in particular while others in the town would certainly be easy marks. The sour-faced older schoolteacher (Mary Grace Canfield) wants to be a seductive young woman Ed the bartender (James Stacy) would like to regain his lost left arm and leg and the librarian (Jason Robards) worries about a wasted life spent only in books. As Dr. Dark works his own brand of voodoo the citizens and the two boys -- as well as the whole carnival itself -- approach a final reckoning. Something Wicked This Way Comes was based on a Ray Bradbury novel.
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After a carnival comes to Green Town , the good citizens are compelled to follow their deepest desires , caught under the spell of the malevolent Dr. Dark ( Jonathan Pryce ) who can grant those desires on one condition : that the grantees will forever join his freak show. Dr. Dark is after two young boys from the town in particular , while others in the town would certainly be easy marks. The sour - faced , older schoolteacher ( Mary Grace Canfield ) wants to be a seductive young woman , Ed the bartender ( James Stacy ) would like to regain his lost left arm and leg , and the librarian ( Jason Robards ) worries about a wasted life spent only in books. As Dr. Dark works his own brand of voodoo , the citizens and the two boys -- as well as the whole carnival itself -- approach a final reckoning. Something Wicked This Way Comes was based on a Ray Bradbury novel.
0475
Horror maven Wes Craven attempted a slight change of pace from his usual slasher movie milieu with this chiller loosely based on a true story. Bill Pullman stars as Dennis Alan a Harvard researcher sent to Haiti by a pharmaceutical company to investigate the zombie legend and any possible connection it might have to a rumored drug that could be used as a new breed of powerful anaesthetic. Once on the Caribbean isle Alan is aided by a good voodoo priest or "houngan" (Paul Winfield) and his daughter (Cathy Tyson) who runs a local clinic. Alan's search also pits him against an evil houngan Dargent Peytraud (Zakes Mokae). Peytraud also controls the Tonton Macoute (the Haitian secret police) who are involved with soon-to-be-deposed dictator "Baby Doc" Duvalier. The Serpent and the Rainbow was based on the book of the same name by Wade Davis an ethnobotanist whose real-life hunt for the zombie drug was credited with cracking the medical mystery behind the myth.
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Horror maven Wes Craven attempted a slight change of pace from his usual slasher movie milieu with this chiller loosely based on a true story. Bill Pullman stars as Dennis Alan , a Harvard researcher sent to Haiti by a pharmaceutical company to investigate the zombie legend and any possible connection it might have to a rumored drug that could be used as a new breed of powerful anaesthetic. Once on the Caribbean isle , Alan is aided by a good voodoo priest or "houngan" ( Paul Winfield ) and his daughter ( Cathy Tyson ), who runs a local clinic. Alan's search also pits him against an evil houngan , Dargent Peytraud ( Zakes Mokae ) . Peytraud also controls the Tonton Macoute ( the Haitian secret police ), who are involved with soon - to - be - deposed dictator "Baby Doc" Duvalier. The Serpent and the Rainbow was based on the book of the same name by Wade Davis , an ethnobotanist whose real - life hunt for the zombie drug was credited with cracking the medical mystery behind the myth.
0476
Perhaps the greatest movie ever shot in two days Little Shop of Horrors was originally conceived as a followup to Roger Corman's black comedy A Bucket of Blood (1959). Jonathan Haze plays Seymour Krelboin a schlemiel's schlemiel who works at the Skid Row flower shop of Mr. Mushnick (Mel Welles). Experimenting in his spare time Seymour develops a new plant species that he hopes will lead him to fame and fortune. Unfortunately the mutated plant -- named Audrey Junior in honor of Seymour's girlfriend Audrey (Jackie Joseph) -- subsists on blood and human flesh. It also talks or rather commands: "Feed Me! FEEEEED ME!" Before long the luckless Seymour has fed his plant the bodies of a railroad detective a sadistic dentist and a flashy trollop. Meanwhile Mr. Mushnik who has stumbled onto Seymour's secret has inadvertently offered up a burglar (played by Charles Griffith who also wrote the script and supplied the plant's voice) as a midnight snack for the voracious ever-growing Audrey Junior. (When the plant blooms the faces of its various victims are reproduced in its flowers.) Ignored on its initial release Little Shop of Horrors began building up a cult following via repeated TV exposure in the 1960s. By the mid-1970s it had attained classic status spawning a big-budget Broadway musical (and followup feature film) in the 1980s and a Saturday morning cartoon series in the 1990s. Enhancing the original Little Shop's reputation was the brief appearance by star-in-the-making Jack Nicholson as a masochistic dental patient (Nicholson is often incorrectly referred to as the star of the film though in fact he barely receives billing). Much as we love Nicholson our vote for the most memorable Little Shop cast member goes to the ubiquitous Dick Miller ("No thanks I'll eat it here").
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Perhaps the greatest movie ever shot in two days , Little Shop of Horrors was originally conceived as a followup to Roger Corman 's black comedy A Bucket of Blood ( 1959 ) . Jonathan Haze plays Seymour Krelboin , a schlemiel's schlemiel who works at the Skid Row flower shop of Mr. Mushnick ( Mel Welles ) . Experimenting in his spare time , Seymour develops a new plant species that he hopes will lead him to fame and fortune. Unfortunately , the mutated plant -- named Audrey Junior , in honor of Seymour's girlfriend Audrey ( Jackie Joseph ) -- subsists on blood and human flesh. It also talks , or rather , commands : "Feed Me! FEEEEED ME!" Before long , the luckless Seymour has fed his plant the bodies of a railroad detective , a sadistic dentist , and a flashy trollop. Meanwhile , Mr. Mushnik , who has stumbled onto Seymour's secret , has inadvertently offered up a burglar ( played by Charles Griffith , who also wrote the script and supplied the plant's voice ) as a midnight snack for the voracious , ever - growing Audrey Junior. ( When the plant blooms , the faces of its various victims are reproduced in its flowers. ) Ignored on its initial release , Little Shop of Horrors began building up a cult following via repeated TV exposure in the 1960s. By the mid - 1970s , it had attained classic status , spawning a big - budget Broadway musical ( and followup feature film ) in the 1980s and a Saturday morning cartoon series in the 1990s. Enhancing the original Little Shop 's reputation was the brief appearance by star - in - the - making Jack Nicholson as a masochistic dental patient ( Nicholson is often incorrectly referred to as the star of the film , though in fact he barely receives billing ) . Much as we love Nicholson , our vote for the most memorable Little Shop cast member goes to the ubiquitous Dick Miller ( "No thanks , I'll eat it here" ) .
0477
One of the more prominent works of Italy's premier horror stylist Mario Bava this occult murder mystery interweaves elements of the traditional giallo thriller formula with an unusual Gothic ghost story. The tale is set in a modern-day Carpathian village rocked by a series of bizarre murders in which the female victims are found with gold coins imbedded in their hearts. The coins are revealed to be talismans placed on the victims by the local sorceress (Fabienne Dali) meant to ward off the supernatural powers of the aged Baroness Graps (Giana Vivaldi). The baroness has been acting as an earthly liaison for the vengeful ghost of her murdered daughter who wants to claim the villagers' souls -- with Erica Blanc next on the list. In order to free the village from the evil curse Dali must find the sequestered baroness and destroy her. The film was released in the U.S. in two dubbed and re-edited versions Kill Baby Kill! and Curse of the Living Dead (packaged as part of an "Orgy of the Living Dead" triple feature).
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One of the more prominent works of Italy's premier horror stylist Mario Bava , this occult murder mystery interweaves elements of the traditional giallo thriller formula with an unusual Gothic ghost story. The tale is set in a modern - day Carpathian village rocked by a series of bizarre murders , in which the female victims are found with gold coins imbedded in their hearts. The coins are revealed to be talismans placed on the victims by the local sorceress ( Fabienne Dali ), meant to ward off the supernatural powers of the aged Baroness Graps ( Giana Vivaldi ) . The baroness has been acting as an earthly liaison for the vengeful ghost of her murdered daughter , who wants to claim the villagers' souls -- with Erica Blanc next on the list. In order to free the village from the evil curse , Dali must find the sequestered baroness and destroy her. The film was released in the U.S. in two dubbed and re - edited versions , Kill , Baby , Kill! and Curse of the Living Dead ( packaged as part of an "Orgy of the Living Dead" triple feature ) .
0478
The feature-film debut of multi-talented filmmaker Clive Barker this grim and surreal project is based on the writer/director's own novella The Hell-Bound Heart. The film opens with a chilling prologue in which globe-trotting pervert Frank (Sean Chapman) -- a connoisseur of sexual depravity seeking the ultimate sensual experience -- purchases a small intricate puzzle box from an unseen dealer in an unspecified country. Upon solving the puzzle Frank opens the door to a hellish alternate universe and is promptly torn to ribbons by a network of hooks and chains; his strewn body parts are subsequently collected by the Cenobites -- grotesque S & M-clad denizens of hell. The story continues several years later when Frank's brother Larry (Andrew Robinson) moves into Frank's abandoned house with his daughter Kirsty (Ashley Laurence) and his new wife Julia (Clare Higgins). An accident causes some of Larry's blood to spill on the attic floor which somehow triggers Frank's hideous resurrection. His body only half-composed Frank seeks the tacit assistance of Julia -- with whom he had once had a torrid sexual liaison -- in restoring him to human form. Still secretly in love with Frank Julia assists him by seducing men from the town and bringing them back to the house so her undead lover can drain their bodies of blood. Her increasingly furtive behavior arouses the suspicions of Kirsty who had already moved to an apartment to get away from her despised stepmother. After following Julia and her next potential victim home Kirsty comes face to face with the still-incomplete Frank narrowly escaping with her life...and with the puzzle box. After losing consciousness Kirsty awakens in the hospital where she manages to solve the box's intricate mechanism and summon a trio of Cenobites -- including their apparent leader (played by Doug Bradley and dubbed "Pinhead" on subsequent sequels) -- who are prepared to claim her. In desperation Kirsty offers them a bargain in which they agree to spare her soul if she leads them to Frank. Kirsty soon returns home to find Julia with her father...whose behavior has become disturbingly unnatural. Realizing that her father has become Frank's latest victim -- and that her uncle is now walking around in his brother's skin -- Kirsty hands Frank over to the Cenobites who have particularly evil plans for their old friend.
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The feature - film debut of multi - talented filmmaker Clive Barker , this grim and surreal project is based on the writer / director's own novella The Hell - Bound Heart . The film opens with a chilling prologue in which globe - trotting pervert Frank ( Sean Chapman ) -- a connoisseur of sexual depravity seeking the ultimate sensual experience -- purchases a small , intricate puzzle box from an unseen dealer in an unspecified country. Upon solving the puzzle , Frank opens the door to a hellish alternate universe and is promptly torn to ribbons by a network of hooks and chains ; his strewn body parts are subsequently collected by the Cenobites -- grotesque , S & M - clad denizens of hell. The story continues several years later , when Frank's brother , Larry ( Andrew Robinson ), moves into Frank's abandoned house with his daughter , Kirsty ( Ashley Laurence ), and his new wife , Julia ( Clare Higgins ) . An accident causes some of Larry's blood to spill on the attic floor , which somehow triggers Frank's hideous resurrection. His body only half - composed , Frank seeks the tacit assistance of Julia -- with whom he had once had a torrid sexual liaison -- in restoring him to human form. Still secretly in love with Frank , Julia assists him by seducing men from the town and bringing them back to the house so her undead lover can drain their bodies of blood. Her increasingly furtive behavior arouses the suspicions of Kirsty , who had already moved to an apartment to get away from her despised stepmother. After following Julia and her next potential victim home , Kirsty comes face to face with the still - incomplete Frank , narrowly escaping with her life...and with the puzzle box. After losing consciousness , Kirsty awakens in the hospital , where she manages to solve the box's intricate mechanism and summon a trio of Cenobites -- including their apparent leader ( played by Doug Bradley and dubbed "Pinhead" on subsequent sequels ) -- who are prepared to claim her. In desperation , Kirsty offers them a bargain in which they agree to spare her soul if she leads them to Frank. Kirsty soon returns home to find Julia with her father...whose behavior has become disturbingly unnatural. Realizing that her father has become Frank's latest victim -- and that her uncle is now walking around in his brother's skin -- Kirsty hands Frank over to the Cenobites , who have particularly evil plans for their old friend.
0479
"Don't expose him to bright light. Don't ever get him wet. And don't ever ever feed him after midnight." This sage advice is ignored midway through Gremlins with devastating results. This comic Joe Dante effort is set in a Norman Rockwell-esque small town at Christmastime. Seeking a unique gift for his son an erstwhile inventor (Hoyt Axton) purchases a cute fuzzy little "Mogwai" from a Chinatown shopkeeper's (Keye Luke) grandson (John Louie) who dispenses the above-mentioned warning before closing the deal. Meanwhile young bank clerk Billy Peltzer (Zach Galligan) must suffer such antagonists as rich-bitch Mrs. Deagle (Polly Holliday) and priggish Gerald (Judge Reinhold) while pursuing his romance with Kate (Phoebe Cates). These and a variety of other plot strands are tied together when the lovable mogwai (named Gizmo) is exposed to bright light and gotten wet. In short order the town is invaded by nasty predatory Gremlins who lay waste to everything in sight as Billy and Kate try to contain the destruction. Like most of Joe Dante's works Gremlins is chock-full of significant cameo appearances: in this instance such pop-culture icons as Dick Miller Jackie Joseph Chuck Jones Scott Brady Harry Carey Jr. Steven Spielberg (the film's executive producer) and even Robby the Robot all show up briefly on screen.
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"Don't expose him to bright light. Don't ever get him wet. And don't ever , ever feed him after midnight." This sage advice is ignored midway through Gremlins , with devastating results. This comic Joe Dante effort is set in a Norman Rockwell - esque small town at Christmastime. Seeking a unique gift for his son an erstwhile inventor ( Hoyt Axton ) purchases a cute , fuzzy little "Mogwai" from a Chinatown shopkeeper's ( Keye Luke ) grandson ( John Louie ), who dispenses the above - mentioned warning before closing the deal. Meanwhile , young bank clerk Billy Peltzer ( Zach Galligan ) must suffer such antagonists as rich - bitch Mrs. Deagle ( Polly Holliday ) and priggish Gerald ( Judge Reinhold ) while pursuing his romance with Kate ( Phoebe Cates ) . These and a variety of other plot strands are tied together when the lovable mogwai ( named Gizmo ) is exposed to bright light and gotten wet. In short order , the town is invaded by nasty , predatory Gremlins , who lay waste to everything in sight as Billy and Kate try to contain the destruction. Like most of Joe Dante 's works , Gremlins is chock - full of significant cameo appearances : in this instance , such pop - culture icons as Dick Miller , Jackie Joseph , Chuck Jones , Scott Brady , Harry Carey Jr. , Steven Spielberg ( the film's executive producer ) and even Robby the Robot all show up briefly on screen.
0480
This 1981 John Irvin picture constitutes an adaptation of Peter Straub's colossal bestselling novel. The central plot -- shared by both book and film -- revolves around the four elderly members of the Chowder Society (Fred Astaire Melvyn Douglas Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and John Houseman) who gather in each other's drawing rooms each winter to sip cognac and spin elaborate ghost stories. The four men also share a dark secret far more unsettling than fiction -- a secret which has literally come back to haunt them as well as their own adult offspring. Each man is visited by a hideous specter bearing the likeness of a young woman (Alice Krige) they accidentally killed 50 years ago when spurning her mischievous sexual advances.
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This 1981 John Irvin picture constitutes an adaptation of Peter Straub's colossal , bestselling novel. The central plot -- shared by both book and film -- revolves around the four elderly members of the Chowder Society ( Fred Astaire , Melvyn Douglas , Douglas Fairbanks , Jr . and John Houseman ), who gather in each other's drawing rooms each winter to sip cognac and spin elaborate ghost stories. The four men also share a dark secret far more unsettling than fiction -- a secret which has literally come back to haunt them , as well as their own adult offspring. Each man is visited by a hideous specter bearing the likeness of a young woman ( Alice Krige ) they accidentally killed 50 years ago when spurning her mischievous sexual advances.
0481
Together with Diabolique The Wages of Fear (Le Salaire de la Peur) earned Henri-Georges Clouzot the reputation as a "French Hitchcock." In truth Clouzot's ability to sustain suspense may have even exceeded Hitchcock's; when originally released Wages ran 155 tension-filled minutes. Based on the much-imitated novel by Georges Arnaud the film is set in Central America. The Southern Oil Company which pretty much rules the roost in the impoverished village of Las Piedras sends out a call for long-distance truck drivers. Southern Oil's wages of 2000 dollars per man are literally to die for -- the drivers are obliged to transport highly volatile nitroglycerine shipments across some of the most treacherous terrain on earth. Through expository dialogue tense interactions and flashbacks we become intimately acquainted with the four drivers who sign up for this death-defying mission: Corsican Yves Montand Italian Folco Lulli German Peter Van Eyck and Frenchman Charles Vanel. The first half of the film slowly methodically introduces the characters and their motivations. The second half -- the drive itself -- is a relentless goosebump-inducing assault on the audience's senses. The winner of the Grand Prix at the Cannes Festival The Wages of Fear was remade by William Friedkin as Sorcerer (1977).
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Together with Diabolique , The Wages of Fear ( Le Salaire de la Peur ) earned Henri - Georges Clouzot the reputation as a "French Hitchcock ." In truth , Clouzot 's ability to sustain suspense may have even exceeded Hitchcock 's ; when originally released , Wages ran 155 tension - filled minutes. Based on the much - imitated novel by Georges Arnaud , the film is set in Central America. The Southern Oil Company , which pretty much rules the roost in the impoverished village of Las Piedras , sends out a call for long - distance truck drivers. Southern Oil's wages of 2 , 000 dollars per man are , literally , to die for -- the drivers are obliged to transport highly volatile nitroglycerine shipments across some of the most treacherous terrain on earth. Through expository dialogue , tense interactions and flashbacks , we become intimately acquainted with the four drivers who sign up for this death - defying mission : Corsican Yves Montand , Italian Folco Lulli , German Peter Van Eyck , and Frenchman Charles Vanel . The first half of the film slowly , methodically introduces the characters and their motivations. The second half -- the drive itself -- is a relentless , goosebump - inducing assault on the audience's senses. The winner of the Grand Prix at the Cannes Festival , The Wages of Fear was remade by William Friedkin as Sorcerer ( 1977 ) .
0482
Dismissed when first released later heralded as one of director Alfred Hitchcock's finest films (and according to Hitchcock his most personal one) this adaptation of the French novel D'entre les morts weaves an intricate web of obsession and deceit. It opens as Scottie Ferguson (James Stewart) realizes he has vertigo a condition resulting in a fear of heights when a police officer is killed trying to rescue him from falling off a building. Scottie then retires from his position as a private investigator only to be lured into another case by his old college friend Gavin Elster (Tom Helmore). Elster's wife Madeleine (Kim Novak) has been possessed by a spirit and Elster wants Scottie to follow her. He hesitantly agrees and thus begins the film's wordless montage as Scottie follows the beautiful yet enigmatic Madeleine through 1950s San Francisco (accompanied by Bernard Herrmann's hypnotic score). After saving her from suicide Scottie begins to fall in love with her and she appears to feel the same way. Here tragedy strikes and each twist in the movie's second half changes our preconceptions about the characters and events. In 1996 a new print of Vertigo was released restoring the original grandeur of the colors and the San Francisco backdrop as well as digitally enhancing the soundtrack.
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Dismissed when first released , later heralded as one of director Alfred Hitchcock 's finest films ( and , according to Hitchcock , his most personal one ), this adaptation of the French novel D'entre les morts weaves an intricate web of obsession and deceit. It opens as Scottie Ferguson ( James Stewart ) realizes he has vertigo , a condition resulting in a fear of heights , when a police officer is killed trying to rescue him from falling off a building. Scottie then retires from his position as a private investigator , only to be lured into another case by his old college friend , Gavin Elster ( Tom Helmore ) . Elster's wife , Madeleine ( Kim Novak ), has been possessed by a spirit , and Elster wants Scottie to follow her. He hesitantly agrees , and thus begins the film's wordless montage as Scottie follows the beautiful yet enigmatic Madeleine through 1950s San Francisco ( accompanied by Bernard Herrmann 's hypnotic score ) . After saving her from suicide , Scottie begins to fall in love with her , and she appears to feel the same way. Here tragedy strikes , and each twist in the movie's second half changes our preconceptions about the characters and events. In 1996 a new print of Vertigo was released , restoring the original grandeur of the colors and the San Francisco backdrop , as well as digitally enhancing the soundtrack.
0483
Laid up with a broken leg photojournalist L.B. Jeffries (James Stewart) is confined to his tiny sweltering courtyard apartment. To pass the time between visits from his nurse (Thelma Ritter) and his fashion model girlfriend Lisa (Grace Kelly) the binocular-wielding Jeffries stares through the rear window of his apartment at the goings-on in the other apartments around his courtyard. As he watches his neighbors he assigns them such roles and character names as "Miss Torso" (Georgine Darcy) a professional dancer with a healthy social life or "Miss Lonelyhearts" (Judith Evelyn) a middle-aged woman who entertains nonexistent gentlemen callers. Of particular interest is seemingly mild-mannered travelling salesman Lars Thorwald (Raymond Burr) who is saddled with a nagging invalid wife. One afternoon Thorwald pulls down his window shade and his wife's incessant bray comes to a sudden halt. Out of boredom Jeffries casually concocts a scenario in which Thorwald has murdered his wife and disposed of the body in gruesome fashion. Trouble is Jeffries' musings just might happen to be the truth. One of Alfred Hitchcock's very best efforts Rear Window is a crackling suspense film that also ranks with Michael Powell's Peeping Tom (1960) as one of the movies' most trenchant dissections of voyeurism. As in most Hitchcock films the protagonist is a seemingly ordinary man who gets himself in trouble for his secret desires.
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Laid up with a broken leg , photojournalist L.B. Jeffries ( James Stewart ) is confined to his tiny , sweltering courtyard apartment. To pass the time between visits from his nurse ( Thelma Ritter ) and his fashion model girlfriend Lisa ( Grace Kelly ), the binocular - wielding Jeffries stares through the rear window of his apartment at the goings - on in the other apartments around his courtyard. As he watches his neighbors , he assigns them such roles and character names as "Miss Torso" ( Georgine Darcy ), a professional dancer with a healthy social life or "Miss Lonelyhearts" ( Judith Evelyn ), a middle - aged woman who entertains nonexistent gentlemen callers. Of particular interest is seemingly mild - mannered travelling salesman Lars Thorwald ( Raymond Burr ), who is saddled with a nagging , invalid wife. One afternoon , Thorwald pulls down his window shade , and his wife's incessant bray comes to a sudden halt. Out of boredom , Jeffries casually concocts a scenario in which Thorwald has murdered his wife and disposed of the body in gruesome fashion. Trouble is , Jeffries' musings just might happen to be the truth. One of Alfred Hitchcock 's very best efforts , Rear Window is a crackling suspense film that also ranks with Michael Powell 's Peeping Tom ( 1960 ) as one of the movies' most trenchant dissections of voyeurism. As in most Hitchcock films , the protagonist is a seemingly ordinary man who gets himself in trouble for his secret desires.
0484
The King and I Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein's 1951 Broadway musical hit was based on Margaret Landon's book Anna and the King of Siam. Since 20th-Century-Fox had made a film version of the Landon book in 1946 that studio had first dibs on the movie adaptation of The King and I. Deborah Kerr plays English widow Anna Leonowens who comes to Siam in the 1860s to tutor the many wives and children of the country's progressive King (Yul Brynner recreating his Broadway role-and winning an Oscar in the process). The culture clash between Anna and the King is but one aspect of their multilayered relationship. Through Anna the King learns the refineries and responsibilities of "modern" western civilization; Anna meanwhile comes to realize how important it is for an Oriental ruler to maintain his pride and to uphold the customs of his people. After a successful evening entertaining foreign dignitaries Anna and the King celebrate with an energetic dance but this is cut short by a bitter quarrel over the cruel punishment of the King's new Burmese wife Tuptim (Rita Moreno) who has dared to fall in love with someone else. Despite the many rifts between them Anna and the monarch come to respect and (to a degree) love one another. When the King dies Anna agrees to stay on to offer help and advice to the new ruler of Siam young Prince Chulalongkhorn (Patrick Adiarte). In general The King and I tends to be somewhat stagey with the notable exception of the matchless "Small House of Uncle Thomas" ballet which utilizes the Cinemascope 55 format to best advantage (the process also does a nice job of "handling" Deborah Kerr's voluminous hoopskirts). Most of the Broadway version's best songs ("Getting to Know You" "Whistle a Happy Tune" "A Puzzlement" "Shall We Dance" etc.) are retained. None of the omissions are particularly regrettable save for Anna's solo "Shall I Tell You What I Think of You?" This feisty attack on the King's chauvinism was specially written to suit the talents of Gertrude Lawrence who played Anna in the original production; the song was cut from the film because it made Deborah Kerr seem "too bitchy" (Kerr's singing incidentally is dubbed for the most part by the ubiquitous Marni Nixon). When all is said and done the principal attraction of The King and I is Yul Brynner in the role that made him a star and with which he will forever be identified.
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The King and I , Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein 's 1951 Broadway musical hit , was based on Margaret Landon 's book Anna and the King of Siam . Since 20th - Century - Fox had made a film version of the Landon book in 1946 , that studio had first dibs on the movie adaptation of The King and I . Deborah Kerr plays English widow Anna Leonowens , who comes to Siam in the 1860s to tutor the many wives and children of the country's progressive King ( Yul Brynner , recreating his Broadway role - and winning an Oscar in the process ) . The culture clash between Anna and the King is but one aspect of their multilayered relationship. Through Anna , the King learns the refineries and responsibilities of "modern" western civilization ; Anna meanwhile comes to realize how important it is for an Oriental ruler to maintain his pride and to uphold the customs of his people. After a successful evening entertaining foreign dignitaries , Anna and the King celebrate with an energetic dance , but this is cut short by a bitter quarrel over the cruel punishment of the King's new Burmese wife Tuptim ( Rita Moreno ), who has dared to fall in love with someone else. Despite the many rifts between them , Anna and the monarch come to respect and ( to a degree ) love one another. When the King dies , Anna agrees to stay on to offer help and advice to the new ruler of Siam , young Prince Chulalongkhorn ( Patrick Adiarte ) . In general , The King and I tends to be somewhat stagey , with the notable exception of the matchless "Small House of Uncle Thomas" ballet , which utilizes the Cinemascope 55 format to best advantage ( the process also does a nice job of "handling" Deborah Kerr 's voluminous hoopskirts ) . Most of the Broadway version's best songs ( "Getting to Know You" , "Whistle a Happy Tune" , "A Puzzlement" , "Shall We Dance" etc. ) are retained. None of the omissions are particularly regrettable , save for Anna's solo "Shall I Tell You What I Think of You?" This feisty attack on the King's chauvinism was specially written to suit the talents of Gertrude Lawrence , who played Anna in the original production ; the song was cut from the film because it made Deborah Kerr seem "too bitchy" ( Kerr 's singing , incidentally , is dubbed for the most part by the ubiquitous Marni Nixon ) . When all is said and done , the principal attraction of The King and I is Yul Brynner , in the role that made him a star and with which he will forever be identified.
0485
Fritz Lang directed this gritty drama of gangland murder and police corruption which was considered quite violent in its day. Dave Bannion (Glenn Ford) is a scrupulously honest police detective who learns that one of his fellow officers has committed suicide. Bannion is told by the officer's wife Bertha (Jeanette Nolan) that he was severely depressed after being told he was diagnosed with a terminal illness. But the cop's mistress a barmaid named Lucy (Dorothy Green) has another tale to tell. She claims that he left behind a suicide note detailing a complex trail of corruption in the department leading to mob boss Mike Lagana (Alexander Scourby) and now Bertha plans to use the note to blackmail Lagana. When Lucy is found dead beside an abandoned road with her body showing obvious signs of torture Bannion is convinced that her story was true and he goes after Lagana. When he threatens to expose Lagana's dealings the gangster orders Bannion killed. But the car bomb meant to finish Bannion off instead kills his wife Katie (Jocelyn Brando). The police take Bannion off the case but convinced his peers are trying to cover their tracks Bannion follows the case alone determined to get revenge. Lee Marvin and Gloria Grahame shine in key supporting roles.
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Fritz Lang directed this gritty drama of gangland murder and police corruption , which was considered quite violent in its day. Dave Bannion ( Glenn Ford ) is a scrupulously honest police detective who learns that one of his fellow officers has committed suicide. Bannion is told by the officer's wife , Bertha ( Jeanette Nolan ), that he was severely depressed after being told he was diagnosed with a terminal illness. But the cop's mistress , a barmaid named Lucy ( Dorothy Green ), has another tale to tell. She claims that he left behind a suicide note detailing a complex trail of corruption in the department , leading to mob boss Mike Lagana ( Alexander Scourby ), and now Bertha plans to use the note to blackmail Lagana. When Lucy is found dead beside an abandoned road , with her body showing obvious signs of torture , Bannion is convinced that her story was true , and he goes after Lagana. When he threatens to expose Lagana's dealings , the gangster orders Bannion killed. But the car bomb meant to finish Bannion off instead kills his wife Katie ( Jocelyn Brando ) . The police take Bannion off the case , but , convinced his peers are trying to cover their tracks , Bannion follows the case alone , determined to get revenge. Lee Marvin and Gloria Grahame shine in key supporting roles.
0486
The Asphalt Jungle is a brilliantly conceived and executed anatomy of a crime -- or as director John Huston and scripter Ben Maddow put it "a left-handed form of human endeavor." Recently paroled master criminal Erwin "Doc" Riedenschneider (Sam Jaffe) with funding from crooked attorney Emmerich (Louis Calhern) gathers several crooks together in Cincinnati for a Big Caper. Among those involved are Dix (Sterling Hayden) an impoverished hood who sees the upcoming jewel heist as a means to finance his dream of owning a horse farm. Hunch-backed cafe owner (James Whitmore) is hired on to be the driver for the heist; professional safecracker Louis Ciavelli (Anthony Caruso) assembles the tools of his trade; and a bookie (Marc Lawrence) acts as Emmerich's go-between. The robbery is pulled off successfully but an alert night watchman shoots Ciavelli. Corrupt cop (Barry Kelley) angry that his "patsy" (Lawrence) didn't let him in on the caper beats the bookie into confessing and fingering the other criminals involved. From this point on the meticulously planned crime falls apart with the inevitability of a Greek tragedy. Way down on the cast list is Marilyn Monroe in her star-making bit as Emmerich's sexy "niece"; whenever The Asphalt Jungle would be reissued Monroe would figure prominently in the print ads as one of the stars. The Asphalt Jungle was based on a novel by the prolific W.R. Burnett who also wrote Little Caesar and Saint Johnson (the fictionalized life story of Wyatt Earp).
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The Asphalt Jungle is a brilliantly conceived and executed anatomy of a crime -- or , as director John Huston and scripter Ben Maddow put it , "a left - handed form of human endeavor." Recently paroled master criminal Erwin "Doc" Riedenschneider ( Sam Jaffe ), with funding from crooked attorney Emmerich ( Louis Calhern ), gathers several crooks together in Cincinnati for a Big Caper. Among those involved are Dix ( Sterling Hayden ), an impoverished hood who sees the upcoming jewel heist as a means to finance his dream of owning a horse farm. Hunch - backed cafe owner ( James Whitmore ) is hired on to be the driver for the heist ; professional safecracker Louis Ciavelli ( Anthony Caruso ) assembles the tools of his trade ; and a bookie ( Marc Lawrence ) acts as Emmerich's go - between. The robbery is pulled off successfully , but an alert night watchman shoots Ciavelli. Corrupt cop ( Barry Kelley ), angry that his "patsy" ( Lawrence ) didn't let him in on the caper , beats the bookie into confessing and fingering the other criminals involved. From this point on , the meticulously planned crime falls apart with the inevitability of a Greek tragedy. Way down on the cast list is Marilyn Monroe in her star - making bit as Emmerich's sexy "niece" ; whenever The Asphalt Jungle would be reissued , Monroe would figure prominently in the print ads as one of the stars. The Asphalt Jungle was based on a novel by the prolific W.R. Burnett , who also wrote Little Caesar and Saint Johnson ( the fictionalized life story of Wyatt Earp ) .
0487
ased on the best-selling novel by Robert Traver (the pseudonym for Michigan Supreme Court justice John D. Voelker) Anatomy of a Murder stars James Stewart as seat-of-the-pants Michigan lawyer Paul Biegler. Through the intervention of his alcoholic mentor Parnell McCarthy (Arthur O'Connell) Biegler accepts the case of one Lt. Manion (Ben Gazzara) an unlovable lout who has murdered a local bar owner. Manion admits that he committed the crime citing as his motive the victim's rape of the alluring Mrs. Manion (Lee Remick). Faced with the formidable opposition of big-city prosecutor Claude Dancer (George C. Scott) Biegler hopes to win freedom for his client by using as his defense the argument of "irresistible impulse." Also featured in the cast is Eve Arden as Biegler's sardonic secretary Katherine Grant as the woman who inherits the dead man's business and Joseph N. Welch -- who in real life was the defense attorney in the Army-McCarthy hearings -- as the ever-patient judge. The progressive-jazz musical score is provided by Duke Ellington who also appears in a brief scene. Producer/director Otto Preminger once more pushed the envelope in Anatomy of a Murder by utilizing technical terminology referring to sexual penetration which up until 1959 was a cinematic no-no. Contrary to popular belief Preminger was not merely being faithful to the novel; most of the banter about "panties" and "semen" not to mention the 11-hour courtroom revelation was invented for the film. Anatomy of a Murder was filmed on location in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
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Based on the best - selling novel by Robert Traver ( the pseudonym for Michigan Supreme Court justice John D. Voelker ), Anatomy of a Murder stars James Stewart as seat - of - the - pants Michigan lawyer Paul Biegler. Through the intervention of his alcoholic mentor , Parnell McCarthy ( Arthur O'Connell ), Biegler accepts the case of one Lt. Manion ( Ben Gazzara ), an unlovable lout who has murdered a local bar owner. Manion admits that he committed the crime , citing as his motive the victim's rape of the alluring Mrs. Manion ( Lee Remick ) . Faced with the formidable opposition of big - city prosecutor Claude Dancer ( George C. Scott ), Biegler hopes to win freedom for his client by using as his defense the argument of "irresistible impulse." Also featured in the cast is Eve Arden as Biegler's sardonic secretary , Katherine Grant as the woman who inherits the dead man's business , and Joseph N. Welch -- who in real life was the defense attorney in the Army - McCarthy hearings -- as the ever - patient judge. The progressive - jazz musical score is provided by Duke Ellington , who also appears in a brief scene. Producer / director Otto Preminger once more pushed the envelope in Anatomy of a Murder by utilizing technical terminology referring to sexual penetration , which up until 1959 was a cinematic no - no. Contrary to popular belief , Preminger was not merely being faithful to the novel ; most of the banter about "panties" and "semen , " not to mention the 11 - hour courtroom revelation , was invented for the film. Anatomy of a Murder was filmed on location in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
0488
Gene Kelly does his patented Pal Joey bit as Jerry Mulligan an opportunistic American painter living in Paris' "starving artists" colony. He is discovered by wealthy Milo Roberts (Nina Foch) who becomes Jerry's patroness in more ways than one. Meanwhile Jerry plays hookey on this setup by romancing waif-like Lise Bouvier (Leslie Caron) -- who unbeknownst to him is the object of the affections of his close friend Henri (Georges Guetary) a popular nightclub performer. (The film was supposed to make Guetary into "the New Chevalier." It didn't.) The thinnish plot is held together by the superlative production numbers and by the recycling of several vintage George Gershwin tunes including "I Got Rhythm" "'S Wonderful" and "Our Love Is Here to Stay." Highlights include Guetary's rendition of "Stairway to Paradise"; Oscar Levant's fantasy of conducting and performing Gershwin's "Concerto in F" (Levant also appears as every member of the orchestra); and the closing 17-minute "American in Paris" ballet in which Kelly and Caron dance before lavish backgrounds based on the works of famed French artists.
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Gene Kelly does his patented Pal Joey bit as Jerry Mulligan , an opportunistic American painter living in Paris' "starving artists" colony. He is discovered by wealthy Milo Roberts ( Nina Foch ), who becomes Jerry's patroness in more ways than one. Meanwhile , Jerry plays hookey on this setup by romancing waif - like Lise Bouvier ( Leslie Caron ) -- who , unbeknownst to him , is the object of the affections of his close friend Henri ( Georges Guetary ), a popular nightclub performer. ( The film was supposed to make Guetary into "the New Chevalier ." It didn't. ) The thinnish plot is held together by the superlative production numbers and by the recycling of several vintage George Gershwin tunes , including "I Got Rhythm , " "'S Wonderful , " and "Our Love Is Here to Stay." Highlights include Guetary 's rendition of "Stairway to Paradise" ; Oscar Levant 's fantasy of conducting and performing Gershwin 's "Concerto in F" ( Levant also appears as every member of the orchestra ); and the closing 17 - minute "American in Paris" ballet , in which Kelly and Caron dance before lavish backgrounds based on the works of famed French artists.
0489
ased on the story The Wisdom of Eve by Mary Orr All About Eve is an elegantly bitchy backstage story revolving around aspiring actress Eve Harrington (Anne Baxter). Tattered and forlorn Eve shows up in the dressing room of Broadway mega-star Margo Channing (Bette Davis) weaving a melancholy life story to Margo and her friends. Taking pity on the girl Margo takes Eve as her personal assistant. Before long it becomes apparent that naïve Eve is a Machiavellian conniver who cold-bloodedly uses Margo her director Bill Sampson (Gary Merill) Lloyd's wife Karen (Celeste Holm) and waspish critic Addison De Witt (George Sanders) to rise to the top of the theatrical heap. Also appearing in All About Eve is Marilyn Monroe introduced by Addison De Witt as "a graduate of the Copacabana school of dramatic art." This is but one of the hundreds of unforgettable lines penned by writer/director Joseph L. Mankiewicz the most famous of which is Margo Channing's lip-sneering admonition "Fasten your seat belts. It's going to be a bumpy night." All About Eve received 6 Academy Awards including Best Picture.
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Based on the story The Wisdom of Eve by Mary Orr , All About Eve is an elegantly bitchy backstage story revolving around aspiring actress Eve Harrington ( Anne Baxter ) . Tattered and forlorn , Eve shows up in the dressing room of Broadway mega - star Margo Channing ( Bette Davis ), weaving a melancholy life story to Margo and her friends. Taking pity on the girl , Margo takes Eve as her personal assistant. Before long , it becomes apparent that naïve Eve is a Machiavellian conniver who cold - bloodedly uses Margo , her director Bill Sampson ( Gary Merill ), Lloyd's wife Karen ( Celeste Holm ), and waspish critic Addison De Witt ( George Sanders ) to rise to the top of the theatrical heap. Also appearing in All About Eve is Marilyn Monroe , introduced by Addison De Witt as "a graduate of the Copacabana school of dramatic art." This is but one of the hundreds of unforgettable lines penned by writer / director Joseph L. Mankiewicz , the most famous of which is Margo Channing's lip - sneering admonition , "Fasten your seat belts. It's going to be a bumpy night." All About Eve received 6 Academy Awards , including Best Picture.
0490
The 1954 musical remake of A Star is Born could have been titled A Star is Reborn in that it represented the triumphal return to the screen of Judy Garland after a four-year absence. The remake adheres closely to the plotline of the 1937 original: An alcoholic film star on his last professional legs gives a career boost to a unknown aspiring actress. The two marry whereupon her fame and fortune rises while his spirals sharply downward. Unable to accept this the male star crawls deeper into the bottle. The wife tearfully decides to give up her own career to care for her husband. To spare her this fate the husband chivalrously commits suicide. His wife is inconsolable at first but is urged to go "on with the show" in memory of her late husband. In the original Janet Gaynor played Esther Blodgett who with no training or contacts came to Hollywood hoping for stardom. The remake scripted by Moss Hart is a shade more realistic: Garland's Esther though far removed from fame is a working professional singer/dancer when first we meet her. Both Gaynor and Garland are transformed from "Esther Blodgett" to "Vicki Lester" after being screen-tested though Gaynor goes on to star in fluffy costume dramas while Garland more logically headlines big-budget musicals. The 1937 Star is Born costarred Fredric March as Norman Maine Esther/Vicki's sponsor-cum-spouse. March patterned his performance after the tragic John Barrymore reining in his emotions in favor of pure technique; James Mason's interpretation is more original more emotional and far more effective (who can forget the scene where Norman sobbingly overhears Vicki planning to give up her career for his sake?) As the studio's long-suffering publicist the 1937 version's Lionel Stander is more abrasive and unpleasant than the 1954 version's introspective intellectual Jack Carson; on the other hand Adolphe Menjou and Charles Bickford are fairly evenly matched in the role of the studio head. Several important omissions are made in the remake. The 1937 Star is Born included Esther's indomitable old grandma (May Robson) a helpful assistant director (Andy Devine) and a soft-hearted landlord (Edgar Kennedy); all three characters are missing from the 1954 version though elements of each can be found in the "best friend/severest critic" character played by Tommy Noonan. Wisely both versions end with the grieving Vicki Lester coming out of her shell at a public gathering greeting the audience with a proud defiant "Good evening everybody. This is Mrs. Norman Maine". Though directors William Wellman (1937 version) and George Cukor (1954 version) handle this finale in their own distinctive manners the end result is equally effective emotionally. What truly sets the 1954 A Star is Born apart from other films of its ilk is its magnificent musical score by Harold Arlen and Ira Gershwin. The songs include The Man Who Got Away (brilliantly performed by Garland in one long take sans dubbing) It's a New World Somewhere There's a Someone I Was Born in a Trunk Lose That Long Face and Gotta Have Me Go With You. When originally previewed in 1954 the film ran well over three hours thanks to the lengthy-and thoroughly disposable-Born in a Trunk number added to the film as an afterthought without the approval or participation of director George Cukor. The Warner Bros. executives trimmed the film to 154 minutes eliminating three top-rank musical numbers and several crucial expository sequences (including Norman's proposal to Vicki). At the instigation of the late film historian Ronald Haver the full version was painstakingly restored in 1983 with outtakes and still photos bridging the "lost" footage. Though nominated in several categories A Star is Born was left empty-handed at Academy Award time an oversight that caused outrage then and still rankles Judy Garland fans to this day (Footnote: Judy Garland had previously played Vicki Lester in a 1942 Lux Radio Theatre adaptation of the original A Star is Born).
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The 1954 musical remake of A Star is Born could have been titled A Star is Reborn , in that it represented the triumphal return to the screen of Judy Garland after a four - year absence. The remake adheres closely to the plotline of the 1937 original : An alcoholic film star , on his last professional legs , gives a career boost to a unknown aspiring actress. The two marry , whereupon her fame and fortune rises while his spirals sharply downward. Unable to accept this , the male star crawls deeper into the bottle. The wife tearfully decides to give up her own career to care for her husband. To spare her this fate , the husband chivalrously commits suicide. His wife is inconsolable at first , but is urged to go "on with the show" in memory of her late husband. In the original , Janet Gaynor played Esther Blodgett , who with no training or contacts came to Hollywood hoping for stardom. The remake , scripted by Moss Hart , is a shade more realistic : Garland 's Esther , though far removed from fame , is a working professional singer / dancer when first we meet her. Both Gaynor and Garland are transformed from "Esther Blodgett" to "Vicki Lester" after being screen - tested , though Gaynor goes on to star in fluffy costume dramas while Garland more logically headlines big - budget musicals. The 1937 Star is Born costarred Fredric March as Norman Maine , Esther / Vicki's sponsor - cum - spouse. March patterned his performance after the tragic John Barrymore , reining in his emotions in favor of pure technique ; James Mason 's interpretation is more original , more emotional , and far more effective ( who can forget the scene where Norman sobbingly overhears Vicki planning to give up her career for his sake? ) As the studio's long - suffering publicist , the 1937 version's Lionel Stander is more abrasive and unpleasant than the 1954 version's introspective , intellectual Jack Carson ; on the other hand , Adolphe Menjou and Charles Bickford are fairly evenly matched in the role of the studio head. Several important omissions are made in the remake. The 1937 Star is Born included Esther's indomitable old grandma ( May Robson ), a helpful assistant director ( Andy Devine ) and a soft - hearted landlord ( Edgar Kennedy ); all three characters are missing from the 1954 version , though elements of each can be found in the "best friend / severest critic" character played by Tommy Noonan . Wisely , both versions end with the grieving Vicki Lester coming out of her shell at a public gathering , greeting the audience with a proud , defiant "Good evening , everybody. This is Mrs. Norman Maine". Though directors William Wellman ( 1937 version ) and George Cukor ( 1954 version ) handle this finale in their own distinctive manners , the end result is equally effective emotionally. What truly sets the 1954 A Star is Born apart from other films of its ilk is its magnificent musical score by Harold Arlen and Ira Gershwin . The songs include The Man Who Got Away ( brilliantly performed by Garland in one long take , sans dubbing ), It's a New World , Somewhere There's a Someone , I Was Born in a Trunk , Lose That Long Face and Gotta Have Me Go With You. When originally previewed in 1954 , the film ran well over three hours , thanks to the lengthy - and thoroughly disposable - Born in a Trunk number , added to the film as an afterthought without the approval or participation of director George Cukor . The Warner Bros. executives trimmed the film to 154 minutes , eliminating three top - rank musical numbers and several crucial expository sequences ( including Norman's proposal to Vicki ) . At the instigation of the late film historian Ronald Haver , the full version was painstakingly restored in 1983 , with outtakes and still photos bridging the "lost" footage. Though nominated in several categories , A Star is Born was left empty - handed at Academy Award time , an oversight that caused outrage then and still rankles Judy Garland fans to this day ( Footnote : Judy Garland had previously played Vicki Lester in a 1942 Lux Radio Theatre adaptation of the original A Star is Born ) .
0491
George Stevens' sprawling adaptation of Edna Ferber's best-selling novel successfully walks a fine line between potboiler and serious drama for its 210-minute running time making it one of the few epics of its era that continues to hold up as engrossing entertainment across the decades. Giant opens circa 1922 in Maryland where Texas rancher Jordan "Bick" Benedict (Rock Hudson) has arrived to buy a stallion called War Winds from its owner Dr. Horace Lynnton (Paul Fix). But much as Bick loves and knows horses he finds himself even more transfixed by the doctor's daughter Leslie Lynnton (Elizabeth Taylor) and after some awkward moments she has to admit that she's equally drawn to the shy laconic Texan. They get married and Leslie spends her honeymoon traveling with Jordan to his ranch Reata which covers nearly a million acres of Texas. Once there however she finds that she has to push her way into her rightful role as mistress of the house past Bick's sister Luz (Mercedes McCambridge) who can't accept her brother's marriage or the changes it means in the home they share. Also working around Reata is the laconic ranch hand Jett Rink (James Dean) -- from a family as rooted in Texas as the Benedicts but not nearly as lucky (or "foxy") Jett is dirt-poor and barely educated at all and he fairly oozes resentment at Bick for his arrogance although Luz likes him and for that reason alone Bick is obliged to keep him on. One thing Jett does have in common with his employer is that he is in awe of Leslie's beauty; another is his nearly total contempt for the Mexican-Americans who work for them -- Jett and Bick may have contempt for each other but either one is just as likely to dismiss the Mexican-Americans around them as a bunch of shiftless "wetbacks." Luz feels so threatened with a loss of power and control that she decides to assert herself with War Winds yet another "prize" that Bick brought back from Maryland that resists her authority -- then decides to ride the stallion despite being warned that no one but Leslie is wholly safe on him and spurs him brutally in an effort to break him which ends up destroying them both in the battle of wills she starts. After Luz's death Jett learns that she left him a tiny piece of land for his own on Reata which he refuses to sell back to Bick preferring to keep it for his own and maybe prospect for oil on it. Meanwhile Leslie and Bick have their own problems -- Leslie can't abide the wretched conditions in which the Mexican families who work on Reata are allowed to live taking a special interest in Mr. and Mrs. Obregon and their baby Angel; but Bick doesn't want his wife or any member of his family concerning themselves with "those people." Leslie's humanity and her independence push their marriage to the limit but Bick comes to accept this in his wife and in four years of marriage they have three handsome children a boy and two girls and a loving if occasionally awkward home life. Meanwhile Jett strikes oil on his land -- which he's named Little Reata -- and in a couple of years he's on his way to becoming the richest man in Texas getting drilling contracts on all of the land in the area (except Reata) and making more money than the Benedicts ever saw from raising cattle. Bick is almost oblivious to the way Jett grows in power and influence across the years and the state mostly because he's got his own family to worry about including a son Jordan III (Dennis Hopper) who doesn't want to take over the ranch from him but wants instead to be a doctor; an older daughter Judy (Fran Bennett) who wants to study animal husbandry and marry a local rancher (Earl Holliman) and start a tiny spread of her own; and a younger daughter Luz (Carroll Baker) who's just a bit man-crazy and star-struck by the movies. The American entry into the Second World War and the resulting need for oil forces Bick to go into business with Jett and allow him to drill on Reata and suddenly the Benedicts are wealthy enough to be part of Jett Rink's circle which includes the governor of the state and at least one United States senator at his beck and call -- and Luz develops a serious crush on Jett who likes his women young and is especially attracted to her as Bick's and Leslie's daughter. Young Jordan marries Juana a Mexican-American nursing student (Elsa Cardenas) and his father accepts it begrudgingly with help from Leslie. The war kills Angel Obregon (Sal Mineo) a death that even affects Bick but the Benedict family gets through it wealthier than ever and grows some more with the birth of Jordan IV to Jordie and Juana. When the family attends a gala opening of Jett Rink Airport which concludes with a dinner honoring Jett's success however young Jordan's wife is humiliated by Jett's racist edicts and he is beaten up by Jett's men after punching the oil baron. Seeing this Bick challenges his old rival to the fight that's been brewing for a quarter of a century and wins by default Jett being too drunk to defend himself or to hit; he's also too drunk to make the grand speech that was to climax the celebration and he ends up alone in the ballroom. The Benedicts have it out with each other young Jordan accusing his father of being as much a racist as Jett and Leslie caught in the middle between her husband and her son. It looks like the Benedicts may lose each other until an encounter with a racist diner owner forces Bick to stand up and get knocked down (more than once) defending his daughter-in-law and his grandson. Seen today Giant seems the least dated of any of James Dean's three starring films in part because it addresses issues that remain relevant more than 50 years later and also because it has the best all-around acting and the best script of any of the three. Taken in broader terms it's even better with two of the best performances that Elizabeth Taylor and Rock Hudson ever gave and perhaps the second best of Hudson's whole career (after Seconds) -- the only unfortunate element at modern theatrical screenings is the tendency of younger viewers who only know him in terms of the revelations late in his life of his being gay to laugh and snicker at elements of Hudson's characterization; but his work is so good that the titters usually fade after the first 30 minutes or so.
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George Stevens ' sprawling adaptation of Edna Ferber 's best - selling novel successfully walks a fine line between potboiler and serious drama for its 210 - minute running time , making it one of the few epics of its era that continues to hold up as engrossing entertainment across the decades. Giant opens circa 1922 in Maryland , where Texas rancher Jordan "Bick" Benedict ( Rock Hudson ) has arrived to buy a stallion called War Winds from its owner , Dr. Horace Lynnton ( Paul Fix ) . But much as Bick loves and knows horses , he finds himself even more transfixed by the doctor's daughter , Leslie Lynnton ( Elizabeth Taylor ), and after some awkward moments , she has to admit that she's equally drawn to the shy , laconic Texan. They get married and Leslie spends her honeymoon traveling with Jordan to his ranch , Reata , which covers nearly a million acres of Texas. Once there , however , she finds that she has to push her way into her rightful role as mistress of the house , past Bick's sister , Luz ( Mercedes McCambridge ), who can't accept her brother's marriage or the changes it means in the home they share. Also working around Reata is the laconic ranch hand Jett Rink ( James Dean ) -- from a family as rooted in Texas as the Benedicts but not nearly as lucky ( or "foxy" ), Jett is dirt - poor and barely educated at all , and he fairly oozes resentment at Bick for his arrogance , although Luz likes him and for that reason alone Bick is obliged to keep him on. One thing Jett does have in common with his employer is that he is in awe of Leslie's beauty ; another is his nearly total contempt for the Mexican - Americans who work for them -- Jett and Bick may have contempt for each other , but either one is just as likely to dismiss the Mexican - Americans around them as a bunch of shiftless "wetbacks." Luz feels so threatened with a loss of power and control that she decides to assert herself with War Winds , yet another "prize" that Bick brought back from Maryland that resists her authority -- then decides to ride the stallion despite being warned that no one but Leslie is wholly safe on him , and spurs him brutally in an effort to break him , which ends up destroying them both in the battle of wills she starts. After Luz's death , Jett learns that she left him a tiny piece of land for his own , on Reata , which he refuses to sell back to Bick , preferring to keep it for his own and maybe prospect for oil on it. Meanwhile , Leslie and Bick have their own problems -- Leslie can't abide the wretched conditions in which the Mexican families who work on Reata are allowed to live , taking a special interest in Mr. and Mrs. Obregon and their baby , Angel ; but Bick doesn't want his wife , or any member of his family , concerning themselves with "those people." Leslie's humanity and her independence push their marriage to the limit , but Bick comes to accept this in his wife , and in four years of marriage they have three handsome children , a boy and two girls , and a loving if occasionally awkward home life. Meanwhile , Jett strikes oil on his land -- which he's named Little Reata -- and in a couple of years he's on his way to becoming the richest man in Texas , getting drilling contracts on all of the land in the area ( except Reata ) and making more money than the Benedicts ever saw from raising cattle. Bick is almost oblivious to the way Jett grows in power and influence across the years and the state , mostly because he's got his own family to worry about , including a son , Jordan III ( Dennis Hopper ), who doesn't want to take over the ranch from him , but wants instead to be a doctor ; an older daughter , Judy ( Fran Bennett ), who wants to study animal husbandry and marry a local rancher ( Earl Holliman ) and start a tiny spread of her own ; and a younger daughter , Luz ( Carroll Baker ), who's just a bit man - crazy and star - struck by the movies. The American entry into the Second World War and the resulting need for oil forces Bick to go into business with Jett and allow him to drill on Reata , and suddenly the Benedicts are wealthy enough to be part of Jett Rink's circle , which includes the governor of the state and at least one United States senator at his beck and call -- and Luz develops a serious crush on Jett , who likes his women young and is especially attracted to her , as Bick's and Leslie's daughter. Young Jordan marries Juana , a Mexican - American nursing student ( Elsa Cardenas ), and his father accepts it begrudgingly , with help from Leslie. The war kills Angel Obregon ( Sal Mineo ), a death that even affects Bick , but the Benedict family gets through it wealthier than ever and grows some more with the birth of Jordan IV to Jordie and Juana. When the family attends a gala opening of Jett Rink Airport , which concludes with a dinner honoring Jett's success , however , young Jordan's wife is humiliated by Jett's racist edicts , and he is beaten up by Jett's men after punching the oil baron. Seeing this , Bick challenges his old rival to the fight that's been brewing for a quarter of a century and wins by default , Jett being too drunk to defend himself or to hit ; he's also too drunk to make the grand speech that was to climax the celebration , and he ends up alone in the ballroom. The Benedicts have it out with each other , young Jordan accusing his father of being as much a racist as Jett , and Leslie caught in the middle between her husband and her son. It looks like the Benedicts may lose each other , until an encounter with a racist diner owner forces Bick to stand up and get knocked down ( more than once ) defending his daughter - in - law and his grandson. Seen today , Giant seems the least dated of any of James Dean 's three starring films , in part because it addresses issues that remain relevant more than 50 years later , and also because it has the best all - around acting and the best script of any of the three. Taken in broader terms , it's even better , with two of the best performances that Elizabeth Taylor and Rock Hudson ever gave , and perhaps the second best of Hudson 's whole career ( after Seconds ) -- the only unfortunate element at modern theatrical screenings is the tendency of younger viewers , who only know him in terms of the revelations late in his life of his being gay , to laugh and snicker at elements of Hudson 's characterization ; but his work is so good that the titters usually fade after the first 30 minutes or so.
0492
In this gritty urban drama war veteran Richard Dadier (Glenn Ford) wants to begin his career as a teacher and is given an assignment at a boys high school in inner-city New York. However he soon discovers the school is overrun by delinquents led by Artie West (Vic Morrow) an insolent hood who likes to call Richard "Mr. Daddy-O." Artie and his gang steal destroy property refuse to respect authority and threaten the female teachers with rape. While most of the faculty have given up and meekly let the delinquents do what they want Dadier is determined to bring order back to his classroom even after Artie's thugs threaten Richard's pregnant wife. Keep your eyes peeled for a bit part by Jameel Farah years before he would change his name to Jamie Farr. Blackboard Jungle was also the first major studio film to use rock & roll on the soundtrack; the film's success kick-started sales of "Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley & His Comets which helped to spark the rock & roll boom of the 1950s.
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In this gritty urban drama , war veteran Richard Dadier ( Glenn Ford ) wants to begin his career as a teacher and is given an assignment at a boys high school in inner - city New York. However , he soon discovers the school is overrun by delinquents , led by Artie West ( Vic Morrow ), an insolent hood who likes to call Richard "Mr. Daddy - O." Artie and his gang steal , destroy property , refuse to respect authority , and threaten the female teachers with rape. While most of the faculty have given up and meekly let the delinquents do what they want , Dadier is determined to bring order back to his classroom , even after Artie's thugs threaten Richard's pregnant wife. Keep your eyes peeled for a bit part by Jameel Farah , years before he would change his name to Jamie Farr . Blackboard Jungle was also the first major studio film to use rock & roll on the soundtrack ; the film's success kick - started sales of "Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley & His Comets , which helped to spark the rock & roll boom of the 1950s.
0493
Robert Francis is at the center of the story as Willis Keith a newly-minted ensign assigned to the destroyer/minesweeper U.S.S. Caine during World War II. Soon after his arrival the ship gets a new captain Lt. Comdr. Philip Francis Queeg Humphrey Bogart a tough no-nonsense veteran officer who tries to turns the crew into proper sailors and the Caine into a tight ship engendering resentment from some of the men and several of his officers. A veteran of difficult years of service for too long Queeg has insecurities about himself his command and his career that begin to manifest themselves as spells of temper over small details that cause him to make mistakes. Lt.Keefer (Fred MacMurray) the glib-tongued communications officer begins making suggestions to the ship's sincere but overburdened first officer Lt. Steve Maryk (Van Johnson) that Queeg may have mental problems. Maryk initially rejects these suggestions and tries to support the captain but conditions deteriorate to the point where Maryk is forced to relieve Queeg of command and is charged -- along with Keith who supported him -- with mutiny. Enter Lt. Barney Greenwald (Jose Ferrer) a lawyer in civilian life who reluctantly agrees to help them mostly out of sympathy for the impossible predicament in which Maryk has found himself trapped.
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Robert Francis is at the center of the story as Willis Keith , a newly - minted ensign assigned to the destroyer / minesweeper U.S.S. Caine during World War II. Soon after his arrival , the ship gets a new captain , Lt. Comdr. Philip Francis Queeg Humphrey Bogart , a tough , no - nonsense veteran officer who tries to turns the crew into proper sailors and the Caine into a tight ship , engendering resentment from some of the men and several of his officers. A veteran of difficult years of service for too long , Queeg has insecurities about himself , his command , and his career that begin to manifest themselves as spells of temper over small details that cause him to make mistakes. Lt.Keefer ( Fred MacMurray ), the glib - tongued communications officer , begins making suggestions to the ship's sincere but overburdened first officer , Lt. Steve Maryk ( Van Johnson ), that Queeg may have mental problems. Maryk initially rejects these suggestions , and tries to support the captain , but conditions deteriorate to the point where Maryk is forced to relieve Queeg of command , and is charged -- along with Keith , who supported him -- with mutiny. Enter Lt. Barney Greenwald ( Jose Ferrer ), a lawyer in civilian life , who reluctantly agrees to help them , mostly out of sympathy for the impossible predicament in which Maryk has found himself trapped.
0494
"If they move kill 'em!" Beginning and ending with two of the bloodiest battles in screen history Sam Peckinpah's classic revisionist Western ruthlessly takes apart the myths of the West. Released in the late '60s discord over Vietnam in the wake of the controversial Bonnie and Clyde (1967) and the brutal "spaghetti westerns" of Sergio Leone The Wild Bunch polarized critics and audiences over its ferocious bloodshed. One side hailed it as a classic appropriately pitched to the violence and nihilism of the times while the other reviled it as depraved. After a failed payroll robbery the outlaw Bunch led by aging Pike Bishop (William Holden) and including Dutch (Ernest Borgnine) Angel (Jaime Sanchez) and Lyle and Tector Gorch (Warren Oates and Ben Johnson) heads for Mexico pursued by the gang of Pike's friend-turned-nemesis Deke Thornton (Robert Ryan). Ultimately caught between the corruption of railroad fat cat Harrigan (Albert Dekker) and federale general Mapache (Emilio Fernandez) and without a frontier for escape the Bunch opts for a final Pyrrhic victory striding purposefully to confront Mapache and avenge their friend Angel.
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"If they move , kill 'em!" Beginning and ending with two of the bloodiest battles in screen history , Sam Peckinpah 's classic revisionist Western ruthlessly takes apart the myths of the West. Released in the late '60s discord over Vietnam , in the wake of the controversial Bonnie and Clyde ( 1967 ) and the brutal "spaghetti westerns" of Sergio Leone , The Wild Bunch polarized critics and audiences over its ferocious bloodshed. One side hailed it as a classic appropriately pitched to the violence and nihilism of the times , while the other reviled it as depraved. After a failed payroll robbery , the outlaw Bunch , led by aging Pike Bishop ( William Holden ) and including Dutch ( Ernest Borgnine ), Angel ( Jaime Sanchez ), and Lyle and Tector Gorch ( Warren Oates and Ben Johnson ), heads for Mexico pursued by the gang of Pike's friend - turned - nemesis Deke Thornton ( Robert Ryan ) . Ultimately caught between the corruption of railroad fat cat Harrigan ( Albert Dekker ) and federale general Mapache ( Emilio Fernandez ), and without a frontier for escape , the Bunch opts for a final Pyrrhic victory , striding purposefully to confront Mapache and avenge their friend Angel.
0495
In 1960 Alfred Hitchcock was already famous as the screen's master of suspense (and perhaps the best-known film director in the world) when he released Psycho and forever changed the shape and tone of the screen thriller. From its first scene in which an unmarried couple balances pleasure and guilt in a lunchtime liaison in a cheap hotel (hardly a common moment in a major studio film in 1960) Psycho announced that it was taking the audience to places it had never been before and on that score what followed would hardly disappoint. Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) is unhappy in her job at a Phoenix Arizona real estate office and frustrated in her romance with hardware store manager Sam Loomis (John Gavin). One afternoon Marion is given $40000 in cash to be deposited in the bank. Minutes later impulse has taken over and Marion takes off with the cash hoping to leave Phoenix for good and start a new life with her purloined nest egg. 36 hours later paranoia and exhaustion have started to set in and Marion decides to stop for the night at the Bates Motel where nervous but personable innkeeper Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) cheerfully mentions that she's the first guest in weeks before he regales her with curious stories about his mother. There's hardly a film fan alive who doesn't know what happens next but while the shower scene is justifiably the film's most famous sequence there are dozens of memorable bits throughout this film. The first of a handful of sequels followed in 1983 while Gus Van Sant's controversial remake starring Vince Vaughn and Anne Heche appeared in 1998.
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In 1960 , Alfred Hitchcock was already famous as the screen's master of suspense ( and perhaps the best - known film director in the world ) when he released Psycho and forever changed the shape and tone of the screen thriller. From its first scene , in which an unmarried couple balances pleasure and guilt in a lunchtime liaison in a cheap hotel ( hardly a common moment in a major studio film in 1960 ), Psycho announced that it was taking the audience to places it had never been before , and on that score what followed would hardly disappoint. Marion Crane ( Janet Leigh ) is unhappy in her job at a Phoenix , Arizona real estate office and frustrated in her romance with hardware store manager Sam Loomis ( John Gavin ) . One afternoon , Marion is given $40 , 000 in cash to be deposited in the bank. Minutes later , impulse has taken over and Marion takes off with the cash , hoping to leave Phoenix for good and start a new life with her purloined nest egg. 36 hours later , paranoia and exhaustion have started to set in , and Marion decides to stop for the night at the Bates Motel , where nervous but personable innkeeper Norman Bates ( Anthony Perkins ) cheerfully mentions that she's the first guest in weeks , before he regales her with curious stories about his mother. There's hardly a film fan alive who doesn't know what happens next , but while the shower scene is justifiably the film's most famous sequence , there are dozens of memorable bits throughout this film. The first of a handful of sequels followed in 1983 , while Gus Van Sant 's controversial remake , starring Vince Vaughn and Anne Heche , appeared in 1998.
0496
Originally intended as a project for Blake Edwards the film version of Pierre Boule's semisatiric sci-fi novel came to the screen in 1968 under the directorial guidance of Franklin J. Schaffner. Charlton Heston is George Taylor one of several astronauts on a long long space mission whose spaceship crash-lands on a remote planet seemingly devoid of intelligent life. Soon the astronaut learns that this planet is ruled by a race of talking thinking reasoning apes who hold court over a complex multilayered civilization. In this topsy-turvy society the human beings are grunting inarticulate primates penned-up like animals. When ape leader Dr. Zaius (Maurice Evans) discovers that the captive Taylor has the power of speech he reacts in horror and insists that the astronaut be killed. But sympathetic ape scientists Cornelius (Roddy McDowell) and Dr. Zira (Kim Hunter) risk their lives to protect Taylor -- and to discover the secret of their planet's history that Dr. Zaius and his minions guard so jealously. In the end it is Taylor who stumbles on the truth about the Planet of the Apes: "Damn you! Damn you! Goddamn you all to hell!" Scripted by Rod Serling and Michael Wilson (a former blacklistee who previously adapted another Pierre Boule novel Bridge on the River Kwai) Planet of the Apes has gone on to be an all-time sci-fi (and/or camp) classic. It won a special Academy Award for John Chambers's convincing (and from all accounts excruciatingly uncomfortable) simian makeup. It spawned four successful sequels as well as two TV series one live-action and one animated.
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Originally intended as a project for Blake Edwards , the film version of Pierre Boule's semisatiric sci - fi novel came to the screen in 1968 under the directorial guidance of Franklin J. Schaffner . Charlton Heston is George Taylor , one of several astronauts on a long , long space mission whose spaceship crash - lands on a remote planet , seemingly devoid of intelligent life. Soon the astronaut learns that this planet is ruled by a race of talking , thinking , reasoning apes who hold court over a complex , multilayered civilization. In this topsy - turvy society , the human beings are grunting , inarticulate primates , penned - up like animals. When ape leader Dr. Zaius ( Maurice Evans ) discovers that the captive Taylor has the power of speech , he reacts in horror and insists that the astronaut be killed. But sympathetic ape scientists Cornelius ( Roddy McDowell ) and Dr. Zira ( Kim Hunter ) risk their lives to protect Taylor -- and to discover the secret of their planet's history that Dr. Zaius and his minions guard so jealously. In the end , it is Taylor who stumbles on the truth about the Planet of the Apes : "Damn you! Damn you! Goddamn you all to hell!" Scripted by Rod Serling and Michael Wilson ( a former blacklistee who previously adapted another Pierre Boule novel , Bridge on the River Kwai ), Planet of the Apes has gone on to be an all - time sci - fi ( and / or camp ) classic. It won a special Academy Award for John Chambers 's convincing ( and , from all accounts , excruciatingly uncomfortable ) simian makeup. It spawned four successful sequels , as well as two TV series , one live - action and one animated.
0497
The "my" in My Night At Maud's belongs to the protagonist played by Jean-Louis Trintignant a Catholic engineer whose struggle with his faith is renewed when he falls instantly in love with a woman he's never met (Marie-Christine Barrault) while attending mass. A chance meeting with an amoral old friend (Antoine Vitez) the same night places him in a potentially compromising situation when he's forced to spend the night with Vitez's alluring acquaintance Maude (Françoise Fabian) a sophisticated woman who challenges Trintignant's belief through intellectual and fleshly means.
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The "my" in My Night At Maud's belongs to the protagonist played by Jean - Louis Trintignant , a Catholic engineer whose struggle with his faith is renewed when he falls instantly in love with a woman he's never met ( Marie - Christine Barrault ) while attending mass. A chance meeting with an amoral old friend ( Antoine Vitez ) the same night places him in a potentially compromising situation when he's forced to spend the night with Vitez's alluring acquaintance Maude ( Françoise Fabian ), a sophisticated woman who challenges Trintignant's belief through intellectual and fleshly means.
0498
Meredith Wilson's hit 1957 Broadway musical was transferred to the screen in larger-than-life fashion in 1962. Robert Preston repeats his legendary stage performance as fast-talking con man Harold Hill who goes from town to town selling citizens on starting a "boy's band" then extracts money from them by ordering instruments and uniforms with the promise that he'll teach the kids how to be musicians. Once he's collected his bankroll Hill skips town leaving the kids in the lurch. Looking for new suckers in Iowa Hill arrives in River City where he declares that the only way to save the youth of River City from the lure of the poolroom is to organize a boy's band. He charms the mayor's wife Eulalie (Hermione Gingold) into forming a "ladies' dance committee" and sets his sights on winning over local music teacher Marian Paroo (Shirley Jones). Marian rightly considers Hill a fraud especially when he espouses the "Think System" of learning music: if you think a tune he claims you can play it. But Marian becomes Hill's staunchest ally when her young brother Winthrop (Ronny Howard) sullen and withdrawn since the death of his father exuberantly comes out of his shell at the prospect of joining Hill's band; and Marian's budding romance with the charming but unreliable Hill ultimately brings her out of her own shell as well. Marion Hargrove's script uses most of the original play with a handful of amusing expansions especially in the roles played by Gingold and by Buddy Hackett as Hill's comic sidekick.
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Meredith Wilson 's hit 1957 Broadway musical was transferred to the screen in larger - than - life fashion in 1962. Robert Preston repeats his legendary stage performance as fast - talking con man Harold Hill , who goes from town to town selling citizens on starting a "boy's band , " then extracts money from them by ordering instruments and uniforms , with the promise that he'll teach the kids how to be musicians. Once he's collected his bankroll , Hill skips town , leaving the kids in the lurch. Looking for new suckers in Iowa , Hill arrives in River City , where he declares that the only way to save the youth of River City from the lure of the poolroom is to organize a boy's band. He charms the mayor's wife Eulalie ( Hermione Gingold ) into forming a "ladies' dance committee" and sets his sights on winning over local music teacher Marian Paroo ( Shirley Jones ) . Marian rightly considers Hill a fraud , especially when he espouses the "Think System" of learning music : if you think a tune , he claims , you can play it. But Marian becomes Hill's staunchest ally when her young brother Winthrop ( Ronny Howard ), sullen and withdrawn since the death of his father , exuberantly comes out of his shell at the prospect of joining Hill's band ; and Marian's budding romance with the charming but unreliable Hill ultimately brings her out of her own shell as well. Marion Hargrove 's script uses most of the original play , with a handful of amusing expansions , especially in the roles played by Gingold and by Buddy Hackett as Hill's comic sidekick.
0499
An unusually tense and intelligent political thriller The Manchurian Candidate was a film far ahead of its time. Its themes of thought control political assassination and multinational conspiracy were hardly common currency in 1962 and while its outlook is sometimes informed by Cold War paranoia the film seemed nearly as timely when it was reissued in 1987 as it did on its original release. It opens with a group of soldiers whooping it up in a bar in Korea as their commander Sgt. Raymond Shaw (Laurence Harvey) arrives to inform them that they're back on duty. These men obviously have no fondness for Shaw and he feels no empathy for them. While on patrol Shaw and his platoon are ambushed by Korean troops. Months later Shaw is receiving a hero's welcome as he returns to the United States to accept the Congressional Medal of Honor and several of the soldiers who served under Shaw repeatedly refer to him as "the bravest finest most lovable man I ever met." It soon becomes evident that after their capture by the Koreans Shaw and his men were subjected to an intense program of brainwashing prior to their release. While several are troubled by bad dreams and inexplicable behavior it's Capt. Bennett Marco (Frank Sinatra) who seems the most haunted by the experience. In time Marco is able to piece together what happened; it seems Raymond Shaw was programmed by a shadowy cadre of Russian and Chinese agents into a killing machine who will assassinate anyone even a close friend when given the proper commands. On the other side of the coin Shaw is also used for political gain by his harridan mother (Angela Lansbury) who guides the career of her second husband John Iselin (James Gregory) a bone-headed congressman hoping to win the vice-presidential nomination through a campaign of anti-Communist hysteria. The Manchurian Candidate features a host of remarkable performances several from actors cast cleverly against type. Frank Sinatra's edgy aggressive turn as Marco may be the finest dramatic work of his career; Laurence Harvey's chilly onscreen demeanor was rarely used to s better advantage than as Raymond Shaw; James Gregory is great as the oft-befuddled Senator Iselin; and Angela Lansbury's ultimate bad mom will be a shock to those who know her as the lovable mystery writer from Murder She Wrote. George Axelrod's screenplay (based on Richard Condon's novel) is by turns compelling witty and horrifying in its implications and John Frankenheimer's direction milks it for all the tension it can muster. While Frankenheimer's career has had its ups and downs The Manchurian Candidate and Seconds (1966) suggest that he deserves to be recognized as one of the most brilliantly paranoid American filmmakers of the '60s. Entertaining yet unsettling both films indicate that things in the '60s were not what they seemed with a resonance that still echoes uncomfortably in the present.
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An unusually tense and intelligent political thriller , The Manchurian Candidate was a film far ahead of its time. Its themes of thought control , political assassination , and multinational conspiracy were hardly common currency in 1962 , and while its outlook is sometimes informed by Cold War paranoia , the film seemed nearly as timely when it was reissued in 1987 as it did on its original release. It opens with a group of soldiers whooping it up in a bar in Korea as their commander , Sgt. Raymond Shaw ( Laurence Harvey ), arrives to inform them that they're back on duty. These men obviously have no fondness for Shaw , and he feels no empathy for them. While on patrol , Shaw and his platoon are ambushed by Korean troops. Months later , Shaw is receiving a hero's welcome as he returns to the United States to accept the Congressional Medal of Honor , and several of the soldiers who served under Shaw repeatedly refer to him as "the bravest , finest , most lovable man I ever met." It soon becomes evident that after their capture by the Koreans , Shaw and his men were subjected to an intense program of brainwashing prior to their release. While several are troubled by bad dreams and inexplicable behavior , it's Capt. Bennett Marco ( Frank Sinatra ) who seems the most haunted by the experience. In time , Marco is able to piece together what happened ; it seems Raymond Shaw was programmed by a shadowy cadre of Russian and Chinese agents into a killing machine who will assassinate anyone , even a close friend , when given the proper commands. On the other side of the coin , Shaw is also used for political gain by his harridan mother ( Angela Lansbury ), who guides the career of her second husband , John Iselin ( James Gregory ), a bone - headed congressman hoping to win the vice - presidential nomination through a campaign of anti - Communist hysteria. The Manchurian Candidate features a host of remarkable performances , several from actors cast cleverly against type. Frank Sinatra 's edgy , aggressive turn as Marco may be the finest dramatic work of his career ; Laurence Harvey 's chilly onscreen demeanor was rarely used to s better advantage than as Raymond Shaw ; James Gregory is great as the oft - befuddled Senator Iselin ; and Angela Lansbury 's ultimate bad mom will be a shock to those who know her as the lovable mystery writer from Murder , She Wrote . George Axelrod 's screenplay ( based on Richard Condon 's novel ) is by turns compelling , witty , and horrifying in its implications , and John Frankenheimer 's direction milks it for all the tension it can muster. While Frankenheimer 's career has had its ups and downs , The Manchurian Candidate and Seconds ( 1966 ) suggest that he deserves to be recognized as one of the most brilliantly paranoid American filmmakers of the '60s. Entertaining yet unsettling , both films indicate that things in the '60s were not what they seemed , with a resonance that still echoes uncomfortably in the present.
0500
In the last and the best installment of his so-called "Dollars" trilogy of Sergio Leone-directed "spaghetti westerns" Clint Eastwood reprised the role of a taciturn enigmatic loner. Here he searches for a cache of stolen gold against rivals the Bad (Lee Van Cleef) a ruthless bounty hunter and the Ugly (Eli Wallach) a Mexican bandit. Though dubbed "the Good" Eastwood's character is not much better than his opponents -- he is just smarter and shoots faster. The film's title reveals its ironic attitude toward the canonized heroes of the classical western. "The real West was the world of violence fear and brutal instincts" claimed Leone. "In pursuit of profit there is no such thing as good and evil generosity or deviousness; everything depends on chance and not the best wins but the luckiest." Immensely entertaining and beautifully shot in Techniscope by Tonino Delli Colli the movie is a virtually definitive "spaghetti western" rivaled only by Leone's own Once Upon a Time in the West (1968). The main musical theme by Ennio Morricone hit #1 on the British pop charts. Originally released in Italy at 177 minutes the movie was later cut for its international release.
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In the last and the best installment of his so - called "Dollars" trilogy of Sergio Leone - directed "spaghetti westerns , " Clint Eastwood reprised the role of a taciturn , enigmatic loner. Here he searches for a cache of stolen gold against rivals the Bad ( Lee Van Cleef ), a ruthless bounty hunter , and the Ugly ( Eli Wallach ), a Mexican bandit. Though dubbed "the Good , " Eastwood 's character is not much better than his opponents -- he is just smarter and shoots faster. The film's title reveals its ironic attitude toward the canonized heroes of the classical western. "The real West was the world of violence , fear , and brutal instincts , " claimed Leone . "In pursuit of profit there is no such thing as good and evil , generosity or deviousness ; everything depends on chance , and not the best wins but the luckiest." Immensely entertaining and beautifully shot in Techniscope by Tonino Delli Colli , the movie is a virtually definitive "spaghetti western , " rivaled only by Leone 's own Once Upon a Time in the West ( 1968 ) . The main musical theme by Ennio Morricone hit # 1 on the British pop charts. Originally released in Italy at 177 minutes , the movie was later cut for its international release.
0501
Tossing wristwatches away two bikers hit the road to find America in Dennis Hopper's anti-establishment classic. After a major cocaine sale to an L.A. connection (Phil Spector) free-wheeling potheads Billy (Hopper) and Wyatt aka Captain America (Peter Fonda who also produced) motor eastward to party at Mardi Gras before "retiring" to Florida with the riches concealed in Wyatt's stars-and-stripes gas tank. As they ride through the Southwest they take a hitchhiker (Luke Askew) to a struggling hippie commune before they get thrown in a small-town jail for "parading without a permit." Their cellmate drunken ACLU lawyer George Hanson (Jack Nicholson replacing Rip Torn) does them a "groovy" favor by getting them out of jail and then decides to join them. Babbling about Venusians George discovers the joys of smoking grass but an encounter with Southern rednecks soon proves how right he is about the danger posed by Billy's and Wyatt's unfettered life in a country that has lost its ideals. With the straight world closing in Wyatt and Billy try to revel in New Orleans with some LSD and hookers (Karen Black and Toni Basil) but the acid trip is shot through with morbidity. Once they reach Florida Billy raves about attaining the American dream; Wyatt however knows the truth: "We blew it." Produced and directed by two Hollywood iconoclasts with under a half-million non-studio dollars Easy Rider shook up the languishing movie industry when it grossed over 19 million dollars in 1969; it captured the spirit of the times as it woke Hollywood up to the power of young audiences and socially relevant movies along with such other landmarks of the late '60s as Bonnie and Clyde The Graduate and 2001. Shot on location by Laszlo Kovacs Easy Rider eschewed old-fashioned Hollywood polish for documentary-style immediacy and it enhanced its casual feel with improvised dialogue and realistically "stoned" acting. With a soundtrack of contemporary rock songs by Jimi Hendrix the Band and Steppenwolf to complete the atmosphere Easy Rider was hailed for capturing the increasingly violent Vietnam-era split between the counterculture and the repressive Establishment. Experiencing the "shock of recognition" youth audiences embraced Easy Rider's vision of both the attractions and the limits of dropping out proving that audience's box-office power and turning Nicholson into a movie star. The momentarily hip Academy nominated Nicholson for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar and Fonda Hopper and Terry Southern for their screenplay. Though none of its imitators would match its impact Easy Rider remains one of the seminal works of late '60s Hollywood both for its trailblazing legacy and its sharply perceptive portrait of its chaotic times.
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Tossing wristwatches away , two bikers hit the road to find America in Dennis Hopper 's anti - establishment classic. After a major cocaine sale to an L.A. connection ( Phil Spector ), free - wheeling potheads Billy ( Hopper ) and Wyatt , aka Captain America ( Peter Fonda , who also produced ), motor eastward to party at Mardi Gras before "retiring" to Florida with the riches concealed in Wyatt's stars - and - stripes gas tank. As they ride through the Southwest , they take a hitchhiker ( Luke Askew ) to a struggling hippie commune before they get thrown in a small - town jail for "parading without a permit." Their cellmate , drunken ACLU lawyer George Hanson ( Jack Nicholson , replacing Rip Torn ), does them a "groovy" favor by getting them out of jail and then decides to join them. Babbling about Venusians , George discovers the joys of smoking grass , but an encounter with Southern rednecks soon proves how right he is about the danger posed by Billy's and Wyatt's unfettered life in a country that has lost its ideals. With the straight world closing in , Wyatt and Billy try to revel in New Orleans with some LSD and hookers ( Karen Black and Toni Basil ), but the acid trip is shot through with morbidity. Once they reach Florida , Billy raves about attaining the American dream ; Wyatt , however , knows the truth : "We blew it." Produced and directed by two Hollywood iconoclasts with under a half - million non - studio dollars , Easy Rider shook up the languishing movie industry when it grossed over 19 million dollars in 1969 ; it captured the spirit of the times as it woke Hollywood up to the power of young audiences and socially relevant movies , along with such other landmarks of the late '60s as Bonnie and Clyde , The Graduate , and 2001 . Shot on location by Laszlo Kovacs , Easy Rider eschewed old - fashioned Hollywood polish for documentary - style immediacy , and it enhanced its casual feel with improvised dialogue and realistically "stoned" acting. With a soundtrack of contemporary rock songs by Jimi Hendrix , the Band , and Steppenwolf to complete the atmosphere , Easy Rider was hailed for capturing the increasingly violent Vietnam - era split between the counterculture and the repressive Establishment. Experiencing the "shock of recognition , " youth audiences embraced Easy Rider 's vision of both the attractions and the limits of dropping out , proving that audience's box - office power and turning Nicholson into a movie star. The momentarily hip Academy nominated Nicholson for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar , and Fonda , Hopper , and Terry Southern for their screenplay. Though none of its imitators would match its impact , Easy Rider remains one of the seminal works of late '60s Hollywood both for its trailblazing legacy and its sharply perceptive portrait of its chaotic times.
0502
Opening with a silent "movie" of Butch Cassidy's Hole in the Wall Gang George Roy Hill's comically elegiac Western chronicles the mostly true tale of the outlaws' last months. Witty pals Butch (Paul Newman) and Sundance (Robert Redford) join the Gang in successfully robbing yet another train with their trademark non-lethal style. After the pair rests at the home of Sundance's schoolmarm girlfriend Etta (Katharine Ross) the Gang robs the same train but this time the railroad boss has hired the best trackers in the business to foil the crime. After being tailed over rocks and a river gorge by guys that they can barely identify save for a white hat Butch and Sundance decide that maybe it's time to try their luck in Bolivia. Taking Etta with them they live high on ill-gotten Bolivian gains but Etta leaves after their white-hatted nemesis portentously arrives. Their luck running out Butch and Sundance are soon holed up in a barn surrounded by scores of Bolivian soldiers who are waiting for the pair to make one last run for it.
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Opening with a silent "movie" of Butch Cassidy's Hole in the Wall Gang , George Roy Hill 's comically elegiac Western chronicles the mostly true tale of the outlaws' last months. Witty pals Butch ( Paul Newman ) and Sundance ( Robert Redford ) join the Gang in successfully robbing yet another train with their trademark non - lethal style. After the pair rests at the home of Sundance's schoolmarm girlfriend , Etta ( Katharine Ross ), the Gang robs the same train , but this time , the railroad boss has hired the best trackers in the business to foil the crime. After being tailed over rocks and a river gorge by guys that they can barely identify save for a white hat , Butch and Sundance decide that maybe it's time to try their luck in Bolivia. Taking Etta with them , they live high on ill - gotten Bolivian gains , but Etta leaves after their white - hatted nemesis portentously arrives. Their luck running out , Butch and Sundance are soon holed up in a barn surrounded by scores of Bolivian soldiers who are waiting for the pair to make one last run for it.
0503
A mind-bending sci-fi symphony Stanley Kubrick's landmark 1968 epic pushed the limits of narrative and special effects toward a meditation on technology and humanity. Based on Arthur C. Clarke's story The Sentinel Kubrick and Clarke's screenplay is structured in four movements. At the "Dawn of Man" a group of hominids encounters a mysterious black monolith alien to their surroundings. To the strains of Strauss's 1896 Also sprach Zarathustra a hominid invents the first weapon using a bone to kill prey. As the hominid tosses the bone in the air Kubrick cuts to a 21st century spacecraft hovering over the Earth skipping ahead millions of years in technological development. U.S. scientist Dr. Heywood Floyd (William Sylvester) travels to the moon to check out the discovery of a strange object on the moon's surface: a black monolith. As the sun's rays strike the stone however it emits a piercing deafening sound that fills the investigators' headphones and stops them in their path. Cutting ahead 18 months impassive astronauts David Bowman (Keir Dullea) and Frank Poole (Gary Lockwood) head toward Jupiter on the spaceship Discovery their only company three hibernating astronauts and the vocal man-made HAL 9000 computer running the entire ship. When the all-too-human HAL malfunctions however he tries to murder the astronauts to cover his error forcing Bowman to defend himself the only way he can. Free of HAL and finally informed of the voyage's purpose by a recording from Floyd Bowman journeys to "Jupiter and Beyond the Infinite" through the psychedelic slit-scan star-gate to an 18th century room and the completion of the monolith's evolutionary mission. With assistance from special-effects expert Douglas Trumbull Kubrick spent over two years meticulously creating the most "realistic" depictions of outer space ever seen greatly advancing cinematic technology for a story expressing grave doubts about technology itself. Despite some initial critical reservations that it was too long and too dull 2001 became one of the most popular films of 1968 underlining the generation gap between young moviegoers who wanted to see something new and challenging and oldsters who "didn't get it." Provocatively billed as "the ultimate trip" 2001 quickly caught on with a counterculture youth audience open to a contemplative (i.e. chemically enhanced) viewing experience of a film suggesting that the way to enlightenment was to free one's mind of the U.S. military-industrial-technological complex.
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A mind - bending sci - fi symphony , Stanley Kubrick 's landmark 1968 epic pushed the limits of narrative and special effects toward a meditation on technology and humanity. Based on Arthur C. Clarke 's story The Sentinel , Kubrick and Clarke 's screenplay is structured in four movements. At the "Dawn of Man , " a group of hominids encounters a mysterious black monolith alien to their surroundings. To the strains of Strauss 's 1896 Also sprach Zarathustra , a hominid invents the first weapon , using a bone to kill prey. As the hominid tosses the bone in the air , Kubrick cuts to a 21st century spacecraft hovering over the Earth , skipping ahead millions of years in technological development. U.S. scientist Dr. Heywood Floyd ( William Sylvester ) travels to the moon to check out the discovery of a strange object on the moon's surface : a black monolith. As the sun's rays strike the stone , however , it emits a piercing , deafening sound that fills the investigators' headphones and stops them in their path. Cutting ahead 18 months , impassive astronauts David Bowman ( Keir Dullea ) and Frank Poole ( Gary Lockwood ) head toward Jupiter on the spaceship Discovery , their only company three hibernating astronauts and the vocal , man - made HAL 9000 computer running the entire ship. When the all - too - human HAL malfunctions , however , he tries to murder the astronauts to cover his error , forcing Bowman to defend himself the only way he can. Free of HAL , and finally informed of the voyage's purpose by a recording from Floyd , Bowman journeys to "Jupiter and Beyond the Infinite , " through the psychedelic slit - scan star - gate to an 18th century room , and the completion of the monolith's evolutionary mission. With assistance from special - effects expert Douglas Trumbull , Kubrick spent over two years meticulously creating the most "realistic" depictions of outer space ever seen , greatly advancing cinematic technology for a story expressing grave doubts about technology itself. Despite some initial critical reservations that it was too long and too dull , 2001 became one of the most popular films of 1968 , underlining the generation gap between young moviegoers who wanted to see something new and challenging and oldsters who "didn't get it." Provocatively billed as "the ultimate trip , " 2001 quickly caught on with a counterculture youth audience open to a contemplative ( i.e. chemically enhanced ) viewing experience of a film suggesting that the way to enlightenment was to free one's mind of the U.S. military - industrial - technological complex.
0504
Z is one of the most politically insightful films ever made exposing government hypocrisy and cover-up in the wake of a political assassination. Zei (Yves Montand) is a scientist who is scheduled to give a speech against the use of the atomic bomb. On the way to the event he is attacked outside the auditorium by a group of right-wing extremists with political ties to the government as the police stand by and do nothing to intervene. He recovers long enough to make the speech but is later clubbed again and must undergo several surgeries then dies during one of the procedures. A newspaper reporter finds a witness to the event and a judge willing to hear the case despite government protests. The ensuing trial reveals a government conspiracy but the results of the trial are thrown out when a new government is formed by a military coup which results in the intolerance that outlaws long hair the Beatles and any peaceful protests. Director Costa-Gavras used actual trial transcripts of the investigation into the May 22 1963 assassination of Greek pacifist leader Gregoris Lambrakis which proved a government conspiracy in his death. Yves Montand gives the best dramatic performance of his life and Irene Papas stars as his wife Helena. Z won the Oscar for Best Foreign Film of 1969 was 14th in terms of box-office success and hit an international nerve in the age of social unrest government cover-up and political assassinations. All those involved worked on the film for a reduced rate with an option for royalties based on earnings at the theater window. The letter Z in the Greek alphabet means "he is alive."
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Z is one of the most politically insightful films ever made , exposing government hypocrisy and cover - up in the wake of a political assassination. Zei ( Yves Montand ) is a scientist who is scheduled to give a speech against the use of the atomic bomb. On the way to the event , he is attacked outside the auditorium by a group of right - wing extremists with political ties to the government as the police stand by and do nothing to intervene. He recovers long enough to make the speech but is later clubbed again and must undergo several surgeries , then dies during one of the procedures. A newspaper reporter finds a witness to the event and a judge willing to hear the case despite government protests. The ensuing trial reveals a government conspiracy , but the results of the trial are thrown out when a new government is formed by a military coup , which results in the intolerance that outlaws long hair , the Beatles , and any peaceful protests. Director Costa - Gavras used actual trial transcripts of the investigation into the May 22 , 1963 , assassination of Greek pacifist leader Gregoris Lambrakis , which proved a government conspiracy in his death. Yves Montand gives the best dramatic performance of his life , and Irene Papas stars as his wife , Helena. Z won the Oscar for Best Foreign Film of 1969 , was 14th in terms of box - office success , and hit an international nerve in the age of social unrest , government cover - up , and political assassinations. All those involved worked on the film for a reduced rate with an option for royalties based on earnings at the theater window. The letter Z in the Greek alphabet means "he is alive."
0505
Four years after setting box offices ablaze in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid Paul Newman Robert Redford and director George Roy Hill re-teamed with similar success for The Sting. Redford plays Depression-era confidence trickster Johnny Hooker whose friend and mentor Luther Coleman (Robert Earl Jones) is murdered by racketeer/gambler Doyle Lonnegan (Robert Shaw). Hoping to avenge Luther's death Johnny begins planning a "sting" -- an elaborate scam -- to destroy Lonnegan. He enlists the aid of "the greatest con artist of them all" Henry Gondorff (Paul Newman) who pulls himself out of a drunken stupor and rises to the occasion. Hooker and Gondorff gather together an impressive array of con men all of whom despise Lonnegan and wish to settle accounts on behalf of Luther. The twists and surprises that follow are too complex to relate in detail -- suffice to say that you can't cheat an honest man and that you shouldn't accept everything at face value. The Sting became one of the biggest hits of the early '70s; grossing 68.5 million dollars during its first run the film also picked up seven Academy Awards including Best Picture Best Director Best Screenplay and Best Adapted Score for Marvin Hamlisch's unforgettable setting of Scott Joplin's ragtime music.
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Four years after setting box offices ablaze in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid , Paul Newman , Robert Redford , and director George Roy Hill re - teamed with similar success for The Sting . Redford plays Depression - era confidence trickster Johnny Hooker , whose friend and mentor Luther Coleman ( Robert Earl Jones ) is murdered by racketeer / gambler Doyle Lonnegan ( Robert Shaw ) . Hoping to avenge Luther's death , Johnny begins planning a "sting" -- an elaborate scam -- to destroy Lonnegan. He enlists the aid of "the greatest con artist of them all , " Henry Gondorff ( Paul Newman ), who pulls himself out of a drunken stupor and rises to the occasion. Hooker and Gondorff gather together an impressive array of con men , all of whom despise Lonnegan and wish to settle accounts on behalf of Luther. The twists and surprises that follow are too complex to relate in detail -- suffice to say that you can't cheat an honest man , and that you shouldn't accept everything at face value. The Sting became one of the biggest hits of the early '70s ; grossing 68.5 million dollars during its first run , the film also picked up seven Academy Awards , including Best Picture , Best Director , Best Screenplay , and Best Adapted Score for Marvin Hamlisch 's unforgettable setting of Scott Joplin 's ragtime music.
0506
George Lucas' mythological popcorn movie is a two-hour roller-coaster ride that has passed into movie legend. The story for the tiny number of people not familiar with it concerns a farm boy named Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) who discovers that the used robot recently purchased by his family plays back a message from one Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) begging for help from Obi-Wan Kenobi. Luke asks his father's friend Ben Kenobi (Alec Guinness) about this and he discovers that Ben and Obi-Wan are one and the same. Kenobi tells Luke of the battle of the rebels against the ruling Empire and the spiritual energy called "The Force." Soon Luke Kenobi and a mercenary named Han Solo (Harrison Ford) join forces to rescue Princess Leia from the Empire's mammoth warship the Death Star controlled by evil genius Darth Vader (David Prowse with the voice of James Earl Jones). George Lucas has frequently cited the influence of several films on Star Wars particularly Akira Kurosawa's The Hidden Fortress and Yojimbo and John Ford's The Searchers as well as the original Flash Gordon serials. After Star Wars became a success Lucas announced his intention to turn the film into a series originally totalling nine films (later pared back to six). Consequently most reissue prints now feature the title Star Wars: Episode IV -- A New Hope with The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983) serving as Episodes Five and Six in the serial and Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace (1999) going back to the myth's beginnings.
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George Lucas ' mythological popcorn movie is a two - hour roller - coaster ride that has passed into movie legend. The story , for the tiny number of people not familiar with it , concerns a farm boy named Luke Skywalker ( Mark Hamill ) who discovers that the used robot recently purchased by his family plays back a message from one Princess Leia ( Carrie Fisher ), begging for help from Obi - Wan Kenobi. Luke asks his father's friend Ben Kenobi ( Alec Guinness ) about this , and he discovers that Ben and Obi - Wan are one and the same. Kenobi tells Luke of the battle of the rebels against the ruling Empire and the spiritual energy called "The Force." Soon Luke , Kenobi , and a mercenary named Han Solo ( Harrison Ford ) join forces to rescue Princess Leia from the Empire's mammoth warship , the Death Star , controlled by evil genius Darth Vader ( David Prowse , with the voice of James Earl Jones ) . George Lucas has frequently cited the influence of several films on Star Wars , particularly Akira Kurosawa 's The Hidden Fortress and Yojimbo and John Ford 's The Searchers , as well as the original Flash Gordon serials. After Star Wars became a success , Lucas announced his intention to turn the film into a series , originally totalling nine films ( later pared back to six ) . Consequently , most reissue prints now feature the title Star Wars : Episode IV -- A New Hope , with The Empire Strikes Back ( 1980 ) and Return of the Jedi ( 1983 ) serving as Episodes Five and Six in the serial , and Star Wars : Episode I -- The Phantom Menace ( 1999 ) going back to the myth's beginnings.
0507
With an insane asylum standing in for everyday society Milos Forman's 1975 film adaptation of Ken Kesey's novel is a comically sharp indictment of the Establishment urge to conform. Playing crazy to avoid prison work detail manic free spirit Randle P. McMurphy (Jack Nicholson) is sent to the state mental hospital for evaluation. There he encounters a motley crew of mostly voluntary inmates including cowed mama's boy Billy (Brad Dourif) and silent Native American Chief Bromden (Will Sampson) presided over by the icy Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher). Ratched and McMurphy recognize that each is the other's worst enemy: an authority figure who equates sanity with correct behavior and a misfit who is charismatic enough to dismantle the system simply by living as he pleases. McMurphy proceeds to instigate group insurrections large and small ranging from a restorative basketball game to an unfettered afternoon boat trip and a tragic after-hours party with hookers and booze. Nurse Ratched however has the machinery of power on her side to ensure that McMurphy will not defeat her. Still McMurphy's message to live free or die is ultimately not lost on one inmate revealing that escape is still possible even from the most oppressive conditions.
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With an insane asylum standing in for everyday society , Milos Forman 's 1975 film adaptation of Ken Kesey 's novel is a comically sharp indictment of the Establishment urge to conform. Playing crazy to avoid prison work detail , manic free spirit Randle P. McMurphy ( Jack Nicholson ) is sent to the state mental hospital for evaluation. There he encounters a motley crew of mostly voluntary inmates , including cowed mama's boy Billy ( Brad Dourif ) and silent Native American Chief Bromden ( Will Sampson ), presided over by the icy Nurse Ratched ( Louise Fletcher ) . Ratched and McMurphy recognize that each is the other's worst enemy : an authority figure who equates sanity with correct behavior , and a misfit who is charismatic enough to dismantle the system simply by living as he pleases. McMurphy proceeds to instigate group insurrections large and small , ranging from a restorative basketball game to an unfettered afternoon boat trip and a tragic after - hours party with hookers and booze. Nurse Ratched , however , has the machinery of power on her side to ensure that McMurphy will not defeat her. Still , McMurphy's message to live free or die is ultimately not lost on one inmate , revealing that escape is still possible even from the most oppressive conditions.
0508
A trenchant satire of "trash TV" Network seems to grow only more relevant with each passing year. Howard Beale (Peter Finch) the dean of newscasters at the United Broadcasting System is put out to pasture because he "skews old." Network executive Max Schumacher (William Holden) Howard's best friend is forced to deliver the bad news. Beale can't stomach the idea of losing his 25-year post as anchorman simply because of age so in his next broadcast he announces to the viewers that he's going to commit suicide on his final program. Network head Frank Hackett (Robert Duvall) is all for kicking Beale out then and there but when it looks as though the UBS is going to have its greatest ratings ever on the night of Beale's self-destruction ambitious programming exec Diana Christensen (Faye Dunaway) talks Hackett into treating that fateful final telecast as a special event. Naturally Beale doesn't go through with it -- but he does begin rambling about the horrible state of the world in general and television in particular. He concludes his tirade by admonishing his viewers to "Go to the window and shout as loud as you can: 'I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!'" With that Howard Beale becomes the hottest TV personality in America and Diana becomes the network's fair-haired girl. She draws up plans to treat the nightly news broadcast as garish entertainment (complete with a psychic) all built around the rants of Beale billed as "The Mad Prophet of the Airwaves." Network won Oscars for Paddy Chayefsky's screenplay as well as for three of four acting categories -- Dunaway for Best Actress Peter Finch for Best Actor (in the only posthumous Oscar yet awarded) and Beatrice Straight for Best Supporting Actress in one of the shortest-screen-time performances ever to win an Oscar.
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A trenchant satire of "trash TV , " Network seems to grow only more relevant with each passing year. Howard Beale ( Peter Finch ), the dean of newscasters at the United Broadcasting System , is put out to pasture because he "skews old." Network executive Max Schumacher ( William Holden ), Howard's best friend , is forced to deliver the bad news. Beale can't stomach the idea of losing his 25 - year post as anchorman simply because of age , so in his next broadcast he announces to the viewers that he's going to commit suicide on his final program. Network head Frank Hackett ( Robert Duvall ) is all for kicking Beale out then and there , but when it looks as though the UBS is going to have its greatest ratings ever on the night of Beale's self - destruction , ambitious programming exec Diana Christensen ( Faye Dunaway ) talks Hackett into treating that fateful final telecast as a special event. Naturally , Beale doesn't go through with it -- but he does begin rambling about the horrible state of the world in general and television in particular. He concludes his tirade by admonishing his viewers to "Go to the window and shout as loud as you can : 'I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!'" With that , Howard Beale becomes the hottest TV personality in America , and Diana becomes the network's fair - haired girl. She draws up plans to treat the nightly news broadcast as garish entertainment ( complete with a psychic ), all built around the rants of Beale , billed as "The Mad Prophet of the Airwaves." Network won Oscars for Paddy Chayefsky 's screenplay as well as for three of four acting categories -- Dunaway for Best Actress , Peter Finch for Best Actor ( in the only posthumous Oscar yet awarded ), and Beatrice Straight for Best Supporting Actress , in one of the shortest - screen - time performances ever to win an Oscar.
0509
ased on Peter Benchley's best-selling novel Steven Spielberg's 1975 shark saga set the standard for the New Hollywood popcorn blockbuster while frightening millions of moviegoers out of the water. One early summer night on fictional Atlantic resort Amity Island Chrissie decides to take a moonlight skinny dip while her friends party on the beach. Yanked suddenly below the ocean surface she never returns. When pieces of her wash ashore Police Chief Brody (Roy Scheider) suspects the worst but Mayor Vaughn (Murray Hamilton) mindful of the lucrative tourist trade and the approaching July 4th holiday refuses to put the island on a business-killing shark alert. After the shark dines on a few more victims the Mayor orders the local fishermen to catch the culprit. Satisfied with the shark they find the greedy Mayor reopens the beaches despite the warning from visiting ichthyologist Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss) that the attacks were probably caused by a far more formidable Great White. One more fatality later Brody and Hooper join forces with flinty old salt Quint (Robert Shaw) the only local fisherman willing to take on a Great White--especially since the price is right. The three ride off on Quint's boat "The Orca" soon coming face to teeth with the enemy.
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Based on Peter Benchley 's best - selling novel , Steven Spielberg 's 1975 shark saga set the standard for the New Hollywood popcorn blockbuster while frightening millions of moviegoers out of the water. One early summer night on fictional Atlantic resort Amity Island , Chrissie decides to take a moonlight skinny dip while her friends party on the beach. Yanked suddenly below the ocean surface , she never returns. When pieces of her wash ashore , Police Chief Brody ( Roy Scheider ) suspects the worst , but Mayor Vaughn ( Murray Hamilton ), mindful of the lucrative tourist trade and the approaching July 4th holiday , refuses to put the island on a business - killing shark alert. After the shark dines on a few more victims , the Mayor orders the local fishermen to catch the culprit. Satisfied with the shark they find , the greedy Mayor reopens the beaches , despite the warning from visiting ichthyologist Hooper ( Richard Dreyfuss ) that the attacks were probably caused by a far more formidable Great White. One more fatality later , Brody and Hooper join forces with flinty old salt Quint ( Robert Shaw ), the only local fisherman willing to take on a Great White -- especially since the price is right. The three ride off on Quint's boat "The Orca , " soon coming face to teeth with the enemy.
0510
One of several 1978 films dealing with the Vietnam War (including Hal Ashby's Oscar-winning Coming Home) Michael Cimino's epic second feature The Deer Hunter was both renowned for its tough portrayal of the war's effect on American working class steel workers and notorious for its ahistorical use of Russian roulette in the Vietnam sequences. Structured in five sections contrasting home and war the film opens in Clairton PA as Mike (Robert De Niro) Nick (Christopher Walken) and Stan (John Cazale in his last film) celebrate the wedding of their friend Steve (John Savage) and go on a final deer hunt before the men leave for Vietnam. Mike treats hunting as a test of skill lecturing Stan about the value of "one shot" deer slaying and brushing off Nick's urgings to appreciate nature's beauty. As Mike ruminates post-hunt the film cuts to the horror of Vietnam where the men are captured by Vietcong soldiers who force Mike and Nick to play Russian roulette for the V.C.'s amusement. Mike turns the game to his advantage so they can escape captivity but the men are permanently scarred by the episode. Steve loses his legs; Nick vanishes in the Saigon Russian roulette parlors. Mike returns alone to Clairton a changed man as he rejects the killing of the deer hunt and finds solace with Nick's old girlfriend Linda (Meryl Streep). Disgusted by the antics of his male cohorts at home Mike decides to bring Steve back from a veterans' hospital and he returns to Saigon to find Nick. As Saigon falls Mike discovers how far gone Nick is; the survivors gather in Clairton for a funeral breakfast singing an impromptu rendition of "God Bless America."
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One of several 1978 films dealing with the Vietnam War ( including Hal Ashby 's Oscar - winning Coming Home ), Michael Cimino 's epic second feature The Deer Hunter was both renowned for its tough portrayal of the war's effect on American working class steel workers and notorious for its ahistorical use of Russian roulette in the Vietnam sequences. Structured in five sections contrasting home and war , the film opens in Clairton , PA , as Mike ( Robert De Niro ), Nick ( Christopher Walken ), and Stan ( John Cazale , in his last film ) celebrate the wedding of their friend Steve ( John Savage ) and go on a final deer hunt before the men leave for Vietnam. Mike treats hunting as a test of skill , lecturing Stan about the value of "one shot" deer slaying and brushing off Nick's urgings to appreciate nature's beauty. As Mike ruminates post - hunt , the film cuts to the horror of Vietnam , where the men are captured by Vietcong soldiers who force Mike and Nick to play Russian roulette for the V.C.'s amusement. Mike turns the game to his advantage so they can escape captivity , but the men are permanently scarred by the episode. Steve loses his legs ; Nick vanishes in the Saigon Russian roulette parlors. Mike returns alone to Clairton a changed man , as he rejects the killing of the deer hunt and finds solace with Nick's old girlfriend Linda ( Meryl Streep ) . Disgusted by the antics of his male cohorts at home , Mike decides to bring Steve back from a veterans' hospital , and he returns to Saigon to find Nick. As Saigon falls , Mike discovers how far gone Nick is ; the survivors gather in Clairton for a funeral breakfast , singing an impromptu rendition of "God Bless America."
0511
Cries and Whispers stars Liv Ullman and Ingrid Thulin as the sisters of dying cancer patient Harriet Andersson. Both sisters have already had brushes with death: Ullman has had an affair which prompted her husband's suicide while Thulin has long wanted to do away with herself at one point mutilating her own vagina out of self-hatred. As for Andersson she has been in pain so long that she feels as though she's in the midst of death-in-life. With her two sisters wrapped up in their own problems Harriet turns to her housekeeper Kari Sylwan for comfort; Sylwan has herself suffered the death of a child and has developed a philosophical attitude towards impending doom. One of the most influential moments of the film -- when two of the sisters share the innermost thoughts that they'd kept from one another for so many years -- is filmed without benefit of dialogue with the music of Chopin (enhanced by cinematographer Sven Nykvist's carefully selected camera angles) "speaking" for the ladies. While Cries and Whispers only won the Oscar for cinematography the film did very well for itself in international awards contests.
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Cries and Whispers stars Liv Ullman and Ingrid Thulin as the sisters of dying cancer patient Harriet Andersson . Both sisters have already had brushes with death : Ullman has had an affair which prompted her husband's suicide , while Thulin has long wanted to do away with herself , at one point mutilating her own vagina out of self - hatred. As for Andersson , she has been in pain so long that she feels as though she's in the midst of death - in - life. With her two sisters wrapped up in their own problems , Harriet turns to her housekeeper Kari Sylwan for comfort ; Sylwan has herself suffered the death of a child , and has developed a philosophical attitude towards impending doom. One of the most influential moments of the film -- when two of the sisters share the innermost thoughts that they'd kept from one another for so many years -- is filmed without benefit of dialogue , with the music of Chopin ( enhanced by cinematographer Sven Nykvist's carefully selected camera angles ) "speaking" for the ladies. While Cries and Whispers only won the Oscar for cinematography , the film did very well for itself in international awards contests.
0512
Made between The Godfather (1972) and The Godfather Part II (1974) and in part an homage to Michelangelo Antonioni's art-movie classic Blow-Up (1966) The Conversation was a return to small-scale art films for Francis Ford Coppola. Sound surveillance expert Harry Caul (Gene Hackman) is hired to track a young couple (Cindy Williams and Frederic Forrest) taping their conversation as they walk through San Francisco's crowded Union Square. Knowing full well how technology can invade privacy Harry obsessively keeps to himself separating business from his personal life even refusing to discuss what he does or where he lives with his girlfriend Amy (Teri Garr). Harry's work starts to trouble him however as he comes to believe that the conversation he pieced together reveals a plot by the mysterious corporate "Director" who hired him to murder the couple. After he allows himself to be seduced by a call girl who then steals the tapes Harry is all the more convinced that a killing will occur and he can no longer separate his job from his conscience. Coppola cinematographer Bill Butler and Oscar-nominated sound editor Walter Murch convey the narrative through Harry's aural and visual experience beginning with the slow opening zoom of Union Square accompanied by the alternately muddled and clear sound of the couple's conversation caught by Harry's microphones. The Godfather Part II and The Conversation earned Coppola a rare pair of Oscar nominations for Best Picture as well as two nominations for Best Screenplay (The Godfather Part II won both). Praised by critics The Conversation was not a popular hit but it has since come to be seen as one of the artistic high points of the decade as well as of Coppola's career. Its atmosphere of paranoia and suspicion combined with its obsessive loner antihero made it prototypical of the darker "American art movies" of the early '70s as its audiotape storyline also made it seem eerily appropriate for the era of the Watergate scandal.
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Made between The Godfather ( 1972 ) and The Godfather Part II ( 1974 ), and in part an homage to Michelangelo Antonioni 's art - movie classic Blow - Up ( 1966 ), The Conversation was a return to small - scale art films for Francis Ford Coppola . Sound surveillance expert Harry Caul ( Gene Hackman ) is hired to track a young couple ( Cindy Williams and Frederic Forrest ), taping their conversation as they walk through San Francisco's crowded Union Square. Knowing full well how technology can invade privacy , Harry obsessively keeps to himself , separating business from his personal life , even refusing to discuss what he does or where he lives with his girlfriend , Amy ( Teri Garr ) . Harry's work starts to trouble him , however , as he comes to believe that the conversation he pieced together reveals a plot by the mysterious corporate "Director" who hired him to murder the couple. After he allows himself to be seduced by a call girl , who then steals the tapes , Harry is all the more convinced that a killing will occur , and he can no longer separate his job from his conscience. Coppola , cinematographer Bill Butler , and Oscar - nominated sound editor Walter Murch convey the narrative through Harry's aural and visual experience , beginning with the slow opening zoom of Union Square accompanied by the alternately muddled and clear sound of the couple's conversation caught by Harry's microphones. The Godfather Part II and The Conversation earned Coppola a rare pair of Oscar nominations for Best Picture , as well as two nominations for Best Screenplay ( The Godfather Part II won both ) . Praised by critics , The Conversation was not a popular hit , but it has since come to be seen as one of the artistic high points of the decade , as well as of Coppola 's career. Its atmosphere of paranoia and suspicion , combined with its obsessive loner antihero , made it prototypical of the darker "American art movies" of the early '70s , as its audiotape storyline also made it seem eerily appropriate for the era of the Watergate scandal.
0513
Steven Spielberg followed Jaws (1975) his first major box-office success with this epic science fiction adventure about a disparate group of people who attempt to contact alien intelligence. Roy Neary (Richard Dreyfuss) is an electrical lineman who while sent out on emergency repairs witnesses an unidentified flying object and even has a "sunburn" from its bright lights to prove it. Neary's wife and children are at first skeptical then concerned and eventually fearful as Roy refuses to accept a "logical" explanation for what he saw and is prepared to give up his job his home and his family to pursue the "truth" about UFOs. Neary's obsession eventually puts him in contact with others who've had close encounters with alien spacecraft including Jillian (Melinda Dillon) a single mother whose son disappeared during her UFO experience and Claude Lacombe (celebrated French filmmaker François Truffaut) a French researcher who believes that we can use a musical language to communicate with alien visitors. Lacombe's theory is put to the test when a band of government researchers and underground UFO enthusiasts (including Neary) join for an exchange with alien visitors near Devil's Tower Wyoming. In 1980 a "Special Edition" was released. While its primary selling point was the addition of scenes inside the alien spaceship Spielberg claimed that he also cleaned up some choppy editing in the second act.
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Steven Spielberg followed Jaws ( 1975 ), his first major box - office success , with this epic science fiction adventure about a disparate group of people who attempt to contact alien intelligence. Roy Neary ( Richard Dreyfuss ) is an electrical lineman who , while sent out on emergency repairs , witnesses an unidentified flying object , and even has a "sunburn" from its bright lights to prove it. Neary's wife and children are at first skeptical , then concerned , and eventually fearful , as Roy refuses to accept a "logical" explanation for what he saw and is prepared to give up his job , his home , and his family to pursue the "truth" about UFOs. Neary's obsession eventually puts him in contact with others who've had close encounters with alien spacecraft , including Jillian ( Melinda Dillon ), a single mother whose son disappeared during her UFO experience , and Claude Lacombe ( celebrated French filmmaker François Truffaut ), a French researcher who believes that we can use a musical language to communicate with alien visitors. Lacombe's theory is put to the test when a band of government researchers and underground UFO enthusiasts ( including Neary ) join for an exchange with alien visitors near Devil's Tower , Wyoming. In 1980 , a "Special Edition" was released. While its primary selling point was the addition of scenes inside the alien spaceship , Spielberg claimed that he also cleaned up some choppy editing in the second act.
0514
Stanley Kubrick dissects the nature of violence in this darkly ironic near-future satire adapted from Anthony Burgess's novel complete with "Nadsat" slang. Classical music-loving proto-punk Alex (Malcolm McDowell) and his "Droogs" spend their nights getting high at the Korova Milkbar before embarking on "a little of the old ultraviolence" such as terrorizing a writer Mr. Alexander (Patrick Magee) and gang raping his wife (who later dies as a result). After Alex is jailed for bludgeoning the Cat Lady (Miriam Karlin) to death with one of her phallic sculptures Alex submits to the Ludovico behavior modification technique to earn his freedom; he's conditioned to abhor violence through watching gory movies and even his adored Beethoven is turned against him. Returned to the world defenseless Alex becomes the victim of his prior victims with Mr. Alexander using Beethoven's Ninth to inflict the greatest pain of all. When society sees what the state has done to Alex however the politically expedient move is made. Casting a coldly pessimistic view on the then-future of the late '70s-early '80s Kubrick and production designer John Barry created a world of high-tech cultural decay mixing old details like bowler hats with bizarrely alienating "new" environments like the Milkbar. Alex's violence is horrific yet it is an aesthetically calculated fact of his existence; his charisma makes the icily clinical Ludovico treatment seem more negatively abusive than positively therapeutic. Alex may be a sadist but the state's autocratic control is another violent act rather than a solution. Released in late 1971 (within weeks of Sam Peckinpah's brutally violent Straw Dogs) the film sparked considerable controversy in the U.S. with its X-rated violence; after copycat crimes in England Kubrick withdrew the film from British distribution until after his death. Opinion was divided on the meaning of Kubrick's detached view of this shocking future but whether the discord drew the curious or Kubrick's scathing diagnosis spoke to the chaotic cultural moment A Clockwork Orange became a hit. On the heels of New York Film Critics Circle awards as Best Film Best Director and Best Screenplay Kubrick received Oscar nominations in all three categories.
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Stanley Kubrick dissects the nature of violence in this darkly ironic , near - future satire , adapted from Anthony Burgess 's novel , complete with "Nadsat" slang. Classical music - loving proto - punk Alex ( Malcolm McDowell ) and his "Droogs" spend their nights getting high at the Korova Milkbar before embarking on "a little of the old ultraviolence , " such as terrorizing a writer , Mr. Alexander ( Patrick Magee ), and gang raping his wife ( who later dies as a result ) . After Alex is jailed for bludgeoning the Cat Lady ( Miriam Karlin ) to death with one of her phallic sculptures , Alex submits to the Ludovico behavior modification technique to earn his freedom ; he's conditioned to abhor violence through watching gory movies , and even his adored Beethoven is turned against him. Returned to the world defenseless , Alex becomes the victim of his prior victims , with Mr. Alexander using Beethoven 's Ninth to inflict the greatest pain of all. When society sees what the state has done to Alex , however , the politically expedient move is made. Casting a coldly pessimistic view on the then - future of the late '70s - early '80s , Kubrick and production designer John Barry created a world of high - tech cultural decay , mixing old details like bowler hats with bizarrely alienating "new" environments like the Milkbar. Alex's violence is horrific , yet it is an aesthetically calculated fact of his existence ; his charisma makes the icily clinical Ludovico treatment seem more negatively abusive than positively therapeutic. Alex may be a sadist , but the state's autocratic control is another violent act , rather than a solution. Released in late 1971 ( within weeks of Sam Peckinpah 's brutally violent Straw Dogs ), the film sparked considerable controversy in the U.S. with its X - rated violence ; after copycat crimes in England , Kubrick withdrew the film from British distribution until after his death. Opinion was divided on the meaning of Kubrick 's detached view of this shocking future , but , whether the discord drew the curious or Kubrick 's scathing diagnosis spoke to the chaotic cultural moment , A Clockwork Orange became a hit. On the heels of New York Film Critics Circle awards as Best Film , Best Director , and Best Screenplay , Kubrick received Oscar nominations in all three categories.
0515
"You may think you know what you're dealing with but believe me you don't" warns water baron Noah Cross (John Huston) when smooth cop-turned-private eye J.J. "Jake" Gittes (Jack Nicholson) starts nosing around Cross's water diversion scheme. That proves to be the ominous lesson of Chinatown Roman Polanski's critically lauded 1974 revision of 1940s film noir detective movies. In 1930s Los Angeles "matrimonial work" specialist Gittes is hired by Evelyn Mulwray (Faye Dunaway) to tail her husband Water Department engineer Hollis Mulwray (Darrell Zwerling). Gittes photographs him in the company of a young blonde and figures the case is closed only to discover that the real Mrs. Mulwray had nothing to do with hiring Gittes in the first place. When Hollis turns up dead Gittes decides to investigate further encountering a shady old-age home corrupt bureaucrats angry orange farmers and a nostril-slicing thug (Polanski) along the way. By the time he confronts Cross Evelyn's father and Mulwray's former business partner Jake thinks he knows everything but an even more sordid truth awaits him. When circumstances force Jake to return to his old beat in Chinatown he realizes just how impotent he is against the wealthy depraved Cross. "Forget it Jake" his old partner tells him. "It's Chinatown." Reworking the somber underpinnings of detective noir along more pessimistic lines Polanski and screenwriter Robert Towne convey a '70s-inflected critique of capitalist and bureaucratic malevolence in a carefully detailed period piece harkening back to the genre's roots in the 1930s and '40s. Gittes always has a smart comeback like Humphrey Bogart's Sam Spade and Philip Marlowe but the corruption Gittes finds is too deep for one man to stop. Other noir revisions such as Robert Altman's The Long Goodbye (1973) and Arthur Penn's Night Moves (1975) also centered on the detective's inefficacy in an uncertain '70s world but Chinatown's period sheen renders this dilemma at once contemporary and timeless pointing to larger implications about the effects of corporate rapaciousness on individuals. Polanski and Towne clashed over Chinatown's ending; Polanski won the fight but Towne won the Oscar for Best Screenplay. Chinatown was nominated for ten other Oscars including Picture Director Actor Actress Cinematography Art Direction Costumes and Score.
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"You may think you know what you're dealing with , but believe me , you don't , " warns water baron Noah Cross ( John Huston ), when smooth cop - turned - private eye J.J. "Jake" Gittes ( Jack Nicholson ) starts nosing around Cross's water diversion scheme. That proves to be the ominous lesson of Chinatown , Roman Polanski 's critically lauded 1974 revision of 1940s film noir detective movies. In 1930s Los Angeles , "matrimonial work" specialist Gittes is hired by Evelyn Mulwray ( Faye Dunaway ) to tail her husband , Water Department engineer Hollis Mulwray ( Darrell Zwerling ) . Gittes photographs him in the company of a young blonde and figures the case is closed , only to discover that the real Mrs. Mulwray had nothing to do with hiring Gittes in the first place. When Hollis turns up dead , Gittes decides to investigate further , encountering a shady old - age home , corrupt bureaucrats , angry orange farmers , and a nostril - slicing thug ( Polanski ) along the way. By the time he confronts Cross , Evelyn's father and Mulwray's former business partner , Jake thinks he knows everything , but an even more sordid truth awaits him. When circumstances force Jake to return to his old beat in Chinatown , he realizes just how impotent he is against the wealthy , depraved Cross. "Forget it , Jake , " his old partner tells him. "It's Chinatown." Reworking the somber underpinnings of detective noir along more pessimistic lines , Polanski and screenwriter Robert Towne convey a '70s - inflected critique of capitalist and bureaucratic malevolence in a carefully detailed period piece harkening back to the genre's roots in the 1930s and '40s. Gittes always has a smart comeback like Humphrey Bogart 's Sam Spade and Philip Marlowe , but the corruption Gittes finds is too deep for one man to stop. Other noir revisions , such as Robert Altman 's The Long Goodbye ( 1973 ) and Arthur Penn 's Night Moves ( 1975 ), also centered on the detective's inefficacy in an uncertain '70s world , but Chinatown 's period sheen renders this dilemma at once contemporary and timeless , pointing to larger implications about the effects of corporate rapaciousness on individuals. Polanski and Towne clashed over Chinatown 's ending ; Polanski won the fight , but Towne won the Oscar for Best Screenplay. Chinatown was nominated for ten other Oscars , including Picture , Director , Actor , Actress , Cinematography , Art Direction , Costumes , and Score.
0516
It's the last night of summer 1962 and the teenagers of Modesto California want to have some fun before adult responsibilities close in. Among them are Steve (Ron Howard) and Curt (Richard Dreyfuss) college-bound with mixed feelings about leaving home; nerdy Terry "The Toad" (Charles Martin Smith) who scores a dream date with blonde Debbie (Candy Clark); and John (Paul Le Mat ) a 22-year-old drag racer who wonders how much longer he can stay champion and how he got stuck with 13-year-old Carol (Mackenzie Phillips) in his deuce coupe. As D. J. Wolfman Jack spins 41 vintage tunes on the radio throughout the night Steve ponders a future with girlfriend Laurie (Cindy Williams) Curt chases a mystery blonde Terry tries to act cool and Paul prepares for a race against Bob Falfa (Harrison Ford) but nothing can stop the next day from coming and with it the vastly different future ushered in by the 1960s. Fresh off The Godfather (1972) producer Francis Ford Coppola had the clout to get his friend George Lucas's project made but only for $750000 on a 28-day shooting schedule. Despite technical obstacles and having to shoot at night cinematographer Haskell Wexler gave the film the neon-lit aura that Lucas wanted evoking the authentic look of a suburban strip to go with the authentic sound of rock-n-roll. Universal which wanted to call the film Another Slow Night in Modesto thought it was unreleasable. But Lucas' period detail co-writers Willard Huyck's and Gloria Katz's realistic dialogue and the film's nostalgia for the pre-Vietnam years apparently appealed to a 1973 audience embroiled in cultural chaos: American Graffiti became the third most popular movie of 1973 (after The Exorcist and The Sting) establishing the reputations of Lucas (whose next film would be Star Wars) and his young cast and furthering the onset of soundtrack-driven youth-oriented movies. Although the film helped spark 1970s nostalgia for the 1950s nothing else would capture the flavor of the era with the same humorous candor and latent sense of foreboding.
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It's the last night of summer 1962 , and the teenagers of Modesto , California , want to have some fun before adult responsibilities close in. Among them are Steve ( Ron Howard ) and Curt ( Richard Dreyfuss ), college - bound with mixed feelings about leaving home ; nerdy Terry "The Toad" ( Charles Martin Smith ), who scores a dream date with blonde Debbie ( Candy Clark ); and John ( Paul Le Mat ), a 22 - year - old drag racer who wonders how much longer he can stay champion and how he got stuck with 13 - year - old Carol ( Mackenzie Phillips ) in his deuce coupe. As D. J. Wolfman Jack spins 41 vintage tunes on the radio throughout the night , Steve ponders a future with girlfriend Laurie ( Cindy Williams ), Curt chases a mystery blonde , Terry tries to act cool , and Paul prepares for a race against Bob Falfa ( Harrison Ford ), but nothing can stop the next day from coming , and with it the vastly different future ushered in by the 1960s. Fresh off The Godfather ( 1972 ), producer Francis Ford Coppola had the clout to get his friend George Lucas 's project made , but only for $750 , 000 on a 28 - day shooting schedule. Despite technical obstacles , and having to shoot at night , cinematographer Haskell Wexler gave the film the neon - lit aura that Lucas wanted , evoking the authentic look of a suburban strip to go with the authentic sound of rock - n - roll. Universal , which wanted to call the film Another Slow Night in Modesto , thought it was unreleasable. But Lucas ' period detail , co - writers Willard Huyck 's and Gloria Katz 's realistic dialogue , and the film's nostalgia for the pre - Vietnam years apparently appealed to a 1973 audience embroiled in cultural chaos : American Graffiti became the third most popular movie of 1973 ( after The Exorcist and The Sting ), establishing the reputations of Lucas ( whose next film would be Star Wars ) and his young cast , and furthering the onset of soundtrack - driven , youth - oriented movies. Although the film helped spark 1970s nostalgia for the 1950s , nothing else would capture the flavor of the era with the same humorous candor and latent sense of foreboding.
0517
Conspiracy film specialist Alan J. Pakula turned journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein's best-selling account of their Watergate investigation into one of the hit films of Bicentennial year 1976. While researching a story about a botched 1972 burglary of Democratic Party headquarters at the Watergate apartment complex green Washington Post reporters/rivals Woodward (Robert Redford who also exec produced) and Bernstein (Dustin Hoffman) stumble on a possible connection between the burglars and a White House staffer. With the circumspect approval of executive editor Ben Bradlee (Jason Robards) the pair digs deeper. Aided by a guilt-ridden turncoat bookkeeper (Jane Alexander) and the vital if cryptic guidance of Woodward's mystery source Deep Throat (Hal Holbrook) Woodward and Bernstein "follow the money" all the way to the top of the Nixon administration. Despite Deep Throat's warnings that their lives are in danger and the reluctance of older Post editors Woodward and Bernstein are determined to get out the story of the crime and its presidential cover-up. Once Bradlee is convinced the final teletype impassively taps out the historically explosive results.
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Conspiracy film specialist Alan J. Pakula turned journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein 's best - selling account of their Watergate investigation into one of the hit films of Bicentennial year 1976. While researching a story about a botched 1972 burglary of Democratic Party headquarters at the Watergate apartment complex , green Washington Post reporters / rivals Woodward ( Robert Redford , who also exec produced ) and Bernstein ( Dustin Hoffman ) stumble on a possible connection between the burglars and a White House staffer. With the circumspect approval of executive editor Ben Bradlee ( Jason Robards ), the pair digs deeper. Aided by a guilt - ridden turncoat bookkeeper ( Jane Alexander ) and the vital if cryptic guidance of Woodward's mystery source , Deep Throat ( Hal Holbrook ), Woodward and Bernstein "follow the money" all the way to the top of the Nixon administration. Despite Deep Throat's warnings that their lives are in danger , and the reluctance of older Post editors , Woodward and Bernstein are determined to get out the story of the crime and its presidential cover - up. Once Bradlee is convinced , the final teletype impassively taps out the historically explosive results.
0518
"Gorgeous goyish guy" meets Jewish radical girl in Sydney Pollack's glossy romance. In 1937 frizzy-haired Red co-ed Katie Morosky (Barbra Streisand) briefly captures the attention of preppy jock Hubbell Gardiner (Robert Redford) with her passionate pacifism while the writing talent beneath his privileged exterior entrances her. Almost eight years later the two are reunited in New York when well-coiffed leftist radio worker Katie spies military officer Hubbell snoozing in a nightclub. Through her force of will and in spite of his smug rich friends the two opposites fall in love sparring over Katie's activist zeal and Hubbell's writerly ambivalence after a failed first novel. They head to Hollywood so that Hubbell can write a screenplay for his buddy-turned-producer J.J. (Bradford Dillman). But the House Committee on Un-American Activities' Communist witch hunt in 1947 tears the pair apart as a pregnant Katie refuses to keep silent about the jailing of the Hollywood Ten while a faithless Hubbell decides to save his career. When the two meet again at the dawn of the '60s TV hack Hubbell and A-bomb protestor Katie feel the old pull but they have to decide if it's worth the grief. Although blacklisted writers had returned to Hollywood -- and won Oscars -- by the early 1970s the HUAC sections of Arthur Laurents's screenplay were still considered dicey resulting in substantial cuts; Laurents reportedly blamed star Redford for not fighting them hard enough. Regardless of the edits and critics' complaints about the film's schlockiness 1973 audiences went for the well-executed and still politically tinged weepie turning The Way We Were into one of the most popular films of 1973 and Redford into a major heartthrob. Streisand won an Oscar nomination for Best Actress and the Streisand-sung title tune won for Best Song. Despite the eviscerated politics The Way We Were poignantly captures the insoluble dilemma of reconciling private desires with public awareness.
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"Gorgeous goyish guy" meets Jewish radical girl in Sydney Pollack 's glossy romance. In 1937 , frizzy - haired Red co - ed Katie Morosky ( Barbra Streisand ) briefly captures the attention of preppy jock Hubbell Gardiner ( Robert Redford ) with her passionate pacifism , while the writing talent beneath his privileged exterior entrances her. Almost eight years later , the two are reunited in New York , when well - coiffed leftist radio worker Katie spies military officer Hubbell snoozing in a nightclub. Through her force of will , and in spite of his smug rich friends , the two opposites fall in love , sparring over Katie's activist zeal and Hubbell's writerly ambivalence after a failed first novel. They head to Hollywood so that Hubbell can write a screenplay for his buddy - turned - producer J.J. ( Bradford Dillman ) . But the House Committee on Un - American Activities' Communist witch hunt in 1947 tears the pair apart , as a pregnant Katie refuses to keep silent about the jailing of the Hollywood Ten , while a faithless Hubbell decides to save his career. When the two meet again at the dawn of the '60s , TV hack Hubbell and A - bomb protestor Katie feel the old pull , but they have to decide if it's worth the grief. Although blacklisted writers had returned to Hollywood -- and won Oscars -- by the early 1970s , the HUAC sections of Arthur Laurents 's screenplay were still considered dicey , resulting in substantial cuts ; Laurents reportedly blamed star Redford for not fighting them hard enough. Regardless of the edits , and critics' complaints about the film's schlockiness , 1973 audiences went for the well - executed and still politically tinged weepie , turning The Way We Were into one of the most popular films of 1973 and Redford into a major heartthrob. Streisand won an Oscar nomination for Best Actress and the Streisand - sung title tune won for Best Song. Despite the eviscerated politics , The Way We Were poignantly captures the insoluble dilemma of reconciling private desires with public awareness.
0519
Doc Levy (Roy Scheider) is an American secret agent who has been running interference between the U.S. government and escaped Nazi war criminal Szell (Laurence Olivier). Believing that Doc has stolen a valuable cache of gems Szell emerges from his South American hiding place and heads for New York. He has Doc killed then kidnaps Doc's in-the-dark brother Babe (Dustin Hoffman). Repeating the phrase "Is it safe?" over and over Szell a onetime concentration camp dentist tries to extract information from Babe by performing sadistic "oral surgery" upon him. Babe who still doesn't know about the gems escapes breaking his own self-imposed rule of nonviolence to defend himself against his pursuers and gearing up for sadistic revenge.
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Doc Levy ( Roy Scheider ) is an American secret agent who has been running interference between the U.S. government and escaped Nazi war criminal Szell ( Laurence Olivier ) . Believing that Doc has stolen a valuable cache of gems , Szell emerges from his South American hiding place and heads for New York. He has Doc killed , then kidnaps Doc's in - the - dark brother , Babe ( Dustin Hoffman ) . Repeating the phrase "Is it safe?" over and over , Szell , a onetime concentration camp dentist , tries to extract information from Babe by performing sadistic "oral surgery" upon him. Babe , who still doesn't know about the gems , escapes , breaking his own self - imposed rule of nonviolence to defend himself against his pursuers and gearing up for sadistic revenge.
0520
The first part of his "paranoia trilogy" Alan J. Pakula's 1971 thriller details the troubled life of a Manhattan prostitute stalked by one of her tricks. Investigating the disappearance of his friend Tom Gruneman (Robert Milli) rural Pennsylvania private eye John Klute (Donald Sutherland) follows a lead provided by Gruneman's associate Peter Cable (Charles Cioffi) to seek out a call girl who Gruneman knew in New York City. The call girl is Bree Daniels (Jane Fonda) an aspiring actress who turns tricks for the cash and to be free of emotional bondage. Klute follows Bree's every move observing the city's decadence and her isolation eventually contacting her about Gruneman. Bree claims not to know Gruneman but she does reveal that she has received threats from a john. As Bree becomes involved in Klute's search and realizes that she is in danger she reluctantly falls in love with Klute despite her wish to remain unattached to any man. When she finally comes face to face with the killer however she is forced to reconsider her detached urban life.
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The first part of his "paranoia trilogy , " Alan J. Pakula 's 1971 thriller details the troubled life of a Manhattan prostitute stalked by one of her tricks. Investigating the disappearance of his friend Tom Gruneman ( Robert Milli ), rural Pennsylvania private eye John Klute ( Donald Sutherland ) follows a lead provided by Gruneman's associate Peter Cable ( Charles Cioffi ) to seek out a call girl who Gruneman knew in New York City. The call girl is Bree Daniels ( Jane Fonda ), an aspiring actress who turns tricks for the cash and to be free of emotional bondage. Klute follows Bree's every move , observing the city's decadence and her isolation , eventually contacting her about Gruneman. Bree claims not to know Gruneman , but she does reveal that she has received threats from a john. As Bree becomes involved in Klute's search and realizes that she is in danger , she reluctantly falls in love with Klute , despite her wish to remain unattached to any man. When she finally comes face to face with the killer , however , she is forced to reconsider her detached urban life.
0521
"Grease" said the poster and the Barry Gibb song "is the word." Transferring its setting from Chicago to sunny California and adding a dash of disco to the ersatz '50s score producer Allan Carr and director Randal Kleiser turned this long-running Jim Jacobs-Warren Casey Broadway smash into the biggest blockbuster of 1978. 1950s teens Danny (John Travolta) and Australian transfer Sandy (Olivia Newton-John) spend their "Summer Nights" falling in love but once fall comes it's back to Rydell High and its cliques. As one of the bad-boy T-Birds Danny has to act cool for best pal Kenickie (Jeff Conaway) and their leather-clad mates Sonny (Michael Tucci) and Doody (Barry Pearl in the role Travolta played on-stage). Despite befriending Frenchy (Didi Conn) one of the rebel Pink Ladies virginal Sandy is "too pure to be Pink" as the Ladies' leader Rizzo (Stockard Channing) acidly observes. Declaring their devotion in such ballads as "Hopelessly Devoted to You" and "Sandy" Sandy and Danny split reconcile and split again amidst a pep rally dances drive-ins and a drag race before deciding "You're the One That I Want" at the climactic carnival. With Travolta white-hot from Saturday Night Fever (1977) Grease soundtrack singles climbed the charts and summer movie crowds poured in. With the presence of Joan Blondell Eve Arden Sid Caesar Edd \"Kookie\" Byrnes and Frankie Avalon appealing to grown-up memories Grease became the highest-grossing film of 1978 the highest-grossing movie musical ever and the third most popular film of the new blockbuster '70s after Star Wars (1977) and Jaws (1975). Its sequel Grease 2 did not exactly set the world on fire in 1982.
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"Grease , " said the poster and the Barry Gibb song , "is the word." Transferring its setting from Chicago to sunny California , and adding a dash of disco to the ersatz '50s score , producer Allan Carr and director Randal Kleiser turned this long - running Jim Jacobs - Warren Casey Broadway smash into the biggest blockbuster of 1978. 1950s teens Danny ( John Travolta ) and Australian transfer Sandy ( Olivia Newton - John ) spend their "Summer Nights" falling in love , but once fall comes , it's back to Rydell High and its cliques. As one of the bad - boy T - Birds , Danny has to act cool for best pal Kenickie ( Jeff Conaway ) and their leather - clad mates Sonny ( Michael Tucci ) and Doody ( Barry Pearl , in the role Travolta played on - stage ) . Despite befriending Frenchy ( Didi Conn ), one of the rebel Pink Ladies , virginal Sandy is "too pure to be Pink , " as the Ladies' leader , Rizzo ( Stockard Channing ), acidly observes. Declaring their devotion in such ballads as "Hopelessly Devoted to You" and "Sandy , " Sandy and Danny split , reconcile , and split again amidst a pep rally , dances , drive - ins , and a drag race , before deciding "You're the One That I Want" at the climactic carnival. With Travolta white - hot from Saturday Night Fever ( 1977 ), Grease soundtrack singles climbed the charts and summer movie crowds poured in. With the presence of Joan Blondell , Eve Arden , Sid Caesar , Edd \ "Kookie \ " Byrnes , and Frankie Avalon appealing to grown - up memories , Grease became the highest - grossing film of 1978 , the highest - grossing movie musical ever , and the third most popular film of the new blockbuster '70s after Star Wars ( 1977 ) and Jaws ( 1975 ) . Its sequel , Grease 2 , did not exactly set the world on fire in 1982.
0522
Hal Ashby's 1978 melodrama examines the impact of the Vietnam War on the "war at home" among the men who fought it and the women in their lives. Left alone in Los Angeles when her gung-ho Marine husband Bob (Bruce Dern) heads to Vietnam in 1968 proper wife Sally Hyde (Jane Fonda) decides to volunteer at the V.A. hospital where her new friend Vi (Penelope Milford) works. There she meets Luke Martin (Jon Voight) a former high-school classmate and Marine who has returned from 'Nam a bitter paraplegic. As their relationship grows Sally sees the effect of the war on the soldiers after they come back inspiring her to rethink her priorities; Luke's spirits begin to lift and a hospital tragedy helps focus his anger toward meaningful protest. After a Hong Kong visit with her increasingly withdrawn husband Sally finds a love and companionship with Luke that she had never known with her husband. Once Bob comes home with his own injury however the three must find a way to deal with a changing world and with a system that betrayed the men fighting for it.
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Hal Ashby 's 1978 melodrama examines the impact of the Vietnam War on the "war at home" among the men who fought it and the women in their lives. Left alone in Los Angeles when her gung - ho Marine husband Bob ( Bruce Dern ) heads to Vietnam in 1968 , proper wife Sally Hyde ( Jane Fonda ) decides to volunteer at the V.A. hospital where her new friend Vi ( Penelope Milford ) works. There she meets Luke Martin ( Jon Voight ), a former high - school classmate and Marine who has returned from 'Nam a bitter paraplegic. As their relationship grows , Sally sees the effect of the war on the soldiers after they come back , inspiring her to rethink her priorities ; Luke's spirits begin to lift , and a hospital tragedy helps focus his anger toward meaningful protest. After a Hong Kong visit with her increasingly withdrawn husband , Sally finds a love and companionship with Luke that she had never known with her husband. Once Bob comes home with his own injury , however , the three must find a way to deal with a changing world and with a system that betrayed the men fighting for it.
0523
Originally a 1966 Broadway musical this groundbreaking Bob Fosse musical was in turn based on Christopher Isherwood's Goodbye to Berlin previously dramatized for stage and screen as I Am a Camera with Julie Harris as Sally Bowles. Fosse uses the decadent and vulgar cabaret as a mirror image of German society sliding toward the Nazis and this intertwining of entertainment with social history marked a new step forward for the movie musical. Michael York plays a British writer who comes to Berlin in the early 1930s in hopes of becoming a teacher. He makes the acquaintance of flamboyant American entertainer Sally Bowles played by Liza Minnelli. Sally works at the Kit Kat Klub a George Grosz-like Berlin cabaret where each night the smirking androgynous Master of Ceremonies (Joel Grey) introduces a jazz-driven "girlie show" to his debauched audience. Virtually all the film's musical numbers are staged within the confines of the Kit Kat Klub and each song comments on the plot and on Germany's "progression" from hedonism to Hitlerism. Most of the Broadway score by John Kander and Fred Ebb was retained with the welcome addition of "The Money Song." Although it lost Best Picture to The Godfather Cabaret won eight Oscars including awards to Minnelli Grey and Fosse. A heavily expurgated 88-minute version of Cabaret has been prepared for commercial TV presentations regarded by many as dramatically inferior to the full cut.
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Originally a 1966 Broadway musical , this groundbreaking Bob Fosse musical was in turn based on Christopher Isherwood 's Goodbye to Berlin , previously dramatized for stage and screen as I Am a Camera with Julie Harris as Sally Bowles. Fosse uses the decadent and vulgar cabaret as a mirror image of German society sliding toward the Nazis , and this intertwining of entertainment with social history marked a new step forward for the movie musical. Michael York plays a British writer who comes to Berlin in the early 1930s in hopes of becoming a teacher. He makes the acquaintance of flamboyant American entertainer Sally Bowles , played by Liza Minnelli . Sally works at the Kit Kat Klub , a George Grosz - like Berlin cabaret where each night the smirking , androgynous Master of Ceremonies ( Joel Grey ) introduces a jazz - driven "girlie show" to his debauched audience. Virtually all the film's musical numbers are staged within the confines of the Kit Kat Klub , and each song comments on the plot and on Germany's "progression" from hedonism to Hitlerism. Most of the Broadway score by John Kander and Fred Ebb was retained , with the welcome addition of "The Money Song." Although it lost Best Picture to The Godfather , Cabaret won eight Oscars , including awards to Minnelli , Grey , and Fosse. A heavily expurgated 88 - minute version of Cabaret has been prepared for commercial TV presentations , regarded by many as dramatically inferior to the full cut.
0524
Sam Peckinpah examines the instinctual capacity for violence in his controversial 1971 film loosely based on the novel The Siege of Trencher's Farm. To avoid the Vietnam-era social chaos in the U.S. American mathematician David Sumner (Dustin Hoffman) moves with his British wife Amy (Susan George) to the isolated Cornish town where she grew up but their presence provokes antagonism among the village's men. As the hostilities escalate from routine bullying to the gang rape of his wife David finds his pacifistic self backed into a corner. When the hooligans attack his house David finally resorts to the gruesome violence that he abhors.
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Sam Peckinpah examines the instinctual capacity for violence in his controversial 1971 film , loosely based on the novel The Siege of Trencher's Farm . To avoid the Vietnam - era social chaos in the U.S. , American mathematician David Sumner ( Dustin Hoffman ) moves with his British wife , Amy ( Susan George ), to the isolated Cornish town where she grew up , but their presence provokes antagonism among the village's men. As the hostilities escalate from routine bullying to the gang rape of his wife , David finds his pacifistic self backed into a corner. When the hooligans attack his house , David finally resorts to the gruesome violence that he abhors.
0525
Richard Roundtree cuts a startlingly new and powerful heroic figure as John Shaft "the cat who won't cop out when there's danger all about" in Gordon Parks' seminal action film Shaft. John Shaft is a black private eye with a small office near Times Square. On his way there one day he gets pumped for information by Lt. Victor Androzzi (Charles Cioffi) a friend of his on the police force about something big going down in Harlem involving black crime kingpin Bumpy Jonas (Moses Gunn). Shaft can't help him and leaves only to just miss being waylaid by two of Bumpy's strong-arm men at his office one of whom ends up dead on the pavement eight floors or so below. Squeezed by the cops who are holding a potential manslaughter arrest over his head Shaft contacts Bumpy who reveals that his teenage daughter whom he's always kept away from his business has been kidnapped. There's been no ransom demand and no clue as to who did it and he wants Shaft to find the culprits insisting that he start with a group of Harlem-based black militants led by Shaft's onetime friend Ben Buford (Christopher St. John). No sooner does he find Buford holed up in a decaying part of Harlem however than his friend's comrades are mowed down by submachine gun fire and Shaft and Buford barely escape. With Shaft angry and out for blood everyone is forced to come clean -- Bumpy knows that it's the Mafia that kidnapped his daughter as they want in on the Harlem drug trade that he controls; they're holding her somewhere else outside of Harlem where his men are no good to him which is why he wanted Shaft to hook up with Buford. Androzzi tells Shaft that a dozen Mob trigger men from out of town have been spotted in Greenwich Village. He doesn't know why they're there but he does know that if fighting breaks out between Bumpy's men and the Mafia it's going to look like a race war and the whole city could erupt. Shaft doesn't like the way he's been manipulated but he sees Androzzi's point -- he links the trigger men to the kidnapping and finds the girl but loses her again getting shot in the process. Even though he's wounded Shaft heads for a final confrontation with the kidnappers supported by Ben's friends in an armed assault on the building where they're holed up.
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Richard Roundtree cuts a startlingly new and powerful heroic figure as John Shaft , "the cat who won't cop out , when there's danger all about" in Gordon Parks ' seminal action film , Shaft . John Shaft is a black private eye with a small office near Times Square. On his way there one day , he gets pumped for information by Lt. Victor Androzzi ( Charles Cioffi ), a friend of his on the police force , about something big going down in Harlem involving black crime kingpin Bumpy Jonas ( Moses Gunn ) . Shaft can't help him and leaves , only to just miss being waylaid by two of Bumpy's strong - arm men at his office , one of whom ends up dead on the pavement eight floors or so below. Squeezed by the cops , who are holding a potential manslaughter arrest over his head , Shaft contacts Bumpy , who reveals that his teenage daughter , whom he's always kept away from his business , has been kidnapped. There's been no ransom demand and no clue as to who did it , and he wants Shaft to find the culprits , insisting that he start with a group of Harlem - based black militants led by Shaft's onetime friend Ben Buford ( Christopher St. John ) . No sooner does he find Buford , holed up in a decaying part of Harlem , however , than his friend's comrades are mowed down by submachine gun fire , and Shaft and Buford barely escape. With Shaft angry and out for blood , everyone is forced to come clean -- Bumpy knows that it's the Mafia that kidnapped his daughter , as they want in on the Harlem drug trade that he controls ; they're holding her somewhere else outside of Harlem , where his men are no good to him , which is why he wanted Shaft to hook up with Buford. Androzzi tells Shaft that a dozen Mob trigger men from out of town have been spotted in Greenwich Village. He doesn't know why they're there , but he does know that if fighting breaks out between Bumpy's men and the Mafia , it's going to look like a race war , and the whole city could erupt. Shaft doesn't like the way he's been manipulated , but he sees Androzzi's point -- he links the trigger men to the kidnapping and finds the girl , but loses her again , getting shot in the process. Even though he's wounded , Shaft heads for a final confrontation with the kidnappers , supported by Ben's friends in an armed assault on the building where they're holed up.
0526
Midnight Express is a harrowing tale of a naïve American caught in a nightmare of his own making thousands of miles from his home. Billy Hayes (Brad Davis) is an American tourist visiting Turkey with his girlfriend Susan (Irene Miracle) when he's caught by customs officials trying to smuggle a large amount of hashish out of the country. The crime would normally carry a sentence of four years but officials decide to make an example of Billy and he draws a 30-year sentence despite the promises of his Turkish legal counsel. While Susan and Billy's father (Mike Kellin) pledge to do everything they can to speed Billy's release in fact there's little than can be done. Billy quickly finds himself in a hellish prison that's a nightmare of filth violence rape inedible food and unspeakable health conditions. However Billy gains a few confidantes behind bars: Jimmy (Randy Quaid) an American in a constant state of emotional overdrive; Max (John Hurt) an intelligent drug-addicted Englishman; and Erich (Norbert Weisser) a gay Scandinavian who is attracted to Billy but accepts his gentle refusals of sex. Before long Billy is convinced that he can take no more and he makes plans to take the "midnight express" -- jailhouse slang for escape. While his friends are willing to help they also make clear that almost no one who has tried to escape has lived to tell the tale. Based on a true story Midnight Express was a box-office hit which won wide acclaim for the performances of Brad Davis and John Hurt; and the screenplay by Oliver Stone won an Academy Award.
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Midnight Express is a harrowing tale of a naïve American caught in a nightmare of his own making thousands of miles from his home. Billy Hayes ( Brad Davis ) is an American tourist visiting Turkey with his girlfriend Susan ( Irene Miracle ) when he's caught by customs officials trying to smuggle a large amount of hashish out of the country. The crime would normally carry a sentence of four years , but officials decide to make an example of Billy , and he draws a 30 - year sentence despite the promises of his Turkish legal counsel. While Susan and Billy's father ( Mike Kellin ) pledge to do everything they can to speed Billy's release , in fact there's little than can be done. Billy quickly finds himself in a hellish prison that's a nightmare of filth , violence , rape , inedible food , and unspeakable health conditions. However , Billy gains a few confidantes behind bars : Jimmy ( Randy Quaid ), an American in a constant state of emotional overdrive ; Max ( John Hurt ), an intelligent , drug - addicted Englishman ; and Erich ( Norbert Weisser ), a gay Scandinavian who is attracted to Billy but accepts his gentle refusals of sex. Before long , Billy is convinced that he can take no more , and he makes plans to take the "midnight express" -- jailhouse slang for escape. While his friends are willing to help , they also make clear that almost no one who has tried to escape has lived to tell the tale. Based on a true story , Midnight Express was a box - office hit which won wide acclaim for the performances of Brad Davis and John Hurt ; and the screenplay , by Oliver Stone , won an Academy Award.
0527
Robert Benton's Oscar-winning adaptation of Avery Corman's bestseller takes on contemporary problems of divorce and shifting gender roles as a jilted husband learns how to be a nurturing father. Manhattan housewife Joanna Kramer (Meryl Streep) walks out on her workaholic ad man husband Ted (Dustin Hoffman) leaving their young son Billy (Justin Henry) in Ted's less than capable hands. Through trial and error Ted learns how to take care of Billy devoting more energy to his family than to his work and finally losing his high-powered job because of his new priorities. When Joanna returns with her own lucrative job and the intent to take custody of Billy Ted finds employment that won't interfere with his paternal duties. Even though he proves that he can do it all Joanna still wins in court. Joanna however rethinks her desires when she finally grasps how close father and son have become. Addressing the male side of the self-actualization question previously explored from the female perspective in such 1970s movies as An Unmarried Woman (1978) Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (1974) and The Turning Point (1977) Kramer focuses on Ted's evolution from absent parent to ideal father as he learns to balance domestic and professional lives in the shifting late-1970s social landscape. Joanna's attempt to achieve the same however gets buried; only Streep's sensitive performance prevents Joanna from seeming an unsympathetic harridan. Critics praised the film's realistic depiction of Ted's travails as well as the three lead actors' work; and audiences perhaps facing the same questions of divorce and self-realization turned it into a box-office smash. It went on to win five Oscars including Best Picture Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress.
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Robert Benton 's Oscar - winning adaptation of Avery Corman 's bestseller takes on contemporary problems of divorce and shifting gender roles , as a jilted husband learns how to be a nurturing father. Manhattan housewife Joanna Kramer ( Meryl Streep ) walks out on her workaholic ad man husband Ted ( Dustin Hoffman ), leaving their young son Billy ( Justin Henry ) in Ted's less than capable hands. Through trial and error , Ted learns how to take care of Billy , devoting more energy to his family than to his work , and finally losing his high - powered job because of his new priorities. When Joanna returns with her own lucrative job and the intent to take custody of Billy , Ted finds employment that won't interfere with his paternal duties. Even though he proves that he can do it all , Joanna still wins in court. Joanna , however , rethinks her desires when she finally grasps how close father and son have become. Addressing the male side of the self - actualization question , previously explored from the female perspective in such 1970s movies as An Unmarried Woman ( 1978 ), Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore ( 1974 ), and The Turning Point ( 1977 ), Kramer focuses on Ted's evolution from absent parent to ideal father , as he learns to balance domestic and professional lives in the shifting late - 1970s social landscape. Joanna's attempt to achieve the same , however , gets buried ; only Streep 's sensitive performance prevents Joanna from seeming an unsympathetic harridan. Critics praised the film's realistic depiction of Ted's travails , as well as the three lead actors' work ; and audiences , perhaps facing the same questions of divorce and self - realization , turned it into a box - office smash. It went on to win five Oscars , including Best Picture , Best Actor , and Best Supporting Actress.
0528
In director Arthur Hiller's hit tearjerker -- based on Erich Segal's novella -- Ryan O'Neal plays Oliver Barrett IV a comfortably off Harvard pre-law student who falls in love with Radcliffe music student Jenny Cavilleri (Ali MacGraw) a freewheeling delightfully profane product of a blue-collar Italian-American family. Oliver's father (Ray Milland) heartily disapproves of the subsequent marriage and cuts off his son's allowance. Despite financial travails (the pampered Oliver actually has to go to work!) the couple is blissfully happy....until Jenny is diagnosed as having an unnamed disease that consigns her to an early death. The movie's tagline "Love means never having to say you're sorry" became an iconic American catchphrase the film's theme a number one hit. One of the early products of Paramount guru Robert Evans Love Story grossed more money than any Paramount production before it. This enormously successful film inspired a 1978 sequel Oliver's Story.
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In director Arthur Hiller 's hit tearjerker -- based on Erich Segal 's novella -- Ryan O'Neal plays Oliver Barrett IV , a comfortably off Harvard pre - law student who falls in love with Radcliffe music student Jenny Cavilleri ( Ali MacGraw ), a freewheeling , delightfully profane product of a blue - collar Italian - American family. Oliver's father ( Ray Milland ) heartily disapproves of the subsequent marriage and cuts off his son's allowance. Despite financial travails ( the pampered Oliver actually has to go to work! ), the couple is blissfully happy....until Jenny is diagnosed as having an unnamed disease that consigns her to an early death. The movie's tagline "Love means never having to say you're sorry" became an iconic American catchphrase , the film's theme a number one hit. One of the early products of Paramount guru Robert Evans , Love Story grossed more money than any Paramount production before it. This enormously successful film inspired a 1978 sequel , Oliver's Story .
0529
Embraced by the Baby Boomer generation and spawning countless imitators the sophomore film of writer-director Lawrence Kasdan was a successful comedy-drama with a best selling soundtrack of Motown hits. Kevin Kline and Glenn Close star as Harold and Sarah Cooper a couple whose marital troubles are put on hold while they host an unhappy reunion of former college pals gathered for the funeral of one of their own a suicide victim named Alex. As the weekend unfolds the friends catch up with each other play the music of their youth reminisce smoke marijuana and pair off with each other in unexpected combinations. Included are Michael (Jeff Goldblum) a smarmy journalist; Sam (Tom Berenger) a TV star; Karen (JoBeth Williams) unhappily married and pining for Sam; Nick (William Hurt) a drug-addicted Vietnam vet; and Meg (Mary Kay Place) a single career woman who wants a child. Joining the group is Alex's bizarre girlfriend Chloe (Meg Tilly) who finds new love with Nick. As they learn to deal with the truth about the loss of idealism in their lives and Alex's sad demise the friends find their bond still intact while the marriage of Harold and Sarah is healed in an unusual way that's in sync with the era of their youth. Cut from the release of The Big Chill (1983) was the brief appearance of young actor Kevin Costner as Alex. Kasdan promised Costner a role in his next picture which turned out to be a star-making part in Silverado (1985).
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Embraced by the Baby Boomer generation and spawning countless imitators , the sophomore film of writer - director Lawrence Kasdan was a successful comedy - drama with a best selling soundtrack of Motown hits. Kevin Kline and Glenn Close star as Harold and Sarah Cooper , a couple whose marital troubles are put on hold while they host an unhappy reunion of former college pals gathered for the funeral of one of their own , a suicide victim named Alex. As the weekend unfolds , the friends catch up with each other , play the music of their youth , reminisce , smoke marijuana , and pair off with each other in unexpected combinations. Included are Michael ( Jeff Goldblum ), a smarmy journalist ; Sam ( Tom Berenger ), a TV star ; Karen ( JoBeth Williams ), unhappily married and pining for Sam ; Nick ( William Hurt ), a drug - addicted Vietnam vet ; and Meg ( Mary Kay Place ), a single career woman who wants a child. Joining the group is Alex's bizarre girlfriend Chloe ( Meg Tilly ), who finds new love with Nick. As they learn to deal with the truth about the loss of idealism in their lives and Alex's sad demise , the friends find their bond still intact , while the marriage of Harold and Sarah is healed in an unusual way that's in sync with the era of their youth. Cut from the release of The Big Chill ( 1983 ) was the brief appearance of young actor Kevin Costner as Alex. Kasdan promised Costner a role in his next picture , which turned out to be a star - making part in Silverado ( 1985 ) .
0530
Director George Miller's follow-up to his own 1979 hit Mad Max is proof that not all sequels are inferior to their originals. If anything this brutal sci-fi action film is even more intense and exciting than its predecessor although the state of its post-apocalyptic world has only become worse. Several years after the deaths of his wife and child Max (Mel Gibson) has become an alienated nomad wandering an Australian outback that has fallen into tribal warfare conducted from scattered armed camps. After a road battle with psychotic villain Wez (Vernon Wells) Max meets up with the odd Gyro Captain (Bruce Spence) who takes him to the camp of a sympathetic group led by Pappagallo (Mike Preston). As Pappagallo's people are camped at a refinery Max plans to take their oil -- more precious than gold in this world -- but eventually joins them to fight a band of marauders led by the evil Humungus (Kjell Nilsson). The stunning climax features a heart-pounding chase scene involving an oil tanker-truck and a frenzied rush for the coast with Humungus and his forces in hot pursuit. Nilsson is a scary villain with huge muscles and a sinister pre-Jason hockey mask but the stunt work is the key here and it is more flamboyantly dynamic than ever edited at breakneck pace and staged with manic fury by Miller and stunt coordinator Max Aspin. Savage and kinetic Mad Max 2 is a must-see for action buffs.
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Director George Miller 's follow - up to his own 1979 hit Mad Max is proof that not all sequels are inferior to their originals. If anything , this brutal sci - fi action film is even more intense and exciting than its predecessor , although the state of its post - apocalyptic world has only become worse. Several years after the deaths of his wife and child , Max ( Mel Gibson ) has become an alienated nomad , wandering an Australian outback that has fallen into tribal warfare conducted from scattered armed camps. After a road battle with psychotic villain Wez ( Vernon Wells ), Max meets up with the odd Gyro Captain ( Bruce Spence ), who takes him to the camp of a sympathetic group led by Pappagallo ( Mike Preston ) . As Pappagallo's people are camped at a refinery , Max plans to take their oil -- more precious than gold in this world -- but eventually joins them to fight a band of marauders led by the evil Humungus ( Kjell Nilsson ) . The stunning climax features a heart - pounding chase scene involving an oil tanker - truck and a frenzied rush for the coast , with Humungus and his forces in hot pursuit. Nilsson is a scary villain , with huge muscles and a sinister pre - Jason hockey mask , but the stunt work is the key here , and it is more flamboyantly dynamic than ever , edited at breakneck pace and staged with manic fury by Miller and stunt coordinator Max Aspin . Savage and kinetic , Mad Max 2 is a must - see for action buffs.
0531
Terms of Endearment covers three decades in the lives of widow Aurora Greenway (Shirley MacLaine) and her daughter Emma (Debra Winger). Fiercely protected by Aurora throughout childhood Emma runs into resistance from her mother when she marries wishy-washy college teacher Flap (Jeff Daniels). Aurora is even more put out at the prospect of being a grandmother though she grows a lot fonder of her three grandkids than she does of her son-in-law. Flap proves that Aurora's instincts were on target when he enters into an affair with a student (Kate Charleson). Meanwhile Emma finds romantic consolation with an unhappily married banker (played by John Lithgow who registers well in a rare "nice guy" performance). As for Aurora she is ardently pursued by her next-door neighbor boisterous astronaut Garrett Breedlove (Jack Nicholson). After 75 minutes or so of pursuing an episodic semi-comic plotline the film abruptly shifts moods when Emma discovers that she has terminal cancer. Terms of Endearment won Academy Awards for Best Picture Best Director and Best Screenplay for TV veteran James L. Brooks making his first feature film Best Actress for MacLaine and Best Supporting Actor for Nicholson. It was followed by a sequel The Evening Star (1996) which again featured MacLaine as Aurora.
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Terms of Endearment covers three decades in the lives of widow Aurora Greenway ( Shirley MacLaine ) and her daughter Emma ( Debra Winger ) . Fiercely protected by Aurora throughout childhood , Emma runs into resistance from her mother when she marries wishy - washy college teacher Flap ( Jeff Daniels ) . Aurora is even more put out at the prospect of being a grandmother , though she grows a lot fonder of her three grandkids than she does of her son - in - law. Flap proves that Aurora's instincts were on target when he enters into an affair with a student ( Kate Charleson ) . Meanwhile , Emma finds romantic consolation with an unhappily married banker ( played by John Lithgow , who registers well in a rare "nice guy" performance ) . As for Aurora , she is ardently pursued by her next - door neighbor , boisterous astronaut Garrett Breedlove ( Jack Nicholson ) . After 75 minutes or so of pursuing an episodic , semi - comic plotline , the film abruptly shifts moods when Emma discovers that she has terminal cancer. Terms of Endearment won Academy Awards for Best Picture , Best Director and Best Screenplay for TV veteran James L. Brooks making his first feature film , Best Actress for MacLaine , and Best Supporting Actor for Nicholson. It was followed by a sequel , The Evening Star ( 1996 ), which again featured MacLaine as Aurora.
0532
Endlessly imitated The Terminator made the reputation of cowriter/director James Cameron -- who would go on to make 1997's titanic Titanic -- and solidified the stardom of Arnold Schwarzenegger. The movie begins in a post-apocalyptic 2029 when Los Angeles has been largely reduced to rubble and is under the thumb of all-powerful ruling machines. Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn) a member of the human resistance movement is teleported back to 1984. His purpose: to rescue Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) the mother of the man who will lead the 21st-century rebels against the tyrannical machines from being assassinated before she can give birth. Likewise thrust back to 1984 is The Terminator (Schwarzenegger) a grim well-armed virtually indestructable cyborg who has been programmed to eliminate Sarah Connor. After killing two "Sarah Connors" who turn out to be the wrong women he finally aims his gunsights at the genuine article. This is the film in which Schwarzenegger declared "I'll be baaaack" -- and back he was in "kinder and gentler" form in the even more successful Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991).
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Endlessly imitated , The Terminator made the reputation of cowriter / director James Cameron -- who would go on to make 1997's titanic Titanic -- and solidified the stardom of Arnold Schwarzenegger . The movie begins in a post - apocalyptic 2029 , when Los Angeles has been largely reduced to rubble and is under the thumb of all - powerful ruling machines. Kyle Reese ( Michael Biehn ), a member of the human resistance movement , is teleported back to 1984. His purpose : to rescue Sarah Connor ( Linda Hamilton ), the mother of the man who will lead the 21st - century rebels against the tyrannical machines , from being assassinated before she can give birth. Likewise thrust back to 1984 is The Terminator ( Schwarzenegger ), a grim , well - armed , virtually indestructable cyborg who has been programmed to eliminate Sarah Connor. After killing two "Sarah Connors" who turn out to be the wrong women , he finally aims his gunsights at the genuine article. This is the film in which Schwarzenegger declared "I'll be baaaack" -- and back he was , in "kinder and gentler" form , in the even more successful Terminator 2 : Judgment Day ( 1991 ) .
0533
Covering some 15 years The Right Stuff recounts the formation of America's space program concentrating on the original Mercury astronauts. Scott Glenn plays Alan Shepard the first American in space; Fred Ward is Gus Grissom the benighted astronaut for whom nothing works out as planned; and Ed Harris is John Glenn the straight-arrow "boy scout" of the bunch who was the first American to orbit the earth. The remaining four Mercury boys are Deke Slayton (Scott Paulin) Scott Carpenter (Charles Frank) Wally Schirra (Lance Henriksen) and Gordon Cooper (Dennis Quaid). Wolfe's original book related in straightforward fashion the dangers and frustrations facing the astronauts (including Glenn's oft-repeated complaint that it's hard to be confident when you know that the missile you're sitting on has been built by the lowest bidder) the various personal crises involving their families (Glenn's wife Annie a stutterer dreads being interviewed on television while Grissom's wife Betty angered that her husband is not regarded as a hero because his mission was a failure bitterly declares "I want my parade!") and the schism between the squeaky-clean public image of the Mercury pilots and their sometimes raunchy earthbound shenanigans.
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Covering some 15 years , The Right Stuff recounts the formation of America's space program , concentrating on the original Mercury astronauts. Scott Glenn plays Alan Shepard , the first American in space ; Fred Ward is Gus Grissom , the benighted astronaut for whom nothing works out as planned ; and Ed Harris is John Glenn , the straight - arrow "boy scout" of the bunch who was the first American to orbit the earth. The remaining four Mercury boys are Deke Slayton ( Scott Paulin ), Scott Carpenter ( Charles Frank ), Wally Schirra ( Lance Henriksen ) and Gordon Cooper ( Dennis Quaid ) . Wolfe 's original book related in straightforward fashion the dangers and frustrations facing the astronauts ( including Glenn 's oft - repeated complaint that it's hard to be confident when you know that the missile you're sitting on has been built by the lowest bidder ), the various personal crises involving their families ( Glenn 's wife Annie , a stutterer , dreads being interviewed on television , while Grissom 's wife Betty , angered that her husband is not regarded as a hero because his mission was a failure , bitterly declares "I want my parade!" ), and the schism between the squeaky - clean public image of the Mercury pilots and their sometimes raunchy earthbound shenanigans.
0534
A Woody Allen Manhattan mosaic Hannah and Her Sisters concerns the lives loves and infidelities among a tightly-knit artistic clan. Hannah (Mia Farrow) regularly meets with her sisters Holly (Dianne Wiest) and Lee (Barbara Hershey) to discuss the week's events. It's what they don't always tell each other that forms the film's various subplots. Hannah is married to accountant and financial planner Elliot (Michael Caine) who carries a torch for Lee who in turn lives with pompous Soho artist Frederick (Max Von Sydow). Meanwhile Holly a neurotic actress and eternal loser in love dates TV producer Mickey (Allen) who used to be married to Hannah and spends most of the film convinced that he's about to die. Appearing in supporting parts are Lloyd Nolan and Maureen O'Sullivan (Farrow's real mom) as the eternally bickering husband-and-wife acting team who are the parents of Hannah and her sisters. The film begins and ends during the family's traditional Thanksgiving dinner filmed in Farrow's actual New York apartment. Unbilled cameos are contributed by Sam Waterston as one of Wiest's brief amours and Tony Roberts as one of Allen's friends. Hannah and Her Sisters collected Oscars for Michael Caine Dianne Wiest and Woody Allen's screenplay.
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A Woody Allen Manhattan mosaic , Hannah and Her Sisters concerns the lives , loves , and infidelities among a tightly - knit artistic clan. Hannah ( Mia Farrow ) regularly meets with her sisters Holly ( Dianne Wiest ) and Lee ( Barbara Hershey ) to discuss the week's events. It's what they don't always tell each other that forms the film's various subplots. Hannah is married to accountant and financial planner Elliot ( Michael Caine ), who carries a torch for Lee , who in turn lives with pompous Soho artist Frederick ( Max Von Sydow ) . Meanwhile , Holly , a neurotic actress and eternal loser in love , dates TV producer Mickey ( Allen ), who used to be married to Hannah and spends most of the film convinced that he's about to die. Appearing in supporting parts are Lloyd Nolan and Maureen O'Sullivan ( Farrow 's real mom ), as the eternally bickering husband - and - wife acting team who are the parents of Hannah and her sisters. The film begins and ends during the family's traditional Thanksgiving dinner , filmed in Farrow 's actual New York apartment. Unbilled cameos are contributed by Sam Waterston as one of Wiest 's brief amours and Tony Roberts as one of Allen 's friends. Hannah and Her Sisters collected Oscars for Michael Caine , Dianne Wiest , and Woody Allen 's screenplay.
0535
Writer-director Barry Levinson's autobiographical first feature fondly remembers his Baltimore youth. It's late 1959 and six guys in their early twenties are stumbling into adulthood alternating responsibility with carefree time at their local diner. The story centers on the return from college of Billy (Tim Daly) to serve as best man at the wedding of his pal Eddie (Steve Guttenberg). Billy is consumed by a confusing relationship with a close female friend while Eddie still lives at home preparing a football trivia test for his fiancée and vowing to cancel the wedding if she fails. Other characters woven into the narrative include Boogie (Mickey Rourke) a womanizer with a gambling problem and Shrevie (Daniel Stern) a music addict with a troubled marriage. Diner became known for its bittersweet comic screenplay and its remarkable cast which also included Paul Reiser Kevin Bacon and Ellen Barkin. In order to capture the loose laid-back dialogue of the diner scenes Levinson directed them last so that the actors would be more comfortable with each other. Diner was the first part of Levinson's "Baltimore Trilogy" followed by Tin Men (1987) and Avalon (1990).
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Writer - director Barry Levinson 's autobiographical first feature fondly remembers his Baltimore youth. It's late 1959 , and six guys in their early twenties are stumbling into adulthood , alternating responsibility with carefree time at their local diner. The story centers on the return from college of Billy ( Tim Daly ) to serve as best man at the wedding of his pal Eddie ( Steve Guttenberg ) . Billy is consumed by a confusing relationship with a close female friend , while Eddie still lives at home , preparing a football trivia test for his fiancée and vowing to cancel the wedding if she fails. Other characters woven into the narrative include Boogie ( Mickey Rourke ), a womanizer with a gambling problem , and Shrevie ( Daniel Stern ), a music addict with a troubled marriage. Diner became known for its bittersweet comic screenplay and its remarkable cast , which also included Paul Reiser , Kevin Bacon , and Ellen Barkin . In order to capture the loose , laid - back dialogue of the diner scenes , Levinson directed them last , so that the actors would be more comfortable with each other. Diner was the first part of Levinson's "Baltimore Trilogy , " followed by Tin Men ( 1987 ) and Avalon ( 1990 ) .
0536
It's Christmas time in L.A. and there's an employee party in progress on the 30th floor of the Nakatomi Corporation building. The revelry comes to a violent end when the partygoers are taken hostage by a group of terrorists headed by Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman) who plan to steal the 600 million dollars locked in Nakatomi's high-tech safe. In truth Gruber and his henchmen are only pretending to be politically motivated to throw the authorities off track; also in truth Gruber has no intention of allowing anyone to get out of the building alive. Meanwhile New York cop John McClane (Bruce Willis) has come to L.A. to visit his estranged wife Holly (Bonnie Bedelia) who happens to be one of the hostages. Disregarding the orders of the authorities surrounding the building McClane who fears nothing (except heights) takes on the villains armed with one handgun and plenty of chutzpah. Until Die Hard came along Bruce Willis was merely that wisecracking guy on Moonlighting. After the film's profits started rolling in Willis found himself one of the highest-paid and most sought-after leading men in Hollywood.
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It's Christmas time in L.A. , and there's an employee party in progress on the 30th floor of the Nakatomi Corporation building. The revelry comes to a violent end when the partygoers are taken hostage by a group of terrorists headed by Hans Gruber ( Alan Rickman ), who plan to steal the 600 million dollars locked in Nakatomi's high - tech safe. In truth , Gruber and his henchmen are only pretending to be politically motivated to throw the authorities off track ; also in truth , Gruber has no intention of allowing anyone to get out of the building alive. Meanwhile , New York cop John McClane ( Bruce Willis ) has come to L.A. to visit his estranged wife , Holly ( Bonnie Bedelia ), who happens to be one of the hostages. Disregarding the orders of the authorities surrounding the building , McClane , who fears nothing ( except heights ), takes on the villains , armed with one handgun and plenty of chutzpah. Until Die Hard came along , Bruce Willis was merely that wisecracking guy on Moonlighting . After the film's profits started rolling in , Willis found himself one of the highest - paid and most sought - after leading men in Hollywood.
0537
Writer/director/producer James L. Brooks scores on all counts with this clear-eyed look at the television news business and the dysfunctional types who work in it. Brooks' intelligent script introduces us to Jane Craig (Holly Hunter) an ambitious producer at the network news division's Washington D.C. branch who is calm under fire yet has a good cry at her desk every morning over her empty personal life. Jane works well with Aaron Altman (Albert Brooks) an excellent reporter who lacks the visual charisma to make him a star. Into their lives comes Tom Grunick (William Hurt) a regional newscaster who admits he can't write news and doesn't understand many of the events he's covering but has the presence and physical appeal that the increasingly entertainment-oriented network wants for its news programs. Jane is also physically attracted to him which drives her crazy because Grunick stands for everything she's fighting against in the news business while Altman is devastated by her attraction because he secretly yearns for Jane. As Grunick becomes a rising star at the network and layoffs of the old guard loom the three leads deal with their feelings for each other their careers and their values. Hunter Hurt and Brooks are all superb as is the excellent supporting cast (including an unbilled turn by Jack Nicholson as the network's smarmy national anchor). Brooks' script is funny poignant gritty and brutally honest in its examinations of the television industry and the ways in which professionals interact on and off the job.
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Writer / director / producer James L. Brooks scores on all counts with this clear - eyed look at the television news business and the dysfunctional types who work in it. Brooks' intelligent script introduces us to Jane Craig ( Holly Hunter ), an ambitious producer at the network news division's Washington D.C. branch , who is calm under fire yet has a good cry at her desk every morning over her empty personal life. Jane works well with Aaron Altman ( Albert Brooks ), an excellent reporter who lacks the visual charisma to make him a star. Into their lives comes Tom Grunick ( William Hurt ), a regional newscaster who admits he can't write news and doesn't understand many of the events he's covering , but has the presence and physical appeal that the increasingly entertainment - oriented network wants for its news programs. Jane is also physically attracted to him , which drives her crazy , because Grunick stands for everything she's fighting against in the news business , while Altman is devastated by her attraction because he secretly yearns for Jane. As Grunick becomes a rising star at the network , and layoffs of the old guard loom , the three leads deal with their feelings for each other , their careers , and their values. Hunter , Hurt , and Brooks are all superb , as is the excellent supporting cast ( including an unbilled turn by Jack Nicholson as the network's smarmy national anchor ) . Brooks' script is funny , poignant , gritty , and brutally honest in its examinations of the television industry and the ways in which professionals interact on and off the job.
0538
razil constitutes Terry Gilliam's enormously ambitious follow-up to his 1981 Time Bandits. It also represents the second installment in a trilogy of Gilliam films on imagination versus reality that began with Bandits and ended in 1989 with The Adventures of Baron Munchausen. To create this wild visually audacious satire Gilliam combines dystopian elements from Orwell Huxley and Kafka (plus a central character who mirrors Walter Mitty) with his own trademark Monty Python-esque jet black British humor and his gift for extraordinary visual invention. The results are thoroughly unprecedented in the cinema. Jonathan Pryce stars as Sam Lowry a civil servant who chooses to blind himself to the decaying drone-like world around him. It's a world marred by oppressive automatization and towering bureaucracy and populated by tyrannical guards who strongarm lawbreakers. And Lowry is stuck in the middle of this nightmare. Whenever real life becomes too oppressive Sam fantasizes (to the tune of Ary Baroso's 1930s hit "Brazil") about sailing through the clouds as a winged superhero and rescuing beautiful Jill Layton (Kim Greist) from a giant Samurai warrior. The omnipresent computer that controls everything in the "real" world malfunctions causing an innocent citizen to be arrested and tortured to death. When Sam routinely investigates the error he meets - and pursues Jill literally the girl of his dreams. But in real life she's a tough-as-nails truck driver who initially wants nothing to do with him. It turns out that she is suspected of underground activities in connection with a terrorist network wanted for bombing public places. The price Sam pays for his association with her is a close encounter with the man in charge of torturing troublesome citizens (Michael Palin). He is rescued - at the last minute - by maintenance man Harry Tuttle (Robert de Niro) who moonlights as a terrorist but that only represents the beginning of his plight for now the "system" is onto him. Gilliam ran into enormous problems with Brazil. Universal - which produced the picture - originally slated it for release in 1984 but the studio - intimidated by the film's whopping length of 142 minutes - demanded that Gilliam trim the film to bring it in under two hours and alter the pessimistic ending. Gilliam refused; Universal shelved the picture for a year. In response the director took out a full page ad in Variety asking studio president Sid Sheinberg when the film would be released. Sensing tremendous pressure Universal bowed to Gilliam's insistence on fewer cuts but still demanded a happy ending. Gilliam trimmed only eleven minutes and altered the conclusion just slightly (instead of cutting to black it fades into puffy white clouds on a blue sky with a reprise of the title tune). It was thus released in early 1985 at 131 minutes and of course became a seminal work; many critics regarded it at the time as the best film of the eighties.
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Brazil constitutes Terry Gilliam 's enormously ambitious follow - up to his 1981 Time Bandits . It also represents the second installment in a trilogy of Gilliam films on imagination versus reality , that began with Bandits and ended in 1989 with The Adventures of Baron Munchausen . To create this wild , visually audacious satire , Gilliam combines dystopian elements from Orwell , Huxley and Kafka ( plus a central character who mirrors Walter Mitty ) with his own trademark , Monty Python - esque , jet black British humor and his gift for extraordinary visual invention. The results are thoroughly unprecedented in the cinema. Jonathan Pryce stars as Sam Lowry , a civil servant who chooses to blind himself to the decaying , drone - like world around him. It's a world marred by oppressive automatization and towering bureaucracy , and populated by tyrannical guards who strongarm lawbreakers. And Lowry is stuck in the middle of this nightmare. Whenever real life becomes too oppressive , Sam fantasizes ( to the tune of Ary Baroso 's 1930s hit "Brazil" ) about sailing through the clouds as a winged superhero , and rescuing beautiful Jill Layton ( Kim Greist ) from a giant , Samurai warrior. The omnipresent computer that controls everything in the "real" world malfunctions , causing an innocent citizen to be arrested and tortured to death. When Sam routinely investigates the error , he meets - and pursues Jill , literally the girl of his dreams. But in real life , she's a tough - as - nails truck driver who initially wants nothing to do with him. It turns out that she is suspected of underground activities , in connection with a terrorist network wanted for bombing public places. The price Sam pays for his association with her is a close encounter with the man in charge of torturing troublesome citizens ( Michael Palin ) . He is rescued - at the last minute - by maintenance man Harry Tuttle ( Robert de Niro ) who moonlights as a terrorist , but that only represents the beginning of his plight , for now the "system" is onto him. Gilliam ran into enormous problems with Brazil . Universal - which produced the picture - originally slated it for release in 1984 , but the studio - intimidated by the film's whopping length of 142 minutes - demanded that Gilliam trim the film to bring it in under two hours and alter the pessimistic ending. Gilliam refused ; Universal shelved the picture for a year. In response , the director took out a full page ad in Variety asking studio president Sid Sheinberg when the film would be released. Sensing tremendous pressure , Universal bowed to Gilliam 's insistence on fewer cuts but still demanded a happy ending. Gilliam trimmed only eleven minutes and altered the conclusion just slightly ( instead of cutting to black , it fades into puffy white clouds on a blue sky , with a reprise of the title tune ) . It was thus released in early 1985 at 131 minutes , and of course became a seminal work ; many critics regarded it at the time as the best film of the eighties.
0539
Director David Lynch crafted this hallucinogenic mystery-thriller that probes beneath the cheerful surface of suburban America to discover sadomasochistic violence corruption drug abuse crime and perversion. Kyle Maclachlan stars as Jeffrey Beaumont a square-jawed young man who returns to his picture-perfect small town when his father suffers a stroke. Walking through a field near his home Jeff discovers a severed human ear which he immediately brings to the police. Their disinterest sparks Jeff's curiosity and he is soon drawn into a dangerous drama that's being played out by a lounge singer Dorothy Vallens (Isabella Rossellini) and the ether-addicted Frank Booth (Dennis Hopper). The sociopathic Booth has kidnapped Dorothy's young son and is using the child as a bargaining chip to repeatedly beat humiliate and rape Dorothy. Though he's drawn to the virginal wholesome Sandy Williams (Laura Dern) Jeff is also aroused by Dorothy and in trying to aid her he discovers his dark side. As the film nears its conclusion our hero learns that many more indivduals are tacitly involved with Frank including a suave lip-synching singer Ben (Dean Stockwell) who is minding the kidnapped boy. Director Lynch explored many similar themes of the "disease" lying just under the surface of the small town all-American façade in his later television series Twin Peaks (1990-91).
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Director David Lynch crafted this hallucinogenic mystery - thriller that probes beneath the cheerful surface of suburban America to discover sadomasochistic violence , corruption , drug abuse , crime and perversion. Kyle Maclachlan stars as Jeffrey Beaumont , a square - jawed young man who returns to his picture - perfect small town when his father suffers a stroke. Walking through a field near his home , Jeff discovers a severed human ear , which he immediately brings to the police. Their disinterest sparks Jeff's curiosity , and he is soon drawn into a dangerous drama that's being played out by a lounge singer , Dorothy Vallens ( Isabella Rossellini ) and the ether - addicted Frank Booth ( Dennis Hopper ) . The sociopathic Booth has kidnapped Dorothy's young son and is using the child as a bargaining chip to repeatedly beat , humiliate and rape Dorothy. Though he's drawn to the virginal , wholesome Sandy Williams ( Laura Dern ), Jeff is also aroused by Dorothy and in trying to aid her , he discovers his dark side. As the film nears its conclusion , our hero learns that many more indivduals are tacitly involved with Frank , including a suave , lip - synching singer , Ben ( Dean Stockwell ), who is minding the kidnapped boy. Director Lynch explored many similar themes of the "disease" lying just under the surface of the small town , all - American façade in his later television series Twin Peaks ( 1990 - 91 ) .
0540
For this film adaptation of Peter Shaffer's Broadway hit director Milos Forman returned to the city of Prague that he'd left behind during the Czech political crises of 1968 bringing along his usual cinematographer and fellow Czech expatriate Miroslav Ondrícek. Amadeus is an expansion of a Viennese "urban legend" concerning the death of 18th century musical genius Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. From the vantage point of an insane asylum aging royal composer Salieri (F. Murray Abraham) recalls the events of three decades earlier when the young Mozart (Tom Hulce) first gained favor in the court of Austrian emperor Joseph II (Jeffrey Jones). Salieri was incensed that God would bless so vulgar and obnoxious a young snipe as Mozart with divine genius. Why was Salieri -- so disciplined so devoted to his art and so willing to toady to his superiors -- not touched by God? Unable to match Mozart's talent Salieri uses his influence in court to sabotage the young upstart's career. Disguising himself as a mysterious benefactor Salieri commissions the backbreaking Requiem which eventually costs Mozart his health wealth and life. Among the film's many pearls of dialogue the best line goes to the emperor who rejects a Mozart composition on the grounds that it has "too many notes." Amadeus won eight Academy Awards including Best Picture Best Director Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Actor for F. Murray Abraham. In 2002 the film received a theatrical re-release as "Amadeus: The Director's Cut" a version that includes 20 minutes of additional footage.
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For this film adaptation of Peter Shaffer 's Broadway hit , director Milos Forman returned to the city of Prague that he'd left behind during the Czech political crises of 1968 , bringing along his usual cinematographer and fellow Czech expatriate , Miroslav Ondrícek . Amadeus is an expansion of a Viennese "urban legend" concerning the death of 18th century musical genius Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart . From the vantage point of an insane asylum , aging royal composer Salieri ( F. Murray Abraham ) recalls the events of three decades earlier , when the young Mozart ( Tom Hulce ) first gained favor in the court of Austrian emperor Joseph II ( Jeffrey Jones ) . Salieri was incensed that God would bless so vulgar and obnoxious a young snipe as Mozart with divine genius. Why was Salieri -- so disciplined , so devoted to his art , and so willing to toady to his superiors -- not touched by God? Unable to match Mozart's talent , Salieri uses his influence in court to sabotage the young upstart's career. Disguising himself as a mysterious benefactor , Salieri commissions the backbreaking Requiem , which eventually costs Mozart his health , wealth , and life. Among the film's many pearls of dialogue , the best line goes to the emperor , who rejects a Mozart composition on the grounds that it has "too many notes." Amadeus won eight Academy Awards , including Best Picture , Best Director , Best Adapted Screenplay , and Best Actor for F. Murray Abraham . In 2002 , the film received a theatrical re - release as "Amadeus : The Director's Cut , " a version that includes 20 minutes of additional footage.
0541
In Peter Weir's thriller Witness Samuel (Lukas Haas) a young Amish boy witnesses a murder in the restroom of a Philadelphia bus station. Harrison Ford stars as John Book the police detective investigating the murder. When Book discovers that the crime was part of a conspiracy involving several officials in his department he flees Philadelphia to the Amish community where Samuel lives with his widowed mother Rachel (Kelly McGillis). Slowly assimilating himself into the Amish community Book eventually finds himself falling in love with Rachel in the midst of his investigation. Eventually the corrupt police track Book down and he is forced to confront them while also trying to protect Rachel and Samuel.
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In Peter Weir 's thriller Witness , Samuel ( Lukas Haas ), a young Amish boy , witnesses a murder in the restroom of a Philadelphia bus station. Harrison Ford stars as John Book , the police detective investigating the murder. When Book discovers that the crime was part of a conspiracy involving several officials in his department , he flees Philadelphia to the Amish community where Samuel lives with his widowed mother , Rachel ( Kelly McGillis ) . Slowly assimilating himself into the Amish community , Book eventually finds himself falling in love with Rachel in the midst of his investigation. Eventually , the corrupt police track Book down , and he is forced to confront them , while also trying to protect Rachel and Samuel.
0542
Ione Skye plays Diane Court high-school valedictorian on the verge of heading to England on a prestigious scholarship. This is especially thrilling to Diane's divorced father James (John Mahoney) who has always shared a special relationship with the girl less father/daughter than friend/friend. When Diane begins dating irresponsible army brat Lloyd Dobler (John Cusack) her father despairs at her choice of an "underachiever." Pressured by her dad to break off the relationship Diane spends the rest of the summer being pursued by the lovestruck Lloyd who does everything he can to win her back. Diane finally realizes there's more to life than perfection when her sainted father comes under the scrutiny of the IRS.
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Ione Skye plays Diane Court , high - school valedictorian on the verge of heading to England on a prestigious scholarship. This is especially thrilling to Diane's divorced father , James ( John Mahoney ), who has always shared a special relationship with the girl , less father / daughter than friend / friend. When Diane begins dating irresponsible army brat Lloyd Dobler ( John Cusack ), her father despairs at her choice of an "underachiever." Pressured by her dad to break off the relationship , Diane spends the rest of the summer being pursued by the lovestruck Lloyd , who does everything he can to win her back. Diane finally realizes there's more to life than perfection when her sainted father comes under the scrutiny of the IRS.
0543
A deliciously nasty black comedy Heathers is set at a cliquish high school in Ohio. The most exclusive of those cliques is the Heathers comprised of the prettiest and most popular girls in town. The group's leader is the manipulative Kim Walker who orchestrates the humiliation of anyone who fails to meet her standards. Eventually Heathers member Winona Ryder begins to exhibit a conscience; together with her hardcase boyfriend Christian Slater Ryder plots to avenge all the unfortunate victims of the group. Before long Heather (Kim Walker) ends up dead along with Kurt and Ram with poignant suicide notes posted near their bodies.
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A deliciously nasty black comedy , Heathers is set at a cliquish high school in Ohio. The most exclusive of those cliques is the Heathers , comprised of the prettiest and most popular girls in town. The group's leader is the manipulative Kim Walker , who orchestrates the humiliation of anyone who fails to meet her standards. Eventually , Heathers member Winona Ryder begins to exhibit a conscience ; together with her hardcase boyfriend Christian Slater , Ryder plots to avenge all the unfortunate victims of the group. Before long , Heather ( Kim Walker ) ends up dead along with Kurt and Ram , with poignant suicide notes posted near their bodies.
0544
Forever interested in the kitsch built into past eras director John Waters chooses the TV dance show craze of the early '60s for his playful focus in Hairspray. Ricki Lake plays Tracy Turnblad just one of several alliteratively named characters coming of age in 1962 Baltimore where "The Corny Collins Show" is the most popular American Bandstand-type program watched by hundreds of young dreamers each day after school. Being chosen to dance on it is the ultimate status symbol and every young girl's dream and Tracy improbably wins a featured spot when she infiltrates a dance contest and makes a better impression than her favored rival the catty Amber von Tussle (Colleen Fitzpatrick). Always able to have fun even when she's being mocked by the jealous popular girls Tracy wins the affections of Amber's boyfriend and soon begins leading a movement to integrate the dance show which has previously featured blacks only in a once-weekly theme night. She is arrested following a demonstration at a local theme park owned by Amber's father (Sonny Bono) who subscribes to the same theory of race relations as "The Corny Collins Show." Tracy's adventures are also filtered through her loving but eccentric parents (Divine and Jerry Stiller) and involve a humorous cultural clash with pot-smoking beatniks (Ric Ocasek and Pia Zadora).
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Forever interested in the kitsch built into past eras , director John Waters chooses the TV dance show craze of the early '60s for his playful focus in Hairspray . Ricki Lake plays Tracy Turnblad , just one of several alliteratively named characters coming of age in 1962 Baltimore , where "The Corny Collins Show" is the most popular American Bandstand - type program , watched by hundreds of young dreamers each day after school. Being chosen to dance on it is the ultimate status symbol and every young girl's dream , and Tracy improbably wins a featured spot when she infiltrates a dance contest and makes a better impression than her favored rival , the catty Amber von Tussle ( Colleen Fitzpatrick ) . Always able to have fun , even when she's being mocked by the jealous popular girls , Tracy wins the affections of Amber's boyfriend and soon begins leading a movement to integrate the dance show , which has previously featured blacks only in a once - weekly theme night. She is arrested following a demonstration at a local theme park owned by Amber's father ( Sonny Bono ), who subscribes to the same theory of race relations as "The Corny Collins Show." Tracy's adventures are also filtered through her loving but eccentric parents ( Divine and Jerry Stiller ) and involve a humorous cultural clash with pot - smoking beatniks ( Ric Ocasek and Pia Zadora ) .
0545
Contemporary high schooler Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) doesn't have the most pleasant of lives. Browbeaten by his principal at school Marty must also endure the acrimonious relationship between his nerdy father (Crispin Glover) and his lovely mother (Lea Thompson) who in turn suffer the bullying of middle-aged jerk Biff (Thomas F. Wilson) Marty's dad's supervisor. The one balm in Marty's life is his friendship with eccentric scientist Doc (Christopher Lloyd) who at present is working on a time machine. Accidentally zapped back into the 1950s Marty inadvertently interferes with the budding romance of his now-teenaged parents. Our hero must now reunite his parents-to-be lest he cease to exist in the 1980s. It won't be easy especially with the loutish Biff now also a teenager complicating matters. Beyond its dazzling special effects the best element of Back to the Future is the performance of Michael J. Fox who finds himself in the quagmire of surviving the white-bread 1950s with a hip 1980s mindset. Back to the Future cemented the box-office bankability of both Fox and the film's director Robert Zemeckis who went on to helm two equally exhilarating sequels.
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Contemporary high schooler Marty McFly ( Michael J. Fox ) doesn't have the most pleasant of lives. Browbeaten by his principal at school , Marty must also endure the acrimonious relationship between his nerdy father ( Crispin Glover ) and his lovely mother ( Lea Thompson ), who in turn suffer the bullying of middle - aged jerk Biff ( Thomas F. Wilson ), Marty's dad's supervisor. The one balm in Marty's life is his friendship with eccentric scientist Doc ( Christopher Lloyd ), who at present is working on a time machine. Accidentally zapped back into the 1950s , Marty inadvertently interferes with the budding romance of his now - teenaged parents. Our hero must now reunite his parents - to - be , lest he cease to exist in the 1980s. It won't be easy , especially with the loutish Biff , now also a teenager , complicating matters. Beyond its dazzling special effects , the best element of Back to the Future is the performance of Michael J. Fox , who finds himself in the quagmire of surviving the white - bread 1950s with a hip 1980s mindset. Back to the Future cemented the box - office bankability of both Fox and the film's director , Robert Zemeckis , who went on to helm two equally exhilarating sequels.
0546
College friends reunite for a New England summer weekend in this low-budget first feature by accomplished independent filmmaker John Sayles. A predecessor of the well-paced character-driven films in Sayles' future Secaucus Seven also looks ahead to the 1980s ensemble movies that it inspired most notably Lawrence Kasdan's The Big Chill which arrived in theaters three years later. As each friend arrives at the house (or travels to the house) characterizations build dialogue expands and the house (and film) are full of people getting reacquainted and re-examining themselves and each other. Sayles builds the plot by testing the characters' connections: Will these former radicals accept the uptight boyfriend of the well-loved politico? What happens when a couple splits up? How does the educated set treat the local blue-collars? Many critics cited Secaucus Seven in their decade-end list of the best films of the 1980s.
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College friends reunite for a New England summer weekend in this low - budget first feature by accomplished independent filmmaker John Sayles . A predecessor of the well - paced , character - driven films in Sayles ' future , Secaucus Seven also looks ahead to the 1980s ensemble movies that it inspired , most notably Lawrence Kasdan 's The Big Chill , which arrived in theaters three years later. As each friend arrives at the house ( or travels to the house ), characterizations build , dialogue expands , and the house ( and film ) are full of people getting reacquainted and re - examining themselves and each other. Sayles builds the plot by testing the characters' connections : Will these former radicals accept the uptight boyfriend of the well - loved politico? What happens when a couple splits up? How does the educated set treat the local blue - collars? Many critics cited Secaucus Seven in their decade - end list of the best films of the 1980s.
0547
A satiric romantic comedy Martha Coolidge's Valley Girl is a testimony to the short-lived Southern California '80s craze. Julie (Deborah Foreman) is a good-natured teenager following a swarm of pastel pink valley girls who utter "gag me" at every opportunity. To her friends' dismay Julie breaks up with her egotistical boyfriend Tommy (Michael Bowen) while shopping at the mall. All the valley kids go to a party that night and Tommy immediately tries to bed one of Julie's friends. Randy (Nicolas Cage) a bad boy from Hollywood shows up and crashes the party. Open-minded Julie flirts with him before he is literally thrown out presumably just for looking different. Smitten with Julie Randy sneaks back into the party to talk to her again. Julie drags a whimpering valley friend with her to spend the night cruising with Randy in Hollywood. After an extended courtship Randy is in love with Julie and she must choose between him and Tommy who wants her back. Her friends refuse to accept Randy who makes many exaggerated attempts to win back her love. Finally after she has a heartfelt talk with her dad (Frederic Forrest) love triumphs at the prom.
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A satiric romantic comedy , Martha Coolidge 's Valley Girl is a testimony to the short - lived Southern California '80s craze. Julie ( Deborah Foreman ) is a good - natured teenager following a swarm of pastel pink valley girls , who utter "gag me" at every opportunity. To her friends' dismay , Julie breaks up with her egotistical boyfriend , Tommy ( Michael Bowen ), while shopping at the mall. All the valley kids go to a party that night , and Tommy immediately tries to bed one of Julie's friends. Randy ( Nicolas Cage ), a bad boy from Hollywood , shows up and crashes the party. Open - minded Julie flirts with him before he is literally thrown out , presumably just for looking different. Smitten with Julie , Randy sneaks back into the party to talk to her again. Julie drags a whimpering valley friend with her to spend the night cruising with Randy in Hollywood. After an extended courtship , Randy is in love with Julie , and she must choose between him and Tommy , who wants her back. Her friends refuse to accept Randy , who makes many exaggerated attempts to win back her love. Finally , after she has a heartfelt talk with her dad ( Frederic Forrest ), love triumphs at the prom.
0548
"I'm in love with a mermaid!" read the opening line of Leonard Maltin's original review for Splash. And with the delightful Darryl Hannah in the lead who could fault Maltin for his public declaration of ardor? The story begins in 1959 when a young boy is rescued from a watery grave by an adolescent mermaid. Twenty-five years later the boy has grown up--and lo and behold it's Tom Hanks. Meanwhile the mermaid likewise grown up has surfaced in search of Hanks her long-lost love. On dry land the mermaid is able to walk about on legs; any contact with salt water and she reverts to her half-fish form. Adopting the name of Madison from a New York street sign the girl manages to win Hanks' heart. Alas a secret government lab populated by such smarmy types as Richard B. Shull and Eugene Levy captures Madison for research purposes--and possible vivisection. Egged on by his brother John Candy Hanks rescues his beloved joining her in the ocean depths as a mer-man (mer-fellow? mer-guy?) A captivating confection from the peerless creative team of director Ron Howard and screenwriters Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel Splash was a winner all the way--especially at the box office where the $11 million film racked up a huge profit. Historical sidebar: Splash was the first release from Disney's Touchstone Pictures division.
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"I'm in love with a mermaid!" read the opening line of Leonard Maltin 's original review for Splash . And with the delightful Darryl Hannah in the lead , who could fault Maltin for his public declaration of ardor? The story begins in 1959 , when a young boy is rescued from a watery grave by an adolescent mermaid. Twenty - five years later , the boy has grown up -- and lo and behold , it's Tom Hanks . Meanwhile , the mermaid , likewise grown up , has surfaced in search of Hanks , her long - lost love. On dry land , the mermaid is able to walk about on legs ; any contact with salt water , and she reverts to her half - fish form. Adopting the name of Madison from a New York street sign , the girl manages to win Hanks ' heart. Alas , a secret government lab , populated by such smarmy types as Richard B. Shull and Eugene Levy , captures Madison for research purposes -- and possible vivisection. Egged on by his brother John Candy , Hanks rescues his beloved , joining her in the ocean depths as a mer - man ( mer - fellow? mer - guy? ) A captivating confection from the peerless creative team of director Ron Howard and screenwriters Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel , Splash was a winner all the way -- especially at the box office , where the $11 million film racked up a huge profit. Historical sidebar : Splash was the first release from Disney's Touchstone Pictures division.
0549
Paul Verhoeven's American breakthrough film Robocop is an exceedingly violent blend of black comedy science fiction and crime thriller. Set in Detroit sometime in the near future the film is about a policeman (Peter Weller) killed in the line of duty whom the department decides to resurrect as a half-human half-robot supercop. The RoboCop is indestructible and within a matter of weeks he has removed crime from the streets of Detroit. However his human side is tortured by his past and he wants revenge on the thugs who killed him. The film was later followed by two feature-length sequels and a live-action television series neither of which were as successful as the original film.
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Paul Verhoeven 's American breakthrough film , Robocop , is an exceedingly violent blend of black comedy , science fiction , and crime thriller. Set in Detroit sometime in the near future , the film is about a policeman ( Peter Weller ) killed in the line of duty whom the department decides to resurrect as a half - human , half - robot supercop. The RoboCop is indestructible , and within a matter of weeks he has removed crime from the streets of Detroit. However , his human side is tortured by his past , and he wants revenge on the thugs who killed him. The film was later followed by two feature - length sequels and a live - action television series , neither of which were as successful as the original film.
0550
Alex Cox's directorial debut was a wickedly funny and willfully bizarre story that became a major cult item once it began making the art-house rounds a year after its release (an initial run in a string of Southern grind houses and drive-ins where it was billed as an action film was a resounding failure). Having lost his job and his girlfriend punk rocker Otto (Emilio Estevez) meets a guy named Bud (Harry Dean Stanton) who offers him $25 to drive his wife's car out of a "bad area." When a handful of angry people start chasing Otto he realizes that something is up and he discovers that Bud repossesses cars for a living. With few immediate prospects Otto joins Bud at the repo yard and is soon "ripping" cars with the best of them. When an anonymous source posts a $20000 reward for a missing 1964 Chevy Malibu it turns out that what's valuable isn't the car itself but what's in the trunk which is very hot glows brightly and kills anyone who comes in contact with it. A vaguely surreal modern-noir science-fiction comedy with echoes of Kiss Me Deadly (1955) Repo Man is packed with more incongruous sight gags than anyone can absorb in one viewing; keep your eyes peeled for the air fresheners the generic newspaper box and the watches without hands. Harry Dean Stanton gives a superb comic performance as the intense but laid-back Bud Emilio Estevez delivers perhaps the best work of his career as the petulant but goofy Otto and Tracey Walter is hilarious as the spaced out repo-yard man Miller. Iggy Pop wrote and performed the theme song and The Circle Jerks appear as a lounge band.
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Alex Cox 's directorial debut was a wickedly funny and willfully bizarre story that became a major cult item once it began making the art - house rounds a year after its release ( an initial run in a string of Southern grind houses and drive - ins , where it was billed as an action film , was a resounding failure ) . Having lost his job and his girlfriend , punk rocker Otto ( Emilio Estevez ) meets a guy named Bud ( Harry Dean Stanton ) who offers him $25 to drive his wife's car out of a "bad area." When a handful of angry people start chasing Otto , he realizes that something is up , and he discovers that Bud repossesses cars for a living. With few immediate prospects , Otto joins Bud at the repo yard and is soon "ripping" cars with the best of them. When an anonymous source posts a $20 , 000 reward for a missing 1964 Chevy Malibu , it turns out that what's valuable isn't the car itself , but what's in the trunk , which is very hot , glows brightly , and kills anyone who comes in contact with it. A vaguely surreal modern - noir science - fiction comedy with echoes of Kiss Me Deadly ( 1955 ), Repo Man is packed with more incongruous sight gags than anyone can absorb in one viewing ; keep your eyes peeled for the air fresheners , the generic newspaper box , and the watches without hands. Harry Dean Stanton gives a superb comic performance as the intense but laid - back Bud , Emilio Estevez delivers perhaps the best work of his career as the petulant but goofy Otto , and Tracey Walter is hilarious as the spaced out repo - yard man Miller. Iggy Pop wrote and performed the theme song and The Circle Jerks appear as a lounge band.
0551
Richard Gere plays Zack Mayo an aloof taciturn man who aspires to be a navy pilot. Once he's arrived at training camp for his 13-week officer's course Mayo runs afoul of abrasive no-nonsense drill sergeant Emil Foley (Louis Gossett Jr.). Mayo --or "Mayonnaise" as he is dubbed by the irascible Foley -- is an excellent cadet but a little cold around the heart. Foley rides Mayo mercilessly sensing that the young man would be prime officer material if he weren't so self-involved. Zack's affair with working girl Paula Pokrifi (Debra Winger) is likewise compromised by his unwillingness to give of himself. Only after Mayo's best friend Sid Worsley (David Keith) commits suicide over an unhappy romance does Zack come out of his shell and mature into a real human being. Take away the R-rated dialogue and the sex scenes and Officer and a Gentleman could have been a 1937 MGM flick maybe with Robert Taylor as Zack Wallace Beery as Foley and Jimmy Stewart as Sid. An Officer and a Gentleman was nominated for 7 Oscars with wins to Gossett and to the hit song "Up Where We Belong." The closing scene has surely become a classic of movie romance.
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Richard Gere plays Zack Mayo , an aloof , taciturn man who aspires to be a navy pilot. Once he's arrived at training camp for his 13 - week officer's course , Mayo runs afoul of abrasive , no - nonsense drill sergeant Emil Foley ( Louis Gossett Jr. ) . Mayo -- or "Mayonnaise , " as he is dubbed by the irascible Foley -- is an excellent cadet , but a little cold around the heart. Foley rides Mayo mercilessly , sensing that the young man would be prime officer material if he weren't so self - involved. Zack's affair with working girl Paula Pokrifi ( Debra Winger ) is likewise compromised by his unwillingness to give of himself. Only after Mayo's best friend Sid Worsley ( David Keith ) commits suicide over an unhappy romance does Zack come out of his shell and mature into a real human being. Take away the R - rated dialogue and the sex scenes , and Officer and a Gentleman could have been a 1937 MGM flick , maybe with Robert Taylor as Zack , Wallace Beery as Foley , and Jimmy Stewart as Sid. An Officer and a Gentleman was nominated for 7 Oscars , with wins to Gossett and to the hit song "Up Where We Belong." The closing scene has surely become a classic of movie romance.
0552
Red Dragon the Thomas Harris novel that introduced serial killer Hannibal Lecter to the world was adapted for the screen by Michael Mann as Manhunter. Ace criminal profiler Will Graham (William Petersen) is very good at his job because he has the ability to make himself think like the killers he tracks. Will has been in retirement since catching Hannibal "the Cannibal" Lecter (Brian Cox) as being inside that particular deranged mind caused Will to have a breakdown. Will's boss Jack Crawford (Dennis Farina visits Will at his home showing him pictures from a murder scene and asking for his help in catching a new killer they have dubbed "the Tooth Fairy" (Tom Noonan). In order to test his mental strength Will visits Hannibal in his prison cell. Adding to the already substantial mental stress Will experiences when he returns to the job are nosy tabloid reporter Freddy Lounds (Stephen Lang) as well as Hannibal's attempts at seeking revenge through the Tooth Fairy. After two additional films that featured Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter (Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal) became box-office blockbusters Manhunter was re-made as Red Dragon starring Hopkins and Edward Norton as Will Graham.
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Red Dragon , the Thomas Harris novel that introduced serial killer Hannibal Lecter to the world , was adapted for the screen by Michael Mann as Manhunter . Ace criminal profiler Will Graham ( William Petersen ) is very good at his job because he has the ability to make himself think like the killers he tracks. Will has been in retirement since catching Hannibal "the Cannibal" Lecter ( Brian Cox ), as being inside that particular deranged mind caused Will to have a breakdown. Will's boss Jack Crawford ( Dennis Farina visits Will at his home , showing him pictures from a murder scene and asking for his help in catching a new killer they have dubbed "the Tooth Fairy" ( Tom Noonan ) . In order to test his mental strength , Will visits Hannibal in his prison cell. Adding to the already substantial mental stress Will experiences when he returns to the job are nosy tabloid reporter Freddy Lounds ( Stephen Lang ), as well as Hannibal's attempts at seeking revenge through the Tooth Fairy. After two additional films that featured Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter ( Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal ) became box - office blockbusters , Manhunter was re - made as Red Dragon starring Hopkins and Edward Norton as Will Graham.
0553
L.A. cop Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) whose wife has recently died is a loose cannon with a seeming death wish. This makes him indispensable in collaring dangerous criminals but a liability to any potential partners. Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) a conservative family man who wants to stay alive for his upcoming 50th birthday is partnered with Riggs. As Riggs gets to know Murtaugh and his family he begins to mellow though his insistence on using guerilla tactics to catch criminals is still (put mildly) above and beyond the call of duty. The main villain is The General (Mitchell Ryan) a drug dealer responsible for the death of the daughter of one of Murtaugh's oldest friends. The General is also in charge of a deadly militia-like gang of smugglers. Adding fuel to the fire is The General's chief henchman played with all stops out by Gary Busey. Moviegoers familiar only with the relatively tongue-in-cheek Lethal Weapon sequels may be amazed to find out how dangerous and unpredictable Riggs is in the first Lethal Weapon -- and how likely it seems that Murtaugh might not survive until fade-out time.
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L.A. cop Martin Riggs ( Mel Gibson ), whose wife has recently died , is a loose cannon with a seeming death wish. This makes him indispensable in collaring dangerous criminals , but a liability to any potential partners. Roger Murtaugh ( Danny Glover ), a conservative family man who wants to stay alive for his upcoming 50th birthday , is partnered with Riggs. As Riggs gets to know Murtaugh and his family , he begins to mellow , though his insistence on using guerilla tactics to catch criminals is still ( put mildly ) above and beyond the call of duty. The main villain is The General ( Mitchell Ryan ), a drug dealer responsible for the death of the daughter of one of Murtaugh's oldest friends. The General is also in charge of a deadly , militia - like gang of smugglers. Adding fuel to the fire is The General's chief henchman , played with all stops out by Gary Busey . Moviegoers familiar only with the relatively tongue - in - cheek Lethal Weapon sequels may be amazed to find out how dangerous and unpredictable Riggs is in the first Lethal Weapon -- and how likely it seems that Murtaugh might not survive until fade - out time.
0554
Teenaged Ferris Bueller (Matthew Broderick) is a legend in his own time thanks to his uncanny skill at cutting classes and getting away with it. Intending to make one last grand duck-out before graduation Ferris calls in sick "borrows" a Ferrari and embarks on a one-day bacchanal through the streets of Chicago. Dogging Ferris' trail at every turn is high-school principal Rooney (Jeffrey Jones) determined to catch Bueller in the act of class-cutting. Writer/director John Hughes once again tries to wed satire slapstick and social commentary as Ferris Bueller's Day Off starts like a house afire and goes on to make "serious" points about status-seeking and casual parental cruelties. It brightens up considerably in the last few moments when Ferris' tattletale sister (Jennifer Grey) decides to align herself with her merry prankster sibling. A huge moneymaker Ferris Bueller's Day Off eventually spawned a TV sitcom.
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Teenaged Ferris Bueller ( Matthew Broderick ) is a legend in his own time thanks to his uncanny skill at cutting classes and getting away with it. Intending to make one last grand duck - out before graduation , Ferris calls in sick , "borrows" a Ferrari , and embarks on a one - day bacchanal through the streets of Chicago. Dogging Ferris' trail at every turn is high - school principal Rooney ( Jeffrey Jones ), determined to catch Bueller in the act of class - cutting. Writer / director John Hughes once again tries to wed satire , slapstick , and social commentary , as Ferris Bueller's Day Off starts like a house afire and goes on to make "serious" points about status - seeking and casual parental cruelties. It brightens up considerably in the last few moments , when Ferris' tattletale sister ( Jennifer Grey ) decides to align herself with her merry prankster sibling. A huge moneymaker , Ferris Bueller's Day Off eventually spawned a TV sitcom.
0555
Fame is set at New York's High School of Performing Arts where talented teens train for show-business careers. The film concentrates on five of the most gifted students: singer Irene Cara actors Paul McCrane and Barry Miller dancer Gene Anthony Ray and musician Lee Currieri. More so than the subsequent TV series Fame the film emphasizes the importance of keeping up one's academic achievements in this specialized school. The faculty includes no-nonsense English teacher Ann Meara erudite musical instructor Albert Hague and martinet dance teacher Debbie Allen. Of the film's cast Ray Currieri Allen and Hague were carried over to the TV version of Fame which premiered in 1981. The score for the film version of Fame was honored with an Academy Award.
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Fame is set at New York's High School of Performing Arts , where talented teens train for show - business careers. The film concentrates on five of the most gifted students : singer Irene Cara , actors Paul McCrane and Barry Miller , dancer Gene Anthony Ray , and musician Lee Currieri . More so than the subsequent TV series Fame , the film emphasizes the importance of keeping up one's academic achievements in this specialized school. The faculty includes no - nonsense English teacher Ann Meara , erudite musical instructor Albert Hague , and martinet dance teacher Debbie Allen . Of the film's cast , Ray , Currieri , Allen and Hague were carried over to the TV version of Fame , which premiered in 1981. The score for the film version of Fame was honored with an Academy Award.
0556
A teenage girl learns about love adult responsibility and how to do The Dirty Boogie in this romantic drama. In 1963 "Baby" Houseman (Jennifer Grey) is a 17-year-old spending the summer with her family at a resort hotel in the Catskills; she plans on being in the Peace Corps next summer so this is expected to be her last summer as a carefree adolescent. Baby doesn't get along with her older sister Lisa (Jane Brucker) and she's bored to tears by most of the older guests at the resort. However one night Baby hears what sounds like a party going on in the employee's dormitory and she pokes her head in to discover most of the hotel staff enjoying the sort of close dancing that would get you kicked out of the senior prom in no time flat. Baby is particularly struck by handsome Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze) a dancer in the resort's floor show and falls head over heels in love wanting to be near him. When Johnny's dance partner Penny (Cynthia Rhodes) finds herself pregnant after a fling with one of the waiters Baby volunteers to learn her steps and take her place; however Baby's father Dr. Jake Houseman (Jerry Orbach) will have none of it convinced that Johnny is a low life and that his daughter is too young to understand her own feelings. Dirty Dancing was a surprise box-office hit and the soundtrack album was an even bigger success spawning several hit singles and inspiring a top-drawing concert tour featuring several of its artists.
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A teenage girl learns about love , adult responsibility , and how to do The Dirty Boogie in this romantic drama. In 1963 , "Baby" Houseman ( Jennifer Grey ) is a 17 - year - old spending the summer with her family at a resort hotel in the Catskills ; she plans on being in the Peace Corps next summer , so this is expected to be her last summer as a carefree adolescent. Baby doesn't get along with her older sister , Lisa ( Jane Brucker ), and she's bored to tears by most of the older guests at the resort. However , one night Baby hears what sounds like a party going on in the employee's dormitory , and she pokes her head in to discover most of the hotel staff enjoying the sort of close dancing that would get you kicked out of the senior prom in no time flat. Baby is particularly struck by handsome Johnny Castle ( Patrick Swayze ), a dancer in the resort's floor show , and falls head over heels in love , wanting to be near him. When Johnny's dance partner , Penny ( Cynthia Rhodes ), finds herself pregnant after a fling with one of the waiters , Baby volunteers to learn her steps and take her place ; however , Baby's father , Dr. Jake Houseman ( Jerry Orbach ), will have none of it , convinced that Johnny is a low life and that his daughter is too young to understand her own feelings. Dirty Dancing was a surprise box - office hit , and the soundtrack album was an even bigger success , spawning several hit singles and inspiring a top - drawing concert tour featuring several of its artists.
0557
John Hughes wrote and directed this quintessential 1980s high school drama featuring the hottest young stars of the decade. Trapped in a day-long Saturday detention in a prison-like school library are Claire the princess (Molly Ringwald); Andrew the jock (Emilio Estevez); John the criminal (Judd Nelson); Brian the brain (Anthony Michael Hall); and Allison the basket case (Ally Sheedy). These five strangers begin the day with nothing in common each bound to his/her place in the high school caste system. Yet the students bond together when faced with the villainous principal (Paul Gleason) and they realize that they have more in common than they may think including a contempt for adult society. "When you grow up your heart dies" Allison proclaims in one of the film's many scenes of soul-searching and judging from the adults depicted in the film the teen audience may very well agree. Released in a decade overflowing with derivative teen films The Breakfast Club has developed an almost cult-like status.
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John Hughes wrote and directed this quintessential 1980s high school drama featuring the hottest young stars of the decade. Trapped in a day - long Saturday detention in a prison - like school library are Claire , the princess ( Molly Ringwald ); Andrew , the jock ( Emilio Estevez ); John , the criminal ( Judd Nelson ); Brian , the brain ( Anthony Michael Hall ); and Allison , the basket case ( Ally Sheedy ) . These five strangers begin the day with nothing in common , each bound to his / her place in the high school caste system. Yet the students bond together when faced with the villainous principal ( Paul Gleason ), and they realize that they have more in common than they may think , including a contempt for adult society. "When you grow up , your heart dies , " Allison proclaims in one of the film's many scenes of soul - searching , and , judging from the adults depicted in the film , the teen audience may very well agree. Released in a decade overflowing with derivative teen films , The Breakfast Club has developed an almost cult - like status.
0558
A variation on the "buddy-cop" hybridized genre 48 HRS. greatly bolstered the career of Nick Nolte and made comedian Eddie Murphy a bonafide box-office sensation. When a pair of reckless cop-killers break out of prison grizzled detective Jack Cates (Nolte) is left no alternative but to spring fast-talking hustler Reggie Hammond (Murphy) from the penitentiary in order to find the criminals. The catch: the pair only have 48 hours to complete their assignment before Hammond must return to prison. Naturally the two despise each other and even engage in fisticuffs but eventually the danger facing them proves a strong enough common bond for them to play on the same team and even achieve a little mutual admiration.
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A variation on the "buddy - cop" hybridized genre , 48 HRS. greatly bolstered the career of Nick Nolte and made comedian Eddie Murphy a bonafide box - office sensation. When a pair of reckless cop - killers break out of prison , grizzled detective Jack Cates ( Nolte ) is left no alternative but to spring fast - talking hustler Reggie Hammond ( Murphy ) from the penitentiary in order to find the criminals. The catch : the pair only have 48 hours to complete their assignment before Hammond must return to prison. Naturally , the two despise each other and even engage in fisticuffs , but eventually the danger facing them proves a strong enough common bond for them to play on the same team , and even achieve a little mutual admiration.
0559
"Greed is Good." This is the credo of the aptly named Gordon Gekko (Michael Douglas) the antihero of Oliver Stone's Wall Street. Gekko a high-rolling corporate raider is idolized by young-and-hungry broker Bud Fox (Charlie Sheen). Inveigling himself into Gekko's inner circle Fox quickly learns to rape murder and bury his sense of ethics. Only when Gekko's wheeling and dealing causes a near-tragedy on a personal level does Fox "reform"-though his means of destroying Gekko are every bit as underhanded as his previous activities on the trading floor. Director Stone who cowrote Wall Street with Stanley Weiser has claimed that the film was prompted by the callous treatment afforded his stockbroker father after 50 years in the business; this may be why the film's most compelling scenes are those between Bud Fox and his airline mechanic father (played by Charlie Sheen's real-life dad Martin). Ironically Wall Street was released just before the October 1987 stock market crash.
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"Greed is Good." This is the credo of the aptly named Gordon Gekko ( Michael Douglas ), the antihero of Oliver Stone's Wall Street . Gekko , a high - rolling corporate raider , is idolized by young - and - hungry broker Bud Fox ( Charlie Sheen ) . Inveigling himself into Gekko's inner circle , Fox quickly learns to rape , murder and bury his sense of ethics. Only when Gekko's wheeling and dealing causes a near - tragedy on a personal level does Fox "reform" - though his means of destroying Gekko are every bit as underhanded as his previous activities on the trading floor. Director Stone , who cowrote Wall Street with Stanley Weiser , has claimed that the film was prompted by the callous treatment afforded his stockbroker father after 50 years in the business ; this may be why the film's most compelling scenes are those between Bud Fox and his airline mechanic father ( played by Charlie Sheen's real - life dad Martin ) . Ironically , Wall Street was released just before the October , 1987 stock market crash.
0560
One of the earliest feature films to reflect the video-game craze of the 1980s Disney's Tron stars Jeff Bridges as computer programmer Kevin Flynn who becomes part of the very game that he's programming. Flynn's principal antagonist is his glory-grabbing boss Ed Dillinger (David Warner) who likewise metamorphoses into a video-game character. The title character a computer-generated superhero is played by Bruce Boxleitner. Though antiquated by 1990s standards Tron represented the last word in special effects back in 1982. Surprisingly despite its long-range influence on the movie industry the film was a box-office disappointment when first released.
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One of the earliest feature films to reflect the video - game craze of the 1980s , Disney's Tron stars Jeff Bridges as computer programmer Kevin Flynn , who becomes part of the very game that he's programming. Flynn's principal antagonist is his glory - grabbing boss , Ed Dillinger ( David Warner ), who likewise metamorphoses into a video - game character. The title character , a computer - generated superhero , is played by Bruce Boxleitner . Though antiquated by 1990s standards , Tron represented the last word in special effects back in 1982. Surprisingly , despite its long - range influence on the movie industry , the film was a box - office disappointment when first released.
0561
Purple Rain the first starring film for Prince is the story of an arrogant young black singer born and raised in Minneapolis who reaches the pinnacle of stardom. The dramatic complications include "The Kid's" (Prince) miserable home life where he suffers the brutalities of his father (well played by Clarence Williams III) and the youth's efforts to win the love of the beautiful Apollonia. Despite the misogynistic undercurrents in Purple Rain the film's biggest fans were young women. Gorgeously photographed by Donald Thorin Purple Rain is essentially a glorified music video highlighted by a catalogue of Prince's hits including I Would Die 4 U When Doves Cry and Let's Go Crazy; the score deservedly won an Academy Award and a Grammy.
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Purple Rain , the first starring film for Prince , is the story of an arrogant , young black singer , born and raised in Minneapolis , who reaches the pinnacle of stardom. The dramatic complications include "The Kid's" ( Prince ) miserable home life , where he suffers the brutalities of his father ( well played by Clarence Williams III ) and the youth's efforts to win the love of the beautiful Apollonia . Despite the misogynistic undercurrents in Purple Rain , the film's biggest fans were young women. Gorgeously photographed by Donald Thorin , Purple Rain is essentially a glorified music video , highlighted by a catalogue of Prince 's hits , including I Would Die 4 U , When Doves Cry and Let's Go Crazy ; the score deservedly won an Academy Award and a Grammy.
0562
A petite New Jersey housewife finds self-fulfillment through amnesia in this new wave comedy of errors set in New York's hip '80s downtown scene. Rosanna Arquette stars as Roberta who turns to the personals for vicarious thrills after her four-year marriage to staid hot tub salesman Gary (Mark Blum) grows stale. Her favorite classified ads trace the romance of Jim (Robert Joy) a struggling musician and Susan (Madonna) a SoHo vamp who's just narrowly escaped being murdered alongside one of her other boyfriends -- a gangster who recently stole some Egyptian jewelry. Through a series of complicated missteps Roberta ends up losing her memory and convincing both herself and a broodingly handsome young man named Dez (Aiden Quinn) that she's the elusive adventurous Susan. Soon Roberta finds herself being romanced by Dez and pursued separately by her husband Jim Susan and by a murderous mobster who's looking for the stolen jewels. For her second feature outing which was partially inspired by Jacques Rivette's Celine and Julie Go Boating director Susan Seidelman filled her cast with hipster extras downtown personalities and New York thespians. Notable faces include comedian Steven Wright; future indie mainstay John Turturro; future TV stars Michael Badalucco and Laurie Metcalf; punk singer Richard Hell who also starred in Seidelman's Smithereens; and performance artist Ann Magnunson who would star in the director's Making Mr. Right. The big dance-club sequence was filmed at Danceteria the disco that helped launch Madonna's career. The scene and the film helped propel "Into the Groove" one of the singer's all-time club classics into the charts even though it was actually a b-side to the single "Angel."
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A petite New Jersey housewife finds self - fulfillment through amnesia in this new wave comedy of errors set in New York's hip '80s downtown scene. Rosanna Arquette stars as Roberta , who turns to the personals for vicarious thrills after her four - year marriage to staid hot tub salesman Gary ( Mark Blum ) grows stale. Her favorite classified ads trace the romance of Jim ( Robert Joy ), a struggling musician , and Susan ( Madonna ), a SoHo vamp who's just narrowly escaped being murdered alongside one of her other boyfriends -- a gangster who recently stole some Egyptian jewelry. Through a series of complicated missteps , Roberta ends up losing her memory and convincing both herself and a broodingly handsome young man named Dez ( Aiden Quinn ) that she's the elusive , adventurous Susan. Soon , Roberta finds herself being romanced by Dez and pursued separately by her husband , Jim , Susan , and by a murderous mobster who's looking for the stolen jewels. For her second feature outing , which was partially inspired by Jacques Rivette 's Celine and Julie Go Boating , director Susan Seidelman filled her cast with hipster extras , downtown personalities , and New York thespians. Notable faces include comedian Steven Wright ; future indie mainstay John Turturro ; future TV stars Michael Badalucco and Laurie Metcalf ; punk singer Richard Hell , who also starred in Seidelman 's Smithereens ; and performance artist Ann Magnunson , who would star in the director's Making Mr. Right . The big dance - club sequence was filmed at Danceteria , the disco that helped launch Madonna 's career. The scene , and the film , helped propel "Into the Groove , " one of the singer's all - time club classics , into the charts even though it was actually a b - side to the single "Angel."
0563
What's that wisecracking young black guy (Eddie Murphy) in that beat-up Chevy Nova doing in lily-white Beverly Hills? He's Axel Foley a Detroit detective who's been sent on involuntary vacation because he refuses to drop his intention of avenging his friend's murder. Warned by Beverly Hills police chief Ronny Cox to stay out of trouble Foley nonetheless dogs the trail of above-the-law Steven Berkoff the British crime czar who was responsible for the murder of Foley's friend. With the help of sympathetic local cops Judge Reinhold and John Ashton and lady friend Lisa Eilbacher Foley attempts to corner Berkoff in his mansion which leads to a wild slapsticky shootout.
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What's that wisecracking young black guy ( Eddie Murphy ) in that beat - up Chevy Nova doing in lily - white Beverly Hills? He's Axel Foley , a Detroit detective who's been sent on involuntary vacation because he refuses to drop his intention of avenging his friend's murder. Warned by Beverly Hills police chief Ronny Cox to stay out of trouble , Foley nonetheless dogs the trail of above - the - law Steven Berkoff , the British crime czar who was responsible for the murder of Foley's friend. With the help of sympathetic local cops Judge Reinhold and John Ashton and lady friend Lisa Eilbacher , Foley attempts to corner Berkoff in his mansion , which leads to a wild slapsticky shootout.
0564
Devil-may-care navy pilot Pete Mitchell (Tom Cruise) is sent to Miramar Naval Air Station for advanced training. Here he vies with Tom Kasansky (Val Kilmer) for the coveted "Top Gun" award. When not so occupied Mitchell carries on a romance with civilian consultant Charlotte Blackwood (Kelly McGillis). Shaken up by the death of a friend Mitchell loses the Top Gun honor to Kasansky. Worried that he may have lost his nerve Mitchell is given a chance to redeem himself during a tense international crisis involving a crippled US vessel and a flock of predatory enemy planes. The story wasn't new in 1986 but Top Gun scored with audiences on the strength of its visuals especially the vertigo-inducing aerial sequences. The film made more money than any other film in 1986 and even spawned a 1989 takeoff Hot Shots. An Academy Award went to the Giogio Moroder-Tom Whitlock song "Take My Breath Away."
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Devil - may - care navy pilot Pete Mitchell ( Tom Cruise ) is sent to Miramar Naval Air Station for advanced training. Here he vies with Tom Kasansky ( Val Kilmer ) for the coveted "Top Gun" award. When not so occupied , Mitchell carries on a romance with civilian consultant Charlotte Blackwood ( Kelly McGillis ) . Shaken up by the death of a friend , Mitchell loses the Top Gun honor to Kasansky. Worried that he may have lost his nerve , Mitchell is given a chance to redeem himself during a tense international crisis involving a crippled US vessel and a flock of predatory enemy planes. The story wasn't new in 1986 , but Top Gun scored with audiences on the strength of its visuals , especially the vertigo - inducing aerial sequences. The film made more money than any other film in 1986 and even spawned a 1989 takeoff , Hot Shots . An Academy Award went to the Giogio Moroder - Tom Whitlock song "Take My Breath Away."
0565
Jennifer Beals stars as Alex Owens a Pittsburgh steel-mill welder by day and bar dancer by night. Harboring dreams of a career in ballet she is given financial support in this endeavor by her boss Nick Hurley (Michael Nouri) and moral support by demanding but big-hearted instructor Hanna Long (Lilia Skala). The film's signature scene is of course Alex's water-drenched dance audition largely performed in long shot by her dance double Marine Jahan. Essentially an old-fashioned backstage yarn Flashdance was given a contemporary spin by its pulsating musical score featuring the Oscar-winning Best Song Flashdance...What a Feeling (music by Giorgio Moroder lyrics by Keith Forsey and Irene Cara).
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Jennifer Beals stars as Alex Owens , a Pittsburgh steel - mill welder by day , and bar dancer by night. Harboring dreams of a career in ballet , she is given financial support in this endeavor by her boss Nick Hurley ( Michael Nouri ) and moral support by demanding but big - hearted instructor Hanna Long ( Lilia Skala ) . The film's signature scene is , of course , Alex's water - drenched dance audition , largely performed in long shot by her dance double Marine Jahan . Essentially an old - fashioned backstage yarn , Flashdance was given a contemporary spin by its pulsating , musical score featuring the Oscar - winning Best Song , Flashdance...What a Feeling , ( music by Giorgio Moroder , lyrics by Keith Forsey and Irene Cara ) .
0566
Post-collegiate angst '80s style is the subject of this coming-of-age ensemble piece which traces the fortunes of a group of Georgetown grads as they enter the real world and grapple with work infidelity and adulthood. The most outwardly upscale member of the gang Jules (Demi Moore) hides a plethora of emotional baggage behind a chic wardrobe an expensive apartment a fashionable drug habit and lots of meaningless casual sex. Her friend Wendy (Mare Winningham) has the opposite problem; a trust-fund baby with body-image issues and little sexual experience she's hung up on Billy (Rob Lowe) a no-good sax-playing drunkard who can't face up to his responsibilities in the job market or at home with his wife and young child. Such open infidelity is anathema to Alex (Judd Nelson) who must maintain a sense of propriety even while engaging in compulsive womanizing; after all the Democrat-turned-Republican's nascent political career requires the sort of picture-perfect relationship he shares with girlfriend Leslie (Ally Sheedy). That doesn't sit too well with tortured writer Kevin (Andrew McCarthy) who toils away at a newspaper job and pines away for the unattainable Leslie. Unrequited love also dogs Kirby (Emilio Estevez) a law-school student whose greatest wish is to romance classy doctor Dale Biberman (Andie MacDowell) who is alas way out of his league. Co-written by director Joel Schumacher and his studio intern Carl Kurlander St. Elmo's Fire spawned the number one pop hit "St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)" which was credited to John Parr but co-written by music producer David Foster.
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Post - collegiate angst , '80s style , is the subject of this coming - of - age ensemble piece , which traces the fortunes of a group of Georgetown grads as they enter the real world and grapple with work , infidelity , and adulthood. The most outwardly upscale member of the gang , Jules ( Demi Moore ), hides a plethora of emotional baggage behind a chic wardrobe , an expensive apartment , a fashionable drug habit , and lots of meaningless casual sex. Her friend Wendy ( Mare Winningham ) has the opposite problem ; a trust - fund baby with body - image issues and little sexual experience , she's hung up on Billy ( Rob Lowe ), a no - good , sax - playing drunkard who can't face up to his responsibilities in the job market or at home with his wife and young child. Such open infidelity is anathema to Alex ( Judd Nelson ), who must maintain a sense of propriety even while engaging in compulsive womanizing ; after all , the Democrat - turned - Republican's nascent political career requires the sort of picture - perfect relationship he shares with girlfriend Leslie ( Ally Sheedy ) . That doesn't sit too well with tortured writer Kevin ( Andrew McCarthy ), who toils away at a newspaper job and pines away for the unattainable Leslie. Unrequited love also dogs Kirby ( Emilio Estevez ), a law - school student whose greatest wish is to romance classy doctor Dale Biberman ( Andie MacDowell ), who is , alas , way out of his league. Co - written by director Joel Schumacher and his studio intern , Carl Kurlander , St. Elmo's Fire spawned the number one pop hit "St. Elmo's Fire ( Man in Motion ), " which was credited to John Parr but co - written by music producer David Foster .
0567
After the highly acclaimed independent film Bottle Rocket director Wes Anderson followed up with a quirky Touchstone Studios film entitled Rushmore. Written by Anderson and friend Owen Wilson (an actor in Armageddon and Anaconda) they created the story of Max Fischer a highly eccentric 15-year-old boy who attends the tenth grade at Rushmore Academy. Played by Jason Schwartzman (Talia Shire's son and Francis Ford Coppola's nephew) Max is a poor student with big dreams and a love of extracurricular activities. Max is editor of the school newspaper and yearbook president of the chess astronomy French and German clubs captain of the fencing team and director of the school play. Max is also a compulsive liar telling everyone that his barber father (Seymour Cassel) is really a brain surgeon. Suddenly Max falls in love with Miss Cross (Olivia Williams) a first-grade teacher at the school. He also makes a new friend in business tycoon Mr. Blume (Bill Murray) an eccentric millionaire who also loves Miss Cross. The love triangle heats up as Max refuses to believe that his age has anything to do with Miss Cross refusing his romantic advances. Also Max's scheme to erect an aquarium on the school baseball diamond gets him booted out of Rushmore Academy. As his life crumbles around him he is forced to grow up and accept the consequences of his actions and his lies. He throws himself more into his extracurricular activities hoping to redeem himself by staging the most ambitious school play ever attempted.
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After the highly acclaimed independent film Bottle Rocket , director Wes Anderson followed up with a quirky Touchstone Studios film entitled Rushmore . Written by Anderson and friend Owen Wilson ( an actor in Armageddon and Anaconda ), they created the story of Max Fischer , a highly eccentric 15 - year - old boy who attends the tenth grade at Rushmore Academy. Played by Jason Schwartzman ( Talia Shire 's son and Francis Ford Coppola 's nephew ), Max is a poor student with big dreams and a love of extracurricular activities. Max is editor of the school newspaper and yearbook , president of the chess , astronomy , French , and German clubs , captain of the fencing team , and director of the school play. Max is also a compulsive liar , telling everyone that his barber father ( Seymour Cassel ) is really a brain surgeon. Suddenly Max falls in love with Miss Cross ( Olivia Williams ), a first - grade teacher at the school. He also makes a new friend in business tycoon Mr. Blume ( Bill Murray ), an eccentric millionaire who also loves Miss Cross. The love triangle heats up as Max refuses to believe that his age has anything to do with Miss Cross refusing his romantic advances. Also Max's scheme to erect an aquarium on the school baseball diamond gets him booted out of Rushmore Academy. As his life crumbles around him , he is forced to grow up and accept the consequences of his actions and his lies. He throws himself more into his extracurricular activities , hoping to redeem himself by staging the most ambitious school play ever attempted.
0568
Dedicated to his mentors Sergio Leone and Don Siegel Clint Eastwood's 1992 Oscar-winner examines the mythic violence of the Western taking on the ghosts of his own star past. Disgusted by Sheriff "Little Bill" Daggett's decree that several ponies make up for a cowhand's slashing a whore's face Big Whiskey prostitutes led by fierce Strawberry Alice (Frances Fisher) take justice into their own hands and put a $1000 bounty on the lives of the perpetrators. Notorious outlaw-turned-hog farmer William Munny (Eastwood) is sought out by neophyte gunslinger the Schofield Kid (Jaimz Woolvett) to go with him to Big Whiskey and collect the bounty. While Munny insists "I ain't like that no more" he needs the bounty money for his children and the two men convince Munny's clean-living comrade Ned Logan (Morgan Freeman) to join them in righting a wrong done to a woman. Little Bill (Oscar-winner Gene Hackman) however has no intention of letting any bounty hunters impinge on his iron-clad authority. When pompous gunman English Bob (Richard Harris) arrives in Big Whiskey with pulp biographer W.W. Beauchamp (Saul Rubinek) in tow Little Bill beats Bob senseless and promises to tell Beauchamp the real story about violent frontier life and justice. But when Munny the true unwritten legend comes to town everyone soon learns a harsh lesson about the price of vindictive bloodshed and the malleability of ideas like "justice." "I don't deserve this" pleads Little Bill. "Deserve's got nothin' to do with it" growls Munny simultaneously summing up the insanity of western violence and the legacy of Eastwood's Man With No Name.
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Dedicated to his mentors Sergio Leone and Don Siegel , Clint Eastwood 's 1992 Oscar - winner examines the mythic violence of the Western , taking on the ghosts of his own star past. Disgusted by Sheriff "Little Bill" Daggett's decree that several ponies make up for a cowhand's slashing a whore's face , Big Whiskey prostitutes , led by fierce Strawberry Alice ( Frances Fisher ), take justice into their own hands and put a $1000 bounty on the lives of the perpetrators. Notorious outlaw - turned - hog farmer William Munny ( Eastwood ) is sought out by neophyte gunslinger the Schofield Kid ( Jaimz Woolvett ) to go with him to Big Whiskey and collect the bounty. While Munny insists , "I ain't like that no more , " he needs the bounty money for his children , and the two men convince Munny's clean - living comrade Ned Logan ( Morgan Freeman ) to join them in righting a wrong done to a woman. Little Bill ( Oscar - winner Gene Hackman ), however , has no intention of letting any bounty hunters impinge on his iron - clad authority. When pompous gunman English Bob ( Richard Harris ) arrives in Big Whiskey with pulp biographer W.W. Beauchamp ( Saul Rubinek ) in tow , Little Bill beats Bob senseless and promises to tell Beauchamp the real story about violent frontier life and justice. But when Munny , the true unwritten legend , comes to town , everyone soon learns a harsh lesson about the price of vindictive bloodshed and the malleability of ideas like "justice." "I don't deserve this , " pleads Little Bill. "Deserve's got nothin' to do with it , " growls Munny , simultaneously summing up the insanity of western violence and the legacy of Eastwood's Man With No Name.
0569
Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon play Thelma and Louise two working-class friends who together have planned a weekend getaway from the men in their lives. Thelma's husband Darryl (Chris McDonald) is an overbearing oaf and Louise's boyfriend Jimmy (Michael Madsen) simply will not commit. Though the road trip starts out as a good time the pair eventually wind up at a bar. A tipsy Thelma ends up in the parking lot of the bar with a would-be rapist. Louise shoots the man dead. The two decide that they have no choice but to go on the run. They eventually meet up with a young criminal named J.D. (Brad Pitt) whose cowboy spirit rubs off on the timid Thelma. The pair is pursued by a police officer (Harvey Keitel) sympathetic toward their plight. He chases them to the Grand Canyon where the women make a fateful decision about their lives. Directed by Ridley Scott Thelma & Louise brought first-time screenwriter Callie Khouri many accolades including the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.
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Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon play Thelma and Louise , two working - class friends who together have planned a weekend getaway from the men in their lives. Thelma's husband , Darryl ( Chris McDonald ), is an overbearing oaf , and Louise's boyfriend , Jimmy ( Michael Madsen ), simply will not commit. Though the road trip starts out as a good time , the pair eventually wind up at a bar. A tipsy Thelma ends up in the parking lot of the bar with a would - be rapist. Louise shoots the man dead. The two decide that they have no choice but to go on the run. They eventually meet up with a young criminal named J.D. ( Brad Pitt ), whose cowboy spirit rubs off on the timid Thelma. The pair is pursued by a police officer ( Harvey Keitel ) sympathetic toward their plight. He chases them to the Grand Canyon , where the women make a fateful decision about their lives. Directed by Ridley Scott , Thelma & Louise brought first - time screenwriter Callie Khouri many accolades including the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.
0570
A sequel to the sci-fi action thriller that made him and star Arnold Schwarzenegger A-list Hollywood names writer/director James Cameron upped the ante with this follow-up by employing a more sweeping storyline and cutting-edge special effects. Linda Hamilton returns as Sarah Connor now a single mother to rebellious teen John Connor (Edward Furlong) during the late nineties. Having been informed by a time-traveling soldier in the first film that John will one day grow up to become humanity's savior from a computer-controlled Armageddon Sarah has responded by becoming a muscle-bound she-warrior bent on educating John in survival tactics and battle strategies. Her ranting about humankind's future has landed Sarah in an insane asylum and John in the foster care system. The rebellious John has responded to his situation by getting into scrapes with the law. When a new and improved Terminator android called the T-1000 (Robert Patrick) arrives from the future to eliminate John an older model T-800 (Schwarzenegger) is sent to protect the boy. The T-1000 however has the ability to morph itself into any shape it desires allowing it chameleon-like powers and near indestructibility. The T-800 saves John's life and helps break Sarah out of the institution. Staying only one step ahead of the dogged T-1000 Sarah leads her son and the T-800 to the headquarters of Cyberdyne Systems the company that will invent a robotic intelligence that will eventually take over the world. There they attempt to convince inventor Miles Dyson (Joe Morton) to help them stop the future from ever occurring by destroying his work. Dyson sacrifices himself in an explosion to save the world leading to a final showdown between the two Terminators at a steel foundry. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) which won four Oscars in technical categories for its groundbreaking effects was followed by a short sequel filmed exclusively as an attraction for theme parks Terminator 2: 3-D Battle Across Time (1996).
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A sequel to the sci - fi action thriller that made him and star Arnold Schwarzenegger A - list Hollywood names , writer / director James Cameron upped the ante with this follow - up by employing a more sweeping storyline and cutting - edge special effects. Linda Hamilton returns as Sarah Connor , now a single mother to rebellious teen John Connor ( Edward Furlong ), during the late nineties. Having been informed by a time - traveling soldier in the first film that John will one day grow up to become humanity's savior from a computer - controlled Armageddon , Sarah has responded by becoming a muscle - bound she - warrior bent on educating John in survival tactics and battle strategies. Her ranting about humankind's future has landed Sarah in an insane asylum and John in the foster care system. The rebellious John has responded to his situation by getting into scrapes with the law. When a new and improved Terminator android called the T - 1000 ( Robert Patrick ) arrives from the future to eliminate John , an older model T - 800 ( Schwarzenegger ) is sent to protect the boy. The T - 1000 , however , has the ability to morph itself into any shape it desires , allowing it chameleon - like powers and near indestructibility. The T - 800 saves John's life and helps break Sarah out of the institution. Staying only one step ahead of the dogged T - 1000 , Sarah leads her son and the T - 800 to the headquarters of Cyberdyne Systems , the company that will invent a robotic intelligence that will eventually take over the world. There , they attempt to convince inventor Miles Dyson ( Joe Morton ) to help them stop the future from ever occurring by destroying his work. Dyson sacrifices himself in an explosion to save the world , leading to a final showdown between the two Terminators at a steel foundry. Terminator 2 : Judgment Day ( 1991 ), which won four Oscars in technical categories for its groundbreaking effects , was followed by a short sequel filmed exclusively as an attraction for theme parks , Terminator 2 : 3 - D Battle Across Time ( 1996 ) .
0571
In this multiple Oscar-winning thriller Jodie Foster stars as Clarice Starling a top student at the FBI's training academy whose shrewd analyses of serial killers lands her a special assignment: the FBI is investigating a vicious murderer nicknamed Buffalo Bill who kills young women and then removes the skin from their bodies. Jack Crawford (Scott Glenn) wants Clarice to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) a brilliant psychiatrist who is also a violent psychopath serving life behind bars for various acts of murder and cannibalism. Crawford believes that Lecter may have insight into this case and that Starling as an attractive young woman may be just the bait to draw him out. Lecter does indeed know something of Buffalo Bill but his information comes with a price: in exchange for telling what he knows he wants to be housed in a more comfortable facility. More important he wants to speak with Clarice about her past. He skillfully digs into her psyche forcing her to reveal her innermost traumas and putting her in a position of vulnerability when she can least afford to be weak. The film mingles the horrors of criminal acts with the psychological horrors of Lecter's slow-motion interrogation of Clarice and of her memories that emerge from it.
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In this multiple Oscar - winning thriller , Jodie Foster stars as Clarice Starling , a top student at the FBI's training academy whose shrewd analyses of serial killers lands her a special assignment : the FBI is investigating a vicious murderer nicknamed Buffalo Bill , who kills young women and then removes the skin from their bodies. Jack Crawford ( Scott Glenn ) wants Clarice to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter ( Anthony Hopkins ), a brilliant psychiatrist who is also a violent psychopath , serving life behind bars for various acts of murder and cannibalism. Crawford believes that Lecter may have insight into this case and that Starling , as an attractive young woman , may be just the bait to draw him out. Lecter does indeed know something of Buffalo Bill , but his information comes with a price : in exchange for telling what he knows , he wants to be housed in a more comfortable facility. More important , he wants to speak with Clarice about her past. He skillfully digs into her psyche , forcing her to reveal her innermost traumas and putting her in a position of vulnerability when she can least afford to be weak. The film mingles the horrors of criminal acts with the psychological horrors of Lecter's slow - motion interrogation of Clarice and of her memories that emerge from it.
0572
Director John Singleton's debut chronicles the trials and tribulations of three young African-American males growing up in South Central Los Angeles. When young Tre (Cuba Gooding Jr.) a bright underachiever begins to show signs of trouble his struggling professional mother (Angela Basset) sends him to live with his father (Lawrence Fishburne) a hard-nosed no-nonsense disciplinarian. There he befriends Ricky (Morris Chestnut) a burgeoning football star and Doughboy (Ice Cube in a standout performance) a would-be gang banger. Over the years each chooses his own path: Tre seems bound for college; Ricky is a blue-chip running back with his pick of schools; Doughboy is a dope dealer and bona fide gangster who drifts in and out of the county juvenile facility. All is well until without warning a rival gang chases down Tre and Ricky with tragic results. Doughboy immediately prepares for revenge forcing Tre to decide whether to jeopardize his future and perhaps his life for the price of revenge and self-respect. Sometimes riveting Boyz'N the Hood is not without its problems. The film tries to cram every single issue facing the black community into an hour and a half of screen time making the film seem at times forced. The symbolism seems forced as well and the film is often unbearably heavy-handed. Also the characterization often relies on cardboard cut-outs; every white character in the film is a one-dimensional bigot and the black police officer with whom Tre and his father deal is even worse than his Caucasian counterparts. Still the unevenness of the film is redeemed by some moments of true brilliance.
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Director John Singleton's debut chronicles the trials and tribulations of three young African - American males growing up in South Central Los Angeles. When young Tre ( Cuba Gooding Jr. ), a bright underachiever , begins to show signs of trouble , his struggling professional mother ( Angela Basset ) sends him to live with his father ( Lawrence Fishburne ), a hard - nosed , no - nonsense disciplinarian. There he befriends Ricky ( Morris Chestnut ), a burgeoning football star , and Doughboy ( Ice Cube , in a standout performance ), a would - be gang banger. Over the years , each chooses his own path : Tre seems bound for college ; Ricky is a blue - chip running back with his pick of schools ; Doughboy is a dope dealer and bona fide gangster who drifts in and out of the county juvenile facility. All is well until , without warning , a rival gang chases down Tre and Ricky with tragic results. Doughboy immediately prepares for revenge , forcing Tre to decide whether to jeopardize his future and , perhaps , his life for the price of revenge and self - respect. Sometimes riveting , Boyz'N the Hood is not without its problems. The film tries to cram every single issue facing the black community into an hour and a half of screen time , making the film seem at times forced. The symbolism seems forced as well , and the film is often unbearably heavy - handed. Also , the characterization often relies on cardboard cut - outs ; every white character in the film is a one - dimensional bigot , and the black police officer with whom Tre and his father deal is even worse than his Caucasian counterparts. Still , the unevenness of the film is redeemed by some moments of true brilliance.
0573
Writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson followed his critical and commercial breakthrough Boogie Nights with this wildly ambitious story of lives intertwining on a single day in California's San Fernando Valley. Earl Partridge (Jason Robards) a successful producer of television game shows left his wife when she contracted cancer to marry the younger and more beautiful Linda (Julianne Moore). Now Earl has cancer himself and Linda spends her day fetching medicines and trying to deal with the imminent death of her husband whom she has only now come to love. Earl asks his nurse Phil (Philip Seymour Hoffman) to arrange a meeting with his estranged son Frank Mackey (Tom Cruise) known for his self-help program "Seduce and Destroy" in which he preaches the importance of male sexual prowess; he cared for his mother after Earl left her and he has no desire to see his father again. Earl's best-known show is hosted by Jimmy Gator (Philip Baker Hall) who also learns that he is dying. Jimmy's show pits bright adults against unusually smart kids; one of Jimmy's child contestants Stanley (Jeremy Blackman) arrives late for a taping after being left stranded by his father Rick (Michael Bowen) who is supported by his more successful son. Meanwhile Donnie Smith (William H. Macy) who was a champ on Jimmy's show as a child is not having as much luck as an adult; he's just lost his job and needs to pay for some expensive dental work. Jimmy wants to reconcile with his estranged and emotionally fragile daughter Claudia (Melora Walters) who despises him and who will become involved with well-meaning police officer Jim Kurring (John C. Reilly) who has been desperately lonely since his divorce three years ago. Magnolia reunites much of the cast and crew of Boogie Nights and features eight original songs by singer/songwriter Aimee Mann and a musical score by Jon Brion.
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Writer / director Paul Thomas Anderson followed his critical and commercial breakthrough Boogie Nights with this wildly ambitious story of lives intertwining on a single day in California's San Fernando Valley. Earl Partridge ( Jason Robards ), a successful producer of television game shows , left his wife when she contracted cancer to marry the younger and more beautiful Linda ( Julianne Moore ) . Now , Earl has cancer himself , and Linda spends her day fetching medicines and trying to deal with the imminent death of her husband , whom she has only now come to love. Earl asks his nurse Phil ( Philip Seymour Hoffman ) to arrange a meeting with his estranged son , Frank Mackey ( Tom Cruise ), known for his self - help program "Seduce and Destroy , " in which he preaches the importance of male sexual prowess ; he cared for his mother after Earl left her , and he has no desire to see his father again. Earl's best - known show is hosted by Jimmy Gator ( Philip Baker Hall ), who also learns that he is dying. Jimmy's show pits bright adults against unusually smart kids ; one of Jimmy's child contestants , Stanley ( Jeremy Blackman ), arrives late for a taping after being left stranded by his father Rick ( Michael Bowen ), who is supported by his more successful son. Meanwhile , Donnie Smith ( William H. Macy ), who was a champ on Jimmy's show as a child , is not having as much luck as an adult ; he's just lost his job and needs to pay for some expensive dental work. Jimmy wants to reconcile with his estranged and emotionally fragile daughter Claudia ( Melora Walters ), who despises him and who will become involved with well - meaning police officer Jim Kurring ( John C. Reilly ), who has been desperately lonely since his divorce three years ago. Magnolia reunites much of the cast and crew of Boogie Nights and features eight original songs by singer / songwriter Aimee Mann and a musical score by Jon Brion .
0574
Noted theater director Sam Mendes who was responsible for the acclaimed 1998 revival of Cabaret and Nicole Kidman's turn in The Blue Room made his motion picture debut with this film about the dark side of an American family and about the nature and price of beauty in a culture obsessed with outward appearances. Kevin Spacey plays Lester Burnham a man in his mid-40s going through an intense midlife crisis; he's grown cynical and is convinced that he has no reason to go on. Lester's relationship with his wife Carolyn (Annette Bening) is not a warm one; while on the surface Carolyn strives to present the image that she's in full control of her life inside she feels empty and desperate. Their teenage daughter Jane (Thora Birch) is constantly depressed lacking in self-esteem and convinced that she's unattractive. Her problems aren't helped by her best friend Angela (Mena Suvari) an aspiring model who is quite beautiful and believes that that alone makes her a worthwhile person. Jane isn't the only one who has noticed that Angela is attractive: Lester has fallen into uncontrollable lust for her and she becomes part of his drastic plan to change his body and change his life. Meanwhile next door Colonel Fitts (Chris Cooper) has spent a lifetime in the Marine Corps and can understand and tolerate no other way of life which makes life difficult for his son Ricky (Wes Bentley) an aspiring filmmaker and part-time drug dealer who is obsessed with beauty wherever and whatever it may be. American Beauty was also the screen debut for screenwriter Alan Ball.
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Noted theater director Sam Mendes , who was responsible for the acclaimed 1998 revival of Cabaret and Nicole Kidman 's turn in The Blue Room , made his motion picture debut with this film about the dark side of an American family , and about the nature and price of beauty in a culture obsessed with outward appearances. Kevin Spacey plays Lester Burnham , a man in his mid - 40s going through an intense midlife crisis ; he's grown cynical and is convinced that he has no reason to go on. Lester's relationship with his wife Carolyn ( Annette Bening ) is not a warm one ; while on the surface Carolyn strives to present the image that she's in full control of her life , inside she feels empty and desperate. Their teenage daughter Jane ( Thora Birch ) is constantly depressed , lacking in self - esteem , and convinced that she's unattractive. Her problems aren't helped by her best friend Angela ( Mena Suvari ), an aspiring model who is quite beautiful and believes that that alone makes her a worthwhile person. Jane isn't the only one who has noticed that Angela is attractive : Lester has fallen into uncontrollable lust for her , and she becomes part of his drastic plan to change his body and change his life. Meanwhile , next door , Colonel Fitts ( Chris Cooper ) has spent a lifetime in the Marine Corps and can understand and tolerate no other way of life , which makes life difficult for his son Ricky ( Wes Bentley ), an aspiring filmmaker and part - time drug dealer who is obsessed with beauty , wherever and whatever it may be. American Beauty was also the screen debut for screenwriter Alan Ball .
0575
Reminiscent of a fine novel in depth and complexity writer-director John Sayles' acclaimed drama uses the investigation of a 25-year-old murder as the framework for a detailed exploration of life in a Texas border town. The nominal center of the film is Sheriff Sam Deeds (the superb subtle Chris Cooper) the chief law officer of the town of Frontera. The low-key Sam is also the son of the late Buddy Deeds (played in flashbacks by Matthew McConaughey) who also served as town sheriff and still maintains a legendary status for ousting the vicious corrupt Charlie Wade (a memorably vicious Kris Kristofferson). The discovery of Wade's decades-old skeleton however calls this legend into question and forces Sam to begin an investigation. During this search for the truth Sam must come to terms with his own troubled emotions about his father and his still-lingering romantic feelings for Pilar (Elizabeth Peña) a Hispanic woman that Buddy had prevented him from seeing as a young man. Lone Star's scope encompasses not only this story but the whole town addressing Pilar's difficulties as a schoolteacher the conflict between incoming immigrants and border patrol officers and the troubles faced by the African-American commander of the local military base. Sayles expertly moves between past and present weaving his stories together to illustrate as in his earlier City of Hope (1991) how the seemingly disparate parts of a community are in fact intimately interconnected. Raising issues of race politics and identity Lone Star nevertheless focuses most of its attention on its complex believable characters well-performed by an excellent ensemble cast. One of the most financially successful of Sayles' low-key movies Lone Star received glowing notices and an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay.
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Reminiscent of a fine novel in depth and complexity , writer - director John Sayles ' acclaimed drama uses the investigation of a 25 - year - old murder as the framework for a detailed exploration of life in a Texas border town. The nominal center of the film is Sheriff Sam Deeds ( the superb , subtle Chris Cooper ), the chief law officer of the town of Frontera. The low - key Sam is also the son of the late Buddy Deeds ( played in flashbacks by Matthew McConaughey ), who also served as town sheriff and still maintains a legendary status for ousting the vicious , corrupt Charlie Wade ( a memorably vicious Kris Kristofferson ) . The discovery of Wade's decades - old skeleton , however , calls this legend into question , and forces Sam to begin an investigation. During this search for the truth , Sam must come to terms with his own troubled emotions about his father and his still - lingering romantic feelings for Pilar ( Elizabeth Peña ), a Hispanic woman that Buddy had prevented him from seeing as a young man. Lone Star 's scope encompasses not only this story but the whole town , addressing Pilar's difficulties as a schoolteacher , the conflict between incoming immigrants and border patrol officers , and the troubles faced by the African - American commander of the local military base. Sayles expertly moves between past and present , weaving his stories together to illustrate , as in his earlier City of Hope ( 1991 ), how the seemingly disparate parts of a community are in fact intimately interconnected. Raising issues of race , politics , and identity , Lone Star nevertheless focuses most of its attention on its complex , believable characters , well - performed by an excellent ensemble cast. One of the most financially successful of Sayles' low - key movies , Lone Star received glowing notices and an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay.
0576
Director David Fincher's dark stylish thriller ranks as one of the decade's most influential box-office successes. Set in a hellish vision of a New York-like city where it is always raining and the air crackles with impending death the film concerns Det. William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) a homicide specialist just one week from a well-deserved retirement. Every minute of his 32 years on the job is evident in Somerset's worn exhausted face and his soul aches with the pain that can only come from having seen and felt far too much. But Somerset's retirement must wait for one last case for which he is teamed with young hotshot David Mills (Brad Pitt) the fiery detective set to replace him at the end of the week. Mills has talked his reluctant wife Tracy (Gwyneth Paltrow) into moving to the big city so that he can tackle important cases but his first and Somerset's last are more than either man has bargained for. A diabolical serial killer is staging grisly murders choosing victims representing the seven deadly sins. First an obese man is forced to eat until his stomach ruptures to represent gluttony then a wealthy defense lawyer is made to cut off a pound of his own flesh as penance for greed. Somerset initially refuses to take the case realizing that there will be five more murders ghastly sermons about lust sloth pride wrath and envy presented by a madman to a sinful world. Somerset is correct and something within him cannot let the case go forcing the weary detective to team with Mills and see the case to its almost unspeakably horrible conclusion. The moody photography is by Darius Khondji; the nauseatingly vivid special effects are by makeup artist Rob Bottin best known for more fantasy-oriented work in films like The Howling (1981).
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Director David Fincher 's dark , stylish thriller ranks as one of the decade's most influential box - office successes. Set in a hellish vision of a New York - like city , where it is always raining and the air crackles with impending death , the film concerns Det. William Somerset ( Morgan Freeman ), a homicide specialist just one week from a well - deserved retirement. Every minute of his 32 years on the job is evident in Somerset's worn , exhausted face , and his soul aches with the pain that can only come from having seen and felt far too much. But Somerset's retirement must wait for one last case , for which he is teamed with young hotshot David Mills ( Brad Pitt ), the fiery detective set to replace him at the end of the week. Mills has talked his reluctant wife , Tracy ( Gwyneth Paltrow ), into moving to the big city so that he can tackle important cases , but his first and Somerset's last are more than either man has bargained for. A diabolical serial killer is staging grisly murders , choosing victims representing the seven deadly sins. First , an obese man is forced to eat until his stomach ruptures to represent gluttony , then a wealthy defense lawyer is made to cut off a pound of his own flesh as penance for greed. Somerset initially refuses to take the case , realizing that there will be five more murders , ghastly sermons about lust , sloth , pride , wrath , and envy presented by a madman to a sinful world. Somerset is correct , and something within him cannot let the case go , forcing the weary detective to team with Mills and see the case to its almost unspeakably horrible conclusion. The moody photography is by Darius Khondji ; the nauseatingly vivid special effects are by makeup artist Rob Bottin , best known for more fantasy - oriented work in films like The Howling ( 1981 ) .
0577
Todd Haynes presents a revisionist take on the paranoia thriller with this story of a Southern California housewife who suddenly falls victim to an inexplicable apparently incurable illness. Carol White (Julianne Moore) lives with her husband and son in suburban comfort until she collapses one day for no apparent reason. Her condition worsens in the weeks that follow as she suffers from coughing fits exhaustion and spontaneous nose bleeds triggered by sources as disparate as car exhaust cologne and the sun. Failing to find any medical explanation for her maladies her doctor refers her to a psychiatrist who suggests that her physical ailments are psychosomatic -- a theory echoed by her callous and increasingly frustrated husband. At her wits' end Carol withdraws to an expensive New Age retreat for sufferers of "20th century disease" where the community's guru (Peter Friedman) champions a dubious regimen of diet climate control introspection and self-love.
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Todd Haynes presents a revisionist take on the paranoia thriller with this story of a Southern California housewife who suddenly falls victim to an inexplicable , apparently incurable illness. Carol White ( Julianne Moore ) lives with her husband and son in suburban comfort until she collapses one day , for no apparent reason. Her condition worsens in the weeks that follow , as she suffers from coughing fits , exhaustion , and spontaneous nose bleeds , triggered by sources as disparate as car exhaust , cologne , and the sun. Failing to find any medical explanation for her maladies , her doctor refers her to a psychiatrist , who suggests that her physical ailments are psychosomatic -- a theory echoed by her callous and increasingly frustrated husband. At her wits' end , Carol withdraws to an expensive New Age retreat for sufferers of "20th century disease , " where the community's guru ( Peter Friedman ) champions a dubious regimen of diet , climate control , introspection , and self - love.
0578
If you don't think Speed is the fastest-moving adventure film ever made we challenge you to find a faster one. Keanu Reeves stars as an LA Bomb Squad specialist whose principal antagonist is elusive bomber-extortionist Dennis Hopper. Seeking vengeance after his latest ransom scheme is thwarted Hopper presents a personal challenge to Reeves: A wired-for-destruction city bus which will detonate if the speedometer drops below 50 MPH. Playing the reluctant civilian who is pressed into service as the bus' "substitute driver" leading lady Sandra Bullock became a major star in her own right. Once Speed gets to the meat of its story the excitement never lets up--not even after the boobytrapped bus is out of the picture.
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If you don't think Speed is the fastest - moving adventure film ever made , we challenge you to find a faster one. Keanu Reeves stars as an LA Bomb Squad specialist whose principal antagonist is elusive bomber - extortionist Dennis Hopper . Seeking vengeance after his latest ransom scheme is thwarted , Hopper presents a personal challenge to Reeves : A wired - for - destruction city bus , which will detonate if the speedometer drops below 50 MPH. Playing the reluctant civilian who is pressed into service as the bus' "substitute driver , " leading lady Sandra Bullock became a major star in her own right. Once Speed gets to the meat of its story , the excitement never lets up -- not even after the boobytrapped bus is out of the picture.
0579
Florida-based independent filmmaker Victor Nuñez gave young actress Ashley Judd her breakthrough role with his original script about a woman taking to the road to escape her past and forge a new future for herself. Feeling smothered and confused after the death of her mother Ruby Lee Gissing flees her Tennessee home. She drives south to the panhandle of Florida because she has always dreamed of living near the ocean. Mildred Chambers (Dorothy Lyman) the owner of a souvenir shop hires her as a clerk and befriends Ruby as well. Soon there are two men in Ruby's life: Mike McCaslin (Todd Field) and Mildred's ne'er-do-well son Ricky (Bentley Mitchum). Although Ruby briefly succumbs to the advances of one of them by the film's end she is still on her own understanding that a new chapter of her life is just beginning. In addition to the picture taking home the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival Judd was nominated for Best Actress by the New York Film Critics and won Best Female Lead at the Independent Spirits.
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Florida - based independent filmmaker Victor Nuñez gave young actress Ashley Judd her breakthrough role with his original script about a woman taking to the road to escape her past and forge a new future for herself. Feeling smothered and confused after the death of her mother , Ruby Lee Gissing flees her Tennessee home. She drives south to the panhandle of Florida , because she has always dreamed of living near the ocean. Mildred Chambers ( Dorothy Lyman ), the owner of a souvenir shop , hires her as a clerk and befriends Ruby as well. Soon , there are two men in Ruby's life : Mike McCaslin ( Todd Field ) and Mildred's ne'er - do - well son , Ricky ( Bentley Mitchum ) . Although Ruby briefly succumbs to the advances of one of them , by the film's end , she is still on her own , understanding that a new chapter of her life is just beginning. In addition to the picture taking home the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival , Judd was nominated for Best Actress by the New York Film Critics and won Best Female Lead at the Independent Spirits.
0580
Tom Tykwer directed this German thriller in which Manni (Moritz Bleibtreu) handled a smuggling job delivered the loot collected the payment left the bag on the subway and now has 20 minutes to gather 100000 deutsche marks or confront the wrath of his boss local criminal Ronnie (Heino Ferch). Desperate Manni phones his girlfriend Lola (Franka Potente) who immediately runs downstairs and through Berlin streets to the bank run by her father (Herbert Knaup). However she's rejected and leaves minus money. When she goes to meet Manni he's holding up a supermarket and she's shot by the cops. In a destiny device familiar to readers of Ken Grimwood's acclaimed novel Replay the story begins anew with different outcomes. In one version Lola robs the bank and takes her father hostage; in another there's casino cash to be won. All Lola-Manni scenes were in 35mm while scenes without them were shot in video. Other cinematic techniques on display here include whip pans jump cuts slow and fast motion split-screen intercut color and black and white segment titles and animation. Shown at 1998 film fests (Venice Montreal Toronto).
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Tom Tykwer directed this German thriller in which Manni ( Moritz Bleibtreu ) handled a smuggling job , delivered the loot , collected the payment , left the bag on the subway , and now has 20 minutes to gather 100 , 000 deutsche marks or confront the wrath of his boss , local criminal Ronnie ( Heino Ferch ) . Desperate , Manni phones his girlfriend Lola ( Franka Potente ) who immediately runs downstairs and through Berlin streets to the bank run by her father ( Herbert Knaup ) . However , she's rejected and leaves minus money. When she goes to meet Manni , he's holding up a supermarket , and she's shot by the cops. In a destiny device familiar to readers of Ken Grimwood's acclaimed novel Replay , the story begins anew with different outcomes. In one version , Lola robs the bank and takes her father hostage ; in another , there's casino cash to be won. All Lola - Manni scenes were in 35mm , while scenes without them were shot in video. Other cinematic techniques on display here include whip pans , jump cuts , slow and fast motion , split - screen , intercut color and black and white , segment titles , and animation. Shown at 1998 film fests ( Venice , Montreal , Toronto ) .
0581
The Farrelly Brothers set this romantic comedy in their home state of Rhode Island. In 1985 when teen-nerd Ted Stroehmann (Ben Stiller) challenges a high-schooler who's bullying retarded Warren Jenson (W. Earl Brown) his concern prompts Warren's sister the dazzling and desirable Mary Jenson (Cameron Diaz) to choose Ted as her senior prom date a fact Ted's pals find hard to believe. However on prom night Ted gets his penis caught in his zipper so the much-desired date never happens. Living in Providence and waxing nostalgic 13 years later Ted hires Pat Healy (Matt Dillon) to locate Mary and the creepy private investigator finds her in Miami where she lives with her tan-shriveled roommate Magda (Lin Shaye). After Pat develops a stalker-style fixation on the lovely unattached Mary he lies to Ted telling him that she's now an overweight mother confined to a wheelchair. Employing professional eavesdropping equipment Pat gathers a dossier on Mary's life and future plans information that forms the basis for more lies when Pat begins dating her. Sure enough Mary falls for Pat although her friend Tucker (Lee Evans) is very suspicious of Pat's claim to be a Harvard-educated architect. Meanwhile Ted learns the truth but continues to encounter offbeat obstacles as he accelerates to Miami in hopes of finding happiness with his true love. Former Modern Lovers singer Jonathan Richman vocalizes a narrative ballad of onscreen commentary in the Cat Ballou (1965) tradition. Most of the cast sings and frolics to Build Me Up Buttercup by The Foundations during the closing credits.
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The Farrelly Brothers set this romantic comedy in their home state of Rhode Island. In 1985 , when teen - nerd Ted Stroehmann ( Ben Stiller ) challenges a high - schooler who's bullying retarded Warren Jenson ( W. Earl Brown ), his concern prompts Warren's sister , the dazzling and desirable Mary Jenson ( Cameron Diaz ) to choose Ted as her senior prom date , a fact Ted's pals find hard to believe. However , on prom night , Ted gets his penis caught in his zipper , so the much - desired date never happens. Living in Providence and waxing nostalgic 13 years later , Ted hires Pat Healy ( Matt Dillon ) to locate Mary , and the creepy private investigator finds her in Miami , where she lives with her tan - shriveled roommate Magda ( Lin Shaye ) . After Pat develops a stalker - style fixation on the lovely , unattached Mary , he lies to Ted , telling him that she's now an overweight mother confined to a wheelchair. Employing professional eavesdropping equipment , Pat gathers a dossier on Mary's life and future plans , information that forms the basis for more lies when Pat begins dating her. Sure enough , Mary falls for Pat , although her friend Tucker ( Lee Evans ) is very suspicious of Pat's claim to be a Harvard - educated architect. Meanwhile , Ted learns the truth but continues to encounter offbeat obstacles as he accelerates to Miami in hopes of finding happiness with his true love. Former Modern Lovers singer Jonathan Richman vocalizes a narrative ballad of onscreen commentary in the Cat Ballou ( 1965 ) tradition. Most of the cast sings and frolics to Build Me Up , Buttercup by The Foundations during the closing credits.
0582
After a pair of films about hipster slackers the work of writer-director Kevin Smith matured and gained critical respect with this low budget independent comedy-drama about love sex and the fine line between the two. Ben Affleck stars as Holden McNeil a New Jersey comic book writer who is roommates with his best friend and professional partner artist Banky Edwards (Jason Lee). Their hit comic book series "Bluntman and Chronic" is loosely patterned after a pair of acquaintances Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (played by Smith) two characters already familiar as supporting players in several Smith films. Into Holden's life comes Alyssa Jones (Joey Lauren Adams) a lesbian and fellow comic book creator who quickly becomes a close friend although Holden is powerfully attracted to her. Eventually Alyssa realizes that she is attracted to Holden as well and they begin a physical relationship much to the consternation of Banky whose ire over losing his best friend to a lesbian seems to border on romantic jealousy. After he learns something about Alyssa's sexual past however Holden's immature response to his new knowledge destroys both his romance with Alyssa and his friendship with Banky. Chasing Amy (1997) was the third film in what Smith referred to as his "New Jersey series" films set at least partly in the Garden State and featuring the Jay and Silent Bob characters.
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After a pair of films about hipster slackers , the work of writer - director Kevin Smith matured and gained critical respect with this low budget , independent comedy - drama about love , sex and the fine line between the two. Ben Affleck stars as Holden McNeil , a New Jersey comic book writer who is roommates with his best friend and professional partner , artist Banky Edwards ( Jason Lee ) . Their hit comic book series , "Bluntman and Chronic , " is loosely patterned after a pair of acquaintances , Jay ( Jason Mewes ) and Silent Bob ( played by Smith ), two characters already familiar as supporting players in several Smith films. Into Holden's life comes Alyssa Jones ( Joey Lauren Adams ), a lesbian and fellow comic book creator who quickly becomes a close friend , although Holden is powerfully attracted to her. Eventually , Alyssa realizes that she is attracted to Holden as well and they begin a physical relationship , much to the consternation of Banky , whose ire over losing his best friend to a lesbian seems to border on romantic jealousy. After he learns something about Alyssa's sexual past , however , Holden's immature response to his new knowledge destroys both his romance with Alyssa and his friendship with Banky. Chasing Amy ( 1997 ) was the third film in what Smith referred to as his "New Jersey series , " films set at least partly in the Garden State and featuring the Jay and Silent Bob characters.
0583
The serpentine plotline of Luc Besson's La Femme Nikita begins its 117-minute slither when punkish psychotic and drug-ridden Nikita (Anne Parillaud) fires her gun into a cop's face following the stick-up of a drug store and is promptly imprisoned. She is thrown into a dank cell then injected with a substance and told it is a lethal toxin. Instead of dying however the comes to in an all-white interrogation room where French intelligence officer Bob (Tchéky Karyo) informs her that an alternate to execution exists: she can receive covert government training as an assassin. She accepts the bid is rigorously trained and later returns to society as a seemingly normal and gentle civilian but falls in love with a drugstore employee while she's waiting for that first government assignment. The paradoxical concept of a young woman blossoming socially while carrying out cold-blooded murders was downplayed when La Femme Nikita was remade in America as the silly and disappointing Point of No Return directed by John Badham with Bridget Fonda in the lead. A far less sociopathic TV-series version of La Femme Nikita surfaced on the USA cable network in early 1997.
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The serpentine plotline of Luc Besson 's La Femme Nikita begins its 117 - minute slither when punkish , psychotic , and drug - ridden Nikita ( Anne Parillaud ) fires her gun into a cop's face following the stick - up of a drug store , and is promptly imprisoned. She is thrown into a dank cell , then injected with a substance and told it is a lethal toxin. Instead of dying , however , the comes to in an all - white interrogation room , where French intelligence officer Bob ( Tchéky Karyo ), informs her that an alternate to execution exists : she can receive covert government training as an assassin. She accepts the bid , is rigorously trained , and later returns to society as a seemingly normal and gentle civilian , but falls in love with a drugstore employee while she's waiting for that first government assignment. The paradoxical concept of a young woman blossoming socially while carrying out cold - blooded murders was downplayed when La Femme Nikita was remade in America as the silly and disappointing Point of No Return , directed by John Badham with Bridget Fonda in the lead. A far less sociopathic TV - series version of La Femme Nikita surfaced on the USA cable network in early 1997.
0584
Self-involved corporate raider Edward Lewis (Richard Gere) has recently split up with his girlfriend. Seeking directions to the Beverly Hills Hotel he makes the acquaintance of free-spirited hooker Vivian Ward (Julia Roberts) and decides to put her on a 3000-dollar retainer as his "date." He Cinderellarizes her by bankrolling a full wardrobe and cosmetic makeover. Of course the setup will be strictly platonic. A disarming modern-day fairy tale Pretty Woman was the picture that made Julia Roberts a superstar. As charming as she is in her "giggling" sequences Roberts' best scene is her triumphant return to a posh Rodeo Drive shop where she'd been previously snubbed. Keeping Pretty Woman afloat throughout is the buoyant direction of Garry Marshall and the always welcome presence of Marshall's stock company of actors including Hector Elizondo as a stuffy but golden-hearted concierge. Pretty Woman began its life as a much darker story of prostitutes and homicidal drug dealers but more box-office-savvy heads ultimately prevailed.
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Self - involved corporate raider Edward Lewis ( Richard Gere ) has recently split up with his girlfriend. Seeking directions to the Beverly Hills Hotel , he makes the acquaintance of free - spirited hooker Vivian Ward ( Julia Roberts ) and decides to put her on a 3 , 000 - dollar retainer as his "date." He Cinderellarizes her by bankrolling a full wardrobe and cosmetic makeover. Of course , the setup will be strictly platonic. A disarming modern - day fairy tale , Pretty Woman was the picture that made Julia Roberts a superstar. As charming as she is in her "giggling" sequences , Roberts ' best scene is her triumphant return to a posh Rodeo Drive shop where she'd been previously snubbed. Keeping Pretty Woman afloat throughout is the buoyant direction of Garry Marshall and the always welcome presence of Marshall 's stock company of actors , including Hector Elizondo as a stuffy but golden - hearted concierge. Pretty Woman began its life as a much darker story of prostitutes and homicidal drug dealers , but more box - office - savvy heads ultimately prevailed.
0585
This cold stylish erotic-thriller grossed over $100 million at the box-office despite vigorous protests at its depiction of gays and women. The shocking opening sequence features a graphic sexual encounter involving a rock-star bound with a white Hermes scarf by an unidentified blond woman. Despite the fact that the scene ends with a bloody icepick murder (horrifyingly realized by makeup artist Rob Bottin) Hermes scarves quickly sold out at stores nationwide. This seeming paradox is at the heart of the film's appeal as it mixes perverse sexuality and erotic bloodshed in a manner common to European thrillers (director Paul Verhoeven had done it himself in 1979's marvelous De Vierde Man) but mostly taboo in America. The plot concerns Catherine Tramell (Sharon Stone) a successful bisexual mystery writer who may also be a ruthless murderer. Everyone close to Catherine dies and troubled policeman Nick Curran (Michael Douglas) must find out why. In the process Nick becomes sexually involved with both Catherine and police psychiatrist Beth Gardner (Jeanne Tripplehorn) while the bodies begin piling up and Catherine turns the cat-and-mouse game around on Nick. Verhoeven and screenwriter Joe Eszterhas -- who was paid $3 million for the script -- keep the tension ratcheted up throughout even during the frequent sex scenes which carry a violent edge reminiscent of the Italian thrillers of Dario Argento. The film's most notorious scene a police interrogation in which Catherine makes drooling idiots out of her captors by revealing that she is not wearing underwear became a cultural touchstone and was widely imitated and parodied. Sharon Stone meanwhile was embarrassed to the point that she claimed Verhoeven had aimed lights on strategic locations without her knowledge. George Dzundza and Dorothy Malone co-star.
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This cold , stylish erotic - thriller grossed over $100 million at the box - office despite vigorous protests at its depiction of gays and women. The shocking opening sequence features a graphic sexual encounter involving a rock - star bound with a white Hermes scarf by an unidentified blond woman. Despite the fact that the scene ends with a bloody icepick murder ( horrifyingly realized by makeup artist Rob Bottin ), Hermes scarves quickly sold out at stores nationwide. This seeming paradox is at the heart of the film's appeal , as it mixes perverse sexuality and erotic bloodshed in a manner common to European thrillers ( director Paul Verhoeven had done it himself in 1979's marvelous De Vierde Man ) but mostly taboo in America. The plot concerns Catherine Tramell ( Sharon Stone ), a successful bisexual mystery writer who may also be a ruthless murderer. Everyone close to Catherine dies , and troubled policeman Nick Curran ( Michael Douglas ) must find out why. In the process , Nick becomes sexually involved with both Catherine and police psychiatrist Beth Gardner ( Jeanne Tripplehorn ), while the bodies begin piling up and Catherine turns the cat - and - mouse game around on Nick. Verhoeven and screenwriter Joe Eszterhas -- who was paid $3 million for the script -- keep the tension ratcheted up throughout , even during the frequent sex scenes , which carry a violent edge reminiscent of the Italian thrillers of Dario Argento . The film's most notorious scene , a police interrogation in which Catherine makes drooling idiots out of her captors by revealing that she is not wearing underwear , became a cultural touchstone and was widely imitated and parodied. Sharon Stone , meanwhile , was embarrassed to the point that she claimed Verhoeven had aimed lights on strategic locations without her knowledge. George Dzundza and Dorothy Malone co - star.
0586
Sleepless in Seattle the sophomore directorial effort from Nora Ephron is a light romantic comedy inspired by the 1957 film An Affair to Remember. Tom Hanks stars as widower and single father Sam. When Sam's son Jonah (Ross Malinger) calls into a talk radio program looking for a new mother Sam ends up getting on the phone and laments about his lost love. Thousands of miles away Annie (Meg Ryan) hears the program and immediately falls in love with Sam despite the fact that she has never met him and that she is engaged to humdrum Walter (Bill Pullman). Believing they are meant to be together Annie sets out for Seattle to meet Sam who meanwhile contends with an onslaught of letters from available women equally touched by his phone call. Rosie O'Donnell Rita Wilson and Rob Reiner also star.
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Sleepless in Seattle , the sophomore directorial effort from Nora Ephron , is a light romantic comedy inspired by the 1957 film An Affair to Remember . Tom Hanks stars as widower and single father Sam. When Sam's son , Jonah ( Ross Malinger ), calls into a talk radio program looking for a new mother , Sam ends up getting on the phone and laments about his lost love. Thousands of miles away , Annie ( Meg Ryan ) hears the program and immediately falls in love with Sam , despite the fact that she has never met him and that she is engaged to humdrum Walter ( Bill Pullman ) . Believing they are meant to be together , Annie sets out for Seattle to meet Sam , who , meanwhile , contends with an onslaught of letters from available women equally touched by his phone call. Rosie O'Donnell , Rita Wilson , and Rob Reiner also star.
0587
This is an emotionally gripping fictional look at a couple torn apart by the infamous Argentine campaign of killings and torture that sent thousands of accused terrorists to unmarked graves in the mid-and late-'70s. Alicia (Norma Aleandro) and Roberto (Hector Alterio) adopted a little girl (Analia Castro) during this period of governmental terror in Argentina. Alicia has always wondered about the parents of their little girl a topic her husband has forced her into forgetting as a condition of the adoption -- he alone knows the full story. Thanks to censorship Alicia -- like others -- is not fully aware of how much killing has gone on until her students at school start complaining that their textbook histories were written by murderers. Add to this a long conversation with a friend who had been in exile after she was tortured by the government and Alicia starts to do some serious political and personal research on her own. The results reveal the identity of the little girl's dead parents and reveal that Alicia's husband has had a nasty hand in the government repression and dirty dealings with foreign businesses. She also learns the identity of the girl's grandmother. Her next decision will determine what to do with this information.
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This is an emotionally gripping , fictional look at a couple torn apart by the infamous Argentine campaign of killings and torture that sent thousands of accused terrorists to unmarked graves in the mid - and late - '70s. Alicia ( Norma Aleandro ) and Roberto ( Hector Alterio ) adopted a little girl ( Analia Castro ) during this period of governmental terror in Argentina. Alicia has always wondered about the parents of their little girl , a topic her husband has forced her into forgetting as a condition of the adoption -- he alone knows the full story. Thanks to censorship , Alicia -- like others -- is not fully aware of how much killing has gone on until her students at school start complaining that their textbook histories were written by murderers. Add to this a long conversation with a friend who had been in exile after she was tortured by the government , and Alicia starts to do some serious political and personal research on her own. The results reveal the identity of the little girl's dead parents and reveal that Alicia's husband has had a nasty hand in the government repression and dirty dealings with foreign businesses. She also learns the identity of the girl's grandmother. Her next decision will determine what to do with this information.
0588
This Argentine film freshens up an old cinematic device: juxtaposing science fiction and religion. A Buenos Aires mental hospital is thrown into an uproar when a mysterious male patient appears out of nowhere. As the psychiatrists grill the stranger he sticks to a story that suggests that his origins are far from earthly. In fact if his seemingly supernatural powers are any proof he may well be a space alien. Unable to comprehend the incomprehensible the authorities decide to lock the visitor away from public view maybe even put an end to his life--and the analogies to Christ and Christianity are lost on no one.
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This Argentine film freshens up an old cinematic device : juxtaposing science fiction and religion. A Buenos Aires mental hospital is thrown into an uproar when a mysterious male patient appears out of nowhere. As the psychiatrists grill the stranger , he sticks to a story that suggests that his origins are far from earthly. In fact , if his seemingly supernatural powers are any proof , he may well be a space alien. Unable to comprehend the incomprehensible , the authorities decide to lock the visitor away from public view , maybe even put an end to his life -- and the analogies to Christ and Christianity are lost on no one.
0589
Combining fiction and documentary 66-year-old Carlos Saura directed this Spanish-Argentine dance drama with masterful camerawork by acclaimed cinematographer Vittorio Storaro. After his wife (Cecilia Narova) leaves him Argentine film director Mario Suarez (Miguel Angel Sola) moves to a Buenos Aires suburb and begins work on a film about the tango with meticulous care. At a cabaret he encounters gangster Angelo Larroca (Juan Luis Galiardo) lover of aspiring dancer Elena Flores (Mia Maestro). Larroca asks Mario to audition Elena but problems arise when Mario takes a romantic interest in her. Promoted as the most expensive Argentine film ever made this production employed theatrical lighting and several cameras shooting simultaneously on a specially constructed set in Buenos Aires. Tango classics alternate with Lalo Schifrin's score. Famed tango dancers appear onscreen in dark dances depicting passions sorrows and the past history of Argentina including a war ballet as Saura noted "We needed a scene that would be brutal and a ballet that would be violent and aggressive which we don't often see in musicals. It frightened me. There was a great deal of tension on the set because some of the dancers had loved ones who had suffered during those years and the ballet re-creates the terrible feeling of the period." Shown out of competition at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival.
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Combining fiction and documentary , 66 - year - old Carlos Saura directed this Spanish - Argentine dance drama with masterful camerawork by acclaimed cinematographer Vittorio Storaro . After his wife ( Cecilia Narova ) leaves him , Argentine film director Mario Suarez ( Miguel Angel Sola ), moves to a Buenos Aires suburb , and begins work on a film about the tango with meticulous care. At a cabaret , he encounters gangster Angelo Larroca ( Juan Luis Galiardo ), lover of aspiring dancer Elena Flores ( Mia Maestro ) . Larroca asks Mario to audition Elena , but problems arise when Mario takes a romantic interest in her. Promoted as the most expensive Argentine film ever made , this production employed theatrical lighting and several cameras shooting simultaneously on a specially constructed set in Buenos Aires. Tango classics alternate with Lalo Schifrin 's score. Famed tango dancers appear onscreen in dark dances depicting passions , sorrows , and the past history of Argentina , including a war ballet , as Saura noted , "We needed a scene that would be brutal , and a ballet that would be violent and aggressive , which we don't often see in musicals. It frightened me. There was a great deal of tension on the set because some of the dancers had loved ones who had suffered during those years , and the ballet re - creates the terrible feeling of the period." Shown out of competition at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival.
0590
Sister Juana (Assumpta Serna) is a gentle poet and a none-too-pious nun living in seventeenth-century Mexico. She is protected by the Governor and his wife from a ferociously misogynistic Archbishop who some believe is using his hatred of women to hide from his very powerful lust for them. Indeed it is possible that he is the actual father of Sister Juana. Regardless of that her life becomes extremely grim when her loving patrons return to Spain leaving her to the not-so-tender mercies of this harsh man. This difficult story is based on a novel by the award-winning poet and writer Octavio Paz.
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Sister Juana ( Assumpta Serna ) is a gentle poet and a none - too - pious nun , living in seventeenth - century Mexico. She is protected by the Governor and his wife from a ferociously misogynistic Archbishop , who some believe is using his hatred of women to hide from his very powerful lust for them. Indeed , it is possible that he is the actual father of Sister Juana. Regardless of that , her life becomes extremely grim when her loving patrons return to Spain , leaving her to the not - so - tender mercies of this harsh man. This difficult story is based on a novel by the award - winning poet and writer Octavio Paz.
0591
Chili-born Italian director Marco Bechis's second feature is a political drama based on his experiences with the military regime of Argentina (1976-1980) when he lived there. Maria (Antonella Costa) is a militant activist in an organization that is fighting the oppressive dictatorship. She teaches reading and writing in the suburbs of Buenos Aires in an area of shantytowns. She lives in a decrepit rooming house with her mother Diane (Dominique Sanda) who rents out some rooms. One of the lodgers a shy young man named Felix (Carlos Echeverria) is in love with Maria. He seems to have come from nowhere and is supposed to be working in a garage. One morning Maria is kidnapped by a military squad in civilian clothes in front of her mother and is taken to the garage 'Olimpo' one of the many well-known torture places in the city which operate to the general indifference of the inhabitants. Tigre the head of the center (Enrique Pineyro) appoints their best man -- Felix -- to the job of making Maria talk. Felix is overcome by his feelings for Maria but Maria is determined to exploit the situation for her survival. Tender love scenes between Maria and Felix enhance the story but the intensity never reaches the heights of some of the classics of the world cinema with a similar theme such as The Night Porter. Bechis exerts too much control over his characters and narrative to allow an emotional rupture. 52nd Cannes Film Festival 1999.
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Chili - born Italian director Marco Bechis 's second feature is a political drama based on his experiences with the military regime of Argentina ( 1976 - 1980 ) when he lived there. Maria ( Antonella Costa ) is a militant activist in an organization that is fighting the oppressive dictatorship. She teaches reading and writing in the suburbs of Buenos Aires in an area of shantytowns. She lives in a decrepit rooming house with her mother Diane ( Dominique Sanda ), who rents out some rooms. One of the lodgers , a shy young man named Felix ( Carlos Echeverria ), is in love with Maria. He seems to have come from nowhere and is supposed to be working in a garage. One morning , Maria is kidnapped by a military squad in civilian clothes in front of her mother and is taken to the garage 'Olimpo , ' one of the many well - known torture places in the city , which operate to the general indifference of the inhabitants. Tigre , the head of the center ( Enrique Pineyro ) appoints their best man -- Felix -- to the job of making Maria talk. Felix is overcome by his feelings for Maria , but Maria is determined to exploit the situation for her survival. Tender love scenes between Maria and Felix enhance the story , but the intensity never reaches the heights of some of the classics of the world cinema with a similar theme , such as The Night Porter . Bechis exerts too much control over his characters and narrative to allow an emotional rupture. 52nd Cannes Film Festival , 1999.
0592
The true story of a gifted Australian piano prodigy this biographical drama was nominated for seven Oscars with actor Geoffrey Rush winning for Best Actor. Rush stars as David Helfgott a pianist with a history of mental problems. As a fragile boy genius at math chess and piano David is driven hard by his overbearing father (Armin Mueller-Stahl) a tyrant who forbids him to accept a scholarship offered by the great violinist Isaac Stern. Although he studies briefly in London under tutor Cecil Parks (John Gielgud) David has a nervous breakdown after performing Rachmaninoff's daunting "Piano Concerto No. 3" (known as the "Rach 3"). Years later the adult David keeps up a steady patter of nervous stammering at all times and has been reduced to playing in a bar. Through a friend he meets astrologer Gillian (Lynn Redgrave) and falls in love with her. With Gillian's help David embarks down the road to regained fame and mastery of the "Rach 3." The international popularity of Shine caused a sensation leading to a musical tour for Helfgott whose performances were less adroit than many audiences expected sparking criticism that writer-director Scott Hicks had exaggerated his subject's talent for dramatic purposes.
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The true story of a gifted Australian piano prodigy , this biographical drama was nominated for seven Oscars , with actor Geoffrey Rush winning for Best Actor. Rush stars as David Helfgott , a pianist with a history of mental problems. As a fragile boy genius at math , chess , and piano , David is driven hard by his overbearing father ( Armin Mueller - Stahl ), a tyrant who forbids him to accept a scholarship offered by the great violinist Isaac Stern . Although he studies briefly in London under tutor Cecil Parks ( John Gielgud ), David has a nervous breakdown after performing Rachmaninoff's daunting "Piano Concerto No. 3" ( known as the "Rach 3" ) . Years later , the adult David keeps up a steady patter of nervous stammering at all times and has been reduced to playing in a bar. Through a friend , he meets astrologer Gillian ( Lynn Redgrave ), and falls in love with her. With Gillian's help , David embarks down the road to regained fame and mastery of the "Rach 3." The international popularity of Shine caused a sensation leading to a musical tour for Helfgott , whose performances were less adroit than many audiences expected , sparking criticism that writer - director Scott Hicks had exaggerated his subject's talent for dramatic purposes.
0593
New Zealand poet Janet Frame is the subject of Jane Campion's biographical drama which presents a poetically evocative look at the authoress' turbulent life. The film begins with a look at Frame's childhood showing her as a bright but odd-looking emotionally fragile young girl with a knack for writing. Frame faces great difficulty in adapting to the conventional rural life around her and her social awkwardness only worsens as she grows older. After she fails in her attempt to become a schoolteacher due to an intense panic attack she is subject to a psychiatric evaluation and shamefully misdiagnosed as a schizophrenic. Frame is subsequently committed to a mental institution where she suffers years of unnecessary shock treatments and other horrors. Her salvation comes through her writings however which attract the attention of a renowned author who arranges her release. While the nightmare of Frame's institutionalization is presented with great sensitivity and power Campion and screenwriter Laura Jones to their credit refuse to simplify her story to this one pivotal event. Instead they pay equal attention to Frame's subsequent life as she slowly adjusts life in the outside world experiencing literary success and her first romance. Expressive visuals add immeasurably to the total effect while Kerry Fox's superb performance creates a truly affecting portrait of Frame. Impressively the film was originally made as a mini-series for New Zealand television and slightly reedited for a later theatrical release.
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New Zealand poet Janet Frame is the subject of Jane Campion 's biographical drama , which presents a poetically evocative look at the authoress' turbulent life. The film begins with a look at Frame's childhood , showing her as a bright but odd - looking , emotionally fragile young girl with a knack for writing. Frame faces great difficulty in adapting to the conventional rural life around her , and her social awkwardness only worsens as she grows older. After she fails in her attempt to become a schoolteacher due to an intense panic attack , she is subject to a psychiatric evaluation and shamefully misdiagnosed as a schizophrenic. Frame is subsequently committed to a mental institution , where she suffers years of unnecessary shock treatments and other horrors. Her salvation comes through her writings , however , which attract the attention of a renowned author who arranges her release. While the nightmare of Frame's institutionalization is presented with great sensitivity and power , Campion and screenwriter Laura Jones , to their credit , refuse to simplify her story to this one pivotal event. Instead , they pay equal attention to Frame's subsequent life , as she slowly adjusts life in the outside world , experiencing literary success and her first romance. Expressive visuals add immeasurably to the total effect , while Kerry Fox 's superb performance creates a truly affecting portrait of Frame. Impressively , the film was originally made as a mini - series for New Zealand television , and slightly reedited for a later theatrical release.
0594
ased on a novel by Thomas Keneally which was in turn inspired by actual events this drama is a shocking indictment of the racism inflicted on the indigenous people of Australia. Jimmie (Tommy Lewis) is a half-white half-aborigine young man raised by a Methodist minister. Feeling outcast among the aborigines Jimmie moves to the city and gets a job working for a white family. When a white serving girl at the estate becomes pregnant everyone is convinced that Jimmie is the father; to spare the girl's honor Jimmie marries her and is allowed to live with her on the estate. But after the child is born everyone realizes that the father was a white man not Jimmie; he is still willing to accept the child and stand beside his wife but his employers now feel that he married a white girl under false pretenses and they bar him from the estate. Forbidden to see his wife and fired without receiving his pay Jimmie finally explodes in a fury of violent revenge. Director Fred Schepisi's original cut of this film runs 122 minutes though it was more widely distributed in a shortened version running 108 minutes.
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Based on a novel by Thomas Keneally , which was in turn inspired by actual events , this drama is a shocking indictment of the racism inflicted on the indigenous people of Australia. Jimmie ( Tommy Lewis ) is a half - white , half - aborigine young man raised by a Methodist minister. Feeling outcast among the aborigines , Jimmie moves to the city and gets a job working for a white family. When a white serving girl at the estate becomes pregnant , everyone is convinced that Jimmie is the father ; to spare the girl's honor , Jimmie marries her and is allowed to live with her on the estate. But after the child is born , everyone realizes that the father was a white man , not Jimmie ; he is still willing to accept the child and stand beside his wife , but his employers now feel that he married a white girl under false pretenses , and they bar him from the estate. Forbidden to see his wife and fired without receiving his pay , Jimmie finally explodes in a fury of violent revenge. Director Fred Schepisi 's original cut of this film runs 122 minutes , though it was more widely distributed in a shortened version running 108 minutes.
0595
Mel Gibson stars in this period political thriller directed by Peter Weir. Set in Indonesia during the 1965 coup against President Sukarno the film stars Gibson as Guy Hamilton an Australian wire-service reporter covering the scene. Whenever Hamilton becomes too glib or indifferent for his own good he is brought back to earth by his "conscience" photographer Billy Kwan (played in male drag by diminutive actress Linda Hunt who won an Academy Award for her performance). As all of Jakarta sinks into disarray Hamilton pursues a romance with British attaché Jill Bryant (Sigourney Weaver). Filmed on location in the Philippines and Australia the film was financed by MGM in the first such American-Australian financial collaboration.
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Mel Gibson stars in this period political thriller directed by Peter Weir . Set in Indonesia during the 1965 coup against President Sukarno , the film stars Gibson as Guy Hamilton , an Australian wire - service reporter covering the scene. Whenever Hamilton becomes too glib or indifferent for his own good , he is brought back to earth by his "conscience , " photographer Billy Kwan ( played in male drag by diminutive actress Linda Hunt , who won an Academy Award for her performance ) . As all of Jakarta sinks into disarray , Hamilton pursues a romance with British attaché Jill Bryant ( Sigourney Weaver ) . Filmed on location in the Philippines and Australia , the film was financed by MGM , in the first such American - Australian financial collaboration.
0596
Australian director Paul Cox skilled at intense psychological stories about lone souls looking for comfort in a cold world was at his best with this original script co-written by the director and Barry Dickins. Martha is a 78-year-old woman living out her final days. Not a maudlin tale of a lonely woman wasting away A Woman's Tale focuses on a human who manages to maintain an amazing vitality in the face of death. She encourages her young nurse Anna (Gosia Doborowolska) to use her flat for romantic trysts; she looks in on Billy (Norman Kayes) an elderly neighbor and she resists attempts by her son Johanathan (hris Haywood) to place her in a nursing home. Sheila Florance's performance as Martha is a marvel especially given the art-imitates-life aspect of production: Florance was terminally ill and she died soon after she was nominated for the Best Actress Award for Australia's Academy Awards.
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Australian director Paul Cox , skilled at intense psychological stories about lone souls looking for comfort in a cold world , was at his best with this original script co - written by the director and Barry Dickins . Martha is a 78 - year - old woman living out her final days. Not a maudlin tale of a lonely woman wasting away , A Woman's Tale focuses on a human who manages to maintain an amazing vitality in the face of death. She encourages her young nurse , Anna ( Gosia Doborowolska ), to use her flat for romantic trysts ; she looks in on Billy ( Norman Kayes ), an elderly neighbor , and she resists attempts by her son Johanathan ( hris Haywood ) to place her in a nursing home. Sheila Florance 's performance as Martha is a marvel , especially given the art - imitates - life aspect of production : Florance was terminally ill , and she died soon after she was nominated for the Best Actress Award for Australia's Academy Awards.
0597
ased on a novel by Colleen McCullough (The Thorn Birds) this "May-December romance" stars Piper Laurie as Mary Horton a lonely middle-aged American career woman who hires a handsome mildly retarded young handyman named Tim (played by 22-year-old Mel Gibson in his third screen role). At first keeping her distance Mary is drawn closer to Tim as the days pass. When Tim's mother dies Mary becomes his surrogate mother a relationship that deepens into romantic love. Tim's older sister Dawn (Deborah Kennedy) resents Mary's "intrusion" into their lives but Tim's dad Ron (Alwyn Kurts) blesses the relationship realizing that it is beneficial to both parties. Director Michael Pate avoids all opportunities to cheapen or sensationalize the material; while Tim and Mary do end up in bed it is a sweet moment not a prurient one. Tim was produced for Australian television.
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Based on a novel by Colleen McCullough ( The Thorn Birds ), this "May - December romance" stars Piper Laurie as Mary Horton , a lonely middle - aged American career woman who hires a handsome , mildly retarded young handyman named Tim ( played by 22 - year - old Mel Gibson in his third screen role ) . At first keeping her distance , Mary is drawn closer to Tim as the days pass. When Tim's mother dies , Mary becomes his surrogate mother , a relationship that deepens into romantic love. Tim's older sister Dawn ( Deborah Kennedy ) resents Mary's "intrusion" into their lives , but Tim's dad Ron ( Alwyn Kurts ) blesses the relationship , realizing that it is beneficial to both parties. Director Michael Pate avoids all opportunities to cheapen or sensationalize the material ; while Tim and Mary do end up in bed , it is a sweet moment , not a prurient one. Tim was produced for Australian television.
0598
New Zealand-born filmmaker Jane Campion directs the darkly humorous family drama Sweetie. Thin and mousy Kay (Karen Colson) works in a factory and lives a dreary existence with her well-meaning boyfriend Louis (Tom Lycos). One day her sister Dawn (Genevieve Lemon) arrives with her so-called manager Bob (Michael Lake). Nicknamed Sweetie Dawn is everything Kay is not: boisterous impulsive and overweight. Kay is consumed with uptight phobias while Dawn hangs on to her unrealistic childhood dreams of show business. Meanwhile their parents Gordon (Jon Darling) and Flo (Dorothy Barry) are involved in a strange separation. Kay Louis and Gordon trick Dawn so they can visit Flo at a ranch in the Australian outback. Everyone gets together back at the family home where Dawn pulls an immature stunt exposing the psychological realities of the situation.
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New Zealand - born filmmaker Jane Campion directs the darkly humorous family drama Sweetie . Thin and mousy Kay ( Karen Colson ) works in a factory and lives a dreary existence with her well - meaning boyfriend , Louis ( Tom Lycos ) . One day , her sister Dawn ( Genevieve Lemon ) arrives with her so - called manager , Bob ( Michael Lake ) . Nicknamed Sweetie , Dawn is everything Kay is not : boisterous , impulsive , and overweight. Kay is consumed with uptight phobias , while Dawn hangs on to her unrealistic childhood dreams of show business. Meanwhile , their parents , Gordon ( Jon Darling ) and Flo ( Dorothy Barry ), are involved in a strange separation. Kay , Louis , and Gordon trick Dawn so they can visit Flo at a ranch in the Australian outback. Everyone gets together back at the family home where Dawn pulls an immature stunt , exposing the psychological realities of the situation.
0599
Jocelyn Moorhouse's feature-film debut is a jet-black comedy starring Hugo Weaving as Martin a paranoid blind man made so because he is convinced that his mother when he was a child lied to him about the sights she described to him. As an adult Martin is reclusive and ill-tempered. Perversely Martin is also a photographer -- he takes the pictures has them developed asks friends to describe the pictures to him and then labels them in Braille to make sure no one is tricking him. His housekeeper Celia (Genevieve Picot) is also a photographer. Obsessed with Martin she papers the walls of her home with pictures of him. But this obsession doesn't carry through to their relationship which is a far from cordial one -- Celia torments Martin and Martin humiliates her. One day at a restaurant after a nasty confrontation with a waitress who ignores him Martin makes friends with the dishwasher Andy (Russell Crowe). Martin invites him home to describe his photographs to him. Back at Martin's home Andy meets Celia and he immediately falls in love with her. Jealous of Andy Celia seduces him in an effort to discredit Andy with Martin and drive Martin into her arms.
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Jocelyn Moorhouse 's feature - film debut is a jet - black comedy starring Hugo Weaving as Martin , a paranoid blind man , made so because he is convinced that his mother , when he was a child , lied to him about the sights she described to him. As an adult , Martin is reclusive and ill - tempered. Perversely , Martin is also a photographer -- he takes the pictures , has them developed , asks friends to describe the pictures to him , and then labels them in Braille to make sure no one is tricking him. His housekeeper , Celia ( Genevieve Picot ), is also a photographer. Obsessed with Martin , she papers the walls of her home with pictures of him. But this obsession doesn't carry through to their relationship , which is a far from cordial one -- Celia torments Martin and Martin humiliates her. One day at a restaurant , after a nasty confrontation with a waitress who ignores him , Martin makes friends with the dishwasher , Andy ( Russell Crowe ) . Martin invites him home to describe his photographs to him. Back at Martin's home , Andy meets Celia and he immediately falls in love with her. Jealous of Andy , Celia seduces him in an effort to discredit Andy with Martin and drive Martin into her arms.
0600
oth actress Judy Davis and director Gillian Armstrong made a big splash on the international scene with this charming Australian film that examines late 19th century Australian society from the perspective of a headstrong woman who refuses to follow convention. The film charts the developing self-awareness of Sybylla Melvyn (Judy Davis) as she grows from an insecure tomboy to a self-assured woman. Sybylla wants to be a writer and stuns her family and friends by her insistence on following her dream. Despite the objections of her family acquaintances she rejects the marriage proposal from the rich Harry Beecham (Sam Neill) to continue going her own way in spite of the odds stacked against her in a repressive Victorian environment.
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Both actress Judy Davis and director Gillian Armstrong made a big splash on the international scene with this charming Australian film that examines late 19th century Australian society from the perspective of a headstrong woman who refuses to follow convention. The film charts the developing self - awareness of Sybylla Melvyn ( Judy Davis ) as she grows from an insecure tomboy to a self - assured woman. Sybylla wants to be a writer and stuns her family and friends by her insistence on following her dream. Despite the objections of her family acquaintances , she rejects the marriage proposal from the rich Harry Beecham ( Sam Neill ) to continue going her own way , in spite of the odds stacked against her in a repressive Victorian environment.
0601
A white Inuit boy named Avik is the focus of New Zealand director Vincent Ward's meditation on race and romance. In the opening moments of the movie set in 1931 in the Arctic-Canadian settlement Nunataaq Avik (portrayed initially by Robert Joamie) lives under the watchful eye of his grandmother (Jayko Pitseolak). While tagging along after British cartographer Walter Russell (Patrick Bergin) Avik falls prey to the "white man's disease"--tuberculosis; to assuage his own guilt Russell takes the boy to a Montreal clinic to recover. There Avik meets Albertine a mixed-blood Indian girl and the two fall in love but their relationship is quickly broken up by the Mother Superior who is in charge of the clinic. Years later Avik again meets Russell who this time is on a mission to recover the German U-boat lying wrecked off the coast of Nunataaq. Avik asks for Russell's help in learning the whereabouts of Albertine and he gives the cartographer a chest X-ray of the girl which he has carried with him since their separation. More time elapses and Avik (now played by Jason Scott Lee) has become a British bombardier fighting in World War II. He is sought out by Albertine (Anne Parillaud) who has become Russell's mistress. Still she begins an affair with Avik; Russell soon finds out and as revenge sends Avik and his crew on a suicide mission of which Avik is the lone survivor. Despondent over his war experiences Avik flees to Canada where he becomes an alcoholic; decades later he is sought out by Rainee (Clotilde Courau) the daughter born from his affair with Albertine. On his way to the girl's wedding Avik is killed in an accident; his body washes up on the beach at Nunataaq a wedding gift still clutched in his arms.
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A white , Inuit boy named Avik is the focus of New Zealand director Vincent Ward's meditation on race and romance. In the opening moments of the movie , set in 1931 in the Arctic - Canadian settlement Nunataaq , Avik ( portrayed initially by Robert Joamie ) lives under the watchful eye of his grandmother ( Jayko Pitseolak ) . While tagging along after British cartographer Walter Russell ( Patrick Bergin ), Avik falls prey to the "white man's disease , " -- tuberculosis ; to assuage his own guilt , Russell takes the boy to a Montreal clinic to recover. There , Avik meets Albertine , a mixed - blood Indian girl , and the two fall in love , but their relationship is quickly broken up by the Mother Superior who is in charge of the clinic. Years later , Avik again meets Russell , who this time is on a mission to recover the German U - boat lying wrecked off the coast of Nunataaq. Avik asks for Russell's help in learning the whereabouts of Albertine , and he gives the cartographer a chest X - ray of the girl which he has carried with him since their separation. More time elapses , and Avik ( now played by Jason Scott Lee ) has become a British bombardier fighting in World War II. He is sought out by Albertine ( Anne Parillaud ), who has become Russell's mistress. Still , she begins an affair with Avik ; Russell soon finds out , and as revenge sends Avik and his crew on a suicide mission of which Avik is the lone survivor. Despondent over his war experiences , Avik flees to Canada , where he becomes an alcoholic ; decades later , he is sought out by Rainee ( Clotilde Courau ), the daughter born from his affair with Albertine. On his way to the girl's wedding , Avik is killed in an accident ; his body washes up on the beach at Nunataaq , a wedding gift still clutched in his arms.
0602
Inspired by an epic poem by A.B. \"Banjo\" Patterson The Man From Snowy River was a major step forward for the regenerated Australian film industry of the early '80s. This "down-under Western" spotlights Tom Burlinson as Jim Craig a headstrong young man who goes to work for a powerful cattle baron. Burlinson falls in love with Jessica (Sigrid Thornton) his boss' daughter and becomes enmeshed in a bitter land feud. Kirk Douglas has a high old time in the dual role of hard-hearted landowner Harrison and grizzled one-legged old prospector Spur. Previously filmed in 1920 The Man From Snowy River was directed by the other George Miller not the director of the same name who helmed Mad Max (1979). A monumental moneymaker the film inspired a 1988 sequel confusingly titled Return to Snowy River Part II.
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Inspired by an epic poem by A.B. \ "Banjo \ " Patterson , The Man From Snowy River was a major step forward for the regenerated Australian film industry of the early '80s. This "down - under Western" spotlights Tom Burlinson as Jim Craig , a headstrong young man who goes to work for a powerful cattle baron. Burlinson falls in love with Jessica ( Sigrid Thornton ), his boss' daughter , and becomes enmeshed in a bitter land feud. Kirk Douglas has a high old time in the dual role of hard - hearted landowner Harrison and grizzled , one - legged old prospector Spur. Previously filmed in 1920 , The Man From Snowy River was directed by the other George Miller , not the director of the same name who helmed Mad Max ( 1979 ) . A monumental moneymaker , the film inspired a 1988 sequel , confusingly titled Return to Snowy River , Part II .
0603
This stunning post-apocalyptic action thriller from director George Miller stars Mel Gibson as Max Rockatansky a policeman in the near future who is tired of his job. Since the apocalypse the lengthy desolate stretches of highway in the Australian outback have become bloodstained battlegrounds. Max has seen too many innocents and fellow officers murdered by the bomb's savage offspring bestial marauding bikers for whom killing rape and looting is a way of life. He just wants to retire and spend time with his wife and son but lets his boss talk him into taking a peaceful vacation and he starts to reconsider. Then his world is shattered as a gang led by the evil Toecutter (Hugh Keays-Byrne) murders his family in retaliation for the death of one of its members. Dead inside Max straps on his helmet and climbs into a souped-up V8 racing machine to seek his bloody revenge. Despite an obviously low budget and a plot reminiscent of many spaghetti Westerns Mad Max is tremendously exciting thanks to some of the most spectacular road stunts ever put on film. Cinematographer David Eggby and stunt coordinator Grant Page did some of their best work under Miller's direction and crafted a gritty gripping thrill ride which spawned two sequels numerous imitations and made Mel Gibson an international star. One sequence in which a man is chained to a car and must cut off a limb before the machine explodes is one of the most tense scenes of the decade. The American version dubbed all the voices -- including Gibson's -- in a particularly cartoonish manner. Trivia buffs should note that Max's car is a 1973 Ford Falcon GT Coupe with a 300 bhp 351C V8 engine customized with the front end of a Ford Fairmont and other modifications.
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This stunning , post - apocalyptic action thriller from director George Miller stars Mel Gibson as Max Rockatansky , a policeman in the near future who is tired of his job. Since the apocalypse , the lengthy , desolate stretches of highway in the Australian outback have become bloodstained battlegrounds. Max has seen too many innocents and fellow officers murdered by the bomb's savage offspring , bestial marauding bikers for whom killing , rape , and looting is a way of life. He just wants to retire and spend time with his wife and son but lets his boss talk him into taking a peaceful vacation and he starts to reconsider. Then his world is shattered as a gang led by the evil Toecutter ( Hugh Keays - Byrne ) murders his family in retaliation for the death of one of its members. Dead inside , Max straps on his helmet and climbs into a souped - up V8 racing machine to seek his bloody revenge. Despite an obviously low budget and a plot reminiscent of many spaghetti Westerns , Mad Max is tremendously exciting , thanks to some of the most spectacular road stunts ever put on film. Cinematographer David Eggby and stunt coordinator Grant Page did some of their best work under Miller 's direction and crafted a gritty , gripping thrill ride which spawned two sequels , numerous imitations , and made Mel Gibson an international star. One sequence , in which a man is chained to a car and must cut off a limb before the machine explodes is one of the most tense scenes of the decade. The American version dubbed all the voices -- including Gibson 's -- in a particularly cartoonish manner. Trivia buffs should note that Max's car is a 1973 Ford Falcon GT Coupe with a 300 bhp 351C V8 engine , customized with the front end of a Ford Fairmont and other modifications.
0604
Australian filmmaker John Duigan followed up his captivating The Year My Voice Broke with Flirting. Noah Taylor repeats his "Danny" characterization from the earlier film while Thandie Newton plays a Ugandan exchange student who attends an Australian girls boarding school. Billeted at a nearby boy's school Danny finds himself falling in love with Newton though he is frequently at a loss as to how to express himself. Flirting is the second in a proposed trilogy of John Duigan-directed films revolving around Danny's "awkward" years. Featured in the cast as one of Newton's schoolmates is Nicole Kidman.
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Australian filmmaker John Duigan followed up his captivating The Year My Voice Broke with Flirting . Noah Taylor repeats his "Danny" characterization from the earlier film , while Thandie Newton plays a Ugandan exchange student who attends an Australian girls boarding school. Billeted at a nearby boy's school , Danny finds himself falling in love with Newton , though he is frequently at a loss as to how to express himself. Flirting is the second in a proposed trilogy of John Duigan - directed films revolving around Danny's "awkward" years. Featured in the cast as one of Newton 's schoolmates is Nicole Kidman .
0605
Grieving over the death of their son a married couple decide to take a long yachting trip for relaxation's sake. Their journey takes a dark turn however when they rescue a young man from a drifting vessel. The couple soon discover that the other ship's crew had been brutally murdered by their new passenger and find themselves in a battle of wits against this violent sociopath. Interestingly a previous attempt had been made at adapting the novel that inspired this film by none other than Orson Welles; footage from his unfinished version known as "The Deep" can be seen in the documentary Orson Welles: The One-Man Band.
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Grieving over the death of their son , a married couple decide to take a long yachting trip for relaxation's sake. Their journey takes a dark turn , however , when they rescue a young man from a drifting vessel. The couple soon discover that the other ship's crew had been brutally murdered by their new passenger , and find themselves in a battle of wits against this violent sociopath. Interestingly , a previous attempt had been made at adapting the novel that inspired this film by none other than Orson Welles ; footage from his unfinished version , known as "The Deep , " can be seen in the documentary Orson Welles : The One - Man Band .
0606
A barely recognizable Meryl Streep plays the real-life Lindy Chamberlain who for a long period in the early '80s was the most hated woman in Australia. While visiting the Ayers rock monument in the Outback with her husband Michael (Sam Neill) Lindy notices a dingo creeping into the tent where her baby lies sleeping. Seconds later the horrified woman discovers that her child is gone. Despite Lindy's anguished insistence that the dingo killed her baby the Australian public is of the opinion that Lindy herself is the murderer. This lynch-mob atmosphere is fueled by the press which insists upon crucifying the Chamberlains in print on a daily basis.
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A barely recognizable Meryl Streep plays the real - life Lindy Chamberlain , who for a long period in the early '80s was the most hated woman in Australia. While visiting the Ayers rock monument in the Outback with her husband , Michael ( Sam Neill ), Lindy notices a dingo creeping into the tent where her baby lies sleeping. Seconds later , the horrified woman discovers that her child is gone. Despite Lindy's anguished insistence that the dingo killed her baby , the Australian public is of the opinion that Lindy herself is the murderer. This lynch - mob atmosphere is fueled by the press , which insists upon crucifying the Chamberlains in print on a daily basis.
0607
Accustomed to a simple life in the Australian Outback a legendary crocodile hunter has trouble adjusting to his new surroundings when an American journalist brings him to New York City. This Australian comedy delivers exactly what one would expect: plenty of fish-out-of-water gags about the hunter's reactions to the absurdity of modern urban life. Though he initially seems rather naive Paul Hogan's "Crocodile" Dundee soon demonstrates that his natural ways are rather quite well-suited to city life proving himself equally adept at defeating muggers and charming members of high society. Along the way as one might expect a romance develops between the rugged hunter and the hardened journalist who finds herself enchanted by his down-to-earth behavior. The story is not particularly original but the film's good-natured humor proved extremely palatable to audiences as indicated by its worldwide box office success.
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Accustomed to a simple life in the Australian Outback , a legendary crocodile hunter has trouble adjusting to his new surroundings when an American journalist brings him to New York City. This Australian comedy delivers exactly what one would expect : plenty of fish - out - of - water gags about the hunter's reactions to the absurdity of modern urban life. Though he initially seems rather naive , Paul Hogan 's "Crocodile" Dundee soon demonstrates that his natural ways are rather quite well - suited to city life , proving himself equally adept at defeating muggers and charming members of high society. Along the way , as one might expect , a romance develops between the rugged hunter and the hardened journalist , who finds herself enchanted by his down - to - earth behavior. The story is not particularly original , but the film's good - natured humor proved extremely palatable to audiences , as indicated by its worldwide box office success.
0608
Set in Australia in the 1930s this drama stars Nicholas Gledhill as P.S. a six-year-old boy who lives with his Aunt Lila (Robyn Nevin) and Uncle George (Peter Whitford). P.S.'s mother died in childbirth so her sister Lila took him in and while George and Lila don't have a lot of money they've always done the best they can to give the boy a good home. One day Lila's other sister Vanessa (Wendy Hughes) arrives after spending several years touring the world; Vanessa is quite wealthy and upon her return to Australia she expresses an interest in taking custody of the child. Lila is willing to let Vanessa visit with P.S. and his rich aunt is able to turn his head with limousine rides and lavish gifts. But when Vanessa decides she wants the boy full time Lila decides to fight her in court. The case is complicated by the arrival of P.S.'s long-absent father Logan (John Hargreaves) an alcoholic who loves his son but is incapable of caring for him. Careful He Might Hear You won eight Australian Film Institute Awards including Best Picture Best Actress (Hughes) and Best Supporting Actor (Hargreaves).
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Set in Australia in the 1930s , this drama stars Nicholas Gledhill as P.S. , a six - year - old boy who lives with his Aunt Lila ( Robyn Nevin ) and Uncle George ( Peter Whitford ) . P.S.'s mother died in childbirth , so her sister Lila took him in , and while George and Lila don't have a lot of money , they've always done the best they can to give the boy a good home. One day , Lila's other sister Vanessa ( Wendy Hughes ) arrives after spending several years touring the world ; Vanessa is quite wealthy , and upon her return to Australia , she expresses an interest in taking custody of the child. Lila is willing to let Vanessa visit with P.S. , and his rich aunt is able to turn his head with limousine rides and lavish gifts. But when Vanessa decides she wants the boy full time , Lila decides to fight her in court. The case is complicated by the arrival of P.S.'s long - absent father , Logan ( John Hargreaves ), an alcoholic who loves his son but is incapable of caring for him. Careful He Might Hear You won eight Australian Film Institute Awards , including Best Picture , Best Actress ( Hughes ), and Best Supporting Actor ( Hargreaves ) .
0609
In this comedy as American astronauts prepare to make one giant leap for mankind a small Australian town stumbles through its own small steps to help. In the summer of 1969 Cliff Buxton (Sam Neill) leads a team of scientists overseeing the operations of one of the world's largest radio telescope dishes nestled in a New South Wales community of sheep farmers. As NASA prepares for Apollo 11 the first manned voyage to the moon Buxton and his crew are asked if they will allow their telescope's dish to be used as a backup receiver for the television transmission from the moon should the main receiver in California fail. Buxton and his men are more than happy to help and the village is agog as they gear up for their own small part in one of the world's greatest adventures. Mayor McIntyre (Roy Billing) and his wife May (Genevieve Mooy) are thrilled to be greeting a small but steady stream of important visitors though many of the locals are not especially good with etiquette and several members of Buxton's team most notably high-strung Mitch (Kevin Harrington) are less than enthusiastic about Al Burnett (Patrick Warburton) the know-it-all NASA technician brought in to oversee the Australian operations. When a change in Apollo 11's schedule means the Australian dish will have to pick up the vital broadcast from the moon Cliff Mitch and Al must put aside their differences to pull the show together. Though played for laughs The Dish was inspired by actual events.
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In this comedy , as American astronauts prepare to make one giant leap for mankind , a small Australian town stumbles through its own small steps to help. In the summer of 1969 , Cliff Buxton ( Sam Neill ) leads a team of scientists overseeing the operations of one of the world's largest radio telescope dishes , nestled in a New South Wales community of sheep farmers. As NASA prepares for Apollo 11 , the first manned voyage to the moon , Buxton and his crew are asked if they will allow their telescope's dish to be used as a backup receiver for the television transmission from the moon , should the main receiver in California fail. Buxton and his men are more than happy to help , and the village is agog as they gear up for their own small part in one of the world's greatest adventures. Mayor McIntyre ( Roy Billing ) and his wife May ( Genevieve Mooy ) are thrilled to be greeting a small but steady stream of important visitors , though many of the locals are not especially good with etiquette , and several members of Buxton's team , most notably high - strung Mitch ( Kevin Harrington ), are less than enthusiastic about Al Burnett ( Patrick Warburton ), the know - it - all NASA technician brought in to oversee the Australian operations. When a change in Apollo 11's schedule means the Australian dish will have to pick up the vital broadcast from the moon , Cliff , Mitch , and Al must put aside their differences to pull the show together. Though played for laughs , The Dish was inspired by actual events.
0610
Most people have regrets in life and many would like to find out how things would be if they had done a few things differently but few people ever get to do anything about it. Pamela Drury (Rachel Griffiths) however gets just that chance. While she has a solid career as a journalist Pamela is single and very depressed about it -- so much so that on her birthday she tries to commit suicide in her bathtub but fails miserably. The next day Pamela spots a woman who could be her double and she sees that she's married to Robert (David Roberts) an old flame she often wishes she had married when she had the chance 13 years earlier. After a brief encounter with her doppelganger the other woman disappears and Pamela is mistaken for Robert's wife; she decides to go along for the ride complete with three children and a home in the suburbs. Pamela quickly discovers that life as a housewife is not all she imagined it to be (especially cleaning up after the baby) and while Pamela has high hopes of some romantic evenings with Robert it's obvious that the spark was smothered in this marriage some time ago. Curiously enough Pamela now finds that her best friend is suddenly single and Ben (Sandy Winton) a man who had shown a bit of interest in Pamela before is now quite keen on finding out if she would cheat on her husband. This fantasy was enthusiastically received at the Telluride Boston and Toronto Film Festivals in 1999.
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Most people have regrets in life , and many would like to find out how things would be if they had done a few things differently , but few people ever get to do anything about it. Pamela Drury ( Rachel Griffiths ), however , gets just that chance. While she has a solid career as a journalist , Pamela is single and very depressed about it -- so much so that on her birthday she tries to commit suicide in her bathtub , but fails miserably. The next day Pamela spots a woman who could be her double , and she sees that she's married to Robert ( David Roberts ), an old flame she often wishes she had married when she had the chance 13 years earlier. After a brief encounter with her doppelganger , the other woman disappears and Pamela is mistaken for Robert's wife ; she decides to go along for the ride , complete with three children and a home in the suburbs. Pamela quickly discovers that life as a housewife is not all she imagined it to be ( especially cleaning up after the baby ), and while Pamela has high hopes of some romantic evenings with Robert , it's obvious that the spark was smothered in this marriage some time ago. Curiously enough , Pamela now finds that her best friend is suddenly single , and Ben ( Sandy Winton ), a man who had shown a bit of interest in Pamela before , is now quite keen on finding out if she would cheat on her husband. This fantasy was enthusiastically received at the Telluride , Boston , and Toronto Film Festivals in 1999.
0611
Australian director Gillian Armstrong directed this Laura Jones adaptation of Peter Carey's 1988 Booker Prize-winning novel. In a lengthy flashback Oscar Hopkins' great grandson (Geoffrey Rush) narrates the family history that led to his birth. On an Australian farm Lucinda Leplastrier was tutored by her intelligent mother a woman who took part in the early feminist movement. Oscar's lonely boyhood in rural England was under the watchful eye of his preacher father. At Oxford to train as a minister the adult Oscar (Ralph Fiennes) feels he doesn't fit in and develops a passion for gambling giving his winnings away to the poor. Oscar and Lucinda (Cate Blanchett) meet aboard a ship; he's off to the outback to work as a missionary and she's returning from London after buying equipment for her glass factory. As mutual misfits they have an instant attraction and quickly grow close developing a romantic relationship based on trust. However the Rev. Dennis Hasset (Ciarán Hinds) and Lucinda are friends sharing an interest in glass. Convinced they are in love Oscar embarks on an unusual and difficult task building a glass church for the reverend an ambitious project to attempt in the remote wilderness.
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Australian director Gillian Armstrong directed this Laura Jones adaptation of Peter Carey 's 1988 Booker Prize - winning novel. In a lengthy flashback , Oscar Hopkins' great grandson ( Geoffrey Rush ) narrates the family history that led to his birth. On an Australian farm , Lucinda Leplastrier was tutored by her intelligent mother , a woman who took part in the early feminist movement. Oscar's lonely boyhood in rural England was under the watchful eye of his preacher father. At Oxford to train as a minister , the adult Oscar ( Ralph Fiennes ) feels he doesn't fit in and develops a passion for gambling , giving his winnings away to the poor. Oscar and Lucinda ( Cate Blanchett ) meet aboard a ship ; he's off to the outback to work as a missionary , and she's returning from London after buying equipment for her glass factory. As mutual misfits , they have an instant attraction and quickly grow close , developing a romantic relationship based on trust. However , the Rev. Dennis Hasset ( Ciarán Hinds ) and Lucinda are friends , sharing an interest in glass. Convinced they are in love , Oscar embarks on an unusual and difficult task , building a glass church for the reverend , an ambitious project to attempt in the remote wilderness.
0612
Children of the Revolution is an Australian film whose cinematic roots go back to the sardonic comedies of Billy Wilder. It is set in two time periods the 1950s and 1990s and goes back and forth between them. In the 1990s Australian politician Joe Welch (Richard Roxburgh) is having some serious difficulties. We learn just how serious they are through a series of interviews with important political commentators. Joe blames his mother Joan Fraser (Judy Davis) for his problems. This claim seems ridiculous until we flash back to the 1950s and discover that Joan an ardent communist had a very brief fling with Joseph Stalin (F. Murray Abraham) and that Joe Welch could be Stalin's love-child. Welch was brought up accompanying his mother on her political rounds and acquired a fondness for jack-booted women -- something which haunts him in his adult life. Double agent David Hoyle (Sam Neill) also had an affair with Joan during her one brief trip to Moscow and his shadowy influence also follows Welch into the time of the film.
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Children of the Revolution is an Australian film whose cinematic roots go back to the sardonic comedies of Billy Wilder . It is set in two time periods , the 1950s and 1990s , and goes back and forth between them. In the 1990s , Australian politician Joe Welch ( Richard Roxburgh ) is having some serious difficulties. We learn just how serious they are through a series of interviews with important political commentators. Joe blames his mother , Joan Fraser ( Judy Davis ), for his problems. This claim seems ridiculous until we flash back to the 1950s and discover that Joan , an ardent communist , had a very brief fling with Joseph Stalin ( F. Murray Abraham ) and that Joe Welch could be Stalin's love - child. Welch was brought up accompanying his mother on her political rounds , and acquired a fondness for jack - booted women -- something which haunts him in his adult life. Double agent David Hoyle ( Sam Neill ) also had an affair with Joan during her one brief trip to Moscow , and his shadowy influence also follows Welch into the time of the film.
0613
A middle-aged disc jockey becomes romantically entangled with a pair of sisters in this quirky Australian comedy. Vicki-Ann Hurley (Rebecca Frith) and her younger sister Dimity (Miranda Otto) are both feeling stagnant in the tiny outback town of Sunray and they welcome the distraction provided by the arrival of Ken Sherry (George Shevtsov) a formerly popular radio personality fallen on hard times. Despite his present circumstance the burnt-out Sherry retains an aura of faded prestige that attracts both sisters. Vicki-Ann sets out to seduce the disc jockey but it is Dimity who first draws Sherry's attention setting the stage for a conflict between the sisters. First-time filmmaker Shirley Barrett plays this conflict not for romantic melodrama but for comedy focusing on how Vicki-Ann and Dimity adapt to their experiences with the mysterious Sherry whose enigmatic demeanor may hide a deeper secret. Barrett plays out this triangle against a detailed portrait of a failing town emphasizing the distinctive local color and oddball characters in a manner that should appeal most to those with a taste for the unusual.
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A middle - aged disc jockey becomes romantically entangled with a pair of sisters in this quirky Australian comedy. Vicki - Ann Hurley ( Rebecca Frith ) and her younger sister Dimity ( Miranda Otto ) are both feeling stagnant in the tiny outback town of Sunray , and they welcome the distraction provided by the arrival of Ken Sherry ( George Shevtsov ), a formerly popular radio personality fallen on hard times. Despite his present circumstance , the burnt - out Sherry retains an aura of faded prestige that attracts both sisters. Vicki - Ann sets out to seduce the disc jockey , but it is Dimity who first draws Sherry's attention , setting the stage for a conflict between the sisters. First - time filmmaker Shirley Barrett plays this conflict not for romantic melodrama but for comedy , focusing on how Vicki - Ann and Dimity adapt to their experiences with the mysterious Sherry , whose enigmatic demeanor may hide a deeper secret. Barrett plays out this triangle against a detailed portrait of a failing town , emphasizing the distinctive local color and oddball characters in a manner that should appeal most to those with a taste for the unusual.
0614
Dutch-Australian director Rolf de Heer's second film is a vision of a quickly dissolving marriage as seen through the eyes of a seven-year-old child. Chloe Ferguson (de Heer's real-life daughter) stars as a nameless little girl who withdraws completely into herself and refuses to speak as the level of animosity between her mother (Celine O'Leary) and father (Paul Blackwell) moves them inexorably closer to divorce. The girl's voice is heard however as narration in which she describes her increasing alienation from the squabbling adults who are becoming more self absorbed and more childish than their child. Her only refuge is her blue-walled room a fantasyland of goldfish and Barbie dolls that don't bicker where she can remember happier days when she as three or dream of a pet dog and a house in the country. The theme of an immature soul trapped by family within the confines of a home thematically mirrored de Heer's more controversial previous film Bad Boy Bubby (1993) which did not find North American distribution.
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Dutch - Australian director Rolf de Heer 's second film is a vision of a quickly dissolving marriage as seen through the eyes of a seven - year - old child. Chloe Ferguson ( de Heer 's real - life daughter ) stars as a nameless little girl who withdraws completely into herself and refuses to speak as the level of animosity between her mother ( Celine O'Leary ) and father ( Paul Blackwell ) moves them inexorably closer to divorce. The girl's voice is heard , however , as narration , in which she describes her increasing alienation from the squabbling adults who are becoming more self absorbed , and more childish , than their child. Her only refuge is her blue - walled room , a fantasyland of goldfish and Barbie dolls that don't bicker , where she can remember happier days when she as three , or dream of a pet dog and a house in the country. The theme of an immature soul trapped by family within the confines of a home thematically mirrored de Heer 's more controversial previous film Bad Boy Bubby ( 1993 ), which did not find North American distribution.
0615
In this unusual romantic drama from Australia Harry (John Lynch) and Kate (Jacqueline McKenzie) are both patients at a psychiatric care facility. While in therapy the two meet and fall in love in spite of their troubled pasts. Despite the potential complications they might foresee with the relationship Harry's main sources of support his brother Morris (Colin Friels) and Morris's wife Louise (Deborra-Lee Furness) are more concerned with Harry's stability and happiness than anything else and they soon give him their blessing to marry Kate. However it soon becomes obvious that love does not conquer all. Kate becomes pregnant and her doctors try to persuade her to have an abortion. They believe that her mental illness could be passed along to her child that she would not make a fit mother and that her medication for schizophrenia could have a harmful effect on the fetus. Kate is convinced that the angel Astral speaks to her and that the child she carries is his earthly incarnation; she refuses to have an abortion but compromises by not taking her medication while pregnant. Harry stops taking his as well but the couple's happiness is short-lived when their increasing instability leads to tragic consequences. Angel Baby won seven Australian Academy Awards including Best Picture Best Actor and Best Actress.
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In this unusual romantic drama from Australia , Harry ( John Lynch ) and Kate ( Jacqueline McKenzie ) are both patients at a psychiatric care facility. While in therapy , the two meet and fall in love , in spite of their troubled pasts. Despite the potential complications they might foresee with the relationship , Harry's main sources of support , his brother Morris ( Colin Friels ) and Morris's wife Louise ( Deborra - Lee Furness ), are more concerned with Harry's stability and happiness than anything else , and they soon give him their blessing to marry Kate. However , it soon becomes obvious that love does not conquer all. Kate becomes pregnant , and her doctors try to persuade her to have an abortion. They believe that her mental illness could be passed along to her child , that she would not make a fit mother , and that her medication for schizophrenia could have a harmful effect on the fetus. Kate is convinced that the angel Astral speaks to her , and that the child she carries is his earthly incarnation ; she refuses to have an abortion , but compromises by not taking her medication while pregnant. Harry stops taking his as well , but the couple's happiness is short - lived when their increasing instability leads to tragic consequences. Angel Baby won seven Australian Academy Awards , including Best Picture , Best Actor , and Best Actress.
0616
A socially inept young woman slowly learns to overcome her insecurities in this sleeper hit from Australia. The unconventional Muriel (Toni Collette) is deeply unsatisfied with her life stuck in the nowhere town of Porpoise Spit and feeling rejected by her friends and family. Believing herself unattractive and worthless she seeks meager solace in ABBA songs and fantasies of gorgeous weddings with herself as the bride. Muriel's life takes a turn for the better however when she befriends the carefree Rhonda (Rachel Griffiths) who encourages her to take control of her life. Together the two women travel to Sydney where a series of liberating experiences help Muriel develop self-esteem and take the first steps towards maturity.
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A socially inept young woman slowly learns to overcome her insecurities in this sleeper hit from Australia. The unconventional Muriel ( Toni Collette ) is deeply unsatisfied with her life , stuck in the nowhere town of Porpoise Spit and feeling rejected by her friends and family. Believing herself unattractive and worthless , she seeks meager solace in ABBA songs and fantasies of gorgeous weddings , with herself as the bride. Muriel's life takes a turn for the better , however , when she befriends the carefree Rhonda ( Rachel Griffiths ), who encourages her to take control of her life. Together , the two women travel to Sydney , where a series of liberating experiences help Muriel develop self - esteem and take the first steps towards maturity.
0617
The usually menacing British actor Terence Stamp does a complete turnaround as Bernadette an aging transsexual who tours the backwaters of Australia with her stage partners Mitzi (Hugo Weaving) and Adam/Felicia (Guy Pearce). Their act well-known in Sydney involves wearing lots of makeup and gowns and lip-synching to records but Bernadette is getting a bit tired of it all and is also haunted by the bizarre death of an old loved one. Nevertheless when Mitzi and Felicia get an offer to perform in the remote town of Alice Springs at a casino Bernadette decides to tag along. The threesome ventures into the outback with Priscilla a lavender-colored school bus that doubles as dressing room and home on the road. Along the way the act encounters any number of strange characters as well as incidents of homophobia while Bernadette becomes increasingly concerned about the path her life has taken.
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The usually menacing British actor Terence Stamp does a complete turnaround as Bernadette , an aging transsexual who tours the backwaters of Australia with her stage partners , Mitzi ( Hugo Weaving ) and Adam / Felicia ( Guy Pearce ) . Their act , well - known in Sydney , involves wearing lots of makeup and gowns and lip - synching to records , but Bernadette is getting a bit tired of it all and is also haunted by the bizarre death of an old loved one. Nevertheless , when Mitzi and Felicia get an offer to perform in the remote town of Alice Springs at a casino , Bernadette decides to tag along. The threesome ventures into the outback with Priscilla , a lavender - colored school bus that doubles as dressing room and home on the road. Along the way , the act encounters any number of strange characters , as well as incidents of homophobia , while Bernadette becomes increasingly concerned about the path her life has taken.
0618
This controversial drama (which earned an NC-17 rating in the U.S.) was a major box-office success in its native Australia and it made an overnight star of its leading man Russell Crowe. Hando (Crowe) is a member of a gang of racist skinheads who lash out with violence against the growing number of Asian immigrants settling in the country. While Hando and his partner Davey (Daniel Pollock) lead a bunch of brutal half-bright thugs they have convinced themselves that what they do is the noble work of saving Australia for Australians (or at least the white Australians who drove the aborigines into the outback). Into this milieu comes Gabe (Jacqueline McKenzie) a troubled young woman who suffers from epilepsy and was raised in a sexually abusive environment. Gabe becomes something of a gang moll dividing her time (and her sexual favors) between Hando and Davey generating considerable tension between them. When the gang's favorite bar is purchased by a group of Vietnamese immigrants Hando and Davey organize an all-out attack little imagining that the Asians are ready and able to defend themselves. Romper Stomper was released in America in both its original uncut form and in an edited version that earned an R rating from the MPAA.
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This controversial drama ( which earned an NC - 17 rating in the U.S. ) was a major box - office success in its native Australia , and it made an overnight star of its leading man , Russell Crowe . Hando ( Crowe ) is a member of a gang of racist skinheads who lash out with violence against the growing number of Asian immigrants settling in the country. While Hando and his partner Davey ( Daniel Pollock ) lead a bunch of brutal , half - bright thugs , they have convinced themselves that what they do is the noble work of saving Australia for Australians ( or at least the white Australians who drove the aborigines into the outback ) . Into this milieu comes Gabe ( Jacqueline McKenzie ), a troubled young woman who suffers from epilepsy and was raised in a sexually abusive environment. Gabe becomes something of a gang moll , dividing her time ( and her sexual favors ) between Hando and Davey , generating considerable tension between them. When the gang's favorite bar is purchased by a group of Vietnamese immigrants , Hando and Davey organize an all - out attack , little imagining that the Asians are ready and able to defend themselves. Romper Stomper was released in America in both its original , uncut form , and in an edited version that earned an R rating from the MPAA.
0619
This wildly off-beat comedy is about a male dancer (Paul Mercurio) who refuses to follow the accepted rules of ballroom dancing and creates his own style of choreography which infuriates the ballroom dancing establishment. Before he's scheduled to compete in the Pan-Pacific ballroom championships he's forced to take up a new partner (Tara Morice) a beginner who initially seems without promise. With his help she turns into an assured and wonderful dancer. Baz Luhrmann's visual style may be too bright gaudy and exaggerated for some tastes yet he treats his characters with compassion which makes Strictly Ballroom such an engaging comedy.
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This wildly off - beat comedy is about a male dancer ( Paul Mercurio ) who refuses to follow the accepted rules of ballroom dancing and creates his own style of choreography , which infuriates the ballroom dancing establishment. Before he's scheduled to compete in the Pan - Pacific ballroom championships , he's forced to take up a new partner ( Tara Morice ), a beginner who initially seems without promise. With his help , she turns into an assured and wonderful dancer. Baz Luhrmann 's visual style may be too bright , gaudy and exaggerated for some tastes , yet he treats his characters with compassion , which makes Strictly Ballroom such an engaging comedy.
0620
Effusive piano tuner Norman Kaye is on the less sunny side of forty and still unattached. Shy and self-effacing office worker Wendy Hughes is likewise getting on in years sans a lifetime companion. From the outset we know that Kaye and Hughes will somehow come together. This however is the only predictable aspect of this quirky Australian comedy. Director Paul Cox co-wrote the ever-fresh screenplay of Lonely Hearts with John Clarke.
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Effusive piano tuner Norman Kaye is on the less sunny side of forty and still unattached. Shy and self - effacing office worker Wendy Hughes is likewise getting on in years sans a lifetime companion. From the outset , we know that Kaye and Hughes will somehow come together. This , however , is the only predictable aspect of this quirky Australian comedy. Director Paul Cox co - wrote the ever - fresh screenplay of Lonely Hearts with John Clarke .
0621
Gillian Armstrong directed this quietly bittersweet and coldly ironic examination of the death throes of a crumbling marriage. Set in the lush summer light of Sydney the film examines the dying marriage of Beth (Lisa Harrow) a middle-aged writer living with her French husband J.P. (Bruno Ganz) and her teenage daughter Annie (Miranda Otto). Beth and J.P. are maintaining their marriage through a delicate thread of disinterest and patronizing that is torn asunder with the arrival of Beth's younger sister Vicki (Kerry Fox). Along with the arrival of Vicki Beth and J.P. take in a boarder a clean-cut teen named Tim (Kiri Paramore). These two new additions to the family infuse the home with a new vitality but that only holds the dissolution of the marriage in abeyance for a time. In an effort to make peace with her father (Bill Hunter) Beth takes him on a trip to the outback where she believes she might be able to communicate with him. With Beth gone J.P. and Vicki have an affair and they abandon the family to start life on their own. Beth now alone feels a sense of liberation and purpose and begins to start her life anew.
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Gillian Armstrong directed this quietly bittersweet and coldly ironic examination of the death throes of a crumbling marriage. Set in the lush summer light of Sydney , the film examines the dying marriage of Beth ( Lisa Harrow ), a middle - aged writer living with her French husband J.P. ( Bruno Ganz ) and her teenage daughter Annie ( Miranda Otto ) . Beth and J.P. are maintaining their marriage through a delicate thread of disinterest and patronizing that is torn asunder with the arrival of Beth's younger sister Vicki ( Kerry Fox ) . Along with the arrival of Vicki , Beth and J.P. take in a boarder , a clean - cut teen named Tim ( Kiri Paramore ) . These two new additions to the family infuse the home with a new vitality , but that only holds the dissolution of the marriage in abeyance for a time. In an effort to make peace with her father ( Bill Hunter ), Beth takes him on a trip to the outback , where she believes she might be able to communicate with him. With Beth gone , J.P. and Vicki have an affair , and they abandon the family to start life on their own. Beth , now alone , feels a sense of liberation and purpose and begins to start her life anew.
0622
A man tries to win the hand of the love of his life -- which is an uphill battle since she's about to get married -- in this romantic comedy from Australia. Seventeen-year-old Stephen (Simon Bossell) first sees Melissa (Saffron Burrows) across the room at a party and from that moment on he's hopelessly in love with her. However as he's crossing the room to introduce himself who should get there first but his fraternal twin brother Rick (Alden Young). While Stephen is the brighter of the two Rick is more attractive and outgoing and Stephen quickly realizes that he doesn't stand a chance with Melissa if Rick is his competition. Ten years later Stephen is doing quite well as a stockbroker though his love life remains a disaster while Rick is the manager of the Hotel de Love a cheesy honeymoon resort complete with heart-shaped bathtubs for two and artificial indoor waterfalls. While Stephen is paying his brother a visit at the hotel who should check in but Melissa with her bookish fiancé Norman (Peter O'Brien) in tow. While Melissa is surprised to see her former flame Rick she has no idea that Stephen still carries a torch for her after all these years. Stephen tries to win Melissa away from Norman which given his romantic ineptitude is no easy task; he seeks advice from Alison (Pippa Grandison) Rick's girlfriend who works as a fortune teller at the hotel though the results are not what anyone expected. Meanwhile Stephen and Rick's quarrelsome parents Jack and Edith (Ray Barrett and Julia Blake) have come to the hotel for a second honeymoon and they hope to patch up their marriage. Hotel de Love was the feature debut for writer/director Craig Rosenberg.
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A man tries to win the hand of the love of his life -- which is an uphill battle , since she's about to get married -- in this romantic comedy from Australia. Seventeen - year - old Stephen ( Simon Bossell ) first sees Melissa ( Saffron Burrows ) across the room at a party , and from that moment on , he's hopelessly in love with her. However , as he's crossing the room to introduce himself , who should get there first but his fraternal twin brother Rick ( Alden Young ) . While Stephen is the brighter of the two , Rick is more attractive and outgoing , and Stephen quickly realizes that he doesn't stand a chance with Melissa if Rick is his competition. Ten years later , Stephen is doing quite well as a stockbroker , though his love life remains a disaster , while Rick is the manager of the Hotel de Love , a cheesy honeymoon resort complete with heart - shaped bathtubs for two and artificial indoor waterfalls. While Stephen is paying his brother a visit at the hotel , who should check in but Melissa , with her bookish fiancé Norman ( Peter O'Brien ) in tow. While Melissa is surprised to see her former flame Rick , she has no idea that Stephen still carries a torch for her after all these years. Stephen tries to win Melissa away from Norman , which given his romantic ineptitude is no easy task ; he seeks advice from Alison ( Pippa Grandison ), Rick's girlfriend , who works as a fortune teller at the hotel , though the results are not what anyone expected. Meanwhile , Stephen and Rick's quarrelsome parents , Jack and Edith ( Ray Barrett and Julia Blake ), have come to the hotel for a second honeymoon , and they hope to patch up their marriage. Hotel de Love was the feature debut for writer / director Craig Rosenberg .
0623
Australian college students struggle to deal with school romance and life in general in first-time director Emma-Kate Croghan's comedy. The film's focus falls on cinema studies major Mia (France O'Connor) and her roommate Alice (Alice Garner) both of whom find themselves in romantic flux. Alice is torn between the cocky Ari (Matthew Dyktynski) and the shy but loyal Michael (Matt Day) while Mia is in the midst of a messy break-up with her girlfriend Danni (Radha Mitchell). Further complicating Mia's life are her unfinished thesis (on the feminist implications of Doris Day films) and her struggles with the college administration which provide the opportunity for gentle satire of academia and the frustrations of bureaucracy. The characters deal with their troubles through articulate questioning dialogue and Croghan punctuates the film with title screens featuring famous quotes and with attempts to liven up the relatively familiar story with occasional forays into art-film stylization. Most critics viewed the film as a promising debut with likable characters and a charming romantic tone if an inconsequential narrative.
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Australian college students struggle to deal with school , romance , and life in general in first - time director Emma - Kate Croghan 's comedy. The film's focus falls on cinema studies major Mia ( France O'Connor ) and her roommate Alice ( Alice Garner ), both of whom find themselves in romantic flux. Alice is torn between the cocky Ari ( Matthew Dyktynski ) and the shy but loyal Michael ( Matt Day ), while Mia is in the midst of a messy break - up with her girlfriend Danni ( Radha Mitchell ) . Further complicating Mia's life are her unfinished thesis ( on the feminist implications of Doris Day films ) and her struggles with the college administration , which provide the opportunity for gentle satire of academia and the frustrations of bureaucracy. The characters deal with their troubles through articulate , questioning dialogue , and Croghan punctuates the film with title screens featuring famous quotes and with attempts to liven up the relatively familiar story with occasional forays into art - film stylization. Most critics viewed the film as a promising debut , with likable characters and a charming romantic tone , if an inconsequential narrative.
0624
Three years before he became a household name in Hollywood with 1997's L.A. Confidential Russell Crowe starred in this Australian drama the directorial debuts of Geoff Burton and Kevin Dowling. Crowe plays Jeff Mitchell a young gay man and the son of widower Harry Mitchell (Jack Thompson). The two live together while they both search for a special someone with whom to spend their lives. And while Harry is more than comfortable with Jeff's sexuality his new lady friend isn't leading to tension and a personal struggle for Harry. Based on the play by screenwriter David Stevens The Sum of Us was the 1994 recipient of the Austalian Film Institute's Best Adapted Screenplay award.
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Three years before he became a household name in Hollywood with 1997's L.A. Confidential , Russell Crowe starred in this Australian drama , the directorial debuts of Geoff Burton and Kevin Dowling . Crowe plays Jeff Mitchell , a young gay man and the son of widower Harry Mitchell ( Jack Thompson ) . The two live together while they both search for a special someone with whom to spend their lives. And while Harry is more than comfortable with Jeff's sexuality , his new lady friend isn't , leading to tension and a personal struggle for Harry. Based on the play by screenwriter David Stevens , The Sum of Us was the 1994 recipient of the Austalian Film Institute's Best Adapted Screenplay award.
0625
Sex religion and morality are the key ingredients in this Australian comedy set in the 1930s. Rev. Anthony Campion (Hugh Grant) is a liberal forward-thinking Anglican priest who is sent on an unusual assignment. Norman Lindsay (Sam Neill) is a popular and highly controversial artist whose paintings often feature voluptuous nude women; his latest major exhibition is to feature a work called The Crucified Venus which depicts a naked female impaled on a cross. Outraged the Anglican Bishop of Sydney wants Campion to visit Lindsay and persuade him to remove the work from his show. Rev. Campion and his wife Estella (Tara Fitzgerald) travel to Lindsay's Blue Mountain estate where the artist is hard at work with a bevy of lovely nude models in tow including Sheela (Elle MacPherson) Giddy (Portia de Rossi) and Pru (Kate Fischer). The Reverend is quietly appalled by the open sensuality of Lindsay's household and Estella is mortified; they're even more upset when Lindsay calmly but firmly refuses to remove The Crucified Venus from his show. However the longer the Campions stay with Lindsay in hopes of changing his mind the more they find themselves drawn into the sensuous pleasures of his world. Sirens was based on an actual incident and Norman Lindsay was a real artist of the period (his life was depicted in the film Age of Consent in which he was played by James Mason). But audiences were probably less interested in art and cultural history than in the opportunity to see supermodel Elle MacPherson appear undraped; she also gives a fine and charming comic performance as do Hugh Grant and Tara Fitzgerald.
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Sex , religion , and morality are the key ingredients in this Australian comedy set in the 1930s. Rev. Anthony Campion ( Hugh Grant ) is a liberal , forward - thinking Anglican priest who is sent on an unusual assignment. Norman Lindsay ( Sam Neill ) is a popular and highly controversial artist whose paintings often feature voluptuous nude women ; his latest major exhibition is to feature a work called The Crucified Venus , which depicts a naked female impaled on a cross. Outraged , the Anglican Bishop of Sydney wants Campion to visit Lindsay and persuade him to remove the work from his show. Rev. Campion and his wife , Estella ( Tara Fitzgerald ), travel to Lindsay 's Blue Mountain estate , where the artist is hard at work with a bevy of lovely nude models in tow , including Sheela ( Elle MacPherson ), Giddy ( Portia de Rossi ), and Pru ( Kate Fischer ) . The Reverend is quietly appalled by the open sensuality of Lindsay 's household , and Estella is mortified ; they're even more upset when Lindsay calmly but firmly refuses to remove The Crucified Venus from his show. However , the longer the Campions stay with Lindsay in hopes of changing his mind , the more they find themselves drawn into the sensuous pleasures of his world. Sirens was based on an actual incident and Norman Lindsay was a real artist of the period ( his life was depicted in the film Age of Consent , in which he was played by James Mason ) . But audiences were probably less interested in art and cultural history than in the opportunity to see supermodel Elle MacPherson appear undraped ; she also gives a fine and charming comic performance , as do Hugh Grant and Tara Fitzgerald .
0626
Director Bruce Beresford continued his tradition of putting socially disenfranchised characters front and center with this wryly observant comedy drama about middle class Australian teens that served as a stark contrast to the popular American teen films of its day. Friends from the Sydney suburb of Cronulla Debbie (Nell Schofield) and Sue (Jad Capelja) are a pair of average schoolgirls who smoke drink have sex and cheat on exams. The girls are also striving to become "surfie chicks" the groupies that hang around the surfer boy gangs of southern Sydney pairing off with the objects of their affection. Adhering to odd rules that prevent them from eating or going to the bathroom in the surfers' presence the girls get into trouble for their wild behavior with Debbie eventually fearing that she's pregnant leading to a fatal overdose of heroin for her boyfriend Garry (Geoff Rhoe). Ultimately Debbie and Sue become disillusioned with the sexism and narrow-mindedness of their crowd. Puberty Blues (1981) was based on the book of the same name by Kathy Lette and Gabrielle Carey a pair of real-life Sydney teens who wrote newspaper articles under the pseudonym "The Salami Sisters."
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Director Bruce Beresford continued his tradition of putting socially disenfranchised characters front and center with this wryly observant comedy drama about middle class Australian teens that served as a stark contrast to the popular American teen films of its day. Friends from the Sydney suburb of Cronulla , Debbie ( Nell Schofield ) and Sue ( Jad Capelja ) are a pair of average schoolgirls who smoke , drink , have sex , and cheat on exams. The girls are also striving to become "surfie chicks , " the groupies that hang around the surfer boy gangs of southern Sydney , pairing off with the objects of their affection. Adhering to odd rules that prevent them from eating or going to the bathroom in the surfers' presence , the girls get into trouble for their wild behavior , with Debbie eventually fearing that she's pregnant , leading to a fatal overdose of heroin for her boyfriend Garry ( Geoff Rhoe ) . Ultimately , Debbie and Sue become disillusioned with the sexism and narrow - mindedness of their crowd. Puberty Blues ( 1981 ) was based on the book of the same name by Kathy Lette and Gabrielle Carey , a pair of real - life Sydney teens who wrote newspaper articles under the pseudonym "The Salami Sisters."
0627
Set between the years 1949 and 1956 Newsfront tracks the destinies of two brothers their adventures and misadventures placed in the context of sweeping social and political changes in their native Australia. Both of the protagonists are newsreel photographers. Frank (Gerard Maguire) is constitutionally resistant to change while Len (Bill Kennedy) welcomes any alterations in his own life and in the world around him. The film fluctuates between black and white and color between actual news footage and reconstructed events. Newsfront is what The Way We Were might have looked like on a tiny budget with a cast of unknowns. The film represented a laudable feature-film directorial debut for one-time documentary filmmaker Philip Noyce.
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Set between the years 1949 and 1956 , Newsfront tracks the destinies of two brothers , their adventures and misadventures placed in the context of sweeping social and political changes in their native Australia. Both of the protagonists are newsreel photographers. Frank ( Gerard Maguire ) is constitutionally resistant to change , while Len ( Bill Kennedy ) welcomes any alterations in his own life and in the world around him. The film fluctuates between black and white and color , between actual news footage and reconstructed events. Newsfront is what The Way We Were might have looked like on a tiny budget with a cast of unknowns. The film represented a laudable feature - film directorial debut for one - time documentary filmmaker Philip Noyce .
0628
Also released as Spotswood The Efficiency Expert stars Anthony Hopkins as Wallace a cold-blooded management consultant infamous for radically "downsizing" every firm he comes in contact with. Wallace's latest assignment is to streamline a small family-owned shoe factory in Australia. As he gets to know the eccentric (and endearingly inefficient) factory workers Wallace undergoes a slow-but-sure "humanizing" process. Eventually realizing that he can simultaneously cut costs and preserve the dignity of the workers he finds a way to modernize the operation without a single firing. In traditional fashion the main story shares screen time with a romantic subplot involving the factory-owner's son and a female employee. Characterized by many critics as "Capraesque" The Efficiency Expert also bears trace of all those Ealing comedies of the 1950s.
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Also released as Spotswood , The Efficiency Expert stars Anthony Hopkins as Wallace , a cold - blooded management consultant , infamous for radically "downsizing" every firm he comes in contact with. Wallace's latest assignment is to streamline a small , family - owned shoe factory in Australia. As he gets to know the eccentric ( and endearingly inefficient ) factory workers , Wallace undergoes a slow - but - sure "humanizing" process. Eventually realizing that he can simultaneously cut costs and preserve the dignity of the workers , he finds a way to modernize the operation without a single firing. In traditional fashion , the main story shares screen time with a romantic subplot involving the factory - owner's son and a female employee. Characterized by many critics as " Capraesque , " The Efficiency Expert also bears trace of all those Ealing comedies of the 1950s.
0629
The ugly American bullying his way through a foreign country was a subject for comedy in several films of the 1980s most notably Bill Forsyth's Local Hero and this film from exiled Yugoslavian director Dusan Makavejev. Eric Roberts plays Becker an aggressive marketing executive for the Coca-Cola Company; he has been assigned to figure out why sales in hot and dry Australia aren't higher. Becker comes up against a low-key but formidable adversary T. George McDowell (Bill Kerr) whose homegrown soda has cornered the market in his little corner of the country. Complicating matters is Terri a local woman (Greta Scacchi) Becker hires as his secretary; she's McDowell's daughter and a single mom who's romantically attracted to the brash American. Becker wants to make a deal on his (and his employer's) terms but he finds himself falling prey to the charms of life Down Under and the ministrations of Terri.
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The ugly American bullying his way through a foreign country was a subject for comedy in several films of the 1980s , most notably Bill Forsyth 's Local Hero and this film from exiled Yugoslavian director Dusan Makavejev . Eric Roberts plays Becker , an aggressive marketing executive for the Coca - Cola Company ; he has been assigned to figure out why sales in hot and dry Australia aren't higher. Becker comes up against a low - key but formidable adversary , T. George McDowell ( Bill Kerr ), whose homegrown soda has cornered the market in his little corner of the country. Complicating matters is Terri , a local woman ( Greta Scacchi ) Becker hires as his secretary ; she's McDowell's daughter and a single mom who's romantically attracted to the brash American. Becker wants to make a deal on his ( and his employer's ) terms , but he finds himself falling prey to the charms of life Down Under and the ministrations of Terri.
0630
This Australian drama is based on the life and times of Mark "Chopper" Read a notorious Aussie criminal who went on to become a best-selling author publishing nine books about his exploits outside the law. In 1978 Chopper (played by Eric Bana) is serving a 16-year sentence for abducting a judge who was overseeing the trial of his best friend Jimmy (Simon Lyndon). Jimmy and Chopper end up sharing a cell along with Keithy George (David Field) a crime boss; when a disagreement between Keithy and Chopper escalates into violence Chopper kills Keithy leading to retribution from the gangster's mates who hire Jimmy to do their dirty work. To escape Chopper forces a friend to cut off one of his ears so he'll be transferred to another prison. Eight years later Chopper is out of prison and looking for Jimmy in hopes of getting revenge; in the meantime he's looking to get even with another of his enemies Neville (Vince Colosimo) and trying to keep his eye on his girlfriend Tanya (Kate Beahan) who supports herself as a call girl. While the real "Chopper" Read was not directly involved in the production comic Eric Bana was cast in the lead at Read's suggestion.
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This Australian drama is based on the life and times of Mark "Chopper" Read , a notorious Aussie criminal who went on to become a best - selling author , publishing nine books about his exploits outside the law. In 1978 , Chopper ( played by Eric Bana ) is serving a 16 - year sentence for abducting a judge who was overseeing the trial of his best friend Jimmy ( Simon Lyndon ) . Jimmy and Chopper end up sharing a cell , along with Keithy George ( David Field ), a crime boss ; when a disagreement between Keithy and Chopper escalates into violence , Chopper kills Keithy , leading to retribution from the gangster's mates , who hire Jimmy to do their dirty work. To escape , Chopper forces a friend to cut off one of his ears so he'll be transferred to another prison. Eight years later , Chopper is out of prison and looking for Jimmy in hopes of getting revenge ; in the meantime , he's looking to get even with another of his enemies , Neville ( Vince Colosimo ), and trying to keep his eye on his girlfriend , Tanya ( Kate Beahan ), who supports herself as a call girl. While the real "Chopper" Read was not directly involved in the production , comic Eric Bana was cast in the lead at Read's suggestion.
0631
Unrequited love and mistaken identity are the lynchpins of this romantic comedy from Australia. Ruby Vale (Claudia Karvan) is a pretty but no-nonsense young woman who lives in a small village in the Aussie outback where she runs the only diner in town. She's engaged to marry Hamish (Andrew S. Gilbert) who is pleasant but dull and spends much of her free time with her good friend Jack (Hugh Jackman). Jack secretly aspires to be a writer and has in fact published a novel but since the book is a frothy paperback romance to avoid embarrassment he decided not to use his own name and instead credited Ruby Vale as the author. The book becomes a best seller and suddenly Ruby is forced to pose as the writer of a book she hasn't even read and when the publisher flies her to Sydney to discuss her next project confusion is the result. Leading lady Claudia Karvan was formerly a popular child actress in her native Australia while her co-star Hugh Jackman makes his screen debut after establishing himself in musical theater starring down under in major productions of Beauty and the Beast and Sunset Boulevard.
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Unrequited love and mistaken identity are the lynchpins of this romantic comedy from Australia. Ruby Vale ( Claudia Karvan ) is a pretty but no - nonsense young woman who lives in a small village in the Aussie outback , where she runs the only diner in town. She's engaged to marry Hamish ( Andrew S. Gilbert ), who is pleasant but dull , and spends much of her free time with her good friend Jack ( Hugh Jackman ) . Jack secretly aspires to be a writer and has in fact published a novel , but since the book is a frothy paperback romance , to avoid embarrassment he decided not to use his own name and instead credited Ruby Vale as the author. The book becomes a best seller and suddenly Ruby is forced to pose as the writer of a book she hasn't even read , and when the publisher flies her to Sydney to discuss her next project , confusion is the result. Leading lady Claudia Karvan was formerly a popular child actress in her native Australia , while her co - star Hugh Jackman makes his screen debut after establishing himself in musical theater , starring down under in major productions of Beauty and the Beast and Sunset Boulevard .
0632
Sex and the singles scene is a much explored and exploited subject in cinema particularly in the 1990's. Strange Fits of Passion tries to avoid clichés in narrating a young woman's desperate crusade to lose her virginity. The result is a bittersweet fable in which the protagonist takes the viewer along on her journey through hilarious sexual and social misadventures as she struggles to discover the meaning of sex love and desire in a world which is post-modern and post-everything. The first film of actress and stage director Elise McCredie Strange Fits of Passion was chosen for the International Critics' Week at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival.
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Sex and the singles scene is a much explored and exploited subject in cinema , particularly in the 1990's. Strange Fits of Passion tries to avoid clichés in narrating a young woman's desperate crusade to lose her virginity. The result is a bittersweet fable in which the protagonist takes the viewer along on her journey through hilarious sexual and social misadventures as she struggles to discover the meaning of sex , love , and desire in a world which is post - modern and post - everything. The first film of actress and stage director Elise McCredie , Strange Fits of Passion was chosen for the International Critics' Week at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival.
0633
This Australian drama following events during the 24 hours prior to a horrible (but unseen) crime is adapted from the award-winning 1991 Gordon Graham play which was inspired by the real-life rape-murder of a nurse in Sydney Australia. After serving time for an assault on a liquor-store owner troubled Brett Sprague (David Wenham repeating the role he created onstage) is released from prison and returns home to his brothers mother and girlfriend. As Brett begins to drink his way through the day his anger and suspicions turn into a psychopathic rage. Shown at the 1998 Berlin Film Festival.
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This Australian drama , following events during the 24 hours prior to a horrible ( but unseen ) crime , is adapted from the award - winning 1991 Gordon Graham play , which was inspired by the real - life rape - murder of a nurse in Sydney , Australia. After serving time for an assault on a liquor - store owner , troubled Brett Sprague ( David Wenham , repeating the role he created onstage ) is released from prison and returns home to his brothers , mother , and girlfriend. As Brett begins to drink his way through the day , his anger and suspicions turn into a psychopathic rage. Shown at the 1998 Berlin Film Festival .
0634
ased on the testimony of survivors this historical drama recounts the WWII heroism of female prisoners of war. (Glenn Close) stars as Adrienne Partiger a society doyenne who flees Singapore with other expatriate women mostly the wives of servicemen when Japanese forces invade in 1942. When their gunboat is sunk in an air attack the survivors wash ashore on Japanese-held Sumatra. The women are interned in a grim POW camp where punishments for even minor infractions are extreme. With the help of a missionary (Pauline Collins) Partiger corrals the women including a tough American (Julianna Margulies) an Australian nurse (Cate Blanchett) and a young wife (Jennifer Ehle) into a musical group. Since singing is not allowed the a cappella chorus dubs itself "a vocal orchestra" and is tolerated -- if barely -- by their Japanese captors. Though living conditions are squalid food is scarce and a thin sliver of soap inspires a shower brawl the music keeps spirits uplifted and a Jewish-German doctor (Frances McDormand) provides some medical aid. Writer-director Bruce Beresford interviewed real-life participants in similar POW musical groups. Some provided from memory sheet music of the pieces they performed which were used in the film.
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Based on the testimony of survivors , this historical drama recounts the WWII heroism of female prisoners of war. ( Glenn Close ) stars as Adrienne Partiger , a society doyenne who flees Singapore with other expatriate women , mostly the wives of servicemen , when Japanese forces invade in 1942. When their gunboat is sunk in an air attack , the survivors wash ashore on Japanese - held Sumatra. The women are interned in a grim POW camp where punishments for even minor infractions are extreme. With the help of a missionary ( Pauline Collins ), Partiger corrals the women , including a tough American ( Julianna Margulies ), an Australian nurse ( Cate Blanchett ) and a young wife ( Jennifer Ehle ) into a musical group. Since singing is not allowed , the a cappella chorus dubs itself "a vocal orchestra" and is tolerated -- if barely -- by their Japanese captors. Though living conditions are squalid , food is scarce , and a thin sliver of soap inspires a shower brawl , the music keeps spirits uplifted and a Jewish - German doctor ( Frances McDormand ) provides some medical aid. Writer - director Bruce Beresford interviewed real - life participants in similar POW musical groups. Some provided , from memory , sheet music of the pieces they performed , which were used in the film.
0635
In this Australian comedy adapted by Louis Nowra from his own play and updated from a '70s to a '90s setting a Sydney slacker gets the chance to stage an opera but his cast is assembled from the ranks of the mentally ill. After a long stretch sponging off his law-student girlfriend Lucy (Rachel Griffiths) college dropout Lewis (Ben Mendelsohn) fakes his way into a job doing occupational therapy with a group of asylum inmates. Although his original assignment is to stage a variety show manic-depressive patient Roy (Barry Otto) soon hijacks the project and convinces Lewis to helm an adaptation of his favorite opera Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutti. Lewis' unlikely cast ranges from psycho firebug Doug (David Wenham) and scruffy loudmouth Sandra (Kerry Walker) to depressive dirt-obsessed Ruth (Pamela Rabe) and self-effacing drug addict Julie (Toni Collette). Given the dearth of acting and singing experience among these players Lewis opts to translate the piece from Italian to English and stage it as a play with only a few pieces of music. The show still proves to be more than its director bargained for -- despite the dubious assistance of his friend Nick (Aden Young) an actor/director who's currently staging his own over-the-top production of Diary of a Madman. Although Cosi reteams Muriel's Wedding co-stars Collette and Griffiths their characters here never share a scene. The production also includes former Men at Work singer Colin Hay in a featured role plus cameos from Greta Scacchi and Paul Mercurio (who appeared alongside Otto in Strictly Ballroom).
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In this Australian comedy , adapted by Louis Nowra from his own play and updated from a '70s to a '90s setting , a Sydney slacker gets the chance to stage an opera , but his cast is assembled from the ranks of the mentally ill. After a long stretch sponging off his law - student girlfriend Lucy ( Rachel Griffiths ), college dropout Lewis ( Ben Mendelsohn ) fakes his way into a job doing occupational therapy with a group of asylum inmates. Although his original assignment is to stage a variety show , manic - depressive patient Roy ( Barry Otto ) soon hijacks the project and convinces Lewis to helm an adaptation of his favorite opera , Mozart 's Cosi Fan Tutti . Lewis' unlikely cast ranges from psycho firebug Doug ( David Wenham ) and scruffy loudmouth Sandra ( Kerry Walker ) to depressive , dirt - obsessed Ruth ( Pamela Rabe ) and self - effacing drug addict Julie ( Toni Collette ) . Given the dearth of acting and singing experience among these players , Lewis opts to translate the piece from Italian to English and stage it as a play with only a few pieces of music. The show still proves to be more than its director bargained for -- despite the dubious assistance of his friend Nick ( Aden Young ), an actor / director who's currently staging his own over - the - top production of Diary of a Madman . Although Cosi reteams Muriel's Wedding co - stars Collette and Griffiths , their characters here never share a scene. The production also includes former Men at Work singer Colin Hay in a featured role , plus cameos from Greta Scacchi and Paul Mercurio ( who appeared alongside Otto in Strictly Ballroom ) .
0636
Director John Duigan brings Jean Rhys' difficult 1966 best-selling novel to the screen. It's a story meant to be a prequel to Charlotte Bronte's novel Jane Eyre surmising what drove the first Mrs. Rochester mad in that novel. In Jamaica in the 1840s slavery has been recently outlawed. Plantation owner Annette Cosway (Rachel Ward) has become so poor that she marries a rich boorish Englishman whom she does not love. Her husband Paul Mason (Michael York) is a sexist racist tyrant who mistreats his servants and his wife. Paul flees to England after the servants and their countrymen revolt and burn down the mansion killing Annette's young son. Annette goes insane and is consigned to the care of a servant. Her daughter Antoinette (Karina Lombard) is placed in a convent until she is old enough to inherit the property but the inheritance depends on her marrying a proper husband. By previous arrangement she marries Edward Rochester (Nathaniel Parker). At first they are lustily in love but Rochester proves to be as elitist who is as disrespectful as Mason. Rochester has title to all of Antoinette's property but he despises Jamaica and wants to return to England. He also fears the black magic of Christophene (Claudia Robinson) who mixes up a voodoo potion which ends up driving the couple farther apart.
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Director John Duigan brings Jean Rhys' difficult 1966 best - selling novel to the screen. It's a story meant to be a prequel to Charlotte Bronte's novel Jane Eyre , surmising what drove the first Mrs. Rochester mad in that novel. In Jamaica in the 1840s , slavery has been recently outlawed. Plantation owner Annette Cosway ( Rachel Ward ) has become so poor that she marries a rich , boorish Englishman whom she does not love. Her husband , Paul Mason ( Michael York ), is a sexist , racist tyrant who mistreats his servants and his wife. Paul flees to England after the servants and their countrymen revolt and burn down the mansion , killing Annette's young son. Annette goes insane and is consigned to the care of a servant. Her daughter Antoinette ( Karina Lombard ) is placed in a convent until she is old enough to inherit the property , but the inheritance depends on her marrying a proper husband. By previous arrangement , she marries Edward Rochester ( Nathaniel Parker ) . At first they are lustily in love , but Rochester proves to be as elitist who is as disrespectful as Mason. Rochester has title to all of Antoinette's property , but he despises Jamaica and wants to return to England. He also fears the black magic of Christophene ( Claudia Robinson ), who mixes up a voodoo potion which ends up driving the couple farther apart.
0637
Heatwave is the mildly interesting story of a woman's attempt to stop a redevelopment plot which she thought was the cover-up for fraud and other criminal activity. Kate (Judy Davis) through her own efforts manages to find some evidence to support her claims and also have a romance. Davis gives an energetic performance as the crusading woman but the script lacks a convincing plot or characters. While it has some good moments Heatwave is primarily notable because it was one of the earlier efforts of Australian director Phillip Noyce who went on to make the very exciting Dead Calm.
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Heatwave is the mildly interesting story of a woman's attempt to stop a redevelopment plot which she thought was the cover - up for fraud and other criminal activity. Kate ( Judy Davis ), through her own efforts , manages to find some evidence to support her claims and also have a romance. Davis gives an energetic performance as the crusading woman , but the script lacks a convincing plot or characters. While it has some good moments , Heatwave is primarily notable because it was one of the earlier efforts of Australian director Phillip Noyce , who went on to make the very exciting Dead Calm .
0638
Isabelle Huppert plays a French woman who travels to Australia after leaving her husband. Injured in an accident Huppert is in danger of losing her sight. Her friends try to get her to "bond" with blind doctor Robert Menzies who possesses a greenhouse full of cactus. In the big "Author's Statement" scene Menzies likens his cactus to people who need special care even though they seem to bloom only when neglected. The arrival of Isabelle's husband Jean-Pierre Mignon only serves to solidify the relationship between "human cacti" Huppert and Menzies.
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Isabelle Huppert plays a French woman who travels to Australia after leaving her husband. Injured in an accident , Huppert is in danger of losing her sight. Her friends try to get her to "bond" with blind doctor Robert Menzies , who possesses a greenhouse full of cactus. In the big "Author's Statement" scene , Menzies likens his cactus to people who need special care , even though they seem to bloom only when neglected. The arrival of Isabelle's husband Jean - Pierre Mignon only serves to solidify the relationship between "human cacti" Huppert and Menzies .
0639
Action and comedy are served in equal portions in this Australian crime thriller. Jimmy (Heath Ledger) is a 19-year-old living in Sydney who is somehow asked to run an errand for local underworld kingpin Pando (Bryan Brown). Before Jimmy knows what's happened he owes Pando $10000 and finds the gangster's muscle men are out for his blood. Jimmy attempts to stage a bank robbery to recover the loot with disastrous results; when he has a spare moment he tries to win the heart of Alex (Rose Byrne) a pretty girl from the country. This slam-bang entertainment was an uncharacteristic entry in the 1999 Sundance Film Festival where it received its U.S. premiere.
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Action and comedy are served in equal portions in this Australian crime thriller. Jimmy ( Heath Ledger ) is a 19 - year - old living in Sydney who is somehow asked to run an errand for local underworld kingpin Pando ( Bryan Brown ) . Before Jimmy knows what's happened , he owes Pando $10 , 000 , and finds the gangster's muscle men are out for his blood. Jimmy attempts to stage a bank robbery to recover the loot , with disastrous results ; when he has a spare moment , he tries to win the heart of Alex ( Rose Byrne ), a pretty girl from the country. This slam - bang entertainment was an uncharacteristic entry in the 1999 Sundance Film Festival , where it received its U.S. premiere.
0640
After his Oscar-winning performance in Shine Geoffrey Rush returned to the screen in this Australian comedy as a power-crazed politician federal treasurer Godfrey Usher. Scientist Richard Shorkinghorn (David Wenham) needs cash to continue his research into age reversal. Applying for a grant he's invited by philanthropic Grace Michael (Heather Mitchell) to her country estate where he discovers his former lover and past assistant Kate Haslett (Francis O'Connor) has an identical project and grant request. Grace they learn is married to Godfrey Usher given to frivolity and alcohol. Further their weekend takes a devilish turn and really heats up after they discover that Grace and Godfrey are both Satanists. Some three years later Usher is installed as the prime minister of Australia. Director Peter Duncan (Children of the Revolution) appears in a cameo as a defense attorney.
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After his Oscar - winning performance in Shine , Geoffrey Rush returned to the screen in this Australian comedy as a power - crazed politician , federal treasurer Godfrey Usher. Scientist Richard Shorkinghorn ( David Wenham ) needs cash to continue his research into age reversal. Applying for a grant , he's invited by philanthropic Grace Michael ( Heather Mitchell ) to her country estate , where he discovers his former lover and past assistant Kate Haslett ( Francis O'Connor ) has an identical project and grant request. Grace , they learn , is married to Godfrey Usher , given to frivolity and alcohol. Further , their weekend takes a devilish turn and really heats up after they discover that Grace and Godfrey are both Satanists. Some three years later , Usher is installed as the prime minister of Australia. Director Peter Duncan ( Children of the Revolution ) appears in a cameo as a defense attorney.
0641
Guy (Richard Roxburgh) a lonely bachelor meets the woman of his dreams in Lizzie (Cate Blanchett) an impossibly beautiful doctor with elegance style and sophistication. Their six-week courtship leads to marriage and the wedding is a big one with 100 guests and a posh reception that never ends. It's during the reception that Guy begins to have flashbacks -- and second thoughts -- about Jenny (Frances O'Connor) the free-spirited woman who was his first love and who is the opposite of Lizzie. The more he thinks about warm and fun-loving Jenny the more he sees Lizzie as cold and remote. Although it's a little late in the game to be getting cold feet that's exactly what Guy has.
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Guy ( Richard Roxburgh ), a lonely bachelor , meets the woman of his dreams in Lizzie ( Cate Blanchett ), an impossibly beautiful doctor with elegance , style , and sophistication. Their six - week courtship leads to marriage , and the wedding is a big one , with 100 guests and a posh reception that never ends. It's during the reception that Guy begins to have flashbacks -- and second thoughts -- about Jenny ( Frances O'Connor ), the free - spirited woman who was his first love and who is the opposite of Lizzie. The more he thinks about warm and fun - loving Jenny , the more he sees Lizzie as cold and remote. Although it's a little late in the game to be getting cold feet , that's exactly what Guy has.
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In this small Australian comedy Michael Caton stars as Darryl Kerrigan a contented mildly eccentric family man with an easy laugh and a quick compliment for his wife's cooking. Darryl his wife and his four children live in domestic bliss in a ramshackle yet proud domicile neighboring the airport. But that serenity is threatened when the government issues a compulsory acquisition order which means the Kerrigans must vacate their home to make way for an airport expansion project. And even though he makes a hobby of buying useless junk as long as he gets it for bargain price no amount of compensation money will convince Darryl to relinquish his "castle" which stores the family's collective memories and symbolizes their unique character. Darryl organizes the other affected neighbors hires a bumbling attorney/family friend and pursues his battle in court. However he soon discovers he needs more than gumption and spitfire earnestness to support a case in front of the magistrates of Australia's high courts. The Castle was the first feature for director Rob Sitch (The Dish) who rose to prominence directing episodes of the satirical Australian television series Frontline.
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In this small Australian comedy , Michael Caton stars as Darryl Kerrigan , a contented , mildly eccentric family man with an easy laugh and a quick compliment for his wife's cooking. Darryl , his wife , and his four children live in domestic bliss in a ramshackle yet proud domicile neighboring the airport. But that serenity is threatened when the government issues a compulsory acquisition order , which means the Kerrigans must vacate their home to make way for an airport expansion project. And even though he makes a hobby of buying useless junk as long as he gets it for bargain price , no amount of compensation money will convince Darryl to relinquish his "castle , " which stores the family's collective memories and symbolizes their unique character. Darryl organizes the other affected neighbors , hires a bumbling attorney / family friend , and pursues his battle in court. However , he soon discovers he needs more than gumption and spitfire earnestness to support a case in front of the magistrates of Australia's high courts. The Castle was the first feature for director Rob Sitch ( The Dish ), who rose to prominence directing episodes of the satirical Australian television series Frontline .
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The life of legendary scientist Albert Einstein is re-imagined as a slapstick farce in this comic fantasy. Changing Einstein's country of origin from Germany to Tasmania the film shows the scientist's eventful youth as he creates rock & roll and discovers the secret of splitting the beer atom. Director and star Yahoo Serious loads the film with slapstick comedy absurd sight gags and even sneaks in a romantic subplot in which Einstein courts Marie Curie. The film was a huge hit in its native Australia but a major box-office disappointment in the United States where audiences largely ignored the display of nonstop silliness.
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The life of legendary scientist Albert Einstein is re - imagined as a slapstick farce in this comic fantasy. Changing Einstein 's country of origin from Germany to Tasmania , the film shows the scientist's eventful youth as he creates rock & roll and discovers the secret of splitting the beer atom. Director and star Yahoo Serious loads the film with slapstick comedy , absurd sight gags , and even sneaks in a romantic subplot in which Einstein courts Marie Curie. The film was a huge hit in its native Australia but a major box - office disappointment in the United States , where audiences largely ignored the display of nonstop silliness.
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This first effort from acclaimed writer/director Peter Weir is set in the secluded rural town of Paris Australia where the chief source of income is provided by the orchestration of automobile accidents -- which frequently claim the lives of passing tourists though those who survive are usually subjected to bizarre brain experiments by a loony local surgeon. One such unfortunate survivor is young Arthur who remains in Paris after his recovery to work in the hospital unaware (at first) of the circumstances which brought him there. Although there are many amusingly weird moments this black comedy is a bit too deadpan for its own good and may be too talky and meandering for horror fans. A condensed version was released in the U.S. under the title The Cars That Eat People.
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This first effort from acclaimed writer / director Peter Weir is set in the secluded rural town of Paris , Australia , where the chief source of income is provided by the orchestration of automobile accidents -- which frequently claim the lives of passing tourists , though those who survive are usually subjected to bizarre brain experiments by a loony local surgeon. One such unfortunate survivor is young Arthur , who remains in Paris after his recovery to work in the hospital , unaware ( at first ) of the circumstances which brought him there. Although there are many amusingly weird moments , this black comedy is a bit too deadpan for its own good and may be too talky and meandering for horror fans. A condensed version was released in the U.S. under the title The Cars That Eat People .
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A naive girl's love for Switzerland is put to the test in this satiric comedy. Irina (Yelena Panova) is a woman from Russia who all her life has always been fascinated by Switzerland and longs to live there some day though her notion of Swiss life has more to do with Heidi and old movies set in the Alps than reality. So when fashion designer Charlotte De (Geraldine Chaplin) and lawyer Alfred Waldvogel (Ulrich Noethen) offer Irina a chance to live in Switzerland and gain the Swiss passport she's always dreamed of she leaps at the chance. Never mind that she's actually working for them as a prostitute catering to the sexual appetites of the slimier members of the Swiss upper crust -- she's simply delighted to be there and nothing bothers her a bit. However just as Irina's about to gain her cherished passport her "sponsors" decide she's outlived her usefulness and send her back home. She responds by blowing the whistle on Charlotte and Alfred which in turn sends a shock wave through the nation's social and political foundations. Beresina was noted for its barbed wit clever production design and a fine comic performance by Yelena Panova when it was screened in the "Un Certain Regard" category at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival.
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A naive girl's love for Switzerland is put to the test in this satiric comedy. Irina ( Yelena Panova ) is a woman from Russia who all her life has always been fascinated by Switzerland and longs to live there some day , though her notion of Swiss life has more to do with Heidi and old movies set in the Alps than reality. So when fashion designer Charlotte De ( Geraldine Chaplin ) and lawyer Alfred Waldvogel ( Ulrich Noethen ) offer Irina a chance to live in Switzerland and gain the Swiss passport she's always dreamed of , she leaps at the chance. Never mind that she's actually working for them as a prostitute , catering to the sexual appetites of the slimier members of the Swiss upper crust -- she's simply delighted to be there and nothing bothers her a bit. However , just as Irina's about to gain her cherished passport , her "sponsors" decide she's outlived her usefulness and send her back home. She responds by blowing the whistle on Charlotte and Alfred , which in turn sends a shock wave through the nation's social and political foundations. Beresina was noted for its barbed wit , clever production design , and a fine comic performance by Yelena Panova when it was screened in the "Un Certain Regard" category at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival .
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The second film in the trilogy made by director Istvan Szabo and actor Klaus Maria Brandauer -- hammocked between Mephisto and Hanussen -- Colonel Redl continues Mephisto's fascination with a man overwhelmed by history. In that film Brandauer played an actor who tried to ignore the rise of the Third Reich and here he's an ambitious military officer in pre-World War I Austria whose career path is set early on. In military school he's forced to inform on a student who's the source of a practical joke; though he beats himself up for being a Judas he soon realizes that to rise in the ranks he must overcome his peasant background and hide his homosexuality by ingratiating himself with his superiors. In time he becomes Chief of Military Intelligence for the Austro-Hungarian empire. Though he professes to hate politics and politicians Redl also can't avoid them. When the leader for whom Redl is supposedly spying among the officer corps draws up a list of who can't be exposed for traitorous activities (including Austrian nobles Hungarians Czechs Serbs Croatians and even the usual scapegoats Jews -- the aftershocks of the Dreyfuss affair are still rumbling) he tells Redl that he must find a double of himself a Ukrainian. Now certain that he will be exposed Redl surrenders to fate quoting to his wife from Montaigne: "It's no sin to be involved. It's a sin to remain involved." Brandauer is a wonder as the self-loathing Redl and Szabo's camera picks up every nuance on his expressive face. The film eschews music except for several party scenes and the absence of a score is most effective in the final shots of Redl's fellow officers awaiting his fate.
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The second film in the trilogy made by director Istvan Szabo and actor Klaus Maria Brandauer -- hammocked between Mephisto and Hanussen -- Colonel Redl continues Mephisto 's fascination with a man overwhelmed by history. In that film , Brandauer played an actor who tried to ignore the rise of the Third Reich , and here he's an ambitious military officer in pre - World War I Austria whose career path is set early on. In military school , he's forced to inform on a student who's the source of a practical joke ; though he beats himself up for being a Judas , he soon realizes that to rise in the ranks he must overcome his peasant background and hide his homosexuality by ingratiating himself with his superiors. In time , he becomes Chief of Military Intelligence for the Austro - Hungarian empire. Though he professes to hate politics and politicians , Redl also can't avoid them. When the leader for whom Redl is supposedly spying among the officer corps , draws up a list of who can't be exposed for traitorous activities ( including Austrian nobles , Hungarians , Czechs , Serbs , Croatians , and even the usual scapegoats , Jews -- the aftershocks of the Dreyfuss affair are still rumbling ), he tells Redl that he must find a double of himself , a Ukrainian. Now certain that he will be exposed , Redl surrenders to fate , quoting to his wife from Montaigne : "It's no sin to be involved. It's a sin to remain involved." Brandauer is a wonder as the self - loathing Redl , and Szabo 's camera picks up every nuance on his expressive face. The film eschews music except for several party scenes , and the absence of a score is most effective in the final shots of Redl's fellow officers awaiting his fate.
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In an Austrian farming village during the '30s narrator Severin (Lars Rudolph) watches an old woman Rosalind (Elisabeth Orth) visit the bed of sleeping farmhand Lukas (Simon Schwarz). Rosalind is accused when the owner of the farm is found dead. Local farmers believe his land will be divided among them since he had no heirs but his will states that both farm and livestock are left to his peasant workers. When the seven peasants decide not to sell they join the ranks of the landed gentry. The community's established farmers led by Danninger (Ulrich Wildgruber) first attack the seven peasants with slander and ridicule and then turn violent. Shot in Super 16 with a blowup to 35mm this film had its world premiere at the 1998 Rotterdam Film Festival where it won a Tiger Award.
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In an Austrian farming village during the '30s , narrator Severin ( Lars Rudolph ) watches an old woman , Rosalind ( Elisabeth Orth ) visit the bed of sleeping farmhand Lukas ( Simon Schwarz ) . Rosalind is accused when the owner of the farm is found dead. Local farmers believe his land will be divided among them , since he had no heirs , but his will states that both farm and livestock are left to his peasant workers. When the seven peasants decide not to sell , they join the ranks of the landed gentry. The community's established farmers , led by Danninger ( Ulrich Wildgruber ), first attack the seven peasants with slander and ridicule and then turn violent. Shot in Super 16 with a blowup to 35mm , this film had its world premiere at the 1998 Rotterdam Film Festival where it won a Tiger Award.
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ased on fact The Boat is Full is set during World War II. A group of Jewish refugees desperately attempt to escape to the safety of neutral Switzerland. The problem: too many refugees and too little room in the boat commissioned for the trip. Director Markus Imhoof is neither a polished nor a subtle filmmaker nor is the acting of the highest calibre. This hardly matters: the intensity and sincerity of everyone involved in The Boat is Full compensates for any and all production crudities.
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Based on fact , The Boat is Full is set during World War II. A group of Jewish refugees desperately attempt to escape to the safety of neutral Switzerland. The problem : too many refugees , and too little room in the boat commissioned for the trip. Director Markus Imhoof is neither a polished nor a subtle filmmaker , nor is the acting of the highest calibre. This hardly matters : the intensity and sincerity of everyone involved in The Boat is Full compensates for any and all production crudities.
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In this drama two people discover that it's not as simple as they thought to have a purely sexual relationship. A man and woman in their early 40s (Nathalie Baye and Sergi Lopez) are introduced to each other through a personal ad and agree to meet once a week for a sexual liaison. The meetings are meant to be exciting but impersonal; they agree that they won't exchange names or ask questions about their lives outside this relationship. They also don't engage in convention though we're never told (or shown) just what the couple is sharing instead. However as the weeks go by a bond grows between them and after several weeks he proposes that they have dinner together before retiring to their hotel room; a few months down the road she suggests that they should try making love in the traditional manner for the first time. These events bring them closer together but they also change the tenor of their relationship; this change is symbolized most clearly when a man collapses in the hallway outside their motel room and together they take him to a hospital. Une Liaison Pornographique was screened at the 1999 Venice and Toronto Film Festivals.
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In this drama , two people discover that it's not as simple as they thought to have a purely sexual relationship. A man and woman in their early 40s ( Nathalie Baye and Sergi Lopez ), are introduced to each other through a personal ad and agree to meet once a week for a sexual liaison. The meetings are meant to be exciting but impersonal ; they agree that they won't exchange names or ask questions about their lives outside this relationship. They also don't engage in convention , though we're never told ( or shown ) just what the couple is sharing instead. However , as the weeks go by , a bond grows between them , and after several weeks he proposes that they have dinner together before retiring to their hotel room ; a few months down the road , she suggests that they should try making love in the traditional manner for the first time. These events bring them closer together , but they also change the tenor of their relationship ; this change is symbolized most clearly when a man collapses in the hallway outside their motel room and together they take him to a hospital. Une Liaison Pornographique was screened at the 1999 Venice and Toronto Film Festivals .
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From the directors of the critically acclaimed La Promesse (1996) comes this stark portrayal of a young woman coming of age at the edge of social oblivion. Rosetta (Émilie Dequenne) lives in a tiny beat-up trailer without toilets or running water with her alcoholic irresponsible and utterly dispirited mother who requires her frequent care. Rosetta longs to have a "normal" life and become a productive member of society but even this modest goal seems beyond her grasp. Quietly terrified that she will slide into the abyss like her mother she wages a desperate purely instinctive battle to lift herself out of her wretched semi-feral existence. At the film's outset she is bodily removed from her job at a food factory; for much of the rest of the film her attempts to gain employment are thwarted by the callousness and indifference of others. The only person to show any kind of sympathy is Riquet (Fabrizio Rongione) who ekes out a pittance at a waffle stand while secretly skimming profits from his boss. Though his awkward attempts to gain her interest go unacknowledged by the barely socialized Rosetta the two develop something like a friendship. Later in the movie however her loyalty to her new-found friend clashes with her all-consuming desire for a job. First-time actress Dequenne who spent time in a similarly harsh environment to prepare for the role won the Best Actress prize at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival. This film also won the coveted Palme d'Or at Cannes and was screened at the 1999 Toronto Film Festival.
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From the directors of the critically acclaimed La Promesse ( 1996 ) comes this stark portrayal of a young woman coming of age at the edge of social oblivion. Rosetta ( Émilie Dequenne ) lives in a tiny , beat - up trailer without toilets or running water with her alcoholic , irresponsible , and utterly dispirited mother , who requires her frequent care. Rosetta longs to have a "normal" life and become a productive member of society , but even this modest goal seems beyond her grasp. Quietly terrified that she will slide into the abyss like her mother , she wages a desperate , purely instinctive battle to lift herself out of her wretched , semi - feral existence. At the film's outset , she is bodily removed from her job at a food factory ; for much of the rest of the film , her attempts to gain employment are thwarted by the callousness and indifference of others. The only person to show any kind of sympathy is Riquet ( Fabrizio Rongione ), who ekes out a pittance at a waffle stand while secretly skimming profits from his boss. Though his awkward attempts to gain her interest go unacknowledged by the barely socialized Rosetta , the two develop something like a friendship. Later in the movie , however , her loyalty to her new - found friend clashes with her all - consuming desire for a job. First - time actress Dequenne , who spent time in a similarly harsh environment to prepare for the role , won the Best Actress prize at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival . This film also won the coveted Palme d'Or at Cannes and was screened at the 1999 Toronto Film Festival .
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oys will be boys and girls will be girls but one child isn't so sure in this Belgian comedy drama. 7-year-old Ludovic (Georges DuFresne) is happy healthy and good-natured but there's a bit of a problem -- he has decided that he's a girl. While his parents Hanna (Michele Laroque) and Pierre (Jean-Philippe Ecoffey) try to understand Ludovic stubbornly refuses to listen to reason from his parents teachers or schoolmates. His fondness for wearing girl's clothes and frequent pronouncements to strangers that he's going to be a woman when he grows up become increasingly worrying and things come to a head when Ludovic declares that when he's older he plans to marry Jerome (Julien Riviere) the boy next door. It hardly helps that Pierre's boss Albert (Daniel Hanssens) is also Jerome's father and that he's notoriously closed-minded about gender issues. Will Pierre keep his job? Will the stress spoil Pierre and Hanna's marriage? And will Ludovic find the right shade of lipstick? Ma Vie En Rose was the first feature for director and screenwriter Alain Berliner.
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Boys will be boys and girls will be girls , but one child isn't so sure in this Belgian comedy drama. 7 - year - old Ludovic ( Georges DuFresne ) is happy , healthy , and good - natured , but there's a bit of a problem -- he has decided that he's a girl. While his parents Hanna ( Michele Laroque ) and Pierre ( Jean - Philippe Ecoffey ) try to understand , Ludovic stubbornly refuses to listen to reason from his parents , teachers , or schoolmates. His fondness for wearing girl's clothes and frequent pronouncements to strangers that he's going to be a woman when he grows up become increasingly worrying , and things come to a head when Ludovic declares that when he's older , he plans to marry Jerome ( Julien Riviere ), the boy next door. It hardly helps that Pierre's boss , Albert ( Daniel Hanssens ), is also Jerome's father , and that he's notoriously closed - minded about gender issues. Will Pierre keep his job? Will the stress spoil Pierre and Hanna's marriage? And will Ludovic find the right shade of lipstick? Ma Vie En Rose was the first feature for director and screenwriter Alain Berliner .
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This Academy Award-nominated Belgian drama follows a late 19th-century priest's courageous battle to end the exploitation of child workers in Aalst Belgium. Father Daens' crusade begins shortly after he is transferred to the impoverished Belgian region. Aghast at the working conditions he sees in area mills Daens publishes an inflammatory letter in his brother's newspaper. Among his many accusations and condemnations are those that not only children such as the little girl Nini are being overworked in unhealthy conditions they are also being sexually abused by supervisors. The workers launch a widespread public outcry that is immediately quelled by the upper-class mill owners who fire all rebels and hire more children and women (at even lower wages) in their place. Thus begins a long tragic battle between Daens and the poor and Belgium's ruling class. Aided by the Church itself the monarches and the rich prevail leaving Daens disillusioned and just as impoverished as those for whom he has sacrificed everything.
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This Academy Award - nominated Belgian drama follows a late 19th - century priest's courageous battle to end the exploitation of child workers in Aalst , Belgium. Father Daens' crusade begins shortly after he is transferred to the impoverished Belgian region. Aghast at the working conditions he sees in area mills , Daens publishes an inflammatory letter in his brother's newspaper. Among his many accusations and condemnations are those that not only children such as the little girl Nini are being overworked in unhealthy conditions , they are also being sexually abused by supervisors. The workers launch a widespread public outcry that is immediately quelled by the upper - class mill owners who fire all rebels and hire more children and women ( at even lower wages ) in their place. Thus begins a long , tragic battle between Daens and the poor and Belgium's ruling class. Aided by the Church itself , the monarches and the rich prevail , leaving Daens disillusioned and just as impoverished as those for whom he has sacrificed everything.
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Former circus performer Jaco Van Dormael made his feature-film directing bow with the Belgian/French/German coproduction Toto Le Héros. The title character is an fictional supersecret agent idolized by a young boy named Thomas. The lad aspires to become Toto when he grows up; but thanks to a kaleidoscope of flashbacks and flashforwards we know that he'll end up ordinary and unfulfilled. The film hopscotches between the Three Ages of Thomas: wide-eyed youngster mediocrity-mired adult bitter old man. The elder Thomas has never gotten over his childhood traumas and hatreds. He was always jealous of his wealthy boyhood friend Alfred fantasizing that he and his chum were switched at birth. At the end the aged Thomas escapes from a senior citizens' home -- an act which leads to Fate dealing its final ironic blow.
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Former circus performer Jaco Van Dormael made his feature - film directing bow with the Belgian / French / German coproduction Toto Le Héros . The title character is an fictional supersecret agent , idolized by a young boy named Thomas. The lad aspires to become Toto when he grows up ; but thanks to a kaleidoscope of flashbacks and flashforwards , we know that he'll end up ordinary and unfulfilled. The film hopscotches between the Three Ages of Thomas : wide - eyed youngster , mediocrity - mired adult , bitter old man. The elder Thomas has never gotten over his childhood traumas and hatreds. He was always jealous of his wealthy boyhood friend Alfred , fantasizing that he and his chum were switched at birth. At the end , the aged Thomas escapes from a senior citizens' home -- an act which leads to Fate dealing its final ironic blow.
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Man Bites Dog is a Belgian faux-documentary and high-concept satire of media violence which follows the lethal exploits of Benoit Benoit Poelvoorde an affable and very talkative serial killer. He kills for money and he kills for pleasure and he talks all the while about philosophy and the proper technique for weighing a corpse down underwater. He is followed through his slaughter-fest by the filmmakers Rémy and André (the actual filmmakers Rémy Belvaux and André Bonzel) and the line between reporter and subject becomes blurred pretty quickly. The filmmakers become more and more involved in Benoit's actions starting with the relatively innocent act of holding a flashlight for him. Eventually when their funding runs out Benoit hires them to continue making the film and soon they are accomplices in a gang rape. While this film has the subtlety of a sledgehammer its message rings true: the media tend to become part of the stories they report upon as surely as a physicist changes a wave by looking at it.
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Man Bites Dog is a Belgian faux - documentary and high - concept satire of media violence which follows the lethal exploits of Benoit Benoit Poelvoorde , an affable , and very talkative , serial killer. He kills for money , and he kills for pleasure , and he talks all the while about philosophy and the proper technique for weighing a corpse down underwater. He is followed through his slaughter - fest by the filmmakers , Rémy and André ( the actual filmmakers , Rémy Belvaux and André Bonzel ), and the line between reporter and subject becomes blurred pretty quickly. The filmmakers become more and more involved in Benoit's actions , starting with the relatively innocent act of holding a flashlight for him. Eventually , when their funding runs out , Benoit hires them to continue making the film , and soon they are accomplices in a gang rape. While this film has the subtlety of a sledgehammer , its message rings true : the media tend to become part of the stories they report upon as surely as a physicist changes a wave by looking at it.
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A Michel Tournier short story is the source for this expressionistic Belgian-French-Italian comedy-drama filmed in black-and-white with French dialogue. Lucien L'Hotte (Jean-Yves Thual) a dwarf who works for a law firm is befriended by circus trapeze artist Isis (Dyna Gauzy) who views him as her guardian angel. Minus love Lucien writes and mails letters to upset the marriages of others. His company's number one client divorced vocalist Paola Bendoni (Anita Ekberg) vamps him at her villa and their affair begins. But her later rejection doesn't sit well so he creeps into her house strangles her and frames her dullard husband (Arno Chevrier) for the deed. Shown in the Directors Fortnight section at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival.
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A Michel Tournier short story is the source for this expressionistic Belgian - French - Italian comedy - drama , filmed in black - and - white with French dialogue. Lucien L'Hotte ( Jean - Yves Thual ), a dwarf who works for a law firm , is befriended by circus trapeze artist Isis ( Dyna Gauzy ), who views him as her guardian angel. Minus love , Lucien writes and mails letters to upset the marriages of others. His company's number one client , divorced vocalist Paola Bendoni ( Anita Ekberg ) vamps him at her villa , and their affair begins. But her later rejection doesn't sit well , so he creeps into her house , strangles her , and frames her dullard husband ( Arno Chevrier ) for the deed. Shown in the Directors Fortnight section at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival.
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In this sharp satire famed Flemish provocateur and first-time director Jan Bucquoy pokes fun at Belgian provincialism by ruthlessly re-telling the autobiographical story of a clueless young bumpkin who tries to keep up with times but always manages to be a few frustrating steps behind -- something reflected by the decidedly dark and unglamorous settings in which he appears. His anti-climactic life unfolds episodically via flashback and is told with a blend of fantasy and reality. The first segments begin in the repressive '50s when Jan grew up with a penurious emotionally distant mother and a self-absorbed father. During the tumultuous '60s Jan goes to Brussels to launch a brilliant writing career. Awed by the city's seemingly endless sophistication with its political activists and sexual freedom the naïve Jan feels at last he has found his proper venue. But while he freely samples the fruits of the decade he somehow remains a passive outsider; neither free enough to be a great lover nor passionate enough to be a convincing political activist. The '70s dawn and with nothing meaningful left to do Jan embraces the mundane realities of bourgeoise life. While the story's satire may not translate well outside the Gallic world it was an enormous hit in Belgium in 1994.
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In this sharp satire , famed Flemish provocateur and first - time director Jan Bucquoy pokes fun at Belgian provincialism by ruthlessly re - telling the autobiographical story of a clueless young bumpkin who tries to keep up with times but always manages to be a few frustrating steps behind -- something reflected by the decidedly dark and unglamorous settings in which he appears. His anti - climactic life unfolds episodically via flashback and is told with a blend of fantasy and reality. The first segments begin in the repressive '50s when Jan grew up with a penurious , emotionally distant mother and a self - absorbed father. During the tumultuous '60s , Jan goes to Brussels to launch a brilliant writing career. Awed by the city's seemingly endless sophistication with its political activists and sexual freedom , the naïve Jan feels at last he has found his proper venue. But while he freely samples the fruits of the decade , he somehow remains a passive outsider ; neither free enough to be a great lover , nor passionate enough to be a convincing political activist. The '70s dawn and with nothing meaningful left to do , Jan embraces the mundane realities of bourgeoise life. While the story's satire may not translate well outside the Gallic world , it was an enormous hit in Belgium in 1994.
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The title character in the Belgian-French The Music Teacher is a retired opera star played by Jose Van Dam. The teacher's most gifted pupil is singer/musician Anne Roussel. Her love for her teacher is one of the motivating factors of the story as is Roussel and Van Dam's relationship with another pupil petty thief Philippe Volter. Complicating matters is one of Van Dam's old enemies who endeavors to exploit the talents of the pupils. Written and directed by Gerard Corbiau The Music Teacher unfortunately drags whenever the principals stop singing and start talking. But what singing! And what cinematography! Small wonder that this film was nominated for a "Best Foreign Picture" Academy Award.
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The title character in the Belgian - French The Music Teacher is a retired opera star , played by Jose Van Dam . The teacher's most gifted pupil is singer / musician Anne Roussel . Her love for her teacher is one of the motivating factors of the story , as is Roussel and Van Dam's relationship with another pupil , petty thief Philippe Volter . Complicating matters is one of Van Dam's old enemies , who endeavors to exploit the talents of the pupils. Written and directed by Gerard Corbiau , The Music Teacher unfortunately drags whenever the principals stop singing and start talking. But what singing! And what cinematography! Small wonder that this film was nominated for a "Best Foreign Picture" Academy Award.
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Former documentary filmmaker Walter Salles (Foreign Land) directed this Brazilian-French road movie tracing the travels and travails of a young boy and an aging woman across the Brazilian landscape. In Rio de Janeiro's central railroad station callous Dora (leading Brazilian stage/screen actress Fernanda Montenegro) works at a stand where she writes letters for a parade of poor and illiterate. Some of these remain undelivered because she chooses not to mail all of the letters. One of her customers is a woman whose nine-year-old son Josue (Vinicius de Oliveira) hopes to see the father he has never met but after the mother dictates two letters to the father she's killed when hit by a bus. Since Josue is left homeless Dora reluctantly takes him home to her small apartment overlooking the railroad tracks where she sometimes spends time with her neighbor Irene (Marilia Pera). Dora places Josue with people who claim to find adoptive parents. When Irene informs her they actually sell children who are then killed for their organs Dora rescues Josue and the two board a bus. After a failed attempt to abandon Josue at a roadside stop Dora and Josue hitch a ride from a religious truck driver. Failing to locate his father they arrive penniless at a huge rural religious convocation where Josue suggests Dora bring her letter-writing skills back into play. The notion works and Dora profits by writing letters to saints for the more devout among the assembled multitudes. Continuing on they arrive at a sprawling-mass housing development -- and hopefully a solution to the problem of a family for Josue. Young actor de Oliveira was a shoeshine boy who beat out more than 1500 other children who auditioned or were interviewed for the Josue role. Made with grants from the Sundance Institute NHK and the French Ministry of Culture this film was shown at 1998 film festivals (Sundance Berlin).
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Former documentary filmmaker Walter Salles ( Foreign Land ) directed this Brazilian - French road movie tracing the travels and travails of a young boy and an aging woman across the Brazilian landscape. In Rio de Janeiro's central railroad station , callous Dora ( leading Brazilian stage / screen actress Fernanda Montenegro ) works at a stand where she writes letters for a parade of poor and illiterate. Some of these remain undelivered because she chooses not to mail all of the letters. One of her customers is a woman whose nine - year - old son , Josue ( Vinicius de Oliveira ), hopes to see the father he has never met , but after the mother dictates two letters to the father , she's killed when hit by a bus. Since Josue is left homeless , Dora reluctantly takes him home to her small apartment overlooking the railroad tracks , where she sometimes spends time with her neighbor Irene ( Marilia Pera ) . Dora places Josue with people who claim to find adoptive parents. When Irene informs her they actually sell children who are then killed for their organs , Dora rescues Josue , and the two board a bus. After a failed attempt to abandon Josue at a roadside stop , Dora and Josue hitch a ride from a religious truck driver. Failing to locate his father , they arrive penniless at a huge rural religious convocation , where Josue suggests Dora bring her letter - writing skills back into play. The notion works , and Dora profits by writing letters to saints for the more devout among the assembled multitudes. Continuing on , they arrive at a sprawling - mass housing development -- and hopefully , a solution to the problem of a family for Josue. Young actor de Oliveira was a shoeshine boy who beat out more than 1 , 500 other children who auditioned or were interviewed for the Josue role. Made with grants from the Sundance Institute , NHK , and the French Ministry of Culture , this film was shown at 1998 film festivals ( Sundance , Berlin ) .
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Political prisoner Valentin Arregui (Raul Julia) and homosexual pederast Luis Molina (William Hurt) share a Brazilian prison cell in this fantastical drama from the book by Manuel Puig. Sensitive and flamboyant Molina helps pass the time by recounting memories from one of his favorite films a wartime romantic thriller that just may also be a Nazi propaganda film. He weaves the characters into an ongoing narrative meant to spur Valentin's imagination and distract him from the brutal realities of political imprisonment and separation from the woman he loves. Hard around the edges and willing to die for his political principles Valentin nonetheless allows Molina to penetrate some of his defensive shell. An odd friendship forms between the two vastly different prisoners the dreamer and the activist. As the narrative unfolds it becomes clear that Valentin is being poisoned by his captors to compel him to reveal names and secrets and that Molina may have other agendas that belie his honesty and openness with Valentin. The intense character study builds toward a surprising conclusion. Kiss of the Spider Woman received Oscar nominations for best picture best director and best adapted screenplay and Hurt took home the best actor trophy for his portrayal of the soulful and conflicted Molina. The film was later adapted into a Broadway musical.
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Political prisoner Valentin Arregui ( Raul Julia ) and homosexual pederast Luis Molina ( William Hurt ) share a Brazilian prison cell in this fantastical drama from the book by Manuel Puig . Sensitive and flamboyant , Molina helps pass the time by recounting memories from one of his favorite films , a wartime romantic thriller that just may also be a Nazi propaganda film. He weaves the characters into an ongoing narrative meant to spur Valentin's imagination and distract him from the brutal realities of political imprisonment and separation from the woman he loves. Hard around the edges , and willing to die for his political principles , Valentin nonetheless allows Molina to penetrate some of his defensive shell. An odd friendship forms between the two vastly different prisoners , the dreamer and the activist. As the narrative unfolds , it becomes clear that Valentin is being poisoned by his captors , to compel him to reveal names and secrets , and that Molina may have other agendas that belie his honesty and openness with Valentin. The intense character study builds toward a surprising conclusion. Kiss of the Spider Woman received Oscar nominations for best picture , best director and best adapted screenplay , and Hurt took home the best actor trophy for his portrayal of the soulful and conflicted Molina. The film was later adapted into a Broadway musical.
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runo Barreto returned to his native Brazil after a ten-year absence to direct this fact-based political thriller that was nominated for a Best Foreign Language Film Oscar. Pedro Cardoso stars as Rio de Janeiro journalist Fernando Gabeira who decides with his friend Cesar (Selton Mello) to take up arms with a radical leftist organization MR-8 in 1969. The revolutionaries who include the tough-talking and beautiful Maria (Fernanda Torres) are fighting to overthrow Brazil's brutal military government through civil unrest and guerilla tactics. Their first action the robbery of a bank is successful although one group member is captured and tortured by Henrique (Marco Ricca) a secret service agent plagued by his conscience. As a follow-up to the heist the MR-8 members kidnap the U.S. ambassador to Brazil Charles Burke Elbrick (Alan Arkin). During four days of captivity however the kidnappers discover that their prisoner is a good-hearted man of conscience causing Fernando to become increasingly uneasy about the group's plan to kill Elbrick if a demand for the release of political prisoners goes unheeded. O Que E Isso Companheiro? (1997) was based on Gabeira's book of the same name but was released in the U.S. under the title Four Days in September.
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Bruno Barreto returned to his native Brazil after a ten - year absence to direct this fact - based political thriller that was nominated for a Best Foreign Language Film Oscar. Pedro Cardoso stars as Rio de Janeiro journalist Fernando Gabeira , who decides with his friend Cesar ( Selton Mello ) to take up arms with a radical leftist organization , MR - 8 , in 1969. The revolutionaries , who include the tough - talking and beautiful Maria ( Fernanda Torres ), are fighting to overthrow Brazil's brutal military government through civil unrest and guerilla tactics. Their first action , the robbery of a bank , is successful , although one group member is captured and tortured by Henrique ( Marco Ricca ), a secret service agent plagued by his conscience. As a follow - up to the heist , the MR - 8 members kidnap the U.S. ambassador to Brazil , Charles Burke Elbrick ( Alan Arkin ) . During four days of captivity , however , the kidnappers discover that their prisoner is a good - hearted man of conscience , causing Fernando to become increasingly uneasy about the group's plan to kill Elbrick if a demand for the release of political prisoners goes unheeded. O Que E Isso , Companheiro? ( 1997 ) was based on Gabeira's book of the same name but was released in the U.S. under the title Four Days in September .
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ased on Time Krabbe's The Golden Egg The Vanishing is a deeply disturbing psychological thriller about a young man's search for his girlfriend after she disappears at a rest stop during a short trip. Over the course of three years the man obsessively searches for her using his spare time to put up posters and leave handbills hoping that someone will give him a clue to the mystery surrounding her disappearance. The kidnapper having watched the man for some time is intrigued by his increasing obsession and finally contacts him. He then gives the man the opportunity to learn firsthand of his girlfriend's fate. The film frightening and moving with a chilling conclusion is a small masterpiece as director George Sluizer confronts and examines the true nature of evil and obsession. Sluizer remade The Vanishing in an American version four years after the release of the original Dutch film inexplicably changing the shocking ending which gave the original film such power.
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Based on Time Krabbe's The Golden Egg , The Vanishing is a deeply disturbing psychological thriller about a young man's search for his girlfriend after she disappears at a rest stop during a short trip. Over the course of three years , the man obsessively searches for her , using his spare time to put up posters and leave handbills , hoping that someone will give him a clue to the mystery surrounding her disappearance. The kidnapper , having watched the man for some time , is intrigued by his increasing obsession and finally contacts him. He then gives the man the opportunity to learn firsthand of his girlfriend's fate. The film , frightening and moving with a chilling conclusion , is a small masterpiece as director George Sluizer confronts and examines the true nature of evil and obsession. Sluizer remade The Vanishing in an American version four years after the release of the original Dutch film , inexplicably changing the shocking ending which gave the original film such power.
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In one of Alfred Hitchcock's suspense classics tennis pro Guy Haines (Farley Granger) chances to meet wealthy wastrel Bruno Anthony (Robert Walker) on a train. Having read all about Guy Bruno is aware that the tennis player is trapped in an unhappy marriage to to wife Miriam (Laura Elliott) and has been seen in the company of senator's daughter Ann Morton (Ruth Roman). Baiting Guy Bruno reveals that he feels trapped by his hated father (Jonathan Hale). As Guy listens with detached amusement Bruno discusses the theory of "exchange murders." Suppose that Bruno were to murder Guy's wife and Guy in exchange were to kill Bruno's father? With no known link between the two men the police would be none the wiser would they? When he reaches his destination Guy bids goodbye to Bruno thinking nothing more of the affable but rather curious young man's homicidal theories. And then Guy's wife turns up strangled to death. Co-adapted by Raymond Chandler from a novel by Patricia Highsmith Strangers on a Train perfectly exemplifies Hitchcock's favorite theme of the evil that lurks just below the surface of everyday life and ordinary men.
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In one of Alfred Hitchcock 's suspense classics , tennis pro Guy Haines ( Farley Granger ) chances to meet wealthy wastrel Bruno Anthony ( Robert Walker ) on a train. Having read all about Guy , Bruno is aware that the tennis player is trapped in an unhappy marriage to to wife Miriam ( Laura Elliott ) and has been seen in the company of senator's daughter Ann Morton ( Ruth Roman ) . Baiting Guy , Bruno reveals that he feels trapped by his hated father ( Jonathan Hale ) . As Guy listens with detached amusement , Bruno discusses the theory of "exchange murders." Suppose that Bruno were to murder Guy's wife , and Guy in exchange were to kill Bruno's father? With no known link between the two men , the police would be none the wiser , would they? When he reaches his destination , Guy bids goodbye to Bruno , thinking nothing more of the affable but rather curious young man's homicidal theories. And then , Guy's wife turns up strangled to death. Co - adapted by Raymond Chandler from a novel by Patricia Highsmith , Strangers on a Train perfectly exemplifies Hitchcock 's favorite theme of the evil that lurks just below the surface of everyday life and ordinary men.
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Regarded by many critics as the ultimate film noir and by many more as the finest movie adaptation of a book by Mickey Spillane Kiss Me Deadly stars Ralph Meeker as Spillane's anti-social private eye Mike Hammer. While driving down a lonely road late one evening Hammer picks up a beautiful blonde hitchhiker (Cloris Leachman) dressed in nothing but a raincoat. At first Hammer assumes that the incoherent girl is an escaped lunatic; his mind is changed for him when he and the girl are abducted by two thugs. The men torture the girl to death as the semiconscious Hammer watches helplessly. He himself escapes extermination when the murderers' car topples off a cliff and he is thrown clear. Seeking vengeance Hammer tries to discover the secret behind the girl's murder. Among those who cross his path in the film's tense tingling 105 minutes are a slimy gangster (Paul Stewart) a turncoat scientist (Albert Dekker) and the dead woman's sexy roommate (Gaby Rodgers). All clues lead to a mysterious box -- the "Great Whatsit" as Hammer's secretary Velda (Maxine Cooper) describes it. Both the box and Velda are stolen by the villains at which point Hammer discovers that the "Whatsit" contains radioactive material of awesome powers. The apocalyptic climax is doubly devastating because we're never quite certain if Hammer survives (he doesn't narrate the story as was the case in most Mike Hammer films and TV shows). Director Robert Aldrich and scriptwriter Jack Moffit transcend Kiss Me Deadly's basic genre trappings to produce a one-of-a-kind melodrama for the nuclear age.
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Regarded by many critics as the ultimate film noir , and by many more as the finest movie adaptation of a book by Mickey Spillane , Kiss Me Deadly stars Ralph Meeker as Spillane 's anti - social private eye Mike Hammer. While driving down a lonely road late one evening , Hammer picks up a beautiful blonde hitchhiker ( Cloris Leachman ), dressed in nothing but a raincoat. At first , Hammer assumes that the incoherent girl is an escaped lunatic ; his mind is changed for him when he and the girl are abducted by two thugs. The men torture the girl to death as the semiconscious Hammer watches helplessly. He himself escapes extermination when the murderers' car topples off a cliff and he is thrown clear. Seeking vengeance , Hammer tries to discover the secret behind the girl's murder. Among those who cross his path in the film's tense , tingling 105 minutes are a slimy gangster ( Paul Stewart ), a turncoat scientist ( Albert Dekker ), and the dead woman's sexy roommate ( Gaby Rodgers ) . All clues lead to a mysterious box -- the "Great Whatsit , " as Hammer's secretary Velda ( Maxine Cooper ) describes it. Both the box and Velda are stolen by the villains , at which point Hammer discovers that the "Whatsit" contains radioactive material of awesome powers. The apocalyptic climax is doubly devastating because we're never quite certain if Hammer survives ( he doesn't narrate the story , as was the case in most Mike Hammer films and TV shows ) . Director Robert Aldrich and scriptwriter Jack Moffit transcend Kiss Me Deadly 's basic genre trappings to produce a one - of - a - kind melodrama for the nuclear age.
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A man is determined to find justice after the loss of a loved one even though he is incapable of fully remembering the crime in this offbeat thriller. Leonard (Guy Pearce) is a man who is struggling to put his life back together after the brutal rape and murder of his wife. But Leonard's problems are different from those of most people in his situation; he was beaten severely by the same man who killed his wife. The most significant manifestation of Leonard's injuries is that his short-term memory has been destroyed; he is incapable of retaining any new information and must resort to copious note-taking and Polaroid photographs in order to keep track of what happens to him over the course of a day (he's even tattooed himself with a few crucial bits of information he can't get along without). Leonard retains awareness that his wife was brutally murdered however and he's convinced that the culprit still walks the streets. Leonard is obsessed with the notion of taking revenge against the man who has ruined his life and he sets out to find him getting help from Natalie (Carrie-Anne Moss) who appears to be a sympathetic barmaid and Teddy (Joe Pantoliano) who claims to be Leonard's friend even though Leonard senses that he cannot be trusted. Writer/director Christopher Nolan adapted Memento from a short story by his brother Jonathan Nolan.
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A man is determined to find justice after the loss of a loved one , even though he is incapable of fully remembering the crime , in this offbeat thriller. Leonard ( Guy Pearce ) is a man who is struggling to put his life back together after the brutal rape and murder of his wife. But Leonard's problems are different from those of most people in his situation ; he was beaten severely by the same man who killed his wife. The most significant manifestation of Leonard's injuries is that his short - term memory has been destroyed ; he is incapable of retaining any new information , and must resort to copious note - taking and Polaroid photographs in order to keep track of what happens to him over the course of a day ( he's even tattooed himself with a few crucial bits of information he can't get along without ) . Leonard retains awareness that his wife was brutally murdered , however , and he's convinced that the culprit still walks the streets. Leonard is obsessed with the notion of taking revenge against the man who has ruined his life , and he sets out to find him , getting help from Natalie ( Carrie - Anne Moss ), who appears to be a sympathetic barmaid , and Teddy ( Joe Pantoliano ), who claims to be Leonard's friend , even though Leonard senses that he cannot be trusted. Writer / director Christopher Nolan adapted Memento from a short story by his brother Jonathan Nolan .
0665
In this involving political thriller a secret French paramilitary organization plans to assassinate French President Charles De Gaulle (Adrien Cayla-Legrand) because of their disagreement with his policies during the Algerian War. They hire a professional killer known only as "The Jackal" (Edward Fox). The police learn of the plot from an informer and police investigator Lebel (Michel Lonsdale) cleverly pieces together the clues to the Jackal's identity. The complicated plot uses parallel editing to cross-cut between the details of the Jackal's preparations for the assassination and Lebel's efforts to find him before it is too late. Fred Zinnemann presents the story faithfully adapted from the book by Frederick Forsyth with precise dramatic flair. Edward Fox is coldly alluring as the Jackal. Well acted and directed Day of the Jackal is a tense and engrossing political thriller with a surprising ending.
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In this involving political thriller , a secret French paramilitary organization plans to assassinate French President Charles De Gaulle ( Adrien Cayla - Legrand ) because of their disagreement with his policies during the Algerian War. They hire a professional killer , known only as "The Jackal" ( Edward Fox ) . The police learn of the plot from an informer , and police investigator Lebel ( Michel Lonsdale ) cleverly pieces together the clues to the Jackal's identity. The complicated plot uses parallel editing to cross - cut between the details of the Jackal's preparations for the assassination and Lebel's efforts to find him before it is too late. Fred Zinnemann presents the story , faithfully adapted from the book by Frederick Forsyth , with precise , dramatic flair. Edward Fox is coldly alluring as the Jackal. Well acted and directed , Day of the Jackal is a tense and engrossing political thriller with a surprising ending.
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In his directorial debut Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Mamet creates a stylish cinematic puzzle of games within games as con men are joined by a psychologist in creating the perfect caper. Dr. Margaret Ford (Lindsay Crouse) the writer of psychological self-help books meets Mike (Joe Mantegna) as she attempts to help a patient who owes heavy gambling debts. When she herself is the victim of a con she becomes intrigued by the psychological drama of the con game and joins in a complicated scam involving a suitcase of cash. Mamet directs his extremely complicated plot with skill and complete control until it is impossible to tell who is the con and who is the victim. The suspense builds to an amazing surprise ending which is both reasonable and believable but completely unpredictable. Crouse and Mantegna are outstanding as are all the supporting performances. Mamet and his cinematographer Juan Ruiz-Anchia create a visually stunning compelling film that does justice to Mamet's superbly written screenplay
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In his directorial debut , Pulitzer Prize - winning playwright David Mamet creates a stylish cinematic puzzle of games within games , as con men are joined by a psychologist in creating the perfect caper. Dr. Margaret Ford ( Lindsay Crouse ), the writer of psychological self - help books , meets Mike ( Joe Mantegna ) as she attempts to help a patient who owes heavy gambling debts. When she herself is the victim of a con , she becomes intrigued by the psychological drama of the con game and joins in a complicated scam involving a suitcase of cash. Mamet directs his extremely complicated plot with skill and complete control until it is impossible to tell who is the con and who is the victim. The suspense builds to an amazing surprise ending which is both reasonable and believable but completely unpredictable. Crouse and Mantegna are outstanding as are all the supporting performances. Mamet and his cinematographer Juan Ruiz - Anchia create a visually stunning , compelling film that does justice to Mamet 's superbly written screenplay
0667
This 1993 box-office smash partly adheres to the 1960s TV series on which it is based and partly goes off on several tangents of its own. Harrison Ford stars as Dr. Richard Kimble convicted of murdering his wife. While being transferred to prison by bus Kimble is involved in a spectacular bus-train collision (one of the best of its kind ever filmed). Surviving the disaster Kimble escapes vowing to track down the elusive professional criminal whom he holds responsible for the murder. Dogging the fugitive every foot of the way is U.S. marshal Sam Gerard (an Oscar-winning turn by Tommy Lee Jones) who announces his intention to search "every whorehouse doghouse and outhouse" to bring Kimble to justice. Unlike his dour TV-series counterpart Barry Morse Jones plays the role with a sardonic sense of humor: when a cornered Kimble screams "I didn't kill my wife" Gerard shrugs and famously replies "I don't care." Once the premise has been established scripters Jeb Stuart and David Twohy and director Andrew Davis pull off several audacious plot twists ranging from Kimble's rendezvous with a sympathetic lab technician to a jaw-dropping dive into a huge waterfall. The second half of the film offers one surprise after another (including the true identity of the murderer) brilliantly avoiding the letdown that plagues many movie adaptations of old TV series.
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This 1993 box - office smash partly adheres to the 1960s TV series on which it is based and partly goes off on several tangents of its own. Harrison Ford stars as Dr. Richard Kimble , convicted of murdering his wife. While being transferred to prison by bus , Kimble is involved in a spectacular bus - train collision ( one of the best of its kind ever filmed ) . Surviving the disaster , Kimble escapes , vowing to track down the elusive professional criminal whom he holds responsible for the murder. Dogging the fugitive every foot of the way is U.S. marshal Sam Gerard ( an Oscar - winning turn by Tommy Lee Jones ), who announces his intention to search "every whorehouse , doghouse , and outhouse" to bring Kimble to justice. Unlike his dour TV - series counterpart Barry Morse , Jones plays the role with a sardonic sense of humor : when a cornered Kimble screams , "I didn't kill my wife , " Gerard shrugs and famously replies , "I don't care ." Once the premise has been established , scripters Jeb Stuart and David Twohy and director Andrew Davis pull off several audacious plot twists , ranging from Kimble's rendezvous with a sympathetic lab technician to a jaw - dropping dive into a huge waterfall. The second half of the film offers one surprise after another ( including the true identity of the murderer ), brilliantly avoiding the letdown that plagues many movie adaptations of old TV series.
0668
A married couple is haunted by a series of mysterious occurrences after the death of their young daughter in this enigmatic chiller. Based on a story by Daphne du Maurier whose works inspired Alfred Hitchcock's Rebecca and The Birds the film centers on Laura and John Baxter (Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie) who have recently relocated to Venice so that John can oversee the architectural restoration of an old church. Both hope that the change of environment will allow them to forget the recent tragic demise of their child but they instead find themselves surrounded by reminders of death as the city attempts to deal with a series of unexplained murders. The eeriness intensifies when they encounter a blind psychic and her eccentric sister who promise to contact her daughter's spirit. Laura embraces the idea but John remains skeptical until he experiences his own visions: fleeting glimpses of someone in a red coat similar to one that belonged to his daughter.
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A married couple is haunted by a series of mysterious occurrences after the death of their young daughter in this enigmatic chiller. Based on a story by Daphne du Maurier , whose works inspired Alfred Hitchcock 's Rebecca and The Birds , the film centers on Laura and John Baxter ( Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie ), who have recently relocated to Venice so that John can oversee the architectural restoration of an old church. Both hope that the change of environment will allow them to forget the recent tragic demise of their child , but they instead find themselves surrounded by reminders of death , as the city attempts to deal with a series of unexplained murders. The eeriness intensifies when they encounter a blind psychic and her eccentric sister , who promise to contact her daughter's spirit. Laura embraces the idea , but John remains skeptical until he experiences his own visions : fleeting glimpses of someone in a red coat similar to one that belonged to his daughter.
0669
Robert L. Pike's crime novel Mute Witness makes the transition to the big screen in this film from director Peter Yates. In one of his most famous roles Steve McQueen stars as tough-guy police detective Frank Bullitt. The story begins with Bullitt assigned to a seemingly routine detail protecting mafia informant Johnny Ross (Pat Renella) who is scheduled to testify against his Mob cronies before a Senate subcommittee in San Francisco. But when a pair of hitmen ambush their secret location fatally wounding Ross things don't add up for Bullitt so he decides to investigate the case on his own. Unfortunately for him ambitious senator Walter Chalmers (Robert Vaughn) the head of the aforementioned subcommittee wants to shut his investigation down hindering Bullitt's plan to not only bring the killers to justice but discover who leaked the location of the hideout.
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Robert L. Pike 's crime novel Mute Witness makes the transition to the big screen in this film from director Peter Yates . In one of his most famous roles , Steve McQueen stars as tough - guy police detective Frank Bullitt. The story begins with Bullitt assigned to a seemingly routine detail , protecting mafia informant Johnny Ross ( Pat Renella ), who is scheduled to testify against his Mob cronies before a Senate subcommittee in San Francisco. But when a pair of hitmen ambush their secret location , fatally wounding Ross , things don't add up for Bullitt , so he decides to investigate the case on his own. Unfortunately for him , ambitious senator Walter Chalmers ( Robert Vaughn ), the head of the aforementioned subcommittee , wants to shut his investigation down , hindering Bullitt's plan to not only bring the killers to justice but discover who leaked the location of the hideout.
0670
Lawrence Kasdan's first directorial effort is a throwback to the early days of film noir. The scene is a beastly hot Florida coastal town where naive attorney Ned (William Hurt) is entranced by the alluring Matty (Kathleen Turner in her film debut). Ned is manipulated into killing Matty's much older husband (Richard Crenna) the plan being that Ned's knowledge of legal matters will enable both conspirators to escape scott-free. This might have been the case had not Matty been infinitely craftier than the cloddish Ned. Just when it seems as though the film has run out of plot twists we're handed yet another surprise.
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Lawrence Kasdan 's first directorial effort is a throwback to the early days of film noir. The scene is a beastly hot Florida coastal town , where naive attorney Ned ( William Hurt ) is entranced by the alluring Matty ( Kathleen Turner in her film debut ) . Ned is manipulated into killing Matty's much older husband ( Richard Crenna ), the plan being that Ned's knowledge of legal matters will enable both conspirators to escape scott - free. This might have been the case , had not Matty been infinitely craftier than the cloddish Ned. Just when it seems as though the film has run out of plot twists , we're handed yet another surprise.
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After the Oscar-winning The English Patient writer/director Anthony Minghella attempted another tricky literary adaptation with The Talented Mr. Ripley which features heartthrob Matt Damon cast against type as a psychopathic bisexual murderer. Tom Ripley (Damon) is a bright and charismatic sociopath who makes his way in mid-'50s New York City as a men's room attendant and sometimes pianist though his real skill is in impersonating other people forging handwriting and running second-rate scams. After being mistaken for a Princeton student Tom meets the shipping tycoon father of Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law) who has traveled to the coast of Italy where he's living a carefree life with his father's money and his beautiful girlfriend Marge (Gwyneth Paltrow). Dickie's father will pay Ripley 1000 dollars plus his expenses if he can persuade Dickie to return to America. As Ripley and Dickie become friends Tom finds himself both attracted to Dickie and envious of his life of pleasure. In time he decides that he would rather be Dickie Greenleaf than Tom Ripley so rather than go back to his life of poverty Ripley impulsively murders Dickie and assumes his identity. The Talented Mr. Ripley was based on the first of a series of novels featuring Tom Ripley written by Patricia Highsmith; the story was previously filmed in 1960 as Purple Noon with Alain Delon as Ripley.
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After the Oscar - winning The English Patient , writer / director Anthony Minghella attempted another tricky literary adaptation with The Talented Mr. Ripley , which features heartthrob Matt Damon cast against type as a psychopathic bisexual murderer. Tom Ripley ( Damon ) is a bright and charismatic sociopath who makes his way in mid - '50s New York City as a men's room attendant and sometimes pianist , though his real skill is in impersonating other people , forging handwriting , and running second - rate scams. After being mistaken for a Princeton student , Tom meets the shipping tycoon father of Dickie Greenleaf ( Jude Law ), who has traveled to the coast of Italy , where he's living a carefree life with his father's money and his beautiful girlfriend , Marge ( Gwyneth Paltrow ) . Dickie's father will pay Ripley 1 , 000 dollars plus his expenses if he can persuade Dickie to return to America. As Ripley and Dickie become friends , Tom finds himself both attracted to Dickie and envious of his life of pleasure. In time , he decides that he would rather be Dickie Greenleaf than Tom Ripley , so rather than go back to his life of poverty , Ripley impulsively murders Dickie and assumes his identity. The Talented Mr. Ripley was based on the first of a series of novels featuring Tom Ripley written by Patricia Highsmith ; the story was previously filmed in 1960 as Purple Noon , with Alain Delon as Ripley.
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In this tense tale of psychological terror Dr. Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis) is a child psychologist whose new patient has a problem far outside his usual area of expertise. Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment) is six-years-old and claims to see the spirits of dead people all around him. It seems that Cole has psychic powers and can channel the ghosts of those who were troubled. Cole doesn't understand his powers and he has little control over them; he's constantly terrified by what he sees and Dr. Crowe is the only one with whom he feels he can share this secret. However as the doctor digs deeper into Cole's strange powers it leads to strange and unexpected consequences for both of them. M. Night Shyamalan who wrote and directed the film has a small role as Dr. Hill.
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In this tense tale of psychological terror , Dr. Malcolm Crowe ( Bruce Willis ) is a child psychologist whose new patient has a problem far outside his usual area of expertise. Cole Sear ( Haley Joel Osment ) is six - years - old and claims to see the spirits of dead people all around him. It seems that Cole has psychic powers and can channel the ghosts of those who were troubled. Cole doesn't understand his powers , and he has little control over them ; he's constantly terrified by what he sees , and Dr. Crowe is the only one with whom he feels he can share this secret. However , as the doctor digs deeper into Cole's strange powers , it leads to strange and unexpected consequences for both of them. M. Night Shyamalan , who wrote and directed the film , has a small role as Dr. Hill.
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Norwegian filmmaker Erik Skjoldbjaerg makes his directorial debut with the psychological police drama Insomnia. Swedish homicide detective Jonas Engström (Stellan Skarsgård) and his partner Erik Vik (Sverre Anker Ousdal) arrive in a small Northern Norwegian town to help the local police investigate the murder of a teenage girl. When Jonas finds the girl's backpack he sets a trap for the killer near a remote shed. While waiting to make an ambush in the morning fog Jonas accidentally shoots Erik. He knows it was only an accident but he decides to keep it a secret because he could lose his job. Jonas chooses to carry on with his investigation while trying to cover up the evidence of Erik's death. Meanwhile he's unable to get any sleep due to the constant sunlight of the Norwegian summer and his increasingly guilty conscience. His only help comes from highly intuitive local police officer Hilda Haugen (Gisken Armand) who begins to form her own doubts about Jonas. As he continues to lose his grip on the case at hand he becomes dangerously close to the suspects Jon Holt (Bjørn Floberg) and Frøya (Marianne O. Ulrichsen). Filmmaker Christopher Nolan directed the English-language remake of Insomnia in 2002 with Al Pacino Robin Williams and Hilary Swank.
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Norwegian filmmaker Erik Skjoldbjaerg makes his directorial debut with the psychological police drama Insomnia . Swedish homicide detective Jonas Engström ( Stellan Skarsgård ) and his partner , Erik Vik ( Sverre Anker Ousdal ), arrive in a small Northern Norwegian town to help the local police investigate the murder of a teenage girl. When Jonas finds the girl's backpack , he sets a trap for the killer near a remote shed. While waiting to make an ambush in the morning fog , Jonas accidentally shoots Erik. He knows it was only an accident , but he decides to keep it a secret because he could lose his job. Jonas chooses to carry on with his investigation while trying to cover up the evidence of Erik's death. Meanwhile , he's unable to get any sleep due to the constant sunlight of the Norwegian summer and his increasingly guilty conscience. His only help comes from highly intuitive local police officer Hilda Haugen ( Gisken Armand ), who begins to form her own doubts about Jonas. As he continues to lose his grip on the case at hand , he becomes dangerously close to the suspects , Jon Holt ( Bjørn Floberg ) and Frøya ( Marianne O. Ulrichsen ) . Filmmaker Christopher Nolan directed the English - language remake of Insomnia in 2002 with Al Pacino , Robin Williams , and Hilary Swank .
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A high-profile slaying becomes the case of an ambitious attorney's career in this legal thriller based on the novel by William Diehl. Richard Gere stars as Martin Vail a famed defense lawyer who volunteers his services to Aaron Stampler (Edward Norton) a Kentucky teenager charged with the murder of a Chicago archbishop. Covered with blood Aaron was captured after a foot chase broadcast live on TV making a gleeful Vail certain that he could raise his profile by defending the obviously guilty suspect. Assigned to prosecute is Assistant District Attorney Janet Venable (Laura Linney) who is Vail's ex-girlfriend. Vail's case becomes more complicated than he expected when a psychologist Dr. Molly Arrington (Frances McDormand) concludes that Stampler suffers from multiple personality disorder. Vail also uncovers evidence that the archbishop was involved in a corrupt land scheme and may have molested young parishioners. Now the cynical opportunistic attorney is faced with a daunting prospect a client who may actually deserve his best defense. Its shocking twist ending made Primal Fear (1996) a big box office hit and earned Norton in his screen debut an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
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A high - profile slaying becomes the case of an ambitious attorney's career in this legal thriller based on the novel by William Diehl . Richard Gere stars as Martin Vail , a famed defense lawyer who volunteers his services to Aaron Stampler ( Edward Norton ), a Kentucky teenager charged with the murder of a Chicago archbishop. Covered with blood , Aaron was captured after a foot chase broadcast live on TV , making a gleeful Vail certain that he could raise his profile by defending the obviously guilty suspect. Assigned to prosecute is Assistant District Attorney Janet Venable ( Laura Linney ), who is Vail's ex - girlfriend. Vail's case becomes more complicated than he expected when a psychologist , Dr. Molly Arrington ( Frances McDormand ) concludes that Stampler suffers from multiple personality disorder. Vail also uncovers evidence that the archbishop was involved in a corrupt land scheme and may have molested young parishioners. Now the cynical , opportunistic attorney is faced with a daunting prospect , a client who may actually deserve his best defense. Its shocking , twist ending made Primal Fear ( 1996 ) a big box office hit and earned Norton , in his screen debut , an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
0675
Arthur Hamilton (John Randolph) is a listless Manhattan businessman who lives with his wife in the New York suburbs. One day he runs into an old friend (Murray Hamilton) whom he thought had died. The friend leads him to The Company a secretive operation run by The Old Man (Will Geer). The Company is a high-tech service which for a price provides older men with plastic surgery a beefed-up body and a fresh start in life. To cover the "disappearance" a middle-aged male cadaver is "killed" in a hotel fire. Hamilton submits to the operation that will turn him into a "Second" and when the bandages are removed he's shed twenty years renamed Tony Wilson and portrayed by Rock Hudson. The Company creates a new identity for Hamilton relocating him in a hedonistic California beach community with an identity as a painter. Celebrating during a local wine festival Hamilton has his revelry cut short when he learns that all his new young friends are Seconds like himself and suddenly feels trapped in these surroundings. Unfortunately finding a way out isn't nearly as easy as it was to find a way in.
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Arthur Hamilton ( John Randolph ) is a listless Manhattan businessman who lives with his wife in the New York suburbs. One day , he runs into an old friend ( Murray Hamilton ) whom he thought had died. The friend leads him to The Company , a secretive operation run by The Old Man ( Will Geer ) . The Company is a high - tech service which , for a price , provides older men with plastic surgery , a beefed - up body , and a fresh start in life. To cover the "disappearance , " a middle - aged male cadaver is "killed" in a hotel fire. Hamilton submits to the operation that will turn him into a "Second , " and when the bandages are removed , he's shed twenty years , renamed Tony Wilson and portrayed by Rock Hudson . The Company creates a new identity for Hamilton , relocating him in a hedonistic California beach community with an identity as a painter. Celebrating during a local wine festival , Hamilton has his revelry cut short when he learns that all his new young friends are Seconds like himself and suddenly feels trapped in these surroundings. Unfortunately , finding a way out isn't nearly as easy as it was to find a way in.
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René Clément's thriller Purple Noon stars Alain Delon as Tom Ripley an American who travels to Europe on an all-expenses-paid mission to convince his friend the errant playboy Philippe Greenleaf (Maurice Ronet) to travel to San Francisco at the request of the wealthy Greenleaf family. Initially the pair enjoy the good life in Italy often to the anger and dismay of Philippe's much put-upon fiancee Marge (Marie Laforet). However as Tom's funds begin to run dry it becomes more and more apparent that Philippe has no intentions of returning to the U.S. forcing Tom to consider more nefarious means of maintaining his extravagant lifestyle. Purple Noon is adapted from Patricia Highsmith's novel The Talented Mr. Ripley and like Alfred Hitchcock's classic Strangers on a Train also based on Highsmith's work the theme of identity transference is dominant. The subject even extends to the homoerotic undercurrents which simmer below the surface of Tom and Philippe's relationship setting into motion a love/hate tension which explodes during a high seas journey.
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René Clément 's thriller Purple Noon stars Alain Delon as Tom Ripley , an American who travels to Europe on an all - expenses - paid mission to convince his friend , the errant playboy Philippe Greenleaf ( Maurice Ronet ), to travel to San Francisco at the request of the wealthy Greenleaf family. Initially , the pair enjoy the good life in Italy , often to the anger and dismay of Philippe's much put - upon fiancee Marge ( Marie Laforet ) . However , as Tom's funds begin to run dry , it becomes more and more apparent that Philippe has no intentions of returning to the U.S. , forcing Tom to consider more nefarious means of maintaining his extravagant lifestyle. Purple Noon is adapted from Patricia Highsmith 's novel The Talented Mr. Ripley , and like Alfred Hitchcock 's classic Strangers on a Train , also based on Highsmith 's work , the theme of identity transference is dominant. The subject even extends to the homoerotic undercurrents which simmer below the surface of Tom and Philippe's relationship , setting into motion a love / hate tension which explodes during a high seas journey.
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ased on a novel by the iconoclastic Richard Condon (of Manchurian Candidate and Prizzi's Honor fame) Winter Kills was one of the vanguard efforts in the "JFK conspiracy" school of literature. Jeff Bridges stars as Nick Kegan the scion of a powerful Kennedyesque family who has done his best to make himself obscure after the assassination of his older brother the former president of the U.S. While working as an oil rigger Nick is introduced to a terminally ill gentleman who claims to have been "the second assassin." His curiosity aroused Nick begins digging into what was supposed to be a closed case -- and predictably what he finds out isn't pretty. This however is the only predictable element of this mesmerizingly mazelike yarn. A failure when first released Winter Kills fared somewhat better when director William Richert arranged to rerelease the film through his own company and restore several scenes that had been cut by its previous backers. Elizabeth Taylor appears uncredited as one "Lola Comante."
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Based on a novel by the iconoclastic Richard Condon ( of Manchurian Candidate and Prizzi's Honor fame ), Winter Kills was one of the vanguard efforts in the " JFK conspiracy" school of literature. Jeff Bridges stars as Nick Kegan , the scion of a powerful Kennedyesque family , who has done his best to make himself obscure after the assassination of his older brother , the former president of the U.S. While working as an oil rigger , Nick is introduced to a terminally ill gentleman who claims to have been "the second assassin." His curiosity aroused , Nick begins digging into what was supposed to be a closed case -- and , predictably , what he finds out isn't pretty. This , however , is the only predictable element of this mesmerizingly mazelike yarn. A failure when first released , Winter Kills fared somewhat better when director William Richert arranged to rerelease the film through his own company and restore several scenes that had been cut by its previous backers. Elizabeth Taylor appears uncredited as one "Lola Comante."
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A righteous police officer investigating the disappearance of a young girl comes into conflict with the unusual residents of a secluded Scottish isle in this unsettling intelligent chiller. Brought to the island of Summerisle by an anonymous letter Edward Woodward's constable is surprised to discover that the island's population suspiciously denies the missing girl's very existence. Even more shocking at least to the traditionally pious law office the island is ruled by a libertarian society organized around pagan rituals. Repelled by the open acceptance of sexuality nature worship and even witchcraft the officer takes an antagonistic attitude towards the people and their leader an eccentric but charming English lord (Christopher Lee). The officer's unease intensifies as he continues his investigation slowly coming to fear that the girl's disappearance may be linked in a particularly horrifying manner to an upcoming public festival. Anthony Shaffer's meticulously crafted screenplay creates a thoroughly convincing alternative society building tension through slow discovery and indirect suggestion and making the terrifying climax all the more effective. Performances are also perfectly tuned with Woodward suitably priggish as the investigator and horror icon Lee delivering one of his most accomplished performances as Lord Summerisle. Little noticed during its original theatrical run due to studio edits and a limited release the film's intelligence and uncanny tone has since attracted a devoted cult following.
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A righteous police officer investigating the disappearance of a young girl comes into conflict with the unusual residents of a secluded Scottish isle in this unsettling , intelligent chiller. Brought to the island of Summerisle by an anonymous letter , Edward Woodward 's constable is surprised to discover that the island's population suspiciously denies the missing girl's very existence. Even more shocking , at least to the traditionally pious law office , the island is ruled by a libertarian society organized around pagan rituals. Repelled by the open acceptance of sexuality , nature worship , and even witchcraft , the officer takes an antagonistic attitude towards the people and their leader , an eccentric but charming English lord ( Christopher Lee ) . The officer's unease intensifies as he continues his investigation , slowly coming to fear that the girl's disappearance may be linked in a particularly horrifying manner to an upcoming public festival. Anthony Shaffer 's meticulously crafted screenplay creates a thoroughly convincing alternative society , building tension through slow discovery and indirect suggestion and making the terrifying climax all the more effective. Performances are also perfectly tuned , with Woodward suitably priggish as the investigator and horror icon Lee delivering one of his most accomplished performances as Lord Summerisle. Little noticed during its original theatrical run due to studio edits and a limited release , the film's intelligence and uncanny tone has since attracted a devoted cult following.
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This gripping emotional story of a roving photographer's transformation from a neutral artist with a camera to an involved human rights activist with a camera begins in Chad travels to Nicaragua in the early 1980s and ends when the Nicaraguan dictator Somoza takes off for the palm trees and beaches of Florida. Nick Nolte brilliantly interprets his role as the photographer Russell Price and Joanna Cassidy is Claire the radio journalist he meets while in Chad along with her lover Time Magazine reporter Alex (Gene Hackman) who ends up opting for a plush job as a TV anchorman and a quiet life on Long Island. When Alex leaves Claire heads off to the next hot spot Nicaragua and Russell decides to tag along -- not because he is that interested in Nicaragua but because he is interested in Claire. Once in the war-torn Central American country it does not take Russell long to see the vast difference between the corrupt U.S.-backed dictatorship and the struggling guerrilla forces who have been fighting for a decade already. As his eyes are opened he and Claire decide to go along with the rebels and film their fighting behind the lines. During one battle the much-venerated rebel leader is shot dead and Russell reluctantly agrees to fake a photo of the man as though he were still living so as not to demoralize the army that looks up to him for leadership. The photo appears in the news around the world and causes such a furor that Alex shows up to demand an interview with the leader for national American television. It is on the way to this supposed interview that Alex leaves the car for a moment and is senselessly shot and killed by a government soldier the whole episode filmed for the world by Russell's camera. This outrage (which actually occurred when journalist Bill Stewart was inhumanly shot by a Somoza soldier in full view of the video camera) soon makes global news and helps to hasten the overthrow of the corrupt dictatorship. Meanwhile Russell has new issues to consider once his camera has become an "active" and not a "passive" observer of political unrest. René Enriquéz who plays the dictator Somoza in this film is a native Nicaraguan related to a newspaper reporter killed by Somoza's government.
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This gripping , emotional story of a roving photographer's transformation from a neutral artist with a camera to an involved human rights activist with a camera begins in Chad , travels to Nicaragua in the early 1980s , and ends when the Nicaraguan dictator Somoza takes off for the palm trees and beaches of Florida. Nick Nolte brilliantly interprets his role as the photographer Russell Price , and Joanna Cassidy is Claire , the radio journalist he meets while in Chad , along with her lover , Time Magazine reporter Alex ( Gene Hackman ), who ends up opting for a plush job as a TV anchorman and a quiet life on Long Island. When Alex leaves , Claire heads off to the next hot spot , Nicaragua , and Russell decides to tag along -- not because he is that interested in Nicaragua , but because he is interested in Claire. Once in the war - torn , Central American country , it does not take Russell long to see the vast difference between the corrupt , U.S. - backed dictatorship and the struggling guerrilla forces who have been fighting for a decade already. As his eyes are opened , he and Claire decide to go along with the rebels and film their fighting behind the lines. During one battle , the much - venerated rebel leader is shot dead , and Russell reluctantly agrees to fake a photo of the man as though he were still living , so as not to demoralize the army that looks up to him for leadership. The photo appears in the news around the world and causes such a furor that Alex shows up to demand an interview with the leader for national American television. It is on the way to this supposed interview that Alex leaves the car for a moment and is senselessly shot and killed by a government soldier , the whole episode filmed for the world by Russell's camera. This outrage ( which actually occurred when journalist Bill Stewart was inhumanly shot by a Somoza soldier in full view of the video camera ) soon makes global news and helps to hasten the overthrow of the corrupt dictatorship. Meanwhile , Russell has new issues to consider once his camera has become an "active" and not a "passive" observer of political unrest. René Enriquéz who plays the dictator Somoza in this film is a native Nicaraguan , related to a newspaper reporter killed by Somoza's government.
0680
"His code name is Condor. In the next 24 hours everyone he trusts will try to kill him." As the ads ominously announced a low-level spook confronts the unfathomable in Sydney Pollack's 1975 political thriller adapted from the James Grady novel Six Days of the Condor. CIA researcher Joe Turner (Robert Redford) returns from lunch to find the entire staff of his small New York office assassinated. When he meets his boss (Cliff Robertson) at another location to tell him what happened someone tries to shoot Turner as well. On the run from the cops and his agency a desperate Turner resorts to holing up with innocent civilian Kathy (Faye Dunaway) who becomes his only ally. Joe decides to save himself the only way possible: by going to The New York Times. But will it work? One of a cycle of conspiracy films from the 1970s that also included The Parallax View (1974) and Redford's All the President's Men (1976) Three Days of the Condor pits a working Everyman (albeit a CIA everyman) against a far-reaching conspiracy as it also criticizes the CIA during a period of increasing publicity about federal wrongdoing from the Pentagon Papers through Watergate and other congressional investigations; the challenge of negotiating New York City shot on location becomes one more sign of the forces that Joe must face. With its timely subject matter taut suspense and sympathetic Redford hero Three Days of the Condor became a substantial hit. Balancing the conspiracy cycle's pessimism with a margin of attenuated hope Three Days of the Condor suggests that one man can still discover the truth but whether it helps him remains to be seen.
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"His code name is Condor. In the next 24 hours , everyone he trusts will try to kill him." As the ads ominously announced , a low - level spook confronts the unfathomable in Sydney Pollack 's 1975 political thriller , adapted from the James Grady novel Six Days of the Condor . CIA researcher Joe Turner ( Robert Redford ) returns from lunch to find the entire staff of his small New York office assassinated. When he meets his boss ( Cliff Robertson ) at another location to tell him what happened , someone tries to shoot Turner as well. On the run from the cops and his agency , a desperate Turner resorts to holing up with innocent civilian Kathy ( Faye Dunaway ), who becomes his only ally. Joe decides to save himself the only way possible : by going to The New York Times . But will it work? One of a cycle of conspiracy films from the 1970s that also included The Parallax View ( 1974 ) and Redford 's All the President's Men ( 1976 ), Three Days of the Condor pits a working Everyman ( albeit a CIA everyman ) against a far - reaching conspiracy , as it also criticizes the CIA during a period of increasing publicity about federal wrongdoing , from the Pentagon Papers through Watergate and other congressional investigations ; the challenge of negotiating New York City , shot on location , becomes one more sign of the forces that Joe must face. With its timely subject matter , taut suspense , and sympathetic Redford hero , Three Days of the Condor became a substantial hit. Balancing the conspiracy cycle's pessimism with a margin of attenuated hope , Three Days of the Condor suggests that one man can still discover the truth , but whether it helps him remains to be seen.
0681
Director Roman Polanski casts himself in the lead of the psychological thriller The Tenant. Trelkovsky (Polanski) rents an apartment in a spooky old residential building where his neighbors -- mostly old recluses -- eye him with suspicious contempt. Upon discovering that the apartment's previous tenant a beautiful young woman jumped from the window in a suicide attempt Trelkovsky begins obsessing over the dead woman. Growing increasingly paranoid Trelkovsky convinces himself that his neighbors plan to kill him. He even comes to the conclusion that Stella (Isabel Adjani) the woman he has fallen in love with is in on the "plot." Ultimately Polanski assumes the identity of the suicide victim -- and inherits her self-destructive urges. Some critics found the movie tedious and overdone; others compared it to Polanski's early breakthrough Repulsion. The film was based on Le Locataire Chimerique a novel by Roland Topor.
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Director Roman Polanski casts himself in the lead of the psychological thriller The Tenant . Trelkovsky ( Polanski ) rents an apartment in a spooky old residential building , where his neighbors -- mostly old recluses -- eye him with suspicious contempt. Upon discovering that the apartment's previous tenant , a beautiful young woman , jumped from the window in a suicide attempt , Trelkovsky begins obsessing over the dead woman. Growing increasingly paranoid , Trelkovsky convinces himself that his neighbors plan to kill him. He even comes to the conclusion that Stella ( Isabel Adjani ), the woman he has fallen in love with , is in on the "plot." Ultimately , Polanski assumes the identity of the suicide victim -- and inherits her self - destructive urges. Some critics found the movie tedious and overdone ; others compared it to Polanski 's early breakthrough , Repulsion . The film was based on Le Locataire Chimerique , a novel by Roland Topor .
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Terry O'Quinn plays The Stepfather in this intelligent unsettling chiller. We'd tell you O'Quinn's character name but he has so many. You see O'Quinn has been a stepfather many times over romancing and marrying widowed women in several different states. After each wedding everything is blissful -- at least until O'Quinn's new wife and kids fail to measure up to his notions of perfection. Then he kills them en masse and moves on to his next victims. Shelley Hack and Jill Schoelen co-star as O'Quinn's latest wife and stepdaughter who prove to be yet another disappointment to him. An adroit witches' blend of Ozzie & Harriet and Psycho The Stepfather was scripted by suspense veteran Donald E. Westlake. A lesser sequel Stepfather 2 followed in 1989.
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Terry O'Quinn plays The Stepfather in this intelligent , unsettling chiller. We'd tell you O'Quinn's character name , but he has so many. You see , O'Quinn has been a stepfather many times over , romancing and marrying widowed women in several different states. After each wedding , everything is blissful -- at least , until O'Quinn's new wife and kids fail to measure up to his notions of perfection. Then he kills them en masse , and moves on to his next victims. Shelley Hack and Jill Schoelen co - star as O'Quinn's latest wife and stepdaughter , who prove to be yet another disappointment to him. An adroit witches' blend of Ozzie & Harriet and Psycho , The Stepfather was scripted by suspense veteran Donald E. Westlake . A lesser sequel , Stepfather 2 , followed in 1989.
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Sea of Love is a sexy atmospheric thriller very much in the style of Alfred Hitchcock with involving characters steamy love scenes and surprising plot twists. Frank Keller (Al Pacino) is a lonely tired disillusioned police detective who has a problem with alcohol. Frank is investigating a serial killer whom he believes finds victims by using personal ads in magazines killing them while playing the old record "Sea of Love." In a scene both amusing and touching Frank and his partner Sherman (John Goodman) --aided by Frank's father (William Hickey in a lovely cameo) place a personal ad hoping to lure the killer. Helen Cruger (Ellen Barkin) a tough sexy single mother answers the ad and begins an affair with Frank despite the fact that she is one of the prime suspects in the case. The suspense builds as Frank though deeply drawn to Helen becomes more and more suspicious of her. In a splendidly crafted script from Richard Price the plot is compelling with plenty of action terrific authentic dialogue and superb characterization. Ellen Barkin gives a marvelous performance as an independent sensual and intriguing femme fatale; John Goodman is excellent as Sherman giving a likable shrewd and subtly comic performance; and Pacino in perhaps his best performance since Dog Day Afternoon plays Frank as a man on the edge reckless and self-destructive lost and alone. Frank falls in love with Helen in spite of himself because of his loneliness and need. Pacino's skill in showing the vulnerability and neediness of Frank explains the somewhat implausible actions of his character in continuing their affair despite the mounting evidence against Helen. Harold Becker directs with great flair bringing the story believability without lapsing into false sentimentality.
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Sea of Love is a sexy , atmospheric thriller , very much in the style of Alfred Hitchcock , with involving characters , steamy love scenes , and surprising plot twists. Frank Keller ( Al Pacino ), is a lonely , tired , disillusioned , police detective , who has a problem with alcohol. Frank is investigating a serial killer , whom he believes finds victims by using personal ads in magazines , killing them while playing the old record "Sea of Love." In a scene both amusing and touching , Frank and his partner , Sherman ( John Goodman ) -- aided by Frank's father ( William Hickey in a lovely cameo ) place a personal ad , hoping to lure the killer. Helen Cruger ( Ellen Barkin ), a tough , sexy single mother answers the ad and begins an affair with Frank , despite the fact that she is one of the prime suspects in the case. The suspense builds as Frank , though deeply drawn to Helen , becomes more and more suspicious of her. In a splendidly crafted script from Richard Price , the plot is compelling , with plenty of action , terrific authentic dialogue and superb characterization. Ellen Barkin gives a marvelous performance as an independent , sensual and intriguing femme fatale ; John Goodman is excellent as Sherman , giving a likable , shrewd , and subtly comic performance ; and Pacino , in perhaps his best performance since Dog Day Afternoon , plays Frank as a man on the edge , reckless and self - destructive , lost and alone. Frank falls in love with Helen , in spite of himself , because of his loneliness and need. Pacino's skill in showing the vulnerability and neediness of Frank explains the somewhat implausible actions of his character in continuing their affair despite the mounting evidence against Helen. Harold Becker directs with great flair , bringing the story believability , without lapsing into false sentimentality.
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Play Misty for Me marked Clint Eastwood's debut as a director and it gave him the then-unusual opportunity to play a regular contemporary guy in a thriller about sex obsession and stalking. Eastwood's Dave Garver is a self-centered California jazz disc jockey struggling with the idea of committing to his on-again off-again girlfriend Tobie (Donna Mills). One night he meets the mini-skirted Evelyn (Jessica Walters) in a bar and he goes home with her for what he assumes is a one-night stand. Dave discovers however that Evelyn has repeatedly called his show requesting that he "play 'Misty' for me" and she is not about to go gently into the night now that she has bedded him. Even though it touches on the early-'70s flashpoints of sexual liberation studio execs expressed doubts about why anyone would want to see a movie featuring Eastwood as a deejay. Eastwood reportedly answered that he was not sure either but he thought it was a good suspense story and he offered his services as director for free. Play Misty for Me wound up making five times more than it cost and is a precursor to such erotic thrillers as Fatal Attraction (1987) and Basic Instinct (1992). Eastwood mentor Don Siegel appears early on as a bartender.
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Play Misty for Me marked Clint Eastwood 's debut as a director , and it gave him the then - unusual opportunity to play a regular contemporary guy in a thriller about sex , obsession , and stalking. Eastwood 's Dave Garver is a self - centered California jazz disc jockey struggling with the idea of committing to his on - again , off - again girlfriend Tobie ( Donna Mills ) . One night he meets the mini - skirted Evelyn ( Jessica Walters ) in a bar , and he goes home with her for what he assumes is a one - night stand. Dave discovers , however , that Evelyn has repeatedly called his show requesting that he "play 'Misty' for me , " and she is not about to go gently into the night now that she has bedded him. Even though it touches on the early - '70s flashpoints of sexual liberation , studio execs expressed doubts about why anyone would want to see a movie featuring Eastwood as a deejay. Eastwood reportedly answered that he was not sure either , but he thought it was a good suspense story , and he offered his services as director for free. Play Misty for Me wound up making five times more than it cost and is a precursor to such erotic thrillers as Fatal Attraction ( 1987 ) and Basic Instinct ( 1992 ) . Eastwood mentor Don Siegel appears early on as a bartender.
0685
While the Watergate scandal filled the headlines Alan J. Pakula's 1974 thriller took its inspiration from the conspiracy theories surrounding the Kennedy assassination. Journalist Joe Frady (Warren Beatty) misses witnessing the assassination of a senator at Seattle's Space Needle but his newswoman former girlfriend Lee Carter (Paula Prentiss) was there. Even after a government commission concludes that it was a freak lone assassin Lee tells Joe that she fears for her life since other witnesses keep dying. After she too turns up dead Joe investigates travelling to the small town where another witness has mysteriously expired. Stumbling on a corporate identity for the killers Joe decides to dig deeper by infiltrating the Parallax Corporation as one of their hired assassins. As Joe becomes increasingly isolated in his assumed identity he discovers what Parallax is all about -- but Parallax knows all about Joe too. Made between Klute (1971) and All the President's Men (1976) The Parallax View was the second film in Pakula's "paranoia" trilogy; it proved too dark even for a 1974 audience that embraced such other challenging films of that year as The Godfather Part II and Chinatown making The Parallax View the sole flop of Pakula's trilogy.
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While the Watergate scandal filled the headlines , Alan J. Pakula 's 1974 thriller took its inspiration from the conspiracy theories surrounding the Kennedy assassination. Journalist Joe Frady ( Warren Beatty ) misses witnessing the assassination of a senator at Seattle's Space Needle , but his newswoman former girlfriend Lee Carter ( Paula Prentiss ) was there. Even after a government commission concludes that it was a freak lone assassin , Lee tells Joe that she fears for her life since other witnesses keep dying. After she too turns up dead , Joe investigates , travelling to the small town where another witness has mysteriously expired. Stumbling on a corporate identity for the killers , Joe decides to dig deeper by infiltrating the Parallax Corporation as one of their hired assassins. As Joe becomes increasingly isolated in his assumed identity , he discovers what Parallax is all about -- but Parallax knows all about Joe too. Made between Klute ( 1971 ) and All the President's Men ( 1976 ), The Parallax View was the second film in Pakula 's "paranoia" trilogy ; it proved too dark even for a 1974 audience that embraced such other challenging films of that year as The Godfather , Part II and Chinatown , making The Parallax View the sole flop of Pakula 's trilogy.
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No Way Out is told in flashback as Naval officer Tom Farrell (Kevin Costner) is grilled by his superiors regarding a recent "unpleasantness." While at a Washington party Tom meets Susan Atwel (Sean Young) and they're soon sharing a steamy love scene in the back of a limo (marvelously parodied in 1993's Hot Shots! Part Deux). Several months pass before Tom meets Susan again; he discovers she's the mistress of the US Secretary of Defense David Brice (Gene Hackman). When Susan is murdered by Brice his loyal aide (Will Patton) dutifully destroys the evidence and invents the fallacious theory that a KGB mole was responsible. Tom is assigned to locate that mole -- a perilous situation since Tom knows that no such mole exists but must go along with the charade since he was the last person who was seen with Susan.
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No Way Out is told in flashback as Naval officer Tom Farrell ( Kevin Costner ) is grilled by his superiors regarding a recent "unpleasantness." While at a Washington party , Tom meets Susan Atwel ( Sean Young ), and they're soon sharing a steamy love scene in the back of a limo ( marvelously parodied in 1993's Hot Shots! Part Deux ) . Several months pass before Tom meets Susan again ; he discovers she's the mistress of the US Secretary of Defense David Brice ( Gene Hackman ) . When Susan is murdered by Brice , his loyal aide ( Will Patton ) dutifully destroys the evidence and invents the fallacious theory that a KGB mole was responsible. Tom is assigned to locate that mole -- a perilous situation , since Tom knows that no such mole exists , but must go along with the charade since he was the last person who was seen with Susan.
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The Narrow Margin is generally considered a "model" B picture; some film buffs go farther than that labelling this 1952 RKO suspenser as the best low-budget studio production ever made. Nail-hard detective Walter Brown (Charles McGraw) is assigned to protect gangster's widow Mrs. Neall (Marie Windsor) as she rides the train from Chicago to LA en route to testifying at a grand jury. There's no love lost between the ill-tempered Neall and Brown especially since Brown's partner (Don Beddoe) was killed by mobsters while shielding Neall from harm. On the train Brown makes the acquaintance of a likeable woman (Jacqueline White) and her playful young son. He also comes in contact with a rather secretive fat man (Paul Maxey) who may well be a mob assassin. Not long before the train pulls into California Brown is approached by small-time crook (Peter Brocco) who offers the detective a great deal of money if he'll permit Neall to be silenced. Brown appears to be tempted but this is only a smokescreen to throw the crooks off the trail. The Narrow Margin was remade (and unnecessarily padded and attenuated) in 1990.
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The Narrow Margin is generally considered a "model" B picture ; some film buffs go farther than that , labelling this 1952 RKO suspenser as the best low - budget studio production ever made. Nail - hard detective Walter Brown ( Charles McGraw ) is assigned to protect gangster's widow Mrs. Neall ( Marie Windsor ) as she rides the train from Chicago to LA , en route to testifying at a grand jury. There's no love lost between the ill - tempered Neall and Brown , especially since Brown's partner ( Don Beddoe ) was killed by mobsters while shielding Neall from harm. On the train , Brown makes the acquaintance of a likeable woman ( Jacqueline White ) and her playful young son. He also comes in contact with a rather secretive fat man ( Paul Maxey ), who may well be a mob assassin. Not long before the train pulls into California , Brown is approached by small - time crook ( Peter Brocco ), who offers the detective a great deal of money if he'll permit Neall to be silenced. Brown appears to be tempted , but this is only a smokescreen to throw the crooks off the trail. The Narrow Margin was remade ( and unnecessarily padded and attenuated ) in 1990.
0688
Adapted from a Stephen King novel Rob Reiner's Misery cast James Caan as a writer at a career crossroads. The film opens with Paul Sheldon (Caan) completing work on his latest novel a break from his popular series of novels featuring the character Misery Chastain. He gets into a severe car accident and is saved by Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates) a reclusive woman who nurses him back to health. Annie is a huge fan of the Misery novels and she finishes reading the new one while Paul is convalescing. She becomes enraged when she discovers that Paul has killed off Misery. Annie injures Paul's foot severely so that he is unable to leave her house and forces him to write a new Misery novel. A local sheriff (Richard Farnsworth) and Paul's agent (Lauren Bacall) both attempt to track down what happened to the missing author. Misery shot the relatively unknown Kathy Bates to stardom winning her one of the few Best Actress Oscars ever bestowed for portraying an evil character.
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Adapted from a Stephen King novel , Rob Reiner 's Misery cast James Caan as a writer at a career crossroads. The film opens with Paul Sheldon ( Caan ) completing work on his latest novel , a break from his popular series of novels featuring the character Misery Chastain. He gets into a severe car accident and is saved by Annie Wilkes ( Kathy Bates ), a reclusive woman who nurses him back to health. Annie is a huge fan of the Misery novels , and she finishes reading the new one while Paul is convalescing. She becomes enraged when she discovers that Paul has killed off Misery. Annie injures Paul's foot severely so that he is unable to leave her house , and forces him to write a new Misery novel. A local sheriff ( Richard Farnsworth ) and Paul's agent ( Lauren Bacall ) both attempt to track down what happened to the missing author. Misery shot the relatively unknown Kathy Bates to stardom , winning her one of the few Best Actress Oscars ever bestowed for portraying an evil character.
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The debate still rages as to whether Alfred Hitchcock's 1956 remake of The Man Who Knew Too Much is superior to his own original 1934 version. This two-hour remake (45 minutes longer than the first film) features more stars a lusher budget and the plaintive music of Bernard Herrmann (who appears on-camera typecast as a symphony conductor). Though the locale of the opening scenes shifts from Switzerland to French Morocco in the newer version the basic plot remains the same. American tourists James Stewart and Doris Day are witness to the street killing of a Frenchman (Daniel Gelin) they've recently befriended. Before breathing his last the murder victim whispers a secret to Stewart (the Cinemascope lens turns this standard closeup into a truly grotesque vignette). Stewart knows that a political assassination will occur during a concert at London's Albert Hall but is unable to tell the police: his son (a daughter in the original) has been kidnapped by foreign agents to insure Stewart's silence. The original script for Man Who Knew too Much was expanded and updated by John Michael Hayes and Angus McPhail.
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The debate still rages as to whether Alfred Hitchcock 's 1956 remake of The Man Who Knew Too Much is superior to his own original 1934 version. This two - hour remake ( 45 minutes longer than the first film ) features more stars , a lusher budget , and the plaintive music of Bernard Herrmann ( who appears on - camera , typecast as a symphony conductor ) . Though the locale of the opening scenes shifts from Switzerland to French Morocco in the newer version , the basic plot remains the same. American tourists James Stewart and Doris Day are witness to the street killing of a Frenchman ( Daniel Gelin ) they've recently befriended. Before breathing his last , the murder victim whispers a secret to Stewart ( the Cinemascope lens turns this standard closeup into a truly grotesque vignette ) . Stewart knows that a political assassination will occur during a concert at London's Albert Hall , but is unable to tell the police : his son ( a daughter in the original ) has been kidnapped by foreign agents to insure Stewart's silence. The original script for Man Who Knew too Much was expanded and updated by John Michael Hayes and Angus McPhail .
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In this hit thriller a prosecuting attorney-turned-defense lawyer falls in love with a rich charming client who's been accused of murdering his wife and her maid with a hunting knife. When an unknown assailant gruesomely slays San Francisco newspaper heiress Paige Forrester (Maria Mayenzet) her husband and business partner Jack Forrester (Jeff Bridges) turns to corporate attorney Teddy Barnes (Glenn Close) for counsel. Teddy who quit her job with the district attorney's office four years earlier over an ethical dilemma has reservations about returning to criminal work; nevertheless she accepts the assignment convinced of Jack's innocence and eager to face off in court against her old boss DA Thomas Krasny (Peter Coyote) who's about run for attorney general. With the help of investigator Sam Ransom (Robert Loggia) the recently divorced Teddy builds a strong defense for her client though the work -- and her incipient romance with Jack -- cause strain in her relationship with her children. When Jack's innocence and his romantic intentions come into question Teddy feels her life slipping back into a moral quagmire until a series of courtroom denouements set the stage for even bigger surprises. Big-name screenwriter Joe Eszterhas' follow-up to Flashdance Jagged Edge was directed by Richard Marquand who had previously lensed Return of the Jedi. Parts of Jagged Edge were shot on-location in San Francisco whose City Hall provides the film's courtroom exteriors.
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In this hit thriller , a prosecuting attorney - turned - defense lawyer falls in love with a rich , charming client who's been accused of murdering his wife and her maid with a hunting knife. When an unknown assailant gruesomely slays San Francisco newspaper heiress Paige Forrester ( Maria Mayenzet ), her husband and business partner , Jack Forrester ( Jeff Bridges ), turns to corporate attorney Teddy Barnes ( Glenn Close ) for counsel. Teddy , who quit her job with the district attorney's office four years earlier over an ethical dilemma , has reservations about returning to criminal work ; nevertheless , she accepts the assignment , convinced of Jack's innocence and eager to face off in court against her old boss , DA Thomas Krasny ( Peter Coyote ), who's about run for attorney general. With the help of investigator Sam Ransom ( Robert Loggia ), the recently divorced Teddy builds a strong defense for her client , though the work -- and her incipient romance with Jack -- cause strain in her relationship with her children. When Jack's innocence and his romantic intentions come into question , Teddy feels her life slipping back into a moral quagmire until a series of courtroom denouements set the stage for even bigger surprises. Big - name screenwriter Joe Eszterhas ' follow - up to Flashdance , Jagged Edge was directed by Richard Marquand , who had previously lensed Return of the Jedi . Parts of Jagged Edge were shot on - location in San Francisco , whose City Hall provides the film's courtroom exteriors.
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Clint Eastwood delivers one of his finest performances as a secret service agent haunted by his past in Wolfgang Petersen's taut thriller In the Line of Fire. Eastwood plays Frank Horrigan a secret service agent who keeps thinking back to November 22 1963 when as an agent hand-picked by President Kennedy he became one of the few agents to have lost a president to an assassin. Decades later psychotic Mitch Leary (John Malkovich) is stalking another president (Jim Curley) running for re-election. He has spent long hours studying the psyche of Frank Horrigan and he taunts Horrigan (feeling that there is a bond between them) telling him of his plans to kill the president. After his conversation with Leary Horrigan makes sure he is assigned to presidential protection duty. Horrigan has no intention of failing his president this time around and he is more than willing to take a bullet. But everything goes Leary's way -- he is smart and cagey and the president's aides refuse to alter the itinerary. As the election draws closer Horrigan's chances to catch Leary look to be less and less a possibility and he begins to doubt his own abilities -- both now and in the past when Kennedy was murdered.
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Clint Eastwood delivers one of his finest performances , as a secret service agent haunted by his past in Wolfgang Petersen 's taut thriller In the Line of Fire . Eastwood plays Frank Horrigan , a secret service agent who keeps thinking back to November 22 , 1963 , when , as an agent hand - picked by President Kennedy , he became one of the few agents to have lost a president to an assassin. Decades later , psychotic Mitch Leary ( John Malkovich ) is stalking another president ( Jim Curley ) running for re - election. He has spent long hours studying the psyche of Frank Horrigan , and he taunts Horrigan ( feeling that there is a bond between them ), telling him of his plans to kill the president. After his conversation with Leary , Horrigan makes sure he is assigned to presidential protection duty. Horrigan has no intention of failing his president this time around , and he is more than willing to take a bullet. But everything goes Leary's way -- he is smart and cagey and the president's aides refuse to alter the itinerary. As the election draws closer , Horrigan's chances to catch Leary look to be less and less a possibility , and he begins to doubt his own abilities -- both now and in the past , when Kennedy was murdered.
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This political thriller is set against the backdrop of Northern Ireland's "Troubles" and directed in the documentary fashion common to British filmmaker Ken Loach's films. Paul Sullivan (Brad Dourif) and Ingrid Jessner (Frances McDormand) are American attorneys serving on a human rights group working to monitor cases of prisoner mistreatment in war-torn Belfast. When Paul learns of some information that may be injurious to the Thatcher government he is killed and a top-secret tape disappears. Assigned to the case Inspector Kerrigan (Brian Cox) is joined by Ingrid in probing Paul's death which seems to be related to rumors of a high-ranking cabal within the British government working to undermine the Irish Republican Army and liberal policies toward Irish separatists through violent and illegal means. Ingrid meets with Harris (Maurice Roeves) a former British Secret Service agent who's now turned on his former cronies. Together they look for the top-secret tape.
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This political thriller is set against the backdrop of Northern Ireland's "Troubles" and directed in the documentary fashion common to British filmmaker Ken Loach 's films. Paul Sullivan ( Brad Dourif ) and Ingrid Jessner ( Frances McDormand ) are American attorneys serving on a human rights group working to monitor cases of prisoner mistreatment in war - torn Belfast. When Paul learns of some information that may be injurious to the Thatcher government , he is killed , and a top - secret tape disappears. Assigned to the case , Inspector Kerrigan ( Brian Cox ) is joined by Ingrid in probing Paul's death , which seems to be related to rumors of a high - ranking cabal within the British government working to undermine the Irish Republican Army and liberal policies toward Irish separatists through violent and illegal means. Ingrid meets with Harris ( Maurice Roeves ), a former British Secret Service agent who's now turned on his former cronies. Together , they look for the top - secret tape.
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ased on the novel by Eugene Burdick and Harvey Wheeler Fail-Safe is set for the most part at Strategic Air Command headquarters where a misguided transmission sends a squadron of bombers hurtling towards Russia fully prepared to drop their atomic weaponry on Moscow. Air Force commander Frank Overton desperately tries to establish radio contact with the bombers but once the pilots have passed the "fail safe" point they've been instructed to disregard any reversal of orders. Racing against time US President Henry Fonda through his interpreter (Larry Hagman) informs the Russian premiere of the impending nuclear disaster. Working in concert with SAC the Russians send up interceptors to shoot down the American bombers while some of the planes run out of fuel and crash. Unfortunately one aircraft piloted by Edward Binns manages to escape destruction and continues on its fatal mission. Realizing that Moscow is doomed the President must decide how to avert World War III. Featured in the cast of Fail Safe are Walter Matthau as a hawkish scientist Fritz Weaver as a round-the-bend colonel and Dom DeLuise (billed as "DeLouise") as a weeping sergeant. Fail-Safe is followed by a government-dictated disclaimer insisting that the events leading up to the nuclear disaster depicted in the film could not possibly happen.
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Based on the novel by Eugene Burdick and Harvey Wheeler , Fail - Safe is set for the most part at Strategic Air Command headquarters , where a misguided transmission sends a squadron of bombers hurtling towards Russia , fully prepared to drop their atomic weaponry on Moscow. Air Force commander Frank Overton desperately tries to establish radio contact with the bombers , but once the pilots have passed the "fail safe" point , they've been instructed to disregard any reversal of orders. Racing against time , US President Henry Fonda , through his interpreter ( Larry Hagman ), informs the Russian premiere of the impending nuclear disaster. Working in concert with SAC , the Russians send up interceptors to shoot down the American bombers , while some of the planes run out of fuel and crash. Unfortunately , one aircraft , piloted by Edward Binns , manages to escape destruction and continues on its fatal mission. Realizing that Moscow is doomed , the President must decide how to avert World War III. Featured in the cast of Fail Safe are Walter Matthau as a hawkish scientist , Fritz Weaver as a round - the - bend colonel , and Dom DeLuise ( billed as "DeLouise" ) as a weeping sergeant. Fail - Safe is followed by a government - dictated disclaimer insisting that the events leading up to the nuclear disaster depicted in the film could not possibly happen.
0694
Driving down a deserted Southern California highway at a safe and sane 55 miles per hour David Mann (Dennis Weaver) steps on the pedal to pass a large gas trailer truck. Moments later the truck is back dangerously tailgating Mann before abruptly cutting him off. For the next 90 minutes Mann and the never-seen truckdriver are pitted against one another in a motorized duel to the death. Author Richard Matheson conceived Duel after a similar experience with a reckless trucker. The story first appeared in Playboy magazine then was picked up for adaptation by the producers of The ABC Movie of the Week. The director chosen to helm Duel on location in Soledad Canyon was a bright 23-year-old who'd shown promise on such series as Night Gallery and Columbo: Steven Spielberg. First telecast on December 18 1971 Duel was so popular that a somewhat longer version (with added violence and profanity) was prepared for theatrical release in 1983.
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Driving down a deserted Southern California highway at a safe and sane 55 miles per hour , David Mann ( Dennis Weaver ) steps on the pedal to pass a large gas trailer truck. Moments later , the truck is back , dangerously tailgating Mann before abruptly cutting him off. For the next 90 minutes , Mann and the never - seen truckdriver are pitted against one another in a motorized duel to the death. Author Richard Matheson conceived Duel after a similar experience with a reckless trucker. The story first appeared in Playboy magazine , then was picked up for adaptation by the producers of The ABC Movie of the Week . The director chosen to helm Duel on location in Soledad Canyon was a bright 23 - year - old who'd shown promise on such series as Night Gallery and Columbo : Steven Spielberg . First telecast on December 18 , 1971 , Duel was so popular that a somewhat longer version ( with added violence and profanity ) was prepared for theatrical release in 1983.
0695
One of Brian De Palma's most divisive films Dressed to Kill is a spine-chilling Alfred Hitchcock update for the late 1970s. Sexually frustrated wife and mother Kate Miller (Angie Dickinson) visits her New York psychiatrist Dr. Elliott (Michael Caine) to complain about her unfulfilling erotic life. When she then goes to meet her husband at a museum she meets an anonymous man whom she follows out to a cab. After an afternoon of satisfying sex Kate discovers that the man has a venereal disease but that information becomes a moot point when a razor-wielding blonde woman slashes Kate to ribbons in the elevator of the man's building. Blonde prostitute Liz (Nancy Allen) who caught a glimpse of the murderer becomes both the prime suspect and the killer's next target. With the police less than willing to believe her story Liz joins forces with Kate's son Peter (Keith Gordon) to get the psychopath themselves. Steamy material cut to get an R-rating was restored on the unrated laser disc version.
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One of Brian De Palma 's most divisive films , Dressed to Kill is a spine - chilling Alfred Hitchcock update for the late 1970s. Sexually frustrated wife and mother Kate Miller ( Angie Dickinson ) visits her New York psychiatrist , Dr. Elliott ( Michael Caine ), to complain about her unfulfilling erotic life. When she then goes to meet her husband at a museum , she meets an anonymous man whom she follows out to a cab. After an afternoon of satisfying sex , Kate discovers that the man has a venereal disease , but that information becomes a moot point when a razor - wielding blonde woman slashes Kate to ribbons in the elevator of the man's building. Blonde prostitute Liz ( Nancy Allen ), who caught a glimpse of the murderer , becomes both the prime suspect and the killer's next target. With the police less than willing to believe her story , Liz joins forces with Kate's son Peter ( Keith Gordon ) to get the psychopath themselves. Steamy material cut to get an R - rating was restored on the unrated laser disc version.
0696
ased on the popular mystery play by Frederick Knott Dial M For Murder is more talky and stagebound than most Hitchcock films but no less enjoyable. British tennis pro Ray Milland suspects that his wealthy wife Grace Kelly is fooling around with handsome American Robert Cummings. Milland blackmails a disgraced former army comrade (Anthony Dawson) into murdering Kelly and making it look like the work of a burglar. But Milland's carefully mapped-out scheme does not take into account the notion that Kelly might fight back and kill her assailant. When the police (represented by John Williams) investigate Milland improvises quickly subtly planting the suggestion that his wife has committed first-degree murder. He almost gets away with it; to tell you more would spoil the fun of the film's final thirty minutes. Hitchcock claimed that he chose this single-set play because he was worn out from several earlier more ambitious projects and wanted to "recharge his batteries." Compelled by Warner Bros. to film Dial M for Murder in 3-D Hitchcock perversely refused to throw in the standard in-your-face gimmickry of most stereoscopic films of the era--though watch how he visually emphasizes an important piece of evidence towards the end of the film.
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Based on the popular mystery play by Frederick Knott , Dial M For Murder is more talky and stagebound than most Hitchcock films , but no less enjoyable. British tennis pro Ray Milland suspects that his wealthy wife Grace Kelly is fooling around with handsome American Robert Cummings . Milland blackmails a disgraced former army comrade ( Anthony Dawson ) into murdering Kelly and making it look like the work of a burglar. But Milland 's carefully mapped - out scheme does not take into account the notion that Kelly might fight back and kill her assailant. When the police ( represented by John Williams ) investigate , Milland improvises quickly , subtly planting the suggestion that his wife has committed first - degree murder. He almost gets away with it ; to tell you more would spoil the fun of the film's final thirty minutes. Hitchcock claimed that he chose this single - set play because he was worn out from several earlier , more ambitious projects , and wanted to "recharge his batteries." Compelled by Warner Bros. to film Dial M for Murder in 3 - D , Hitchcock perversely refused to throw in the standard in - your - face gimmickry of most stereoscopic films of the era -- though watch how he visually emphasizes an important piece of evidence towards the end of the film.
0697
Set in contemporary Los Angeles as well as the Los Angeles of the 1940s Dead Again explores a romance between two star-crossed lovers -- and the doomed passion they shared in their last lifetime. Los Angeles detective Mike Church (Kenneth Branagh) comes to the aid of mute amnesia-victim Grace (Emma Thompson) and falls in love with her. He sets out to discover her true identity and the source of her terrible nightmares. Mike is aided in his investigation by hypnotist/furniture dealer Franklyn Madison (Derek Jacobi) who discovers that in a past life Grace was Margaret Strauss (also played by Thompson) who may have been mudered by her husband Roman (Branagh).
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Set in contemporary Los Angeles as well as the Los Angeles of the 1940s , Dead Again explores a romance between two star - crossed lovers -- and the doomed passion they shared in their last lifetime. Los Angeles detective Mike Church ( Kenneth Branagh ) comes to the aid of mute , amnesia - victim Grace ( Emma Thompson ) and falls in love with her. He sets out to discover her true identity and the source of her terrible nightmares. Mike is aided in his investigation by hypnotist / furniture dealer Franklyn Madison ( Derek Jacobi ) who discovers that in a past life Grace was Margaret Strauss ( also played by Thompson ), who may have been mudered by her husband Roman ( Branagh ) .
0698
John Fowles's novel The Collector was written in the form of a dual diary one kept by a kidnapper the other by his victim. The film is told almost exclusively from the point of view of the former a nerdish British bank clerk named Freddy Clegg (Terence Stamp). A neurotic recluse whose only pleasure is butterfly collecting Clegg wins $200000 in the British Football Pool. He purchases a huge country estate fixes up its cellar with all the comforts of home then kidnaps Miranda (Samantha Eggar) an art student whom he has worshipped from afar. The demented Clegg doesn't want ransom nor does he want to rape the girl: he simply wants to "collect" her. She isn't keen on this and tries several times to escape. After several weeks Clegg and Miranda grow increasingly fond of one another and Clegg promises to let her go. When time comes for the actual release however Clegg decides that Miranda hasn't completely come around to his way of thinking and changes his mind leading to a further series of unfortunate events.
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John Fowles 's novel The Collector was written in the form of a dual diary , one kept by a kidnapper , the other by his victim. The film is told almost exclusively from the point of view of the former , a nerdish British bank clerk named Freddy Clegg ( Terence Stamp ) . A neurotic recluse whose only pleasure is butterfly collecting , Clegg wins $200 , 000 in the British Football Pool. He purchases a huge country estate , fixes up its cellar with all the comforts of home , then kidnaps Miranda ( Samantha Eggar ), an art student whom he has worshipped from afar. The demented Clegg doesn't want ransom , nor does he want to rape the girl : he simply wants to "collect" her. She isn't keen on this , and tries several times to escape. After several weeks , Clegg and Miranda grow increasingly fond of one another , and Clegg promises to let her go. When time comes for the actual release , however , Clegg decides that Miranda hasn't completely come around to his way of thinking and changes his mind , leading to a further series of unfortunate events.
0699
This gripping 1979 drama about the dangers of nuclear power carried an extra jolt when a real-life accident at the Three Mile Island nuclear plant in Pennsylvania occurred just weeks after the film opened. Kimberly Wells (Jane Fonda) is a TV reporter trying to advance from fluff pieces to harder news. Wells and cameraman Richard Adams (Michael Douglas who also produced) are doing a story on energy when they happen to witness a near-meltdown at a local nuclear plant averted only by quick-thinking engineer Jack Godell (Jack Lemmon). While Wells and Adams fruitlessly attempt to get the story on their station Godell begins his own investigation and discovers that corporate greed and cost-trimming have led to potentially deadly faults in the plant's construction. He provides evidence of the faulty equipment which could lead to another meltdown (the "China syndrome" of the title) to the station's soundman to deliver to Wells and Adams at a hearing on nuclear power. However on the way to the hearing the soundman is run off the road by evil henchmen leading Godell to realize that his own life is threatened possibly by his bosses at the plant. Driven to the edge of a breakdown Godell takes over the plant's control room at gunpoint and demands to reveal his findings on TV. The plant's management however has other plans and the facility itself is becoming dangerously unstable. Whether or not you agree with the film's clear anti-nuclear bias its sobering message and riveting realistic story and performances are still difficult to ignore.
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This gripping 1979 drama about the dangers of nuclear power carried an extra jolt when a real - life accident at the Three Mile Island nuclear plant in Pennsylvania occurred just weeks after the film opened. Kimberly Wells ( Jane Fonda ) is a TV reporter trying to advance from fluff pieces to harder news. Wells and cameraman Richard Adams ( Michael Douglas , who also produced ) are doing a story on energy when they happen to witness a near - meltdown at a local nuclear plant , averted only by quick - thinking engineer Jack Godell ( Jack Lemmon ) . While Wells and Adams fruitlessly attempt to get the story on their station , Godell begins his own investigation and discovers that corporate greed and cost - trimming have led to potentially deadly faults in the plant's construction. He provides evidence of the faulty equipment , which could lead to another meltdown ( the "China syndrome" of the title ), to the station's soundman to deliver to Wells and Adams at a hearing on nuclear power. However , on the way to the hearing , the soundman is run off the road by evil henchmen , leading Godell to realize that his own life is threatened , possibly by his bosses at the plant. Driven to the edge of a breakdown , Godell takes over the plant's control room at gunpoint and demands to reveal his findings on TV. The plant's management , however , has other plans , and the facility itself is becoming dangerously unstable. Whether or not you agree with the film's clear anti - nuclear bias , its sobering message and riveting , realistic story and performances are still difficult to ignore.
0700
This film of Ira Levin's novel The Boys from Brazil wastes no time in establishing the fact that several seemingly unrelated men have been mysteriously murdered. Elderly Jewish Nazi hunter Ezra Lieberman (Laurence Olivier) brought into the case when the clues seem to point to a neo-fascist plot traces the trail of evidence to Paraguay. Here he finds an unregenerate Auschwitz doctor patterned on Joseph Mengele and played by -- of all people -- Gregory Peck. Lieberman discovers that the murdered men had all fathered sons who were identical -- the results of a cloning experiment designed to create a race of incipient Hitlers.
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This film of Ira Levin 's novel The Boys from Brazil wastes no time in establishing the fact that several seemingly unrelated men have been mysteriously murdered. Elderly Jewish Nazi hunter Ezra Lieberman ( Laurence Olivier ), brought into the case when the clues seem to point to a neo - fascist plot , traces the trail of evidence to Paraguay. Here he finds an unregenerate Auschwitz doctor , patterned on Joseph Mengele and played by -- of all people -- Gregory Peck . Lieberman discovers that the murdered men had all fathered sons who were identical -- the results of a cloning experiment , designed to create a race of incipient Hitlers.
0701
rian De Palma's homage to Michelangelo Antonioni's classic art movie Blow-Up (1966) blends suspense and political paranoia when a Philadelphia soundman inadvertently records a murder. Former police technician Jack Terri (John Travolta) makes his living doing sound for slasher flicks. While recording new outdoor effects one night Jack witnesses a couple's car careen off a bridge into a river but he can save only the female occupant Sally (Nancy Allen). Jack begins to suspect something when he learns that her dead companion was a Presidential hopeful. Re-playing his tape over and over Jack thinks that he hears a gun shot before the crash-causing tire blow-out. When sleazy photographer Manny Karp (Dennis Franz) comes forward with photos of the accident Jack discovers the real reason that the naïve Sally was in the car -- and also a way to prove his auditory suspicions through motion pictures. Even with all his surveillance talent however Jack cannot see (or hear) how dangerous the big picture really is until it's too late. Taking a break from horror films De Palma turned his interests in technology and voyeurism toward more politically loaded subject matter at the dawn of the Reagan era; the film's red white and blue mise-en-scène "Liberty Day" celebration climax and conspiracy surrounding political "dirty tricks" suggest that American politics are still rotten seven years after Watergate. Although Blow Out earned some favorable notice particularly for Travolta's first "adult" performance De Palma's downbeat film did not go over well with 1981 summer audiences. Rather than blockbuster escapism Blow Out instead harks back to 1970s political thrillers like The Parallax View (1974) using cinematic fireworks to tell an unsettling story about one man's struggle against unstoppable corruption.
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Brian De Palma 's homage to Michelangelo Antonioni 's classic art movie Blow - Up ( 1966 ) blends suspense and political paranoia when a Philadelphia soundman inadvertently records a murder. Former police technician Jack Terri ( John Travolta ) makes his living doing sound for slasher flicks. While recording new outdoor effects one night , Jack witnesses a couple's car careen off a bridge into a river , but he can save only the female occupant , Sally ( Nancy Allen ) . Jack begins to suspect something when he learns that her dead companion was a Presidential hopeful. Re - playing his tape over and over , Jack thinks that he hears a gun shot before the crash - causing tire blow - out. When sleazy photographer Manny Karp ( Dennis Franz ) comes forward with photos of the accident , Jack discovers the real reason that the naïve Sally was in the car -- and also a way to prove his auditory suspicions through motion pictures. Even with all his surveillance talent , however , Jack cannot see ( or hear ) how dangerous the big picture really is until it's too late. Taking a break from horror films , De Palma turned his interests in technology and voyeurism toward more politically loaded subject matter at the dawn of the Reagan era ; the film's red , white and blue mise - en - scène , "Liberty Day" celebration climax , and conspiracy surrounding political "dirty tricks" suggest that American politics are still rotten , seven years after Watergate. Although Blow Out earned some favorable notice , particularly for Travolta's first "adult" performance , De Palma's downbeat film did not go over well with 1981 summer audiences. Rather than blockbuster escapism , Blow Out instead harks back to 1970s political thrillers like The Parallax View ( 1974 ), using cinematic fireworks to tell an unsettling story about one man's struggle against unstoppable corruption.
0702
The highly acclaimed and famously eccentric classical pianist Glenn Gould is the subject of this idiosyncratic film portrait. As the title suggests Gould's life is explored through a series of thirty-two self-contained but interrelated vignettes a structure inspired by Bach's "Goldberg Variations" the compositions that were the basis for one of Gould's most famous recordings. Fictional recreations many starring an excellent Colm Feore as Gould follow the musician from his precocious childhood to his early death at the age of fifty. Juicy biographical details like a surprising early retirement from public performance and an addiction to prescription drugs are featured prominently but equal attention is paid to Gould's challenging theoretical ideas. Director Francois Girard refuses to provide easy explanations for the pianist's quirks instead using his unconventional structure to provide great insight while suggesting the real Gould remains essentially unknowable. Especially interesting is the film's mix of dramatization and documentary as it juxtaposes its fictional recreations with actual interviews with Gould's friends and associates.
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The highly acclaimed and famously eccentric classical pianist Glenn Gould is the subject of this idiosyncratic film portrait. As the title suggests , Gould's life is explored through a series of thirty - two self - contained but interrelated vignettes , a structure inspired by Bach's "Goldberg Variations , " the compositions that were the basis for one of Gould's most famous recordings. Fictional recreations , many starring an excellent Colm Feore as Gould , follow the musician from his precocious childhood to his early death at the age of fifty. Juicy biographical details like a surprising early retirement from public performance and an addiction to prescription drugs are featured prominently , but equal attention is paid to Gould's challenging theoretical ideas. Director Francois Girard refuses to provide easy explanations for the pianist's quirks , instead using his unconventional structure to provide great insight while suggesting the real Gould remains essentially unknowable. Especially interesting is the film's mix of dramatization and documentary , as it juxtaposes its fictional recreations with actual interviews with Gould's friends and associates.
0703
Two twin brothers both renowned gynecologists descend into madness after becoming romantically involved with the same woman in this disturbing horrific drama. Jeremy Irons delivers a bravura performance as both Beverly and Elliot Mantle Toronto-based surgeons who operate an exclusive gynecological clinic and share a reputation as brilliant innovators. They also share lovers as the more aggressive confident Elliott seduces women and later secretly allows the shier more intellectual Beverly to reap the benefits. This arrangement is disturbed when Beverly falls in love with their newest conquest Claire Niveau (Genevieve Bujold) a famous actress with an unusual gynecological deformity. Beverly's relationship with the hard-living Claire leads to him to turn away from Elliot and begin a dangerous involvement with drugs and alcohol. Elliot senses his brother's rapid decline into addiction and paranoia and attempts to save him only to start falling victim to the same urges. Director David Cronenberg adapted the loosely fact-based tale to his own creepy purposes tapping into primal fears regarding the uncanniness of twins and male sexual panic. His notorious gore was used sparingly here however with the film's most disturbing moments coming through suggestion as in the display of a group of terrifying surgical instruments created by Beverly in his madness. Cronenberg's expertise with special effects proves crucial however as he and his regular cinematographer Peter Suschitzsky seamlessly combine Irons' two performances in a manner unrivalled by any previous depiction of twins. This visual achievement is more than matched by Irons who delivers what may be his career performance delineating the twins' differences and similarities and embodying their collapse in frighteningly believable fashion. The subject matter and chilly tone may be too intense for some viewers but the brilliant central performance and intellectually provocative approach will prove thoroughly absorbing for others.
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Two twin brothers , both renowned gynecologists , descend into madness after becoming romantically involved with the same woman in this disturbing , horrific drama. Jeremy Irons delivers a bravura performance as both Beverly and Elliot Mantle , Toronto - based surgeons who operate an exclusive gynecological clinic and share a reputation as brilliant innovators. They also share lovers , as the more aggressive , confident Elliott seduces women and later secretly allows the shier , more intellectual Beverly to reap the benefits. This arrangement is disturbed when Beverly falls in love with their newest conquest , Claire Niveau ( Genevieve Bujold ), a famous actress with an unusual gynecological deformity. Beverly's relationship with the hard - living Claire leads to him to turn away from Elliot and begin a dangerous involvement with drugs and alcohol. Elliot senses his brother's rapid decline into addiction and paranoia and attempts to save him , only to start falling victim to the same urges. Director David Cronenberg adapted the loosely fact - based tale to his own creepy purposes , tapping into primal fears regarding the uncanniness of twins and male sexual panic. His notorious gore was used sparingly here , however , with the film's most disturbing moments coming through suggestion , as in the display of a group of terrifying surgical instruments created by Beverly in his madness. Cronenberg's expertise with special effects proves crucial , however , as he and his regular cinematographer Peter Suschitzsky seamlessly combine Irons ' two performances in a manner unrivalled by any previous depiction of twins. This visual achievement is more than matched by Irons , who delivers what may be his career performance , delineating the twins' differences and similarities and embodying their collapse in frighteningly believable fashion. The subject matter and chilly tone may be too intense for some viewers , but the brilliant central performance and intellectually provocative approach will prove thoroughly absorbing for others.
0704
Francois Girard directed this drama tracing the history of a musical instrument through five countries and three centuries. In 1681 to keep the spirit of his wife alive an Italian paints the violin with a red varnish made from her blood. It is later found in the Austrian Alps when a prodigy gives a performance in the court of Vienna in 1792. Taken by gypsies the instrument is acquired by a Dionysian composer. After a journey by boat to China in 1966 it is hidden during the Cultural Revolution. In contemporary Canada it is spotted at an auction house by a violin expert (Samuel L. Jackson) who becomes obsessed with it. Scripted by Girard and Don McKellar. Filmed on a $10 million budget in Montreal China Italy Austria and Oxford.
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Francois Girard directed this drama tracing the history of a musical instrument through five countries and three centuries. In 1681 , to keep the spirit of his wife alive , an Italian paints the violin with a red varnish made from her blood. It is later found in the Austrian Alps when a prodigy gives a performance in the court of Vienna in 1792. Taken by gypsies , the instrument is acquired by a Dionysian composer. After a journey by boat to China in 1966 , it is hidden during the Cultural Revolution. In contemporary Canada , it is spotted at an auction house by a violin expert ( Samuel L. Jackson ) who becomes obsessed with it. Scripted by Girard and Don McKellar . Filmed on a $10 million budget in Montreal , China , Italy , Austria , and Oxford.
0705
Don McKellar wrote and directed this comedy-drama about the last night of the world part of the 12-film Arte series of movies about the Millennium. Set in Toronto Patrick (McKellar) endures a faux Christmas celebration with his family while Sandra (Sandra Oh) tries to get across town to commit suicide with her husband a gas company employee Duncan (David Cronenberg). Meanwhile Craig (Callum Keith Rennie) hopes to achieve sexual satisfaction with several women on his list. Still mourning his dead wife Patrick plans his last moments alone until he and Sandra crosspaths. Shown in the Directors Fortnight section at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival.
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Don McKellar wrote and directed this comedy - drama about the last night of the world , part of the 12 - film Arte series of movies about the Millennium. Set in Toronto , Patrick ( McKellar ) endures a faux Christmas celebration with his family while Sandra ( Sandra Oh ) tries to get across town to commit suicide with her husband , a gas company employee Duncan ( David Cronenberg ) . Meanwhile , Craig ( Callum Keith Rennie ) hopes to achieve sexual satisfaction with several women on his list. Still mourning his dead wife , Patrick plans his last moments alone , until he and Sandra crosspaths. Shown in the Directors Fortnight section at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival .
0706
The great achievement of The Boys of St. Vincent is not that it deals with the controversial subject of pedophilia among Catholic clergy but that it deals with that subject so honestly without resorting to melodramatics. At the core of this powerful film lies Henry Czerny's searing performance as Brother Peter Lavin. Czerny deftly shows in the film's first half how Lavin used the double-edged sword of adult and religious authority to intimidate his charges. And in the second half when Lavin is confronted with the monstrousness of his crimes Czerny's ability to construct a plausible set of denials (if you had seen only this part of the film you might be tempted to believe him) lifts the film above a simple case study. Lavin's character a man who translated his own troubled childhood into pain and affliction for others is one of the most fascinating psychological studies in contemporary film. Co-writer and director John N. Smith is also to be praised for tamping down the urge to embroider this story with unnecessary flourishes.
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The great achievement of The Boys of St. Vincent is not that it deals with the controversial subject of pedophilia among Catholic clergy , but that it deals with that subject so honestly , without resorting to melodramatics. At the core of this powerful film lies Henry Czerny 's searing performance as Brother Peter Lavin. Czerny deftly shows in the film's first half how Lavin used the double - edged sword of adult and religious authority to intimidate his charges. And in the second half , when Lavin is confronted with the monstrousness of his crimes , Czerny 's ability to construct a plausible set of denials ( if you had seen only this part of the film , you might be tempted to believe him ) lifts the film above a simple case study. Lavin's character , a man who translated his own troubled childhood into pain and affliction for others , is one of the most fascinating psychological studies in contemporary film. Co - writer and director John N. Smith is also to be praised for tamping down the urge to embroider this story with unnecessary flourishes.
0707
Atom Egoyan casts himself as the lead character in Calendar. He portrays a shutterbug who brings an array of different women to his apartment. Every time one of the women makes a phone call the character notices a calendar consisting of photographs he took while in Armenia. The film flashes back to the time he took each of the photos. Traveling through Armenia with his wife he does not share his wife's interest in the history behind the locations he is photographing. The wife eventually leaves him and the film ends with him attempting to end their estrangement. This project began after Egoyan whose ancestors were Armenian was awarded the Special Jury Prize at the Moscow Film Festival for his 1991 film The Adjuster.
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Atom Egoyan casts himself as the lead character in Calendar . He portrays a shutterbug who brings an array of different women to his apartment. Every time one of the women makes a phone call , the character notices a calendar consisting of photographs he took while in Armenia. The film flashes back to the time he took each of the photos. Traveling through Armenia with his wife , he does not share his wife's interest in the history behind the locations he is photographing. The wife eventually leaves him , and the film ends with him attempting to end their estrangement. This project began after Egoyan , whose ancestors were Armenian , was awarded the Special Jury Prize at the Moscow Film Festival for his 1991 film The Adjuster .
0708
This Canadian drama from director Cynthia Scott centers on eight elderly women strangers who find themselves depending on each other and becoming fast friends when they're suddenly stranded in the rural countryside. Traveling through a largely uninhabited area the ladies' bus breaks down and as they await help they are forced to fend for themselves. Finding refuge in a rustic and empty farmhouse the women begin talking and eventually share many of their life experiences and memories with each other forming an indelible bond. In an attempt to create an air of reality and spontaneity Scott used a nonprofessional cast and encouraged improvised dialogue. Strangers in Good Company was nominated for several honors at Canada's 1991 Genie Awards ultimately winning the prize for Best Editing.
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This Canadian drama from director Cynthia Scott centers on eight elderly women strangers who find themselves depending on each other and becoming fast friends when they're suddenly stranded in the rural countryside. Traveling through a largely uninhabited area , the ladies' bus breaks down and , as they await help , they are forced to fend for themselves. Finding refuge in a rustic and empty farmhouse , the women begin talking and eventually share many of their life experiences and memories with each other , forming an indelible bond. In an attempt to create an air of reality and spontaneity , Scott used a nonprofessional cast and encouraged improvised dialogue. Strangers in Good Company was nominated for several honors at Canada's 1991 Genie Awards , ultimately winning the prize for Best Editing.
0709
A modern-day Passion Play becomes a reenactment of the life and death of Jesus Christ in more ways than one with this critically acclaimed drama from Quebec filmmaker Denys Arcand. Lothaire Bluteau stars as Daniel Coloumbe an intense young actor in Montreal who is hired by church fathers to restage and update the city's annual Passion Play which over the course of the past 40 years has begun to seem hidebound. Daniel hires a group of struggling young actors that become devoted to him and his creative vision as he devises an extremely avant-garde production that takes Christ's rebellious teachings literally. Revolving around set pieces reflecting passages from Christ's life rather than a traditional re-creation of events Daniel's revisionist work also incorporates blasphemous ideas about his subject questioning his true nature. Daniel's play is a critical smash and wows mesmerized audiences but greatly disturbed church officials order the labor of love dismantled. Real life begins imitating biblical events as the actors become cast-outs and Daniel smashes up an audition in which the actress portraying his Mary Magdalene (Catherine Wilkening) is asked to disrobe by a prurient producer.
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A modern - day Passion Play becomes a reenactment of the life and death of Jesus Christ in more ways than one with this critically acclaimed drama from Quebec filmmaker Denys Arcand . Lothaire Bluteau stars as Daniel Coloumbe , an intense young actor in Montreal who is hired by church fathers to restage and update the city's annual Passion Play , which over the course of the past 40 years has begun to seem hidebound. Daniel hires a group of struggling young actors that become devoted to him and his creative vision as he devises an extremely avant - garde production that takes Christ's rebellious teachings literally. Revolving around set pieces reflecting passages from Christ's life rather than a traditional re - creation of events , Daniel's revisionist work also incorporates blasphemous ideas about his subject , questioning his true nature. Daniel's play is a critical smash and wows mesmerized audiences , but greatly disturbed church officials order the labor of love dismantled. Real life begins imitating biblical events as the actors become cast - outs and Daniel smashes up an audition in which the actress portraying his Mary Magdalene ( Catherine Wilkening ) is asked to disrobe by a prurient producer.
0710
Francis Ford Coppola protégé Phillip Borsos directs this elegiac low-key tale about real-life bandit Bill Miner that has become a classic of Canadian cinema. Having been released from jail in 1901 following a 33-year prison sentence for robbing stagecoaches Bill Miner (Richard Farnsworth) finds himself living in a society that has completely changed from the one of his youth. He tries to put his life of crime behind him and settle down in Washington state with his sister but the quiet life does not suit him. He feels restless but uncertain as to how to proceed next. The answer comes to him when he sees Edward S. Porter's The Great Train Robbery. Soon Miner has slipped over the border into Canada and along with his new partner Shorty (Wayne Robson) robs the Canadian Pacific Railway Transcontinental Express. Later while laying low after the crime in a remote corner of British Columbia he meets the beautiful strong-willed photographer Kate Flynn (Jackie Burroughs). In writing this script Borsos reportedly made heavy use of contemporary court documents and testimonies. This film was screened at the 2001 Toronto Film Festival in honor of its 20th anniversary.
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Francis Ford Coppola protégé Phillip Borsos directs this elegiac , low - key tale about real - life bandit Bill Miner that has become a classic of Canadian cinema. Having been released from jail in 1901 following a 33 - year prison sentence for robbing stagecoaches , Bill Miner ( Richard Farnsworth ) finds himself living in a society that has completely changed from the one of his youth. He tries to put his life of crime behind him and settle down in Washington state with his sister , but the quiet life does not suit him. He feels restless but uncertain as to how to proceed next. The answer comes to him when he sees Edward S. Porter 's The Great Train Robbery . Soon , Miner has slipped over the border into Canada and , along with his new partner , Shorty ( Wayne Robson ), robs the Canadian Pacific Railway Transcontinental Express. Later , while laying low after the crime in a remote corner of British Columbia , he meets the beautiful , strong - willed photographer Kate Flynn ( Jackie Burroughs ) . In writing this script , Borsos reportedly made heavy use of contemporary court documents and testimonies. This film was screened at the 2001 Toronto Film Festival in honor of its 20th anniversary.
0711
Ignore the title: Family Viewing makes for fascinating viewing though it is not designed as entertainment for the whole family. This Canadian film stars David Hemblen as Stan a profoundly disturbed young man. Upon the disappearance of his mother Stan feverishly tries to piece together existing clues. He's not sure he likes the outcome but given the extent to which his family has disintegrated he's not surprised either. Family Viewing was expertly filmed on a wafer-thin budget by independent Canadian director Atom Egoyan.
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Ignore the title : Family Viewing makes for fascinating viewing , though it is not designed as entertainment for the whole family. This Canadian film stars David Hemblen as Stan , a profoundly disturbed young man. Upon the disappearance of his mother , Stan feverishly tries to piece together existing clues. He's not sure he likes the outcome , but given the extent to which his family has disintegrated , he's not surprised , either. Family Viewing was expertly filmed on a wafer - thin budget by independent Canadian director Atom Egoyan .
0712
A rousing "he said/she said" endeavor The Decline of the American Empire begins by separating the boys from the girls. Preparing a gourmet dinner four male intellectuals begin trading stories of their sexual experiences. At the same time four well-read women all working out in a gym exchange their own tales from the love front. The film is set in the lofty circles of academia a world well known to Canadian director Denys Arcand. The anecdotes related herein are based on actual events in the lives of Arcand's professorial friends. There's nothing bookish however about the subject matter of the stories themselves which ranges from mild philandering to S & M. The Decline of the American Empire was the winner of eight Canadian Genie awards (that's the above-the-border equivalent of the Oscar) including Best Picture.
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A rousing "he said / she said" endeavor , The Decline of the American Empire begins by separating the boys from the girls. Preparing a gourmet dinner , four male intellectuals begin trading stories of their sexual experiences. At the same time , four well - read women , all working out in a gym , exchange their own tales from the love front. The film is set in the lofty circles of academia , a world well known to Canadian director Denys Arcand . The anecdotes related herein are based on actual events in the lives of Arcand 's professorial friends. There's nothing bookish , however , about the subject matter of the stories themselves , which ranges from mild philandering to S & M. The Decline of the American Empire was the winner of eight Canadian Genie awards ( that's the above - the - border equivalent of the Oscar ), including Best Picture.
0713
When the mother of 12-year-old Martin suddenly dies his schoolmates rally 'round to keep the authorities from finding out lest they send the fatherless youth to the dreaded local orphanage. This off-beat French drama chronicles their efforts that begin with a midnight burial of the poor woman's body (placed inside a grandfather clock) in a lonely field.
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When the mother of 12 - year - old Martin suddenly dies , his schoolmates rally 'round to keep the authorities from finding out lest they send the fatherless youth to the dreaded local orphanage. This off - beat French drama , chronicles their efforts that begin with a midnight burial of the poor woman's body ( placed inside a grandfather clock ) in a lonely field.
0714
In this well-wrought drama WW II dramatically changes the lives of the Cooper family when its patriarch is called to battle captured and sent to a Japanese POW camp. Back at home the heretofore coddled wife who doesn't know if her husband is still alive must somehow figure out how to support her family and carry on in the British tradition of courage and dignity under pressure. Her solution is to join a swing band. As she becomes increasingly confident and independent she begins wondering whether or not she still loves her missing spouse.
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In this well - wrought drama , WW II dramatically changes the lives of the Cooper family when its patriarch is called to battle , captured , and sent to a Japanese POW camp. Back at home the heretofore coddled wife , who doesn't know if her husband is still alive , must somehow figure out how to support her family and carry on in the British tradition of courage and dignity under pressure. Her solution is to join a swing band. As she becomes increasingly confident and independent , she begins wondering whether or not she still loves her missing spouse.
0715
Written and directed by Canadian filmmaker Atom Egoyan The Adjuster is an examination of the sexual quirks of a married couple. Starring such Egoyan regulars as Elias Koteas Arsinée Khanjian Maury Chaykin and Don McKellar the film focuses on Noah Render (Koteas) an insurance adjuster who enjoys sleeping with his clients and his wife Hera (Khanjian) a film censor who finds excitement in making copies of the most explicit parts of the movies she's assigned to review. When they invite Bubba (Chaykin) into their house to make a movie the Renders find their lives becoming even more complex. McKellar plays a young film censor who works with Hera.
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Written and directed by Canadian filmmaker Atom Egoyan , The Adjuster is an examination of the sexual quirks of a married couple. Starring such Egoyan regulars as Elias Koteas , Arsinée Khanjian , Maury Chaykin , and Don McKellar , the film focuses on Noah Render ( Koteas ), an insurance adjuster who enjoys sleeping with his clients , and his wife , Hera ( Khanjian ), a film censor who finds excitement in making copies of the most explicit parts of the movies she's assigned to review. When they invite Bubba ( Chaykin ) into their house to make a movie , the Renders find their lives becoming even more complex. McKellar plays a young film censor who works with Hera.
0716
Directed by Atom Egoyan Felicia's Journey is a low-key psychological thriller about the relationship between a lovesick young woman and an older man with an ugly secret. Felicia (Elaine Cassidy) has lived all of her life in a small village in rural Ireland. She has fallen in love with a boy named Johnny (Peter McDonald) so when Johnny unexpectedly travels to England in search of a job Felicia wants to follow him -- especially since she's pregnant a fact that she's keeping secret from her family as well as Johnny. However Johnny's family refuses to give her his address so she leaves for Birmingham with only a sketchy idea of his whereabouts. Shortly after arriving Felicia encounters Joseph Ambrose Hilditch (Bob Hoskins) the meticulous manager of a catering concern. She needs a place to stay and he recommends a good bed-and-breakfast. They soon become friendly but Hilditch is more than just a mildly eccentric middle-aged man with a taste for French cuisine: he's had a long history of using and abusing homeless women and Felicia looks like she's doomed to be the next victim. Based on a novel by William Trevor Felicia's Journey was shown in competition at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival.
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Directed by Atom Egoyan , Felicia's Journey is a low - key psychological thriller about the relationship between a lovesick young woman and an older man with an ugly secret. Felicia ( Elaine Cassidy ) has lived all of her life in a small village in rural Ireland. She has fallen in love with a boy named Johnny ( Peter McDonald ), so when Johnny unexpectedly travels to England in search of a job , Felicia wants to follow him -- especially since she's pregnant , a fact that she's keeping secret from her family , as well as Johnny. However , Johnny's family refuses to give her his address , so she leaves for Birmingham with only a sketchy idea of his whereabouts. Shortly after arriving , Felicia encounters Joseph Ambrose Hilditch ( Bob Hoskins ), the meticulous manager of a catering concern. She needs a place to stay and he recommends a good bed - and - breakfast. They soon become friendly , but Hilditch is more than just a mildly eccentric middle - aged man with a taste for French cuisine : he's had a long history of using and abusing homeless women , and Felicia looks like she's doomed to be the next victim. Based on a novel by William Trevor , Felicia's Journey was shown in competition at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival .
0717
Ten years after he disappeared from his family's life Sweet William (Chris Leavins) returns home to Nova Scotia for his sister's wedding. Despite the fact that he's gone from a morbidly obese adolescent to a thin handsome self-assured young man the reunion proves bittersweet. Although he reconnects with his loving sister Rosemary (Kerry Fox) and his Alzheimer's-afflicted grandmother Grace (Joan Orenstein) he is dismayed to learn that his parents' rocky marriage has settled into permanent animosity. He also witnesses the toll his absence has taken on his abusive alcoholic father Whiskey Mack (Peter MacNeill); his tight-lipped mother Iris (Seana McKenna); and Violet (Christine Dunsworth) the tomboyish younger sister he's never met. The past lingers in the very air of William's childhood home; disturbing visions of himself as both a waifish boy (Ian Parsons) and a fat adolescent (Troy Veinotte) follow him everywhere. And it's not just the ghosts who dredge up the past. Rosemary's new husband Fletcher (Joel S. Keller) flirts shamelessly with William bringing back memories of the painful relationship the two shared as teenagers. When Iris disappears William must confront not only the haunting visions of his past but also the unfinished business he left behind. The feature debut of writer/director Thom Fitzgerald The Hanging Garden was the winner of the Air Canada People's Choice Award for best picture and the co-winner of the Toronto-CITY TV Award for Best Canadian Film at the Toronto International Film Festival.
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Ten years after he disappeared from his family's life , Sweet William ( Chris Leavins ) returns home to Nova Scotia for his sister's wedding. Despite the fact that he's gone from a morbidly obese adolescent to a thin , handsome , self - assured young man , the reunion proves bittersweet. Although he reconnects with his loving sister Rosemary ( Kerry Fox ) and his Alzheimer's - afflicted grandmother Grace ( Joan Orenstein ), he is dismayed to learn that his parents' rocky marriage has settled into permanent animosity. He also witnesses the toll his absence has taken on his abusive , alcoholic father , Whiskey Mack ( Peter MacNeill ); his tight - lipped mother Iris ( Seana McKenna ); and Violet ( Christine Dunsworth ), the tomboyish younger sister he's never met. The past lingers in the very air of William's childhood home ; disturbing visions of himself as both a waifish boy ( Ian Parsons ) and a fat adolescent ( Troy Veinotte ) follow him everywhere. And it's not just the ghosts who dredge up the past. Rosemary's new husband , Fletcher ( Joel S. Keller ), flirts shamelessly with William , bringing back memories of the painful relationship the two shared as teenagers. When Iris disappears , William must confront not only the haunting visions of his past , but also the unfinished business he left behind. The feature debut of writer / director Thom Fitzgerald , The Hanging Garden was the winner of the Air Canada People's Choice Award for best picture and the co - winner of the Toronto - CITY TV Award for Best Canadian Film at the Toronto International Film Festival .
0718
In this strikingly original independent drama from Canada a young woman finds that her obsession with death is challenged when she falls in love with a handsome medical student. Sandra Larson (Molly Parker) was fascinated with the dead from an early age; as a girl she and her best friend would find the bodies of birds and small animals and devise funeral rituals for them though Sandra always took these adventures far more seriously than her compatriot. As Sandra matures into womanhood her obsession with the deceased begins to develop a sexual component but her necrophilia is not about lust so much as a spiritual yearning for the light and calm of death's embrace. In college Sandra studies embalming which allows her to study and embrace death on a daily basis and she finds work at a funeral home owned by Mr. Wallis (Jay Brazeau) a man who in his way shares her obsessions. One day at a coffeeshop Sandra meets Matt (Peter Outerbridge) who is studying to be a doctor; she senses that he knows her secrets and a tentative romance blooms between them. But while Matt wants to "cure" Sandra of her intimate feelings for death she finds that he's not capable of understanding her erotic nature which is directed within herself more than outward toward others. Understandably controversial upon its initial release (though far more subtle and poetic than one might expect given the subject matter) Kissed was the first feature film from director Lynne Stopkewich who previously distinguished herself as a production designer.
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In this strikingly original independent drama from Canada , a young woman finds that her obsession with death is challenged when she falls in love with a handsome medical student. Sandra Larson ( Molly Parker ) was fascinated with the dead from an early age ; as a girl , she and her best friend would find the bodies of birds and small animals and devise funeral rituals for them , though Sandra always took these adventures far more seriously than her compatriot. As Sandra matures into womanhood , her obsession with the deceased begins to develop a sexual component , but her necrophilia is not about lust so much as a spiritual yearning for the light and calm of death's embrace. In college , Sandra studies embalming , which allows her to study and embrace death on a daily basis , and she finds work at a funeral home owned by Mr. Wallis ( Jay Brazeau ), a man who in his way shares her obsessions. One day at a coffeeshop , Sandra meets Matt ( Peter Outerbridge ), who is studying to be a doctor ; she senses that he knows her secrets , and a tentative romance blooms between them. But while Matt wants to "cure" Sandra of her intimate feelings for death , she finds that he's not capable of understanding her erotic nature , which is directed within herself more than outward toward others. Understandably controversial upon its initial release ( though far more subtle and poetic than one might expect given the subject matter ), Kissed was the first feature film from director Lynne Stopkewich , who previously distinguished herself as a production designer.
0719
The often tragic lives of the residents of a Nova Scotia coal mining town are viewed through the eyes of a depressed young woman in this grim period drama. Set in the 1940s the film begins with a brief intentionally puzzling interlude before flashing back several years to focus on the story of Margaret MacNeil (Helena Bonham Carter). Margaret has suffered through the death of her father and her brother both of whom perished while working as coal miners and has subsequently developed a hatred for the mines that provide the town's primary source of economic support. When she finds herself attracted to charming stranger Neil (Clive Russell) she is thrilled to learn that he has no plans to work in the mines. When Margaret and Neil marry over the opposition of Margaret's stern mother (Kate Nelligan) financial troubles force him to go back on his word with unfortunate results. Based on several short stories by Sheldon Currie the film draws an unrelentingly bleak picture of its subject concentrating on the numerous hardships from black lung to deadly cave-ins that haunt the coal-mining community resulting in a gloomy and at times morbid drama.
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The often tragic lives of the residents of a Nova Scotia coal mining town are viewed through the eyes of a depressed young woman in this grim period drama. Set in the 1940s , the film begins with a brief , intentionally puzzling interlude before flashing back several years to focus on the story of Margaret MacNeil ( Helena Bonham Carter ) . Margaret has suffered through the death of her father and her brother , both of whom perished while working as coal miners , and has subsequently developed a hatred for the mines that provide the town's primary source of economic support. When she finds herself attracted to charming stranger Neil ( Clive Russell ), she is thrilled to learn that he has no plans to work in the mines. When Margaret and Neil marry over the opposition of Margaret's stern mother ( Kate Nelligan ), financial troubles force him to go back on his word , with unfortunate results. Based on several short stories by Sheldon Currie , the film draws an unrelentingly bleak picture of its subject , concentrating on the numerous hardships , from black lung to deadly cave - ins , that haunt the coal - mining community , resulting in a gloomy and at times morbid drama.
0720
The "Moonie" cult of the 1970s and '80s has been cited as the principal inspiration for the 1981 Canadian production Ticket to Heaven. Nick Mancuso plays impressionable youth David Kappel who after breaking up with his girlfriend tries to find an emotional balm by joining a religious sect. The first portion of the film details David's indoctrination into the group. The remaining portion concerns the efforts made by his parents to locate their thoroughly brainwashed son. R.H. Thomson dominates the final scenes as a "deprogrammer" hired to shake David out of his religious euphoria. Ticket to Heaven was based on Moonwebs a novel by Josh Freed.
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The "Moonie" cult of the 1970s and '80s has been cited as the principal inspiration for the 1981 Canadian production Ticket to Heaven . Nick Mancuso plays impressionable youth David Kappel , who , after breaking up with his girlfriend , tries to find an emotional balm by joining a religious sect. The first portion of the film details David's indoctrination into the group. The remaining portion concerns the efforts made by his parents to locate their thoroughly brainwashed son. R.H. Thomson dominates the final scenes as a "deprogrammer" hired to shake David out of his religious euphoria. Ticket to Heaven was based on Moonwebs , a novel by Josh Freed .
0721
Lensed on a smile and a shoeshine on 16 millimeter I've Heard the Mermaids Singing effectively shifts from black and white to color and back again to make its artistic statement. Sheila McCarthy stars as a self-effacing amateur photographer who goes to work for yuppie art-curator Paule Baillargeon. Ms. McCarthy expresses her admiration for Ms. Baillargeon by secretly submitting the latter's paintings to some appreciative critics. Baillargeon responds by behaving atrociously towards McCarthy. This shakes up McCarthy to the point that she realizes she'll never succeed as an artist on her own terms long as she hides behind the accomplishments of others. This apparently autobiographical first film by director Patricia Rozema (we say "apparently" because Sheila McCarthy's character name is rhythmically and ethnically close to Rozema's) won the Prix de la Jeunesse at the Cannes Film Festival.
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Lensed on a smile and a shoeshine on 16 millimeter , I've Heard the Mermaids Singing effectively shifts from black and white to color and back again to make its artistic statement. Sheila McCarthy stars as a self - effacing amateur photographer who goes to work for yuppie art - curator Paule Baillargeon . Ms. McCarthy expresses her admiration for Ms. Baillargeon by secretly submitting the latter's paintings to some appreciative critics. Baillargeon responds by behaving atrociously towards McCarthy . This shakes up McCarthy to the point that she realizes she'll never succeed as an artist on her own terms long as she hides behind the accomplishments of others. This apparently autobiographical first film by director Patricia Rozema ( we say "apparently" because Sheila McCarthy 's character name is rhythmically and ethnically close to Rozema 's ) won the Prix de la Jeunesse at the Cannes Film Festival .
0722
Peter Medak's The Changeling is among a handful of films including The Haunting (1963) Ghost Story (1981) and Lady in White (1988) that have successfully recreated the intimate drawing-room atmosphere of supernatural horror fiction. After his wife and daughter are killed in a snowbound car accident classical composer John Russell (George C. Scott) relocates from New York to Seattle to teach at his alma mater. Looking for a quiet place to rest and continue writing music he is referred Claire Norman (Trish Van Devere) at the Seattle Historical Preservation Society. Claire shows John a large sparsely furnished estate in the outlying countryside. He takes the house appreciating its remoteness and the solitude it might afford and diverts himself by renovating and settling in. He even starts to compose putting aside his older work in favor of a new sentimental piece for the piano. It is not long however before he begins having nightmares about the accident that killed his wife and daughter. Possibly because of this trauma he is open to communications from the house's ghostly occupants. Pursuing a loud repetitive pounding noise in an upper room he stumbles on the apparition of a young boy drowning in a tub. Working together with Claire John discovers frightening parallels between this vision and buried events from the house's past. Horror writer M.R. James once said that his goal as a writer was to make the reader feel "pleasantly uncomfortable." Those looking for a similar experience in movies will appreciate The Changeling as a gem in the horror genre.
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Peter Medak 's The Changeling is among a handful of films , including The Haunting ( 1963 ), Ghost Story ( 1981 ), and Lady in White ( 1988 ), that have successfully recreated the intimate , drawing - room atmosphere of supernatural horror fiction. After his wife and daughter are killed in a snowbound car accident , classical composer John Russell ( George C. Scott ) relocates from New York to Seattle to teach at his alma mater. Looking for a quiet place to rest and continue writing music , he is referred Claire Norman ( Trish Van Devere ) at the Seattle Historical Preservation Society. Claire shows John a large , sparsely furnished estate in the outlying countryside. He takes the house , appreciating its remoteness and the solitude it might afford , and diverts himself by renovating and settling in. He even starts to compose , putting aside his older work in favor of a new , sentimental piece for the piano. It is not long , however , before he begins having nightmares about the accident that killed his wife and daughter. Possibly because of this trauma , he is open to communications from the house's ghostly occupants. Pursuing a loud , repetitive pounding noise in an upper room , he stumbles on the apparition of a young boy drowning in a tub. Working together with Claire , John discovers frightening parallels between this vision and buried events from the house's past. Horror writer M.R. James once said that his goal as a writer was to make the reader feel "pleasantly uncomfortable." Those looking for a similar experience in movies will appreciate The Changeling as a gem in the horror genre.
0723
Office workers existing in varying states of disgruntlement/insanity Tom Sandra Randy and Curt bet a month's salary to see who can stay indoors the longest. Since their office is located in a downtown area where almost all of the buildings are connected by a system of glass-enclosed bridges this doesn't seem like such a difficult proposition. However the longer they stay indoors the stranger things get. Waydowntown which was screened at the 2000 Vancouver International Film Festival was directed and co-written by noted Canadian filmmaker Gary Burns and features celebrated actor and filmmaker Don McKellar in a role as a cubicle drone.
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Office workers existing in varying states of disgruntlement / insanity , Tom , Sandra , Randy , and Curt bet a month's salary to see who can stay indoors the longest. Since their office is located in a downtown area , where almost all of the buildings are connected by a system of glass - enclosed bridges , this doesn't seem like such a difficult proposition. However , the longer they stay indoors , the stranger things get. Waydowntown , which was screened at the 2000 Vancouver International Film Festival , was directed and co - written by noted Canadian filmmaker Gary Burns , and features celebrated actor and filmmaker Don McKellar in a role as a cubicle drone.
0724
The story of George Adamson whose work helped inspire the book and subsequent film Born Free is continued in the fact-based drama To Walk With Lions. In Kenya in the late 1980's Tony Fitzjohn (John Michie) is a young man from London who has a job as a driver with a safari guide company. However Tony's commitment is less to exploring the wilds than in picking up women (especially wealthy tourists) so when he's fired Tony just wants to get another job fast to get airfare home. The first position he finds is assisting George Adamson (Richard Harris) who with his bother Terence (Ian Bannen) helps "rehabilitate" lions from zoos and returns them to the wild. George is more devoted to his animals than to most people but a bond of respect and understanding develops between George and Tony and Tony develops a similar rapport with the lions. Tony also develops a different sort of attachment to Lucy (Kerry Fox) a British anthropologist studying indigenous tribes in Kenya. However the tone shifts when George's ex-wife Joy (Honor Blackman) arrives for a visit. George and Joy did not separate on cordial terms and their meeting is brief and contentious (while Joy made a tidy sum from the book Born Free George never received any of the money for his continuing work with the lions). Shortly after her departure Joy is killed by one of her servants. While To Walk With Lions is in several respects critical of the wildlife policies of the Kenyan government the film was financed in part by Kenyans and was filmed in Kenya with the support and cooperation of state authorities.
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The story of George Adamson , whose work helped inspire the book and subsequent film Born Free , is continued in the fact - based drama To Walk With Lions . In Kenya in the late 1980's , Tony Fitzjohn ( John Michie ) is a young man from London who has a job as a driver with a safari guide company. However , Tony's commitment is less to exploring the wilds than in picking up women ( especially wealthy tourists ), so when he's fired , Tony just wants to get another job fast to get airfare home. The first position he finds is assisting George Adamson ( Richard Harris ), who with his bother Terence ( Ian Bannen ) helps "rehabilitate" lions from zoos and returns them to the wild. George is more devoted to his animals than to most people , but a bond of respect and understanding develops between George and Tony , and Tony develops a similar rapport with the lions. Tony also develops a different sort of attachment to Lucy ( Kerry Fox ), a British anthropologist studying indigenous tribes in Kenya. However , the tone shifts when George's ex - wife , Joy ( Honor Blackman ) arrives for a visit. George and Joy did not separate on cordial terms , and their meeting is brief and contentious ( while Joy made a tidy sum from the book Born Free , George never received any of the money for his continuing work with the lions ) . Shortly after her departure , Joy is killed by one of her servants. While To Walk With Lions is in several respects critical of the wildlife policies of the Kenyan government , the film was financed in part by Kenyans and was filmed in Kenya with the support and cooperation of state authorities.
0725
After surviving a brutal car wreck commercial director James Ballard finds himself slowly drawn to a mysterious subculture of people who have transformed automobile accidents into erotic events. Like the J.G. Ballard novel that inspired it David Cronenberg's study of the sexual dimension of man's relationship to technology was a magnet for controversy drawing a NC-17 rating and criticism from several sources including studio owner Ted Turner who attempted to prevent the film's American release. But though some have leveled charges of pornography James' descent into this fetishistic underworld is approached with cold scientific detachment. Characters like Vaughn the charismatic group leader who stages recreations of celebrity car crashes seem more like driven researchers than sexual renegades which is undoubtedly part of the film's point. This impression is reinforced by the pristine cinematography by Peter Suschitzsky which proves particularly haunting during a crucial accident scene and Howard Shore's superb score. Far from exploitative Crash in fact proves less transgressive than the original novel but is still undoubtedly not for all tastes.
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After surviving a brutal car wreck , commercial director James Ballard finds himself slowly drawn to a mysterious subculture of people who have transformed automobile accidents into erotic events. Like the J.G. Ballard novel that inspired it , David Cronenberg 's study of the sexual dimension of man's relationship to technology was a magnet for controversy , drawing a NC - 17 rating and criticism from several sources , including studio owner Ted Turner , who attempted to prevent the film's American release. But though some have leveled charges of pornography , James' descent into this fetishistic underworld is approached with cold , scientific detachment. Characters like Vaughn , the charismatic group leader who stages recreations of celebrity car crashes , seem more like driven researchers than sexual renegades , which is undoubtedly part of the film's point. This impression is reinforced by the pristine cinematography by Peter Suschitzsky , which proves particularly haunting during a crucial accident scene , and Howard Shore 's superb score. Far from exploitative , Crash in fact proves less transgressive than the original novel , but is still undoubtedly not for all tastes.
0726
Love jealousy revenge and forbidden homosexual passion color this alternately campy and dramatic adaptation of a play by Michel Marc Bouchard. Operating at different levels the story begins in 1952 inside a Quebec prison chapel where hard-core convict Simon Doucet offers confession to Bishop Bilodeau who has come especially to see him. But no sooner does the Bishop enter the confessional than he is locked in by other inmates and forced to watch them enact gay love scenes from the play The Death of San Sebastian. The story moves backwards to 1912 when Bilodeau and Simon were lusty young boys. Their affair falls apart when Simon takes up with Vallier. This angers Bilodeau who does something terrible in retaliation. Meanwhile back in the present Simon attempts to force Bilodeau into owning up to his actions. In keeping with the film's gay themes all roles male and female are portrayed by men.
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Love , jealousy , revenge and forbidden homosexual passion color this alternately campy and dramatic adaptation of a play by Michel Marc Bouchard . Operating at different levels , the story begins in 1952 inside a Quebec prison chapel where hard - core convict Simon Doucet offers confession to Bishop Bilodeau who has come especially to see him. But no sooner does the Bishop enter the confessional than he is locked in by other inmates and forced to watch them enact gay love scenes from the play The Death of San Sebastian . The story moves backwards to 1912 when Bilodeau and Simon were lusty young boys. Their affair falls apart when Simon takes up with Vallier. This angers Bilodeau who does something terrible in retaliation. Meanwhile , back in the present , Simon attempts to force Bilodeau into owning up to his actions. In keeping with the film's gay themes , all roles , male and female , are portrayed by men.
0727
Family ghosts generational conflict and the immigrant experience frame this episodic comedy-drama about a Chinese-born Canadian woman's quest for self-definition which marked the debut of writer/director Mina Shum. Jade Li (Sandra Oh) an aspiring actress in her early twenties lives at home with her strict father (Stephen Chang) her dutiful mother (Alannah Ong) and her sweet younger sister Pearl (Frances You). Their older brother Winston has been disowned -- a fate Jade is not eager to share both for her own sake and to spare her family pain. Therefore although she manages to land a few bit parts on camera Jade spends most of her time working in the shop owned by a family friend performing the duties of a respectful daughter and suffering through arranged dates with prosperous young Chinese men. An adept cultural chameleon though she also leads a double life hanging out with best friend Lisa (Claudette Carracedo) and beginning a tentative romance with Caucasian college student Mark (Callum Keith Rennie). When her father's childhood friend arrives for a visit however Jade must juggle her competing identities even more carefully than usual lest her choice of professions -- and boyfriends -- shame her father. After premiering at the 1994 Toronto International Film Festival Double Happiness won several international awards and made its U.S. bow at Sundance in 1995. Writer/director Shum -- who like her protagonist was born in Hong Kong but raised in Canada -- appears briefly on camera as a casting director who doesn't think Jade is Chinese enough. Oh who is actually of Korean descent won a best actress Genie Award (the Canadian equivalent of an Oscar) for her portrayal of Jade. The part of Dad Li marked a departure for Chang a frequent martial arts movie villain and real-life friend of Bruce Lee.
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Family ghosts , generational conflict , and the immigrant experience frame this episodic comedy - drama about a Chinese - born Canadian woman's quest for self - definition , which marked the debut of writer / director Mina Shum . Jade Li ( Sandra Oh ), an aspiring actress in her early twenties , lives at home with her strict father ( Stephen Chang ), her dutiful mother ( Alannah Ong ), and her sweet younger sister , Pearl ( Frances You ) . Their older brother , Winston , has been disowned -- a fate Jade is not eager to share , both for her own sake and to spare her family pain. Therefore , although she manages to land a few bit parts on camera , Jade spends most of her time working in the shop owned by a family friend , performing the duties of a respectful daughter and suffering through arranged dates with prosperous young Chinese men. An adept cultural chameleon , though , she also leads a double life , hanging out with best friend Lisa ( Claudette Carracedo ) and beginning a tentative romance with Caucasian college student Mark ( Callum Keith Rennie ) . When her father's childhood friend arrives for a visit , however , Jade must juggle her competing identities even more carefully than usual , lest her choice of professions -- and boyfriends -- shame her father. After premiering at the 1994 Toronto International Film Festival , Double Happiness won several international awards and made its U.S. bow at Sundance in 1995. Writer / director Shum -- who , like her protagonist , was born in Hong Kong but raised in Canada -- appears briefly on camera as a casting director who doesn't think Jade is Chinese enough. Oh , who is actually of Korean descent , won a best actress Genie Award ( the Canadian equivalent of an Oscar ) for her portrayal of Jade. The part of Dad Li marked a departure for Chang , a frequent martial arts movie villain and real - life friend of Bruce Lee .
0728
This Canadian drama based on a book by W.P. Kinsella examines the tension between Indians and Anglos in Canada from an Indian perspective. Silas Crow who lives on a Northern Ontario reserve wants to take a mechanic's course in Toronto with his friend Frank Fencepost. But before he can enroll the teen must write a short narrative describing his home. The film is a series of vignette's from Crow's narrative. The vignette's are alternately funny and poignant.
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This Canadian drama based on a book by W.P. Kinsella , examines the tension between Indians and Anglos in Canada from an Indian perspective. Silas Crow , who lives on a Northern Ontario reserve , wants to take a mechanic's course in Toronto with his friend Frank Fencepost. But before he can enroll , the teen must write a short narrative describing his home. The film is a series of vignette's from Crow's narrative. The vignette's are alternately funny and poignant.
0729
ased on a novel by Margaret Atwood this suspenseful psycho-sexual drama chronicles a young woman's quest through the wilderness to find her father.
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Based on a novel by Margaret Atwood , this suspenseful psycho - sexual drama chronicles a young woman's quest through the wilderness to find her father.
0730
efore his death in 1993 director Francis Mankiewicz was Canadian television's premiere filmmaker. One of his rare theatrical films Les Bons Debarras was also among his best (despite its overlength); certainly the judges of Canada's Genie Awards thought so when honoring the film with their "Best Picture" award for 1981. Set amongst a middle-class Quebec family the film concerns itself with a love triangle consisting of Charlotte Laurier Germaine Houde and Marie Tifo.
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Before his death in 1993 , director Francis Mankiewicz was Canadian television's premiere filmmaker. One of his rare theatrical films , Les Bons Debarras , was also among his best ( despite its overlength ); certainly the judges of Canada's Genie Awards thought so when honoring the film with their "Best Picture" award for 1981. Set amongst a middle - class Quebec family , the film concerns itself with a love triangle , consisting of Charlotte Laurier , Germaine Houde and Marie Tifo .
0731
Exploring concepts of fate and free will Jerry Ciccoritti's contemplative drama shows the lives of a handful of random people during the 12 hours leading up to a bloody shooting spree in a posh coffee shop. Maggie (Emily Hampshire) is a waitress in the café whose acting career is going nowhere fast. Her co-worker Connie (Sarah Polley) who is learning to love her lawyer boyfriend is supposed to have the day off. Sheena (Catherine O'Hara) who frequents the shop is a lovelorn bridal consultant looking for a decent man. And Brian (Stephen Rea) an exterminator/philosopher is still mourning the death of his daughter who died a year ago. Their petty everyday problems gain ironic resonance when juxtaposed with the day's bloody ending. This film was screened at the 1999 Toronto Film Festival.
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Exploring concepts of fate and free will , Jerry Ciccoritti 's contemplative drama shows the lives of a handful of random people during the 12 hours leading up to a bloody shooting spree in a posh coffee shop. Maggie ( Emily Hampshire ) is a waitress in the café whose acting career is going nowhere fast. Her co - worker Connie ( Sarah Polley ), who is learning to love her lawyer boyfriend , is supposed to have the day off. Sheena ( Catherine O'Hara ), who frequents the shop , is a lovelorn bridal consultant looking for a decent man. And Brian ( Stephen Rea ), an exterminator / philosopher , is still mourning the death of his daughter , who died a year ago. Their petty , everyday problems gain ironic resonance when juxtaposed with the day's bloody ending. This film was screened at the 1999 Toronto Film Festival .
0732
Five characters serve as metaphors for the five senses in this drama about human relationships from Canadian filmmaker Jeremy Podeswa. Ruth (Gabrielle Rose) works as a massage therapist; one day while giving a rubdown to Anna (Molly Parker) Ruth's teenage daughter Rachel (Nadia Litz) takes Anna's toddler daughter for a stroll in the park. However Rachel loses track of the child and she's soon lost. While searching for her Rachel meets Rupert (Brendan Fletcher) a voyeur who teaches her about the pleasures of observing others. Meanwhile Robert (Daniel MacIvor) is a professional house cleaner with an unusually keen sense of smell. Convinced he can smell love he starts to set up meetings with all of his former lovers to see if he can sniff out any feelings for him -- and if not find out why they stopped caring for him. Robert's friend Rona (Mary-Louise Parker) works as a baker but has no sense of taste a severe occupational hazard. She also has romantic problems thanks to the arrival of Roberto (Marco Leonardi) a man she met on a recent vacation in Italy. Finally Richard (Philippe Volter) is an eye doctor who is losing his hearing. While this situation has left him horribly depressed he meets a woman who helps him feel better about life.
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Five characters serve as metaphors for the five senses in this drama about human relationships from Canadian filmmaker Jeremy Podeswa . Ruth ( Gabrielle Rose ) works as a massage therapist ; one day while giving a rubdown to Anna ( Molly Parker ), Ruth's teenage daughter Rachel ( Nadia Litz ) takes Anna's toddler daughter for a stroll in the park. However , Rachel loses track of the child and she's soon lost. While searching for her , Rachel meets Rupert ( Brendan Fletcher ), a voyeur who teaches her about the pleasures of observing others. Meanwhile , Robert ( Daniel MacIvor ) is a professional house cleaner with an unusually keen sense of smell. Convinced he can smell love , he starts to set up meetings with all of his former lovers to see if he can sniff out any feelings for him -- and , if not , find out why they stopped caring for him. Robert's friend Rona ( Mary - Louise Parker ) works as a baker but has no sense of taste , a severe occupational hazard. She also has romantic problems , thanks to the arrival of Roberto ( Marco Leonardi ), a man she met on a recent vacation in Italy. Finally , Richard ( Philippe Volter ) is an eye doctor who is losing his hearing. While this situation has left him horribly depressed , he meets a woman who helps him feel better about life.
0733
Writer/director Peter Wellington's Joe's So Mean to Josephine tracks the slow unraveling of a dysfunctional relationship. Josephine (Sarah Polley from Go) a smart but immature college girl living in Toronto is out drinking with some friends when she sees Joe (Eric Thal) sitting at the bar. Joe is cute wears a leather jacket and seems quite unfriendly. Josephine is intrigued enough to smile at Joe as he leaves the bar. Joe ignores her. The next morning Josephine wakes up to find Joe in her kitchen arguing with her mother (Dixie Seatle). It turns out that when Joe's not earning an extra dollar illegally wiretapping phone lines he works as a telephone repairman. Josephine approaches him and introduces herself. He doesn't seem particularly interested. Later Josephine steps out of a bar and sees Joe waiting for his hapless partner-in-crime Mike (Canadian indie superstar Don McKellar). Joe is pretty cold to her but this time he invites her out to eat. She's nervous but delighted and ends up going home with him. After their tryst she shows up at his job and then at his apartment and she buys a goldfish for his empty aquarium. He seems sick of her and treats her rudely. She tells him off and leaves which he likes. When she returns later he's nicer to her and they start dating again. But when they run into some of her friends from the newspaper where she works Joe's rude to them and the two argue. Eventually Josephine moves out of her parents' house and in with her friend Mona (Waneta Storms). Her budding writing career starts coming together and Joe feels threatened by her success. She tries to break up with him but finds he's not so easy to get rid of.
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Writer / director Peter Wellington 's Joe's So Mean to Josephine tracks the slow unraveling of a dysfunctional relationship. Josephine ( Sarah Polley from Go ), a smart but immature college girl living in Toronto , is out drinking with some friends when she sees Joe ( Eric Thal ) sitting at the bar. Joe is cute , wears a leather jacket , and seems quite unfriendly. Josephine is intrigued enough to smile at Joe as he leaves the bar. Joe ignores her. The next morning , Josephine wakes up to find Joe in her kitchen , arguing with her mother ( Dixie Seatle ) . It turns out that when Joe's not earning an extra dollar illegally wiretapping phone lines , he works as a telephone repairman. Josephine approaches him and introduces herself. He doesn't seem particularly interested. Later , Josephine steps out of a bar and sees Joe waiting for his hapless partner - in - crime , Mike ( Canadian indie superstar Don McKellar ) . Joe is pretty cold to her , but this time , he invites her out to eat. She's nervous , but delighted , and ends up going home with him. After their tryst , she shows up at his job , and then at his apartment , and she buys a goldfish for his empty aquarium. He seems sick of her , and treats her rudely. She tells him off and leaves , which he likes. When she returns later , he's nicer to her , and they start dating again. But when they run into some of her friends from the newspaper where she works , Joe's rude to them , and the two argue. Eventually , Josephine moves out of her parents' house , and in with her friend , Mona ( Waneta Storms ) . Her budding writing career starts coming together , and Joe feels threatened by her success. She tries to break up with him , but finds he's not so easy to get rid of.
0734
Tian Zhuangzhuang a charter member of China's politically beleaguered so-called Fifth Generation of Directors (along with Ju Dou's Zhang Yimou) made this film about the gradual disintegration of an entire family targeted by Mao's political reformation movements of the '50s and '60s. Told in a series of three stories the audience sees the little boy Tietou and his mother try and try again to rebuild their lives from the ashes left them by the madness of the era. Director Tian works from a palette of primary colors on widescreen images that are often fixed in an icy-white Kubrickian glare of omnipresent paranoia. Yet much of The Blue Kite is resplendent with palpable signs of ordinary life: noisy kids happy weddings loud mealtimes. Tian amplifies the human element of these heady days so that viewers may genuinely feel the humanity ripped from this story as events overtake and shatter all hope.
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Tian Zhuangzhuang , a charter member of China's politically beleaguered , so - called Fifth Generation of Directors ( along with Ju Dou 's Zhang Yimou ), made this film about the gradual disintegration of an entire family targeted by Mao's political reformation movements of the '50s and '60s. Told in a series of three stories , the audience sees the little boy Tietou and his mother try and try again to rebuild their lives from the ashes left them by the madness of the era. Director Tian works from a palette of primary colors on widescreen images that are often fixed in an icy - white Kubrickian glare of omnipresent paranoia. Yet much of The Blue Kite is resplendent with palpable signs of ordinary life : noisy kids , happy weddings , loud mealtimes. Tian amplifies the human element of these heady days , so that viewers may genuinely feel the humanity ripped from this story as events overtake and shatter all hope.
0735
Until Farewell My Concubine (Ba Wang Bie Ji) not many people were aware that most members of the Peking Opera were originally orphans or illegitimate castaways with nowhere else to turn. Such is the case of the film's protagonists Duan Xiaolou (Zhang Fengyi) and Cheng Dieyi (Leslie Cheung) two homeless outcasts trained from childhood in the grueling rigors of the Opera by master Lu Qui. The film traces the 52-year friendship between Xiaolou and Dieyi a friendship pockmarked with fiery conflicts and tender reconciliations. Though the delicate Dieyi specializes in female roles and the gutsy Xiaolou plays noble warriors theirs is an essentially heterosexual relationship; still when Xiaolou takes upon himself a prostitute bride (the magnificent Gong Li) Dieyi is as petty and jealous as an outcast mistress. Farewell My Concubine holds the viewer in thrall from start to finish; as such it is thoroughly deserving of its many international film awards and nominations. Surprisingly this worldwide success was something of a flop in its home country of China; perhaps it hit too close to home for those viewers who'd lived through the same years so painstakingly recreated in the film.
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Until Farewell , My Concubine ( Ba Wang Bie Ji ), not many people were aware that most members of the Peking Opera were originally orphans or illegitimate castaways with nowhere else to turn. Such is the case of the film's protagonists , Duan Xiaolou ( Zhang Fengyi ) and Cheng Dieyi ( Leslie Cheung ), two homeless outcasts , trained from childhood in the grueling rigors of the Opera by master Lu Qui. The film traces the 52 - year friendship between Xiaolou and Dieyi , a friendship pockmarked with fiery conflicts and tender reconciliations. Though the delicate Dieyi specializes in female roles and the gutsy Xiaolou plays noble warriors , theirs is an essentially heterosexual relationship ; still , when Xiaolou takes upon himself a prostitute bride ( the magnificent Gong Li ), Dieyi is as petty and jealous as an outcast mistress. Farewell , My Concubine holds the viewer in thrall from start to finish ; as such , it is thoroughly deserving of its many international film awards and nominations. Surprisingly , this worldwide success was something of a flop in its home country of China ; perhaps it hit too close to home for those viewers who'd lived through the same years so painstakingly recreated in the film.
0736
With The Story of Qiu Ju internationally acclaimed Chinese director Zhang Yimou shifts his attention from powerful historical dramas (Raise the Red Lantern and Ju Dou) to contemporary life. Gong Li plays the titular heroine an average woman in a rural village whose life is unexceptional until her husband is physically attacked by the village elder. When the elder refuses to apologize Qiu Ju decides to seek legal action with the help of a local magistrate. Soon her quest for simple justice balloons into a series of frustrating battles with a complicated and unproductive bureaucracy. In contrast to the rich painterly look of his previous films Zhang adopts an unadorned realistic style that allows the film's increasingly absurd situations to speak for themselves. Indeed while the look at government gone wrong has serious underpinnings the overall tone remains one of understated satire. As might be expected The Story of Qiu Ju was received with greater appreciation by international critics than in its home country.
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With The Story of Qiu Ju , internationally acclaimed Chinese director Zhang Yimou shifts his attention from powerful historical dramas ( Raise the Red Lantern and Ju Dou ) to contemporary life. Gong Li plays the titular heroine , an average woman in a rural village whose life is unexceptional until her husband is physically attacked by the village elder. When the elder refuses to apologize , Qiu Ju decides to seek legal action with the help of a local magistrate. Soon , her quest for simple justice balloons into a series of frustrating battles with a complicated and unproductive bureaucracy. In contrast to the rich , painterly look of his previous films , Zhang adopts an unadorned , realistic style that allows the film's increasingly absurd situations to speak for themselves. Indeed , while the look at government gone wrong has serious underpinnings , the overall tone remains one of understated satire. As might be expected , The Story of Qiu Ju was received with greater appreciation by international critics than in its home country.
0737
A dark sensual and visually sumptuous drama Ju Dou centers on the title character the third wife of a wealthy silk dyer in 1920s China. Forced into marriage by poverty Ju Dou is repeatedly mistreated and cruelly disciplined by her husband Jin-shan for failing to bear him an heir. Her suffering attracts the sympathy of Jin-shan's younger kinder nephew Tian-qing and the two begin a secret affair that could have tragic consequences. Spanning the course of many years the film's narrative takes several surprising turns defying expectations and complicating audience sympathies. None of the film's characters is wholly heroic or evil allowing all three central performers -- Li Bao-tian as Tian-qing Li Wei as Jin-shan and the luminous Gong Li as Ju Dou -- to fashion memorable complex portrayals. Director Zhang Yimou a former cinematographer uses gorgeously saturated images that emphasize his story's elemental nature which often recalls classical tragedy. Met with controversy in China due to supposed political overtones that worried government officials Ju Dou received fairer treatment overseas winning an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film and numerous festival prizes.
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A dark , sensual , and visually sumptuous drama , Ju Dou centers on the title character , the third wife of a wealthy silk dyer in 1920s China. Forced into marriage by poverty , Ju Dou is repeatedly mistreated and cruelly disciplined by her husband , Jin - shan , for failing to bear him an heir. Her suffering attracts the sympathy of Jin - shan's younger , kinder nephew , Tian - qing , and the two begin a secret affair that could have tragic consequences. Spanning the course of many years , the film's narrative takes several surprising turns , defying expectations and complicating audience sympathies. None of the film's characters is wholly heroic or evil , allowing all three central performers -- Li Bao - tian as Tian - qing , Li Wei as Jin - shan , and the luminous Gong Li as Ju Dou -- to fashion memorable , complex portrayals. Director Zhang Yimou , a former cinematographer , uses gorgeously saturated images that emphasize his story's elemental nature , which often recalls classical tragedy. Met with controversy in China due to supposed political overtones that worried government officials , Ju Dou received fairer treatment overseas , winning an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film and numerous festival prizes.
0738
In a village in China mired in poverty Gao (Gao Enman) is the lone teacher in a school so threadbare he must ration chalk to make sure he has enough for the day. The destitution of the village is not limited to the school; some of the children sleep in the schoolhouse because they have nowhere else to go and many students have already dropped out to go to work to help feed their families. Gao is forced to leave town for a month and no one in the village is able to take over for him except a 13-year-old girl Wei Minzhi (Wei Minzhi) who possesses only the most rudimentary education herself. What she lacks in educational credential she makes up for in determination -- she needs money and teaching is an honest job that pays and since she'll get a 10 yuan bonus if all 28 students are still attending when Gao gets back she is determined that no one will drop out on her watch. So when one student turns up missing and word has it he's been sent to the city by his mother to work she travels to the city to look for him. In a place where thousands of children are working in the underground labor force or begging on the street one boy hardly stands out from the crowd and she has little luck. However she's able to persuade a sympathetic TV station manager to let her make an announcement in hopes someone knows where he has gone. Despite its serious and often grim theme Yi Ge Dou Bu Neng Shao is often light in tone and draws on the strength and humor of its characters; the film won the Golden Lion at the 1999 Venice Film Festival.
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In a village in China mired in poverty , Gao ( Gao Enman ) is the lone teacher in a school so threadbare he must ration chalk to make sure he has enough for the day. The destitution of the village is not limited to the school ; some of the children sleep in the schoolhouse because they have nowhere else to go , and many students have already dropped out to go to work to help feed their families. Gao is forced to leave town for a month , and no one in the village is able to take over for him except a 13 - year - old girl , Wei Minzhi ( Wei Minzhi ), who possesses only the most rudimentary education herself. What she lacks in educational credential , she makes up for in determination -- she needs money , and teaching is an honest job that pays , and since she'll get a 10 yuan bonus if all 28 students are still attending when Gao gets back , she is determined that no one will drop out on her watch. So when one student turns up missing , and word has it he's been sent to the city by his mother to work , she travels to the city to look for him. In a place where thousands of children are working in the underground labor force or begging on the street , one boy hardly stands out from the crowd , and she has little luck. However , she's able to persuade a sympathetic TV station manager to let her make an announcement in hopes someone knows where he has gone. Despite its serious and often grim theme , Yi Ge Dou Bu Neng Shao is often light in tone and draws on the strength and humor of its characters ; the film won the Golden Lion at the 1999 Venice Film Festival.
0739
Zhang Yimou often regarded as China's leading contemporary filmmaker directed this drama chronicling the ebb and flow of one family's fortunes set against the backdrop of China's tumultuous history between the 1940s and the 1970s. Fugui (Ge You) is the father of a once-wealthy family whose addiction to gambling and chronic bad luck causes him to lose his home in a game of dice with Long'er (Ni Dabong). Fugui's wife Jiazhen (Gong Li) abandons him and he finds himself working as a peddler until the man who now owns his home gives him a pair of shadow puppets. Fugui learns the art of puppetry and travels as a performer; while on the road he is arrested by Nationalist forces until he is liberated by advancing Red Army factions and he comes him home to his wife and children as they adapt to the nation's new leadership. While once a lazy spendthrift Fugui vows to change his ways and he struggles to become a better worker and citizen. But Fugui and his family soon realize that there is adversity waiting for them around every corner and the onset of the Cultural Revolution makes it clear that China's new regime can be as corrupt and callous as the old order. While a Grand Prize winner at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival and recipient of the Best Foreign Language Film award at the 1995 BAFTA Awards Huozhe did not fare well in its homeland. Chinese censors objected to the film's commentary about political abuses in China's past as well as Zhang Yimou's attempts to present the film at several international festivals. As punishment he was forced to write a formal apology and was not allowed to make another film for two years.
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Zhang Yimou , often regarded as China's leading contemporary filmmaker , directed this drama chronicling the ebb and flow of one family's fortunes , set against the backdrop of China's tumultuous history between the 1940s and the 1970s. Fugui ( Ge You ) is the father of a once - wealthy family whose addiction to gambling and chronic bad luck causes him to lose his home in a game of dice with Long'er ( Ni Dabong ) . Fugui's wife Jiazhen ( Gong Li ) abandons him , and he finds himself working as a peddler , until the man who now owns his home gives him a pair of shadow puppets. Fugui learns the art of puppetry and travels as a performer ; while on the road , he is arrested by Nationalist forces , until he is liberated by advancing Red Army factions , and he comes him home to his wife and children as they adapt to the nation's new leadership. While once a lazy spendthrift , Fugui vows to change his ways , and he struggles to become a better worker and citizen. But Fugui and his family soon realize that there is adversity waiting for them around every corner , and the onset of the Cultural Revolution makes it clear that China's new regime can be as corrupt and callous as the old order. While a Grand Prize winner at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival and recipient of the Best Foreign Language Film award at the 1995 BAFTA Awards , Huozhe did not fare well in its homeland. Chinese censors objected to the film's commentary about political abuses in China's past , as well as Zhang Yimou 's attempts to present the film at several international festivals. As punishment , he was forced to write a formal apology and was not allowed to make another film for two years.
0740
Red Sorghum was the first directorial effort of controversial Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou. The director's favorite leading lady Gong Li plays a young woman of the 1920s whose family sells her into marriage with a wealthy winemaker. At first a loveless union the relationship blossoms into one of strong friendship and mutual respect. During World War II Gong Li fights side by side with her husband against the invading Japanese. A sweeping yet intensely personal historical epic Red Sorghum won the 1988 Golden Bear award at the Berlin Film Festival. Despite its patriotic overtones the film was heavily censored (when not banned altogether) in certain provinces of Communist China.
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Red Sorghum was the first directorial effort of controversial Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou . The director's favorite leading lady Gong Li plays a young woman of the 1920s whose family sells her into marriage with a wealthy winemaker. At first a loveless union , the relationship blossoms into one of strong friendship and mutual respect. During World War II , Gong Li fights side by side with her husband against the invading Japanese. A sweeping yet intensely personal historical epic , Red Sorghum won the 1988 Golden Bear award at the Berlin Film Festival . Despite its patriotic overtones , the film was heavily censored ( when not banned altogether ) in certain provinces of Communist China.
0741
A family's differences are reflected in the changing face of China near the turn of the millennium in this drama. In a decaying neighborhood in Beijing a local bathhouse serves as a meeting place for the elderly men of the community; the house is run by Liu (Zhu Xu) assisted by his son Erming (Jiang Wu) who is mildly retarded and tends to live in a world of his own. Liu's other son Daming (Pu Cunxin) who now lives in the Southern Chinese city of Shenzhen arrives for a visit after hearing that Liu had died. Daming is happy to hear that the news of his father's death was greatly exaggerated but as part of a younger generation that has adopted a Western-influenced lifestyle and business sense (including favoring showers over baths) he feels out of place in his father's world and there's a great emotional distance between the two. But when Erming disappears the crisis brings Liu and Daming closer together and Daming decides to extend his visit when he and Liu get word that the bathhouse is scheduled to be torn down in a few weeks. Veteran Chinese actor Feng Shun made his final screen appearance as a man who trains fighting crickets.
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A family's differences are reflected in the changing face of China near the turn of the millennium in this drama. In a decaying neighborhood in Beijing , a local bathhouse serves as a meeting place for the elderly men of the community ; the house is run by Liu ( Zhu Xu ), assisted by his son Erming ( Jiang Wu ), who is mildly retarded and tends to live in a world of his own. Liu's other son , Daming ( Pu Cunxin ), who now lives in the Southern Chinese city of Shenzhen , arrives for a visit after hearing that Liu had died. Daming is happy to hear that the news of his father's death was greatly exaggerated , but as part of a younger generation that has adopted a Western - influenced lifestyle and business sense ( including favoring showers over baths ), he feels out of place in his father's world and there's a great emotional distance between the two. But when Erming disappears , the crisis brings Liu and Daming closer together , and Daming decides to extend his visit when he and Liu get word that the bathhouse is scheduled to be torn down in a few weeks. Veteran Chinese actor Feng Shun made his final screen appearance as a man who trains fighting crickets.
0742
Actress Joan Chen makes her directorial debut with this bleak tale adapted from the award-winning novella "Tian Yu" by Shanghai writer Yan Geling about the loss of innocence during Mao Zedong's brutal Cultural Revolution. Precocious Wen Xiu (16-year-old Lu Lu) playfully called Xiu Xiu by her friends finds herself one of millions of Chinese teenagers sent to the hinterlands to receive specialized training during the early 1970s. She is taken from her loving family in Chengdu to the Tibetan steppes where she is apprenticed to Lao Jin (Lopsang) a solitary master horseman whose legendary status stems partly from his prowess on the range and partly from an embarrassing secret resulting from a battle injury. Though life is hard on the high grasslands the sheer physical beauty of the landscape coupled with Xiu Xiu's youthful vibrancy reinvigorate the quiet horseman. He soon falls for the young girl although thanks to his wound he will never be able to consummate his love. Meanwhile Xiu Xiu longs to return to her family in Sichuan. Her growing desperation coupled with her own naivete leave her vulnerable to the opportunistic scheming of a traveling peddler who takes her virginity while promising her quick passage back home. Soon lecherous bureaucrats and others venture out to Xiu Xiu's remote yurt with the promise of free sex. The young girl willingly prostitutes herself believing that it is the only way to see her beloved family again while Lao Jin suffers silently watching his love defile herself. Only after a medical emergency does Xiu Xiu realize how callously she has been used and cast aside. Joan Chen's dark work fits in a subgenre of Chinese art and cinema that explores the horrors of the Cultural Revolution whose most famous examples include Tian Zhuangzhuang's Blue Kite (1993) and Zhang Yimou's To Live (1993). Though this film was screened in the 1998 Berlin Film Festival it was banned in China for sexual and political content.
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Actress Joan Chen makes her directorial debut with this bleak tale , adapted from the award - winning novella "Tian Yu" by Shanghai writer Yan Geling , about the loss of innocence during Mao Zedong's brutal Cultural Revolution. Precocious Wen Xiu ( 16 - year - old Lu Lu ), playfully called Xiu Xiu by her friends , finds herself one of millions of Chinese teenagers sent to the hinterlands to receive specialized training during the early 1970s. She is taken from her loving family in Chengdu to the Tibetan steppes , where she is apprenticed to Lao Jin ( Lopsang ), a solitary master horseman whose legendary status stems partly from his prowess on the range and partly from an embarrassing secret resulting from a battle injury. Though life is hard on the high grasslands , the sheer physical beauty of the landscape , coupled with Xiu Xiu's youthful vibrancy , reinvigorate the quiet horseman. He soon falls for the young girl , although , thanks to his wound , he will never be able to consummate his love. Meanwhile , Xiu Xiu longs to return to her family in Sichuan. Her growing desperation , coupled with her own naivete , leave her vulnerable to the opportunistic scheming of a traveling peddler , who takes her virginity while promising her quick passage back home. Soon lecherous bureaucrats and others venture out to Xiu Xiu's remote yurt with the promise of free sex. The young girl willingly prostitutes herself , believing that it is the only way to see her beloved family again , while Lao Jin suffers silently , watching his love defile herself. Only after a medical emergency does Xiu Xiu realize how callously she has been used and cast aside. Joan Chen's dark work fits in a subgenre of Chinese art and cinema that explores the horrors of the Cultural Revolution , whose most famous examples include Tian Zhuangzhuang 's Blue Kite ( 1993 ) and Zhang Yimou 's To Live ( 1993 ) . Though this film was screened in the 1998 Berlin Film Festival , it was banned in China for sexual and political content.
0743
So Close to Paradise was filmed by director Wang Xiaoshuai in 1994 but was not publicly shown until 1998; the film reportedly went through re-editing and re-shooting after running into interference from government authorities before finally being approved for release. The film concerns two friends living in Wuhan a major point of commerce along the Yangtze River. Dongzi (Shi Yu) works as a "pole carrier" an errand boy who lugs heavy loads from one place to another; he's convinced one gets ahead in life through hard work and determination. Gao Ping (Guo Tao) on the other hand avoids physical labor and is trying to scam his way through life. One night the two visit a shabby nightclub where they meet a sultry singer named Ruan Hong (Wang Tong). Gao recognizes Ruan as the girlfriend of a gangster who owes him money; he approaches her to try to find the mobster's whereabouts but an attraction develops and soon Gao and Ruan are lovers. However Dongzi also feels drawn to her and a bitter triangle begins to form while Gao finds himself more at odds with Ruan's former lover. So Close to Paradise received its first screening outside China at the 1998 Mainland-Hong Kong-Taiwan Film Festival where it went by the title Vietnam Girl.
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So Close to Paradise was filmed by director Wang Xiaoshuai in 1994 , but was not publicly shown until 1998 ; the film reportedly went through re - editing and re - shooting after running into interference from government authorities before finally being approved for release. The film concerns two friends living in Wuhan , a major point of commerce along the Yangtze River. Dongzi ( Shi Yu ) works as a "pole carrier , " an errand boy who lugs heavy loads from one place to another ; he's convinced one gets ahead in life through hard work and determination. Gao Ping ( Guo Tao ), on the other hand , avoids physical labor and is trying to scam his way through life. One night , the two visit a shabby nightclub where they meet a sultry singer named Ruan Hong ( Wang Tong ) . Gao recognizes Ruan as the girlfriend of a gangster who owes him money ; he approaches her to try to find the mobster's whereabouts , but an attraction develops and soon Gao and Ruan are lovers. However , Dongzi also feels drawn to her , and a bitter triangle begins to form while Gao finds himself more at odds with Ruan's former lover. So Close to Paradise received its first screening outside China at the 1998 Mainland - Hong Kong - Taiwan Film Festival where it went by the title Vietnam Girl .
0744
Two Chinese expatiates living in California find their paths keep crossing for good or ill in the comedy Bu Jian Bu San/Be There Or Be Square. Li Quig (Xu Fan) is staying is Los Angeles and housesitting for a friend when a group of aspiring filmmakers including Liu Yuan (Ge You) accidentally destroy the place. Liu lets her stay at his place glamourously located in a trailer park but they don't get along very well and he's hardly upset when she leaves supposedly to return to Beijing. However she never gets out of L.A. and over the next two years Li and Liu find they can't seem to avoid each other. In time enmity grows into a grudging friendship but will a romance ever bloom for this mis-matched pair? Bu Jian Bu San/Be There Or Be Square reunites the stars (Xu Fan and Ge You) and director (Feng Xiaogang) of the 1997 Chinese hit Party A Party B.
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Two Chinese expatiates living in California find their paths keep crossing , for good or ill , in the comedy Bu Jian Bu San / Be There Or Be Square . Li Quig ( Xu Fan ) is staying is Los Angeles and housesitting for a friend when a group of aspiring filmmakers , including Liu Yuan ( Ge You ), accidentally destroy the place. Liu lets her stay at his place , glamourously located in a trailer park , but they don't get along very well and he's hardly upset when she leaves , supposedly to return to Beijing. However , she never gets out of L.A. , and over the next two years Li and Liu find they can't seem to avoid each other. In time enmity grows into a grudging friendship , but will a romance ever bloom for this mis - matched pair? Bu Jian Bu San / Be There Or Be Square reunites the stars ( Xu Fan and Ge You ) and director ( Feng Xiaogang ) of the 1997 Chinese hit Party A , Party B .
0745
In a rural area of China a woman makes the best sesame oil in the neighborhood. A Japanese businesswoman wants to buy her oil and proposes to modernize the oil mill. The woman agrees to cooperate. Her son is in love with a local girl but the girl's parents don't let her marry him because of the boy's epilepsy. However using the poor financial state of the girl's family the woman arranges this uneasy marriage. The film is slow-paced and many story lines remain unresolved but some viewers might be attracted by the fact that it received the Grand Prize at the 1993 Berlin Film Festival.
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In a rural area of China , a woman makes the best sesame oil in the neighborhood. A Japanese businesswoman wants to buy her oil and proposes to modernize the oil mill. The woman agrees to cooperate. Her son is in love with a local girl , but the girl's parents don't let her marry him because of the boy's epilepsy. However , using the poor financial state of the girl's family , the woman arranges this uneasy marriage. The film is slow - paced and many story lines remain unresolved , but some viewers might be attracted by the fact that it received the Grand Prize at the 1993 Berlin Film Festival.
0746
The film's title is Chinese slang for the bathrooms located on the edge of Tiannamen Square favorite haunts of Beijing gays. Billed as the first mainland Chinese drama to deal openly with the subject of homosexuality the film angered censors and this resulted in mainland authorities confiscating director Zhang Yuan's passport shortly after his return from Hong Kong on April 10 1997 therefore preventing him from attending that year's Cannes Film Festival along with the film. Primarily a psychological drama it centers on a verbal cat-and-mouse game played between a gay writer and the straight policeman who arrests and interrogates him. The two meet in the square park a place where many gays gather to pick up lovers and make out. Though homosexuality is not illegal those who openly practice it are subject to often brutal police harassment. It is during one of the cops' frequent raids on the park that writer A-Lan kisses officer Shi. Later he sends the cop a gift; shortly thereafter the cop happens to arrest Shi. During the interrogation shameless A-Lan tells his life story episodes of which appear via flashback. Many of his tales seem designed to provoke Shi into challenging his own sexuality.
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The film's title is Chinese slang for the bathrooms located on the edge of Tiannamen Square , favorite haunts of Beijing gays. Billed as the first mainland Chinese drama to deal openly with the subject of homosexuality , the film angered censors and this resulted in mainland authorities confiscating director Zhang Yuan 's passport shortly after his return from Hong Kong on April 10 , 1997 therefore preventing him from attending that year's Cannes Film Festival along with the film. Primarily a psychological drama , it centers on a verbal cat - and - mouse game played between a gay writer and the straight policeman who arrests and interrogates him. The two meet in the square park , a place where many gays gather to pick up lovers and make out. Though homosexuality is not illegal , those who openly practice it are subject to often brutal police harassment. It is during one of the cops' frequent raids on the park that writer A - Lan kisses officer Shi. Later he sends the cop a gift ; shortly thereafter , the cop happens to arrest Shi. During the interrogation , shameless A - Lan tells his life story , episodes of which appear via flashback. Many of his tales seem designed to provoke Shi into challenging his own sexuality.
0747
This tender Chinese tale of an aged street performer who begins teaching a young child is filled with warm humanity but not imbued with undue sentiment. It is set about seventy years in the past and centers on elderly Wang Bian Lian who travels the street performing with his pet monkey. Just looking at him it would be hard to tell that he is a master of the rapid changing face masks technique that characterizes Sichuan opera. He came to the streets thirty years before after his wife abandoned him and now he seeks to pass on his technique to a young boy. Liang a well-known actor specializing in female roles wants to learn the skill but Wang politely refuses to teach him. Wang finally gets his candidate when he buys "Doggie" a young child from a starving family. Doggie's presence adds renewed zest to Wang's life. One day the child falls ill and Wang sells one of his few priceless heirlooms to save him. This leads him to learn that Doggie is not a 'he' at all. Wang still cares but he is heartbroken for only a boy can learn the face-changing skill. Doggie begs him to let her stay and to teach her to be an acrobat. He agrees to this and continues looking for a boy. One day Doggie accidentally burns up Wang's boat. Horrified she flees into the city only to secretly return later with a baby that she had rescued from kidnappers. Wang not knowing who bestowed the gift of the child is delighted. Unfortuantely the child's wealthy parents learn that he has it. Wang is arrested and sentenced to death. Fortunately Doggie is determined to save him.
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This tender Chinese tale of an aged street performer who begins teaching a young child is filled with warm humanity but not imbued with undue sentiment. It is set about seventy years in the past and centers on elderly Wang Bian Lian , who travels the street performing with his pet monkey. Just looking at him it would be hard to tell that he is a master of the rapid changing face masks technique that characterizes Sichuan opera. He came to the streets thirty years before , after his wife abandoned him , and now he seeks to pass on his technique to a young boy. Liang , a well - known actor specializing in female roles wants to learn the skill , but Wang politely refuses to teach him. Wang finally gets his candidate when he buys "Doggie , " a young child from a starving family. Doggie's presence adds renewed zest to Wang's life. One day the child falls ill and Wang sells one of his few priceless heirlooms to save him. This leads him to learn that Doggie is not a 'he' at all. Wang still cares , but he is heartbroken for only a boy can learn the face - changing skill. Doggie begs him to let her stay and to teach her to be an acrobat. He agrees to this and continues looking for a boy. One day , Doggie accidentally burns up Wang's boat. Horrified , she flees into the city only to secretly return later with a baby that she had rescued from kidnappers. Wang , not knowing who bestowed the gift of the child , is delighted. Unfortuantely the child's wealthy parents learn that he has it. Wang is arrested and sentenced to death. Fortunately , Doggie is determined to save him.
0748
Country boy Shuisheng (Wang Xiaoxiao) is brought to 1930s Shanghai by his uncle who wants the boy to become a member of the powerful gang ruled by manipulative Tang (Li Baotian). In fact Shuisheng will serve Tang's capricious mistress Bijou (Gong Li) a nightclub singer whom the boss proclaimed "the Queen of Shanghai." When the boy's uncle and the gang's several other members die during a rival gang's unsuccessful attempt on Tang's life the latter retreats to a remote small island taking both Bijou and Shuisheng with him and thinking of revenge. The film's English-language title is a little bit deceiving (the original Chinese title translates to "Row Row Row to Grandmother's Bridge" a line in Tang's favorite song performed by Bijou) as this drama centers more on the boy's coming of age and Bijou's disillusionment than on Shanghai gang wars.
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Country boy Shuisheng ( Wang Xiaoxiao ) is brought to 1930s Shanghai by his uncle who wants the boy to become a member of the powerful gang ruled by manipulative Tang ( Li Baotian ) . In fact , Shuisheng will serve Tang's capricious mistress Bijou ( Gong Li ), a nightclub singer whom the boss proclaimed "the Queen of Shanghai." When the boy's uncle and the gang's several other members die during a rival gang's unsuccessful attempt on Tang's life , the latter retreats to a remote small island , taking both Bijou and Shuisheng with him and thinking of revenge. The film's English - language title is a little bit deceiving ( the original Chinese title translates to "Row , Row , Row to Grandmother's Bridge , " a line in Tang's favorite song performed by Bijou ), as this drama centers more on the boy's coming of age and Bijou's disillusionment than on Shanghai gang wars.
0749
For this 1991 action comedy from Hong Kong director John Woo took a break from his ultraviolent thrillers; it was made a year after Bullet in the Head and a year before Hard-Boiled. Chow Yun-Fat Leslie Cheung and Cherie Chung portray a trio of orphans who have grown to become art thieves. When their foster father (Kenneth Tsang) a powerful crime boss forces them into stealing a painting they pull off the job but are double-crossed. To get even the trio plans a heist to steal the painting back. The three lead characters are funny and romantic; they're daring art thieves in the tradition of "The Cat" from To Catch a Thief or The Pink Panther and the film evokes the same cosmopolitan feel. Once a Thief is far less bloody than Woo's gangster pictures but in this film the burglary sequences possess all the astounding grace of his other films' gunfights.
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For this 1991 action comedy from Hong Kong , director John Woo took a break from his ultraviolent thrillers ; it was made a year after Bullet in the Head , and a year before Hard - Boiled . Chow Yun - Fat , Leslie Cheung , and Cherie Chung portray a trio of orphans who have grown to become art thieves. When their foster father ( Kenneth Tsang ), a powerful crime boss , forces them into stealing a painting , they pull off the job but are double - crossed. To get even , the trio plans a heist to steal the painting back. The three lead characters are funny and romantic ; they're daring art thieves in the tradition of "The Cat" from To Catch a Thief or The Pink Panther , and the film evokes the same cosmopolitan feel. Once a Thief is far less bloody than Woo's gangster pictures , but in this film , the burglary sequences possess all the astounding grace of his other films' gunfights.
0750
Long but rewarding the Danish-Swedish Pelle the Conqueror is based on the early passages of Martin Andersen Nexoe's four-volume novel. Pelle (Pelle Hvengaard) is the son of a 19th-century Swedish farmer (Max Von Sydow). Seeking escape from their poverty-stricken surroundings father and son emigrate to Denmark. Upon arrival however they are treated like indentured servants leading to a profound ideological turnaround for the impressionable Pelle. In the original novel Pelle ended up embracing Communism. Nexo's political overtones are soft-pedalled in the film which concentrates on the close indestructable relationship between Pelle and his father. Adapted for the screen by Bille August Pelle the Conqueror won the 1988 Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.
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Long but rewarding , the Danish - Swedish Pelle the Conqueror is based on the early passages of Martin Andersen Nexoe's four - volume novel. Pelle ( Pelle Hvengaard ) is the son of a 19th - century Swedish farmer ( Max Von Sydow ) . Seeking escape from their poverty - stricken surroundings , father and son emigrate to Denmark. Upon arrival , however , they are treated like indentured servants , leading to a profound ideological turnaround for the impressionable Pelle. In the original novel , Pelle ended up embracing Communism. Nexo's political overtones are soft - pedalled in the film , which concentrates on the close , indestructable relationship between Pelle and his father. Adapted for the screen by Bille August , Pelle the Conqueror won the 1988 Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.
0751
The Danish/French Babette's Feast is based on a story by Isak Dinesen also the source of the very different Out of Africa (1985). Stephane Audran plays Babette a 19th century Parisian political refugee who seeks shelter in a rough Danish coastal town. Philippa (Bodil Kjer) and Martina (Birgitte Federspiel) the elderly daughters of the town's long-dead minister take Babette in. As revealed in flashback Philippa and Martina were once beautiful young women (played by Hanne Stensgaard and Vibeke Hastrup) who'd forsaken their chances at romance and fame taking hollow refuge in religion. Babette holds a secret that may very well allow the older ladies to have a second chance at life. This is one of the great movies about food but there are way too many surprises in Babette's Feast to allow us to reveal anything else at this point (except that Ingmar Bergman "regulars" Bibi Andersson and Jarl Kulle have significant cameo roles)..
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The Danish / French Babette's Feast is based on a story by Isak Dinesen , also the source of the very different Out of Africa ( 1985 ) . Stephane Audran plays Babette , a 19th century Parisian political refugee who seeks shelter in a rough Danish coastal town. Philippa ( Bodil Kjer ) and Martina ( Birgitte Federspiel ), the elderly daughters of the town's long - dead minister , take Babette in. As revealed in flashback , Philippa and Martina were once beautiful young women ( played by Hanne Stensgaard and Vibeke Hastrup ), who'd forsaken their chances at romance and fame , taking hollow refuge in religion. Babette holds a secret that may very well allow the older ladies to have a second chance at life. This is one of the great movies about food , but there are way too many surprises in Babette's Feast to allow us to reveal anything else at this point ( except that Ingmar Bergman "regulars" Bibi Andersson and Jarl Kulle have significant cameo roles ) ..
0752
This Danish comedy drama won the Jury Prize at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival. It opens in rural Denmark as family members assemble for the 60th birthday celebration of patriarch Helge (Henning Moritzen). At the family estate are Helge's children: France-based restaurateur Christian (Ulrich Thomsen) whose twin sister killed herself; surviving sister Helene (Paprika Steen); and younger brother Michael (Thomas Bo Larsen) married with three children. At the birthday dinner the bitter Christian stands to deliver a toast -- but instead makes a startling speech accusing Helge of sexual abuse involving both twins. Following principles outlined in 1995 by Danish fimmakers in their Dogme 95 proclamation this film adheres to their manifesto guidelines of handheld cameras direct sound location filming and the elimination of technical tricks.
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This Danish comedy drama won the Jury Prize at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival . It opens in rural Denmark as family members assemble for the 60th birthday celebration of patriarch Helge ( Henning Moritzen ) . At the family estate are Helge's children : France - based restaurateur Christian ( Ulrich Thomsen ), whose twin sister killed herself ; surviving sister Helene ( Paprika Steen ); and younger brother Michael ( Thomas Bo Larsen ), married with three children. At the birthday dinner , the bitter Christian stands to deliver a toast -- but instead makes a startling speech accusing Helge of sexual abuse involving both twins. Following principles outlined in 1995 by Danish fimmakers in their Dogme 95 proclamation , this film adheres to their manifesto guidelines of handheld cameras , direct sound , location filming , and the elimination of technical tricks.
0753
This Danish film is set in 1963 at the height of Beatlemania. Played out against the standard pop-culture backdrop is the story of the friendship between Adam Tonsberg and Lars Simonson. His ego in tatters thanks to a domineering father Simonsen yearns for the affections of snooty Ulrikke Juul Bondo though it is "common knowledge" that she's Tonsberg's girl. Tonsberg however prefers the company of the down-to-earth Camilla Soeberg. When Soeberg becomes pregnant Tonsberg is forced to borrow the abortion money from former girlfriend Bondo who wants him to spend a weekend with her in exchange. This is all going according to Bondo's plan and soon she and Tonsberg are making wedding plans. Suddenly gaining a moral backbone Tonsberg calls off the wedding then helps his friend Simonsen who is endeavoring to prove that his mother is not the lunatic described by his tyrannical father. The "coming of age" process in this film is even more complex than these notes would suggest but young Danish filmgoers had no trouble relating to Twist and Shout (originally Tro Hab Og Karlighed) which allegedly made more money than any previous Danish film.
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This Danish film is set in 1963 , at the height of Beatlemania . Played out against the standard pop - culture backdrop is the story of the friendship between Adam Tonsberg and Lars Simonson . His ego in tatters thanks to a domineering father , Simonsen yearns for the affections of snooty Ulrikke Juul Bondo , though it is "common knowledge" that she's Tonsberg 's girl. Tonsberg , however , prefers the company of the down - to - earth Camilla Soeberg . When Soeberg becomes pregnant , Tonsberg is forced to borrow the abortion money from former girlfriend Bondo , who wants him to spend a weekend with her in exchange. This is all going according to Bondo 's plan , and soon she and Tonsberg are making wedding plans. Suddenly gaining a moral backbone , Tonsberg calls off the wedding , then helps his friend Simonsen , who is endeavoring to prove that his mother is not the lunatic described by his tyrannical father. The "coming of age" process in this film is even more complex than these notes would suggest , but young Danish filmgoers had no trouble relating to Twist and Shout ( originally Tro , Hab Og Karlighed ), which allegedly made more money than any previous Danish film.
0754
Europa (retitled Zentropa for the American release) is an hallucinatory Danish film set in postwar Germany. Jean-Marc Barr plays a young German who aspires for a job as a street conductor. But this is no mere "Joe Job;" Barr's adventures on the line are designed as a metaphor for the emergence of the "New Europe" following the war. Barbara Sukowa costars as the daughter of a railroad magnate--and possible Nazi sympathizer. Many of the special-effects sequences are computer enhanced but even the "live" scenes have an unsettling surreal quality to them (colors changing abruptly backgrounds shifting without warning etc.) This experimental film left some viewers confused which may be why English-language prints of Zentropa are narrated by Max Von Sydow.
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Europa ( retitled Zentropa for the American release ) is an hallucinatory Danish film set in postwar Germany. Jean - Marc Barr plays a young German who aspires for a job as a street conductor. But this is no mere "Joe Job ; " Barr 's adventures on the line are designed as a metaphor for the emergence of the "New Europe" following the war. Barbara Sukowa costars as the daughter of a railroad magnate -- and possible Nazi sympathizer. Many of the special - effects sequences are computer enhanced , but even the "live" scenes have an unsettling , surreal quality to them ( colors changing abruptly , backgrounds shifting without warning , etc. ) This experimental film left some viewers confused , which may be why English - language prints of Zentropa are narrated by Max Von Sydow .
0755
Sokkotanssi is a coming-of-age film about a child's faith. In the early 1960's in a small town by the sea lives a nine-year-old boy named Jontti whose head is full of questions: How much does a man's soul weigh? Is there life on other planets? He eats glow-worms because he wants to glow. His life changes completely when Lanki moves to the neighborhood and Jontti finds out that his father has another woman. Hiding his secret he launches a tragicomic struggle to win back his father. Meanwhile he experiences his own first love and comes to the understanding that every new answer often brings a dozen more questions.
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Sokkotanssi is a coming - of - age film about a child's faith. In the early 1960's in a small town by the sea lives a nine - year - old boy named Jontti whose head is full of questions : How much does a man's soul weigh? Is there life on other planets? He eats glow - worms because he wants to glow. His life changes completely when Lanki moves to the neighborhood and Jontti finds out that his father has another woman. Hiding his secret , he launches a tragicomic struggle to win back his father. Meanwhile , he experiences his own first love and comes to the understanding that every new answer often brings a dozen more questions.
0756
Hajyt is a film about friends who have a hard time finding their place in society. The story is set in the 1990's but it is based on the most famous Finnish criminal legend of the 1800's about two criminals who held their hometown in terror. The Finnish word for these kinds of criminals is "hajyt" which means "evil." The "hajyt" borrowed farm-owners' horses without permission drank heavily rioted at weddings and often killed people. Alexi Makela's film presents the legend with black humor but the characters are realistically portrayed. Antti and Jussi have just been released from jail. While the two were doing time for robbing a bank their childhood friend Heikki once a smalltime criminal like Antti and Jussi has become a lawyer. He decides to help his old friends who have to start from scratch but honest work does not bring enough money to cover their debts. The boys start a black market liquor business that proves to be successful. A new police chief is sent to investigate the problem and even the locals turn against Antti and Jussi who get increasingly impudent in their business. Jail seems inevitable. The film tries to expose the social mechanisms that create these overage juvenile delinquents. It is violent although violence is used to serve the story and characters. Samuli Edelman the star of the film is a celebrity singer who had to put on considerable weight to fit the role. The film was released in Finland on January 15 1999 and was a huge success at the box office breaking all box office records for the decade.
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Hajyt is a film about friends who have a hard time finding their place in society. The story is set in the 1990's but it is based on the most famous Finnish criminal legend of the 1800's about two criminals who held their hometown in terror. The Finnish word for these kinds of criminals is "hajyt , " which means "evil." The "hajyt" borrowed farm - owners' horses without permission , drank heavily , rioted at weddings , and often killed people. Alexi Makela 's film presents the legend with black humor , but the characters are realistically portrayed. Antti and Jussi have just been released from jail. While the two were doing time for robbing a bank , their childhood friend Heikki , once a smalltime criminal like Antti and Jussi , has become a lawyer. He decides to help his old friends , who have to start from scratch , but honest work does not bring enough money to cover their debts. The boys start a black market liquor business that proves to be successful. A new police chief is sent to investigate the problem , and even the locals turn against Antti and Jussi , who get increasingly impudent in their business. Jail seems inevitable. The film tries to expose the social mechanisms that create these overage juvenile delinquents. It is violent , although violence is used to serve the story and characters. Samuli Edelman , the star of the film , is a celebrity singer who had to put on considerable weight to fit the role. The film was released in Finland on January 15 , 1999 and was a huge success at the box office , breaking all box office records for the decade.
0757
The odd comedies of Finnish director Aki Kaurismaki may be an acquired taste but it is one which more and more people are getting. The story concerns the exploits of an extremely inept but dedicated troupe of accordian musicians "The Leningrad Cowboys" whose sheer awfulness puts SCTV's Schmenge brothers in the shade. In fact in order to stop having to listen to them a local record producer advises them to go to America and paints a glowing picture of the success they will enjoy there. These eight Finnish lads (seven living one very frozen corpse) are dressed as they think true hipster musicians should be (ducktails sunglasses fur coats pointy-toed shoes) and they head off for New York. There they encounter yet another wise guy who sends them off to Mexico by car to play at his cousin's wedding (he apparently hates his cousin). Along the way they get bookings wherever they can learn American music styles and get along fabulously (by their reckoning).
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The odd comedies of Finnish director Aki Kaurismaki may be an acquired taste , but it is one which more and more people are getting. The story concerns the exploits of an extremely inept but dedicated troupe of accordian musicians , "The Leningrad Cowboys , " whose sheer awfulness puts SCTV 's Schmenge brothers in the shade. In fact , in order to stop having to listen to them , a local record producer advises them to go to America , and paints a glowing picture of the success they will enjoy there. These eight Finnish lads ( seven living , one very frozen corpse ) are dressed as they think true hipster musicians should be ( ducktails , sunglasses , fur coats , pointy - toed shoes ), and they head off for New York. There they encounter yet another wise guy , who sends them off to Mexico by car to play at his cousin's wedding ( he apparently hates his cousin ) . Along the way , they get bookings wherever they can , learn American music styles , and get along fabulously ( by their reckoning ) .
0758
Joseph Losey's 1979 film adaptation of the Mozart opera Don Giovanni adheres faithfully to the original Lorenzo Da Ponte libretto with rakish Don Giovanni (Ruggero Raimondi) putting the make on the aristocratic Dona Anna (Edda Moser). Giovanni's enemies warn him that he'll suffer mightily for his amorous escapades. And when the gates of hell open up on cue in the last act and Don Giovanni is dragged screaming into perdition it turns out those enemies were right.
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Joseph Losey 's 1979 film adaptation of the Mozart opera Don Giovanni adheres faithfully to the original Lorenzo Da Ponte libretto , with rakish Don Giovanni ( Ruggero Raimondi ) putting the make on the aristocratic Dona Anna ( Edda Moser ) . Giovanni's enemies warn him that he'll suffer mightily for his amorous escapades. And when the gates of hell open up on cue in the last act , and Don Giovanni is dragged screaming into perdition , it turns out those enemies were right.
0759
Edmond Rostand's classic drama of inner and outer beauty is given a lavish treatment in this acclaimed French production. Gérard Depardieu portrays the title character a brilliant charismatic swordsman with a generous spirit and a genius for poetry. It would seem that such a man would have no trouble attracting women but Cyrano considers himself doomed to loneliness by an unattractive face featuring an oversized nose. His feelings of inadequacy are emphasized when Roxane the beautiful woman he adores attracts the attention of Christian a young cadet in Cyrano's service. Christian lacks the poetic gift however and he ironically turns to Cyrano for help in winning Roxane's love. What follows is a tale of deception with Roxane falling in love with the ineloquent Christian thanks to Cyrano's words of love. The underlying narrative has become quite familiar to modern audiences through retellings and variations from the 1950 adaptation starring José Ferrer to Steve Martin's Roxanne. Director Jean-Paul Rappeneau's interpretation stresses the tragic majesty of the original setting a vigorous performance by Depardieu against a beautifully designed reproduction of the period and an emphasis on the sound and poetry of Rostand's original language; the subtitles for the film's English release were penned by renowned British author Anthony Burgess. This attention to detail creates a particularly faithful cinematic rendering of the original work that met with positive critical responses.
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Edmond Rostand 's classic drama of inner and outer beauty is given a lavish treatment in this acclaimed French production. Gérard Depardieu portrays the title character , a brilliant , charismatic swordsman with a generous spirit and a genius for poetry. It would seem that such a man would have no trouble attracting women , but Cyrano considers himself doomed to loneliness by an unattractive face featuring an oversized nose. His feelings of inadequacy are emphasized when Roxane , the beautiful woman he adores , attracts the attention of Christian , a young cadet in Cyrano's service. Christian lacks the poetic gift , however , and he ironically turns to Cyrano for help in winning Roxane's love. What follows is a tale of deception , with Roxane falling in love with the ineloquent Christian thanks to Cyrano's words of love. The underlying narrative has become quite familiar to modern audiences through retellings and variations from the 1950 adaptation starring José Ferrer to Steve Martin 's Roxanne . Director Jean - Paul Rappeneau 's interpretation stresses the tragic majesty of the original , setting a vigorous performance by Depardieu against a beautifully designed reproduction of the period and an emphasis on the sound and poetry of Rostand 's original language ; the subtitles for the film's English release were penned by renowned British author Anthony Burgess . This attention to detail creates a particularly faithful cinematic rendering of the original work that met with positive critical responses.
0760
Utilizing special macroscopic photographic techniques filmmakers Claude Nuridsany and Marie Perennou created this fascinating and visually spectacular look at the hidden worlds in the life cycle of an ordinary meadow in France. When seen through the lens of Nuridsany and Perennou's cameras insects become gigantic beasts blades of grass turn into towering monuments and raindrops form puddles that resemble vast oceans. The filmmakers find humor drama and beauty in the lives of these tiny flora and fauna as caterpillars transform themselves into butterflies beetles struggle with their day's foraging and snails reproduce their species. Microcosmos was a multiple prize winner at the 1996 French Academy of Cinema Awards; the American release version features narration by actress Kristin Scott Thomas.
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Utilizing special macroscopic photographic techniques , filmmakers Claude Nuridsany and Marie Perennou created this fascinating and visually spectacular look at the hidden worlds in the life cycle of an ordinary meadow in France. When seen through the lens of Nuridsany and Perennou's cameras , insects become gigantic beasts , blades of grass turn into towering monuments , and raindrops form puddles that resemble vast oceans. The filmmakers find humor , drama , and beauty in the lives of these tiny flora and fauna as caterpillars transform themselves into butterflies , beetles struggle with their day's foraging , and snails reproduce their species. Microcosmos was a multiple prize winner at the 1996 French Academy of Cinema Awards ; the American release version features narration by actress Kristin Scott Thomas .
0761
A four-year-old girl must come to terms with the loss of her mother and the reality of death in this award-winning French drama. Little Ponette (Victoire Thivisol) is riding in a car with her mother when they're involved in a serious accident; Ponette survives but her mother does not. Her father (Xavier Beauvois) initially reacts with anger over his late wife's careless driving while her Aunt Claire (Claire Nebout) tries to comfort the child by telling her about Jesus and the resurrection. However none of this does much to reassure Ponette or clarify her confusion about the practical realities and spiritual dilemma posed by death. In time Ponette and her cousins Matiaz (Matiaz Caton) and Delphine (Delphine Schiltz) are sent off to boarding school where they have to resolve their confusion and loss on their own. Writer and director Jacques Doillon carefully coached Victoire Thivisol (who was too young to read the screenplay) through her performance; the results earned the child Best Actress honors at the 1996 Venice Film Festival.
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A four - year - old girl must come to terms with the loss of her mother and the reality of death in this award - winning French drama. Little Ponette ( Victoire Thivisol ) is riding in a car with her mother when they're involved in a serious accident ; Ponette survives , but her mother does not. Her father ( Xavier Beauvois ) initially reacts with anger over his late wife's careless driving , while her Aunt Claire ( Claire Nebout ) tries to comfort the child by telling her about Jesus and the resurrection. However , none of this does much to reassure Ponette or clarify her confusion about the practical realities and spiritual dilemma posed by death. In time , Ponette and her cousins Matiaz ( Matiaz Caton ) and Delphine ( Delphine Schiltz ) are sent off to boarding school , where they have to resolve their confusion and loss on their own. Writer and director Jacques Doillon carefully coached Victoire Thivisol ( who was too young to read the screenplay ) through her performance ; the results earned the child Best Actress honors at the 1996 Venice Film Festival.
0762
As visually stylish as it is graphically violent this thriller directed by Luc Besson concerns Mathilda (Natalie Portman) a 12-year-old girl living in New York City who has been exposed to the sordid side of life from an early age: her family lives in a slum and her abusive father works for drug dealers cutting and storing dope. Mathilda doesn't much care for her parents but she has a close bond with her four-year-old brother. One day she returns from running an errand to discover that most of her family including her brother have been killed in a raid by corrupt DEA agents led by the psychotic Stansfield (Gary Oldman). Mathilda takes refuge in the apartment of her secretive neighbor Leon (Jean Reno) who takes her in with a certain reluctance. She discovers that Leon is a professional assassin working for Tony (Danny Aiello) a mob kingpin based in Little Italy. Wanting to avenge the death of her brother Mathilda makes a deal with Leon to become his protégée in exchange for work as a domestic servant hoping to learn the hitman's trade and take out the men who took her brother's life. However an affection develops between Leon and Mathilda that changes his outlook on his life and career. Besson's first American film boasted a strong performance from Jean Reno a striking debut by Natalie Portman and a love-it-or-hate-it over-the-top turn by Gary Oldman. Léon was originally released in the U.S. in 1994 as The Professional with 26 minutes cut in response to audience preview tests. Those 26 minutes were restored in the director's preferred cut released in 1996 in France as Léon: Version Intégrale and in the U.S. on DVD as Léon: The Professional in 2000.
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As visually stylish as it is graphically violent , this thriller directed by Luc Besson concerns Mathilda ( Natalie Portman ), a 12 - year - old girl living in New York City who has been exposed to the sordid side of life from an early age : her family lives in a slum and her abusive father works for drug dealers , cutting and storing dope. Mathilda doesn't much care for her parents , but she has a close bond with her four - year - old brother. One day , she returns from running an errand to discover that most of her family , including her brother , have been killed in a raid by corrupt DEA agents , led by the psychotic Stansfield ( Gary Oldman ) . Mathilda takes refuge in the apartment of her secretive neighbor , Leon ( Jean Reno ), who takes her in with a certain reluctance. She discovers that Leon is a professional assassin , working for Tony ( Danny Aiello ), a mob kingpin based in Little Italy. Wanting to avenge the death of her brother , Mathilda makes a deal with Leon to become his protégée in exchange for work as a domestic servant , hoping to learn the hitman's trade and take out the men who took her brother's life. However , an affection develops between Leon and Mathilda that changes his outlook on his life and career. Besson 's first American film boasted a strong performance from Jean Reno , a striking debut by Natalie Portman , and a love - it - or - hate - it , over - the - top turn by Gary Oldman . Léon was originally released in the U.S. in 1994 as The Professional , with 26 minutes cut in response to audience preview tests. Those 26 minutes were restored in the director's preferred cut , released in 1996 in France as Léon : Version Intégrale and in the U.S. on DVD as Léon : The Professional in 2000.
0763
The first chapter in Polish filmmaker Krzysztof Kieslowski's "Three Colors" trilogy Blue stars Juliette Binoche as Julie the lone survivor of an automobile crash that killed her husband a famed composer and their only child. Despondent Julie attempts suicide but she cannot bring herself to take her own life. Instead she sets about starting over purging all remnants of her former existence in an attempt to sever her ties to the past. A piece in the trio of films loosely inspired by the colors of the French flag and their corresponding symbolic qualities the basic focus of Blue is liberty.
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The first chapter in Polish filmmaker Krzysztof Kieslowski 's "Three Colors" trilogy , Blue stars Juliette Binoche as Julie , the lone survivor of an automobile crash that killed her husband , a famed composer , and their only child. Despondent , Julie attempts suicide , but she cannot bring herself to take her own life. Instead , she sets about starting over , purging all remnants of her former existence in an attempt to sever her ties to the past. A piece in the trio of films loosely inspired by the colors of the French flag and their corresponding symbolic qualities , the basic focus of Blue is liberty.
0764
A French music lover befriends a once-great American jazz artist and attempts to save him from self-destruction in this moody drama. Saxophonist Dexter Gordon portrays Dale Turner a fictional musician inspired by a number of famed jazz figures including Bud Powell and Lester Young. Largely forgotten in his home country Turner has moved to Paris in search of a more appreciative audience. He finds it in the form of Francis Borler (Francois Cluzet) a bebop aficionado who befriends the expatriate player. Borler soon becomes familiar with Turner's darker side including his struggles with alcoholism drug addiction and depression. Fearing for the musician's life the fan becomes his caretaker an arrangement that leads to a brief improvement in Turner's health and fortunes but places great emotional strain upon them both. Director Bertrand Tavernier pays great attention to the visual and aural details of the jazz world with outstanding musical supervision provided by Herbie Hancock. 'Round Midnight's greatest asset however is Gordon's Academy Award-nominated performance informed by his own life experiences. His naturally fascinating presence combines with the film's obvious love of the music and its milieu to provide what many have hailed as one of the more authentic and affectionate presentations of the jazz world on the silver screen.
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A French music lover befriends a once - great American jazz artist and attempts to save him from self - destruction in this moody drama. Saxophonist Dexter Gordon portrays Dale Turner , a fictional musician inspired by a number of famed jazz figures , including Bud Powell and Lester Young . Largely forgotten in his home country , Turner has moved to Paris in search of a more appreciative audience. He finds it in the form of Francis Borler ( Francois Cluzet ), a bebop aficionado who befriends the expatriate player. Borler soon becomes familiar with Turner's darker side , including his struggles with alcoholism , drug addiction , and depression. Fearing for the musician's life , the fan becomes his caretaker , an arrangement that leads to a brief improvement in Turner's health and fortunes but places great emotional strain upon them both. Director Bertrand Tavernier pays great attention to the visual and aural details of the jazz world , with outstanding musical supervision provided by Herbie Hancock . 'Round Midnight 's greatest asset , however , is Gordon's Academy Award - nominated performance , informed by his own life experiences. His naturally fascinating presence combines with the film's obvious love of the music and its milieu to provide what many have hailed as one of the more authentic and affectionate presentations of the jazz world on the silver screen.
0765
Known to English-speaking audiences as Day for Night La nuit américaine was director François Truffaut's loving and humorous tribute to the communal insanity of making a movie. The film details the making of a family drama called "Meet Pamela" about the tragedy that follows when a young French man introduces his parents to his new British wife. Truffaut gently satirizes his own films with "Meet Pamela"'s overwrought storyline but the real focus is on the chaos behind the scenes. One of the central actresses is continually drunk due to family problems while the other is prone to emotional instability and the male lead (Truffaut regular Jean-Pierre Leaud) starts to act erratically when his intermittent romance with the fickle script girl begins to fail. In addition to all this personal drama the film is besieged by technical problems from difficult tracking shots to stubborn animal actors. The inspiration for future satires of movie-making from Living in Oblivion to Irma Vep La nuit américaine was considered slight by some critics in comparison to earlier Truffaut masterworks but it went on to win the 1973 Oscar for Best Foreign Film.
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Known to English - speaking audiences as Day for Night , La nuit américaine was director François Truffaut 's loving and humorous tribute to the communal insanity of making a movie. The film details the making of a family drama called "Meet Pamela" about the tragedy that follows when a young French man introduces his parents to his new British wife. Truffaut gently satirizes his own films with "Meet Pamela"'s overwrought storyline , but the real focus is on the chaos behind the scenes. One of the central actresses is continually drunk due to family problems , while the other is prone to emotional instability , and the male lead ( Truffaut regular Jean - Pierre Leaud ) starts to act erratically when his intermittent romance with the fickle script girl begins to fail. In addition to all this personal drama , the film is besieged by technical problems , from difficult tracking shots to stubborn animal actors. The inspiration for future satires of movie - making from Living in Oblivion to Irma Vep , La nuit américaine was considered slight by some critics in comparison to earlier Truffaut masterworks , but it went on to win the 1973 Oscar for Best Foreign Film.
0766
Told with fondness and precision and set in France at the time of the IndoChina War (which later became an American problem known as the Vietnam War) this controversial feature handles teen coming-of-age sexuality and even incest with a gentleness that disappointed the prurient and shocked the conservative. This is one of director Louis Malle's finest films: others include The Fire Within and Au Revoir Les Enfants. Laurent (Benoit Ferreux) is 14 years old and anxious to lose his virginity. However he has a very close family circle and between the family and school he is too closely watched to get anywhere. He makes the most of an opportunity to neck with the girls at his older brothers' party and later almost gets to lose his virginity in a bordello but his boisterously drunken brothers interrupt him. His real opportunity arises while his mother takes him for a rest-cure for his heart murmur at a very conventional spa.
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Told with fondness and precision , and set in France at the time of the IndoChina War ( which later became an American problem known as the Vietnam War ), this controversial feature handles teen coming - of - age , sexuality and even incest with a gentleness that disappointed the prurient and shocked the conservative. This is one of director Louis Malle 's finest films : others include The Fire Within and Au Revoir Les Enfants. Laurent ( Benoit Ferreux ) is 14 years old and anxious to lose his virginity. However , he has a very close family circle , and , between the family and school , he is too closely watched to get anywhere. He makes the most of an opportunity to neck with the girls at his older brothers' party and later almost gets to lose his virginity in a bordello , but his boisterously drunken brothers interrupt him. His real opportunity arises while his mother takes him for a rest - cure for his heart murmur at a very conventional spa.
0767
Lonely and shy bachelor Monsieur Hire (Michel Blanc) suspected in the murder of a girl secretly watches his young attractive neighbor Alice (Sandrine Bonnaire) through the window. Once when lightning flashes during a thunderstorm she notices his face in the window and comes to him to find out what he is after. Adapting Georges Simenon's novel Patrice Leconte emphasized the psychological drama rather than the detective story and created a film about loneliness and voyeurism; his cold precision is reminiscent of Alfred Hitchcock or Fritz Lang. The low-key acting and moody soundtrack add a lot but it's the director who deserves the most accolades as he manages with only glances and gestures to achieve a degree of eroticism that other films fail to reach even through explicit sex scenes.
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Lonely and shy bachelor Monsieur Hire ( Michel Blanc ), suspected in the murder of a girl , secretly watches his young , attractive neighbor Alice ( Sandrine Bonnaire ) through the window. Once , when lightning flashes during a thunderstorm , she notices his face in the window and comes to him to find out what he is after. Adapting Georges Simenon 's novel , Patrice Leconte emphasized the psychological drama rather than the detective story and created a film about loneliness and voyeurism ; his cold precision is reminiscent of Alfred Hitchcock or Fritz Lang . The low - key acting and moody soundtrack add a lot , but it's the director who deserves the most accolades , as he manages , with only glances and gestures , to achieve a degree of eroticism that other films fail to reach even through explicit sex scenes.
0768
The Last Metro is set virtually in its entirety in a crumbling French theatre. During the Nazi occupation Jewish director Lucas Steiner (Heinz Bennent) hides in the basement of the theatre while his wife Marion (Catherine Deneuve) stars in its latest production. Marion is enamored of leading man Bernard Granger (Gerard Depardieu) and he with her but they resist temptation out of respect to her husband. When she is given a choice between loyalty to her husband and to her countrymen her dilemma offers two logical solutions--both of which are acted out on stage during the play. This Pirandellian ending aside The Last Metro is one of the few films to accurately capture the feeling of what it was like to live in Paris under the thumb of the Nazis.
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The Last Metro is set virtually in its entirety in a crumbling French theatre. During the Nazi occupation , Jewish director Lucas Steiner ( Heinz Bennent ) hides in the basement of the theatre , while his wife Marion ( Catherine Deneuve ) stars in its latest production. Marion is enamored of leading man Bernard Granger ( Gerard Depardieu ), and he with her , but they resist temptation out of respect to her husband. When she is given a choice between loyalty to her husband and to her countrymen , her dilemma offers two logical solutions -- both of which are acted out on stage during the play. This Pirandellian ending aside , The Last Metro is one of the few films to accurately capture the feeling of what it was like to live in Paris under the thumb of the Nazis.
0769
Co-adapted by director Claude Berri from a novel by Marcel Pagnol this hugely successful French historical drama concerns a bizarre battle royale over a valuable natural spring in a remote French farming community. City dweller Jean Cadoret (Gérard Depardieu) assumes ownership of the spring when the original owner is accidentally killed by covetous farmer Cesar Soubeyran (Yves Montand). Soubeyran and his equally disreputable nephew Ugolin (Daniel Auteuil) pull every dirty trick in the book to force Cadoret off his land but the novice farmer stands firm. Although the Soubeyrans appear to gain the upper hand the audience is assured that they will eventually be foiled by the vengeful daughter of the spring's deceased owner -- thus setting the stage for the film's equally successful sequel Manon of the Spring.
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Co - adapted by director Claude Berri from a novel by Marcel Pagnol , this hugely successful French historical drama concerns a bizarre battle royale over a valuable natural spring in a remote French farming community. City dweller Jean Cadoret ( Gérard Depardieu ) assumes ownership of the spring when the original owner is accidentally killed by covetous farmer Cesar Soubeyran ( Yves Montand ) . Soubeyran and his equally disreputable nephew Ugolin ( Daniel Auteuil ) pull every dirty trick in the book to force Cadoret off his land , but the novice farmer stands firm. Although the Soubeyrans appear to gain the upper hand , the audience is assured that they will eventually be foiled by the vengeful daughter of the spring's deceased owner -- thus setting the stage for the film's equally successful sequel , Manon of the Spring .
0770
One of the first films to see the horrors of war through the eyes of children Forbidden Games was a critical smash winning prizes from the New York Film Critics the British Academy and the Venice Film Festival. Adapted by Francois Boyer director Rene Clement and two others from Boyer's novel the story focuses on Paulette (Brigitte Fossey) a five-year-old refugee from Paris taken in by a peasant family after her parents are killed during a bombardment of a civilian convoy. Michel Dolle (Georges Pujouly) the family's 11-year-old son becomes her best friend and they create a cemetery in which Paulette's dog is interred along with other animals and insects some of whom the children kill themselves. The Dolle family is too busy feuding with the Gouards their neighbors to notice the absence of the children. Eventually authorities locate Paulette and insist that she be placed in an orphanage for legal adoption. Unsentimental and yet heartbreaking Forbidden Games demonstrates the strategies of children who witness war to deal with the constant presence of death. It's also a bitter condemnation of the selfishness of adults who could offer their charges more love and protection.
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One of the first films to see the horrors of war through the eyes of children , Forbidden Games was a critical smash , winning prizes from the New York Film Critics , the British Academy , and the Venice Film Festival . Adapted by Francois Boyer , director Rene Clement , and two others from Boyer 's novel , the story focuses on Paulette ( Brigitte Fossey ), a five - year - old refugee from Paris taken in by a peasant family after her parents are killed during a bombardment of a civilian convoy. Michel Dolle ( Georges Pujouly ), the family's 11 - year - old son , becomes her best friend , and they create a cemetery in which Paulette's dog is interred , along with other animals and insects , some of whom the children kill themselves. The Dolle family is too busy feuding with the Gouards , their neighbors , to notice the absence of the children. Eventually , authorities locate Paulette and insist that she be placed in an orphanage for legal adoption. Unsentimental and yet heartbreaking , Forbidden Games demonstrates the strategies of children who witness war to deal with the constant presence of death. It's also a bitter condemnation of the selfishness of adults who could offer their charges more love and protection.
0771
French filmmaker Diane Kurys directs the period drama Coup de Foudre (distributed in the U.S. as Entre Nous) adapted from a book she co-wrote with Olivier Cohen. The semi-autobiographical story is based on the life of the director's mother. Lena (Isabelle Huppert) is a Jewish refugee from Belgium living in occupied France during WWII. In order to avoid being sent to a German concentration camp she agrees to marry the discharged military officer Michel (Guy Marchand). He tries to provide a decent life for her by running an auto repair business. They have two children together but Lena is unhappy and stifled by her domestic life. Michel doesn't offer her the sensitivity and affection that she requires. Meanwhile in Paris the extroverted artist Madeleine (Miou-Miou) mourns the accidental death of her husband. After the liberation of France she marries actor Costa (Jean-Pierre Bacri) and has children of her own. In 1952 Lena and Madeleine meet by chance in Lyons. The two women develop an emotional relationship that borders on romantic involvement. Their bond is only strengthened by a mutual dissatisfaction with their husbands children and home life in general. Entre Nous was nominated for the Best Foreign Film Oscar in 1983.
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French filmmaker Diane Kurys directs the period drama Coup de Foudre ( distributed in the U.S. as Entre Nous ), adapted from a book she co - wrote with Olivier Cohen . The semi - autobiographical story is based on the life of the director's mother. Lena ( Isabelle Huppert ) is a Jewish refugee from Belgium living in occupied France during WWII. In order to avoid being sent to a German concentration camp , she agrees to marry the discharged military officer Michel ( Guy Marchand ) . He tries to provide a decent life for her by running an auto repair business. They have two children together , but Lena is unhappy and stifled by her domestic life. Michel doesn't offer her the sensitivity and affection that she requires. Meanwhile , in Paris , the extroverted artist Madeleine ( Miou - Miou ) mourns the accidental death of her husband. After the liberation of France , she marries actor Costa ( Jean - Pierre Bacri ) and has children of her own. In 1952 , Lena and Madeleine meet by chance in Lyons. The two women develop an emotional relationship that borders on romantic involvement. Their bond is only strengthened by a mutual dissatisfaction with their husbands , children , and home life in general. Entre Nous was nominated for the Best Foreign Film Oscar in 1983.
0772
Contempt is the story of the end of a marriage. Camille (Brigitte Bardot) falls out of love with her husband Paul (Michel Piccoli) while he is rewriting the screenplay Odyssey by American producer Jeremiah Prokosch (Jack Palance). Just as the director of Prokosch's film Fritz Lang says that The Odyssey is the story of individuals confronting their situations in a real world Le Mépris itself is an examination of the position of the filmmaker in the commercial cinema. Godard himself was facing this situation in the production of Le Mépris. Italian producer Carlo Ponti had given him the biggest budget of his career and he found himself working with a star of Bardot's magnitude for the first time.
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Contempt is the story of the end of a marriage. Camille ( Brigitte Bardot ) falls out of love with her husband Paul ( Michel Piccoli ) while he is rewriting the screenplay Odyssey by American producer Jeremiah Prokosch ( Jack Palance ) . Just as the director of Prokosch's film , Fritz Lang , says that The Odyssey is the story of individuals confronting their situations in a real world , Le Mépris itself is an examination of the position of the filmmaker in the commercial cinema. Godard himself was facing this situation in the production of Le Mépris . Italian producer Carlo Ponti had given him the biggest budget of his career , and he found himself working with a star of Bardot 's magnitude for the first time.
0773
Sexual frustration is the focus of this Hitchcockian thriller from French director Claude Chabrol. Schoolteacher Hélène (Stéphane Audran) comes to a small Périgord village to begin a new job. She is soon romanced by the local butcher Popaul (Jean Yanne) but is distracted by her job and memories of a previous ill-fated relationship. A series of brutal murders of young women and a dropped cigarette-lighter raise Hélène's suspicions about her suitor whose pitiable depraved compulsions lead to a gruesome conclusion. Audran who was Chabrol's wife at the time makes an engaging heroine and Yanne is simultaneously scary and pathetic as the obsessive butcher.
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Sexual frustration is the focus of this Hitchcock ian thriller from French director Claude Chabrol . Schoolteacher Hélène ( Stéphane Audran ) comes to a small Périgord village to begin a new job. She is soon romanced by the local butcher , Popaul ( Jean Yanne ), but is distracted by her job and memories of a previous ill - fated relationship. A series of brutal murders of young women and a dropped cigarette - lighter raise Hélène's suspicions about her suitor , whose pitiable , depraved compulsions lead to a gruesome conclusion. Audran , who was Chabrol 's wife at the time , makes an engaging heroine , and Yanne is simultaneously scary and pathetic as the obsessive butcher.
0774
Agnes Jaoui co-writes and directs this romantic comedy of manners set in France's rustic Provence. Unpolished and ultra-pragmatic industrialist Jean-Jacques Castella (co-scripter Jean-Pierre Bacri) reluctantly attends Racine's tragedy "Berenice" in order to see his niece play a bit part. He is taken with the play's strangely familiar-looking leading lady Clara Devaux (Anne Alvaro). During the course of the show Castella soon remembers that he once hired and then promptly fired the actress as an English language tutor. He immediately goes out and signs up for language lessons. Thinking that he is nothing but an ill-tempered philistine with bad taste Clara rejects him until Castella charms her off her feet.
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Agnes Jaoui co - writes and directs this romantic comedy of manners set in France's rustic Provence. Unpolished and ultra - pragmatic industrialist Jean - Jacques Castella ( co - scripter Jean - Pierre Bacri ) reluctantly attends Racine's tragedy "Berenice" in order to see his niece play a bit part. He is taken with the play's strangely familiar - looking leading lady Clara Devaux ( Anne Alvaro ) . During the course of the show , Castella soon remembers that he once hired and then promptly fired the actress as an English language tutor. He immediately goes out and signs up for language lessons. Thinking that he is nothing but an ill - tempered philistine with bad taste , Clara rejects him until Castella charms her off her feet.
0775
An ambitious project of Chile-born Paris-based Raul Ruiz this psychological drama brings to the screen the famous classic of Marcel Proust with fidelity to its interior monologues and streams of consciousness. Proust (Marcelo Mazzarella) on his deathbed in his small apartment on Rue Hamelin is looking through old photos and remembering his life as real characters intermingle with fictional ones from his novels. The period is 1914-18 when WWI is raging. Hidden in Paris thanks to his asthma Marcel Proust wanders into the night. He finds an aging courtesan in Café de la Paix which is deserted by the curfew. Charlus the seducer of young boys is at the Palais des Felicites where he meets his lovers. Gilberte returns alone to Tansonville to evade the confiscation of her chateau by the Germans after the death of her husband at the front. Famous violinist Morel is hiding in a decrepit hotel. The demoralizing effects of war affect all the characters hastening their decadence or transforming them into caricatures. In the whirlpool of the grotesque specter of war Marcel finds refuge in his childhood memories to escape the atrocities around him. Death and decadence the evanescence of human existence and the relations between space and time are some of the main themes explored in this film which reflects the works of Marcel Proust in every detail. Raul Ruiz has on his side a very good screenwriter Gilles Taurand and an impressive cast: Catherine Deneuve and John Malkovich who have collaborated with Ruiz before Emanuelle Béart Vincent Pérez Pascal Greggory and the Italian man of theatre Marcello Mazzarella. Shown in competition at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival.
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An ambitious project of Chile - born , Paris - based Raul Ruiz , this psychological drama brings to the screen the famous classic of Marcel Proust with fidelity to its interior monologues and streams of consciousness. Proust ( Marcelo Mazzarella ), on his deathbed in his small apartment on Rue Hamelin , is looking through old photos and remembering his life , as real characters intermingle with fictional ones from his novels. The period is 1914 - 18 , when WWI is raging. Hidden in Paris , thanks to his asthma , Marcel Proust wanders into the night. He finds an aging courtesan in Café de la Paix , which is deserted by the curfew. Charlus , the seducer of young boys , is at the Palais des Felicites where he meets his lovers. Gilberte returns alone to Tansonville to evade the confiscation of her chateau by the Germans after the death of her husband at the front. Famous violinist Morel is hiding in a decrepit hotel. The demoralizing effects of war affect all the characters , hastening their decadence or transforming them into caricatures. In the whirlpool of the grotesque specter of war , Marcel finds refuge in his childhood memories to escape the atrocities around him. Death and decadence , the evanescence of human existence , and the relations between space and time are some of the main themes explored in this film , which reflects the works of Marcel Proust in every detail. Raul Ruiz has on his side a very good screenwriter , Gilles Taurand , and an impressive cast : Catherine Deneuve and John Malkovich , who have collaborated with Ruiz before , Emanuelle Béart , Vincent Pérez , Pascal Greggory , and the Italian man of theatre , Marcello Mazzarella . Shown in competition at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival .
0776
A woman's long history of bad luck starts to change when she puts her life on the line in this romantic drama. Adèle (Vanessa Paradis) is a 22-year-old woman whose life seems to have been a long series of miscalculations; she's never had much luck with love life or career and is standing on a bridge overlooking the Seine one night contemplating suicide when she's approached by a man named Gabor (Daniel Auteuil). Gabor announces he's a knife-thrower who needs a new human target for his act. Would Adèle be interested? Adèle's immediate answer is to jump into the water but after Gabor fishes her out and gets her to a hospital she has a change of heart and the pair are soon on their way to Monaco where Gabor gets a spot at a circus. Adèle and Gabor make a great team; he's good with knives she's young and beautiful and suddenly Adèle's luck starts to change. She visits a casino one night and comes home with a fortune and even when Gabor throws blindfolded she walks away without so much as a scratch. However an obvious chemistry is brewing between the two which leads to a dilemma: Gabor has a strict policy of never getting romantically involved with his partners. Will he make an exception or is Adèle's new run of luck coming to an end?
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A woman's long history of bad luck starts to change when she puts her life on the line in this romantic drama. Adèle ( Vanessa Paradis ) is a 22 - year - old woman whose life seems to have been a long series of miscalculations ; she's never had much luck with love , life , or career , and is standing on a bridge overlooking the Seine one night , contemplating suicide , when she's approached by a man named Gabor ( Daniel Auteuil ) . Gabor announces he's a knife - thrower who needs a new human target for his act. Would Adèle be interested? Adèle's immediate answer is to jump into the water , but after Gabor fishes her out and gets her to a hospital , she has a change of heart and the pair are soon on their way to Monaco , where Gabor gets a spot at a circus. Adèle and Gabor make a great team ; he's good with knives , she's young and beautiful , and suddenly Adèle's luck starts to change. She visits a casino one night and comes home with a fortune , and even when Gabor throws blindfolded , she walks away without so much as a scratch. However , an obvious chemistry is brewing between the two , which leads to a dilemma : Gabor has a strict policy of never getting romantically involved with his partners. Will he make an exception , or is Adèle's new run of luck coming to an end?
0777
The final installment in Eric Rohmer's Tales of the Four Seasons quartet of films examines matchmaking among the middle-aged and romance in the Rhone Valley. The target of the matchmakers is widowed vintner Magali (Béatrice Romand) alone at her vineyard after the departure of her grown children. Her best friend (Marie Rivière) plots to pair her with a friendly businessman (Alain Libolt) while her son's girlfriend (Alexia Portal) schemes to introduce her to a high-school philosophy teacher. Rohmer's film was shown at the 1998 Venice Film Festival the 1998 Telluride Film Festival the 1998 Toronto Film Festival and the 1998 New York Film Festival.
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The final installment in Eric Rohmer 's Tales of the Four Seasons quartet of films examines matchmaking among the middle - aged and romance in the Rhone Valley. The target of the matchmakers is widowed vintner Magali ( Béatrice Romand ), alone at her vineyard after the departure of her grown children. Her best friend ( Marie Rivière ) plots to pair her with a friendly businessman ( Alain Libolt ), while her son's girlfriend ( Alexia Portal ) schemes to introduce her to a high - school philosophy teacher. Rohmer 's film was shown at the 1998 Venice Film Festival , the 1998 Telluride Film Festival , the 1998 Toronto Film Festival , and the 1998 New York Film Festival .
0778
A couple puts faith in love to get them through times of extreme poverty in this comedy-drama that was a major box office success in its native France. Jeannette (Ariane Ascaride) is a single mother living in a working-class community in Marseilles; she tries to support herself and her two kids on her salary as a check-out girl at a supermarket and lives in an apartment complex where everyone is thrown into close proximity with everyone else (thankfully they all get along). Marius (Gerard Meylan) is working as a security guard at a cement factory that has gone out of business; he's also squatting in the building since the plant is soon to be demolished and he'll be needing his money later on. One day Jeannette happens by the factory and spotting several cans of paint tries to take two of them home with her. Marius spots her and tries to chase her away while she rails at him with curses against the capitalist system. The next day an apologetic Marius appears at her doorstep cans of paint in hand; the two soon become friendly and a romance begins to bloom though it quickly becomes obvious that Jeannette's romance novel fantasies about passionate embraces in the sunset are a bit off the mark from what the more pragmatic Marius has in mind. Ariane Ascaride won a Cesar Award (the French Oscar) for her performance in Marius Et Jeannette: Un Conte De L'Estaque; she's married to the film's director Robert Guediguian.
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A couple puts faith in love to get them through times of extreme poverty in this comedy - drama that was a major box office success in its native France. Jeannette ( Ariane Ascaride ) is a single mother living in a working - class community in Marseilles ; she tries to support herself and her two kids on her salary as a check - out girl at a supermarket and lives in an apartment complex where everyone is thrown into close proximity with everyone else ( thankfully , they all get along ) . Marius ( Gerard Meylan ) is working as a security guard at a cement factory that has gone out of business ; he's also squatting in the building , since the plant is soon to be demolished and he'll be needing his money later on. One day , Jeannette happens by the factory , and spotting several cans of paint , tries to take two of them home with her. Marius spots her and tries to chase her away , while she rails at him with curses against the capitalist system. The next day , an apologetic Marius appears at her doorstep , cans of paint in hand ; the two soon become friendly , and a romance begins to bloom , though it quickly becomes obvious that Jeannette's romance novel fantasies about passionate embraces in the sunset are a bit off the mark from what the more pragmatic Marius has in mind. Ariane Ascaride won a Cesar Award ( the French Oscar ) for her performance in Marius Et Jeannette : Un Conte De L'Estaque ; she's married to the film's director , Robert Guediguian .
0779
This French coming-of-age movie marked the debut of writer-director Bruno Dumont. The film bears a symbolic resemblance to the life of Jesus Christ but it has no direct relationship with his life. The story is set in the small economically stagnant town of Bailleul in northern France. Freddy (David Douche) is a 19-year-old epileptic whose mother runs a small restaurant. Freddy and his friends get unemployment benefits and ride motorbikes to kill time. They are bored and seething with unfocused resentments which they often take out on local Arab immigrants. One immigrant Kader (Kader Chaatouf) enrages Freddy and his friends by proposing marriage to Freddy's girlfriend Marie (Marjorie Cottreel) so Freddy and his friends set out to punish him. Dumont went on to direct the acclaimed drama L'humanite also set in Bailleul.
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This French coming - of - age movie marked the debut of writer - director Bruno Dumont . The film bears a symbolic resemblance to the life of Jesus Christ , but it has no direct relationship with his life. The story is set in the small , economically stagnant town of Bailleul in northern France. Freddy ( David Douche ) is a 19 - year - old epileptic whose mother runs a small restaurant. Freddy and his friends get unemployment benefits and ride motorbikes to kill time. They are bored and seething with unfocused resentments , which they often take out on local Arab immigrants. One immigrant , Kader ( Kader Chaatouf ), enrages Freddy and his friends by proposing marriage to Freddy's girlfriend Marie ( Marjorie Cottreel ), so Freddy and his friends set out to punish him. Dumont went on to direct the acclaimed drama L'humanite , also set in Bailleul.
0780
This drama was based on the true story of a young German Jew who survived the Holocaust by falling in with the Nazis. Solomon Perel (Marco Hofschneider) is the son of a Jewish shoe salesman coming of age in Germany during the rise of Adolf Hitler. In 1938 a group of Nazis attack Solomon's family home; his sister is killed and 13-year-old Solomon flees to Poland. Solomon winds up in an orphanage operated by Stalinist forces; when German forces storm Poland Solomon's fluent German allows him to join the Nazis as a translator posing as Josef Peters an ethnic German. In time "Peters" is made a member of the elite Hitler Youth but since Solomon is circumcised he can be easily revealed as a Jew and he lives in constant fear that his secret will be discovered. Solomon's close calls include an attempted seduction by Robert Kellerman (André Wilms) a homosexual officer and his relationship with Leni (Julie Delpy) a beautiful but violently anti-Semitic woman who wants to bear his child for the glory of the master race. Europa Europa (shown in Europe as Hitlerjunge Salomon) also features the real Solomon Perel who appears briefly as himself.
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This drama was based on the true story of a young German Jew who survived the Holocaust by falling in with the Nazis. Solomon Perel ( Marco Hofschneider ) is the son of a Jewish shoe salesman coming of age in Germany during the rise of Adolf Hitler . In 1938 , a group of Nazis attack Solomon's family home ; his sister is killed , and 13 - year - old Solomon flees to Poland. Solomon winds up in an orphanage operated by Stalinist forces ; when German forces storm Poland , Solomon's fluent German allows him to join the Nazis as a translator , posing as Josef Peters , an ethnic German. In time , "Peters" is made a member of the elite Hitler Youth , but since Solomon is circumcised , he can be easily revealed as a Jew , and he lives in constant fear that his secret will be discovered. Solomon's close calls include an attempted seduction by Robert Kellerman ( André Wilms ), a homosexual officer , and his relationship with Leni ( Julie Delpy ), a beautiful but violently anti - Semitic woman who wants to bear his child for the glory of the master race. Europa , Europa ( shown in Europe as Hitlerjunge Salomon ) also features the real Solomon Perel , who appears briefly as himself.
0781
Renowned actor/director Sylvia Chang created this richly layered film about memory regret and lost love. The film opens as successful filmmaker Cheryl (Chang) discusses a script idea about young love with a young screenwriter. She pitches a story about Shao-rou (Gigi Leung) a beautiful though clumsy schoolgirl who falls for a quiet guitar-playing young man named Ho-chuen (Takeshi Kaneshiro). They develop a deep and enduring passion in spite of meddling parents jealous friends and their own naïveté. Yet when they are caught stealing away for a night at far-off Lantau Island they face the wrath of Shao-rou's mother. The strain proves too much and they tearfully break up. Shao-rou's best friend Li (Karen Mok) responds to the news by offering both emotional sympathy and a bungled attempt at physical affection. The already distraught teen flees ending their long friendship. Later when Hou-chuen and Shao-rou meet by happenstance in Tokyo they quickly realize that time has not altered their feelings for each other. She has become a successful fashion designer while he has become a less-than-successful tour guide. The twist comes when we learn not just that Hou-chuen is married but also who his wife turned out to be. As Cheryl describes the affair it becomes increasingly difficult to tell if she is outlining a storyline or reminiscing about an old flame. Leung and Kaneshiro one of Asia's biggest heartthrobs give sensitive and charismatic performances as both awkward teenagers and world-weary adults. Chang employs a complex narrative structure of flashbacks and flashforwards to tell this beautifully wrought quietly touching story. This film was screened at the 1999 Toronto Film Festival.
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Renowned actor / director Sylvia Chang created this richly layered film about memory , regret , and lost love. The film opens as successful filmmaker Cheryl ( Chang ) discusses a script idea about young love with a young screenwriter. She pitches a story about Shao - rou ( Gigi Leung ) a beautiful though clumsy schoolgirl who falls for a quiet , guitar - playing young man named Ho - chuen ( Takeshi Kaneshiro ) . They develop a deep and enduring passion in spite of meddling parents , jealous friends , and their own naïveté. Yet when they are caught stealing away for a night at far - off Lantau Island , they face the wrath of Shao - rou's mother. The strain proves too much and they tearfully break up. Shao - rou's best friend Li ( Karen Mok ) responds to the news by offering both emotional sympathy and a bungled attempt at physical affection. The already distraught teen flees , ending their long friendship. Later , when Hou - chuen and Shao - rou meet by happenstance in Tokyo , they quickly realize that time has not altered their feelings for each other. She has become a successful fashion designer while he has become a less - than - successful tour guide. The twist comes when we learn not just that Hou - chuen is married but also who his wife turned out to be. As Cheryl describes the affair , it becomes increasingly difficult to tell if she is outlining a storyline or reminiscing about an old flame. Leung and Kaneshiro , one of Asia's biggest heartthrobs , give sensitive and charismatic performances as both awkward teenagers and world - weary adults. Chang employs a complex narrative structure of flashbacks and flashforwards to tell this beautifully wrought , quietly touching story. This film was screened at the 1999 Toronto Film Festival .
0782
In this classic martial arts film from Hong Kong Yuen Biao plays the effete son of a wealthy man who is halfheartedly studying kung fu though his father has to pay ringers to fight him (and of course lose). When he finds out that his father has been deceiving him Biao decides he must learn the true ways of the martial arts and tries to convince a noted kung fu expert to take him on as a pupil. Prodigal Son was directed by Sammo Hung who also plays a supporting role.
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In this classic martial arts film from Hong Kong , Yuen Biao plays the effete son of a wealthy man who is halfheartedly studying kung fu , though his father has to pay ringers to fight him ( and , of course , lose ) . When he finds out that his father has been deceiving him , Biao decides he must learn the true ways of the martial arts , and tries to convince a noted kung fu expert to take him on as a pupil. Prodigal Son was directed by Sammo Hung , who also plays a supporting role.
0783
Following up on his 1989 masterpiece The Killer superstar action director John Woo directs this emotionally wrenching look at three friends waylaid in war-torn Vietnam. Set in 1967 when clashes between leftists protesting British rule and the police were tearing the colony apart the film opens with Frank (Jacky Cheung Hok-yau) offering the deed to his parents' home as collateral to a loan shark so that he can pay for his buddy Ben's (Tony Leung Chiu-wai) wedding party. Unfortunately Frank is ambushed by a thug named Ringo and his associates who make off with the money. Ben and Frank vow revenge and end up accidentally killing the guy. Wanted by both the law and the triads Frank Ben and their pal Paul (Waise Lee Chi-hung) head for Vietnam with a case of fake Rolexes and dreams of making a quick buck. Immediately upon arrival those dreams are dashed -- their wares are blown up in a tin-can military coup they are almost shot by the South Vietnamese army and their passports are seized. Though tempted to throw in the towel Frank and Ben are convinced by Paul into joining forces with shady hit man named Luke (Simon Yam Tat-wah) to shake down club owner Leong (Lam Chung). The scheme goes horribly wrong ending with the death of a beautiful drug-addled singer named Sally (Yolinda Yan Chi-sin) and our three heroes accused of being CIA agents in a North Vietnamese POW camp. Later though Frank saves Paul's live and get injured in the process Paul can only think of financial gain and saving his own neck. He shoots Frank in the head when he fears his friend's cries of agony will tip off the Vietcong. Unfortunately the bullet doesn't kill Frank leaving him brain damaged drug-addled and in chronic pain. After Ben learns of Frank's condition he confronts Paul who has since returned to Hong Kong to become a prominent businessman. John Woo was originally planning to make this film under the name A Better Tomorrow 3 until Tsui Hark took the franchise away from him fashioning his own version.
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Following up on his 1989 masterpiece The Killer , superstar action director John Woo directs this emotionally wrenching look at three friends waylaid in war - torn Vietnam. Set in 1967 , when clashes between leftists protesting British rule and the police were tearing the colony apart , the film opens with Frank ( Jacky Cheung Hok - yau ) offering the deed to his parents' home as collateral to a loan shark , so that he can pay for his buddy Ben's ( Tony Leung Chiu - wai ) wedding party. Unfortunately , Frank is ambushed by a thug named Ringo and his associates who make off with the money. Ben and Frank vow revenge and end up accidentally killing the guy. Wanted by both the law and the triads , Frank , Ben , and their pal Paul ( Waise Lee Chi - hung ) head for Vietnam with a case of fake Rolexes and dreams of making a quick buck. Immediately upon arrival , those dreams are dashed -- their wares are blown up in a tin - can military coup , they are almost shot by the South Vietnamese army , and their passports are seized. Though tempted to throw in the towel , Frank and Ben are convinced by Paul into joining forces with shady hit man named Luke ( Simon Yam Tat - wah ) to shake down club owner Leong ( Lam Chung ) . The scheme goes horribly wrong , ending with the death of a beautiful drug - addled singer named Sally ( Yolinda Yan Chi - sin ) and our three heroes accused of being CIA agents in a North Vietnamese POW camp. Later , though , Frank saves Paul's live and get injured in the process , Paul can only think of financial gain and saving his own neck. He shoots Frank in the head when he fears his friend's cries of agony will tip off the Vietcong. Unfortunately , the bullet doesn't kill Frank , leaving him brain damaged , drug - addled , and in chronic pain. After Ben learns of Frank's condition , he confronts Paul who has since returned to Hong Kong to become a prominent businessman. John Woo was originally planning to make this film under the name A Better Tomorrow 3 until Tsui Hark took the franchise away from him , fashioning his own version.
0784
This was internationally famous Jackie Chan's breakthrough action film the work that got him past the ethnic boundaries of Hong Kong and into competition at the New York Film Festival in 1986. It also got him into the hospital after performing a stunt in which he fell through a glass canopy -- and stopped breathing. The story itself is not particularly profound. Kevin (Ga-kui) (Chan) is an honest self-effacing cop who manages to capture drug lord Cho (Cho Leung) almost single-handedly. A reluctant Kevin is then assigned the job of protecting Cho's secretary Selena (Brigitte Lin) who is going to testify against him. Sure enough the trial date comes and Selena disappears while Cho has to be set free for lack of evidence. The next thing he knows Kevin is framed by Cho for the murder of a fellow (dirty) cop and is running like heck from the bad guys as well as the police. Some incredible stunts in this film include Chan being dragged behind a double-decker bus. One of Jackie Chan's trademarks are hilarious outtakes shown during the end credits and they are among the best here. This feature is repeated to great advantage at the end of his 1998 hit Rush Hour as well. Police Story picked up "Best Picture" and "Best Action Choreography" at the 1986 Hong Kong Film Festival and was nominated for several other awards that year. Sequel after sequel followed.
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This was internationally famous Jackie Chan 's breakthrough action film , the work that got him past the ethnic boundaries of Hong Kong and into competition at the New York Film Festival in 1986. It also got him into the hospital after performing a stunt in which he fell through a glass canopy -- and stopped breathing. The story itself is not particularly profound. Kevin ( Ga - kui ) ( Chan ) is an honest , self - effacing cop who manages to capture drug lord Cho ( Cho Leung ) almost single - handedly. A reluctant Kevin is then assigned the job of protecting Cho's secretary Selena ( Brigitte Lin ) who is going to testify against him. Sure enough , the trial date comes , and Selena disappears , while Cho has to be set free for lack of evidence. The next thing he knows , Kevin is framed by Cho for the murder of a fellow ( dirty ) cop and is running like heck from the bad guys as well as the police. Some incredible stunts in this film include Chan being dragged behind a double - decker bus. One of Jackie Chan 's trademarks are hilarious outtakes shown during the end credits , and they are among the best here. This feature is repeated to great advantage at the end of his 1998 hit Rush Hour as well. Police Story picked up "Best Picture" and "Best Action Choreography" at the 1986 Hong Kong Film Festival and was nominated for several other awards that year. Sequel after sequel followed.
0785
Hard-Boiled is the last film directed by Hong Kong action auteur John Woo before his arrival in the U.S. This 1992 thriller along with The Killer is widely seen as one of his best from his Hong Kong days. Every ingredient of the quintessential Woo thriller is present including his ever-present anti-hero (Chow Yun-Fat). Yun-Fat portrays a maverick clarinet-playing cop nicknamed "Tequila" whose partner is killed in the dizzying chaos of a restaurant gunfight with a small army of gangsters. It is soon revealed that one of the mob's high-ranking assassins is Tony (Tony Leung) an undercover cop who despite his badge is dangerously close to the edge. Tequila and Tony must team up in a tense partnership and their common pursuit of a vicious crime lord results in a brilliantly elaborate climax in a hospital where the heroes must rescue newborn babies from the maternity ward while fighting off dozens of mob soldiers. The characters Tequila and Tony are two sides of the same coin another trademark theme of Woo's films that would later be most fully realized with Nicolas Cage and John Travolta in the American hit Face/Off.
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Hard - Boiled is the last film directed by Hong Kong action auteur John Woo before his arrival in the U.S. This 1992 thriller , along with The Killer , is widely seen as one of his best from his Hong Kong days. Every ingredient of the quintessential Woo thriller is present , including his ever - present anti - hero ( Chow Yun - Fat ) . Yun - Fat portrays a maverick , clarinet - playing cop nicknamed "Tequila" whose partner is killed in the dizzying chaos of a restaurant gunfight with a small army of gangsters. It is soon revealed that one of the mob's high - ranking assassins is Tony ( Tony Leung ), an undercover cop who , despite his badge , is dangerously close to the edge. Tequila and Tony must team up in a tense partnership , and their common pursuit of a vicious crime lord results in a brilliantly elaborate climax in a hospital , where the heroes must rescue newborn babies from the maternity ward while fighting off dozens of mob soldiers. The characters Tequila and Tony are two sides of the same coin , another trademark theme of Woo's films that would later be most fully realized with Nicolas Cage and John Travolta in the American hit Face / Off .
0786
One of the earliest major films starring Jackie Chan this 1978 Hong Kong offering highlights the relationship between a student and his martial arts master. This theme would dominate the American martial arts genre for years to come as evidenced by The Karate Kid and many films to follow. Wong Fei-hong played by Chan is a 19th-century folk hero in Chinese culture and cinema a kung fu master who fights injustice in the time of British colonialism. This character would later be portrayed by Jet Li in the more serious Once Upon a Time in China. Drunken Master finds Wong in his early years as a troublesome youth who is sent to receive discipline and martial arts instruction from his uncle (Siu Tien Yuen) the hard-drinking title character. Wong runs away but runs afoul of some local villains. Beaten badly he returns to his uncle who trains him in "drunken-style" kung fu. The martial arts showcased by Chan in this film are important in the development of his career; the staggering inebriated techniques allow for a looser more flowing style but more importantly they contribute to the elaborate martial-arts slapstick that have become Chan's trademark and have made him an international star.
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One of the earliest major films starring Jackie Chan , this 1978 Hong Kong offering highlights the relationship between a student and his martial arts master. This theme would dominate the American martial arts genre for years to come , as evidenced by The Karate Kid and many films to follow. Wong Fei - hong , played by Chan , is a 19th - century folk hero in Chinese culture and cinema , a kung fu master who fights injustice in the time of British colonialism. This character would later be portrayed by Jet Li in the more serious Once Upon a Time in China . Drunken Master finds Wong in his early years as a troublesome youth who is sent to receive discipline and martial arts instruction from his uncle ( Siu Tien Yuen ), the hard - drinking title character. Wong runs away , but runs afoul of some local villains. Beaten badly , he returns to his uncle , who trains him in "drunken - style" kung fu. The martial arts showcased by Chan in this film are important in the development of his career ; the staggering , inebriated techniques allow for a looser , more flowing style , but more importantly , they contribute to the elaborate martial - arts slapstick that have become Chan's trademark and have made him an international star.
0787
This melodramatic epic martial arts outing from Hong Kong filmmaker Clara Law is set in 7th-century China and center's on a disgraced warrior's quest for redemption. Formerly a general he trustingly made a devil's bargain with a rival general that resulted in the assassination of his troops and the prince he was sworn to protect. Though every part of him aches for bloody vengeance the fallen fighter follows his mother's advice and becomes a peaceful wanderer. He tries but things don't go the way he hoped for everywhere he goes. His nemesis attacks and before long kills everyone the good general cares about including his lover a beautiful princess. He finally finds solace in a remote Buddhist temple where he undergoes instruction from elderly monks. This time trouble comes in the form of a beautiful widow a woman who looks exactly like his slain love. On the heels of her betrayal comes the wicked general and before the heroic warrior can find lasting peace he must survive one last battle.
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This melodramatic epic martial arts outing from Hong Kong filmmaker Clara Law is set in 7th - century China and center's on a disgraced warrior's quest for redemption. Formerly a general , he trustingly made a devil's bargain with a rival general that resulted in the assassination of his troops and the prince he was sworn to protect. Though every part of him aches for bloody vengeance , the fallen fighter follows his mother's advice and becomes a peaceful wanderer. He tries , but things don't go the way he hoped for everywhere he goes. His nemesis attacks , and , before long , kills everyone the good general cares about , including his lover , a beautiful princess. He finally finds solace in a remote Buddhist temple where he undergoes instruction from elderly monks. This time trouble comes in the form of a beautiful widow , a woman who looks exactly like his slain love. On the heels of her betrayal comes the wicked general and before the heroic warrior can find lasting peace , he must survive one last battle.
0788
Peter Mak Tai-kit spins this exuberant visually dense adaptation from the popular similarly named Japanese anime. The film is set in a world where shape-shifting alien creatures known as Raptors have infiltrated human society. To deal with this problem Hong Kong has fashioned a secret government task force aptly known as the Anti-Raptor Bureau recruiting young talent with telekinetic abilities such as Taki (Leon Lai Ming) and Ken (Jacky Cheung Hok-yau). The bureau's current interest is in Japanese billionaire Daishu (played by Japanese screen legend Tatsuya Nakadai who spends much of the film looking like he is going to kill his agent) who they figure is well over 150 years old and a likely Raptor. For his part Daishu preaches peaceful co-habitation with humans. His deranged son Shudo (Roy Cheung Yiu-yueng) on the other hand espouses the wholesale destruction of the human race. Of course the presence of a mysterious drug called Happiness which gives Raptors fantastic strength and a hair-trigger temper is not helping the cause of the peacemakers.
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Peter Mak Tai - kit spins this exuberant , visually dense adaptation from the popular similarly named Japanese anime. The film is set in a world where shape - shifting alien creatures known as Raptors have infiltrated human society. To deal with this problem , Hong Kong has fashioned a secret government task force aptly known as the Anti - Raptor Bureau , recruiting young talent with telekinetic abilities such as Taki ( Leon Lai Ming ) and Ken ( Jacky Cheung Hok - yau ) . The bureau's current interest is in Japanese billionaire Daishu ( played by Japanese screen legend Tatsuya Nakadai , who spends much of the film looking like he is going to kill his agent ) who they figure is well over 150 years old and a likely Raptor. For his part , Daishu preaches peaceful co - habitation with humans. His deranged son , Shudo ( Roy Cheung Yiu - yueng ), on the other hand , espouses the wholesale destruction of the human race. Of course , the presence of a mysterious drug called Happiness , which gives Raptors fantastic strength and a hair - trigger temper , is not helping the cause of the peacemakers.
0789
Chen Kaige the director of the international smash Farewell My Concubine reunited that film's stars Gong Li and Leslie Cheung for this complexly layered visually spectacular historical epic. Opening in 1911 shortly before the collapse of the Imperial government Temptress Moon follows the wealthy and powerful Pang Family whose patriarch is hopelessly addicted to opium which he calls "the source of all inspiration." Zhengda (Zhou Yemang) Old Master Pang's oldest son has married a woman named Xiuyi (He Saifei) and her younger brother Zhongliang is brought to live with the Pangs where he earns his keep as a servant. Zhengda shares his father's dependence on opium and Zhongliang's responsibilities include minding their pipes; Zhengda also forces Zhongliang to kiss Xiuyi in a shadowy incident that suggests an incestuous relationship. In time Zhongliang grows to adulthood (now played by Leslie Cheung) and flees the Pang estate; he travels to Shanghai where he becomes a gigolo seducing women and stealing their valuables. After Old Master Pang dies and Zhengda's addiction to drugs renders him brain damaged his sister Ruyi (Gong Li) who had been Zhongliang's playmate in childhood is proclaimed the head of the household. Knowing of his connection to the Pang Family and long-ago friendship with Ruyi Zhongliang is ordered by his bosses in the Shanghai underworld to return to the Pang estate where he is to seduce her gain control of the family's fortune and then steal it from her. Like Farewell My Concubine Temptress Moon proved to be controversial in its native China due to its frank but unsensational depiction of sex and drug use.
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Chen Kaige , the director of the international smash Farewell My Concubine , reunited that film's stars , Gong Li and Leslie Cheung , for this complexly layered , visually spectacular historical epic. Opening in 1911 , shortly before the collapse of the Imperial government , Temptress Moon follows the wealthy and powerful Pang Family , whose patriarch is hopelessly addicted to opium , which he calls "the source of all inspiration." Zhengda ( Zhou Yemang ), Old Master Pang's oldest son , has married a woman named Xiuyi ( He Saifei ), and her younger brother Zhongliang is brought to live with the Pangs , where he earns his keep as a servant. Zhengda shares his father's dependence on opium , and Zhongliang's responsibilities include minding their pipes ; Zhengda also forces Zhongliang to kiss Xiuyi in a shadowy incident that suggests an incestuous relationship. In time , Zhongliang grows to adulthood ( now played by Leslie Cheung ) and flees the Pang estate ; he travels to Shanghai , where he becomes a gigolo , seducing women and stealing their valuables. After Old Master Pang dies and Zhengda's addiction to drugs renders him brain damaged , his sister Ruyi ( Gong Li ), who had been Zhongliang's playmate in childhood , is proclaimed the head of the household. Knowing of his connection to the Pang Family and long - ago friendship with Ruyi , Zhongliang is ordered by his bosses in the Shanghai underworld to return to the Pang estate , where he is to seduce her , gain control of the family's fortune , and then steal it from her. Like Farewell My Concubine , Temptress Moon proved to be controversial in its native China , due to its frank but unsensational depiction of sex and drug use.
0790
After years as a major star in most of the rest of the world Jackie Chan finally broke through to stardom in the United States with Rumble in the Bronx a dubbed and re-edited version of Hung Fan Kui. Here Chan plays Keung a police officer from Hong Kong who travels to New York to attend the wedding of his uncle Bill (Bill Tung). Bill has just sold his grocery store to Elaine (Anita Mui) and Keung finds Elaine to be a pretty good reason to extend his visit to New York. However a mean-spirited and fashion-challenged street gang has moved into the neighborhood and is demanding protection money from the local storekeepers. Elaine is ready to sell the store and move on but Keung is determined to show the toughs that he's not about to be pushed around. Things get even more sticky when the hoods are on the trail of a lost cache of stolen jewels.
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After years as a major star in most of the rest of the world , Jackie Chan finally broke through to stardom in the United States with Rumble in the Bronx , a dubbed and re - edited version of Hung Fan Kui . Here Chan plays Keung , a police officer from Hong Kong who travels to New York to attend the wedding of his uncle , Bill ( Bill Tung ) . Bill has just sold his grocery store to Elaine ( Anita Mui ), and Keung finds Elaine to be a pretty good reason to extend his visit to New York. However , a mean - spirited and fashion - challenged street gang has moved into the neighborhood and is demanding protection money from the local storekeepers. Elaine is ready to sell the store and move on , but Keung is determined to show the toughs that he's not about to be pushed around. Things get even more sticky when the hoods are on the trail of a lost cache of stolen jewels.
0791
Jackie Chan returns in one of his greatest roles in this action-comedy sequel to his 1978 Hong Kong blockbuster Drunken Master. Wong Fei Hong (Chan) is a young master of the martial art of "drunken boxing" in which fighters use alcohol to blind themselves to pain and release the angry brawler within; with the right amount of drinks under his belt Hong can become a furious one-man army. Hong accompanies his father (Ti Lung) on a voyage to China where they purchase a precious supply of ginseng. When Hong discovers thugs stealing from their luggage he leaps into action to get their belongings back. Instead he winds up with a box of valuable Chinese artifacts which criminals are hoping to smuggle to England at a tremendous profit. Hong sets out to fight the gangsters and give the artifacts back to their rightful owners but while his stepmother (Anita Mui) encourages him to use his drunken boxing skills his father feels his boozy antics bring shame to the family. Jackie Chan brought some of his most elaborate stunt work to Drunken Master 2 including a remarkable fight on a bed of hot coals; Chan also directed part of the film after Lau Kar Leung was fired after a number of disagreements with his star. Six years after it became a box office hit in Asia Drunken Master 2 earned a theatrical release in the United States; the film was re-titled Legend Of The Drunken Master (in part because the original Drunken Master never had a proper theatrical release in America) re-edited and dubbed into English with a new score by Michael Wandmacher.
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Jackie Chan returns in one of his greatest roles in this action - comedy sequel to his 1978 Hong Kong blockbuster Drunken Master . Wong Fei Hong ( Chan ) is a young master of the martial art of "drunken boxing , " in which fighters use alcohol to blind themselves to pain and release the angry brawler within ; with the right amount of drinks under his belt , Hong can become a furious one - man army. Hong accompanies his father ( Ti Lung ) on a voyage to China , where they purchase a precious supply of ginseng. When Hong discovers thugs stealing from their luggage , he leaps into action to get their belongings back. Instead , he winds up with a box of valuable Chinese artifacts , which criminals are hoping to smuggle to England at a tremendous profit. Hong sets out to fight the gangsters and give the artifacts back to their rightful owners , but while his stepmother ( Anita Mui ) encourages him to use his drunken boxing skills , his father feels his boozy antics bring shame to the family. Jackie Chan brought some of his most elaborate stunt work to Drunken Master 2 , including a remarkable fight on a bed of hot coals ; Chan also directed part of the film , after Lau Kar Leung was fired after a number of disagreements with his star. Six years after it became a box office hit in Asia , Drunken Master 2 earned a theatrical release in the United States ; the film was re - titled Legend Of The Drunken Master ( in part because the original Drunken Master never had a proper theatrical release in America ), re - edited , and dubbed into English , with a new score by Michael Wandmacher .
0792
Even for viewers who can take or leave martial-arts films the work of Jackie Chan bears special attention. Chan is quite simply the hardest-working movie star in the world regularly participating in the sort of death-defying stuntwork which would make most American action heroes cringe in fear. Combining his daredevil heroics with an almost goofy brand of self-effacing humor Chan is one of the genre's most entertaining and engaging personalities. In this film third in the Police Story series Chan plays a Hong Kong detective working undercover with the Chinese police to nab a Malaysian druglord. The usual hair-raising gamut of stunts follow and numerous shootouts fights and explosions surround the plucky cop as he combats bad guys atop a moving train a bus a motorcycle a speedboat cars and trucks eventually being swung through the city at high speed on a rope-ladder suspended from a helicopter. For the kind of fast-paced exotic thrills that make James Bond look like a wimp this film is the place to go. There are some amusing comedy bits too as when Chan's superiors all go undercover as his long-lost family and the story zips along at a feverish clip.
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Even for viewers who can take or leave martial - arts films , the work of Jackie Chan bears special attention. Chan is quite simply the hardest - working movie star in the world , regularly participating in the sort of death - defying stuntwork which would make most American action heroes cringe in fear. Combining his daredevil heroics with an almost goofy brand of self - effacing humor , Chan is one of the genre's most entertaining and engaging personalities. In this film , third in the Police Story series , Chan plays a Hong Kong detective working undercover with the Chinese police to nab a Malaysian druglord. The usual hair - raising gamut of stunts follow , and numerous shootouts , fights and explosions surround the plucky cop as he combats bad guys atop a moving train , a bus , a motorcycle , a speedboat , cars , and trucks , eventually being swung through the city at high speed on a rope - ladder suspended from a helicopter. For the kind of fast - paced exotic thrills that make James Bond look like a wimp , this film is the place to go. There are some amusing comedy bits too , as when Chan's superiors all go undercover as his long - lost family , and the story zips along at a feverish clip.
0793
One of the Shaw Brothers Studios most well-known films King Boxer was an international success that helped instigate the kung fu craze of the '70s. It opens with an old master (Wen Chung Ku) attacked in an alley. He fends off the fighters but decides he isn't strong enough to travel to a martial arts school to learn the Iron Fist (also called Iron Palm) fighting technique. He sends his pupil and son-in-law Chao Chi-Hao (Lo Lieh) instead. When Chao arrives at the school he finds the students and teachers in preparation for the All China Tournament. They fear that if their archrivals win the competition they will rule with cruelty. Chao the clumsy rookie must start at the lowest rung of the school's ladder and work his way up. Meanwhile Ming Dung Shun (Tin Fung) master of the "bad" school has hired Chen Lang (Gam Hei Chu) a tough mercenary and two Japanese ronins to kill or maim the "good" school's best fighters. In one of these fights Chao's hands are broken and it seems as if he will not be able to fight again. Chao redoubles his efforts to overcome his injury and learn the Iron Fist technique. Mastery of the technique is indicated by a "whooo-hee whooo-hee" sound effect and a quick zoom to the fighter's glowing hands. Chao's old master is also attacked and killed by these fighters and his daughter/Chao's girlfriend Yin Yin (Ping Wang) flees to tell him the bad news. Chao fights his way to the All China Tournament and prepares to take on Ming Dung Shun and his cohorts. In the United State the film is more commonly known as Five Fingers of Death the more exploitative title given to it by Warner Brothers.
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One of the Shaw Brothers Studios most well - known films , King Boxer was an international success that helped instigate the kung fu craze of the '70s. It opens with an old master ( Wen Chung Ku ) attacked in an alley. He fends off the fighters , but decides he isn't strong enough to travel to a martial arts school to learn the Iron Fist ( also called Iron Palm ) fighting technique. He sends his pupil and son - in - law Chao Chi - Hao ( Lo Lieh ) instead. When Chao arrives at the school , he finds the students and teachers in preparation for the All China Tournament. They fear that if their archrivals win the competition they will rule with cruelty. Chao , the clumsy rookie , must start at the lowest rung of the school's ladder and work his way up. Meanwhile Ming Dung Shun ( Tin Fung ), master of the "bad" school has hired Chen Lang ( Gam Hei Chu ), a tough mercenary , and two Japanese ronins to kill or maim the "good" school's best fighters. In one of these fights Chao's hands are broken and it seems as if he will not be able to fight again. Chao redoubles his efforts to overcome his injury and learn the Iron Fist technique. Mastery of the technique is indicated by a "whooo - hee whooo - hee" sound effect and a quick zoom to the fighter's glowing hands. Chao's old master is also attacked and killed by these fighters and his daughter / Chao's girlfriend Yin Yin ( Ping Wang ) flees to tell him the bad news. Chao fights his way to the All China Tournament , and prepares to take on Ming Dung Shun and his cohorts. In the United State , the film is more commonly known as Five Fingers of Death , the more exploitative title given to it by Warner Brothers.
0794
One of the best action films starring the legendary Bruce Lee this movie features the martial artist as Chen Chen who returns to his former school in early 20th century Shanghai when he learns that his beloved instructor has been murdered. While probing the man's death and seeking vengeance Chen discovers that a drug smuggling operation a rival school and simmering racial tensions between Chinese and Japanese locals are factors in the nefarious dealings at his alma mater and in his master's slaying. Chen's got his work cut out for him as he takes on assassins of both races and even a towering Russian. Variously titled The Chinese Connection and The Iron Hand Fist of Fury features stunt work by a young Jackie Chan (who served as Lee's double). The film was remade two and a half decades later as Fist of Legend (1999) with Jet Li in the role of Chen.
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One of the best action films starring the legendary Bruce Lee , this movie features the martial artist as Chen Chen , who returns to his former school in early 20th century Shanghai when he learns that his beloved instructor has been murdered. While probing the man's death and seeking vengeance , Chen discovers that a drug smuggling operation , a rival school , and simmering racial tensions between Chinese and Japanese locals are factors in the nefarious dealings at his alma mater and in his master's slaying. Chen's got his work cut out for him as he takes on assassins of both races , and even a towering Russian. Variously titled The Chinese Connection and The Iron Hand , Fist of Fury features stunt work by a young Jackie Chan ( who served as Lee's double ) . The film was remade two and a half decades later as Fist of Legend ( 1999 ), with Jet Li in the role of Chen.
0795
Hong Kong star Jet Li portrays the inventor of T'ai Chi in this entertaining if not historically accurate martial-arts movie. Junbao (Li) and Tienbao (Chin Siu-Ho) are a pair of young monks studying kung fu in a Shaolin temple. Junbao is balanced and humble but Tienbao is competitive and eager to advance. The two are wrongfully accused of cheating during a tournament and are expelled. From there they take radically different paths. Tienbao becomes a mercenary for an evil warlord and Junbao joins a rebel group led by Michelle Yeoh. Tienbao betrays Junbao; Junbao loses his memory in the resulting fight. While recuperating he develops the graceful T'ai Chi fighting style. Although many may find the cartoonish acrobatic fight sequences to be campy they are elaborate and dazzling.
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Hong Kong star Jet Li portrays the inventor of T'ai Chi in this entertaining if not historically accurate martial - arts movie. Junbao ( Li ) and Tienbao ( Chin Siu - Ho ) are a pair of young monks studying kung fu in a Shaolin temple. Junbao is balanced and humble , but Tienbao is competitive and eager to advance. The two are wrongfully accused of cheating during a tournament and are expelled. From there they take radically different paths. Tienbao becomes a mercenary for an evil warlord , and Junbao joins a rebel group led by Michelle Yeoh . Tienbao betrays Junbao ; Junbao loses his memory in the resulting fight. While recuperating , he develops the graceful T'ai Chi fighting style. Although many may find the cartoonish , acrobatic fight sequences to be campy , they are elaborate and dazzling.
0796
Jet Li stars in this historical Hong Kong action film as Chen Zhen a Chinese student in Japan in the 1920s. When his master is killed during the Japanese occupation of China he returns to avenge his teacher's death. Back in China he finds himself caught in the escalating racial tensions between the Chinese and the Japanese. The martial arts sequences in this 1994 film are handled more seriously than flashy acrobatics of other kung fu epics of the time and are perhaps a better showcase for Li's awe-inspiring fighting abilities. This story is inspired heavily by Bruce Lee's classic Fists of Fury.
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Jet Li stars in this historical Hong Kong action film , as Chen Zhen , a Chinese student in Japan in the 1920s. When his master is killed during the Japanese occupation of China , he returns to avenge his teacher's death. Back in China , he finds himself caught in the escalating racial tensions between the Chinese and the Japanese. The martial arts sequences in this 1994 film are handled more seriously than flashy acrobatics of other kung fu epics of the time and are perhaps a better showcase for Li's awe - inspiring fighting abilities. This story is inspired heavily by Bruce Lee 's classic Fists of Fury .
0797
Hungarian director Istvan Szabó's 1976 feature Budapest Tales (AKA Budapesti mesék) unfolds in a purely allegorical dreamlike realm rich with indigenous symbolism. Following some great catastrophic onslaught - its exact nature unknown - a number of individuals emerge from hiding and discover a dilapidated old trolley car awash on a river bank. They instinctively begin loading all of their worldly goods onto the vehicle and pushing it along its tracks destination unknown. In time even the concept of a destination becomes secondary to the trek itself and a number of key events befall the passenger/participants: a few lose all energy and fall by the wayside; the travelers run headfirst into a river that runs across a section of track and must break the trolley down and move the pieces across one at a time; occasional accidents and calamities arise including the arrival of brigands. The life cycle however continues unabated: while one of the passengers dies sacrificing his own life to ensure the continuation of the journey a woman on board gives birth to twins. In time the passengers (who have painted the trolley yellow and designated it with the number '1') enter the vicinity of a massive city and discover that theirs is only one of a large number of indistinguishable trolleys approaching the metropolis. Many critics read Budapest Tales as a metaphor for the post-WWII history of Hungary; its overall reception was somewhat poor.
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Hungarian director Istvan Szabó 's 1976 feature Budapest Tales ( AKA Budapesti mesék ) unfolds in a purely allegorical , dreamlike realm , rich with indigenous symbolism. Following some great catastrophic onslaught - its exact nature unknown - a number of individuals emerge from hiding and discover a dilapidated old trolley car awash on a river bank. They instinctively begin loading all of their worldly goods onto the vehicle and pushing it along its tracks , destination unknown. In time , even the concept of a destination becomes secondary to the trek itself , and a number of key events befall the passenger / participants : a few lose all energy and fall by the wayside ; the travelers run headfirst into a river that runs across a section of track , and must break the trolley down and move the pieces across , one at a time ; occasional accidents and calamities arise , including the arrival of brigands. The life cycle , however , continues unabated : while one of the passengers dies , sacrificing his own life to ensure the continuation of the journey , a woman on board gives birth to twins. In time , the passengers ( who have painted the trolley yellow and designated it with the number '1' ) enter the vicinity of a massive city , and discover that theirs is only one of a large number of indistinguishable trolleys approaching the metropolis. Many critics read Budapest Tales as a metaphor for the post - WWII history of Hungary ; its overall reception was somewhat poor.
0798
In this drama the ritual killing of a young woman causes a pair of Jewish loggers to begin suspecting each other of the crime.
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In this drama , the ritual killing of a young woman causes a pair of Jewish loggers to begin suspecting each other of the crime.
0799
Also known as Red Riding Hood Year 2000 this Hungarian/Canadian co-production is not for children. Director Marta Meszaros again dwells upon the travails of women trapped in oppressive society. This time the Red Riding Hood legend is used metaphorically within the framework of a quasi-futuristic storyline. The "wolves" are of the human variety and "friendly hunters" few and far between.
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Also known as Red Riding Hood , Year 2000 , this Hungarian / Canadian co - production is not for children. Director Marta Meszaros again dwells upon the travails of women trapped in oppressive society. This time , the Red Riding Hood legend is used metaphorically within the framework of a quasi - futuristic storyline. The "wolves" are of the human variety , and "friendly hunters" few and far between.
0800
Love and heartbreak are not just for the young as this Hungarian film shows. Nominated for the 1974 Academy Award for "Best Foreign Film" it tells the story of two sixtyish sisters. The younger sister a singing teacher has remained in Hungary and the older one lives in West Germany. Despite many requests from her older sister the teacher remains in Hungary at least partly due to her love for a retired opera singer. As letters pass between the two sisters many flashbacks tell the story of their childhood. When the younger sister discovers that the opera singer has a new girlfriend she takes drastic action to deal with her rejection.
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Love and heartbreak are not just for the young , as this Hungarian film shows. Nominated for the 1974 Academy Award for "Best Foreign Film , " it tells the story of two sixtyish sisters. The younger sister , a singing teacher , has remained in Hungary , and the older one lives in West Germany. Despite many requests from her older sister , the teacher remains in Hungary at least partly due to her love for a retired opera singer. As letters pass between the two sisters , many flashbacks tell the story of their childhood. When the younger sister discovers that the opera singer has a new girlfriend , she takes drastic action to deal with her rejection.
0801
What if virtual reality wasn't just for fun but was being used to imprison you? That's the dilemma that faces mild-mannered computer jockey Thomas Anderson (Keanu Reeves) in The Matrix. It's the year 1999 and Anderson (hacker alias: Neo) works in a cubicle manning a computer and doing a little hacking on the side. It's through this latter activity that Thomas makes the acquaintance of Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) who has some interesting news for Mr. Anderson -- none of what's going on around him is real. The year is actually closer to 2199 and it seems Thomas like most people is a victim of The Matrix a massive artificial intelligence system that has tapped into people's minds and created the illusion of a real world while using their brains and bodies for energy tossing them away like spent batteries when they're through. Morpheus however is convinced Neo is "The One" who can crack open The Matrix and bring his people to both physical and psychological freedom. The Matrix is the second feature film from the sibling writer/director team of Andy Wachowski and Larry Wachowski who made an impressive debut with the stylish erotic crime thriller Bound.
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What if virtual reality wasn't just for fun , but was being used to imprison you? That's the dilemma that faces mild - mannered computer jockey Thomas Anderson ( Keanu Reeves ) in The Matrix . It's the year 1999 , and Anderson ( hacker alias : Neo ) works in a cubicle , manning a computer and doing a little hacking on the side. It's through this latter activity that Thomas makes the acquaintance of Morpheus ( Laurence Fishburne ), who has some interesting news for Mr. Anderson -- none of what's going on around him is real. The year is actually closer to 2199 , and it seems Thomas , like most people , is a victim of The Matrix , a massive artificial intelligence system that has tapped into people's minds and created the illusion of a real world , while using their brains and bodies for energy , tossing them away like spent batteries when they're through. Morpheus , however , is convinced Neo is "The One" who can crack open The Matrix and bring his people to both physical and psychological freedom. The Matrix is the second feature film from the sibling writer / director team of Andy Wachowski and Larry Wachowski , who made an impressive debut with the stylish erotic crime thriller Bound .
0802
ased on a novel by Stanislaw Lem Solaris centers on widowed psychologist Kris Kelvin (Donata Banionis) who is sent to a space station orbiting a water-dominated planet called Solaris to investigate the mysterious death of a doctor as well as the mental problems plaguing the dwindling number of cosmonauts on the station. Finding the remaining crew to be behaving oddly and aloof Kelvin is more than surprised when he meets his seven-years-dead wife Khari (Natalya Bondarchuk) on the station. It quickly becomes apparent that Solaris possesses something that brings out repressed memories and obsessions within the cosmonauts on the space station leaving Kelvin to question his perception of reality. Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the 1972 Cannes Film Festival Solaris was remade by Steven Soderbergh in 2002.
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Based on a novel by Stanislaw Lem , Solaris centers on widowed psychologist Kris Kelvin ( Donata Banionis ), who is sent to a space station orbiting a water - dominated planet called Solaris to investigate the mysterious death of a doctor , as well as the mental problems plaguing the dwindling number of cosmonauts on the station. Finding the remaining crew to be behaving oddly and aloof , Kelvin is more than surprised when he meets his seven - years - dead wife Khari ( Natalya Bondarchuk ) on the station. It quickly becomes apparent that Solaris possesses something that brings out repressed memories and obsessions within the cosmonauts on the space station , leaving Kelvin to question his perception of reality. Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the 1972 Cannes Film Festival , Solaris was remade by Steven Soderbergh in 2002.
0803
The second entry in George Lucas' Star Wars trilogy finds Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) the green-as-grass hero from the first film now a seasoned space warrior. Luke's Star Wars cohorts Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) are likewise more experienced in the ways and means of battling the insidious Empire as represented by the brooding Darth Vader (body of David Prowse voice of James Earl Jones). And of course "The Force" personified by the ghost of Luke's mentor Ben Kenobi (Alec Guinness) is with them all. Retreating from Vader's minions Luke ends up at first on the Ice Planet Hoth and then the tropical Dagobah. Here he makes the acquaintance of the gnomish Yoda (voice of Frank Oz) whose all-encompassing wisdom comes in handy during the serial-like perils of the rest of the film. Before the film's open-ended climax we are introduced to the apparently duplicitous Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams) and are let in on a secret that profoundly affects both Luke and his arch-enemy Vader. Many viewers consider this award-winning film the best of the Star Wars movies and its special-effects bonanza was pure gold at the box office.
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The second entry in George Lucas ' Star Wars trilogy finds Luke Skywalker ( Mark Hamill ), the green - as - grass hero from the first film , now a seasoned space warrior. Luke's Star Wars cohorts Han Solo ( Harrison Ford ) and Princess Leia ( Carrie Fisher ) are likewise more experienced in the ways and means of battling the insidious Empire , as represented by the brooding Darth Vader ( body of David Prowse , voice of James Earl Jones ) . And , of course , "The Force , " personified by the ghost of Luke's mentor Ben Kenobi ( Alec Guinness ), is with them all. Retreating from Vader's minions , Luke ends up , at first , on the Ice Planet Hoth , and then the tropical Dagobah. Here he makes the acquaintance of the gnomish Yoda ( voice of Frank Oz ), whose all - encompassing wisdom comes in handy during the serial - like perils of the rest of the film. Before the film's open - ended climax , we are introduced to the apparently duplicitous Lando Calrissian ( Billy Dee Williams ) and are let in on a secret that profoundly affects both Luke and his arch - enemy , Vader. Many viewers consider this award - winning film the best of the Star Wars movies , and its special - effects bonanza was pure gold at the box office.
0804
A blend of science fiction and noir detective fiction Blade Runner (1982) was a box office and critical bust upon its initial exhibition but its unique postmodern production design became hugely influential within the sci-fi genre and the film gained a significant cult following that increased its stature. Harrison Ford stars as Rick Deckard a retired cop in Los Angeles circa 2019. L.A. has become a pan-cultural dystopia of corporate advertising pollution and flying automobiles as well as replicants human-like androids with short life spans built by the Tyrell Corporation for use in dangerous off-world colonization. Deckard's former job in the police department was as a talented blade runner a euphemism for detectives that hunt down and assassinate rogue replicants. Called before his one-time superior (M. Emmett Walsh) Deckard is forced back into active duty. A quartet of replicants led by Roy Batty (Rutger Hauer) has escaped and headed to Earth killing several humans in the process. After meeting with the eccentric Eldon Tyrell (Joe Turkel) creator of the replicants Deckard finds and eliminates Zhora (Joanna Cassidy) one of his targets. Attacked by another replicant Leon (Brion James) Deckard is about to be killed when he's saved by Rachael (Sean Young) Tyrell's assistant and a replicant who's unaware of her true nature. In the meantime Batty and his replicant pleasure model lover Pris (Darryl Hannah) use a dying inventor J.F. Sebastian (William Sanderson) to get close to Tyrell and murder him. Deckard tracks the pair to Sebastian's where a bloody and violent final confrontation between Deckard and Batty takes place on a skyscraper rooftop high above the city. In 1992 Ridley Scott released a popular director's cut that removed Deckard's narration added a dream sequence and excised a happy ending imposed by the results of test screenings; these legendary behind-the-scenes battles were chronicled in a 1996 tome Future Noir: The Making of Blade Runner by Paul M. Sammon.
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A blend of science fiction and noir detective fiction , Blade Runner ( 1982 ) was a box office and critical bust upon its initial exhibition , but its unique postmodern production design became hugely influential within the sci - fi genre , and the film gained a significant cult following that increased its stature. Harrison Ford stars as Rick Deckard , a retired cop in Los Angeles circa 2019. L.A. has become a pan - cultural dystopia of corporate advertising , pollution and flying automobiles , as well as replicants , human - like androids with short life spans built by the Tyrell Corporation for use in dangerous off - world colonization. Deckard's former job in the police department was as a talented blade runner , a euphemism for detectives that hunt down and assassinate rogue replicants. Called before his one - time superior ( M. Emmett Walsh ), Deckard is forced back into active duty. A quartet of replicants led by Roy Batty ( Rutger Hauer ) has escaped and headed to Earth , killing several humans in the process. After meeting with the eccentric Eldon Tyrell ( Joe Turkel ), creator of the replicants , Deckard finds and eliminates Zhora ( Joanna Cassidy ), one of his targets. Attacked by another replicant , Leon ( Brion James ), Deckard is about to be killed when he's saved by Rachael ( Sean Young ), Tyrell's assistant and a replicant who's unaware of her true nature. In the meantime , Batty and his replicant pleasure model lover , Pris ( Darryl Hannah ) use a dying inventor , J.F. Sebastian ( William Sanderson ) to get close to Tyrell and murder him. Deckard tracks the pair to Sebastian's , where a bloody and violent final confrontation between Deckard and Batty takes place on a skyscraper rooftop high above the city. In 1992 , Ridley Scott released a popular director's cut that removed Deckard's narration , added a dream sequence , and excised a happy ending imposed by the results of test screenings ; these legendary behind - the - scenes battles were chronicled in a 1996 tome , Future Noir : The Making of Blade Runner by Paul M. Sammon .
0805
One of the most influential examples of anime Akira is based on the manga (comic book) by Katsuhiro Otomo. The story is set in the post-apocalyptic community of Neo-Tokyo. Tetsuo is a fiercely individualistic member of a scroungy motorcycle gang. The despotic authorities the robot-like police and even the cycle gang pursue Tetsuo when he's bombarded with a new insidious energy source that has rendered him telekinetic. Budgeted at eight million dollars Akira has become a cult favorite in the States thanks to generous midnight-movie exposure and its availibilty on video and cable TV.
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One of the most influential examples of anime , Akira is based on the manga ( comic book ) by Katsuhiro Otomo . The story is set in the post - apocalyptic community of Neo - Tokyo. Tetsuo is a fiercely individualistic member of a scroungy motorcycle gang. The despotic authorities , the robot - like police , and even the cycle gang pursue Tetsuo when he's bombarded with a new , insidious energy source that has rendered him telekinetic. Budgeted at eight million dollars , Akira has become a cult favorite in the States thanks to generous midnight - movie exposure and its availibilty on video and cable TV.
0806
ased on a novel by Walter Tevis The Man Who Fell to Earth achieved cult film status for David Bowie's performance as Thomas Jerome Newton aka "Mr. Sussex" and the imagery of director Nicholas Roeg a former cinematographer. In this deeply allegorical science-fiction drama Newton is an alien from a planet that is dying for lack of water and he has been sent to earth to find a way to ship some of the earth's plentiful supply to his home planet. He arrives with a human-looking disguise his knowledge of unusual technologies his despair and little else. Using his knowledge he takes out patents on "his" inventions aided by patent lawyer Oliver Farnsworth (Buck Henry). He skillfully parlays the money from these inventions and becomes a financial/industrial tycoon. These inventions and others like them along with his political and financial power should make possible the transfer of water to his planet. But instead of pressing forward with plans to save his home planet he becomes enamored of Earth's low-down ways and of his strange passive relationship with his elevator-operator girlfriend Mary Lou (Candy Clark). Meanwhile his phenomenal rise from anonymity to power and his eccentric behavior spark the government's interest. Chemistry professor Nathan Bryce (Rip Torn) also comes calling fascinated by the alien's history. As gin and despair slowly cripple him he becomes consumed by memories of life on his doomed planet. The longer (140 minutes) and sexier British version of this film was toned down for its American release. Roeg whose work has received polarized responses also directed such distinctively stylized movies as Walkabout (1971) and Don't Look Now (1973).
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Based on a novel by Walter Tevis , The Man Who Fell to Earth achieved cult film status for David Bowie 's performance as Thomas Jerome Newton , aka "Mr. Sussex , " and the imagery of director Nicholas Roeg , a former cinematographer. In this deeply allegorical science - fiction drama , Newton is an alien from a planet that is dying for lack of water , and he has been sent to earth to find a way to ship some of the earth's plentiful supply to his home planet. He arrives with a human - looking disguise , his knowledge of unusual technologies , his despair , and little else. Using his knowledge , he takes out patents on "his" inventions , aided by patent lawyer Oliver Farnsworth ( Buck Henry ) . He skillfully parlays the money from these inventions and becomes a financial / industrial tycoon. These inventions , and others like them , along with his political and financial power , should make possible the transfer of water to his planet. But instead of pressing forward with plans to save his home planet , he becomes enamored of Earth's low - down ways and of his strange , passive relationship with his elevator - operator girlfriend , Mary Lou ( Candy Clark ) . Meanwhile , his phenomenal rise from anonymity to power , and his eccentric behavior , spark the government's interest. Chemistry professor Nathan Bryce ( Rip Torn ) also comes calling , fascinated by the alien's history. As gin and despair slowly cripple him , he becomes consumed by memories of life on his doomed planet. The longer ( 140 minutes ) and sexier British version of this film was toned down for its American release. Roeg , whose work has received polarized responses , also directed such distinctively stylized movies as Walkabout ( 1971 ) and Don't Look Now ( 1973 ) .
0807
Alex Proyas (The Crow) directed this noir-styled futuristic thriller scripted by Proyas Lem Dobbs (Kafka) and David S. Goyer (The Puppet Masters). Separated from his wife Emma (Jennifer Connelly) amnesiac John Murdoch (Rufus Sewell) awakens alone in a strange hotel to learn he is wanted for a series of brutal killings -- but he can't remember if he did or didn't commit these murders. Indeed most of his memories have completely vanished and he becomes the focus of interest for both mad genius Dr. Schreber (Kiefer Sutherland) and sympathetic detective Frank Bumstead (William Hurt). Attempting to unravel the twisted riddle of his identity Murdoch encounters a group of ominous beings known as the Strangers shadow-like figures who have a collective memory and possess the ability to stop time and alter physical reality through a process called The Tuning. Focusing their minds they are able to change the size and shape of the material world. Murdoch manages to stay a step ahead of his adversaries as he slowly jigsaws together the puzzle of his past-bittersweet memories of his childhood his love for Emma and the key to the murders -- while following a labyrinth leading to the Strangers' Underworld a set inspired by Fritz Lang's Metropolis. Rufus Sewell commented on the Underworld: "When Alex first sent me the sketches for that set I was more excited than I had been when I read the script. The Underworld was truly remarkable -- a little bit scary very thrilling and full of hundreds of bald people." At the Fox Film Studios in Sydney Australia where 50 sets were built three months were spent constructing the set for the Underworld the largest indoor set ever built in Australia. The production design by George Liddle (Rapa Nui) and Patrick Tatopoulos (Godzilla Space: Above and Beyond) is a composite of different styles and eras combining the look of 1940s Manhattan with German Expressionism. The music is by Trevor Jones (G.I. Jane). The film's dedication reads: "In Memory of Dennis Potter with gratitude and admiration."
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Alex Proyas ( The Crow ) directed this noir - styled futuristic thriller , scripted by Proyas , Lem Dobbs ( Kafka ), and David S. Goyer ( The Puppet Masters ) . Separated from his wife Emma ( Jennifer Connelly ), amnesiac John Murdoch ( Rufus Sewell ) awakens alone in a strange hotel to learn he is wanted for a series of brutal killings -- but he can't remember if he did or didn't commit these murders. Indeed , most of his memories have completely vanished , and he becomes the focus of interest for both mad genius Dr. Schreber ( Kiefer Sutherland ) and sympathetic detective Frank Bumstead ( William Hurt ) . Attempting to unravel the twisted riddle of his identity , Murdoch encounters a group of ominous beings known as the Strangers , shadow - like figures who have a collective memory and possess the ability to stop time and alter physical reality through a process called The Tuning. Focusing their minds , they are able to change the size and shape of the material world. Murdoch manages to stay a step ahead of his adversaries as he slowly jigsaws together the puzzle of his past - bittersweet memories of his childhood , his love for Emma , and the key to the murders -- while following a labyrinth leading to the Strangers' Underworld , a set inspired by Fritz Lang 's Metropolis . Rufus Sewell commented on the Underworld : "When Alex first sent me the sketches for that set , I was more excited than I had been when I read the script. The Underworld was truly remarkable -- a little bit scary , very thrilling , and full of hundreds of bald people." At the Fox Film Studios in Sydney , Australia , where 50 sets were built , three months were spent constructing the set for the Underworld , the largest indoor set ever built in Australia. The production design by George Liddle ( Rapa Nui ) and Patrick Tatopoulos ( Godzilla , Space : Above and Beyond ) is a composite of different styles and eras , combining the look of 1940s Manhattan with German Expressionism. The music is by Trevor Jones ( G.I. Jane ) . The film's dedication reads : "In Memory of Dennis Potter with gratitude and admiration."
0808
An intense film about time travel this sci-fi entry was directed by Terry Gilliam a member of the comedy troupe Monty Python. The film stars Bruce Willis as James Cole a prisoner of the state in the year 2035 who can earn parole if he agrees to travel back in time and thwart a devastating plague. The virus has wiped out most of the Earth's population and the remainder live underground because the air is poisonous. Returning to the year 1990 six years before the start of the plague Cole is soon imprisoned in a psychiatric facility because his warnings sound like mad ravings. There he meets a scientist named Dr. Kathryn Railly (Madeleine Stowe) and Jeffrey Goines (Brad Pitt) the mad son of an eminent virologist (Christopher Plummer). Cole is returned by the authorities to the year 2035 and finally ends up at his intended destination in 1996. He kidnaps Dr. Railly in order to enlist her help in his quest. Cole discovers graffiti by an apparent animal rights group called the Army of the Twelve Monkeys but as he delves into the mystery he hears voices loses his bearings and doubts his own sanity. He must figure out if Goines who seems to be a raving lunatic holds the key to the puzzle.
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An intense film about time travel , this sci - fi entry was directed by Terry Gilliam , a member of the comedy troupe Monty Python . The film stars Bruce Willis as James Cole , a prisoner of the state in the year 2035 who can earn parole if he agrees to travel back in time and thwart a devastating plague. The virus has wiped out most of the Earth's population and the remainder live underground because the air is poisonous. Returning to the year 1990 , six years before the start of the plague , Cole is soon imprisoned in a psychiatric facility because his warnings sound like mad ravings. There he meets a scientist named Dr. Kathryn Railly ( Madeleine Stowe ) and Jeffrey Goines ( Brad Pitt ), the mad son of an eminent virologist ( Christopher Plummer ) . Cole is returned by the authorities to the year 2035 , and finally ends up at his intended destination in 1996. He kidnaps Dr. Railly in order to enlist her help in his quest. Cole discovers graffiti by an apparent animal rights group called the Army of the Twelve Monkeys , but as he delves into the mystery , he hears voices , loses his bearings , and doubts his own sanity. He must figure out if Goines , who seems to be a raving lunatic , holds the key to the puzzle.
0809
Richard Donner's big-budget blockbuster Superman: The Movie is an immensely entertaining recounting of the origin of the famous comic book character. Opening on Krypton (where Marlon Brando plays Superman's father) the film follows the Man of Steel (Christopher Reeve) as he's sent to Earth where he develops his alter-ego Clark Kent and is raised by a Midwestern family. In no time the movie has run through his teenage years and Clark gets a job at the Daily Planet where he is a news reporter. It's there that he falls in love with Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) who is already in love with Superman. But the love story is quickly sidetracked once the villainous Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) launches a diabolical plan to conquer the world and kill Superman. Superman: The Movie is filled with action special effects and a surprising amount of humor.
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Richard Donner 's big - budget blockbuster Superman : The Movie is an immensely entertaining recounting of the origin of the famous comic book character. Opening on Krypton ( where Marlon Brando plays Superman's father ), the film follows the Man of Steel ( Christopher Reeve ) as he's sent to Earth where he develops his alter - ego Clark Kent and is raised by a Midwestern family. In no time , the movie has run through his teenage years , and Clark gets a job at the Daily Planet , where he is a news reporter. It's there that he falls in love with Lois Lane ( Margot Kidder ), who is already in love with Superman. But the love story is quickly sidetracked once the villainous Lex Luthor ( Gene Hackman ) launches a diabolical plan to conquer the world and kill Superman. Superman : The Movie is filled with action , special effects and a surprising amount of humor.
0810
Unusual because it has no spoken dialogue Dernier Combat effectively chronicles the fate of a handful of people after a worldwide disaster has left the planet desolate and bleak and the people physically unable to speak. A young man (Pierre Jolivet) longs for female companionship and so he puts together a serviceable plane and flies to the remains of a city where survivors live in the ruined hulks of cars -- or wherever they can. The problem is that there are very few women to be found here as well. After the young man enters the city he comes across an older doctor who has returned to his psychiatric clinic and is barricaded there defending the clinic against the attacks of a violent barbarian intent on further destruction. This murderous aggressor is not only after the doctor but also a women who is hiding in the clinic -- and when the young man joins up with the doctor and sees the woman his future takes a new course. Le Dernier Combat (also known as The Last Battle) was the first feature-length film by a 24-year-old Luc Besson (The Big Blue La Femme Nikita The Fifth Element). The film won two major prizes at the 1983 Avoriaz Science Fiction Film Festival and collected more than 18 prizes at other international festivals -- though it was overlooked by France's Caesars and the U.S. Academy Awards.
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Unusual because it has no spoken dialogue , Dernier Combat effectively chronicles the fate of a handful of people after a worldwide disaster has left the planet desolate and bleak and the people physically unable to speak. A young man ( Pierre Jolivet ) longs for female companionship and so he puts together a serviceable plane and flies to the remains of a city where survivors live in the ruined hulks of cars -- or wherever they can. The problem is that there are very few women to be found here as well. After the young man enters the city , he comes across an older doctor who has returned to his psychiatric clinic and is barricaded there , defending the clinic against the attacks of a violent barbarian intent on further destruction. This murderous aggressor is not only after the doctor but also a women who is hiding in the clinic -- and when the young man joins up with the doctor and sees the woman , his future takes a new course. Le Dernier Combat ( also known as The Last Battle ) was the first feature - length film by a 24 - year - old Luc Besson ( The Big Blue , La Femme Nikita , The Fifth Element ) . The film won two major prizes at the 1983 Avoriaz Science Fiction Film Festival , and collected more than 18 prizes at other international festivals -- though it was overlooked by France's Caesars and the U.S. Academy Awards.
0811
First published in 1932 Philip Wylie and Edwin Balmer's speculative novel When Worlds Collide was immediately purchased by Paramount as a possible project for director Cecil B. DeMille. But because none of Paramount's scriptwriters were able to come up with an adequate screen treatment the property lay on the shelf until 1950 when producer George Pal was casting about for a follow-up to his successful sci-fier Destination Moon. Though the film was top-heavy with special effects Pal was able to bring When Worlds Collide in for under a million dollars thanks to an inexpensive cast and a heavy reliance upon stock footage. The story is set in motion when Dr. Cole Henderson (Larry Keating) announces that a extraterrestrial planet is on a collision course with the Earth. No one believes Henderson's story save for crippled financier Stanton (John Hoyt) who finances the construction of a gigantic spaceship built for the purpose of transporting selected survivors from the doomed Earth to another Earthlike planet. As it becomes obvious that Henderson's predictions will come true a worldwide lottery is held to select those people who will be rescued from oblivion by Stanton's spaceship. In the climactic scenes the worlds do indeed collide with appropriately spectacular results. But will the spaceship overloaded with humanity be able to take off and seek out a Brave New World? Amidst the thrills a romantic triangle emerges involving Richard Derr Barbara Rush and Peter Hanson.
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First published in 1932 , Philip Wylie and Edwin Balmer 's speculative novel When Worlds Collide was immediately purchased by Paramount as a possible project for director Cecil B. DeMille . But because none of Paramount's scriptwriters were able to come up with an adequate screen treatment , the property lay on the shelf until 1950 , when producer George Pal was casting about for a follow - up to his successful sci - fier Destination Moon . Though the film was top - heavy with special effects , Pal was able to bring When Worlds Collide in for under a million dollars , thanks to an inexpensive cast and a heavy reliance upon stock footage. The story is set in motion when Dr. Cole Henderson ( Larry Keating ) announces that a extraterrestrial planet is on a collision course with the Earth. No one believes Henderson's story , save for crippled financier Stanton ( John Hoyt ), who finances the construction of a gigantic spaceship , built for the purpose of transporting selected survivors from the doomed Earth to another Earthlike planet. As it becomes obvious that Henderson's predictions will come true , a worldwide lottery is held to select those people who will be rescued from oblivion by Stanton's spaceship. In the climactic scenes , the worlds do indeed collide , with appropriately spectacular results. But will the spaceship , overloaded with humanity , be able to take off and seek out a Brave New World? Amidst the thrills , a romantic triangle emerges , involving Richard Derr , Barbara Rush and Peter Hanson .
0812
Welcome to Westworld where nothing can go wrong...go wrong...go wrong....Writer/director Michael Crichton has concocted a futuristic "Disneyland for adults" a remote resort island where for a hefty fee one can indulge in one's wildest fantasies. Businessmen James Brolin and Richard Benjamin are just crazy about the old west thus they head to the section of Westworld populated by robot desperadoes robot lawmen robot dance-hall gals and the like. Benjamin's first inkling that something is amiss occurs when during a mock showdown with robot gunslinger Yul Brynner Brolin is shot and killed for real. It seems that the "nerve center" of Westworld has developed several serious technical glitches: the human staff is dead and the robots are running amok. Suddenly promoted to the film's hero Benjamin (who seems as surprised and shocked as the audience) must first avoid then face down the relentless Brynner. Much of Westworld was lensed on the expansive grounds of the old Harold Lloyd estate in Beverly Hills so it's no surprise that there's something Lloydlike about Dick Benjamin's instinct for self-preservation.
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Welcome to Westworld , where nothing can go wrong...go wrong...go wrong....Writer / director Michael Crichton has concocted a futuristic "Disneyland for adults" , a remote resort island where , for a hefty fee , one can indulge in one's wildest fantasies. Businessmen James Brolin and Richard Benjamin are just crazy about the old west , thus they head to the section of Westworld populated by robot desperadoes , robot lawmen , robot dance - hall gals , and the like. Benjamin's first inkling that something is amiss occurs when , during a mock showdown with robot gunslinger Yul Brynner , Brolin is shot and killed for real. It seems that the "nerve center" of Westworld has developed several serious technical glitches : the human staff is dead , and the robots are running amok. Suddenly promoted to the film's hero , Benjamin ( who seems as surprised and shocked as the audience ) must first avoid , then face down the relentless Brynner. Much of Westworld was lensed on the expansive grounds of the old Harold Lloyd estate in Beverly Hills , so it's no surprise that there's something Lloydlike about Dick Benjamin's instinct for self - preservation.
0813
etween giving up his super powers confronting criminals from outer space and having problems with his girlfriend it's a bad time to be the Man of Steel in this sequel to the 1978 blockbuster. When terrorists threaten to destroy Paris with a thermonuclear device as they hold reporter Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) hostage Superman (Christopher Reeve) comes to the rescue and flings the weapon into space. However its blast outside the earth's orbit awakens Zod (Terence Stamp) Ursa (Sarah Douglas) and Non (Jack O'Halloran) three villains from Superman's home planet of Krypton who were exiled to outer space for their crimes. Zod and his partners arrive on Earth and use their powers in a bid to take over the U.S. and then the world. However when Lois realizes that mild mannered Clark Kent and Superman are actually the same person he brings her to his Fortress of Solitude where his decision to marry Lois costs him his remarkable strength. Without his super powers how can Superman vanquish Zod and save the world? Gene Hackman Ned Beatty Susannah York and Jackie Cooper return from the first film which was shot at the same time as parts of the sequel.
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Between giving up his super powers , confronting criminals from outer space , and having problems with his girlfriend , it's a bad time to be the Man of Steel in this sequel to the 1978 blockbuster. When terrorists threaten to destroy Paris with a thermonuclear device as they hold reporter Lois Lane ( Margot Kidder ) hostage , Superman ( Christopher Reeve ) comes to the rescue and flings the weapon into space. However , its blast outside the earth's orbit awakens Zod ( Terence Stamp ), Ursa ( Sarah Douglas ), and Non ( Jack O'Halloran ), three villains from Superman's home planet of Krypton who were exiled to outer space for their crimes. Zod and his partners arrive on Earth and use their powers in a bid to take over the U.S. , and then the world. However , when Lois realizes that mild mannered Clark Kent and Superman are actually the same person , he brings her to his Fortress of Solitude , where his decision to marry Lois costs him his remarkable strength. Without his super powers , how can Superman vanquish Zod and save the world? Gene Hackman , Ned Beatty , Susannah York , and Jackie Cooper return from the first film , which was shot at the same time as parts of the sequel.
0814
Having crashed to Earth an extraterrestrial space traveller must assume a human identity lest he be captured by the authorities. The alien (Jeff Bridges) chooses the likeness of the recently deceased husband of Jenny Hayden (Karen Allen). At first dumbstruck Jenny becomes both hostile toward and frightened of her guest. He gradually wins her confidence learning a few vital English-language phrases so that he can explain his presence. The "starman" has come to Earth with a message of peace in response to the similar message sent out on Voyager One. He asks for Jenny's help in transporting him to the Nevada desert where his fellow aliens are to pick him up and take him to his home planet. Soon he and Jenny form a united front against a mean-spirited National Security Council agent (Richard Jaeckel) who intends to seize the starman and turn him over for scientific scrutiny (and possible extermination). While en route to Nevada Jenny grows closer to the gentle-natured Starman eventually making love with him. By the time he is poised to leave she is carrying his child leaving the field wide open for a sequel--which was never produced though a weekly TV version surfaced in 1986.
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Having crashed to Earth , an extraterrestrial space traveller must assume a human identity lest he be captured by the authorities. The alien ( Jeff Bridges ) chooses the likeness of the recently deceased husband of Jenny Hayden ( Karen Allen ) . At first dumbstruck , Jenny becomes both hostile toward and frightened of her guest. He gradually wins her confidence , learning a few vital English - language phrases so that he can explain his presence. The "starman" has come to Earth with a message of peace , in response to the similar message sent out on Voyager One. He asks for Jenny's help in transporting him to the Nevada desert , where his fellow aliens are to pick him up and take him to his home planet. Soon he and Jenny form a united front against a mean - spirited National Security Council agent ( Richard Jaeckel ), who intends to seize the starman and turn him over for scientific scrutiny ( and possible extermination ) . While en route to Nevada , Jenny grows closer to the gentle - natured Starman , eventually making love with him. By the time he is poised to leave , she is carrying his child , leaving the field wide open for a sequel -- which was never produced , though a weekly TV version surfaced in 1986.
0815
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986) concludes the story arc begun with Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) and continued in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984) but on a wholly new different and upbeat note. As the movie opens months have elapsed since the events in Star Trek III; Admiral Kirk (William Shatner) McCoy (DeForest Kelley) Scott (James Doohan) Sulu (George Takei) Uhura (Nichelle Nichols) and Chekhov (Walter Koenig) are marooned in self-imposed exile on Vulcan along with the resurrected and regenerated Spock (Leonard Nimoy who also directed). While Spock tries to sort out the Vulcan and human halves of his resurrected psyche the others prepare to return to Earth to face a brace of charges by the Klingon Empire and Star Fleet over events on Genesis. Taking off in their commandeered jerry-rigged Klingon ship they head to Earth not knowing that a new crisis could destroy their home world -- a huge immensely powerful alien probe has entered the galaxy and established a position near Earth disabling every vehicle and installation in its path with its energy and communication output and has ionized the entire atmosphere and started vaporizing the oceans leaving the planet only hours to survive. Spock determines that the probe is sending out signals to another intelligent terrestrial life form humpbacked whales which no longer exist. Using the gravity slingshot time-warp effect (established early in the original series) to travel back into Earth's 20th century Kirk and company land in 1980s San Francisco to try and bring humpbacked whales to the 23rd century to respond to the probe. Thus starts a surprisingly breezy light-hearted yet serious odyssey through the past (comparable to the best work of the original series) as the crew learns to deal with exact-change buses angry drivers punk-rock enthusiasts and other elements of '80s life and Kirk tries to persuade a scientist (Catherine Hicks) of his good intentions for two whales in captivity. The screenplay co-authored by Steve Meerson Peter Krikes Nicholas Meyer and Harve Bennett (from a story by Nimoy and Bennett) is the cleverest and most sophisticated of all the Star Trek movie screenplays recalling some of the elements of Meyer's earlier time-travel movie Time After Time and also anticipating the feel and tone of the series Star Trek: The Next Generation (which would be on the air not quite a year later). Nimoy's direction offers a combination of brisk pacing and a deep love of the characters and the actors as well as a serious appreciation of the humorous aspects of the script and Shatner gives his best performance of any of the movies.
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Star Trek IV : The Voyage Home ( 1986 ) concludes the story arc begun with Star Trek II : The Wrath of Khan ( 1982 ) and continued in Star Trek III : The Search for Spock ( 1984 ), but on a wholly new , different , and upbeat note. As the movie opens , months have elapsed since the events in Star Trek III ; Admiral Kirk ( William Shatner ), McCoy ( DeForest Kelley ), Scott ( James Doohan ), Sulu ( George Takei ), Uhura ( Nichelle Nichols ), and Chekhov ( Walter Koenig ) are marooned in self - imposed exile on Vulcan , along with the resurrected and regenerated Spock ( Leonard Nimoy , who also directed ) . While Spock tries to sort out the Vulcan and human halves of his resurrected psyche , the others prepare to return to Earth to face a brace of charges by the Klingon Empire and Star Fleet over events on Genesis. Taking off in their commandeered , jerry - rigged Klingon ship , they head to Earth , not knowing that a new crisis could destroy their home world -- a huge , immensely powerful alien probe has entered the galaxy and established a position near Earth , disabling every vehicle and installation in its path with its energy and communication output , and has ionized the entire atmosphere and started vaporizing the oceans , leaving the planet only hours to survive. Spock determines that the probe is sending out signals to another intelligent terrestrial life form , humpbacked whales , which no longer exist. Using the gravity slingshot time - warp effect ( established early in the original series ) to travel back into Earth's 20th century , Kirk and company land in 1980s San Francisco to try and bring humpbacked whales to the 23rd century , to respond to the probe. Thus starts a surprisingly breezy , light - hearted , yet serious odyssey through the past ( comparable to the best work of the original series ), as the crew learns to deal with exact - change buses , angry drivers , punk - rock enthusiasts and other elements of '80s life , and Kirk tries to persuade a scientist ( Catherine Hicks ) of his good intentions for two whales in captivity. The screenplay , co - authored by Steve Meerson , Peter Krikes , Nicholas Meyer , and Harve Bennett ( from a story by Nimoy and Bennett ), is the cleverest and most sophisticated of all the Star Trek movie screenplays , recalling some of the elements of Meyer 's earlier time - travel movie Time After Time and also anticipating the feel and tone of the series Star Trek : The Next Generation ( which would be on the air not quite a year later ) . Nimoy 's direction offers a combination of brisk pacing and a deep love of the characters and the actors , as well as a serious appreciation of the humorous aspects of the script , and Shatner gives his best performance of any of the movies.
0816
"Billy Pilgrim has come unstuck in time." These opening words of Kurt Vonnegut's famous novel make an effective and short summary of a haunting funny film. For the screen director George Roy Hill faithfully renders Vonnegut's black anti-war comedy about Pilgrim (well played in a low key by Michael Sacks) who survives the horrendous 1945 fire bombing of Dresden then lives simultaneously in his past as a naïve American POW and in the future as a well-cared-for zoo resident on the planet Tralfamadore (with zaftig Valerie Perrine as his mate). In the present he's a middle-aged optometrist in Ilium NY. If this sounds like a bit of a jumble -- it is. But viewers willing to watch carefully will find the movie as intricate and harmonious as Glenn Gould's plaintive renderings of the Bach keyboard pieces that decorate its soundtrack. It's not essential but fans who read the short poetic book will find it a treat in itself and it will help them appreciate Hill's genius in bringing this "Children's Crusade" to the screen. In addition to Sacks there are noteworthy performances by Ron Leibman (Norma's union man in Norma Rae) as Pilgrim's crazed nemesis and by radio/TV/movie legend John Dehner as the arrogant Professor Rumfoord. Hill of course came to this film from a big hit Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and went on to triumph with The Sting one year later. The elaborate medieval and baroque architecture of pre-bombing Dresden was represented authentically in the film by scenes from Prague since much of Dresden's architecture was lost to the bombing and that city in any case was deep in East Germany thus inaccessible at the time of filming.
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"Billy Pilgrim has come unstuck in time." These opening words of Kurt Vonnegut 's famous novel make an effective and short summary of a haunting , funny film. For the screen , director George Roy Hill faithfully renders Vonnegut 's black anti - war comedy about Pilgrim ( well played in a low key by Michael Sacks ), who survives the horrendous 1945 fire bombing of Dresden then lives simultaneously in his past as a naïve American POW and in the future as a well - cared - for zoo resident on the planet Tralfamadore ( with zaftig Valerie Perrine as his mate ) . In the present , he's a middle - aged optometrist in Ilium , NY. If this sounds like a bit of a jumble -- it is. But viewers willing to watch carefully will find the movie as intricate and harmonious as Glenn Gould 's plaintive renderings of the Bach keyboard pieces that decorate its soundtrack. It's not essential , but fans who read the short , poetic book will find it a treat in itself , and it will help them appreciate Hill 's genius in bringing this "Children's Crusade" to the screen. In addition to Sacks , there are noteworthy performances by Ron Leibman ( Norma's union man in Norma Rae ) as Pilgrim's crazed nemesis and by radio / TV / movie legend , John Dehner as the arrogant Professor Rumfoord. Hill , of course , came to this film from a big hit , Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid , and went on to triumph with The Sting one year later. The elaborate medieval and baroque architecture of pre - bombing Dresden was represented authentically in the film by scenes from Prague , since much of Dresden's architecture was lost to the bombing , and that city , in any case , was deep in East Germany , thus inaccessible at the time of filming.
0817
In the final episode of the Star Wars saga Han Solo (Harrison Ford) emerges intact from the carbonite casing in which he'd been sealed in The Empire Strikes Back. The bad news is that Solo together with Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) is prisoner to the grotesque Jabba the Hutt. But with the help of the charismatic Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams) our heroes and our heroine manage to escape. The next task is to rid the galaxy of Darth Vader (body by David Prowse voice by James Earl Jones) and the Emperor (Ian McDiarmid) now in command of a new under-construction Death Star. On the forest moon Endor the good guys enlist the help of a feisty bunch of bear-like creatures called the Ewoks in their battle against the Empire.
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In the final episode of the Star Wars saga , Han Solo ( Harrison Ford ) emerges intact from the carbonite casing in which he'd been sealed in The Empire Strikes Back . The bad news is that Solo , together with Luke Skywalker ( Mark Hamill ) and Princess Leia ( Carrie Fisher ), is prisoner to the grotesque Jabba the Hutt. But with the help of the charismatic Lando Calrissian ( Billy Dee Williams ), our heroes and our heroine manage to escape. The next task is to rid the galaxy of Darth Vader ( body by David Prowse , voice by James Earl Jones ) and the Emperor ( Ian McDiarmid ), now in command of a new , under - construction Death Star . On the forest moon Endor , the good guys enlist the help of a feisty bunch of bear - like creatures called the Ewoks in their battle against the Empire.
0818
This second film adaptation of Richard Matheson's science-fiction novel I Am Legend (the first version being The Last Man on Earth with Vincent Price) unfolds in a post-apocalyptic 1976. Charlton Heston is Robert Neville the sole recipient of a serum that enabled him to survive an onslaught of germ warfare between Russia and China - which seemingly rendered him the last (normal) human alive. Neville lives in a garish antique-strewn L.A. penthouse. During the day he roams through the vacant city. At night he fends off a bloodthirsty horde of mutant scavengers garbed in Spanish inquisition robes and sunglasses led by Matthias (Anthony Zerbe) a former television newscaster in his good ol' pre-mutant days. Matthias and his half-human vampires want to kill Neville. Neville's last man on earth status is shattered when he comes across a group of young people presided over by the sexy and cynical Lisa (Rosalind Cash). Neville begins to form an interest in her as the two try to keep Matthias and his minions at bay. The Omega Man was filmed in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday afternoons an area that consists almost exclusively of office buildings and therefore was suitably vacant at the the time of production. In 2007 Matheson's novel received yet another incarnation - this one with Will Smith in the Heston role.
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This second film adaptation of Richard Matheson's science - fiction novel I Am Legend ( the first version being The Last Man on Earth with Vincent Price ) unfolds in a post - apocalyptic 1976. Charlton Heston is Robert Neville , the sole recipient of a serum that enabled him to survive an onslaught of germ warfare between Russia and China - which seemingly rendered him the last ( normal ) human alive. Neville lives in a garish , antique - strewn L.A. penthouse. During the day , he roams through the vacant city. At night , he fends off a bloodthirsty horde of mutant scavengers garbed in Spanish inquisition robes and sunglasses , led by Matthias ( Anthony Zerbe ), a former television newscaster in his good ol' pre - mutant days. Matthias and his half - human vampires want to kill Neville. Neville's last man on earth status is shattered when he comes across a group of young people , presided over by the sexy and cynical Lisa ( Rosalind Cash ) . Neville begins to form an interest in her , as the two try to keep Matthias and his minions at bay. The Omega Man was filmed in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday afternoons , an area that consists almost exclusively of office buildings , and therefore was suitably vacant at the the time of production. In 2007 , Matheson 's novel received yet another incarnation - this one with Will Smith in the Heston role.
0819
Steven Spielberg's phenomenally successful sci-fi adventure thriller is graced by state-of-the-art special effects from the team of Stan Winston Phil Tippett and Michael Lantieri from George Lucas's Industrial Light & Magic. The film follows two dinosaur experts -- Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill) and Dr. Ellie Sattler Laura Dern) -- as they are invited by eccentric millionaire John Hammond (Richard Attenborough) to preview his new amusement park on an island off Costa Rica. By cloning DNA harvested from pre-historic insects Hammond has been able to create living dinosaurs for his new Jurassic Park an immense animal preserve housing real brachiosaurs dilophosaurs triceratops velociraptors and a Tyrannosaur Rex. Accompanied by cynical scientist Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) who is obsessed with chaos theory and Hammond's two grandchildren (Ariana Richards and Joseph Mazzello) they are sent on a tour through Hammond's new resort in computer controlled touring cars. But as a tropical storm hits the island knocking out the power supply and an unscrupulous employee (Wayne Knight) sabotages the system so that he can smuggle dinosaur embryos out of the park the dinosaurs start to rage out of control. Grant then has to bring Hammond's grandchildren back to safety as the group is pursued by the gigantic man-eating beasts.
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Steven Spielberg 's phenomenally successful sci - fi adventure thriller is graced by state - of - the - art special effects from the team of Stan Winston , Phil Tippett and Michael Lantieri from George Lucas 's Industrial Light & Magic. The film follows two dinosaur experts -- Dr. Alan Grant ( Sam Neill ) and Dr. Ellie Sattler Laura Dern ) -- as they are invited by eccentric millionaire John Hammond ( Richard Attenborough ) to preview his new amusement park on an island off Costa Rica. By cloning DNA harvested from pre - historic insects , Hammond has been able to create living dinosaurs for his new Jurassic Park , an immense animal preserve housing real brachiosaurs , dilophosaurs , triceratops , velociraptors , and a Tyrannosaur Rex. Accompanied by cynical scientist Ian Malcolm ( Jeff Goldblum ), who is obsessed with chaos theory , and Hammond's two grandchildren ( Ariana Richards and Joseph Mazzello ), they are sent on a tour through Hammond's new resort in computer controlled touring cars. But as a tropical storm hits the island , knocking out the power supply , and an unscrupulous employee ( Wayne Knight ) sabotages the system so that he can smuggle dinosaur embryos out of the park , the dinosaurs start to rage out of control. Grant then has to bring Hammond's grandchildren back to safety as the group is pursued by the gigantic man - eating beasts.
0820
The year is 1997. Manhattan Island is now a heavily guarded maximum-security prison where the scum of the earth have converged. When Air Force One crash-lands in Manhattan the president (Donald Pleasence) is held hostage by its denizens. One-eyed mercenary Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell) is strong-armed into rescuing the chief executive. He is aided not always willingly by a tough gal (Adrienne Barbeau) and a manic cab driver (Ernest Borgnine). Escape from New York was followed by a sequel of sorts in 1996 Escape From L.A. again starring Kurt Russell.
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The year is 1997. Manhattan Island is now a heavily guarded maximum - security prison , where the scum of the earth have converged. When Air Force One crash - lands in Manhattan , the president ( Donald Pleasence ) is held hostage by its denizens. One - eyed mercenary Snake Plissken ( Kurt Russell ) is strong - armed into rescuing the chief executive. He is aided , not always willingly , by a tough gal ( Adrienne Barbeau ) and a manic cab driver ( Ernest Borgnine ) . Escape from New York was followed by a sequel of sorts in 1996 , Escape From L.A. , again starring Kurt Russell .
0821
Cult hero Paul Bartel directed this low-budget satire in which America's passion for cars violence and sporting events are finally brought together in one convenient package. In the not-so-distant future the United States has become a totalitarian regime overseen by the charming but sinister Mr. President (Sandy McCallum) who in order to satisfy the masses' need for entertainment (and to quench their thirst for violence) has created a new national sport -- the Death Race a nationwide road rally in which the winner is not determined by who finishes first but by who scores the most points along the way by running over hapless pedestrians. Aspiring champions Machine Gun Joe Viterbo (Sylvester Stallone) Calamity Jane (Mary Woronov) Nero the Hero (Martin Kove) and Matilda the Hun (Roberta Collins) are all looking to take the top honors away from Frankenstein (David Carradine) a half-man/half-machine who has been built to be the best racer on Earth and can outrun and outkill anyone on the circuit. However not everyone likes the Death Race and revolutionary leader Thomasina Paine (Harriet Medin) wants to sabotage the event in the name of restoring democracy; her plan is to foil Frankenstein's expected victory by smuggling her daughter Annie (Simone Griffeth) into Frankenstein's race car as his navigator. Featuring David Carradine at the height of his Kung Fu fame (and Sylvester Stallone a year before Rocky) Death Race 2000 was a major drive-in hit in 1975; Bartel and Carradine teamed up for another road race movie Cannonball a year later and a semi-sequel Death Sport appeared in 1978.
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Cult hero Paul Bartel directed this low - budget satire in which America's passion for cars , violence , and sporting events are finally brought together in one convenient package. In the not - so - distant future , the United States has become a totalitarian regime overseen by the charming but sinister Mr. President ( Sandy McCallum ), who , in order to satisfy the masses' need for entertainment ( and to quench their thirst for violence ), has created a new national sport -- the Death Race , a nationwide road rally in which the winner is not determined by who finishes first , but by who scores the most points along the way by running over hapless pedestrians. Aspiring champions Machine Gun Joe Viterbo ( Sylvester Stallone ), Calamity Jane ( Mary Woronov ), Nero the Hero ( Martin Kove ), and Matilda the Hun ( Roberta Collins ) are all looking to take the top honors away from Frankenstein ( David Carradine ), a half - man / half - machine who has been built to be the best racer on Earth and can outrun and outkill anyone on the circuit. However , not everyone likes the Death Race , and revolutionary leader Thomasina Paine ( Harriet Medin ) wants to sabotage the event in the name of restoring democracy ; her plan is to foil Frankenstein's expected victory by smuggling her daughter Annie ( Simone Griffeth ) into Frankenstein's race car as his navigator. Featuring David Carradine at the height of his Kung Fu fame ( and Sylvester Stallone a year before Rocky ), Death Race 2000 was a major drive - in hit in 1975 ; Bartel and Carradine teamed up for another road race movie , Cannonball , a year later , and a semi - sequel , Death Sport , appeared in 1978.
0822
Cocoon is a warm-hearted science-fiction fable that avoids becoming overly corny thanks to the performances of its mostly senior cast. Wilford Brimley Don Ameche and Hume Cronyn are three old-timers who sneak out of their retirement home a few days a week to swim in the large pool on an abandoned estate next door. When the threesome begins to feel curiously younger they discover strange pods on the floor of the pool. These pods are alien cocoons which are being pulled from the ocean by a team of extra-terrestrials in human form led by Walter (Brian Dennehy) who has hired a local charter operator (Steve Guttenberg) to assist him. Walter explains to the seniors that energy from the cocoons is restoring youth and vigor to the older men every time they go for a dip. The aliens agree to let the men continue to swim in secret but of course they can't keep their discovery to themselves. Soon the pool is swarming with retirees with the notable exception of Bernie (Jack Gilford) who has no interest in prolonging life any longer than necessary. The aliens ultimately prepare to return home and offer the retirees eternal life if they leave Earth behind as well. Director Ron Howard treats his old-timers with care and dignity and they respond with deeply sympathetic performances (Ameche won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar); the film's science-fiction trappings ably sustain the story's all-too-human ruminations on youth aging life and death.
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Cocoon is a warm - hearted science - fiction fable that avoids becoming overly corny thanks to the performances of its mostly senior cast. Wilford Brimley , Don Ameche , and Hume Cronyn are three old - timers who sneak out of their retirement home a few days a week to swim in the large pool on an abandoned estate next door. When the threesome begins to feel curiously younger , they discover strange pods on the floor of the pool. These pods are alien cocoons , which are being pulled from the ocean by a team of extra - terrestrials in human form led by Walter ( Brian Dennehy ), who has hired a local charter operator ( Steve Guttenberg ) to assist him. Walter explains to the seniors that energy from the cocoons is restoring youth and vigor to the older men every time they go for a dip. The aliens agree to let the men continue to swim in secret , but of course they can't keep their discovery to themselves. Soon the pool is swarming with retirees , with the notable exception of Bernie ( Jack Gilford ), who has no interest in prolonging life any longer than necessary. The aliens ultimately prepare to return home and offer the retirees eternal life if they leave Earth behind as well. Director Ron Howard treats his old - timers with care and dignity , and they respond with deeply sympathetic performances ( Ameche won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar ); the film's science - fiction trappings ably sustain the story's all - too - human ruminations on youth , aging , life , and death.
0823
The "Andromeda Strain" is a deadly extraterrestrial virus. It is brought to Earth when a research satellite crashes near a tiny Arizona town. Everyone in the community dies within days except for a baby and an "insulated" drunkard. Recruited from labs all over North America doctors Charles Dutton (David Wayne) Jeremy Stone (Arthur Hill) Ruth Leavitt (Kate Reid) and Mark Hall (James Olson) don radiation suits and race against time to isolate and destroy the virus. The film is based on a novel by Michael Crichton.
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The "Andromeda Strain" is a deadly extraterrestrial virus. It is brought to Earth when a research satellite crashes near a tiny Arizona town. Everyone in the community dies within days , except for a baby and an "insulated" drunkard. Recruited from labs all over North America , doctors Charles Dutton ( David Wayne ), Jeremy Stone ( Arthur Hill ), Ruth Leavitt ( Kate Reid ), and Mark Hall ( James Olson ) don radiation suits and race against time to isolate and destroy the virus. The film is based on a novel by Michael Crichton .
0824
Directed by British filmmaker Michael Radford Nineteen Eighty-Four is the second film adaptation of the George Orwell novel. The film is set during April of 1984 in post-atomic war London the capital city of the repressive totalitarian state of Oceania. Winston Smith (John Hurt) is a government bureaucrat whose job is rewriting history and erasing people from existence. While his co-worker Parsons (Gregor Fisher) seems content to follow the state's laws Winston starts to write in a secret diary despite the fact the "Big Brother" is watching everyone at all times by way of monitors. He silently suffers and tries to comprehend his oppression which forbids individual human behaviors such as free thinking and sex. He meets Julia (Suzanna Hamilton) who works for the Ministry of Truth and they engage in a stoic love affair. They are soon found out and Winston is interrogated and tortured by his former friend O'Brien (Richard Burton in his final film appearance).
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Directed by British filmmaker Michael Radford , Nineteen Eighty - Four is the second film adaptation of the George Orwell novel. The film is set during April of 1984 in post - atomic war London , the capital city of the repressive totalitarian state of Oceania. Winston Smith ( John Hurt ) is a government bureaucrat whose job is rewriting history and erasing people from existence. While his co - worker Parsons ( Gregor Fisher ) seems content to follow the state's laws , Winston starts to write in a secret diary despite the fact the "Big Brother" is watching everyone at all times by way of monitors. He silently suffers and tries to comprehend his oppression , which forbids individual human behaviors such as free thinking and sex. He meets Julia ( Suzanna Hamilton ), who works for the Ministry of Truth , and they engage in a stoic love affair. They are soon found out , and Winston is interrogated and tortured by his former friend O'Brien ( Richard Burton in his final film appearance ) .
0825
ased on the 1969 short story Super-Toys Last All Summer Long by Brian Aldiss this science fiction fantasy bears similarities to Pinocchio (1940) and originated as a long-gestating project of director Stanley Kubrick that passed to his friend Steven Spielberg after Kubrick's death. Haley Joel Osment stars as David a "mecha" or robot of the future when the polar ice caps have melted and submerged many coastal cities causing worldwide starvation and human dependence upon robotic assistance. The first mecha designed to experience love David is the "son" of Henry (Sam Robards) an employee of the company that built the boy and the grief-stricken Monica (Frances O'Connor). David is meant to replace the couple's hopelessly comatose son but when their natural child recovers David is abandoned and sets out to become "a real boy" worthy of his mother's affection. Along the way David is mentored by a pleasure-providing mecha named Gigolo Joe (Jude Law) and a talking "super toy" bear named Teddy. His adventures take him to the Roman Circus-style "Flesh Fair" where mechas are destroyed for the amusement of humans; Rouge City where Gigolo Joe narrowly avoids capture by police; and finally a submerged New York City where David's creator Professor Hobby (William Hurt) reveals the secrets of the boy's creation. Brendan Gleeson and narrator Ben Kingsley co-star in A.I. which was adapted from Kubrick's treatment by Spielberg in his first crack at screenwriting since Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977).
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Based on the 1969 short story Super - Toys Last All Summer Long , by Brian Aldiss , this science fiction fantasy bears similarities to Pinocchio ( 1940 ) and originated as a long - gestating project of director Stanley Kubrick that passed to his friend Steven Spielberg after Kubrick 's death. Haley Joel Osment stars as David , a "mecha" or robot of the future , when the polar ice caps have melted and submerged many coastal cities , causing worldwide starvation and human dependence upon robotic assistance. The first mecha designed to experience love , David is the "son" of Henry ( Sam Robards ), an employee of the company that built the boy , and the grief - stricken Monica ( Frances O'Connor ) . David is meant to replace the couple's hopelessly comatose son , but when their natural child recovers , David is abandoned and sets out to become "a real boy" worthy of his mother's affection. Along the way , David is mentored by a pleasure - providing mecha named Gigolo Joe ( Jude Law ) and a talking "super toy" bear named Teddy. His adventures take him to the Roman Circus - style "Flesh Fair , " where mechas are destroyed for the amusement of humans ; Rouge City , where Gigolo Joe narrowly avoids capture by police ; and finally a submerged New York City , where David's creator , Professor Hobby ( William Hurt ) reveals the secrets of the boy's creation. Brendan Gleeson and narrator Ben Kingsley co - star in A.I. , which was adapted from Kubrick 's treatment by Spielberg , in his first crack at screenwriting since Close Encounters of the Third Kind ( 1977 ) .
0826
In this science fiction thriller a spaceship is transporting a disparate group of people to a far-away galactic outpost called New Mecca. Mechanical failures cause the craft to crash-land on an abandoned planet that has three suns and no night. The only member of the crew to survive is junior pilot Carolyn Fry (Radha Mitchell) while the passengers who climb from the wreckage include a police officer (Cole Hauser) and the prisoner he's transporting Riddick (Vin Diesel). As Fry and the other survivors survey the abandoned dwellings of the desert world while trying to decide what to do next one of them is killed by a mutant creature living in an abandoned mining site. The vicious and bloodthirsty mutants who live underground have killed all previous inhabitants of the planet; they cannot stand sunlight but research reveals that the planet has a total eclipse every 22 years and the latest one is due any moment. Pitch Black was directed by David N. Twohy who also made the sci-fi cult item The Arrival.
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In this science fiction thriller , a spaceship is transporting a disparate group of people to a far - away galactic outpost called New Mecca. Mechanical failures cause the craft to crash - land on an abandoned planet that has three suns and no night. The only member of the crew to survive is junior pilot Carolyn Fry ( Radha Mitchell ), while the passengers who climb from the wreckage include a police officer ( Cole Hauser ) and the prisoner he's transporting , Riddick ( Vin Diesel ) . As Fry and the other survivors survey the abandoned dwellings of the desert world while trying to decide what to do next , one of them is killed by a mutant creature living in an abandoned mining site. The vicious and bloodthirsty mutants , who live underground , have killed all previous inhabitants of the planet ; they cannot stand sunlight , but research reveals that the planet has a total eclipse every 22 years , and the latest one is due any moment. Pitch Black was directed by David N. Twohy , who also made the sci - fi cult item , The Arrival .
0827
New Zealand screenwriter Andrew Niccol (The Truman Show) made his feature directorial debut with this science fiction drama set in a future when one's life is determined by genetic engineering rather than education or experience. The wealthy can choose the genetic makeup of their descendants. People are designed to fit into whatever role is decided before birth. But what happens when someone desires another way of life? Citizens in this impersonal future-world are fashioned as perfect specimens so those in the natural-born minority are viewed as inferior to the pre-planned perfect specimens (aka "Valids") who dominate. One of the natural-borns (aka "In-Valids") Vincent Freeman (Ethan Hawke) has several defects (poor vision emotional problems and short 30-year life expectancy) but he also develops a different outlook on his pre-ordained fate. He yearns to break free from society's constraints and he dreams of a journey into space as a Gattaca Corp. navigator. To accomplish his goal he enlists the aid of DNA broker German (Tony Shalhoub) and makes contact with Jerome Morrow (Jude Law) who was paralyzed in an accident and is willing to sell his superior genetic materials. Vincent assumes Jerome's identity and is scheduled for a flying mission. However a week before his flight a Gattaca mission director is murdered and all members of the program are the suspects. Meanwhile he develops a romantic interest in a beautiful Valid Irene (Uma Thurman) prevented from going into space because of her heart defect. Tracked by a relentless investigator who is methodically jigsawing all the pieces together Jerome finds his aspirations dissolving into stardust.
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New Zealand screenwriter Andrew Niccol ( The Truman Show ) made his feature directorial debut with this science fiction drama , set in a future when one's life is determined by genetic engineering rather than education or experience. The wealthy can choose the genetic makeup of their descendants. People are designed to fit into whatever role is decided before birth. But what happens when someone desires another way of life? Citizens in this impersonal future - world are fashioned as perfect specimens , so those in the natural - born minority are viewed as inferior to the pre - planned perfect specimens ( aka "Valids" ) who dominate. One of the natural - borns ( aka "In - Valids" ), Vincent Freeman ( Ethan Hawke ), has several defects ( poor vision , emotional problems , and short 30 - year life expectancy ), but he also develops a different outlook on his pre - ordained fate. He yearns to break free from society's constraints , and he dreams of a journey into space as a Gattaca Corp. navigator. To accomplish his goal , he enlists the aid of DNA broker German ( Tony Shalhoub ) and makes contact with Jerome Morrow ( Jude Law ), who was paralyzed in an accident and is willing to sell his superior genetic materials. Vincent assumes Jerome's identity and is scheduled for a flying mission. However , a week before his flight , a Gattaca mission director is murdered , and all members of the program are the suspects. Meanwhile , he develops a romantic interest in a beautiful Valid , Irene ( Uma Thurman ), prevented from going into space because of her heart defect. Tracked by a relentless investigator who is methodically jigsawing all the pieces together , Jerome finds his aspirations dissolving into stardust.
0828
The search for life outside our solar system becomes a personal and spiritual quest for a young researcher. Ellie Arroway (Jodie Foster) is a scientist who lost her faith in God after her parents died when she was a child. However Ellie has learned to develop a different sort of faith in the seemingly unknowable: working with a group that monitors radio waves from space Ellie hopes that some day she will receive a coherent message from another world that will prove that there is a world beyond our own. Ellie's hard work is rewarded when her team picks up a signal that does not appear to be of earthly origin. Ellie decodes the message which turns out to be plans for a space craft which she takes as an invitation for a meeting with the aliens. Ellie and her fellow researchers soon run into interference from a White House scientific advisor David Drumlin (Tom Skerritt) who cuts off their funding and tries to take credit for their achievements. However Ellie receives moral support from Palmer Joss (Matthew McConaughey) a spiritual teacher who advises President Clinton and tries to persuade her to accept the existence of a higher power and financial backing from S.R. Hadden (John Hurt) a multi-millionaire willing to fund her attempts to contact the source of the message. Contact was based on a novel by Carl Sagan who advised director Robert Zemeckis during the film's production until his death in 1996.
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The search for life outside our solar system becomes a personal and spiritual quest for a young researcher. Ellie Arroway ( Jodie Foster ) is a scientist who lost her faith in God after her parents died when she was a child. However , Ellie has learned to develop a different sort of faith in the seemingly unknowable : working with a group that monitors radio waves from space , Ellie hopes that some day she will receive a coherent message from another world that will prove that there is a world beyond our own. Ellie's hard work is rewarded when her team picks up a signal that does not appear to be of earthly origin. Ellie decodes the message , which turns out to be plans for a space craft , which she takes as an invitation for a meeting with the aliens. Ellie and her fellow researchers soon run into interference from a White House scientific advisor , David Drumlin ( Tom Skerritt ), who cuts off their funding and tries to take credit for their achievements. However , Ellie receives moral support from Palmer Joss ( Matthew McConaughey ), a spiritual teacher who advises President Clinton and tries to persuade her to accept the existence of a higher power , and financial backing from S.R. Hadden ( John Hurt ), a multi - millionaire willing to fund her attempts to contact the source of the message. Contact was based on a novel by Carl Sagan , who advised director Robert Zemeckis during the film's production until his death in 1996.
0829
Set in Los Angeles two days before the end of 1999 Strange Days introduces us to Lenny Nero (Ralph Fiennes) an ex-cop turned sleazy hustler who hawks the newest underground thrill on the black market: a "squid" a headpiece that allows one to transmit digital recordings of other people's thoughts feelings and memories into their brain; as Lenny describes it "this is real life pure and uncut straight from the cerebral cortex." Lenny deals "clips" (the software) as well as "squids" (the hardware) for this new and illegal entertainment system and while sex and violence are the most popular themes Lenny refuses to deal in "blackjack" -- slang for snuff clips. Lenny is nursing a broken heart after his girlfriend punk singer Faith Justin (Juliette Lewis) left him and he spends a lot of time with clips he recorded when they were together. Faith is now involved with Philo Grant (Michael Wincott) a music business tycoon who once managed Jeriko One (Glenn Plummer) a hip-hop musician and political activist whose murder has sent L.A. into a state of chaos. When a clip emerges that shows that Jeriko was killed by L.A. police officers Lenny finds his life in danger and he tries to escape possible death on both sides of the law with the help of his friend Mace Mason (Angela Bassett). Strange Days was written by James Cameron in collaboration with former film critic Jay Cocks; Kathryn Bigelow directed.
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Set in Los Angeles two days before the end of 1999 , Strange Days introduces us to Lenny Nero ( Ralph Fiennes ), an ex - cop turned sleazy hustler who hawks the newest underground thrill on the black market : a "squid , " a headpiece that allows one to transmit digital recordings of other people's thoughts , feelings , and memories into their brain ; as Lenny describes it , "this is real life , pure and uncut , straight from the cerebral cortex." Lenny deals "clips" ( the software ) as well as "squids" ( the hardware ) for this new and illegal entertainment system , and while sex and violence are the most popular themes , Lenny refuses to deal in "blackjack" -- slang for snuff clips. Lenny is nursing a broken heart after his girlfriend , punk singer Faith Justin ( Juliette Lewis ), left him , and he spends a lot of time with clips he recorded when they were together. Faith is now involved with Philo Grant ( Michael Wincott ), a music business tycoon who once managed Jeriko One ( Glenn Plummer ), a hip - hop musician and political activist whose murder has sent L.A. into a state of chaos. When a clip emerges that shows that Jeriko was killed by L.A. police officers , Lenny finds his life in danger , and he tries to escape possible death on both sides of the law with the help of his friend Mace Mason ( Angela Bassett ) . Strange Days was written by James Cameron in collaboration with former film critic Jay Cocks ; Kathryn Bigelow directed.
0830
In the William Goldman-scripted Bryan Forbes-directed adaptation of Ira Levin's savagely satiric sci-fi novel The Stepford Wives housewife Joanna (Katharine Ross) moves with husband Walter (Peter Masterson) and their children to the "ideal" suburban community of Stepford CT. Slowly Joanna deduces that something is amiss; most of the other housewives are vapid creatures who speak in trivialities and live only to please their husbands. Together with new friend Bobby (Paula Prentiss) she investigates this curious status quo. When Bobby also succumbs to cloying sweetness Joanna discovers that Stepford's husbands have conspired with male chauvinist scientists to replace all the wives with computerized android duplicates. The Stepford Wives became a massive runaway hit earning four million dollars domestically. Mega-producer Scott Rudin and director Frank Oz teamed up for a remake in 2004.
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In the William Goldman - scripted , Bryan Forbes - directed adaptation of Ira Levin 's savagely satiric sci - fi novel The Stepford Wives , housewife Joanna ( Katharine Ross ) moves with husband Walter ( Peter Masterson ) and their children to the "ideal" suburban community of Stepford , CT. Slowly , Joanna deduces that something is amiss ; most of the other housewives are vapid creatures who speak in trivialities and live only to please their husbands. Together with new friend Bobby ( Paula Prentiss ), she investigates this curious status quo. When Bobby also succumbs to cloying sweetness , Joanna discovers that Stepford's husbands have conspired with male chauvinist scientists to replace all the wives with computerized android duplicates. The Stepford Wives became a massive , runaway hit , earning four million dollars domestically. Mega - producer Scott Rudin and director Frank Oz teamed up for a remake in 2004.
0831
H.G. Wells's War of the Worlds had been on the Paramount Pictures docket since the silent era when it was optioned as a potential Cecil B. DeMille production. When Paramount finally got around to a filming the Wells novel the property was firmly in the hands of special-effects maestro George Pal. Like Orson Welles's infamous 1938 radio adaptation the film eschews Wells's original Victorian England setting for a contemporary American locale in this case Southern California. A meteorlike object crash-lands near the small town of Linda Rosa. Among the crowd of curious onlookers is Pacific Tech scientist Gene Barry who strikes up a friendship with Ann Robinson the niece of local minister Lewis Martin. Because the meteor is too hot to approach at present Barry decides to wait a few days to investigate leaving three townsmen to guard the strange glowing object. Left alone the three men decide to approach the meterorite and are evaporated for their trouble. It turns out that this is no meteorite but an invading spaceship from the planet Mars. The hideous-looking Martians utilize huge mushroomlike flying ships equipped with heat rays to pursue the helpless earthlings. When the military is called in the Martians demonstrate their ruthlessness by "zapping" Ann's minister uncle who'd hoped to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the standoff. As Barry and Ann seek shelter the Martians go on a destructive rampage. Nothing-not even an atom-bomb blast-can halt the Martian death machines. The film's climax occurs in a besieged Los Angeles where Barry fights through a crowd of refugees and looters so that he may be reunited with Ann in Earth's last moments of existence. In the end the Martians are defeated not by science or the military but by bacteria germs-or to quote H.G. Wells "the humblest things that God in his wisdom has put upon the earth." Forty years' worth of progressively improving special effects have not dimmed the brilliance of George Pal's War of the Worlds. Even on television Pal's Oscar-winning camera trickery is awesome to behold. So indelible an impression has this film made on modern-day sci-fi mavens that when a 1988 TV version of War of the Worlds was put together it was conceived as a direct sequel to the 1953 film rather than a derivation of the Wells novel or the Welles radio production.
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H.G. Wells's War of the Worlds had been on the Paramount Pictures docket since the silent era , when it was optioned as a potential Cecil B. DeMille production. When Paramount finally got around to a filming the Wells novel , the property was firmly in the hands of special - effects maestro George Pal. Like Orson Welles's infamous 1938 radio adaptation , the film eschews Wells's original Victorian England setting for a contemporary American locale , in this case Southern California. A meteorlike object crash - lands near the small town of Linda Rosa. Among the crowd of curious onlookers is Pacific Tech scientist Gene Barry , who strikes up a friendship with Ann Robinson , the niece of local minister Lewis Martin. Because the meteor is too hot to approach at present , Barry decides to wait a few days to investigate , leaving three townsmen to guard the strange , glowing object. Left alone , the three men decide to approach the meterorite , and are evaporated for their trouble. It turns out that this is no meteorite , but an invading spaceship from the planet Mars. The hideous - looking Martians utilize huge , mushroomlike flying ships , equipped with heat rays , to pursue the helpless earthlings. When the military is called in , the Martians demonstrate their ruthlessness by "zapping" Ann's minister uncle , who'd hoped to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the standoff. As Barry and Ann seek shelter , the Martians go on a destructive rampage. Nothing - not even an atom - bomb blast - can halt the Martian death machines. The film's climax occurs in a besieged Los Angeles , where Barry fights through a crowd of refugees and looters so that he may be reunited with Ann in Earth's last moments of existence. In the end , the Martians are defeated not by science or the military , but by bacteria germs - or , to quote H.G. Wells , "the humblest things that God in his wisdom has put upon the earth." Forty years' worth of progressively improving special effects have not dimmed the brilliance of George Pal's War of the Worlds . Even on television , Pal's Oscar - winning camera trickery is awesome to behold. So indelible an impression has this film made on modern - day sci - fi mavens that , when a 1988 TV version of War of the Worlds was put together , it was conceived as a direct sequel to the 1953 film , rather than a derivation of the Wells novel or the Welles radio production.
0832
In Paul Verhoeven's wild sci-fi action movie Total Recall Arnold Schwarzenegger plays a 21st-century construction worker who discovers that his entire memory of the past derives from a memory chip implanted in his brain. Schwarzenegger learns that he's actually a secret agent who had become a threat to the government so those in power planted the chip and invented a domestic lifestyle for him. Once he has realized his true identity he travels to Mars to piece together the rest of his identity as well as to find the man responsible for his implanted memory. Verhoeven has created a fast furious action film with Total Recall filled with impressive stunts and (literally) eye-popping visuals. Though the film bears only a passing resemblance to the Philip K. Dick short story it was based on ("We Can Remember It For You Wholesale") the movie is an entertaining if very violent ride.
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In Paul Verhoeven 's wild sci - fi action movie Total Recall , Arnold Schwarzenegger plays a 21st - century construction worker who discovers that his entire memory of the past derives from a memory chip implanted in his brain. Schwarzenegger learns that he's actually a secret agent who had become a threat to the government , so those in power planted the chip and invented a domestic lifestyle for him. Once he has realized his true identity , he travels to Mars to piece together the rest of his identity , as well as to find the man responsible for his implanted memory. Verhoeven has created a fast , furious action film with Total Recall , filled with impressive stunts and ( literally ) eye - popping visuals. Though the film bears only a passing resemblance to the Philip K. Dick short story it was based on ( " We Can Remember It For You Wholesale " ), the movie is an entertaining , if very violent , ride.
0833
ruce Dern stars as the caretaker of a greenhouse located on a group of space stations that are sent into orbit. The Earth has been stripped clean of foliage and the greenhouse contains the last remaining greenery from the planet. Dern's staff includes three human beings and a trio of endearing robots named Huey Dewey and Louie. When word arrives from the powers that be that the greenhouse is to be destroyed (the space station is more valuable to man when hauling cargo and not "preserving the ecology of the universe") Dern decides to ignore the order. He also decides to go it alone "circle the wagons" with his robots and fend off all outside attempts to eliminate his ecological paradise. Special-effects maven Douglas Trumbull directs Michael Cimino was one of the screenwriters and Peter "PDQ Bach" Schickele wrote the musical score.
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Bruce Dern stars as the caretaker of a greenhouse located on a group of space stations that are sent into orbit. The Earth has been stripped clean of foliage , and the greenhouse contains the last remaining greenery from the planet. Dern 's staff includes three human beings and a trio of endearing robots named Huey , Dewey , and Louie. When word arrives , from the powers that be , that the greenhouse is to be destroyed ( the space station is more valuable to man when hauling cargo and not "preserving the ecology of the universe" ), Dern decides to ignore the order. He also decides to go it alone , "circle the wagons" with his robots , and fend off all outside attempts to eliminate his ecological paradise. Special - effects maven Douglas Trumbull directs , Michael Cimino was one of the screenwriters , and Peter "PDQ Bach" Schickele wrote the musical score.
0834
This remake of the 1956 horror classic Invasion of the Body Snatchers moves the action from small-town USA to 1970s San Francisco and replaces at least part of the original's psychological horror with special effects. Spores rain forth unseen from outer space and soon strange flowers begin popping up all over the city. After bringing one of these hybrid specimens home with her one night biologist Elizabeth Driscoll (Brooke Adams) notices that her live-in boyfriend Geoffrey (Art Hindle) doesn't seem like himself; he's cold and distant and somehow just not quite there. When she turns to her friend Matthew Bennell (Donald Sutherland) a colleague at the Department of Public Health he convinces her to see his friend Dr. Kibner (Leonard Nimoy) a pop psychologist who argues that the problem is all in Elizabeth's head. Soon though Matthew and Elizabeth begin to notice that people all over the city are changing subtly and inexplicably. When their friend Jack Bellicec (Jeff Goldblum) and his wife Nancy (Veronica Cartwright) find a lifeless half-formed doppelganger covered with plant fibers in the mud baths they own and operate the group of friends finally begins to understand that a sinister transformation is sweeping their city. Kevin McCarthy and Don Siegel respectively the star and director of the original film have small roles in the new version as does an unbilled Robert Duvall.
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This remake of the 1956 horror classic Invasion of the Body Snatchers moves the action from small - town USA to 1970s San Francisco and replaces at least part of the original's psychological horror with special effects. Spores rain forth , unseen , from outer space , and soon strange flowers begin popping up all over the city. After bringing one of these hybrid specimens home with her one night , biologist Elizabeth Driscoll ( Brooke Adams ) notices that her live - in boyfriend , Geoffrey ( Art Hindle ), doesn't seem like himself ; he's cold and distant and somehow just not quite there. When she turns to her friend Matthew Bennell ( Donald Sutherland ), a colleague at the Department of Public Health , he convinces her to see his friend Dr. Kibner ( Leonard Nimoy ), a pop psychologist who argues that the problem is all in Elizabeth's head. Soon , though , Matthew and Elizabeth begin to notice that people all over the city are changing subtly and inexplicably. When their friend Jack Bellicec ( Jeff Goldblum ) and his wife Nancy ( Veronica Cartwright ) find a lifeless , half - formed doppelganger covered with plant fibers in the mud baths they own and operate , the group of friends finally begins to understand that a sinister transformation is sweeping their city. Kevin McCarthy and Don Siegel , respectively the star and director of the original film , have small roles in the new version , as does an unbilled Robert Duvall .
0835
Stephen Boyd heads a team of scientists sent on a bizarre experimental mission. Through a revolutionary and as-yet-untested process the scientists and their special motorized vehicle are miniaturized then injected into the blood stream of a near-death scientist (Jean del Val). Their mission is to relieve a blood clot caused by an assassination attempt. One member of the expedition is bent on sabotage so that the scientist's secrets will die with him. Another member is Raquel Welch seemingly along for the ride solely because of how she looks in a skintight diving suit. The film's Oscar-winning visual effects (by Art Cruickshank) chart the progress of the voyagers through the scientist's body burrowing past deadly antibodies chunks of tobacco residue in the lungs and other such obstacles. Oscars also went to Jack Martin Smith and Dale Hennesy's art direction and Stuart A. Reiss and Walter M. Scott's set decoration. Fantastic Voyage was later spun off into a Saturday-morning cartoon series.
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Stephen Boyd heads a team of scientists sent on a bizarre experimental mission. Through a revolutionary and as - yet - untested process , the scientists and their special motorized vehicle are miniaturized , then injected into the blood stream of a near - death scientist ( Jean del Val ) . Their mission is to relieve a blood clot caused by an assassination attempt. One member of the expedition is bent on sabotage so that the scientist's secrets will die with him. Another member is Raquel Welch , seemingly along for the ride solely because of how she looks in a skintight diving suit. The film's Oscar - winning visual effects ( by Art Cruickshank ) chart the progress of the voyagers through the scientist's body , burrowing past deadly antibodies , chunks of tobacco residue in the lungs , and other such obstacles. Oscars also went to Jack Martin Smith and Dale Hennesy 's art direction and Stuart A. Reiss and Walter M. Scott 's set decoration. Fantastic Voyage was later spun off into a Saturday - morning cartoon series.
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Christopher Walken plays a schoolteacher Johnny Smith who awakens from a five-year coma. He discovers that he has acquired the ability to foretell a person's future simply by touching his or her hand. After seeing several examples Smith's doctor (Herbert Lom) becomes convinced that Smith can not only predict the future but also has the power to change it. This ability is given its severest test when Smith shakes the hand of ruthless political candidate Greg Stillson (Martin Sheen) -- and suddenly has a flash-forward to a nuclear holocaust. The Dead Zone is not only one of the best-ever Stephen King adaptations but also one of the most consistently successful (and least gory) efforts of director David Cronenberg.
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Christopher Walken plays a schoolteacher , Johnny Smith , who awakens from a five - year coma. He discovers that he has acquired the ability to foretell a person's future simply by touching his or her hand. After seeing several examples , Smith's doctor ( Herbert Lom ) becomes convinced that Smith can not only predict the future , but also has the power to change it. This ability is given its severest test when Smith shakes the hand of ruthless political candidate Greg Stillson ( Martin Sheen ) -- and suddenly has a flash - forward to a nuclear holocaust. The Dead Zone is not only one of the best - ever Stephen King adaptations , but also one of the most consistently successful ( and least gory ) efforts of director David Cronenberg .
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Filmmaker John Sayles' first bonafide box-office success Brother from Another Planet centers on a black escaped slave from a faraway planet (Joe Morton) who finds himself on the mean streets Harlem. Though the locals are put off by the slave's inability to speak they are won over by his technical wizardry. He is adopted as a "brother" by his new friends who protect him from pursuing white aliens played by director Sayles and David Strathairn.
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Filmmaker John Sayles ' first bonafide box - office success , Brother from Another Planet centers on a black escaped slave from a faraway planet ( Joe Morton ) who finds himself on the mean streets Harlem. Though the locals are put off by the slave's inability to speak , they are won over by his technical wizardry. He is adopted as a "brother" by his new friends , who protect him from pursuing white aliens played by director Sayles and David Strathairn .
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Canadian director David Cronenberg followed his graphic vampire variation Rabid with this multi-layered speculative horror film which addresses the way the repressed demons of the psyche can force their way to the surface. Psychologist Dr. Raglan (Oliver Reed) director of the controversial Psychoplasmic Institute and author of the book "The Shape of Rage" encourages his patients to outwardly manifest their anger and fear (aided by some experimental drugs) which then takes physical shape as actual sores cancers or strange new organs. One of Raglan's more successful patients (from his point-of-view anyway) is Nola Carveth (Samantha Eggar) who is undergoing therapy following a painful divorce from her husband Frank (Art Hindle). When Frank discovers evidence that Nola may have injured their daughter Candice (Cindy Hinds) he begins to suspect Raglan's techniques but is unprepared for the most horrifying by-product of her rage: a progeny of sexless dwarflike mutants who are born for the sole purpose of acting out her violent fantasies of revenge. Containing only enough energy to carry out their murderous tasks the brood is dispatched to kill Nola's parents then a woman she believes is having an affair with Frank. By the time Frank discovers the origins of the tiny offspring they have already abducted Candice and taken her to the institute where Frank must confront Nola in person. Although it contains one of the most visceral and nauseating scenes in movie history (during the film's climax) this nevertheless remains the most subtle of Cronenberg's early horror projects with a strong subtext about the devastating effects of divorce.
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Canadian director David Cronenberg followed his graphic vampire variation Rabid with this multi - layered , speculative horror film which addresses the way the repressed demons of the psyche can force their way to the surface. Psychologist Dr. Raglan ( Oliver Reed ), director of the controversial Psychoplasmic Institute and author of the book "The Shape of Rage , " encourages his patients to outwardly manifest their anger and fear ( aided by some experimental drugs ), which then takes physical shape as actual sores , cancers , or strange new organs. One of Raglan's more successful patients ( from his point - of - view , anyway ) is Nola Carveth ( Samantha Eggar ), who is undergoing therapy following a painful divorce from her husband , Frank ( Art Hindle ) . When Frank discovers evidence that Nola may have injured their daughter , Candice ( Cindy Hinds ), he begins to suspect Raglan's techniques but is unprepared for the most horrifying by - product of her rage : a progeny of sexless , dwarflike mutants who are born for the sole purpose of acting out her violent fantasies of revenge. Containing only enough energy to carry out their murderous tasks , the brood is dispatched to kill Nola's parents , then a woman she believes is having an affair with Frank. By the time Frank discovers the origins of the tiny offspring , they have already abducted Candice and taken her to the institute , where Frank must confront Nola in person. Although it contains one of the most visceral and nauseating scenes in movie history ( during the film's climax ), this nevertheless remains the most subtle of Cronenberg 's early horror projects , with a strong subtext about the devastating effects of divorce.
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ased on the novella by Harlan Ellison A Boy and His Dog is set in a post-apocalyptic future where canned goods are used as currency and where entertainment often consists of old porn reels. Vic (Don Johnson) is a violent illiterate scavenger principally interested in getting laid. He communicates telepathically with his deceptively cute-looking dog Blood (voiced by Tim McIntire); Vic finds food for Blood while Blood sniffs out girls for Vic. One of these girls is the sexy Quilla June (Susanne Benton) who unbeknownst to Vic is a spy for an underground society headed by a Mr. Craddock (Jason Robards Jr.). This subterranean civilization needs a human "sperm bank" to stay alive and the oversexed Vic fills the bill. Produced by character actor Alvy Moore (Mr. Kimball of TV's Green Acres) A Boy and His Dog was written and directed by another veteran actor L.Q. Jones.
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Based on the novella by Harlan Ellison , A Boy and His Dog is set in a post - apocalyptic future where canned goods are used as currency and where entertainment often consists of old porn reels. Vic ( Don Johnson ) is a violent , illiterate scavenger , principally interested in getting laid. He communicates telepathically with his deceptively cute - looking dog Blood ( voiced by Tim McIntire ); Vic finds food for Blood , while Blood sniffs out girls for Vic. One of these girls is the sexy Quilla June ( Susanne Benton ), who , unbeknownst to Vic is a spy for an underground society , headed by a Mr. Craddock ( Jason Robards Jr. ) . This subterranean civilization needs a human "sperm bank" to stay alive , and the oversexed Vic fills the bill. Produced by character actor Alvy Moore ( Mr. Kimball of TV's Green Acres ), A Boy and His Dog was written and directed by another veteran actor , L.Q. Jones .
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In this 1980 sci-fi horror film William Hurt plays Eddie Jessup a scientist obsessed with discovering mankind's true role in the universe. To this end he submits himself to a series of mind-expanding experiments. By enclosing himself in a sensory-deprivation chamber and taking hallucinogenic drugs Jessup hopes to explore different levels of human consciousness but instead is devolved into an apelike monster. Director Ken Russell helmed Altered States from a script by Paddy Chayefsky who adapted his own novel of the same name. Unhappy with the finished product Chayefsky had his name replaced with his pseudonym Sydney Aaron.
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In this 1980 sci - fi horror film , William Hurt plays Eddie Jessup , a scientist obsessed with discovering mankind's true role in the universe. To this end , he submits himself to a series of mind - expanding experiments. By enclosing himself in a sensory - deprivation chamber and taking hallucinogenic drugs , Jessup hopes to explore different levels of human consciousness , but instead is devolved into an apelike monster. Director Ken Russell helmed Altered States from a script by Paddy Chayefsky , who adapted his own novel of the same name. Unhappy with the finished product , Chayefsky had his name replaced with his pseudonym Sydney Aaron .
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In 1977 George Lucas released Star Wars the ultimate sci-fi popcorn flick-turned-pop-culture myth machine. It quickly became the biggest money-making film of all time and changed the shape of the film industry. After two successful sequels (1980's The Empire Strikes Back and 1983's Return of the Jedi) that extended the story of the first film Lucas took some time off to produce movies for others with mixed success. In 1999 Lucas returned to the Star Wars saga with a new approach -- instead of picking up where Return of the Jedi left off Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace would be the first of a trilogy of stories to trace what happened in the intergalactic saga before the first film began. Here Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) is a young apprentice Jedi knight under the tutelage of Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson); Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd) who will later father Luke Skywalker and become known as Darth Vader is just a nine-year-old boy. When the Trade Federation cuts off all routes to the planet Naboo Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan are assigned to settle the matter but when they arrive on Naboo they are brought to Amidala (Natalie Portman) the Naboo queen by a friendly but opportunistic Gungan named Jar Jar. Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan plan to escort Amidala to a meeting of Republic leaders in Coruscant but trouble with their spacecraft strands them on the planet Tatooine where Qui-Gon meets Anakin the slave of a scrap dealer. Qui-Gon is soon convinced that the boy could be the leader the Jedis have been searching for and he begins bargaining for his freedom and teaching the boy the lessons of the Force. The supporting cast includes Pernilla August as Anakin's mother Terence Stamp as Chancellor Valorum and Samuel L. Jackson as Jedi master Mace Windu. Jackson told a reporter before The Phantom Menace's release that the best part about doing the film was that he got to say "May the Force be with you" onscreen.
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In 1977 , George Lucas released Star Wars , the ultimate sci - fi popcorn flick - turned - pop - culture myth machine. It quickly became the biggest money - making film of all time and changed the shape of the film industry. After two successful sequels ( 1980's The Empire Strikes Back and 1983's Return of the Jedi ) that extended the story of the first film , Lucas took some time off to produce movies for others , with mixed success. In 1999 , Lucas returned to the Star Wars saga with a new approach -- instead of picking up where Return of the Jedi left off , Star Wars : Episode I -- The Phantom Menace would be the first of a trilogy of stories to trace what happened in the intergalactic saga before the first film began. Here , Obi - Wan Kenobi ( Ewan McGregor ) is a young apprentice Jedi knight under the tutelage of Qui - Gon Jinn ( Liam Neeson ); Anakin Skywalker ( Jake Lloyd ), who will later father Luke Skywalker and become known as Darth Vader , is just a nine - year - old boy. When the Trade Federation cuts off all routes to the planet Naboo , Qui - Gon and Obi - Wan are assigned to settle the matter , but when they arrive on Naboo they are brought to Amidala ( Natalie Portman ), the Naboo queen , by a friendly but opportunistic Gungan named Jar Jar. Qui - Gon and Obi - Wan plan to escort Amidala to a meeting of Republic leaders in Coruscant , but trouble with their spacecraft strands them on the planet Tatooine , where Qui - Gon meets Anakin , the slave of a scrap dealer. Qui - Gon is soon convinced that the boy could be the leader the Jedis have been searching for , and he begins bargaining for his freedom and teaching the boy the lessons of the Force. The supporting cast includes Pernilla August as Anakin's mother , Terence Stamp as Chancellor Valorum , and Samuel L. Jackson as Jedi master Mace Windu. Jackson told a reporter before The Phantom Menace 's release that the best part about doing the film was that he got to say "May the Force be with you" onscreen.
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Canadian filmmaker David Cronenberg who has long been fascinated by the ways new technology shapes and manipulates the human beings who believe they are its masters is in familiar territory with eXistenZ a futuristic thriller which combines elements of science fiction horror and action-adventure. What is eXistenZ? According to the glossary Cronenberg put together for this film it is a new organic game system that when downloaded into humans accesses their central nervous system transporting them on a wild ride in and out of reality. What's more it changes every time it is played by adapting to the individual user -- you have to play the game to find out why you are playing the game. More than one person can plug into the same game and set out on a series of bizarre and surrealistic adventures together. The narrative takes place sometime in the near future when game designers are worshipped as superstars and players can organically enter inside the games. Allegra Geller (Jennifer Jason Leigh) the goddess among computer game designers whose latest invention 'eXistenZ' taps deeply into its users' fears and desires by blurring the boundaries between reality and escapism is subject to an assassination attempt and forced to flee. Her sole ally is Ted Pikul (Jude Law) a novice security guard sworn to protect her. Persuading Ted to play the game Allegra draws them both into a phantasmagoric world where existence ends and eXistenZ begins. Jennifer Jason Leigh who is supposedly something of a computer nerd in real life is hip and sexily alluring as Allegra Geller. When she and Pikul make love and are transported to the bizarre setting of a trout farm which has been converted to an assembly line production plant for games they delve deeper into the dangerously intriguing game. Soon the forces of Anti-eXistenZialism will close in on Pikul and Allegra. eXistenZ marks the first time since Videodrome that Cronenberg has written a completely original screenplay. eXistenZ was inspired by the tribulations of the fugitive writer Salman Rushdie author of the Satanic Verses. After interviewing the author for a magazine article in 1995 Cronenberg was struck with the idea of an artist who suddenly finds himself on a hit list for religious or philosophical reasons and is forced to go into hiding. The idea of a game came later on for which he created a new vocabulary. According to Cronenberg eXistenZ thematically connects to Crash Videodrome Naked Lunch and even M. Butterfly in terms of exploring the extent to which we create our own levels of reality and the idea of a creative act being dangerous to the creator. This is the second film on which Alliance Atlantis has been associated with Cronenberg after Crash which won the Special Jury Prize at the 1996 International Cannes Film Festival. On the occasion of the presentation of eXistenZ Cronenberg received a Silver Bear for his outstanding artistic achievements at the 49th International Berlin Film Festival in 1999.
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Canadian filmmaker David Cronenberg , who has long been fascinated by the ways new technology shapes and manipulates the human beings who believe they are its masters , is in familiar territory with eXistenZ , a futuristic thriller which combines elements of science fiction , horror and action - adventure. What is eXistenZ? According to the glossary Cronenberg put together for this film , it is a new organic game system that , when downloaded into humans , accesses their central nervous system , transporting them on a wild ride in and out of reality. What's more , it changes every time it is played , by adapting to the individual user -- you have to play the game to find out why you are playing the game. More than one person can plug into the same game and set out on a series of bizarre and surrealistic adventures together. The narrative takes place sometime in the near future , when game designers are worshipped as superstars and players can organically enter inside the games. Allegra Geller ( Jennifer Jason Leigh ), the goddess among computer game designers whose latest invention , 'eXistenZ , ' taps deeply into its users' fears and desires by blurring the boundaries between reality and escapism , is subject to an assassination attempt and forced to flee. Her sole ally is Ted Pikul ( Jude Law ), a novice security guard sworn to protect her. Persuading Ted to play the game , Allegra draws them both into a phantasmagoric world where existence ends and eXistenZ begins. Jennifer Jason Leigh , who is supposedly something of a computer nerd in real life , is hip and sexily alluring as Allegra Geller. When she and Pikul make love and are transported to the bizarre setting of a trout farm which has been converted to an assembly line production plant for games , they delve deeper into the dangerously intriguing game. Soon the forces of Anti - eXistenZialism will close in on Pikul and Allegra. eXistenZ marks the first time since Videodrome that Cronenberg has written a completely original screenplay. eXistenZ was inspired by the tribulations of the fugitive writer Salman Rushdie , author of the Satanic Verses . After interviewing the author for a magazine article in 1995 , Cronenberg was struck with the idea of an artist who suddenly finds himself on a hit list for religious or philosophical reasons and is forced to go into hiding. The idea of a game came later on , for which he created a new vocabulary. According to Cronenberg , eXistenZ thematically connects to Crash , Videodrome , Naked Lunch and even M. Butterfly in terms of exploring the extent to which we create our own levels of reality and the idea of a creative act being dangerous to the creator. This is the second film on which Alliance Atlantis has been associated with Cronenberg , after Crash , which won the Special Jury Prize at the 1996 International Cannes Film Festival . On the occasion of the presentation of eXistenZ , Cronenberg received a Silver Bear for his outstanding artistic achievements at the 49th International Berlin Film Festival in 1999.
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Mimi Leder (The Peacemaker) directed this science-fiction disaster drama about the possible extinction of human life after a comet is discovered headed toward Earth with the collision only one year away. Ambitious MSNBC reporter Jenny Lerner (Tea Leoni) stumbles onto the story prompting a White House press conference. United States President Beck (Morgan Freeman) announces the government's solution: a team of astronauts will travel to the comet and destroy it. The team leader aboard the spaceship Messiah is Spurgeon Tanner (Robert Duvall) who was once the last man to walk on the moon. However the mission fails splitting off a chunk of the comet now due to land in the Atlantic with the impact sending a 350-foot tidal wave flooding 650 miles inland destroying New York and other cities. The larger part of the comet hitting in Canada will trigger an E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event) not unlike a "nuclear winter" as dust clouds block out the sun and bring life to an end. President Beck reveals Plan B: a cavernous underground retreat constructed to hold one million Americans with most to be selected through a national lottery. Since teenage amateur astronomer Leo Biederman (Elijah Wood) discovered the comet his family gets a pass to enter the cave but his girlfriend Sarah (Leelee Sobieski) and her parents will be left behind. Meanwhile still in space Spurgeon Tanner devises a plan for a kamikaze-styled operation that could possibly save the Earth. Special visual effects by Scott Farrar and Industrial Light & Magic.
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Mimi Leder ( The Peacemaker ) directed this science - fiction disaster drama about the possible extinction of human life after a comet is discovered headed toward Earth with the collision only one year away. Ambitious MSNBC reporter Jenny Lerner ( Tea Leoni ) stumbles onto the story , prompting a White House press conference. United States President Beck ( Morgan Freeman ) announces the government's solution : a team of astronauts will travel to the comet and destroy it. The team leader aboard the spaceship Messiah is Spurgeon Tanner ( Robert Duvall ), who was once the last man to walk on the moon. However , the mission fails , splitting off a chunk of the comet , now due to land in the Atlantic with the impact sending a 350 - foot tidal wave flooding 650 miles inland , destroying New York and other cities. The larger part of the comet , hitting in Canada , will trigger an E.L.E. ( Extinction Level Event ), not unlike a "nuclear winter" as dust clouds block out the sun and bring life to an end. President Beck reveals Plan B : a cavernous underground retreat constructed to hold one million Americans , with most to be selected through a national lottery. Since teenage amateur astronomer Leo Biederman ( Elijah Wood ) discovered the comet , his family gets a pass to enter the cave , but his girlfriend Sarah ( Leelee Sobieski ) and her parents will be left behind. Meanwhile , still in space , Spurgeon Tanner devises a plan for a kamikaze - styled operation that could possibly save the Earth. Special visual effects by Scott Farrar and Industrial Light & Magic.
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This low-budget science-fiction drama winner of a 1997 Toronto Film Festival prize for "Best Canadian First Feature" depicts the plight of a group of people clad in prison-style uniforms and trapped in futuristic cube-like metal cells. Their memories are hazy; no one can recall how they got there. Alderson (Julian Richings) awakens in a cell seeks an exit and arrives in an adjacent cube where he's sliced and diced. Former cop Quentin (Maurice Dean-Wint) becomes the group leader and he's challenged by conspiracy theorist Dr. Holloway (Nicky Guadagni). Government worker Worth (David Hewlett) remembers a past government link to the project. A discovery that the cubes have numerical codes suggests study by math-student Leaven (Nicole deBoer) while former thief Rennes (Wayne Robson) knows some escape tricks. However the extreme behavior of Kazan (Andrew Miller) becomes a threat to their survival. The film was also shown at the 1997 Vancouver Film Festival.
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This low - budget science - fiction drama , winner of a 1997 Toronto Film Festival prize for "Best Canadian First Feature , " depicts the plight of a group of people clad in prison - style uniforms and trapped in futuristic cube - like metal cells. Their memories are hazy ; no one can recall how they got there. Alderson ( Julian Richings ) awakens in a cell , seeks an exit , and arrives in an adjacent cube where he's sliced and diced. Former cop Quentin ( Maurice Dean - Wint ) becomes the group leader , and he's challenged by conspiracy theorist Dr. Holloway ( Nicky Guadagni ) . Government worker Worth ( David Hewlett ) remembers a past government link to the project. A discovery that the cubes have numerical codes suggests study by math - student Leaven ( Nicole deBoer ) while former thief Rennes ( Wayne Robson ) knows some escape tricks. However , the extreme behavior of Kazan ( Andrew Miller ) becomes a threat to their survival. The film was also shown at the 1997 Vancouver Film Festival .
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For his fifth effort as a feature-film director one-time cinematographer Barry Sonnenfeld brought his cartoonish visual style and darkly humorous sensibilities to this adaptation of appropriately enough a tongue-in-cheek sci-fi comic book. Will Smith stars as James Darrel Edwards a New York City cop with an athletic physique and a flippant anti-authoritarian attitude toward law enforcement. After chasing down a mysterious perpetrator one night who turns out to be an alien James is recruited by "K" (Tommy Lee Jones) a veteran of a clandestine government agency secretly policing the comings and goings of aliens on planet Earth. Nicknamed the "men in black" for their nondescript uniform of black suit shoes tie and sunglasses the agents are assigned to recover a bauble that's been stolen by an intergalactic terrorist (Vincent D'Onofrio). It seems the item is none other than the galaxy itself and its theft has plunged humanity into the center of what's shaping up to become an interstellar war unless K and his new wisecracking partner now renamed "J" can stop the bad guy. On their side but somewhat in the dark is a pretty unflappable city medical examiner (Linda Fiorentino) who has been zapped one too many times by K's ingenious memory-sapping device. Men in Black was a box office smash inspiring an animated children's television series and a hit soundtrack album that featured a performance by star (and rapper) Smith.
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For his fifth effort as a feature - film director , one - time cinematographer Barry Sonnenfeld brought his cartoonish visual style and darkly humorous sensibilities to this adaptation of , appropriately enough , a tongue - in - cheek sci - fi comic book. Will Smith stars as James Darrel Edwards , a New York City cop with an athletic physique and a flippant , anti - authoritarian attitude toward law enforcement. After chasing down a mysterious perpetrator one night who turns out to be an alien , James is recruited by "K" ( Tommy Lee Jones ), a veteran of a clandestine government agency secretly policing the comings and goings of aliens on planet Earth. Nicknamed the "men in black" for their nondescript uniform of black suit , shoes , tie , and sunglasses , the agents are assigned to recover a bauble that's been stolen by an intergalactic terrorist ( Vincent D'Onofrio ) . It seems the item is none other than the galaxy itself , and its theft has plunged humanity into the center of what's shaping up to become an interstellar war , unless K and his new wisecracking partner , now renamed "J , " can stop the bad guy. On their side but somewhat in the dark is a pretty , unflappable city medical examiner ( Linda Fiorentino ) who has been zapped one too many times by K's ingenious memory - sapping device. Men in Black was a box office smash , inspiring an animated children's television series and a hit soundtrack album that featured a performance by star ( and rapper ) Smith .
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Good and evil battle for the future of 23rd century Earth in this visually striking big-budget science fiction epic. In the movie's prologue which is set in 1914 scientists gather in Egypt at the site of an event that transpired centuries earlier. Aliens it seemed arrived to collect four stones representing the four basic elements (earth air fire and water) - warning their human contacts that the objects were no longer safe on Earth. A few hundred years later (in the 23rd century) a huge ball of molten lava and flame is hurtling toward Earth and scientist-holy man Victor Cornelius (Ian Holm) declares that in order to prevent it from destroying the planet the same four elemental stones must be combined with the fifth element as embodied by a visitor from another world named Leeloo (Milla Jovovich). However if the force of evil presents itself to the stones instead the Earth will be destroyed and an evil being named Zorg (Gary Oldman) will trigger the disaster. Despite her remarkable powers Leeloo needs help with her mission and she chooses her accomplice military leader-turned-cab driver Korben Dallas (Bruce Willis) when she literally falls through the roof of his taxi. Writer and director Luc Besson began writing the script for The Fifth Element when he was only 16 years old though he was 38 before he was able to bring it to the screen.
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Good and evil battle for the future of 23rd century Earth in this visually striking big - budget science fiction epic. In the movie's prologue , which is set in 1914 , scientists gather in Egypt at the site of an event that transpired centuries earlier. Aliens , it seemed , arrived to collect four stones representing the four basic elements ( earth , air , fire and water ) - warning their human contacts that the objects were no longer safe on Earth. A few hundred years later ( in the 23rd century ), a huge ball of molten lava and flame is hurtling toward Earth , and scientist - holy man Victor Cornelius ( Ian Holm ) declares that in order to prevent it from destroying the planet , the same four elemental stones must be combined with the fifth element , as embodied by a visitor from another world named Leeloo ( Milla Jovovich ) . However , if the force of evil presents itself to the stones instead , the Earth will be destroyed , and an evil being named Zorg ( Gary Oldman ) will trigger the disaster. Despite her remarkable powers , Leeloo needs help with her mission , and she chooses her accomplice , military leader - turned - cab driver Korben Dallas ( Bruce Willis ), when she literally falls through the roof of his taxi. Writer and director Luc Besson began writing the script for The Fifth Element when he was only 16 years old , though he was 38 before he was able to bring it to the screen.
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A follow-up to the 1988 film Tetsuo (also known as Tetsuo: The Iron Man) that is less sequel than more-expensive remake Tetsuo II: Body Hammer revisits director Shinya Tsukamoto's vision of a post-industrial Tokyo where man and machine have begun to merge. Tomoroh Taguchi still plays the title role although the first film's single salary man has been replaced by family man Taniguchi Tomoo. When his child is kidnapped by a pair of skinheads Tomoo's stress and anger triggers his transformation into a fearsome cyborg a hybrid between a human being and a piece of high-powered weaponry. His new body attracts the attention of the leader of the skinheads -- who turn out to be cyborg mutants themselves. The leader (portrayed by Tsukamoto) performs several experiments on Tomoo which accelerates his metamorphosis into an even more powerful horrifically deadly sort of industrial creature. This monster ends up warring against the leader and his gang leading to a series of heavily violent and highly destructive battles.
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A follow - up to the 1988 film Tetsuo ( also known as Tetsuo : The Iron Man ) that is less sequel than more - expensive remake , Tetsuo II : Body Hammer revisits director Shinya Tsukamoto 's vision of a post - industrial Tokyo where man and machine have begun to merge. Tomoroh Taguchi still plays the title role , although the first film's single salary man has been replaced by family man Taniguchi Tomoo. When his child is kidnapped by a pair of skinheads , Tomoo's stress and anger triggers his transformation into a fearsome cyborg , a hybrid between a human being and a piece of high - powered weaponry. His new body attracts the attention of the leader of the skinheads -- who turn out to be cyborg mutants themselves. The leader ( portrayed by Tsukamoto ) performs several experiments on Tomoo , which accelerates his metamorphosis into an even more powerful , horrifically deadly sort of industrial creature. This monster ends up warring against the leader and his gang , leading to a series of heavily violent and highly destructive battles.
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The Unvanquished is the second of Indian director Satyajit Ray's "Apu Trilogy" (the first was Pather Panchali). Ray's young protagonist Apu is permitted a formal education over the gentle objections of his mother who'd wanted him to be priest. Eventually Apu earns a university scholarship and arrives in the teeming metropolis of Calcutta. Overwhelmed by life in the Big City the impressionable country boy forgets about his loving mother. By the time Apu returns to his home he finds it's too late to pick up pieces. Smaran Ghosal plays the adult Apu with Pinaki Sen Gupta portraying his younger counterpart in the flashback. Aparajito was derived from a novel by Bibhutibhusan. The film also features a musical score by Ravi Shankar.
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The Unvanquished is the second of Indian director Satyajit Ray 's "Apu Trilogy" ( the first was Pather Panchali ) . Ray 's young protagonist Apu is permitted a formal education over the gentle objections of his mother , who'd wanted him to be priest. Eventually , Apu earns a university scholarship and arrives in the teeming metropolis of Calcutta. Overwhelmed by life in the Big City , the impressionable country boy forgets about his loving mother. By the time Apu returns to his home , he finds it's too late to pick up pieces. Smaran Ghosal plays the adult Apu , with Pinaki Sen Gupta portraying his younger counterpart in the flashback. Aparajito was derived from a novel by Bibhutibhusan . The film also features a musical score by Ravi Shankar .
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This 1975 film provides a superb look at popular Hindi cinema. Although it can be called an adventure it has a spaghetti-western storyline martial-arts sequences comedy soap-opera melodrama and even musical numbers including an early scene that has the two main characters riding a motorcycle and singing like Elvis Presley in the carnival flick Roustabout. The film itself is indeed a carnival and many of the features produced by India's popular movie industry exhibit a similar mixture of ingredients in an attempt to meet the audience's every possible expectation. Veeru (Dharmendra) and Jaidev (Amitabh Bachchan) are two small-time troublemakers who in the past have run afoul of Thakur Baldev Singh (Sanjeev Kumar); the Thakur a former law officer has seen the pair's heroic nature despite their criminal ways. When a gang of bandits led by Gabbar Singh (Amjad Khan) murders the Thakur's family and cuts off his arms rendering him helpless rather than killing him he enlists Veeru and Jaidev to help him seek revenge. In the Thakur's rural village the two bandits find romance and a hope for redemption and seek to free the village from Gabbar and his minions. The massive appeal in India of films like Sholay becomes evident; surprisingly it succeeds in almost every genre it attempts to play.
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This 1975 film provides a superb look at popular Hindi cinema. Although it can be called an adventure , it has a spaghetti - western storyline , martial - arts sequences , comedy , soap - opera melodrama , and even musical numbers , including an early scene that has the two main characters riding a motorcycle and singing like Elvis Presley in the carnival flick , Roustabout . The film itself is indeed a carnival , and many of the features produced by India's popular movie industry exhibit a similar mixture of ingredients in an attempt to meet the audience's every possible expectation. Veeru ( Dharmendra ) and Jaidev ( Amitabh Bachchan ) are two small - time troublemakers who , in the past , have run afoul of Thakur Baldev Singh ( Sanjeev Kumar ); the Thakur , a former law officer , has seen the pair's heroic nature despite their criminal ways. When a gang of bandits led by Gabbar Singh ( Amjad Khan ) murders the Thakur's family and cuts off his arms , rendering him helpless rather than killing him , he enlists Veeru and Jaidev to help him seek revenge. In the Thakur's rural village , the two bandits find romance and a hope for redemption and seek to free the village from Gabbar and his minions. The massive appeal in India of films like Sholay becomes evident ; surprisingly , it succeeds in almost every genre it attempts to play.
0850
Shaji Karun's love story takes its inspiration from Kathakali a dance-drama with a 500-year history which is indigenous to the Kerala region of India. In the late 1930s 10-year-old Kunhikuttan begins his training in this very taxing art form. When he is eighteen he is forced to marry someone he does not love. The marriage is disastrous. As he becomes more and more successful in his career he meets a young woman named Subhadra who is married to high society but somewhat lost in her gilded cage. Subhadra is obsessed by the hero of the Mahabarata Epic Arjuna who also loves a woman named Subhadra. She falls in love with Kunhikuttan who plays Arjuna on stage; but she is often confused between the real and the imaginary. The film which carries the habitual sadness of Karun's previous films Piravi and My Own is enriched with the photography of Renato Berta and Santosh Sivan and remarkable acting by one of Kerala's finest actors Mohanlal (who is also the co-producer) in the role of Kunhikuttan. 52nd Cannes Film Festival Un Certain Regard 1999.
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Shaji Karun 's love story takes its inspiration from Kathakali , a dance - drama with a 500 - year history , which is indigenous to the Kerala region of India. In the late 1930s , 10 - year - old Kunhikuttan begins his training in this very taxing art form. When he is eighteen , he is forced to marry someone he does not love. The marriage is disastrous. As he becomes more and more successful in his career , he meets a young woman named Subhadra who is married to high society but somewhat lost in her gilded cage. Subhadra is obsessed by the hero of the Mahabarata Epic , Arjuna , who also loves a woman named Subhadra. She falls in love with Kunhikuttan , who plays Arjuna on stage ; but she is often confused between the real and the imaginary. The film , which carries the habitual sadness of Karun's previous films , Piravi and My Own , is enriched with the photography of Renato Berta and Santosh Sivan and remarkable acting by one of Kerala's finest actors , Mohanlal ( who is also the co - producer ), in the role of Kunhikuttan. 52nd Cannes Film Festival , Un Certain Regard , 1999.
0851
harat Mata (Mother India) was Indian filmmaker Mehboob Khan's remake of his own 1940 film Aurat (Woman). The intervening years had somewhat altered Mehboob's attitudes towards his characters and their surroundings. In the original Aurat an Indian mother (Sardar Akhtar) suffers monumentally on behalf of her two sons much to the disinterest of the rural community where she lives. In the remake the mother (now played by Nargis) likewise suffers but her plight now affects her entire village even inspiring her neighbors to shed their own selfishness. What was once a wholly personal drama has been expanded to near-mythical dimensions. The ending however is still tragic with the long-suffering heroine being forced to kill one of her own offspring to uphold the family's honor. Enormously popular in its native India Bharat Mata remained in constant reissue throughout the next four decades.
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Bharat Mata ( Mother India ) was Indian filmmaker Mehboob Khan 's remake of his own 1940 film Aurat ( Woman ) . The intervening years had somewhat altered Mehboob's attitudes towards his characters and their surroundings. In the original Aurat , an Indian mother ( Sardar Akhtar ) suffers monumentally on behalf of her two sons , much to the disinterest of the rural community where she lives. In the remake , the mother ( now played by Nargis ) likewise suffers , but her plight now affects her entire village , even inspiring her neighbors to shed their own selfishness. What was once a wholly personal drama has been expanded to near - mythical dimensions. The ending , however , is still tragic , with the long - suffering heroine being forced to kill one of her own offspring to uphold the family's honor. Enormously popular in its native India , Bharat Mata remained in constant reissue throughout the next four decades.
0852
A dark drama of women living in a society where they are second-class citizens Kadosh/Sacred begins with Meir an Orthodox Jew living in the Mea Shearim district of Jerusalem greeting the day with his morning prayers which includes the phrase "Thank you oh Lord for not having made me a woman." Meir begins to understand just how poorly regarded women can be in the Orthodox faith when his rabbi suggests he should leave his wife. Meir and Rivka (Yael Abecassis) have been married for ten years and have a solid relationship based on affection and mutual respect. However they have been unable to have children and as Meir is reminded the Talmud says a woman without children may as well be dead. Consequently the rabbi advises Meir to divorce Rivka and take up with a younger woman who can give him a family. Meanwhile Rivka's younger sister Malka (Meital Barda) is soon to wed Yossef (Uri Ran Klauzner) in a match arranged by their parents even though Malka loves another man Yaakov (Sami Hori) who has dared to question the teachings of the Orthodox faith. Yossef soon proves to be blind to Malka's emotional and physical needs and she begins to wonder how long she can continue to live within this circle even though it is the only world she knows. Destined to be controversial in its native Israel Kadosh/Sacred was shown in competition at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival.
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A dark drama of women living in a society where they are second - class citizens , Kadosh / Sacred begins with Meir , an Orthodox Jew living in the Mea Shearim district of Jerusalem , greeting the day with his morning prayers , which includes the phrase , "Thank you , oh Lord , for not having made me a woman." Meir begins to understand just how poorly regarded women can be in the Orthodox faith when his rabbi suggests he should leave his wife. Meir and Rivka ( Yael Abecassis ) have been married for ten years and have a solid relationship based on affection and mutual respect. However , they have been unable to have children , and as Meir is reminded , the Talmud says a woman without children may as well be dead. Consequently , the rabbi advises Meir to divorce Rivka and take up with a younger woman who can give him a family. Meanwhile , Rivka's younger sister , Malka ( Meital Barda ), is soon to wed Yossef ( Uri Ran Klauzner ) in a match arranged by their parents , even though Malka loves another man , Yaakov ( Sami Hori ), who has dared to question the teachings of the Orthodox faith. Yossef soon proves to be blind to Malka's emotional and physical needs , and she begins to wonder how long she can continue to live within this circle , even though it is the only world she knows. Destined to be controversial in its native Israel , Kadosh / Sacred was shown in competition at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival .
0853
An amalgam of fairy tales penned by Jewish author Isaac Bashevis Singer this charming animated musical tale is set in Chelm a mythical Polish hamlet populated by fools. Chelm became so after one of God's cherubs -- charged by Yaweh to sprinkle foolishness throughout his newly created earth to temper the intelligence and wisdom distributed by other small angels -- clumsily dumps all of the idiot dust on the tiny town. The stuff is potent and no wisdom or even common sense can be found amongst its residents. One day orphan Aaron is sent there to be raised by his Uncle Schlemiel and Aunt Sarah. Aaron brings with him his wise bespectacled goat Zlateh. As the only sources of intelligent life in town it is up to them to save the people from the wicked machinations of a sorcerer seeking to steal the Book of Marvels from the town hall so he can release a destructive golem a hideous monster made of clay to ruin Chelm. Featuring detailed background work and only average animation the story's appeal is for very young children though some may not understand some of the Yiddish words used throughout. The songs were penned by Sheldon Harnick (Fiddler on the Roof) and Michel Legrand (Yentl).
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An amalgam of fairy tales penned by Jewish author Isaac Bashevis Singer , this charming animated musical tale is set in Chelm , a mythical Polish hamlet populated by fools. Chelm became so after one of God's cherubs -- charged by Yaweh to sprinkle foolishness throughout his newly created earth to temper the intelligence and wisdom distributed by other small angels -- clumsily dumps all of the idiot dust on the tiny town. The stuff is potent , and no wisdom or even common sense can be found amongst its residents. One day , orphan Aaron is sent there to be raised by his Uncle Schlemiel and Aunt Sarah. Aaron brings with him his wise , bespectacled goat Zlateh. As the only sources of intelligent life in town , it is up to them to save the people from the wicked machinations of a sorcerer seeking to steal the Book of Marvels from the town hall so he can release a destructive golem , a hideous monster made of clay , to ruin Chelm. Featuring detailed background work and only average animation , the story's appeal is for very young children , though some may not understand some of the Yiddish words used throughout. The songs were penned by Sheldon Harnick ( Fiddler on the Roof ) and Michel Legrand ( Yentl ) .
0854
Tenor Plácido Domingo and soprano Teresa Stratas star in director Franco Zeffirelli's lushly cinematic version of Verdi's opera La Traviata ("The Woman Gone Astray") a story of doomed love in 1840s Paris. Violetta (Stratas) who is the mistress of a wealthy baron hosts a lavish party to celebrate her improved health after a bout with tuberculosis. There she meets Alfredo (Domingo) and becomes smitten with him as he she and the guests join in the famous "Drinking Song." Violetta leaves the baron and she and Alfredo move into a secluded country villa together where they live happily for a while. But unknown to Alfredo his father (baritone Cornell MacNeil) convinces Violetta that continuing her relationship with Alfredo will prevent Alfredo's sister from making a good marriage. With great sadness Violetta decides that she must not only break permanently with Alfredo she must keep him at a distance by returning to the baron. Misunderstanding her motives Alfredo goes into a jealous rage that leads to tragic consequences.
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Tenor Plácido Domingo and soprano Teresa Stratas star in director Franco Zeffirelli 's lushly cinematic version of Verdi 's opera La Traviata ( "The Woman Gone Astray" ), a story of doomed love in 1840s Paris. Violetta ( Stratas ), who is the mistress of a wealthy baron , hosts a lavish party to celebrate her improved health after a bout with tuberculosis. There she meets Alfredo ( Domingo ) and becomes smitten with him as he , she , and the guests join in the famous "Drinking Song." Violetta leaves the baron , and she and Alfredo move into a secluded country villa together , where they live happily for a while. But unknown to Alfredo , his father ( baritone Cornell MacNeil ) convinces Violetta that continuing her relationship with Alfredo will prevent Alfredo's sister from making a good marriage. With great sadness , Violetta decides that she must not only break permanently with Alfredo , she must keep him at a distance by returning to the baron. Misunderstanding her motives , Alfredo goes into a jealous rage that leads to tragic consequences.
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In Sergio Leone's epic Western shot partly in Monument Valley a revenge story becomes an epic contemplation of the Western past. To get his hands on prime railroad land in Sweetwater crippled railroad baron Morton (Gabriele Ferzetti) hires killers led by blue-eyed sadist Frank (Henry Fonda) who wipe out property owner Brett McBain (Frank Wolff) and his family. McBain's newly arrived bride Jill (Claudia Cardinale) however inherits it instead. Both outlaw Cheyenne (Jason Robards) and lethally mysterious Harmonica (Charles Bronson) take it upon themselves to look after Jill and thwart Frank's plans to seize her land. As alliances and betrayals mutate it soon becomes clear that Harmonica wants to get Frank for another reason -- it has "something to do with death." As in his "Dollars" trilogy Leone transforms the standard Western plot through the visual impact of widescreen landscapes and the figures therein. At its full length Once Upon a Time in the West is Leone's operatic masterwork worthy of its legend-making title.
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In Sergio Leone 's epic Western , shot partly in Monument Valley , a revenge story becomes an epic contemplation of the Western past. To get his hands on prime railroad land in Sweetwater , crippled railroad baron Morton ( Gabriele Ferzetti ) hires killers , led by blue - eyed sadist Frank ( Henry Fonda ), who wipe out property owner Brett McBain ( Frank Wolff ) and his family. McBain's newly arrived bride , Jill ( Claudia Cardinale ), however , inherits it instead. Both outlaw Cheyenne ( Jason Robards ) and lethally mysterious Harmonica ( Charles Bronson ) take it upon themselves to look after Jill and thwart Frank's plans to seize her land. As alliances and betrayals mutate , it soon becomes clear that Harmonica wants to get Frank for another reason -- it has "something to do with death." As in his " Dollars " trilogy , Leone transforms the standard Western plot through the visual impact of widescreen landscapes and the figures therein. At its full length , Once Upon a Time in the West is Leone 's operatic masterwork , worthy of its legend - making title.
0856
Georges Bizet's 1875 opera about Carmen the colorful cigarette factory worker whose flirtations with the soldier Don José are forgotten in her love for the matador Escamillo is the source for director Francesco Rosi's cinematic version of the same story. Plácido Domingo sings the part of Don José Julia Migenes-Johnson sings Carmen and Ruggero Raimondi is Escamillo. Although there is nothing to fault in the singing itself some viewers may feel that director Rosi has stayed closer to a stage production than the medium of film would warrant. Carmen received the 1984 Cesar award for "Best Sound."
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Georges Bizet 's 1875 opera about Carmen , the colorful cigarette factory worker whose flirtations with the soldier Don José are forgotten in her love for the matador Escamillo , is the source for director Francesco Rosi 's cinematic version of the same story. Plácido Domingo sings the part of Don José , Julia Migenes - Johnson sings Carmen , and Ruggero Raimondi is Escamillo. Although there is nothing to fault in the singing itself , some viewers may feel that director Rosi has stayed closer to a stage production than the medium of film would warrant. Carmen received the 1984 Cesar award for "Best Sound."
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Nights of Cabiria opens with Cabiria (Giulietta Masina) and her boyfriend playfully embracing by the seaside -- and then he shoves her into the water and steals her purse. Cabiria is revived by some local boys and runs off by herself shouting. What follows is a series of similarly humiliating episodes in which the defiantly positive prostitute Cabiria is hurt but never broken. She gets picked up by movie star Alberto Lazzati (Amedeo Nazzari doing a self-parody) and taken to his palatial estate. However his mistress shows up and Cabiria gets locked in the bathroom all night with the dog. She then joins her fellow prostitutes for a blessing from the Virgin Mary and ends up getting drunk and wandering into a local show where the hypnotist invites her to join him on-stage. The audience heckles her and she toughly reminds them of her independence and that she owns her own house. There she meets Oscar (François Perier) an accountant who romantically pursues her. Despite the warnings of her fellow prostitute friend Wanda (Franca Marzi) she prepares to sell all her belongings and accept Oscar's proposal of marriage. After being ruthlessly taken advantage of once again Cabiria walks off alone with a smirk of hope.
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Nights of Cabiria opens with Cabiria ( Giulietta Masina ) and her boyfriend playfully embracing by the seaside -- and then he shoves her into the water and steals her purse. Cabiria is revived by some local boys and runs off by herself , shouting. What follows is a series of similarly humiliating episodes , in which the defiantly positive prostitute Cabiria is hurt , but never broken. She gets picked up by movie star Alberto Lazzati ( Amedeo Nazzari , doing a self - parody ) and taken to his palatial estate. However , his mistress shows up and Cabiria gets locked in the bathroom all night with the dog. She then joins her fellow prostitutes for a blessing from the Virgin Mary , and ends up getting drunk and wandering into a local show , where the hypnotist invites her to join him on - stage. The audience heckles her , and she toughly reminds them of her independence and that she owns her own house. There she meets Oscar ( François Perier ), an accountant who romantically pursues her. Despite the warnings of her fellow prostitute friend , Wanda ( Franca Marzi ), she prepares to sell all her belongings and accept Oscar's proposal of marriage. After being ruthlessly taken advantage of once again , Cabiria walks off alone with a smirk of hope.
0858
Vittorio De Sica directs the lyrical war drama Il Giardino dei Finzi-Contini (The Garden of the Finzi-Continis) based on a book by Giorgio Bassani. In Ferrara Italy at the beginning of WWII anti-Semitism is spreading. Mussolini has passed several laws that forbid Jews from going to public schools joining the army or marrying non-Jews. While many middle-class Jewish families flee the country the Finzi-Continis believe it's safe inside their sprawling estate. As a wealthy aristocratic Jewish family they think their luxurious garden walls will protect them from fascism. Micol Finzi Contini (Dominique Sanda) and her brother (Helmut Berger) invite their Jewish friends to join them in the estate for parties tennis and games while the war ravages on. Middle-class Jew Giorgio (Lino Capolicchio) attends the parties with his friend Malnate (Fabio Testi). Giorgio and Micol are childhood sweethearts but she begins to reject him in favor of Malnate. She also refuses to accept that there's a war going on. Eventually they can pretend no longer and the war closes in on them. The Garden of the Finzi-Continis won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in 1971.
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Vittorio De Sica directs the lyrical war drama Il Giardino dei Finzi - Contini ( The Garden of the Finzi - Continis ), based on a book by Giorgio Bassani . In Ferrara , Italy , at the beginning of WWII , anti - Semitism is spreading. Mussolini has passed several laws that forbid Jews from going to public schools , joining the army , or marrying non - Jews. While many middle - class Jewish families flee the country , the Finzi - Continis believe it's safe inside their sprawling estate. As a wealthy , aristocratic Jewish family , they think their luxurious garden walls will protect them from fascism. Micol Finzi Contini ( Dominique Sanda ) and her brother ( Helmut Berger ) invite their Jewish friends to join them in the estate for parties , tennis , and games while the war ravages on. Middle - class Jew Giorgio ( Lino Capolicchio ) attends the parties with his friend Malnate ( Fabio Testi ) . Giorgio and Micol are childhood sweethearts , but she begins to reject him in favor of Malnate. She also refuses to accept that there's a war going on. Eventually they can pretend no longer , and the war closes in on them. The Garden of the Finzi - Continis won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in 1971.
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Federico Fellini's warmly nostalgic memory piece examines daily life in the Italian village of Rimini during the reign of Mussolini and won the 1974 Academy Award as Best Foreign Film. The film's greatest asset is its ability to be sweet without being cloying due in great part to Danilo Donati's surrealistic art direction and to the frequently bawdy injections of sex and politics by screenwriters Fellini and Tonino Guerra. Fellini clearly has deep affection for the people of this seaside village warts and all and communicates it through episodic visual anecdotes which are seen as if through the mists of a favorite dream playfully scored by Nino Rota and lovingly photographed by Giuseppe Rotunno.
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Federico Fellini 's warmly nostalgic memory piece examines daily life in the Italian village of Rimini during the reign of Mussolini , and won the 1974 Academy Award as Best Foreign Film. The film's greatest asset is its ability to be sweet without being cloying , due in great part to Danilo Donati 's surrealistic art direction and to the frequently bawdy injections of sex and politics by screenwriters Fellini and Tonino Guerra . Fellini clearly has deep affection for the people of this seaside village , warts and all , and communicates it through episodic visual anecdotes which are seen as if through the mists of a favorite dream , playfully scored by Nino Rota and lovingly photographed by Giuseppe Rotunno .
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efore Al Pacino ever picked up a blind man's cane in the 1992 production of Scent of A Woman Vittorio Gassman played a blind army captain in the 1974 Italian film Profumo di Donna based on a novel by Giovanni Arpino. The earlier film unquestionably inspired the later one though they differ significantly. The Captain accompanied by Ciccio (Alessandro Momo) who has been assigned to him by the army is on his way from Turin to Naples to meet with an army compatriot who was also disfigured in the same military incident. Unknown to his aide the Captain means to fulfill a suicide pact there. While they journey the captain asks Ciccio to help him spot beautiful women. Unsatisfied with the boy's descriptions he uses his nose instead claiming that he can smell a beautiful woman. The dashing blind military man enjoys considerable success with women. During their journey he carries with him a picture of his beloved Sara (Agostina Belli) whom he could not bear to have see him disfigured and helpless. The suicide pact is eventually thwarted Sara enters the picture and the boy Ciccio does some much-needed growing up.
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Before Al Pacino ever picked up a blind man's cane in the 1992 production of Scent of A Woman , Vittorio Gassman played a blind army captain in the 1974 Italian film Profumo di Donna , based on a novel by Giovanni Arpino . The earlier film unquestionably inspired the later one , though they differ significantly. The Captain , accompanied by Ciccio ( Alessandro Momo ), who has been assigned to him by the army , is on his way from Turin to Naples to meet with an army compatriot who was also disfigured in the same military incident. Unknown to his aide , the Captain means to fulfill a suicide pact there. While they journey , the captain asks Ciccio to help him spot beautiful women. Unsatisfied with the boy's descriptions , he uses his nose instead , claiming that he can smell a beautiful woman. The dashing blind military man enjoys considerable success with women. During their journey , he carries with him a picture of his beloved Sara ( Agostina Belli ), whom he could not bear to have see him disfigured and helpless. The suicide pact is eventually thwarted , Sara enters the picture , and the boy Ciccio does some much - needed growing up.
0861
Francesco Rosi utilizes the breathtakingly beautiful Italian landscape in an unspecified Italian city to hatch this mystery film involving murder and corruption in high places. As the film begins a well-known prosecutor is killed. The murder turns out to be the first in a series of murders -- and all the victims are judges. With Italy lapsing into chaos because of the crimes the craggy and careworn Inspector Rogas (Lino Ventura) is brought in to solve the murders. Rogas thinks that a man sent to prison for a crime he didn't commit is the person responsible for the killings. But when Rogas reports that fact to his superiors they want nothing to do with the case. When more killings occur Rogas uncovers a plot involving his superiors who are using one man's revenge murder as a ploy in order to affect nefarious changes on the entire country.
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Francesco Rosi utilizes the breathtakingly beautiful Italian landscape in an unspecified Italian city to hatch this mystery film involving murder and corruption in high places. As the film begins , a well - known prosecutor is killed. The murder turns out to be the first in a series of murders -- and all the victims are judges. With Italy lapsing into chaos because of the crimes , the craggy and careworn Inspector Rogas ( Lino Ventura ) is brought in to solve the murders. Rogas thinks that a man , sent to prison for a crime he didn't commit , is the person responsible for the killings. But when Rogas reports that fact to his superiors , they want nothing to do with the case. When more killings occur , Rogas uncovers a plot involving his superiors who are using one man's revenge murder as a ploy in order to affect nefarious changes on the entire country.
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The sweet sentimental gauze of director Giuseppe Tornatore's international hit Cinema Paradiso (1988) is nowhere to be found in this dark Kafkaesque crime thriller that takes place stage play-style mostly in the confines of one room. Gerard Depardieu stars as Onoff a famed author who has become a recluse in recent years publishing nothing. Late one night he is picked up by police officers who find him running across the French countryside in the rain breathless and apparently suffering from short-term memory loss. A murder has been committed in the nearby woods and suspecting Onoff's involvement the authorities detain him at a leaky dark command post to await the arrival of an inspector (Roman Polanski) ironically a fan of Onoff's work who will interrogate his subject and try to arrive at the truth. Una Pura Formalita (1994) was produced simultaneously with Polanski's Death and the Maiden (1994) another film with a stage-bound quality featuring a long stormy night's interrogation in a single room.
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The sweet sentimental gauze of director Giuseppe Tornatore 's international hit Cinema Paradiso ( 1988 ) is nowhere to be found in this dark , Kafka esque crime thriller that takes place , stage play - style , mostly in the confines of one room. Gerard Depardieu stars as Onoff , a famed author who has become a recluse in recent years , publishing nothing. Late one night he is picked up by police officers , who find him running across the French countryside in the rain , breathless and apparently suffering from short - term memory loss. A murder has been committed in the nearby woods , and suspecting Onoff's involvement , the authorities detain him at a leaky , dark command post to await the arrival of an inspector ( Roman Polanski ), ironically a fan of Onoff's work , who will interrogate his subject and try to arrive at the truth. Una Pura Formalita ( 1994 ) was produced simultaneously with Polanski 's Death and the Maiden ( 1994 ), another film with a stage - bound quality featuring a long , stormy night's interrogation in a single room.
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In this remake of the 1983 Ardiente Paciencia by Antonio Skarmeta the time and place have been changed to Italy in the 1950s but the relationship between the Chilean Nobel Prize-winning poet Pablo Neruda and Mario (Massimo Troisi) the postman who delivers his copious mail is still the focus of attention. In this version of the story scripted by a collective of Anna Pavignano the director Michael Radford Troisi himself and a few others (based on Skarmeta's original story) Neruda is an aloof and slightly elitist figure who is seeking solitude on an island off the coast of Italy taking a respite from political problems at home. Mario is a poet at heart and employs every measure he is capable of inventing to win his way into the affections and attention of the great author. As his efforts start to bear fruit and Neruda unbends and begins to share conversation and philosophy with Mario the postman idolizes the poet all the more. Eventually Neruda shares his leftist political philosophy as well -- and helps him win over the captivating Beatrice the woman of Mario's dreams. When Neruda leaves Mario enters into high gear as he prepares material for the next time he sees Neruda -- his ardor and patience alluded to in the original title -- are essentially indestructible. (Massimo Troisi) was fated never to know that Il Postino would receive worldwide acclaim and be nominated for an Oscar for "Best Picture" in 1995 (the first foreign film nominated in that category since Ingmar Bergman's Cries and Whispers 22 years earlier). Suffering from a heart ailment and unable to work more than an hour or two on the filming of Il Postino each day he died in his sleep at the age of 41 the day after shooting ended on the film.
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In this remake of the 1983 Ardiente Paciencia by Antonio Skarmeta , the time and place have been changed to Italy in the 1950s , but the relationship between the Chilean Nobel Prize - winning poet Pablo Neruda and Mario ( Massimo Troisi ), the postman who delivers his copious mail , is still the focus of attention. In this version of the story , scripted by a collective of Anna Pavignano , the director Michael Radford , Troisi himself , and a few others ( based on Skarmeta 's original story ), Neruda is an aloof and slightly elitist figure who is seeking solitude on an island off the coast of Italy , taking a respite from political problems at home. Mario is a poet at heart and employs every measure he is capable of inventing to win his way into the affections and attention of the great author. As his efforts start to bear fruit and Neruda unbends and begins to share conversation and philosophy with Mario , the postman idolizes the poet all the more. Eventually , Neruda shares his leftist political philosophy as well -- and helps him win over the captivating Beatrice , the woman of Mario's dreams. When Neruda leaves , Mario enters into high gear as he prepares material for the next time he sees Neruda -- his ardor and patience , alluded to in the original title -- are essentially indestructible. ( Massimo Troisi ) was fated never to know that Il Postino would receive worldwide acclaim and be nominated for an Oscar for "Best Picture" in 1995 ( the first foreign film nominated in that category since Ingmar Bergman 's Cries and Whispers 22 years earlier ) . Suffering from a heart ailment and unable to work more than an hour or two on the filming of Il Postino each day , he died in his sleep at the age of 41 , the day after shooting ended on the film.
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etter known as Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion this Oscar-winning political drama stars Gian Maria Volonte as the citizen of the title an unnamed police inspector. The story finds the inspector calmly cutting his mistress' throat then planting evidence that will clear him of accusation -- and attempting to evade arrest by virtue of his "clean" public image. Elio Petri's own anti-establishment stance was never more pronounced than in this film where the truth is whatever the ruling class chooses to acknowledge. The original Italian title of Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion was Indagine su un Cittadino al di Sopra di Ogna Sospetto.
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Better known as Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion , this Oscar - winning political drama stars Gian Maria Volonte as the citizen of the title , an unnamed police inspector. The story finds the inspector calmly cutting his mistress' throat , then planting evidence that will clear him of accusation -- and attempting to evade arrest by virtue of his "clean" public image. Elio Petri 's own anti - establishment stance was never more pronounced than in this film , where the truth is whatever the ruling class chooses to acknowledge. The original Italian title of Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion was Indagine su un Cittadino al di Sopra di Ogna Sospetto .
0865
Vittorio De Sica's A Brief Vacation (Una Breva Vacanza) stars Florinda Bolkan as a downtrodden working woman. Forced to support herself her children her physically incapacitated husband and her obtrusive brother and mother Bolkan contracts tuberculosis. She is granted a brief vacation at a health spa where a whole new world--and potential new life--is opened up to her. A Brief Vacation was scripted by the prolific Cesar Zavattini who like De Sica had once been a guiding force in the Italian neorealist movement. Though not De Sica's final film A Brief Vacation was the last of the director's work to be released in America.
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Vittorio De Sica 's A Brief Vacation ( Una Breva Vacanza ) stars Florinda Bolkan as a downtrodden working woman. Forced to support herself , her children , her physically incapacitated husband and her obtrusive brother and mother , Bolkan contracts tuberculosis. She is granted a brief vacation at a health spa , where a whole new world -- and potential new life -- is opened up to her. A Brief Vacation was scripted by the prolific Cesar Zavattini , who like De Sica had once been a guiding force in the Italian neorealist movement. Though not De Sica 's final film , A Brief Vacation was the last of the director's work to be released in America.
0866
Director Francesco Rosi earned a Best Foreign Film Academy Award nomination for his drama Tre Fratelli (Three Brothers) an adaptation of a work by Andrei Platonov. When the matriarch of an Italian family dies the husband brings his three boys each of whom are facing difficult personal problems back to their farmhouse. Raffaele (Philippe Noiret) is a judge who fears being executed over the politically unsettling case over which he is presiding. Rocco (Vittorio Mezzogiorno) is quite religious and dreams of helping troubled teenagers. Nicola (Michele Placido) is a worker involved in a labor dispute as well as a failed marriage. Each of the men grieves in his own way while also wrestling with the other emotional issues that are pressing on them.
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Director Francesco Rosi earned a Best Foreign Film Academy Award nomination for his drama Tre Fratelli ( Three Brothers ), an adaptation of a work by Andrei Platonov . When the matriarch of an Italian family dies , the husband brings his three boys , each of whom are facing difficult personal problems , back to their farmhouse. Raffaele ( Philippe Noiret ) is a judge who fears being executed over the politically unsettling case over which he is presiding. Rocco ( Vittorio Mezzogiorno ) is quite religious and dreams of helping troubled teenagers. Nicola ( Michele Placido ) is a worker involved in a labor dispute as well as a failed marriage. Each of the men grieves in his own way , while also wrestling with the other emotional issues that are pressing on them.
0867
Italian filmmaker Lina Wertmuller directs the black comedy Pasqualino Settebellezze (Seven Beauties). During WWII Pasqualino Frafuso (Giancarlo Giannini) ends up lost in a dense forest along with fellow army deserter Francesco (Piero De Orio). After they witness a mass execution by German soldiers Francesco admits his moral opposition to the Nazis and Pasqualino reveals his criminal past in a series of flashbacks. Back in Naples he was known as "Pasqualino Seven Beauties" a petty thief who lived off the profits of his seven sisters while claiming to protect their honor at any cost. When Totonno (Mario Conti) pimps out his sister Concettina (Elena Fiore) Pasqualino kills him chops up his body and mails each piece across the country. He is then arrested and sent to a mental institution where he commits sexual assault against another patient. Kicked out of the asylum he is sent to fight in the army. The Germans capture him and he gets sent to a concentration camp. He then plots to make his escape by demoralizing himself in an attempt to seduce a German officer (Shirley Stoler). Seven Beauties was nominated for four Academy Awards in 1977 including Best Foreign Film.
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Italian filmmaker Lina Wertmuller directs the black comedy Pasqualino Settebellezze ( Seven Beauties ) . During WWII , Pasqualino Frafuso ( Giancarlo Giannini ) ends up lost in a dense forest along with fellow army deserter Francesco ( Piero De Orio ) . After they witness a mass execution by German soldiers , Francesco admits his moral opposition to the Nazis and Pasqualino reveals his criminal past in a series of flashbacks. Back in Naples , he was known as "Pasqualino Seven Beauties , " a petty thief who lived off the profits of his seven sisters while claiming to protect their honor at any cost. When Totonno ( Mario Conti ) pimps out his sister Concettina ( Elena Fiore ), Pasqualino kills him , chops up his body , and mails each piece across the country. He is then arrested and sent to a mental institution , where he commits sexual assault against another patient. Kicked out of the asylum , he is sent to fight in the army. The Germans capture him and he gets sent to a concentration camp. He then plots to make his escape by demoralizing himself in an attempt to seduce a German officer ( Shirley Stoler ) . Seven Beauties was nominated for four Academy Awards in 1977 , including Best Foreign Film.
0868
Lina Wertmuller's fifth feature The Seduction of Mimi stars the director's favorite leading man Giancarlo Giannini. Giannini plays the muddler of the title who can't keep apace with the exigencies of a cruel callous society (this character would be honed to perfection in Wertmuller's subsequent Seven Beauties); his political and sexual ignorance land him in hot water time and again. Wertmuller devotes much of the picture's running time to lengthy monologues and diatribes involving sex and politics; the film attained notoriety for its infamous sequence of Giannini bedding an obese woman. Wertmuller won a Best Director prize at the Cannes Film Festival for her work in this picture. Originally titled Mimi Mettalurgio Ferito nell'Onore the film has also been released as Mimi the Metalworker and Wounded in Honor. It was remade (very loosely) by Richard Pryor as Which Way Is Up? (1977).
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Lina Wertmuller 's fifth feature , The Seduction of Mimi , stars the director's favorite leading man , Giancarlo Giannini . Giannini plays the muddler of the title , who can't keep apace with the exigencies of a cruel , callous society ( this character would be honed to perfection in Wertmuller 's subsequent Seven Beauties ); his political and sexual ignorance land him in hot water time and again. Wertmuller devotes much of the picture's running time to lengthy monologues and diatribes involving sex and politics ; the film attained notoriety for its infamous sequence of Giannini bedding an obese woman. Wertmuller won a Best Director prize at the Cannes Film Festival for her work in this picture. Originally titled Mimi Mettalurgio Ferito nell'Onore , the film has also been released as Mimi the Metalworker and Wounded in Honor . It was remade ( very loosely ) by Richard Pryor as Which Way Is Up? ( 1977 ) .
0869
In Tuscan lore the evening of August 10th is la notte di san lorenzo (the night of the shooting stars). Each of these stars is believed to grant one wish. In this celebrated film by Italy's Taviani brothers a woman asks for the words to tell her son about that same night during the last days of World War II. The Nazis occupied Italy and the fascists had mined her small Tuscan village of San Martino. Skeptical of the fascists' promise that all peasants will be safe in San Martino's cathedral a group of villagers opt to leave and search for the Italian partisans and advancing American forces. Among those to depart is the woman then only six years old. La Notte di San Lorenzo is the story of the villagers' remarkable exodus the fate of those left behind and the partisan struggle against fascism -- lyrically intertwined with their thoughts loves fears and memories as well as the fantasies of a young girl experiencing the tragedy she perceives to be her greatest adventure.
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In Tuscan lore , the evening of August 10th is la notte di san lorenzo ( the night of the shooting stars ) . Each of these stars is believed to grant one wish. In this celebrated film by Italy's Taviani brothers , a woman asks for the words to tell her son about that same night during the last days of World War II. The Nazis occupied Italy and the fascists had mined her small Tuscan village of San Martino. Skeptical of the fascists' promise that all peasants will be safe in San Martino's cathedral , a group of villagers opt to leave and search for the Italian partisans and advancing American forces. Among those to depart is the woman , then only six years old. La Notte di San Lorenzo is the story of the villagers' remarkable exodus , the fate of those left behind , and the partisan struggle against fascism -- lyrically intertwined with their thoughts , loves , fears , and memories , as well as the fantasies of a young girl experiencing the tragedy she perceives to be her greatest adventure.
0870
Originally released in Italy as Film d'Amore e d'Anarchia Lina Wertmuller's Love and Anarchy is set in the fascist-dominated Italy of the 1930s. Giancarlo Giannini plays an idealistic farmer swept up in an anti-fascist underground movement. His first task as a member is to assassinate Mussolini (talk about your initiation stunts!) While preparing to carry out his assignment Giannini takes up residence in a whorehouse run by Mariangela Melato another anti-Mussolinite. Giannini's resolve to carry out the assassination is weakened by his love for one of Melato's prostitutes as well as his own essentially gentle nature. Love and Anarchy was the first of Wertmuller's films to gain a U.S. release.
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Originally released in Italy as Film d'Amore e d'Anarchia , Lina Wertmuller's Love and Anarchy is set in the fascist - dominated Italy of the 1930s. Giancarlo Giannini plays an idealistic farmer swept up in an anti - fascist underground movement. His first task as a member is to assassinate Mussolini ( talk about your initiation stunts! ) While preparing to carry out his assignment , Giannini takes up residence in a whorehouse run by Mariangela Melato , another anti - Mussolinite. Giannini's resolve to carry out the assassination is weakened by his love for one of Melato's prostitutes , as well as his own essentially gentle nature. Love and Anarchy was the first of Wertmuller's films to gain a U.S. release.
0871
Italy's fraternal filmmaking team of Paolo and Vittorio Taviani whip up another multistoried slice of life in Kaos. "Life" in this case is seen from the peculiar perspective of author Luigi Pirandello four of whose pieces are herein adapted. "The Other Son" finds Margarita Lozano making the best of her rocky relationship with her son who was the product of a rape. "Moonstruck" (no relation to the Cher vehicle of the same name) deals with a newlywed woman who is adversely affected by the full moon. The comedy team of Franco and Ciccio star in "The Jar" a fable concerning a feudal landlord and a merry-prankster jar manufacturer. And in "Conversing with Mother" the Tavianis go their usual route of forcing their characters to face the present by confronting the past by having Pirandello himself (Omero Antonutti) converse with the ghost of his long-departed mother (Regina Bianchi).
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Italy's fraternal filmmaking team of Paolo and Vittorio Taviani whip up another multistoried slice of life in Kaos . "Life , " in this case , is seen from the peculiar perspective of author Luigi Pirandello , four of whose pieces are herein adapted. "The Other Son" finds Margarita Lozano making the best of her rocky relationship with her son , who was the product of a rape. "Moonstruck" ( no relation to the Cher vehicle of the same name ) deals with a newlywed woman who is adversely affected by the full moon. The comedy team of Franco and Ciccio star in "The Jar , " a fable concerning a feudal landlord and a merry - prankster jar manufacturer. And in "Conversing with Mother , " the Tavianis go their usual route of forcing their characters to face the present by confronting the past by having Pirandello himself ( Omero Antonutti ) converse with the ghost of his long - departed mother ( Regina Bianchi ) .
0872
Intervista has been termed a semi-documentary: This is in fact the filmed autobiography of Italian director Federico Fellini framed in the form of an interview conducted by a Japanese film crew. As the interview progresses Fellini's mind wanders to his earliest days (the reenacted events conflict with several of the "official" stories of his life). His fascination with filmmaking is manifested in the "wonderland" atmosphere of the old Cinecitta studios. With the cooperation of Fellini's loyal co-workers we are permitted to see tantalizingly brief excerpts (some self-mocking) of Fellini's modus operandi. A visit by Fellini and guest-star Marcello Mastroianni to Anita Ekberg's home leads to a lavish (and poignant) "reliving" of the 1961 Fellini/Mastroianni/Ekberg effort La Dolce Vita. The climax of Intervista scene invokes Fellini's previous inward-looking classic 8 1/2 with a novel twist calculated to send the director's disciples home with a knowing smile.
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Intervista has been termed a semi - documentary : This is in fact the filmed autobiography of Italian director Federico Fellini , framed in the form of an interview conducted by a Japanese film crew. As the interview progresses Fellini's mind wanders to his earliest days ( the reenacted events conflict with several of the "official" stories of his life ) . His fascination with filmmaking is manifested in the "wonderland" atmosphere of the old Cinecitta studios. With the cooperation of Fellini's loyal co - workers , we are permitted to see tantalizingly brief excerpts ( some self - mocking ) of Fellini's modus operandi. A visit by Fellini and guest - star Marcello Mastroianni to Anita Ekberg 's home leads to a lavish ( and poignant ) "reliving" of the 1961 Fellini / Mastroianni / Ekberg effort La Dolce Vita . The climax of Intervista scene invokes Fellini's previous inward - looking classic 8 1 / 2 , with a novel twist calculated to send the director's disciples home with a knowing smile.
0873
This pulse-pounding follow-up to Sergio Leone's A Fistful of Dollars brings back Clint Eastwood as the serape-clad cigar-chewing "Man With No Name." Engaged in an ongoing battle with bounty hunter Col. Douglas Mortimer (Lee Van Cleef) the Man joins forces with his enemy to capture homicidal bandit Indio (Gian Maria Volontè). Both the Eastwood and Van Cleef characters are given understandable motivations for their bloodletting tendencies something that was lacking in A Fistful of Dollars. In both films however the violence is raw and uninhibited -- and in many ways curiously poetic. Leone's tense tight close-ups pregnant pauses and significant silences have since been absorbed into the standard spaghetti Western lexicon; likewise Ennio Morricone's haunting musical score has been endlessly imitated and parodied. For a Few Dollars More was originally titled Per Qualche Dollaro in Più; it would be followed by the last and best of the Man with No Name trilogy The Good the Bad and the Ugly.
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This pulse - pounding follow - up to Sergio Leone 's A Fistful of Dollars brings back Clint Eastwood as the serape - clad , cigar - chewing "Man With No Name." Engaged in an ongoing battle with bounty hunter Col. Douglas Mortimer ( Lee Van Cleef ), the Man joins forces with his enemy to capture homicidal bandit Indio ( Gian Maria Volontè ) . Both the Eastwood and Van Cleef characters are given understandable motivations for their bloodletting tendencies , something that was lacking in A Fistful of Dollars . In both films , however , the violence is raw and uninhibited -- and in many ways , curiously poetic. Leone 's tense , tight close - ups , pregnant pauses , and significant silences have since been absorbed into the standard spaghetti Western lexicon ; likewise , Ennio Morricone 's haunting musical score has been endlessly imitated and parodied. For a Few Dollars More was originally titled Per Qualche Dollaro in Più ; it would be followed by the last and best of the Man with No Name trilogy , The Good , the Bad and the Ugly .
0874
y the time Sergio Leone made this film Italians had already produced about 20 films ironically labelled "spaghetti westerns." Leone approached the genre with great love and humor. Although the plot was admittedly borrowed from Akira Kurosawa's Yojimbo (1961) Leone managed to create a work of his own that would serve as a model for many films to come. Clint Eastwood plays a cynical gunfighter who comes to a small border town and offers his services to two rivaling gangs. Neither gang is aware of his double play and each thinks it is using him but the stranger will outwit them both. The picture was the first installment in a cycle commonly known as the "Dollars" trilogy. Later United Artists who distributed it in the U.S. coined another term for it: the "Man With No Name" trilogy. While not as impressive as its follow-ups For a Few Dollars More (1965) and The Good the Bad and the Ugly (1966) A Fistful of Dollars contains all of Leone's eventual trademarks: taciturn characters precise framing extreme close-ups and the haunting music of Ennio Morricone. Not released in the U.S. until 1967 due to copyright problems the film was decisive in both Clint Eastwood's career and the recognition of the Italian western.
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By the time Sergio Leone made this film , Italians had already produced about 20 films ironically labelled "spaghetti westerns." Leone approached the genre with great love and humor. Although the plot was admittedly borrowed from Akira Kurosawa 's Yojimbo ( 1961 ), Leone managed to create a work of his own that would serve as a model for many films to come. Clint Eastwood plays a cynical gunfighter who comes to a small border town and offers his services to two rivaling gangs. Neither gang is aware of his double play , and each thinks it is using him , but the stranger will outwit them both. The picture was the first installment in a cycle commonly known as the "Dollars" trilogy. Later , United Artists , who distributed it in the U.S. , coined another term for it : the "Man With No Name" trilogy. While not as impressive as its follow - ups For a Few Dollars More ( 1965 ) and The Good , the Bad , and the Ugly ( 1966 ), A Fistful of Dollars contains all of Leone 's eventual trademarks : taciturn characters , precise framing , extreme close - ups , and the haunting music of Ennio Morricone . Not released in the U.S. until 1967 due to copyright problems , the film was decisive in both Clint Eastwood 's career and the recognition of the Italian western.
0875
Federico Fellini makes his most decadent undisciplined work in this free adaptation of Petronius' famous farcical chronicle of ancient Roman life. The film opens with Encolpio (Martin Potter) vying with his friend Ascilto (Hiram Keller) for the affections of a young effeminate lad named Gitone (Max Born). When the youth chooses his rival or him Encolpio begins a journey that has him encountering Romans of every stripe and color. He drops in on an orgy thrown by Trimalchio (Mario Romagnoli) a wealth-loving ex-slave who has spurned his wife in favor of a pleasures of a young boy; he toils on a slave galley fighting off the advances of Lichas (Alain Cuny) -- the ship's burly wall-eyed captain; he steals an albino hermaphrodite demi-god who is reputed to be able to tell the future; and fails to summon the enthusiasm to make love to a whore-priestess. Along the way we witness a parade of prostitutes in ancient Rome's pleasure quarters; watch performance by Vernacchio (Fanfulla) an actor whose on-stage specialties include farting and public amputation; and the wonton devouring of a human corpse for financial gain.
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Federico Fellini makes his most decadent , undisciplined work in this free adaptation of Petronius' famous farcical chronicle of ancient Roman life. The film opens with Encolpio ( Martin Potter ) vying with his friend Ascilto ( Hiram Keller ) for the affections of a young effeminate lad named Gitone ( Max Born ) . When the youth chooses his rival or him , Encolpio begins a journey that has him encountering Romans of every stripe and color. He drops in on an orgy thrown by Trimalchio ( Mario Romagnoli ), a wealth - loving ex - slave who has spurned his wife in favor of a pleasures of a young boy ; he toils on a slave galley , fighting off the advances of Lichas ( Alain Cuny ) -- the ship's burly wall - eyed captain ; he steals an albino hermaphrodite demi - god who is reputed to be able to tell the future ; and fails to summon the enthusiasm to make love to a whore - priestess. Along the way , we witness a parade of prostitutes in ancient Rome's pleasure quarters ; watch performance by Vernacchio ( Fanfulla ), an actor whose on - stage specialties include farting and public amputation ; and the wonton devouring of a human corpse for financial gain.
0876
ernardo Bertolucci's 255-minute 1900 was a gargantuan undertaking requiring the resources of three European countries and a trio of American movie studios. Set in the Italian town of Parma the film's continuity backtracks from Liberation Day in 1945 to the occasion of composer/patriot Giuseppe Verdi's death in 1901. We follow the lives of two men born on that day in 1901 who grow up to be Alfredo Berlinghieti (Robert De Niro) and Olmo Dalco (Gérard Depardieu). Wealthy Alfredo sinks into dissipation while poverty-stricken Olmo becomes a firebrand labor leader and communist. After WWI Alfredo is allowed to peacefully retain his land holdings by playing nice with the burgeoning fascists; Olmo on the other hand engages in a long-standing battle against the minions of Mussolini. The two protagonists are reunited when Alfredo returns to Parma to preside over Olmo's trial for "political crimes." Co-star Burt Lancaster is cast as Alfredo's wealthy grandfather who hates to see the old values buried beneath the social travails of the 20th century. Many American prints of 1900 were shortened to 243 minutes rendering the story hard to follow at times.
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Bernardo Bertolucci 's 255 - minute 1900 was a gargantuan undertaking , requiring the resources of three European countries and a trio of American movie studios. Set in the Italian town of Parma , the film's continuity backtracks from Liberation Day in 1945 to the occasion of composer / patriot Giuseppe Verdi 's death in 1901. We follow the lives of two men born on that day in 1901 , who grow up to be Alfredo Berlinghieti ( Robert De Niro ) and Olmo Dalco ( Gérard Depardieu ) . Wealthy Alfredo sinks into dissipation , while poverty - stricken Olmo becomes a firebrand labor leader and communist. After WWI , Alfredo is allowed to peacefully retain his land holdings by playing nice with the burgeoning fascists ; Olmo , on the other hand , engages in a long - standing battle against the minions of Mussolini . The two protagonists are reunited when Alfredo returns to Parma to preside over Olmo's trial for "political crimes." Co - star Burt Lancaster is cast as Alfredo's wealthy grandfather , who hates to see the old values buried beneath the social travails of the 20th century. Many American prints of 1900 were shortened to 243 minutes , rendering the story hard to follow at times.
0877
In Fiorile (US title: Wild Flower) Italy's Taviani brothers once again dissect the manners and mores of the Tuscany region. The story is predicated on a 200-year-old family curse. During the Napoleonic era Elizabetta "Fiorile" Benedetti (Galatea Ranzi) discovers that her own brother Corado (Claudio Bigagli) is responsible for the crime for which her lover Jean (Michael Vartan) was executed. The embittered Fiorile places a curse on the Benedetti family declaring that none of her brother's direct descendants will ever achieve true happiness. Over the next two centuries the Benedettis' ill-gotten wealth increases but they lose the love and respect of their neighbors. In fact most people prefer to call the Benedetti family the "Maledettis" or the Cursed Ones. The film's final episode occurs during World War II as Grandpa Massimo Benedetti (Renato Carpentieri) the last family member directly affected by the curse relates his tale of woe to a pair of youngsters. Will the curse die with Massimo or will the innocent young ones be forced to carry it into the next generation? Fiorile is not the sort of movie one sits back and relaxes with despite its leisurely pace; those willing to work with the film however will be amply rewarded.
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In Fiorile ( US title : Wild Flower ), Italy's Taviani brothers once again dissect the manners and mores of the Tuscany region. The story is predicated on a 200 - year - old family curse. During the Napoleonic era , Elizabetta "Fiorile" Benedetti ( Galatea Ranzi ) discovers that her own brother Corado ( Claudio Bigagli ) is responsible for the crime for which her lover Jean ( Michael Vartan ) was executed. The embittered Fiorile places a curse on the Benedetti family , declaring that none of her brother's direct descendants will ever achieve true happiness. Over the next two centuries , the Benedettis' ill - gotten wealth increases , but they lose the love and respect of their neighbors. In fact , most people prefer to call the Benedetti family the "Maledettis , " or the Cursed Ones. The film's final episode occurs during World War II , as Grandpa Massimo Benedetti ( Renato Carpentieri ), the last family member directly affected by the curse , relates his tale of woe to a pair of youngsters. Will the curse die with Massimo , or will the innocent young ones be forced to carry it into the next generation? Fiorile is not the sort of movie one sits back and relaxes with , despite its leisurely pace ; those willing to work with the film , however , will be amply rewarded.
0878
Italian chemist turned author Primo Levi was interred at Auschwitz during WW II until 1945. Following his release he returned to his native Turin and penned the wrenching autobiographical account of life in the concentration camp If This Is a Man. In 1962 he wrote a companion book The Truce a chronicle of his hellish nine-month journey from the camp to Turin. Both books are crucial entries in the history of the Holocaust. This careful adaptation of the second book took filmmaker Francesco Rosi 10 years to make. Levi's trek begins when shortly after the Germans leave four Russian horsemen ride up and tear down the gates of Auschwitz. Levi is quickly aboard one of the first outbound trucks. Over the next few months he goes to many different countries and along the way he meets and is befriended by assorted fellow travelers. Through them his appreciation of life and freedom slowly returns but with it also comes a deep rage and an abiding guilt at having survived a guilt that may have led Levi to suicide in 1987.
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Italian chemist turned author Primo Levi was interred at Auschwitz during WW II until 1945. Following his release , he returned to his native Turin and penned the wrenching autobiographical account of life in the concentration camp If This Is a Man. In 1962 , he wrote a companion book , The Truce , a chronicle of his hellish nine - month journey from the camp to Turin. Both books are crucial entries in the history of the Holocaust. This careful adaptation of the second book took filmmaker Francesco Rosi 10 years to make. Levi's trek begins when shortly after the Germans leave , four Russian horsemen ride up and tear down the gates of Auschwitz. Levi is quickly aboard one of the first outbound trucks. Over the next few months , he goes to many different countries , and along the way he meets and is befriended by assorted fellow travelers. Through them , his appreciation of life and freedom slowly returns , but with it also comes a deep rage and an abiding guilt at having survived , a guilt that may have led Levi to suicide in 1987.
0879
Veteran animator Hayao Miyazaki directs this buoyant children's adventure yarn about a young witch striking out on her own. At her mother's behest 13-year-old Kiki sets out on a year-long apprenticeship with her black cat in tow. With a shaky command of her broom she ends up in a charming little coastal town that looks like a cross between the French provincial and San Francisco. Unfortunately the local hotels have a strict "no witches" policy and the police have taken a dim view of her recent aerial mischief-making. She's saved from the street by a kindly baker's wife who offers her room and board in exchange for her delivering by broom the baker's wares. Soon she befriends a college-aged artist an old women who fusses over her and a boy her same age who is nursing a massive crush. All is well until she wakes up one day and realizes that she can't make her broom levitate nor can she talk to her cat. What will Kiki do?
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Veteran animator Hayao Miyazaki directs this buoyant children's adventure yarn about a young witch striking out on her own. At her mother's behest , 13 - year - old Kiki sets out on a year - long apprenticeship with her black cat in tow. With a shaky command of her broom , she ends up in a charming little coastal town that looks like a cross between the French provincial and San Francisco. Unfortunately , the local hotels have a strict "no witches" policy and the police have taken a dim view of her recent aerial mischief - making. She's saved from the street by a kindly baker's wife , who offers her room and board in exchange for her delivering by broom the baker's wares. Soon she befriends a college - aged artist , an old women who fusses over her , and a boy her same age who is nursing a massive crush. All is well until she wakes up one day and realizes that she can't make her broom levitate nor can she talk to her cat. What will Kiki do?
0880
ased upon a true incident in 1930s Japan Nagisa Oshima's controversial film effectively skirts the borderline between pornography and art -- making Bernardo Bertolucci's Last Tango in Paris of four years earlier look like children's programming in comparison. The story concerns servant and former prostitute Sada Abe (Eiko Matsuda) who becomes sexually obsessed with her employer Kizicho (Tatsuya Fuji) a businessman after seeing him making love to his wife. After making love to Sada Kizicho becomes obsessed with her as well. As their love-making becomes more and more intense they find themselves unable to separate themselves from each other until every waking hour is spent in more and more dangerous sexual acts with Sada becoming more and more of the aggressor. Finally for the ultimate in eroticism Kizicho agrees to be strangled during sexual ecstasy for the ultimate in orgasmic fulfillment.
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Based upon a true incident in 1930s Japan , Nagisa Oshima 's controversial film effectively skirts the borderline between pornography and art -- making Bernardo Bertolucci 's Last Tango in Paris of four years earlier look like children's programming in comparison. The story concerns servant and former prostitute Sada Abe ( Eiko Matsuda ) who becomes sexually obsessed with her employer Kizicho ( Tatsuya Fuji ), a businessman , after seeing him making love to his wife. After making love to Sada , Kizicho becomes obsessed with her as well. As their love - making becomes more and more intense , they find themselves unable to separate themselves from each other , until every waking hour is spent in more and more dangerous sexual acts with Sada becoming more and more of the aggressor. Finally , for the ultimate in eroticism , Kizicho agrees to be strangled during sexual ecstasy for the ultimate in orgasmic fulfillment.
0881
Idiosyncratic auteur Kiyoshi Kurosawa directed this bizarre allegorical tale about a tree named Charisma. Goro Yabuike (Koji Yakusho) is a burned-out hostage negotiator called to rescue an MP from a gun-toting lunatic demanding that "rule of the world" be restored. In a moment of indecision he fails to act; as a result both the MP and the lunatic die while Yabuike is sent on a forced vacation to an unnamed forest area. There he comes upon a single tree surrounded by an I.V. pole metal supports and strange altar-like objects. Yabuike soon discovers that the locals are enmeshed in a battle over the tree's future. The plant is staunchly sometimes violently defended by Kiriyama (Hiroyuki Ikeuchi) a young resident of an abandoned sanitarium who believes that Charisma is unique and should be preserved. On the other hand Mitsuko (Jun Fubuki) a do-gooder botanist credits the mysterious tree with poisoning its fellow plants and upsetting the eco-system. Other characters include thuggish lumberjacks and rapacious tree-hunters hoping to buy or steal the rare tree at any cost. As things come to a head Yabuike is forced to make the sort of decisions of which he was incapable as a hostage negotiator. Is Charisma a force of evil or the victim of the obsessions of those around it? Is it the unique specimen that should be saved or the entire forest? Again Yabuike is flummoxed but this time he acts before it is too late. This adventurous psychedelic film explores many of the same themes of the individual's fate in modern society as Kurosawa's early work Cure (1997). Charisma was screened in the "Directors Fortnight" section of the 1999 Cannes Film Festival and as a part of the director's spotlight at the 1999 Toronto International Film Festival.
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Idiosyncratic auteur Kiyoshi Kurosawa directed this bizarre allegorical tale about a tree named Charisma. Goro Yabuike ( Koji Yakusho ) is a burned - out hostage negotiator called to rescue an MP from a gun - toting lunatic demanding that "rule of the world" be restored. In a moment of indecision , he fails to act ; as a result , both the MP and the lunatic die , while Yabuike is sent on a forced vacation to an unnamed forest area. There he comes upon a single tree surrounded by an I.V. pole , metal supports , and strange altar - like objects. Yabuike soon discovers that the locals are enmeshed in a battle over the tree's future. The plant is staunchly , sometimes violently defended by Kiriyama ( Hiroyuki Ikeuchi ), a young resident of an abandoned sanitarium who believes that Charisma is unique and should be preserved. On the other hand , Mitsuko ( Jun Fubuki ), a do - gooder botanist , credits the mysterious tree with poisoning its fellow plants and upsetting the eco - system. Other characters include thuggish lumberjacks and rapacious tree - hunters hoping to buy or steal the rare tree at any cost. As things come to a head , Yabuike is forced to make the sort of decisions of which he was incapable as a hostage negotiator. Is Charisma a force of evil or the victim of the obsessions of those around it? Is it the unique specimen that should be saved or the entire forest? Again Yabuike is flummoxed , but this time he acts before it is too late. This adventurous , psychedelic film explores many of the same themes of the individual's fate in modern society as Kurosawa 's early work , Cure ( 1997 ) . Charisma was screened in the "Directors Fortnight" section of the 1999 Cannes Film Festival and as a part of the director's spotlight at the 1999 Toronto International Film Festival .
0882
Hayao Miyazaki's fantasy adventure Castle in the Sky begins with a chase scene through a flying ship where all the passengers are after the young girl Sheeta (voice of Anna Paquin). Going overboard to avoid capture Sheeta is rescued by her powerful crystal necklace which floats her down to safety. She's recovered by Pazu (voice of James Van Der Beek) a young resourceful boy who works in a small mining town. Sharing a common desire to see Laputa the castle in the sky Pazu and Sheeta team up to outrun the pirates and the military. Led by hard-bitten matriarch Dola (voice of Cloris Leachman) the pirates are a rowdy yet dimwitted group of brothers who are after Laputa's treasure. Led by the greedy yet civilized Muska (voice of Mark Hamill) the military is after Laputa's secret powers. Everyone races to get to the abandoned castle of Laputa which has been overgrown with vines and plant life. Its only inhabitants are the animals and robots who protect a magical garden. As the different parties fight over who gets to control Laputa it's up to Sheeta to use her ancient knowledge to save it from ultimate destruction. The English-language version also includes the voices of Mandy Patinkin and Andy Dick.
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Hayao Miyazaki 's fantasy adventure Castle in the Sky begins with a chase scene through a flying ship , where all the passengers are after the young girl , Sheeta ( voice of Anna Paquin ) . Going overboard to avoid capture , Sheeta is rescued by her powerful crystal necklace which floats her down to safety. She's recovered by Pazu ( voice of James Van Der Beek ), a young resourceful boy who works in a small mining town. Sharing a common desire to see Laputa , the castle in the sky , Pazu and Sheeta team up to outrun the pirates and the military. Led by hard - bitten matriarch Dola ( voice of Cloris Leachman ), the pirates are a rowdy yet dimwitted group of brothers who are after Laputa's treasure. Led by the greedy yet civilized Muska ( voice of Mark Hamill ), the military is after Laputa's secret powers. Everyone races to get to the abandoned castle of Laputa , which has been overgrown with vines and plant life. Its only inhabitants are the animals and robots who protect a magical garden. As the different parties fight over who gets to control Laputa , it's up to Sheeta to use her ancient knowledge to save it from ultimate destruction. The English - language version also includes the voices of Mandy Patinkin and Andy Dick .
0883
Veteran filmmaker and perennial iconoclast Shohei Imamura directs this darkly comic tale about love redemption and a man's beloved pet eel. The film opens with Takuro Yamashita (Koji Yakusho) a seemingly normal salaryman learning that his wife might be having an affair. When he catches the couple in flaganto delicto he freaks out and brutally stabs them both to death. Eight years later Yamashita is released on parole into the care of a Buddhist priest living in rural Chiba prefecture. Far away from his former life yet still plagued with memories of his crime Yamashita decides to start anew by opening a barbershop on a quiet road next to a canal. Though inward looking and self-conscious he eventually befriends a bumptious but good-hearted day laborer and a construction worker who's obsessed with UFOs. His most fateful encounter though is with a woman named Keiko (Misa Shimizu) who he discovers unconscious following a suicide attempt. Looking to put a few of her own demons to bed Keiko decides to stay in this sleepy corner of Japan and help her savior with his barbershop. Initially against the idea -- she bears a striking resemblance to his dead spouse -- he eventually agrees and even grows to like having her around. This film won the Grand Prix at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival.
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Veteran filmmaker and perennial iconoclast Shohei Imamura directs this darkly comic tale about love , redemption , and a man's beloved pet eel. The film opens with Takuro Yamashita ( Koji Yakusho ), a seemingly normal salaryman , learning that his wife might be having an affair. When he catches the couple in flaganto delicto , he freaks out and brutally stabs them both to death. Eight years later , Yamashita is released on parole into the care of a Buddhist priest living in rural Chiba prefecture. Far away from his former life , yet still plagued with memories of his crime , Yamashita decides to start anew by opening a barbershop on a quiet road next to a canal. Though inward looking and self - conscious , he eventually befriends a bumptious but good - hearted day laborer , and a construction worker who's obsessed with UFOs. His most fateful encounter though is with a woman named Keiko ( Misa Shimizu ), who he discovers unconscious following a suicide attempt. Looking to put a few of her own demons to bed , Keiko decides to stay in this sleepy corner of Japan and help her savior with his barbershop. Initially against the idea -- she bears a striking resemblance to his dead spouse -- he eventually agrees and even grows to like having her around. This film won the Grand Prix at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival .
0884
Acclaimed Japanese filmmaker comedian television star author and all-around renaissance man Takeshi \"Beat\" Kitano stars in this unconventional take on the crime drama. Kitano portrays Murakawa a successful Yakuza officer who has grown weary of the violent life so much so that he has even considered retirement. Thus he is not pleased when he is asked to lead a team to help defuse a gang war in Okinawa but agrees when he is assured it will be an easy job. It proves anything but however and he soon finds himself in the middle of a complex bloody conflict. Fearing that he has been set up Murakawa withdraws to a nearby coastal town. The film takes a trademark Kitano turn at this point moving away from the standard crime drama plot to focus on what amounts to a gangster's summer vacation with the killers playing frisbee on the beach and taking dancing lessons. Murakawa even finds a summer romance falling in love with a local girl who is impressed by his way with a gun. This sunny idyll cannot last forever however and soon the realities of the criminal life catch up with them. Seen as a prime example of Kitano's style Sonatine features a combination of deadpan comedy and unexpectedly romantic lyricism periodically interrupted by shockingly sudden bursts of violence.
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Acclaimed Japanese filmmaker , comedian , television star , author , and all - around renaissance man Takeshi \ "Beat \ " Kitano stars in this unconventional take on the crime drama. Kitano portrays Murakawa , a successful Yakuza officer who has grown weary of the violent life , so much so that he has even considered retirement. Thus , he is not pleased when he is asked to lead a team to help defuse a gang war in Okinawa but agrees when he is assured it will be an easy job. It proves anything but , however , and he soon finds himself in the middle of a complex , bloody conflict. Fearing that he has been set up , Murakawa withdraws to a nearby coastal town. The film takes a trademark Kitano turn at this point , moving away from the standard crime drama plot to focus on what amounts to a gangster's summer vacation , with the killers playing frisbee on the beach and taking dancing lessons. Murakawa even finds a summer romance , falling in love with a local girl who is impressed by his way with a gun. This sunny idyll cannot last forever , however , and soon the realities of the criminal life catch up with them. Seen as a prime example of Kitano 's style , Sonatine features a combination of deadpan comedy and unexpectedly romantic lyricism , periodically interrupted by shockingly sudden bursts of violence.
0885
Three stories of life along the margins in Mexico City converge in this inventive thriller. Octavio is sharing an apartment with his brother which leads to a serious problem when he falls in love with Susanna his sister-in-law. Octavio and Susanna want to run away together but Octavio has no money. He does however know a man who stages dog fights and he volunteers his dog Cofi for the next round of fights. Cofi bravely rises to the occasion but the dog's success in the ring leads to a violent altercation. Elsewhere Daniel a successful publishing magnate leaves his family to take up with a beautiful model Valeria. Valeria however soon loses a leg in an auto accident and as Daniel tends to her needs her tiny pet dog gets trapped under the floorboards of their apartment. And finally El Chivo (Emilio Echeverria) is an elderly homeless man who is trying to contact his daughter whom he hasn't seen in years. Desperate for money El Chivo is hired by a businessman to assassinate his partner; however as he's following his target he's interrupted by an auto accident from which Octavio and his injured dog stagger in search of help. Amores Perros (aka Love's a Bitch) was the debut from director Alexandro Gonzalez Inarritu.
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Three stories of life along the margins in Mexico City converge in this inventive thriller. Octavio is sharing an apartment with his brother , which leads to a serious problem when he falls in love with Susanna , his sister - in - law. Octavio and Susanna want to run away together , but Octavio has no money. He does , however , know a man who stages dog fights , and he volunteers his dog Cofi for the next round of fights. Cofi bravely rises to the occasion , but the dog's success in the ring leads to a violent altercation. Elsewhere , Daniel , a successful publishing magnate , leaves his family to take up with a beautiful model , Valeria. Valeria , however , soon loses a leg in an auto accident , and as Daniel tends to her needs , her tiny pet dog gets trapped under the floorboards of their apartment. And finally , El Chivo ( Emilio Echeverria ) is an elderly homeless man who is trying to contact his daughter , whom he hasn't seen in years. Desperate for money , El Chivo is hired by a businessman to assassinate his partner ; however , as he's following his target , he's interrupted by an auto accident , from which Octavio and his injured dog stagger in search of help. Amores Perros ( aka Love's a Bitch ) was the debut from director Alexandro Gonzalez Inarritu .
0886
Gaby: A True Story is about a young woman -- the child of rich European refugees living in Mexico -- who was stricken with cerebral palsy at birth. Though her body is completely paralyzed her mind is unaffected and she is able to become a college graduate and an acclaimed author. Rachel Levin won acclaim in the title role but Norma Aleandro received an Oscan nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
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Gaby : A True Story is about a young woman -- the child of rich European refugees living in Mexico -- who was stricken with cerebral palsy at birth. Though her body is completely paralyzed , her mind is unaffected , and she is able to become a college graduate and an acclaimed author. Rachel Levin won acclaim in the title role , but Norma Aleandro received an Oscan nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
0887
Spending the bulk of her time working and raising her child alone Julia's life is filled with mundane grays. The only color in her life comes from her Wednesday night trips to Mexico City where she dances the danzon with her long-time partner Carmelo. But one night she goes to dance and Carmelo is not there. At first puzzled and then obsessed she embarks upon a search that not only solves the mystery of his disappearance but also leads her down a path of personal discovery and renewal. This drama earned international acclaim and was the first Mexican film to premiere at Cannes in over a decade.
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Spending the bulk of her time working and raising her child alone , Julia's life is filled with mundane grays. The only color in her life comes from her Wednesday night trips to Mexico City where she dances the danzon with her long - time partner Carmelo. But one night , she goes to dance and Carmelo is not there. At first puzzled , and then obsessed , she embarks upon a search that not only solves the mystery of his disappearance , but also leads her down a path of personal discovery and renewal. This drama earned international acclaim and was the first Mexican film to premiere at Cannes in over a decade.
0888
This award-winning documentary from Mexican cinematographer Carlos Marcovich marked his debut as a director. While filming a video in Cuba starring model Fabiola Quiroz Marcovich met and was struck by the brashness of a 16-year-old Havana jinetera (child prostitute) named Juliet Ortega whom Fabiola had befriended. Electing to direct a documentary about the girl Marcovich embarked on a three-year odyssey of following the barrio dwelling orphan contrasting her life with that of the glamorous Fabiola who is at the opposite end of the class and economic spectrum. As Juliet's world is revealed however it develops that both she and Fabiola were abandoned by their fathers as children and both have been deeply wounded by the experience. Marcovich then arranges a reunion with Juliet's father an emgire now living in New Jersey about whom Juliet has not been told the truth. Ultimately Fabiola arranges for the beautiful Juliet to get a modeling interview in an effort to rescue her friend from the slums and streetwalking. Actress Salma Hayek a heroine of Juliet's appears in the film as herself.
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This award - winning documentary from Mexican cinematographer Carlos Marcovich marked his debut as a director. While filming a video in Cuba starring model Fabiola Quiroz , Marcovich met and was struck by the brashness of a 16 - year - old Havana jinetera ( child prostitute ) named Juliet Ortega whom Fabiola had befriended. Electing to direct a documentary about the girl , Marcovich embarked on a three - year odyssey of following the barrio dwelling orphan , contrasting her life with that of the glamorous Fabiola , who is at the opposite end of the class and economic spectrum. As Juliet's world is revealed , however , it develops that both she and Fabiola were abandoned by their fathers as children , and both have been deeply wounded by the experience. Marcovich then arranges a reunion with Juliet's father , an emgire now living in New Jersey , about whom Juliet has not been told the truth. Ultimately , Fabiola arranges for the beautiful Juliet to get a modeling interview in an effort to rescue her friend from the slums and streetwalking. Actress Salma Hayek , a heroine of Juliet's , appears in the film as herself.
0889
In this disturbing drama a father seeking to protect his family from the evils of the outside world locks them away in his ancestral home for eighteen years.
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In this disturbing drama , a father , seeking to protect his family from the evils of the outside world , locks them away in his ancestral home for eighteen years.
0890
With little dialog and exquisite almost documentary-like images Cabeza de Vaca offers a fascinating (if not mystical and at times just plain puzzling) foray back to early 16th-century America as it chronicles the exploits of the explorer Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca as he spends eight years traversing the wild lands surrounding the Gulf of Mexico. The story itself is based on the book Naufragio Cabeza de Vaca's personal account. Cabeza de Vaca was the ship's treasurer on an ill-fated expedition to America. Marooned on the densely jungled Florida coast he becomes the unwilling guest of the Iguase Indians (for added realism and to help audiences understand how Cabeza de Vaca felt the Native speech is not translated). He is enslaved and much of the story centers on his coming to grips with his strange new life and the people around him. Eventually he is taken to a powerful Iguase shaman who teaches him the healing arts skills he is able to put to amazing use during his amazing journey.
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With little dialog and exquisite , almost documentary - like images , Cabeza de Vaca offers a fascinating ( if not mystical and at times just plain puzzling ) foray back to early 16th - century America as it chronicles the exploits of the explorer Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca as he spends eight years traversing the wild lands surrounding the Gulf of Mexico. The story itself is based on the book Naufragio , Cabeza de Vaca's personal account. Cabeza de Vaca was the ship's treasurer on an ill - fated expedition to America. Marooned on the densely jungled Florida coast he becomes the unwilling guest of the Iguase Indians ( for added realism and to help audiences understand how Cabeza de Vaca felt , the Native speech is not translated ) . He is enslaved and much of the story centers on his coming to grips with his strange new life and the people around him. Eventually he is taken to a powerful Iguase shaman who teaches him the healing arts , skills he is able to put to amazing use during his amazing journey.
0891
Accidentally stepping off a train at some God-forsaken whistle stop a worldly elegantly dressed Frenchwoman (Stéphane Excoffier) finds shelter in the cabin of a lonely Dutch pointsman (Jim van der Woude) whose life consists mainly of his work daily housekeeping and sleep. Using gestures facial expressions color contrast and virtually no dialogue (the characters speak two different languages anyway) director Jos Stelling builds his film on the opposition between the virginal pointsman's emotional aloofness and the blatant provocative eroticism of his guest which eventually makes her a hostage of his passion. This is an artistic film that will likely appeal primarily to movie buffs.
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Accidentally stepping off a train at some God - forsaken whistle stop , a worldly , elegantly dressed Frenchwoman ( Stéphane Excoffier ) finds shelter in the cabin of a lonely Dutch pointsman ( Jim van der Woude ), whose life consists mainly of his work , daily housekeeping , and sleep. Using gestures , facial expressions , color contrast , and virtually no dialogue ( the characters speak two different languages , anyway ), director Jos Stelling builds his film on the opposition between the virginal pointsman's emotional aloofness and the blatant , provocative eroticism of his guest , which eventually makes her a hostage of his passion. This is an artistic film that will likely appeal primarily to movie buffs.
0892
This dark drama from the Netherlands won the 1998 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Dreverhaven (Jan Decleir) the most ruthless and intimidating bailiff in Rotterdam is brutally murdered and a young attorney Katadreuffe (Fedja Van Huet) is arrested in connection with the crime. Under questioning the angry young lawyer reveals a hidden motive for the killing -- he is Dreverhaven's illegitimate son. Katadreuffe's mother Joba (Betty Schuurman) had an affair with Dreverhaven but refused to marry him preferring to raise her son on her own despite her difficult economic circumstances. Eventually Joba takes in a boarder Jan Maan (Hans Kesting) and Jan becomes something of a father figure to the boy urging him to improve himself and pursue new opportunities in business. As a young man Katadreuffe takes Jan's advice to heart and obtains a bank loan to open a cigar shop. The shop soon fails and Katadreuffe must negotiate terms with the bank to pay off his debt. The young man discovers that the bank is managed by Dreverhaven and learns that his father has no desire to help him. While obtaining legal advice on his problems with the bank Katadreuffe becomes interested in the study of law and after a great deal of struggle he makes his way through law school and obtains a low-level position with a prominent legal firm. However his father often appears along the way berating Katadreuffe and convincing him that he's doomed for failure until the young man becomes convinced that Dreverhaven controls his entire life and wants nothing more than to destroy him. Karakter was based on a novel by Ferdinand Bordewijk that was a major bestseller in the Netherlands.
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This dark drama from the Netherlands won the 1998 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Dreverhaven ( Jan Decleir ), the most ruthless and intimidating bailiff in Rotterdam , is brutally murdered , and a young attorney , Katadreuffe ( Fedja Van Huet ), is arrested in connection with the crime. Under questioning , the angry young lawyer reveals a hidden motive for the killing -- he is Dreverhaven's illegitimate son. Katadreuffe's mother , Joba ( Betty Schuurman ) had an affair with Dreverhaven but refused to marry him , preferring to raise her son on her own , despite her difficult economic circumstances. Eventually , Joba takes in a boarder , Jan Maan ( Hans Kesting ), and Jan becomes something of a father figure to the boy , urging him to improve himself and pursue new opportunities in business. As a young man , Katadreuffe takes Jan's advice to heart and obtains a bank loan to open a cigar shop. The shop soon fails , and Katadreuffe must negotiate terms with the bank to pay off his debt. The young man discovers that the bank is managed by Dreverhaven and learns that his father has no desire to help him. While obtaining legal advice on his problems with the bank , Katadreuffe becomes interested in the study of law , and after a great deal of struggle , he makes his way through law school and obtains a low - level position with a prominent legal firm. However , his father often appears along the way , berating Katadreuffe and convincing him that he's doomed for failure , until the young man becomes convinced that Dreverhaven controls his entire life and wants nothing more than to destroy him. Karakter was based on a novel by Ferdinand Bordewijk that was a major bestseller in the Netherlands.
0893
A strong-willed Dutch woman recalls her life in this uplifting picture that won the 1996 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Antonia (Willeke van Ammelrooy) is an elderly woman who wakes up one morning and realizes that this is the last day of her life. She begins to tell her story in flashback beginning with her arrival home to the family farm after World War II with her daughter Danielle (Els Dottermans). For the next fifty years a variety of colorful characters come and go on the farm. Danielle becomes a painter and decides she wants a child but no husband so Antonia arranges the proper donation. Danielle giving birth to Therese (Veerle van Overloop) who laters has her own child Sarah (Thyrza Ravesteijn) also without virtue of a husband. Antonia and her descendants come to symbolize the freedom of independent females with little need for men in their lives.
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A strong - willed Dutch woman recalls her life in this uplifting picture that won the 1996 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Antonia ( Willeke van Ammelrooy ) is an elderly woman who wakes up one morning and realizes that this is the last day of her life. She begins to tell her story in flashback , beginning with her arrival home to the family farm after World War II with her daughter , Danielle ( Els Dottermans ) . For the next fifty years , a variety of colorful characters come and go on the farm. Danielle becomes a painter , and decides she wants a child but no husband , so Antonia arranges the proper donation. Danielle giving birth to Therese ( Veerle van Overloop ), who laters has her own child , Sarah ( Thyrza Ravesteijn ), also without virtue of a husband. Antonia and her descendants come to symbolize the freedom of independent females , with little need for men in their lives.
0894
Housewife Edda Barends waitress Nelly Frijda and secretary Henriette Tol have but one thing in common: murder. Acting virtually on impulse the three women kill a male store owner who has caught Barends shoplifting. Psychiatrist Cox Habbema is engaged to prove that the women are insane so that they can avoid being sent to prison. A few sessions later however Habbema has cast her lot with the killers! The moral seems to be that murder is justified so long as it stems from dissatisfaction with the entire Male population. One would think that Question of Silence (originally released in the Netherlands as De Stilte Rond Christine M...) would be rejected out of hand by the largely male Dutch Film Finance Corporation. Instead the Corporation was so enthusiastic over writer/director Marleen Gorris' project proposal that it put up all the production money.
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Housewife Edda Barends , waitress Nelly Frijda and secretary Henriette Tol have but one thing in common : murder. Acting virtually on impulse , the three women kill a male store owner who has caught Barends shoplifting. Psychiatrist Cox Habbema is engaged to prove that the women are insane so that they can avoid being sent to prison. A few sessions later , however , Habbema has cast her lot with the killers! The moral seems to be that murder is justified so long as it stems from dissatisfaction with the entire Male population. One would think that Question of Silence ( originally released in the Netherlands as De Stilte Rond Christine M... ) would be rejected out of hand by the largely male Dutch Film Finance Corporation. Instead , the Corporation was so enthusiastic over writer / director Marleen Gorris ' project proposal that it put up all the production money.
0895
Spetters further elaborates on the themes of sexual obsession previously probed in director Paul Verhoeven's Turkish Delight (1973). Hans Van Tongeren Toon Agterberg and Maarten Spanjer play respectively Reen Eve and Hans a closely-knit group of teenage motorcycle lovers who idolize local cycling champion Witkamp (played by Rutger Hauer the star of Delight). Unfortunately the adolescents' attempts to rebel take a dark and brutal turn when Van Tongeren is permanently injured in a road accident and Agterberg is gang raped by a group of homosexuals. While the other two young men lust after Fientje (Renee Soutendjik) a promiscuous hashhouse waitress Agterberg responds to the rape by coming out and taking Fientje's gay brother as a lover. Verhoeven is artistically and sexually graphic in juxtaposing "cycle love" with the friends' carnal interrelations. The title of Spetters is an indigenous triple-entendre -- it refers to the Dutch vernacular for "grease spatterings" (both the oily renderings left behind by the motorcycles commandeered by the film's central characters and the grease slung by Soutendjik) is a slang term for male ejaculate and was frequently used in the seventies and eighties to refer to people who are sexually appealing ("That girl is a spetter.")
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Spetters further elaborates on the themes of sexual obsession previously probed in director Paul Verhoeven 's Turkish Delight ( 1973 ) . Hans Van Tongeren , Toon Agterberg and Maarten Spanjer play , respectively , Reen , Eve and Hans , a closely - knit group of teenage motorcycle lovers who idolize local cycling champion Witkamp ( played by Rutger Hauer , the star of Delight ) . Unfortunately , the adolescents' attempts to rebel take a dark and brutal turn when Van Tongeren is permanently injured in a road accident and Agterberg is gang raped by a group of homosexuals. While the other two young men lust after Fientje ( Renee Soutendjik ), a promiscuous hashhouse waitress , Agterberg responds to the rape by coming out and taking Fientje's gay brother as a lover. Verhoeven is artistically and sexually graphic in juxtaposing "cycle love" with the friends' carnal interrelations. The title of Spetters is an indigenous triple - entendre -- it refers to the Dutch vernacular for "grease spatterings" ( both the oily renderings left behind by the motorcycles commandeered by the film's central characters and the grease slung by Soutendjik ), is a slang term for male ejaculate , and was frequently used in the seventies and eighties to refer to people who are sexually appealing ( "That girl is a spetter." )
0896
Made for theatrical release by a Dutch TV production firm this stars Renee Soutendijk in the title role. The Girl is a Dutch wartime resistance leader who is killed before the film proper gets under way. Through the reminiscences of her best friend we are given every detail of the Girl's life loves and dreams (she was a sheltered college student at the outbreak of the War). We also learn what inspired the Girl to become a sang froid assassin of Nazi informers. Director Ben Verbong collaborated on the screenplay with Peter de Vos author of the factual book (Theun de Vries) upon which the film was based.
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Made for theatrical release by a Dutch TV production firm , this stars Renee Soutendijk in the title role. The Girl is a Dutch wartime resistance leader , who is killed before the film proper gets under way. Through the reminiscences of her best friend , we are given every detail of the Girl's life , loves and dreams ( she was a sheltered college student at the outbreak of the War ) . We also learn what inspired the Girl to become a sang froid assassin of Nazi informers. Director Ben Verbong collaborated on the screenplay with Peter de Vos , author of the factual book ( Theun de Vries ) upon which the film was based.
0897
Released in Holland as Gebroken Spiegels Broken Mirrors is set for the most part in an Amsterdam brothel. Lineke Ripman and Henriette Tol play two whores who begin to rebel against their lot in life. Their story is counterpointed by a subplot involving housewife Edda Barends who is kidnapped by one of the brothel's customers; as Barends starves to death her captor takes photographs of her last days on earth. Somehow her demise is meant to be as much a "liberation" as Ripman and Tol's refusal to continue plying their trade. Throughout Broken Mirrors the male characters are depicted as murderers both literal and spiritual.
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Released in Holland as Gebroken Spiegels , Broken Mirrors is set for the most part in an Amsterdam brothel. Lineke Ripman and Henriette Tol play two whores who begin to rebel against their lot in life. Their story is counterpointed by a subplot involving housewife Edda Barends , who is kidnapped by one of the brothel's customers ; as Barends starves to death , her captor takes photographs of her last days on earth. Somehow her demise is meant to be as much a "liberation" as Ripman and Tol's refusal to continue plying their trade. Throughout Broken Mirrors , the male characters are depicted as murderers , both literal and spiritual.
0898
This powerful drama was a major hit in its native New Zealand outgrossing Jurassic Park in Kiwi cinemas. Jake and Beth Heke (Temurea Morrison and Rena Owen) are a couple of Maori descent who are living in a slum in Aukland. While it's obvious that they still love each other Jake's alcoholism has driven a wedge into their relationship and has left their children emotionally scarred. Jake is charming while sober but when drunk he's a violent psychopath given to blink-of-an-eye mood changes and terrible cruelty against his loved ones. Liquor has also made it difficult for Jake to hold onto a job leaving him dependent on the dole to feed his family. Nig (Julian Arahanga) Jake's oldest son has turned his back on his father and joined a gang of Maori youths whose initiation rituals include tattooing and torture. Jake's 13-year-old daughter Grace (Mamaengaroa Kerr-Bell) prefers to spend her time with her drug-addicted boyfriend -- rather than stay home and fight off the advances of her father's friends. And Boogie (Taungaroa Emile) ends up in juvenile hall when Jake's drinking prevents him from going to court to speak on Boogie's behalf. Once Were Warriors was based on an acclaimed novel by Alan Duff.
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This powerful drama was a major hit in its native New Zealand , outgrossing Jurassic Park in Kiwi cinemas. Jake and Beth Heke ( Temurea Morrison and Rena Owen ) are a couple of Maori descent who are living in a slum in Aukland. While it's obvious that they still love each other , Jake's alcoholism has driven a wedge into their relationship and has left their children emotionally scarred. Jake is charming while sober , but when drunk , he's a violent psychopath given to blink - of - an - eye mood changes and terrible cruelty against his loved ones. Liquor has also made it difficult for Jake to hold onto a job , leaving him dependent on the dole to feed his family. Nig ( Julian Arahanga ), Jake's oldest son , has turned his back on his father and joined a gang of Maori youths whose initiation rituals include tattooing and torture. Jake's 13 - year - old daughter Grace ( Mamaengaroa Kerr - Bell ) prefers to spend her time with her drug - addicted boyfriend -- rather than stay home and fight off the advances of her father's friends. And Boogie ( Taungaroa Emile ) ends up in juvenile hall when Jake's drinking prevents him from going to court to speak on Boogie's behalf. Once Were Warriors was based on an acclaimed novel by Alan Duff.
0899
The 1994 drama Once Were Warriors told a sad but compelling tale of violence and alcoholism in New Zealand's Maori community and What Becomes of the Broken Hearted? picks up the story several years later though the focus is less on an individual family than the spread of gang warfare among the modern-day Maori. Jake and Beth Heke (Temuera Morrison and Rena Owen) the combative couple in the first film have now split up Beth having lost her patience with Jake's alcoholism and violent temper. Beth has moved on and lives with her new boyfriend and while Jake also has a new relationship his binge drinking and violence have continued unabated. Jake's eldest son Nig (Julian Arahanga) has fared little better in life and dies in a fight with a member of a rival gang. At Nig's funeral Jake is confronted by Beth and his younger son Sonny (Clint Eruera) who feels Jake abandoned his family and doesn't mind telling him so. Sonny decides he must avenge Nig's death and joins forces with Nig's girlfriend Tania (Nancy Brunning) and his pal Mookie (Tammy Davis) to exact their own kind of justice. However an unpleasant run-in with the Black Snakes gang only earns them more enemies. Jake meanwhile is dropped by his girlfriend and sinks even deeper into the abyss of his demons. What Becomes of the Broken Hearted? was directed by Ian Mune continuing the story begun by filmmaker Lee Tamahori.
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The 1994 drama Once Were Warriors told a sad but compelling tale of violence and alcoholism in New Zealand's Maori community , and What Becomes of the Broken Hearted? picks up the story several years later , though the focus is less on an individual family than the spread of gang warfare among the modern - day Maori. Jake and Beth Heke ( Temuera Morrison and Rena Owen ), the combative couple in the first film , have now split up , Beth having lost her patience with Jake's alcoholism and violent temper. Beth has moved on and lives with her new boyfriend , and while Jake also has a new relationship , his binge drinking and violence have continued unabated. Jake's eldest son , Nig ( Julian Arahanga ) has fared little better in life , and dies in a fight with a member of a rival gang. At Nig's funeral , Jake is confronted by Beth and his younger son , Sonny ( Clint Eruera ), who feels Jake abandoned his family and doesn't mind telling him so. Sonny decides he must avenge Nig's death and joins forces with Nig's girlfriend Tania ( Nancy Brunning ) and his pal Mookie ( Tammy Davis ) to exact their own kind of justice. However , an unpleasant run - in with the Black Snakes gang only earns them more enemies. Jake , meanwhile , is dropped by his girlfriend and sinks even deeper into the abyss of his demons. What Becomes of the Broken Hearted? was directed by Ian Mune , continuing the story begun by filmmaker Lee Tamahori .
0900
Along with Once Were Warriors Broken English effectively captures contemporary New Zealand as a society in transition. Broken English dramatizes how the effect of immigration to the cities of New Zealand by both its native peoples the Maoris and Europeans seeking refuge from political persecution has not produced a harmonious melting pot. Ivan (Rade Serbedzija) is an embittered Croatian who fled to his wife's native Aukland when war broke out in Bosnia. Brooding over TV news reports on what is happening to his homeland (and displaying more than a little guilt over his flight from there) Ivan lashes out at anyone outside of his insulated Croatian community including his gentle Maori neighbors. His drug-running business allows him a comfortable lifestyle but he's still irritated that his young adult daughters won't mind him. The eldest Nina (Aleksandra Vujcic) is a waitress who takes up with a colleague a Maori cook named Eddie (Julian \"Sonny\" Arahanga who also appeared in Once Were Warriors) in part because he's attractive but also to tweak her father. Complicating matters is an arranged marriage Nina has agreed to with a Chinese immigrant colleague at the restaurant; he's willing to pay her 16000 dollars just to make his residency legal so he can be with his girlfriend Clara. Originally rated NC-17 for an energetic but hardly explicit sex scene between Nina and Eddie the film was later edited to earn an "R" rating.
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Along with Once Were Warriors , Broken English effectively captures contemporary New Zealand as a society in transition. Broken English dramatizes how the effect of immigration to the cities of New Zealand by both its native peoples , the Maoris , and Europeans seeking refuge from political persecution has not produced a harmonious melting pot. Ivan ( Rade Serbedzija ) is an embittered Croatian who fled to his wife's native Aukland when war broke out in Bosnia. Brooding over TV news reports on what is happening to his homeland ( and displaying more than a little guilt over his flight from there ), Ivan lashes out at anyone outside of his insulated Croatian community , including his gentle Maori neighbors. His drug - running business allows him a comfortable lifestyle , but he's still irritated that his young adult daughters won't mind him. The eldest , Nina ( Aleksandra Vujcic ), is a waitress who takes up with a colleague , a Maori cook named Eddie ( Julian \ "Sonny \ " Arahanga , who also appeared in Once Were Warriors ), in part because he's attractive but also to tweak her father. Complicating matters is an arranged marriage Nina has agreed to with a Chinese immigrant colleague at the restaurant ; he's willing to pay her 16 , 000 dollars just to make his residency legal , so he can be with his girlfriend , Clara. Originally rated NC - 17 for an energetic but hardly explicit sex scene between Nina and Eddie , the film was later edited to earn an "R" rating.
0901
A group of six British youths must deal with the accidental death of one of their members during a weekend outing in this British drama. The main character is Neil who goes to meet his buddies at a country house to make a film. Included in the group are Rose his girlfriend Zita a strong young black woman Giles who is into psychopaths Lance and his girlfriend Charlotte and finally Lionel who wants this film to be his calling card into the world of cinema. Things are fine until after dropping some acid Neil and Lance accidentally run over Lionel on their way to get cigarettes. The group decides to bury the body in the forest.
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A group of six British youths must deal with the accidental death of one of their members during a weekend outing in this British drama. The main character is Neil who goes to meet his buddies at a country house to make a film. Included in the group are Rose , his girlfriend , Zita , a strong , young black woman , Giles who is into psychopaths , Lance and his girlfriend Charlotte , and finally Lionel who wants this film to be his calling card into the world of cinema. Things are fine until , after dropping some acid , Neil and Lance accidentally run over Lionel on their way to get cigarettes. The group decides to bury the body in the forest.
0902
Extraterrestrial fast-food franchisers come to earth to pick up food supplies-in this case human flesh. After wiping out a few small towns the aliens must contend with a team of government assassins headed by Pete O'Herne. As the plot rolls on O'Herne's crew is decimated in as gory a manner as possible and innocent bystander Craig Smith ends up being marinated (and a darned good job it is). Turns out that the space folks are running on a timetable; they've got to return to their home planet with their human-hash cargo before a rival franchise puts them out of business.
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Extraterrestrial fast - food franchisers come to earth to pick up food supplies - in this case , human flesh. After wiping out a few small towns , the aliens must contend with a team of government assassins , headed by Pete O'Herne . As the plot rolls on , O'Herne 's crew is decimated in as gory a manner as possible , and innocent bystander Craig Smith ends up being marinated ( and a darned good job it is ) . Turns out that the space folks are running on a timetable ; they've got to return to their home planet with their human - hash cargo before a rival franchise puts them out of business.
0903
ased on the novel Haakon Haakonsen Shipwrecked is a family film about a cabin boy (Stian Smestad) whose ship is hit by a hurricane just before it is about to be ambushed by pirates. The boy and his stowaway friend wash up on a South Seas island which happens to be where the pirates' treasure is buried. Soon the pirates--led by Lieutenant Merrick (Gabriel Byrne)--arrive at the island with hopes of reclaiming their treasure and the boy decides to construct a series of elaborate booby traps to prevent them from reaching the booty.
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Based on the novel Haakon Haakonsen , Shipwrecked is a family film about a cabin boy ( Stian Smestad ) whose ship is hit by a hurricane just before it is about to be ambushed by pirates. The boy and his stowaway friend wash up on a South Seas island which happens to be where the pirates' treasure is buried. Soon , the pirates -- led by Lieutenant Merrick ( Gabriel Byrne )-- arrive at the island with hopes of reclaiming their treasure , and the boy decides to construct a series of elaborate booby traps to prevent them from reaching the booty.
0904
ased on the 1932 novel Mendel Philipsen and Son by Henri Nathansen Sofie was adapted for the screen by celebrated actress Liv Ullmann making her directorial debut. Beginning in Copenhagen during the late 1880s Sofie (Karen-Lise Mynster) is a devoted Jewish daughter who falls in love with the Gentile painter Hojby (Jesper Christensen). Her parents Semmy (Erland Josephson) and Frederikke (Ghita Nørby) don't approve of the relationship so they encourage her to marry her mentally ill cousin a Swedish shopkeeper named Jonas (Torben Zeller). She gives birth to a son but their already loveless marriage becomes further complicated when Sofie develops an interest in her brother-in-law Gottleib (Stig Hoffmeyer). Jonas is inconsolable after the death of his mother (Kirsten Rolffes) so much so that Sofie has him institutionalized and takes over his business. Years later Sofie returns to Copenhagen with her son to help her aging parents and attend an auction where she reunites with Hojby.
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Based on the 1932 novel Mendel Philipsen and Son by Henri Nathansen , Sofie was adapted for the screen by celebrated actress Liv Ullmann , making her directorial debut. Beginning in Copenhagen during the late 1880s , Sofie ( Karen - Lise Mynster ) is a devoted Jewish daughter who falls in love with the Gentile painter Hojby ( Jesper Christensen ) . Her parents , Semmy ( Erland Josephson ) and Frederikke ( Ghita Nørby ), don't approve of the relationship , so they encourage her to marry her mentally ill cousin , a Swedish shopkeeper named Jonas ( Torben Zeller ) . She gives birth to a son , but their already loveless marriage becomes further complicated when Sofie develops an interest in her brother - in - law Gottleib ( Stig Hoffmeyer ) . Jonas is inconsolable after the death of his mother ( Kirsten Rolffes ), so much so that Sofie has him institutionalized and takes over his business. Years later , Sofie returns to Copenhagen with her son to help her aging parents and attend an auction where she reunites with Hojby.
0905
Polish filmmaker Andrzej Wajda's sequel to his immensely well-received Man of Marble covers some of the same ground: the relationship of labor leaders to their communist political masters and the difficulties the media encounters in covering that story. But it adds an exceptionally timely element: footage from the real-life Solidarity movement strikes led by Lech Walesa that were taking place during the film's production are woven into the dramatic story. There are a few glimpses of Walesa and he even pops up as a guest at the wedding of the fictional story's hero. That man Tomczyk is the son of Birkut the labor leader profiled in Man of Marble and he's played by the actor Jerzy Radziwilowicz who played Birkut in the first film. In Man of Marble a student filmmaker in late 1970s Poland tried to uncover the story of Birkut a working-class hero of the '50s who was later politically discredited and killed in a 1970 strike demonstration. Here Winkiel (Marian Opania) an alcoholic radio journalist is assigned by the state to cover the rise to prominence of Tomczyk but with an eye to discrediting him and the Solidarity movement as well. Like The Godfather II Man of Iron successfully expands on the story of its predecessor while provocatively exploring many of the same issues.
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Polish filmmaker Andrzej Wajda 's sequel to his immensely well - received Man of Marble covers some of the same ground : the relationship of labor leaders to their communist political masters and the difficulties the media encounters in covering that story. But it adds an exceptionally timely element : footage from the real - life Solidarity movement strikes led by Lech Walesa that were taking place during the film's production are woven into the dramatic story. There are a few glimpses of Walesa , and he even pops up as a guest at the wedding of the fictional story's hero. That man , Tomczyk , is the son of Birkut , the labor leader profiled in Man of Marble , and he's played by the actor Jerzy Radziwilowicz , who played Birkut in the first film. In Man of Marble , a student filmmaker in late 1970s Poland tried to uncover the story of Birkut , a working - class hero of the '50s who was later politically discredited and killed in a 1970 strike demonstration. Here , Winkiel ( Marian Opania ), an alcoholic radio journalist , is assigned by the state to cover the rise to prominence of Tomczyk , but with an eye to discrediting him and the Solidarity movement as well. Like The Godfather II , Man of Iron successfully expands on the story of its predecessor while provocatively exploring many of the same issues.
0906
In this political satire from Poland Jerzy Stuhr plays Filip a factory worker who after the birth of his first child buys an 8mm movie camera to record his daughter's first few years on film. Before long Filip is happily obsessed with his new hobby and he graduates from simply capturing his daughter's activities to photographing practically everything around him. His movie mania attracts the attentions of his boss who gives him a new task: making films that will give outsiders a clearer picture of how things work at their factory. However Filip's ceaseless photography begins to drive his wife (Malgorzata Zabkowska) crazy and she threatens to leave him while his boss is not at all happy with Filip's films. They're quite good earning television broadcast time and winning awards but their messages don't conform with his party's political and economic agenda and Filip is warned to soften the tone of his work or he'll lose his job. This dark comedy from director Krzysztof Kieslowski was released in the United States under the title Camera Buff.
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In this political satire from Poland , Jerzy Stuhr plays Filip , a factory worker who , after the birth of his first child , buys an 8mm movie camera to record his daughter's first few years on film. Before long , Filip is happily obsessed with his new hobby , and he graduates from simply capturing his daughter's activities to photographing practically everything around him. His movie mania attracts the attentions of his boss , who gives him a new task : making films that will give outsiders a clearer picture of how things work at their factory. However , Filip's ceaseless photography begins to drive his wife ( Malgorzata Zabkowska ) crazy , and she threatens to leave him , while his boss is not at all happy with Filip's films. They're quite good , earning television broadcast time and winning awards , but their messages don't conform with his party's political and economic agenda , and Filip is warned to soften the tone of his work or he'll lose his job. This dark comedy from director Krzysztof Kieslowski was released in the United States under the title Camera Buff .
0907
The Polish Year of the Quiet Sun is set in the years following World War II. In a small Polish town a United Nations war-crimes investigation is taking place. While the courtroom battle rages on American soldier Scott Wilson takes advantage of a few precious r-and-r opportunities. He falls in love with Maja Komorowska a war widow. Despite obvious political and ideological differences the romance flourishes--at least until it's time for the Americans to pack up and leave. More cerebral than carnal Year of the Quiet Sun was originally release in Poland as Rok Spokojnego Slonca.
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The Polish Year of the Quiet Sun is set in the years following World War II. In a small Polish town , a United Nations war - crimes investigation is taking place. While the courtroom battle rages on , American soldier Scott Wilson takes advantage of a few precious r - and - r opportunities. He falls in love with Maja Komorowska , a war widow. Despite obvious political and ideological differences , the romance flourishes -- at least until it's time for the Americans to pack up and leave. More cerebral than carnal , Year of the Quiet Sun was originally release in Poland as Rok Spokojnego Slonca .
0908
The Double Life of Véronique is the story of two young women who are -- in some mysterious and irresolvable way -- the same woman leading two different yet interconnected lives. Those familiar with Polish director Krzysztof Kieslowski's later "Three Colors" trilogy of Blue White and Red will recognize his fascination with accidental happenings and chance encounters as well as Irène Jacob (from Red) whose performance as both Veronika and Veronique won the 1991 Cannes Film Festival award for best actress. Veronika and Véronique are born on the same day in 1966 one in Poland the other in France. They grow up separately unaware of each other's existence but with the vague and rarely expressed feeling that they are "not alone." The story begins in Poland where Veronika (like Véronique) is a talented vocalist and music student who wins a prestigious singing competition and is given the chance to perform with a local symphony. On the night of the concert while singing a duet onstage Veronika loses consciousness and dies. Véronique is emotionally wounded by the loss of her double and decides to end her singing career. The film charts the effect of Veronika's death on Véronique and on her dispassionate and unsatisfying relationships with men especially her father. She is led to puppeteer and children's book author Alexandre Fabbri (Philippe Volter) whose puppet shows and stories are dramatic variants on her own mysterious problem. While looking through photographs of Véronique's trip to Poland Fabbri discovers a picture of Veronika walking through a student demonstration in Kracow. He shows the picture to Véronique who intuits the significance of Veronika's perfect likeness to herself.
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The Double Life of Véronique is the story of two young women who are -- in some mysterious and irresolvable way -- the same woman leading two different yet interconnected lives. Those familiar with Polish director Krzysztof Kieslowski 's later "Three Colors" trilogy of Blue , White , and Red will recognize his fascination with accidental happenings and chance encounters , as well as Irène Jacob ( from Red ) whose performance as both Veronika and Veronique won the 1991 Cannes Film Festival award for best actress. Veronika and Véronique are born on the same day in 1966 , one in Poland , the other in France. They grow up separately , unaware of each other's existence , but with the vague and rarely expressed feeling that they are "not alone." The story begins in Poland , where Veronika ( like Véronique ) is a talented vocalist and music student who wins a prestigious singing competition and is given the chance to perform with a local symphony. On the night of the concert , while singing a duet onstage , Veronika loses consciousness and dies. Véronique is emotionally wounded by the loss of her double and decides to end her singing career. The film charts the effect of Veronika's death on Véronique and on her dispassionate and unsatisfying relationships with men , especially her father. She is led to puppeteer and children's book author Alexandre Fabbri ( Philippe Volter ), whose puppet shows and stories are dramatic variants on her own mysterious problem. While looking through photographs of Véronique's trip to Poland , Fabbri discovers a picture of Veronika walking through a student demonstration in Kracow. He shows the picture to Véronique , who intuits the significance of Veronika's perfect likeness to herself.
0909
The second feature in filmmaker Krzysztof Kieslowski's "Three Colors" trilogy the black comedy White features Zbigniew Zamachowski as Karol Karol an expatriate Polish hairdresser whose French wife (the breathtaking Julie Delpy) divorces him after just six months of marriage because of his impotency. Penniless and devoid of his passport Karol must journey back to Poland by hiding in a trunk. Upon his return he slowly begins amassing a considerable fortune ultimately hatching a perverse plot for revenge. Often unjustly dismissed as the weak link in the trilogy White grows in strength upon repeated viewings. An allegory about equality the film is mordantly witty a cynical look at power marriage and capitalism.
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The second feature in filmmaker Krzysztof Kieslowski 's "Three Colors" trilogy , the black comedy White features Zbigniew Zamachowski as Karol Karol , an expatriate Polish hairdresser whose French wife ( the breathtaking Julie Delpy ) divorces him after just six months of marriage because of his impotency. Penniless and devoid of his passport , Karol must journey back to Poland by hiding in a trunk. Upon his return , he slowly begins amassing a considerable fortune , ultimately hatching a perverse plot for revenge. Often unjustly dismissed as the weak link in the trilogy , White grows in strength upon repeated viewings. An allegory about equality , the film is mordantly witty , a cynical look at power , marriage and capitalism.
0910
Inspired by Charles Dickens' novel Oliver Twist Lionel Bart's 1961 London and Broadway musical hit glossed over some of Dickens' more graphic passages but managed to retain a strong subtext to what was essentially light entertainment. For its first half-hour or so Carol Reed's Oscar-winning 1968 film version does a masterful job of telling its story almost exclusively through song and dance. Once nine-year-old orphan Oliver Twist (Mark Lester) falls in with such underworld types as pickpocket Fagin (Ron Moody) and murderous thief Bill Sykes (Oliver Reed) it becomes necessary to inject more and more dialogue and the film loses some of its momentum. But not to worry; despite such brutal moments as Sikes' murder of Nancy (Shani Wallis) the film gets back on the right musical track thanks in great part to Onna White's exuberant choreography and the faultless performances by Moody and by Jack Wild as the Artful Dodger. The supporting cast includes Harry Secombe as the self-righteous Mr. Bumble and Joseph O'Conor as Mr. Brownlow the man who (through a series of typically Dickensian coincidences) rescues Oliver from the streets. Oliver! won six Oscars including Best Picture Best Director and a special award to choreographer Onna White.
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Inspired by Charles Dickens ' novel Oliver Twist , Lionel Bart 's 1961 London and Broadway musical hit glossed over some of Dickens ' more graphic passages but managed to retain a strong subtext to what was essentially light entertainment. For its first half - hour or so , Carol Reed 's Oscar - winning 1968 film version does a masterful job of telling its story almost exclusively through song and dance. Once nine - year - old orphan Oliver Twist ( Mark Lester ) falls in with such underworld types as pickpocket Fagin ( Ron Moody ) and murderous thief Bill Sykes ( Oliver Reed ), it becomes necessary to inject more and more dialogue , and the film loses some of its momentum. But not to worry ; despite such brutal moments as Sikes' murder of Nancy ( Shani Wallis ), the film gets back on the right musical track , thanks in great part to Onna White 's exuberant choreography and the faultless performances by Moody and by Jack Wild as the Artful Dodger. The supporting cast includes Harry Secombe as the self - righteous Mr. Bumble and Joseph O'Conor as Mr. Brownlow , the man who ( through a series of typically Dickensian coincidences ) rescues Oliver from the streets. Oliver! won six Oscars , including Best Picture , Best Director , and a special award to choreographer Onna White .
0911
At one time the longest-running Broadway musical My Fair Lady was adapted by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe from the George Bernard Shaw comedy Pygmalion. Outside Covent Garden on a rainy evening in 1912 dishevelled cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle (Audrey Hepburn) meets linguistic expert Henry Higgins (Rex Harrison). After delivering a musical tirade against "verbal class distinction" Higgins tells his companion Colonel Pickering (Wilfred Hyde-White) that within six months he could transform Eliza into a proper lady simply by teaching her proper English. The next morning face and hands freshly scrubbed Eliza presents herself on Higgins' doorstep offering to pay him to teach her to be a lady. "It's almost irresistable" clucks Higgins. "She's so deliciously low. So horribly dirty." He turns his mission into a sporting proposition making a bet with Pickering that he can accomplish his six-month miracle to turn Eliza into a lady. This is one of the all-time great movie musicals featuring classic songs and the legendary performances of Harrison repeating his stage role after Cary Grant wisely turned down the movie job and Stanley Holloway as Eliza's dustman father. Julie Andrews originated the role of Eliza on Broadway but producer Jack Warner felt that Andrews at the time unknown beyond Broadway wasn't bankable; Hepburn's singing was dubbed by Marni Nixon who also dubbed Natalie Wood in West Side Story (1961). Andrews instead made Mary Poppins for which she was given the Best Actress Oscar beating out Hepburn. The movie however won Best Picture Best Director Best Actor for Harrison and five other Oscars and it remains one of the all-time best movie musicals.
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At one time the longest - running Broadway musical , My Fair Lady was adapted by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe from the George Bernard Shaw comedy Pygmalion . Outside Covent Garden on a rainy evening in 1912 , dishevelled cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle ( Audrey Hepburn ) meets linguistic expert Henry Higgins ( Rex Harrison ) . After delivering a musical tirade against "verbal class distinction , " Higgins tells his companion Colonel Pickering ( Wilfred Hyde - White ) that , within six months , he could transform Eliza into a proper lady , simply by teaching her proper English. The next morning , face and hands freshly scrubbed , Eliza presents herself on Higgins' doorstep , offering to pay him to teach her to be a lady. "It's almost irresistable , " clucks Higgins. "She's so deliciously low. So horribly dirty." He turns his mission into a sporting proposition , making a bet with Pickering that he can accomplish his six - month miracle to turn Eliza into a lady. This is one of the all - time great movie musicals , featuring classic songs and the legendary performances of Harrison , repeating his stage role after Cary Grant wisely turned down the movie job , and Stanley Holloway as Eliza's dustman father. Julie Andrews originated the role of Eliza on Broadway but producer Jack Warner felt that Andrews , at the time unknown beyond Broadway , wasn't bankable ; Hepburn's singing was dubbed by Marni Nixon , who also dubbed Natalie Wood in West Side Story ( 1961 ) . Andrews instead made Mary Poppins , for which she was given the Best Actress Oscar , beating out Hepburn. The movie , however , won Best Picture , Best Director , Best Actor for Harrison , and five other Oscars , and it remains one of the all - time best movie musicals.
0912
"Hello gorgeous!" was Barbra Streisand's first comment to the Oscar statuette which she won for her performance in this biopic of entertainer Fanny Brice. This is also her first line in the film itself the catalyst for a movie-long flashback. Repeating her Broadway role Streisand stars as legendary comedienne Brice (1891-1951) whose life until the mid-1920s is romanticized herein. A gawky New Yawker Brice fast-talks her way into show business certain that she's destined to be "The Greatest Star." Hired as a "dramatic" singer by impresario Flo Ziegfeld (Walter Pidgeon) Brice defies orders to play it straight turning a "Beautiful Bride" tableau into a laugh riot by dressing herself up as an extremely pregnant newlywed. The stratagem turns Brice into an overnight star and the toast of Broadway. But all is not roses for Brice especially in her turbulent private life as the wife of big-time gambler Nicky Arnstein (Omar Sharif). Nicky at first finds it amusing to be referred to as "Mr. Brice" but he begins to resent his wife's fame and fortune and starts taking foolish risks with other people's money. The film was nominated for 8 Oscars including Best Picture and Kay Medford for her portrayal of Brice's mother Rose. Funny Girl was produced by Ray Stark Brice's real-life son-in-law who had enough material left over for a sequel 1975's Funny Lady.
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"Hello , gorgeous!" was Barbra Streisand 's first comment to the Oscar statuette which she won for her performance in this biopic of entertainer Fanny Brice . This is also her first line in the film itself , the catalyst for a movie - long flashback. Repeating her Broadway role , Streisand stars as legendary comedienne Brice ( 1891 - 1951 ), whose life until the mid - 1920s is romanticized herein. A gawky New Yawker , Brice fast - talks her way into show business , certain that she's destined to be "The Greatest Star." Hired as a "dramatic" singer by impresario Flo Ziegfeld ( Walter Pidgeon ), Brice defies orders to play it straight , turning a "Beautiful Bride" tableau into a laugh riot by dressing herself up as an extremely pregnant newlywed. The stratagem turns Brice into an overnight star and the toast of Broadway. But all is not roses for Brice , especially in her turbulent private life as the wife of big - time gambler Nicky Arnstein ( Omar Sharif ) . Nicky at first finds it amusing to be referred to as "Mr. Brice , " but he begins to resent his wife's fame and fortune and starts taking foolish risks with other people's money. The film was nominated for 8 Oscars , including Best Picture and Kay Medford for her portrayal of Brice 's mother , Rose. Funny Girl was produced by Ray Stark , Brice 's real - life son - in - law , who had enough material left over for a sequel , 1975's Funny Lady .
0913
Norman Jewison's adaptation of the long-running Broadway musical is set in the Ukranian ghetto village of Anatevka (the film was actually lensed in Yugoslavia). Israeli actor Topol repeats his London stage role as Tevye the milkman whose equilibrium is constantly being challenged by his poverty the prejudicial attitudes of non-Jews and the romantic entanglements of his five daughters. Whenever the weight of the world becomes too much for him Tevye carries on lengthy conversations with God who does not answer but is at least more willing to listen than the milkman's remonstrative wife Golde. After arranging a marriage between his oldest daughter Tzeitel and wealthy butcher Lazar Wolf Tevye is forced to do some quick rearranging when the girl falls in love with poor tailor Motel Kamzoil. Fancying himself more broad-minded than his gentile oppressors Tevye cannot accept the notion that his other daughter Chava would want to marry Fyedka a non-Jew. And after shouting the praises of "tradition" Tevye must change his tune-and his entire life-when he and his neighbors are forced out of Anatevka by the Czar's minions. Topol's co-stars include Norma Crane as Golde Yiddish theater legend Molly Picon as Yente the matchmaker and Leonard Frey as Motel.
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Norman Jewison 's adaptation of the long - running Broadway musical is set in the Ukranian ghetto village of Anatevka ( the film was actually lensed in Yugoslavia ) . Israeli actor Topol repeats his London stage role as Tevye the milkman , whose equilibrium is constantly being challenged by his poverty , the prejudicial attitudes of non - Jews , and the romantic entanglements of his five daughters. Whenever the weight of the world becomes too much for him , Tevye carries on lengthy conversations with God , who does not answer but is at least more willing to listen than the milkman's remonstrative wife Golde. After arranging a marriage between his oldest daughter Tzeitel and wealthy butcher Lazar Wolf , Tevye is forced to do some quick rearranging when the girl falls in love with poor tailor Motel Kamzoil. Fancying himself more broad - minded than his gentile oppressors , Tevye cannot accept the notion that his other daughter Chava would want to marry Fyedka , a non - Jew. And after shouting the praises of "tradition , " Tevye must change his tune - and his entire life - when he and his neighbors are forced out of Anatevka by the Czar's minions. Topol 's co - stars include Norma Crane as Golde , Yiddish theater legend Molly Picon as Yente the matchmaker , and Leonard Frey as Motel.
0914
Reportedly the third in acclaimed director Lars von Trier's "Golden Hearts" trilogy (preceded by Breaking the Waves and The Idiots) this film is a hip reworking of the classic Hollywood Musical starring international pop diva Bjork. Set somewhere in rural Washington state Czech immigrant Selma (Bjork) works in a pressing plant struggling to make ends meet for herself and her 10-year-old son Gene (Vladica Kostic). Her best friend is coworker and fellow European Kathy (Catherine Deneuve). While outside work she is maintaining a cautious friendship with local yokel Jeff (Peter Stormare). She also landed a starring role as Maria in an amateur production of The Sound of Music. Selma's life would be one of relative contentment if it were not for the ugly secret she harbors -- she is on the verge of blindness due to a genetic disorder and her young son will suffer the same fate without an operation. Selma has quietly been stashing away money for the surgery and has already amassed $2000. When her savings squirreled away in a can in the kitchen suddenly disappear she confronts her cash-strapped landlord Bill (David Morse). Of course like all musicals the plot periodically takes a backseat to the seven production numbers including a show-stopping sequence in Selma's factory. Shot entirely on digital video the film reportedly used up to 100 cameras for each musical number. Dancer in the Dark received top prizes at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival including Best Actress for Bjork and the coveted Palme d'Or for Best Picture.
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Reportedly the third in acclaimed director Lars von Trier 's "Golden Hearts" trilogy ( preceded by Breaking the Waves and The Idiots ), this film is a hip reworking of the classic Hollywood Musical , starring international pop diva Bjork . Set somewhere in rural Washington state , Czech immigrant Selma ( Bjork ) works in a pressing plant , struggling to make ends meet for herself and her 10 - year - old son , Gene ( Vladica Kostic ) . Her best friend is coworker and fellow European Kathy ( Catherine Deneuve ) . While outside work , she is maintaining a cautious friendship with local yokel Jeff ( Peter Stormare ) . She also landed a starring role as Maria in an amateur production of The Sound of Music . Selma's life would be one of relative contentment if it were not for the ugly secret she harbors -- she is on the verge of blindness due to a genetic disorder , and her young son will suffer the same fate without an operation. Selma has quietly been stashing away money for the surgery and has already amassed $2 , 000. When her savings , squirreled away in a can in the kitchen , suddenly disappear , she confronts her cash - strapped landlord Bill ( David Morse ) . Of course , like all musicals , the plot periodically takes a backseat to the seven production numbers , including a show - stopping sequence in Selma's factory. Shot entirely on digital video , the film reportedly used up to 100 cameras for each musical number. Dancer in the Dark received top prizes at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival including Best Actress for Bjork and the coveted Palme d'Or for Best Picture.
0915
Adapted from Dennis Potter's landmark British TV miniseries and relocated to the United States during the Depression Pennies from Heaven dramatizes how popular songs both shaped and reflected the thoughts of people living through economic (and emotional) hardship. Arthur Parker (Steve Martin) is a sheet music salesman who believes that he can spot a hit a mile away and wants to open his own store. But he can't get a bank loan and his wife Joan (Jessica Harper) who has savings left to her by her father refuses to give him the money. Also while Arthur has a fierce sexual appetite Joan generally refuses his advances. While on the road Arthur meets Eileen (Bernadette Peters) a shy schoolteacher as desperate for affection as Arthur is hungry for sex. They begin an affair which leads to tragedy for both. Punctuating the drama of Pennies from Heaven are elaborate musical numbers in which the characters lip-synch to popular songs of the day which at once lift their hopes and reflect their fears. Arthur's buoyant tap number to "My Baby Said Yes" and Eileen's saucy rendition of "Love is Good for Anything That Ails You" are reflections of their needs for money and love and their pas de deux on "Let's Face the Music and Dance" is at once an escape and an acknowledgement of their hopelessness.
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Adapted from Dennis Potter 's landmark British TV miniseries and relocated to the United States during the Depression , Pennies from Heaven dramatizes how popular songs both shaped and reflected the thoughts of people living through economic ( and emotional ) hardship. Arthur Parker ( Steve Martin ) is a sheet music salesman who believes that he can spot a hit a mile away and wants to open his own store. But he can't get a bank loan and his wife Joan ( Jessica Harper ), who has savings left to her by her father , refuses to give him the money. Also , while Arthur has a fierce sexual appetite , Joan generally refuses his advances. While on the road , Arthur meets Eileen ( Bernadette Peters ), a shy schoolteacher as desperate for affection as Arthur is hungry for sex. They begin an affair , which leads to tragedy for both. Punctuating the drama of Pennies from Heaven are elaborate musical numbers in which the characters lip - synch to popular songs of the day , which at once lift their hopes and reflect their fears. Arthur's buoyant tap number to "My Baby Said Yes" and Eileen's saucy rendition of "Love is Good for Anything That Ails You" are reflections of their needs for money and love , and their pas de deux on "Let's Face the Music and Dance" is at once an escape and an acknowledgement of their hopelessness.
0916
Leslie Caron plays Gigi a young girl raised by two veteran Parisian courtesans (Hermione Gingold and Isabel Jeans) to be the mistress of wealthy young Gaston (Louis Jourdan). When Gaston falls in love with Gigi and asks her to be his wife Jeans is appalled: never has anyone in their family ever stooped to anything so bourgeois as marriage! Weaving in and out of the story is Maurice Chevalier as an aging boulevardier who years earlier had been in love with Gingold's character. Chevalier gets most of the best Lerner & Loewe tunes including Thank Heaven for Little Girls I'm Glad I'm Not Young Any More and his matchless duet with Gingold I Remember it Well. Caron's best number (dubbed by Betty Wand) is The Night They Invented Champagne while Jourdan gets the honor of introducing the title song. Filmed on location in Paris Gigi won several Oscars including Best Picture; it also represented the successful American movie comeback of Chevalier who thanks to this film was "forgiven" for his reputed collaboration with the Nazis during World War II.
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Leslie Caron plays Gigi , a young girl raised by two veteran Parisian courtesans ( Hermione Gingold and Isabel Jeans ) to be the mistress of wealthy young Gaston ( Louis Jourdan ) . When Gaston falls in love with Gigi and asks her to be his wife , Jeans is appalled : never has anyone in their family ever stooped to anything so bourgeois as marriage! Weaving in and out of the story is Maurice Chevalier as an aging boulevardier who , years earlier , had been in love with Gingold 's character. Chevalier gets most of the best Lerner & Loewe tunes , including Thank Heaven for Little Girls , I'm Glad I'm Not Young Any More , and his matchless duet with Gingold , I Remember it Well. Caron 's best number ( dubbed by Betty Wand ) is The Night They Invented Champagne while Jourdan gets the honor of introducing the title song. Filmed on location in Paris , Gigi won several Oscars , including Best Picture ; it also represented the successful American movie comeback of Chevalier , who thanks to this film was "forgiven" for his reputed collaboration with the Nazis during World War II.
0917
"It's showtime!" In this part film à clef part musical phantasmagoria director/choreographer Bob Fosse takes a Felliniesque look at the life of a driven entertainer. Joe Gideon (Roy Scheider channeling Fosse) is the ultimate work (and pleasure)-aholic as he knocks back a daily dose of amphetamines to juggle a new Broadway production while editing his new movie not to mention ex-wife Audrey (Leland Palmer) steady girlfriend Kate (Ann Reinking) a young daughter and various conquests. Joe cannot however avoid intimations of mortality from white-clad vision Angelique (Jessica Lange) that lead him to look back at his life as he heads for a near-inevitable coronary and his departure from this mortal coil with the appropriate razzle-dazzle. Taking his cue from Federico Fellini's 8 1/2 (1963) Fosse moves from realistic dance numbers to extravagant flights of cinematic fancy as Joe meditates on his life his women and his death. Following a similarly dark revisionist vein as Martin Scorsese's New York New York (1977) Fosse shows the stiff price that entertaining exacts on entertainers (among other things he intercuts graphic footage of open-heart surgery with a song and dance) mercilessly reversing the feel-good mood of classical movie musicals. Critics praised Fosse's daring even as they damned his self-indulgence while Scheider was lauded for giving the best performance of his career. Though not a disastrous failure All That Jazz came nowhere near the popularity of 1978's Grease as late '70s audiences increasingly turned away from "difficult" movies. For all its excesses Fosse's fiercely personal approach turned All That Jazz into another striking work from one of the few directors able to make and experiment with movie musicals after the 1960s.
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"It's showtime!" In this part film à clef , part musical phantasmagoria , director / choreographer Bob Fosse takes a Felliniesque look at the life of a driven entertainer. Joe Gideon ( Roy Scheider , channeling Fosse ) is the ultimate work ( and pleasure )- aholic , as he knocks back a daily dose of amphetamines to juggle a new Broadway production while editing his new movie , not to mention ex - wife Audrey ( Leland Palmer ), steady girlfriend Kate ( Ann Reinking ), a young daughter , and various conquests. Joe cannot , however , avoid intimations of mortality from white - clad vision Angelique ( Jessica Lange ) that lead him to look back at his life as he heads for a near - inevitable coronary and his departure from this mortal coil with the appropriate razzle - dazzle. Taking his cue from Federico Fellini 's 8 1 / 2 ( 1963 ), Fosse moves from realistic dance numbers to extravagant flights of cinematic fancy , as Joe meditates on his life , his women , and his death. Following a similarly dark revisionist vein as Martin Scorsese 's New York , New York ( 1977 ), Fosse shows the stiff price that entertaining exacts on entertainers ( among other things , he intercuts graphic footage of open - heart surgery with a song and dance ), mercilessly reversing the feel - good mood of classical movie musicals. Critics praised Fosse 's daring even as they damned his self - indulgence , while Scheider was lauded for giving the best performance of his career. Though not a disastrous failure , All That Jazz came nowhere near the popularity of 1978's Grease , as late '70s audiences increasingly turned away from "difficult" movies. For all its excesses , Fosse 's fiercely personal approach turned All That Jazz into another striking work from one of the few directors able to make , and experiment with , movie musicals after the 1960s.
0918
Tommy (Roger Daltrey) is a "deaf dumb and blind kid" who retreats into himself after the death of his father. His mother Nora (Ann-Margret) and stepfather Frank (Oliver Reed) take him to see a specialist (Jack Nicholson) but Tommy is apparently a hopeless case. That is until Tommy discovers that "he sure plays a mean pinball." Tommy gains fame when he defeats the Pinball Wizard (Elton John) for the world championship. As a result Tommy becomes such a celebrity that he even founds his own religious cult. But his fans begin to commercialize his fame while Tommy wants to stick to the straight and narrow. When Tommy wants to end the commercialization of his message his supporters accuse him of being hypocritical and turn on him. Ann-Margret with a slinky red dress slit way up the side was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar losing out to Louise Fletcher in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.
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Tommy ( Roger Daltrey ) is a "deaf , dumb and blind kid" who retreats into himself after the death of his father. His mother , Nora ( Ann - Margret ), and stepfather Frank ( Oliver Reed ) take him to see a specialist ( Jack Nicholson ) but Tommy is apparently a hopeless case. That is , until Tommy discovers that "he sure plays a mean pinball." Tommy gains fame when he defeats the Pinball Wizard ( Elton John ) for the world championship. As a result , Tommy becomes such a celebrity that he even founds his own religious cult. But his fans begin to commercialize his fame , while Tommy wants to stick to the straight and narrow. When Tommy wants to end the commercialization of his message , his supporters accuse him of being hypocritical and turn on him. Ann - Margret , with a slinky red dress slit way up the side , was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar , losing out to Louise Fletcher in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest .
0919
ased extremely loosely on the Stephen Vincent Benet story Sobbin' Women" Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is one of the best MGM musicals of the 1950s. Most of the story takes place on an Oregon ranch maintained by Adam Pontabee (Howard Keel) and his six brothers played by Jeff Richards Russ Tamblyn Tommy Rall Mark Platt Matt Mattox and Jacques d'Amboise (it is no coincidence that five of those six boys are played by professional dancers). When Adam brings home his new bride Milly (Jane Powell) she is appalled at the brothers' slovenliness and sets about turning these unwashed louts into immaculate gentlemen. During the boisterous barn-raising scene the brothers get into a scuffle with a group of townsmen over the affection of six comely lasses: Virginia Gibson Julie Newmeyer (later Newmar) Ruth Kilmonis (later Ruth Lee) Nancy Kilgas Betty Carr and Norma Doggett (yep most of the girls are dancers too). Yearning to become husbands like their big brother they ask Adam for advice. Alas he has been reading a book about the abduction of the Sabine Women (or as he puts it the Sobbin' Women); and in order to claim their gals Adam explains the boys must kidnap them--which they do after blocking off all avenues of escape. Vowing to remain on their best behavior the boys make no untoward advances towards their reluctant female guests--not even during one of the coldest winters on record. Comes the spring thaw the angry townsfolk come charging up the mountain demanding the return of the stolen girls (who by this time have "tamed" their men). A happy ending is ultimately had by all in this delightful if politically incorrect concoction.
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Based extremely loosely on the Stephen Vincent Benet story Sobbin' Women , " Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is one of the best MGM musicals of the 1950s. Most of the story takes place on an Oregon ranch , maintained by Adam Pontabee ( Howard Keel ) and his six brothers , played by Jeff Richards , Russ Tamblyn , Tommy Rall , Mark Platt , Matt Mattox , and Jacques d'Amboise ( it is no coincidence that five of those six boys are played by professional dancers ) . When Adam brings home his new bride Milly ( Jane Powell ), she is appalled at the brothers' slovenliness and sets about turning these unwashed louts into immaculate gentlemen. During the boisterous barn - raising scene , the brothers get into a scuffle with a group of townsmen over the affection of six comely lasses : Virginia Gibson , Julie Newmeyer ( later Newmar ), Ruth Kilmonis ( later Ruth Lee ), Nancy Kilgas , Betty Carr , and Norma Doggett ( yep , most of the girls are dancers , too ) . Yearning to become husbands like their big brother , they ask Adam for advice. Alas , he has been reading a book about the abduction of the Sabine Women ( or , as he puts it , the Sobbin' Women ); and , in order to claim their gals , Adam explains , the boys must kidnap them -- which they do , after blocking off all avenues of escape. Vowing to remain on their best behavior , the boys make no untoward advances towards their reluctant female guests -- not even during one of the coldest winters on record. Comes the spring thaw , the angry townsfolk come charging up the mountain , demanding the return of the stolen girls ( who , by this time , have "tamed" their men ) . A happy ending is ultimately had by all in this delightful if politically incorrect concoction.
0920
Two real-life events were incorporated into the plot of the 1951 MGM musical Royal Wedding. One the marriage of Fred Astaire's sister Adele to a British nobleman had occurred years earlier; the other the wedding of England's Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip was only four years in the past. MGM would probably have gotten Royal Wedding out closer to the Elizabeth-Philip nuptials but the picture had leading-lady problems; every girl who was cast either became pregnant ill or otherwise unavailable. Finally Jane Powell was cast as the sister and partner of American-entertainer Fred Astaire. The plot has Astaire and Powell heading to Merrie Olde England to perform at the palace. Once they've arrived Powell breaks up the act when she falls in love with blueblooded Peter Lawford. Astaire himself finds romance in the form of Sarah Churchill (daughter of Sir Winston) and the four happy campers gleefully attend the titular Windsor Castle wedding. Also in the cast is Albert Sharpe fresh from his Broadway triumph in Finian's Rainbow and Keenan Wynn hilarious as twin cousins. The plot is so light that it threatens to float away at times but Royal Wedding sticks in the memory thanks to its first-rate musical numbers. The Astaire/Powell duets are entertaining enough; the real magic however occurs in Astaire's two solos: the hat-rack duet and the now-legendary tap-dance on the ceiling (even knowing how this cinematic legerdemain was accomplished does not detract from its brilliance and virtuosity). Because it has slipped into public domain Royal Wedding is one of the most easily accessible of all the Fred Astaire musicals.
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Two real - life events were incorporated into the plot of the 1951 MGM musical Royal Wedding . One , the marriage of Fred Astaire 's sister Adele to a British nobleman had occurred years earlier ; the other , the wedding of England's Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip was only four years in the past. MGM would probably have gotten Royal Wedding out closer to the Elizabeth - Philip nuptials , but the picture had leading - lady problems ; every girl who was cast either became pregnant , ill , or otherwise unavailable. Finally , Jane Powell was cast as the sister and partner of American - entertainer Fred Astaire . The plot has Astaire and Powell heading to Merrie Olde England to perform at the palace. Once they've arrived , Powell breaks up the act when she falls in love with blueblooded Peter Lawford . Astaire himself finds romance in the form of Sarah Churchill ( daughter of Sir Winston ), and the four happy campers gleefully attend the titular Windsor Castle wedding. Also in the cast is Albert Sharpe , fresh from his Broadway triumph in Finian's Rainbow , and Keenan Wynn , hilarious as twin cousins. The plot is so light that it threatens to float away at times , but Royal Wedding sticks in the memory thanks to its first - rate musical numbers. The Astaire / Powell duets are entertaining enough ; the real magic , however , occurs in Astaire 's two solos : the hat - rack duet and the now - legendary tap - dance on the ceiling ( even knowing how this cinematic legerdemain was accomplished does not detract from its brilliance and virtuosity ) . Because it has slipped into public domain , Royal Wedding is one of the most easily accessible of all the Fred Astaire musicals.
0921
The John O'Hara/Richard Rodgers/Lorenz Hart Broadway musical Pal Joey created quite a stir during its original theatrical run in 1940. Here we had a heel of a hero who sleeps with a wealthy older woman in order to realize his dream of owning his own nightclub and who breaks the heart of the girl who truly loves him when she impedes his plans to get ahead. Blossom Time it wasn't. Due to the seamy nature of the plot and the double- and single-entendre song lyrics (especially the original words for "Bewitched Bothered and Bewildered" which you aren't likely to hear on most mainstream recordings of this tune) Pal Joey could not be faithfully filmed back in the 1940s. Even this 1957 version made at a time when movie censorship was beginning to relax was extensively sanitized for public consumption. Ambitious singer/dancer Joey (Frank Sinatra) is still something of a louse but a redeemable one. The relationship between Joey and his older benefactress Vera Simpson (Rita Hayworth who was actually a few years younger than Sinatra) is one of implication rather than overt statement. And Joey's true love chorine Linda English (Kim Novak) is as pure as the driven snow who vehemently expresses distaste at having to perform a striptease. The Rodgers and Hart songs ("I Could Write a Book" the aforementioned "Bewitched Bothered and Bewildered") which seemed so cynical and ironic back in 1940 are given the typically lush luxurious Hollywood treatment (many of the tunes notably "There's a Small Hotel" were borrowed from other Rodgers and Hart shows a not uncommon practice of the time). Pal Joey is nice to look at and consummately performed but don't expect the bite of the original play or the John O'Hara short stories which preceded them.
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The John O'Hara / Richard Rodgers / Lorenz Hart Broadway musical Pal Joey created quite a stir during its original theatrical run in 1940. Here we had a heel of a hero who sleeps with a wealthy older woman in order to realize his dream of owning his own nightclub , and who breaks the heart of the girl who truly loves him when she impedes his plans to get ahead. Blossom Time it wasn't. Due to the seamy nature of the plot and the double - and single - entendre song lyrics ( especially the original words for "Bewitched , Bothered and Bewildered" , which you aren't likely to hear on most mainstream recordings of this tune ), Pal Joey could not be faithfully filmed back in the 1940s. Even this 1957 version , made at a time when movie censorship was beginning to relax , was extensively sanitized for public consumption. Ambitious singer / dancer Joey ( Frank Sinatra ) is still something of a louse , but a redeemable one. The relationship between Joey and his older benefactress Vera Simpson ( Rita Hayworth , who was actually a few years younger than Sinatra ) is one of implication rather than overt statement. And Joey's true love , chorine Linda English ( Kim Novak ), is as pure as the driven snow , who vehemently expresses distaste at having to perform a striptease. The Rodgers and Hart songs ( "I Could Write a Book" the aforementioned "Bewitched , Bothered and Bewildered" ) which seemed so cynical and ironic back in 1940 , are given the typically lush , luxurious Hollywood treatment ( many of the tunes , notably "There's a Small Hotel" , were borrowed from other Rodgers and Hart shows , a not uncommon practice of the time ) . Pal Joey is nice to look at and consummately performed , but don't expect the bite of the original play , or the John O'Hara short stories which preceded them.
0922
Having previously staged Verdi's 1887 opera Otello at the Met and La Scala filmmaker Franco Zeffirelli committed his production to film in 1986. Starring as the fatally jealous Moor of Venice is Placido Domingo who had also headlined Zeffirelli's 1976 La Scala staging (production on the film was briefly interrupted while Domingo participated in the rescue operations following the Mexico City earthquake). While Katia Ricciarelli as Desdemona and Justino Diaz as Iago perform their own singing Zeffirelli's Cassio--played by real-life European prince Urbano Barberini--is dubbed by Ezio de Cesare. The director made several cuts in the original libretto and score in order to accommodate the film's two-hour time limit but these excisions are done with taste and discretion. Because of the excessive violence in the third act--two murders a suicide a superficial throat-slashing--Otello was released with a PG rating.
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Having previously staged Verdi 's 1887 opera Otello at the Met and La Scala , filmmaker Franco Zeffirelli committed his production to film in 1986. Starring as the fatally jealous Moor of Venice is Placido Domingo , who had also headlined Zeffirelli 's 1976 La Scala staging ( production on the film was briefly interrupted while Domingo participated in the rescue operations following the Mexico City earthquake ) . While Katia Ricciarelli as Desdemona and Justino Diaz as Iago perform their own singing , Zeffirelli 's Cassio -- played by real - life European prince Urbano Barberini -- is dubbed by Ezio de Cesare . The director made several cuts in the original libretto and score in order to accommodate the film's two - hour time limit , but these excisions are done with taste and discretion. Because of the excessive violence in the third act -- two murders , a suicide , a superficial throat - slashing -- Otello was released with a PG rating.
0923
Elvis Presley delivers one of his finest early performances in King Creole. Elvis plays a teenager named Danny Fisher who is forced to drop out of school to help support his ineffective father (Dean Jagger). Drawn to trouble like a magnet Danny is saved from a jail term by New Orleans salloonkeeper Charlie Le Grand (Paul Stewart) who gives the boy a job as a singer. It isn't long however before local gang boss Maxie Fields (Walter Matthau) a shadowy figure from Danny's criminal past puts the muscle on the boy insisting that Danny sing at his establishment. To lure Danny to his side of the fence Maxie relies upon the seductive charms of his gun moll Ronnie (Carolyn Jones) while Danny's true love Nellie (Dolores Hart) suffers on the sidelines. In addition to the expected musical numbers (which are cleverly integrated into the storyline) the film's highlight is a brief exchange of fisticuffs between Elvis and Walter Matthau. Together with Jailhouse Rock King Creole is one of the best filmed examples of the untamed pre-army Elvis Presley. The picture was adapted from Harold Robbins' novel A Stone for Danny Fisher.
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Elvis Presley delivers one of his finest early performances in King Creole . Elvis plays a teenager named Danny Fisher , who is forced to drop out of school to help support his ineffective father ( Dean Jagger ) . Drawn to trouble like a magnet , Danny is saved from a jail term by New Orleans salloonkeeper Charlie Le Grand ( Paul Stewart ), who gives the boy a job as a singer. It isn't long , however , before local gang boss Maxie Fields ( Walter Matthau ), a shadowy figure from Danny's criminal past , puts the muscle on the boy , insisting that Danny sing at his establishment. To lure Danny to his side of the fence , Maxie relies upon the seductive charms of his gun moll Ronnie ( Carolyn Jones ), while Danny's true love Nellie ( Dolores Hart ) suffers on the sidelines. In addition to the expected musical numbers ( which are cleverly integrated into the storyline ), the film's highlight is a brief exchange of fisticuffs between Elvis and Walter Matthau . Together with Jailhouse Rock , King Creole is one of the best filmed examples of the untamed , pre - army Elvis Presley . The picture was adapted from Harold Robbins ' novel A Stone for Danny Fisher .
0924
Reportedly Vincente Minnelli turned down the opportunity to film Brigadoon on location in Scotland insisting that MGM's studio mockups looked more Scottish than the genuine article. This lavish adaptation of the Lerner and Loewe Broadway musical stars Gene Kelly as an American tourist who stumbles upon an enchanted Scottish village. Every 100 years the people of Brigadoon awaken for a 24-hour period then go back to sleep for another century while Brigadoon itself vanishes in the mists. Tommy Albright (Kelly) falls in love with village lass Fiona Campbell (Cyd Charisse) while his hard-drinking pal Jeff Douglas (Van Johnson) dismisses the legend -- and indeed the existence of Brigadoon as a result of delirium. Fiona's betrothed Harry Beaton (Hugh Laing) upset by Kelly's intervention threatens to leave Brigadoon -- an act that will spell doom for its residents. When this crisis has passed Tommy is persuaded against his better judgment to escape Brigadoon himself and return to his own fiancée (Elaine Stewart) in New York. But the love between Tommy and Fiona results in a miraculous finale. Most of the Lerner-Loewe score remains intact including the hit songs "Almost Like Being in Love" "Heather on the Hill" and "Come to Me Bend to Me."
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Reportedly , Vincente Minnelli turned down the opportunity to film Brigadoon on location in Scotland insisting that MGM's studio mockups looked more Scottish than the genuine article. This lavish adaptation of the Lerner and Loewe Broadway musical stars Gene Kelly as an American tourist who stumbles upon an enchanted Scottish village. Every 100 years , the people of Brigadoon awaken for a 24 - hour period , then go back to sleep for another century while Brigadoon itself vanishes in the mists. Tommy Albright ( Kelly ) falls in love with village lass Fiona Campbell ( Cyd Charisse ) while his hard - drinking pal , Jeff Douglas ( Van Johnson ), dismisses the legend -- and indeed the existence of Brigadoon as a result of delirium. Fiona's betrothed Harry Beaton ( Hugh Laing ), upset by Kelly 's intervention , threatens to leave Brigadoon -- an act that will spell doom for its residents. When this crisis has passed , Tommy is persuaded against his better judgment to escape Brigadoon himself and return to his own fiancée ( Elaine Stewart ) in New York. But the love between Tommy and Fiona results in a miraculous finale. Most of the Lerner - Loewe score remains intact , including the hit songs "Almost Like Being in Love , " "Heather on the Hill , " and "Come to Me Bend to Me."
0925
Jacques Demy directed this frothy tribute to the Hollywood musicals of the 1940s a follow-up to his earlier success The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964). Twin sisters Delphine and Solange (played by real-life sisters Catherine Deneuve and Françoise Dorleac) live in the small coastal town of Rochefort where they run a school teaching dancing and music. Both feel frustrated in Rochefort and they dream of travelling to Paris where they believe romance and opportunity awaits them. Meanwhile their single mother Yvonne (Danielle Darrieux) who runs a cafe in town pines for her lost love Simon (Michel Piccoli). One day one of Yvonne's regular customers a sailor with an artistic bent named Maxence (Jacques Perrin) shows her a painting of the imaginary girl of his dreams and she looks just like Delphine whom he's never met. Meanwhile Simon has returned to Rochefort bringing with him a close friend American pianist Andy Miller (Gene Kelly); Simon has made friends with Solange and introduces her to Andy who immediately falls in love with her. Sadly Les Demoiselles de Rochefort was Françoise Dorleac's last film; she died in an auto accident shortly after completing the picture.
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Jacques Demy directed this frothy tribute to the Hollywood musicals of the 1940s , a follow - up to his earlier success The Umbrellas of Cherbourg ( 1964 ) . Twin sisters Delphine and Solange ( played by real - life sisters Catherine Deneuve and Françoise Dorleac ) live in the small coastal town of Rochefort , where they run a school teaching dancing and music. Both feel frustrated in Rochefort , and they dream of travelling to Paris , where they believe romance and opportunity awaits them. Meanwhile , their single mother , Yvonne ( Danielle Darrieux ), who runs a cafe in town , pines for her lost love , Simon ( Michel Piccoli ) . One day , one of Yvonne's regular customers , a sailor with an artistic bent named Maxence ( Jacques Perrin ), shows her a painting of the imaginary girl of his dreams , and she looks just like Delphine , whom he's never met. Meanwhile , Simon has returned to Rochefort , bringing with him a close friend , American pianist Andy Miller ( Gene Kelly ); Simon has made friends with Solange and introduces her to Andy , who immediately falls in love with her. Sadly , Les Demoiselles de Rochefort was Françoise Dorleac 's last film ; she died in an auto accident shortly after completing the picture.
0926
Lost in the Stars was an American Film Theatre adaptation of the musical play by Maxwell Anderson and Kurt Weill--which in turn was based on the Alain Paton novel Cry the Beloved Country. Brock Peters portrays a South African minister who goes to the Big City to locate his son Raymond St. Jacques who is now a criminal in the eyes of the white rulers. The minister forges a curious foredoomed friendship with a white farmer (Paul Rogers). Lost in the Stars has sometimes been accused of blunting the edge of Paton's angry study of the cruelties of Apartheid; fans of musical theatre will be more politely inclined to this loving filmization of the Broadway play. On its own Cry the Beloved Country was previously filmed in 1951 with Canada Lee Sidney Poitier and Charles Carson.
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Lost in the Stars was an American Film Theatre adaptation of the musical play by Maxwell Anderson and Kurt Weill -- which in turn was based on the Alain Paton novel Cry the Beloved Country . Brock Peters portrays a South African minister who goes to the Big City to locate his son Raymond St. Jacques , who is now a criminal in the eyes of the white rulers. The minister forges a curious , foredoomed friendship with a white farmer ( Paul Rogers ) . Lost in the Stars has sometimes been accused of blunting the edge of Paton's angry study of the cruelties of Apartheid ; fans of musical theatre will be more politely inclined to this loving filmization of the Broadway play. On its own , Cry the Beloved Country was previously filmed in 1951 , with Canada Lee , Sidney Poitier and Charles Carson .
0927
As Finland's withdrawal from World War II draws ever closer a tentative relationship between an abandoned Finnish soldier a Lapp woman and a Russian captain accused of anti-Soviet correspondence offers momentary solace to a trio of lost souls. Dressed in a German uniform and tied to a rock after being branded a pacifist by his fellow soldiers Finnish sniper Veiko (Ville Haapasalo) attempts to break free before being spotted by Russian soldiers and shot. Peering through the scope on his rifle after finally escaping Veiko bears witness to the accidental bombing of a Russian envoy carrying a captain accused of collaborating with the enemy. As Anni (Anni-Christina Juuso) a Laplander whose husband is off to war scavenges for food she runs across the bombing and finds disgraced soldier Ivan (Viktor Bychkov) clinging to life. Bringing him back to her house to nurse him to health Anni is shocked when Veiko arrives in search of tools to remove his shackles. As language barriers keep the threesome from effectively communicating Ivan's suspicions that Veiko is actually a German soldier begin to mount. Veiko and Anni's bond begins to grow and as the lonely widow seduces Veiko Ivan's jealousy and suspicions culminate in an attempt to murder the hapless Finnish sniper.
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As Finland's withdrawal from World War II draws ever closer , a tentative relationship between an abandoned Finnish soldier , a Lapp woman , and a Russian captain accused of anti - Soviet correspondence offers momentary solace to a trio of lost souls. Dressed in a German uniform and tied to a rock after being branded a pacifist by his fellow soldiers , Finnish sniper Veiko ( Ville Haapasalo ) attempts to break free before being spotted by Russian soldiers and shot. Peering through the scope on his rifle after finally escaping , Veiko bears witness to the accidental bombing of a Russian envoy carrying a captain accused of collaborating with the enemy. As Anni ( Anni - Christina Juuso ), a Laplander whose husband is off to war , scavenges for food , she runs across the bombing and finds disgraced soldier Ivan ( Viktor Bychkov ) clinging to life. Bringing him back to her house to nurse him to health , Anni is shocked when Veiko arrives in search of tools to remove his shackles. As language barriers keep the threesome from effectively communicating , Ivan's suspicions that Veiko is actually a German soldier begin to mount. Veiko and Anni's bond begins to grow , and as the lonely widow seduces Veiko , Ivan's jealousy and suspicions culminate in an attempt to murder the hapless Finnish sniper.
0928
Political rivals divided by a bloody war are forced to come to terms with one another in this drama which was adapted from Leo Tolstoy's short story "Prisoner of the Caucasus." In Chechnya two Russian soldiers nervous rookie Vania (Sergei Bodrov Jr.) and hardened veteran Sasha (Oleg Menshikov) are captured by Muslim forces. Abdul-Murat (Dzhemal Sikharulidze) the leader of the village where the soldiers are held also has a son in the war who is being held as a prisoner of war by the Russians. Abdul-Murat demands the release of his son in exchange for sparing Vania and Sasha and a level of understanding and respect begins to grow between the Russians and their captors. Kavkazsky Plennik released in the U.S. as Prisoner of the Mountains received both Oscar and Golden Globe nominations as Best Foreign Language Film of 1997.
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Political rivals , divided by a bloody war , are forced to come to terms with one another in this drama , which was adapted from Leo Tolstoy 's short story "Prisoner of the Caucasus." In Chechnya , two Russian soldiers , nervous rookie Vania ( Sergei Bodrov , Jr. ) and hardened veteran Sasha ( Oleg Menshikov ), are captured by Muslim forces. Abdul - Murat ( Dzhemal Sikharulidze ), the leader of the village where the soldiers are held , also has a son in the war , who is being held as a prisoner of war by the Russians. Abdul - Murat demands the release of his son in exchange for sparing Vania and Sasha , and a level of understanding and respect begins to grow between the Russians and their captors. Kavkazsky Plennik , released in the U.S. as Prisoner of the Mountains , received both Oscar and Golden Globe nominations as Best Foreign Language Film of 1997.
0929
Each film of Alexandre Sokurov considered by many the living Andrei Tarkovsky of the Russian cinema is a new revelation. Moloch's narrative structure is based on the relationship between one of the most important figures of the twentieth century Adolf Hitler and the only person who ever dared to contradict him his beloved Eva Braun. The year is 1942. On the majestic terraces of the ominous fortress of Berchtesgaden perched above the Bavarian Alps a woman prances in the nude waving randomly at the spying telescopes. This is the restless Eva (Elena Rufanova) who is waiting for her beloved "Adi" the Fuhrer (eonid Mosgovoi) who arrives with a thunder and bolt. In his entourage are his right-hand man Martin Bormann and his propaganda specialist Joseph Goebbels with his loving wife Magda. The scene is set for a peaceful retreat of several hours. However an uncontrollable war is raging in the heart of Eva who is caught in the complexities of a man incapable of intimacy. Rather than a historical treatise the film is a psychological study of the man who was the terror of the twentieth century and the person who was the closest to him. The clue to how it all happened seems to be hidden in some of the intimate moments between the two characters. Sokurov is dealing with a very sensitive subject in a film which is a complex reflection on power. Each frame carries the mark of his previous nine films and is a testimony to his meticulous art. Moloch is a very powerful film that gives the impression that time is suspended. Particularly for this reason it is not recommended to those who like their cinema fast paced and light-hearted. Sokurov used Russian theater actors from St. Petersburg to shoot the film but their voices were later dubbed by theater actors from Berlin. The film received the Best Screenplay award of the 52nd Cannes Film Festival 1999.
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Each film of Alexandre Sokurov , considered by many the living Andrei Tarkovsky of the Russian cinema , is a new revelation. Moloch 's narrative structure is based on the relationship between one of the most important figures of the twentieth century , Adolf Hitler , and the only person who ever dared to contradict him , his beloved Eva Braun. The year is 1942. On the majestic terraces of the ominous fortress of Berchtesgaden , perched above the Bavarian Alps , a woman prances in the nude , waving randomly at the spying telescopes. This is the restless Eva ( Elena Rufanova ), who is waiting for her beloved "Adi , " the Fuhrer ( eonid Mosgovoi ), who arrives with a thunder and bolt. In his entourage are his right - hand man Martin Bormann and his propaganda specialist Joseph Goebbels with his loving wife , Magda. The scene is set for a peaceful retreat of several hours. However , an uncontrollable war is raging in the heart of Eva , who is caught in the complexities of a man incapable of intimacy. Rather than a historical treatise , the film is a psychological study of the man who was the terror of the twentieth century and the person who was the closest to him. The clue to how it all happened seems to be hidden in some of the intimate moments between the two characters. Sokurov is dealing with a very sensitive subject in a film which is a complex reflection on power. Each frame carries the mark of his previous nine films and is a testimony to his meticulous art. Moloch is a very powerful film that gives the impression that time is suspended. Particularly for this reason , it is not recommended to those who like their cinema fast paced and light - hearted. Sokurov used Russian theater actors from St. Petersburg to shoot the film , but their voices were later dubbed by theater actors from Berlin. The film received the Best Screenplay award of the 52nd Cannes Film Festival , 1999.
0930
A boy and his mother try to get by in the Soviet Union of the 1950s in this tragedy written and directed by Pavel Chukrai. The joint Russian-French production opens with a woman falling down in the snow and mud to give birth to a child in 1946. The boy's father is a soldier who died in the war. Katya (Yekaterina Rednikova) and her son Sanya (Misha Philipchuk) are next seen six years later on a train. Poor and desperate she falls in love with a rakish soldier Tolyan (Vladimir Mashkov). Tolyan pretends to be Katya's husband and uses his credentials as a war veteran to get an apartment without paying money in advance -- he turns out to be a brutal and abusive man. He teaches Sanya his ruthless code of manhood while rolling razor blades in his mouth with his tongue. Tolyan also brags to the boy that he is a secret son of Stalin. After several weeks of mooching off and seducing the other tenants Tolyan buys them all dinner and tickets to a circus. During the performance he sneaks back to the building and robs everyone. Katya is suspicious that he is carrying on with a female tenant he has been flirting with and she returns to catch him in his burglary. He tells her she can escape with him or stay behind but she has no skills and no prospect of work so she takes Sanya and follows him. Katya becomes a part of his con game as they move from city to city working the same schemes. Tolyan also teaches Sanya his thieving ways.
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A boy and his mother try to get by in the Soviet Union of the 1950s in this tragedy written and directed by Pavel Chukrai . The joint Russian - French production opens with a woman falling down in the snow and mud to give birth to a child in 1946. The boy's father is a soldier who died in the war. Katya ( Yekaterina Rednikova ) and her son Sanya ( Misha Philipchuk ) are next seen six years later on a train. Poor and desperate , she falls in love with a rakish soldier , Tolyan ( Vladimir Mashkov ) . Tolyan pretends to be Katya's husband and uses his credentials as a war veteran to get an apartment without paying money in advance -- he turns out to be a brutal and abusive man. He teaches Sanya his ruthless code of manhood while rolling razor blades in his mouth with his tongue. Tolyan also brags to the boy that he is a secret son of Stalin. After several weeks of mooching off and seducing the other tenants , Tolyan buys them all dinner and tickets to a circus. During the performance he sneaks back to the building and robs everyone. Katya is suspicious that he is carrying on with a female tenant he has been flirting with , and she returns to catch him in his burglary. He tells her she can escape with him or stay behind , but she has no skills and no prospect of work , so she takes Sanya and follows him. Katya becomes a part of his con game as they move from city to city , working the same schemes. Tolyan also teaches Sanya his thieving ways.
0931
Young Russian Danila returns home after serving a two-year military stint and discovers that his big brother has become a hit man for mobsters in St. Petersburg and is deeply involved in a Mafia war. Wanting to help Danila joins the mobsters to become his brother Viktor's assistant. Aimed a younger audiences this ironic thriller follows Danila's adventures after he successfully completes his first assignment the murder of The Chechen a prominent crimelord. During the hit Danila is wounded and ends up taken care of by a man known only as the German. Meanwhile The Chechen's men are in hot pursuit. Even though Danila spends the bulk of his time trying to avoid them he also finds a few moments to have a couple of brief love affairs.
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Young Russian Danila returns home after serving a two - year military stint and discovers that his big brother has become a hit man for mobsters in St. Petersburg and is deeply involved in a Mafia war. Wanting to help , Danila joins the mobsters to become his brother Viktor's assistant. Aimed a younger audiences , this ironic thriller follows Danila's adventures after he successfully completes his first assignment , the murder of The Chechen , a prominent crimelord. During the hit , Danila is wounded and ends up taken care of by a man known only as the German. Meanwhile The Chechen's men are in hot pursuit. Even though Danila spends the bulk of his time trying to avoid them , he also finds a few moments to have a couple of brief love affairs.
0932
In this comedy-fantasy a group of Russian eccentrics discover that they can go to Paris from their home in St. Petersburg by leaping through an apartment window. The first eccentric is Nikolay an oddball teacher. Next is his rotund crude neighbor Gorokhov and his family. One night Nikolay and Gorokhov climb through a hidden window to get on the roof. They get rip-roarin' drunk the destroy the studio apartment of Nicole an artist. It is only in the morning that they realize that they were actually in Paris. Soon Gorokhov's whole family is going to Paris where they loot and bring back Western goods into Russia. It is Nicole's apartment they go to and she is going crazy by their repeated visits. She turns the tables and climbs through the window to their home. She is appalled by modern St. Petersburg with its violence poverty and political upheaval. She gets into trouble with the local police but is saved by Nikolay who convinces them that she is Edith Piaf on tour. Later Nikolay decides to take his students to Paris. Unfortunately they don't want to leave and the window is going to close for the next 20 years.
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In this comedy - fantasy a group of Russian eccentrics discover that they can go to Paris from their home in St. Petersburg by leaping through an apartment window. The first eccentric is Nikolay , an oddball teacher. Next is his rotund , crude neighbor Gorokhov and his family. One night Nikolay and Gorokhov climb through a hidden window to get on the roof. They get rip - roarin' drunk the destroy the studio apartment of Nicole , an artist. It is only in the morning that they realize that they were actually in Paris. Soon Gorokhov's whole family is going to Paris where they loot and bring back Western goods into Russia. It is Nicole's apartment they go to and she is going crazy by their repeated visits. She turns the tables and climbs through the window to their home. She is appalled by modern St. Petersburg with its violence , poverty , and political upheaval. She gets into trouble with the local police but is saved by Nikolay who convinces them that she is Edith Piaf on tour. Later Nikolay decides to take his students to Paris. Unfortunately , they don't want to leave and the window is going to close for the next 20 years.
0933
Luis Buñuel's Tristana is a surreal criticism of Catholicism and the modern world told through the story of the title character who is portrayed by Catherine Deneuve. Tristana is a young Spanish woman left to the care of Don Lope (Fernando Rey) the protective but impoverished aristocrat. Don sells his possessions to avoid manual labor and champions the causes of the dispossessed and downtrodden of society. He takes advantage of the vulnerable Tristana who leaves him when she falls in love with Horacio (Franco Nero). Unable to commit to him she returns to Don Lope when she falls ill. He asks for her hand in marriage and she accepts after losing her leg to cancer. She chooses to remain in a passionless union rather than be subject to the harsh realities of a society that refuses to change to the needs of women. Taken from the novel by celebrated author Benito Perez Galdos the film -- wherein director Buñuel takes his usual jabs at religion and politics -- is a tribute to the author on the 50th anniversary of his death.
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Luis Buñuel 's Tristana is a surreal criticism of Catholicism and the modern world , told through the story of the title character , who is portrayed by Catherine Deneuve . Tristana is a young Spanish woman left to the care of Don Lope ( Fernando Rey ), the protective but impoverished aristocrat. Don sells his possessions to avoid manual labor and champions the causes of the dispossessed and downtrodden of society. He takes advantage of the vulnerable Tristana , who leaves him when she falls in love with Horacio ( Franco Nero ) . Unable to commit to him , she returns to Don Lope when she falls ill. He asks for her hand in marriage , and she accepts after losing her leg to cancer. She chooses to remain in a passionless union rather than be subject to the harsh realities of a society that refuses to change to the needs of women. Taken from the novel by celebrated author Benito Perez Galdos , the film -- wherein director Buñuel takes his usual jabs at religion and politics -- is a tribute to the author on the 50th anniversary of his death.
0934
This Pedro Almodóvar melodrama examines how several lives are changed by a single gunshot. Adapting the novel Live Flesh by British mystery author Ruth Rendell Almodóvar has given the material a Spanish makeover with added political thrust. Beginning in 1970 in Franco's Madrid when a prostitute (Penelope Cruz) gives birth to a son Victor the story leaps forward to contemporary Madrid. Wealthy diplomat's daughter Elena (Francesca Neri) is watching Luis Buñuel's The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de La Cruz (1955) while waiting for the arrival of her heroin dealer and she buzzes Victor (Liberto Rabal) (with whom she made a date then forgot about him) into the building. In the confusion that follows two cops David (Javier Bardem) and Sancho (Jose Sancho) arrive and a gun goes off. The story then makes another leap to four years later: Victor is in prison while Elena no longer on drugs runs a disadvantaged children's shelter and is married to wheelchair-bound David. After his release Victor visits his mother's grave and spots David and Elena at the cemetery -- where David meets philandering wife Clara (Angela Molina). Fate interweaves the tangled interrelationships of all into a complex tapestry of destiny and guilt. Shown at 1997 London and New York film festivals.
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This Pedro Almodóvar melodrama examines how several lives are changed by a single gunshot. Adapting the novel Live Flesh by British mystery author Ruth Rendell , Almodóvar has given the material a Spanish makeover with added political thrust. Beginning in 1970 in Franco's Madrid , when a prostitute ( Penelope Cruz ) gives birth to a son , Victor , the story leaps forward to contemporary Madrid. Wealthy diplomat's daughter Elena ( Francesca Neri ) is watching Luis Buñuel 's The Criminal Life of Archibaldo de La Cruz ( 1955 ) while waiting for the arrival of her heroin dealer , and she buzzes Victor ( Liberto Rabal ) ( with whom she made a date , then forgot about him ) into the building. In the confusion that follows , two cops , David ( Javier Bardem ) and Sancho ( Jose Sancho ) arrive , and a gun goes off. The story then makes another leap to four years later : Victor is in prison , while Elena , no longer on drugs , runs a disadvantaged children's shelter and is married to wheelchair - bound David. After his release , Victor visits his mother's grave and spots David and Elena at the cemetery -- where David meets philandering wife Clara ( Angela Molina ) . Fate interweaves the tangled interrelationships of all into a complex tapestry of destiny and guilt. Shown at 1997 London and New York film festivals.
0935
Vicente Aranda's Lovers is set in Spain mostly in Madrid during the 1950s. The story line is reminiscent of Theodore Dreiser's classic An American Tragedy (which was filmed as A Place in the Sun) wherein a passive amoral and shallow protagonist inadvertently destroys the lives of two women who love him. The handsome Paco (Jorge Sanz who also starred in Belle Epoque and has been called "the Spanish Tom Cruise") is a young soldier involved with a virginal maid Trini (Maribel Verdu of Y Tu Mama Tambien). Trini is saving her money and planning for their wedding but Paco tells her not to worry that he will find a job and save money for them. Paco leaves the army but has trouble finding and keeping a steady job. He ends up renting a cheap room from Luisa (Spanish superstar Victoria Abril best known for her work in Pedro Almodovar's films) a beautiful and mysterious widow. Before long Luisa has seduced the sexually frustrated Paco and involved him in her moneymaking scams. Trini quickly figures out what is going on and makes a desperate effort to win back Paco's affection. Paco is obsessed with the sexually experienced and voracious older woman but is unable to break off his long-term relationship with Trini. He attempts to string them both along with disastrous results. The film was the first of veteran filmmaker Aranda to get a theatrical release in the United States thanks largely to Abril's star power and caused a minor sensation with its sexual explicitness in particular the infamous "handkerchief scene."
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Vicente Aranda 's Lovers is set in Spain , mostly in Madrid , during the 1950s. The story line is reminiscent of Theodore Dreiser 's classic An American Tragedy ( which was filmed as A Place in the Sun ), wherein a passive , amoral , and shallow protagonist inadvertently destroys the lives of two women who love him. The handsome Paco ( Jorge Sanz , who also starred in Belle Epoque and has been called "the Spanish Tom Cruise " ) is a young soldier involved with a virginal maid , Trini ( Maribel Verdu of Y Tu Mama Tambien ) . Trini is saving her money and planning for their wedding , but Paco tells her not to worry , that he will find a job and save money for them. Paco leaves the army , but has trouble finding and keeping a steady job. He ends up renting a cheap room from Luisa ( Spanish superstar Victoria Abril , best known for her work in Pedro Almodovar 's films ), a beautiful and mysterious widow. Before long , Luisa has seduced the sexually frustrated Paco , and involved him in her moneymaking scams. Trini quickly figures out what is going on , and makes a desperate effort to win back Paco's affection. Paco is obsessed with the sexually experienced and voracious older woman , but is unable to break off his long - term relationship with Trini. He attempts to string them both along , with disastrous results. The film was the first of veteran filmmaker Aranda to get a theatrical release in the United States , thanks largely to Abril 's star power , and caused a minor sensation with its sexual explicitness , in particular the infamous "handkerchief scene."
0936
Once-great Spanish matador Nacho Martinez has been reduced to starring in gruesome "snuff" films. Martinez is idolized by Antonio Banderas who has no notion of his idol's current illegal profession. Terrified at the thought of drawing blood in the bullring Banderas nevertheless seeks out Martinez' assistance in preparing for a bullfighting career. To prove his "machismo" Banderas rapes Martinez' lady-friend Eva Cobo. No one will believe Banderas' confession of the rape so he decides to attach more importance to his crime by confessing to a recent rash of serial killings (actually perpetrated by Martinez and his cohorts). Bandera's case is taken by feminist attorney Assumpta Serna who unwittingly--but not unwillingly--sets herself up as Martinez' next "conquest."
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Once - great Spanish matador Nacho Martinez has been reduced to starring in gruesome "snuff" films. Martinez is idolized by Antonio Banderas , who has no notion of his idol's current illegal profession. Terrified at the thought of drawing blood in the bullring , Banderas nevertheless seeks out Martinez' assistance in preparing for a bullfighting career. To prove his "machismo" , Banderas rapes Martinez' lady - friend Eva Cobo . No one will believe Banderas' confession of the rape , so he decides to attach more importance to his crime by confessing to a recent rash of serial killings ( actually perpetrated by Martinez and his cohorts ) . Bandera's case is taken by feminist attorney Assumpta Serna , who unwittingly -- but not unwillingly -- sets herself up as Martinez' next "conquest."
0937
The line between dreams and reality become increasingly blurred after a womanizing playboy is nearly killed by a jilted lover in Spanish director Alejandro Amenabar's masterful sophomore effort Abre Los Ojos (Open Your Eyes). It would seem as if Cesar (Eduardo Noriega) has it all. Handsome charming and with money to burn he can get any girl he wants and usually does so on a nightly basis. Following a birthday party in which he chats up Sofia (Penelope Cruz) the date of his best friend Pelayo (Fele Martinez) Cesar is plunged headfirst into a nightmare world when jealous former lover Nuria (Najwa Nimri) swallows a handful of pills and sends her car careening into a cement wall with the terrified playboy as her hapless passenger. With his formerly strikingly handsome face now twisted into a hideous mass of scarred flesh Cesar's ugly emotions are now externalized for all to see. Pining for a plastic-surgery miracle to return him to his former glory so that he can seek out Sofia and take a chance at real love he is pleasantly surprised when the doctors make a breakthrough and Sofia accepts him back into her life. Although all seems perfect for the moment the formerly soulless player finds that this is only the beginning of his increasingly disturbing journey. Why is Sofia changing appearance and turning into Nuria periodically? And why won't the police and his psychiatrist believe Cesar's desperate attempts to rationalize a world that is growing increasingly surreal? Could it have something to do with a doctor Cesar has seen on television who keeps appearing and attempting to help him out of his nightmare? Peeling away at the layers of his subconscious Cesar begins to realize that reality is no more than a state of mind and that in order to get his life back he may be forced to take unthinkable measures.
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The line between dreams and reality become increasingly blurred after a womanizing playboy is nearly killed by a jilted lover in Spanish director Alejandro Amenabar 's masterful sophomore effort Abre Los Ojos ( Open Your Eyes ) . It would seem as if Cesar ( Eduardo Noriega ) has it all. Handsome , charming , and with money to burn , he can get any girl he wants , and usually does so on a nightly basis. Following a birthday party in which he chats up Sofia ( Penelope Cruz ), the date of his best friend Pelayo ( Fele Martinez ), Cesar is plunged headfirst into a nightmare world when jealous former lover Nuria ( Najwa Nimri ) swallows a handful of pills and sends her car careening into a cement wall with the terrified playboy as her hapless passenger. With his formerly strikingly handsome face now twisted into a hideous mass of scarred flesh , Cesar's ugly emotions are now externalized for all to see. Pining for a plastic - surgery miracle to return him to his former glory so that he can seek out Sofia and take a chance at real love , he is pleasantly surprised when the doctors make a breakthrough and Sofia accepts him back into her life. Although all seems perfect for the moment , the formerly soulless player finds that this is only the beginning of his increasingly disturbing journey. Why is Sofia changing appearance and turning into Nuria periodically? And why won't the police and his psychiatrist believe Cesar's desperate attempts to rationalize a world that is growing increasingly surreal? Could it have something to do with a doctor Cesar has seen on television who keeps appearing and attempting to help him out of his nightmare? Peeling away at the layers of his subconscious , Cesar begins to realize that reality is no more than a state of mind , and that in order to get his life back he may be forced to take unthinkable measures.
0938
From Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar (Live Flesh All About My Mother) comes this offbeat drama about Leo Macías (Marisa Paredes) a romance novelist who writes her trashy tomes under the pseudonym Amanda Gris. When her marriage begins to dissolve Leo finds herself falling into despair leading her to drink and lose her knack for writing her tawdry tales. Out of her turmoil she writes a bleak novel that garners no attention. To make matters worse Ángel (Juan Echanove) a newspaper editor with a romantic interest in Leo hires her to write a scathing review of Amanda Gris not realizing Gris is Leo's nom de plume. Nominated for several Goya awards La Flor de Mi Secreto also stars Carmen Elías and Rossy de Palma.
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From Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar ( Live Flesh , All About My Mother ) comes this offbeat drama about Leo Macías ( Marisa Paredes ), a romance novelist who writes her trashy tomes under the pseudonym Amanda Gris. When her marriage begins to dissolve , Leo finds herself falling into despair , leading her to drink and lose her knack for writing her tawdry tales. Out of her turmoil , she writes a bleak novel that garners no attention. To make matters worse , Ángel ( Juan Echanove ), a newspaper editor with a romantic interest in Leo , hires her to write a scathing review of Amanda Gris , not realizing Gris is Leo's nom de plume . Nominated for several Goya awards , La Flor de Mi Secreto also stars Carmen Elías and Rossy de Palma .
0939
Class sex and food are the obsessions of this Spanish comedy drama an international hit from writer and director J.J. Bigas Luna that plays like a cross between the lusty Like Water for Chocolate (1992) and the early work of Pedro Almodovar. In a small town in Spain's arid Monegros region young underwear factory executive Jose Luis (Jordi Molla) falls in love with the beautiful Silvia (Penelope Cruz) a worker on the shop floor. When Silvia becomes pregnant Jose Luis wants to marry her but his mother Conchita (Stefania Sandrelli) the factory owner is appalled by the thought of her son marrying a working-class girl especially one who is the daughter of a prostitute Carmen (Anna Galiena). So Conchita hatches a scheme to woo Silvia away from her son by hiring handsome model Raul (Javier Bardem) to seduce the girl. A ham factory employee with aspirations to become a bullfighter Raul's charms work their magic on both Silvia and Conchita much to the dismay of Jose Luis who seeks comfort in the arms of his sometime lover Carmen. Jamon Jamon (1992) was the winner of a Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival.
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Class , sex , and food are the obsessions of this Spanish comedy drama , an international hit from writer and director J.J. Bigas Luna that plays like a cross between the lusty Like Water for Chocolate ( 1992 ) and the early work of Pedro Almodovar . In a small town in Spain's arid Monegros region , young underwear factory executive Jose Luis ( Jordi Molla ) falls in love with the beautiful Silvia ( Penelope Cruz ), a worker on the shop floor. When Silvia becomes pregnant , Jose Luis wants to marry her , but his mother Conchita ( Stefania Sandrelli ), the factory owner , is appalled by the thought of her son marrying a working - class girl , especially one who is the daughter of a prostitute , Carmen ( Anna Galiena ) . So Conchita hatches a scheme to woo Silvia away from her son by hiring handsome model Raul ( Javier Bardem ) to seduce the girl. A ham factory employee with aspirations to become a bullfighter , Raul's charms work their magic on both Silvia and Conchita , much to the dismay of Jose Luis , who seeks comfort in the arms of his sometime lover , Carmen. Jamon Jamon ( 1992 ) was the winner of a Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival .
0940
After striking responsive chord at the Berlin Film Festival Fernando Trueba's Belle Epoque (aka Age of Beauty) went on to win 9 Spanish Goya awards and an Academy Award for "Best Foreign Film." Set in pre-Franco Spain film stars Jorge Sanz as Fernando a carefree pacifistic army deserter. Wandering about the countryside Fernando is welcomed into home of the wealthy Don Manolo (Fernando Fernan Gomez). Far from upset by the boy's AWOL status Manolo is delighted because he shares Fernando's political philosophies. What follows is sheer heaven for the peaceloving lad who sits smilingly on the sidelines as Manolo's four voluptuous daughters (Adrian Gil Maribel Verdu Miriam Diaz-Aroca and Penelope Cruz) literally fight for his attentions.
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After striking responsive chord at the Berlin Film Festival , Fernando Trueba 's Belle Epoque ( aka Age of Beauty ) went on to win 9 Spanish Goya awards and an Academy Award for "Best Foreign Film." Set in pre - Franco Spain , film stars Jorge Sanz as Fernando , a carefree , pacifistic army deserter. Wandering about the countryside , Fernando is welcomed into home of the wealthy Don Manolo ( Fernando Fernan Gomez ) . Far from upset by the boy's AWOL status , Manolo is delighted because he shares Fernando's political philosophies. What follows is sheer heaven for the peaceloving lad , who sits smilingly on the sidelines as Manolo's four voluptuous daughters ( Adrian Gil , Maribel Verdu , Miriam Diaz - Aroca , and Penelope Cruz ) literally fight for his attentions.
0941
Popular film director Pablo Quintero (Eusebio Poncela) has found a new love in the form of handsome blue-collar Juan (Miguel Molina). Not altogether comfortable with his lifestyle Juan decides to leave Pablo for a while to contemplate his future. Pablo insists that Juan keep in touch by sending him love letters. Ever the director he plans to write the letters himself and have Juan mail them back with his signature. If you think that settles things you don't know filmmaker Pedro Almodovar. Among the many plot complications in Law of Desire is Pablo's subsequent romance with the possessive Antonio (Antonio Banderas whose "gay kiss" in the film prompted front-page headlines in the Brazilian press) and Pablo's efforts to film the life story of his sister (Carmen Maura) who started out life as his brother.
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Popular film director Pablo Quintero ( Eusebio Poncela ) has found a new love in the form of handsome blue - collar Juan ( Miguel Molina ) . Not altogether comfortable with his lifestyle , Juan decides to leave Pablo for a while to contemplate his future. Pablo insists that Juan keep in touch by sending him love letters. Ever the director , he plans to write the letters himself , and have Juan mail them back with his signature. If you think that settles things , you don't know filmmaker Pedro Almodovar . Among the many plot complications in Law of Desire is Pablo's subsequent romance with the possessive Antonio ( Antonio Banderas , whose "gay kiss" in the film prompted front - page headlines in the Brazilian press ), and Pablo's efforts to film the life story of his sister ( Carmen Maura ), who started out life as his brother.
0942
Veteran director Jose Luis Cuerda delivered this sensitive portrait of a child coming of age during a tense political situation just before the Spanish Civil War. On his first day of school frail eight-year-old Moncho (Manuel Lozano) is so terrified by the imposing figure of his teacher Don Gregorio (Fernando Fernan Gomez) that he flees into the nearby woods. In spite of his authoritarian appearance the schoolmaster proves to be a kind free-thinking Republican who teaches Moncho the virtues of being good. The boy is soon spending much of his time with the elderly Gregorio in the Galician countryside admiring such wonders of nature as the tongue of a butterfly. Other people in young Moncho's world include his down-to-earth mother (Uxia Blanco) his Republican father and his older brother who plays the saxophone with a group of local musicians. However when the Fascists roll into town the boy's life changes forever. La Lengua de las Mariposas was screened at the 1999 San Sebastian Film Festival.
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Veteran director Jose Luis Cuerda delivered this sensitive portrait of a child coming of age during a tense political situation just before the Spanish Civil War. On his first day of school , frail eight - year - old Moncho ( Manuel Lozano ) is so terrified by the imposing figure of his teacher Don Gregorio ( Fernando Fernan Gomez ) that he flees into the nearby woods. In spite of his authoritarian appearance , the schoolmaster proves to be a kind , free - thinking Republican who teaches Moncho the virtues of being good. The boy is soon spending much of his time with the elderly Gregorio in the Galician countryside , admiring such wonders of nature as the tongue of a butterfly. Other people in young Moncho's world include his down - to - earth mother ( Uxia Blanco ), his Republican father , and his older brother , who plays the saxophone with a group of local musicians. However , when the Fascists roll into town , the boy's life changes forever. La Lengua de las Mariposas was screened at the 1999 San Sebastian Film Festival .
0943
A boy goes on a vacation with his father and ends up taking the ride of his life in the comedy Manolito Gafotas. Manolito (David Sanchez del Rey) is a cheerful but accident-prone child who doesn't see his father very often. Dad is a truck driver usually out on a long haul leaving Manolito at home with his mother (Adriana Ozores) grandfather (Antonio Gamero) and little brother. Hoping to make up for the time they spend apart Dad offers to take Manolito along on his next trip and show him the ocean. Manolito eagerly agrees but gets his father in trouble when he mentions to Mom via telephone that Dad was chatting up a waitress at a roadside diner. After their meal Manolito hops on board a truck and heads out down the road -- but he doesn't realize he's in the wrong truck until it's too late. Manolito Gafotas was adapted from a comic strip popular in Spain.
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A boy goes on a vacation with his father and ends up taking the ride of his life in the comedy Manolito Gafotas . Manolito ( David Sanchez del Rey ) is a cheerful but accident - prone child who doesn't see his father very often. Dad is a truck driver usually out on a long haul , leaving Manolito at home with his mother ( Adriana Ozores ), grandfather ( Antonio Gamero ), and little brother. Hoping to make up for the time they spend apart , Dad offers to take Manolito along on his next trip and show him the ocean. Manolito eagerly agrees , but gets his father in trouble when he mentions to Mom via telephone that Dad was chatting up a waitress at a roadside diner. After their meal , Manolito hops on board a truck and heads out down the road -- but he doesn't realize he's in the wrong truck until it's too late. Manolito Gafotas was adapted from a comic strip popular in Spain.
0944
Rodrigo de Arista (Fernando Fernan-Gomez) is an elderly Spanish gentleman who went to the United States in hopes of cashing in on the gold rush but returned to Northern Spain with very little to show for his efforts. He discovers upon his arrival that his son has died leaving behind a wife Lucrecia (Cayetana Guillen-Cuervo) and two daughters. However a note from his late son informs Rodrigo that he fathered one of the children but the other is a bastard that his wife conceived in an adulterous relationship with a French painter. Rodrigo is determined to find out which of the two children is his real granddaughter; his relationship with Lucrecia which was never cordial is now strained even further when she realizes that Rodrigo knows her secret and could destroy her reputation in the small town that she calls home. Rodrigo is aided in his search for the truth by Pio Coronado (Rafael Alonso) an old friend who also tutors the two children. El Abuelo received an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film in 1999; it was also nominated for 13 Goya Awards Spain's leading prize for excellence in filmmaking with Fernando Fernan-Gomez taking home the trophy for Best Actor.
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Rodrigo de Arista ( Fernando Fernan - Gomez ) is an elderly Spanish gentleman who went to the United States in hopes of cashing in on the gold rush , but returned to Northern Spain with very little to show for his efforts. He discovers upon his arrival that his son has died , leaving behind a wife , Lucrecia ( Cayetana Guillen - Cuervo ) and two daughters. However , a note from his late son informs Rodrigo that he fathered one of the children , but the other is a bastard that his wife conceived in an adulterous relationship with a French painter. Rodrigo is determined to find out which of the two children is his real granddaughter ; his relationship with Lucrecia , which was never cordial , is now strained even further when she realizes that Rodrigo knows her secret and could destroy her reputation in the small town that she calls home. Rodrigo is aided in his search for the truth by Pio Coronado ( Rafael Alonso ), an old friend who also tutors the two children. El Abuelo received an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film in 1999 ; it was also nominated for 13 Goya Awards , Spain's leading prize for excellence in filmmaking , with Fernando Fernan - Gomez taking home the trophy for Best Actor.
0945
The debut feature from Spanish wunderkind Alejandro Amenábar (Open Your Eyes The Others) Tesis is a thriller starring Ana Torrent as Ángela Márquez a film student who while researching for a thesis paper on violence in cinema stumbles upon a snuff film featuring the murder of a former student at the university. Enlisting the help of classmate and violent-movie buff Chema (Fele Martínez) Angela begins an investigation into the crime that leads them to several suspects. One of them is Bosco (Eduardo Noriega) a handsome classmate to whom Angela finds herself attracted much to the chagrin of Cheme. Tesis was the recipient of seven awards at the 1997 Goya Awards including Best Film.
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The debut feature from Spanish wunderkind Alejandro Amenábar ( Open Your Eyes , The Others ), Tesis is a thriller starring Ana Torrent as Ángela Márquez , a film student who , while researching for a thesis paper on violence in cinema , stumbles upon a snuff film featuring the murder of a former student at the university. Enlisting the help of classmate and violent - movie buff Chema ( Fele Martínez ), Angela begins an investigation into the crime that leads them to several suspects. One of them is Bosco ( Eduardo Noriega ), a handsome classmate to whom Angela finds herself attracted , much to the chagrin of Cheme. Tesis was the recipient of seven awards at the 1997 Goya Awards including Best Film.
0946
Spanish filmmaker Alex de la Iglesia followed his outlandish sci-fi/horror debut Accion Mutante with this colorful apocalypse fantasy about Father Angel (Alex Angulo) a scholarly priest whose intensive research into cabalistic "Bible Code" prophecies leads to a horrific discovery: the exact birthdate of the Antichrist. Convinced that Satan's spawn will be born somewhere in Madrid on Christmas Day Father Angel embarks on a bizarre journey down the path of sin committing the foulest possible acts against God and humanity in order to worm his way into the Devil's inner circle and face the ultimate foe on his own turf. Comprised of equal parts high-concept horror and scathing social satire (in the mode of the director's peer and former collaborator Pedro Almodovar) this ambitious horror film has garnered a sizable cult following.
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Spanish filmmaker Alex de la Iglesia followed his outlandish sci - fi / horror debut , Accion Mutante , with this colorful apocalypse fantasy about Father Angel ( Alex Angulo ), a scholarly priest whose intensive research into cabalistic "Bible Code" prophecies leads to a horrific discovery : the exact birthdate of the Antichrist. Convinced that Satan's spawn will be born somewhere in Madrid on Christmas Day , Father Angel embarks on a bizarre journey down the path of sin , committing the foulest possible acts against God and humanity in order to worm his way into the Devil's inner circle and face the ultimate foe on his own turf. Comprised of equal parts high - concept horror and scathing social satire ( in the mode of the director's peer and former collaborator Pedro Almodovar ), this ambitious horror film has garnered a sizable cult following.
0947
"I'll never love you . . . ever!" the sexy and attractive Marina (Victoria Abril) states emphatically to the love-struck Ricky (Antonio Banderas). You know she means what she says because when she makes this statement she is handcuffed and lashed to a bed not exactly the proper way to warm anyone up for romance. Yet in Pedro Almodovar's Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! the way to a woman's heart is depicted as being held in captivity until the Stockholm Syndrome kicks in. The film concerns the plight of Marina a "B"-movie diva trying to adjust to her recent success after years of porno films and drug addiction. But then into her life comes Ricky a part-time handyman and full-time mental patient who during one of his past escapes from the mental ward had spent the night with Marina -- who gave in to him during one of her less-discerning moments. Since then Ricky has been thinking of her constantly. Determined to win her affections he kidnaps Marina holding her captive in her own apartment and trying everything to convince her to love him -- then they could marry and have a big family. All Ricky's attempts to woo Marina fail. Finally after taking a severe beating from some street thugs he strikes a chord in Marina's nurturing heart so that when her sister Lola (Loles Leon) finally discovers her plight Marina no longer wants to be rescued.
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"I'll never love you . . . ever!" the sexy and attractive Marina ( Victoria Abril ) states emphatically to the love - struck Ricky ( Antonio Banderas ) . You know she means what she says because when she makes this statement she is handcuffed and lashed to a bed , not exactly the proper way to warm anyone up for romance. Yet in Pedro Almodovar 's Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! the way to a woman's heart is depicted as being held in captivity until the Stockholm Syndrome kicks in. The film concerns the plight of Marina , a "B" - movie diva trying to adjust to her recent success after years of porno films and drug addiction. But then into her life comes Ricky , a part - time handyman and full - time mental patient , who , during one of his past escapes from the mental ward , had spent the night with Marina -- who gave in to him during one of her less - discerning moments. Since then , Ricky has been thinking of her constantly. Determined to win her affections , he kidnaps Marina , holding her captive in her own apartment and trying everything to convince her to love him -- then they could marry and have a big family. All Ricky's attempts to woo Marina fail. Finally , after taking a severe beating from some street thugs , he strikes a chord in Marina's nurturing heart so that when her sister Lola ( Loles Leon ) finally discovers her plight , Marina no longer wants to be rescued.
0948
The complex relationship between a thirteen-year-old girl (Ana Torrent) and an old man living in lonely but wealthy splendor is the focus of this drama. Alejandro (Hector Alterio) spends his time playing chess on a computer riding his horses or enjoying classical music. His life starts to change under the influence of young Goyita (Torrent) who slowly becomes a friend and then begins to impose on him in not-so-subtle ways. First she wants him to burn his dead wife's clothing and before long she intends to involve him in a plot of revenge against a Civil Guard. Torrent received a 1980 Best Actress award at the Montreal Film Festival for her performance.
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The complex relationship between a thirteen - year - old girl ( Ana Torrent ) and an old man living in lonely but wealthy splendor is the focus of this drama. Alejandro ( Hector Alterio ) spends his time playing chess on a computer , riding his horses , or enjoying classical music. His life starts to change under the influence of young Goyita ( Torrent ) who slowly becomes a friend and then begins to impose on him in not - so - subtle ways. First she wants him to burn his dead wife's clothing , and before long she intends to involve him in a plot of revenge against a Civil Guard. Torrent received a 1980 Best Actress award at the Montreal Film Festival for her performance.
0949
For the Spanish Mama Turns a Hundred director Carlos Saura reassembles many of his cast members from his 1972 Anna and the Wolves. As Mama reaches the century mark her wolf-pack relatives go fang and claw after currying her favor in hopes of a large legacy. The film is set during the Franco regime permitting Saura to use his greedy family as a microcosm of all that had gone bad in Spain since the Civil War. Though potentially grim Mama Turns a Hundred is essentially a comedy though many of the laughs are of the "shock of recognition" variety especially for those who've come from a similarly avaricious family. The film was originally released as Mama Cumple Cien Anos.
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For the Spanish Mama Turns a Hundred , director Carlos Saura reassembles many of his cast members from his 1972 Anna and the Wolves . As Mama reaches the century mark , her wolf - pack relatives go fang and claw after currying her favor in hopes of a large legacy. The film is set during the Franco regime , permitting Saura to use his greedy family as a microcosm of all that had gone bad in Spain since the Civil War. Though potentially grim , Mama Turns a Hundred is essentially a comedy , though many of the laughs are of the "shock of recognition" variety , especially for those who've come from a similarly avaricious family. The film was originally released as Mama Cumple Cien Anos .
0950
Written and directed by Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almódovar Tacones Lejanos is a murder mystery centering on flamboyant actress Becky del Paramo (Marisa Paredes) and her daughter Rebecca (Victoria Abril) a television anchorwoman. After being estranged for 15 years Becky re-enters Rebecca's life when she comes to perform a concert. Rebecca she finds is now married to one of Becky's ex-lovers Manuel (Feodor Atkine). As the mother and daughter begin making up for lost time Manuel is suddenly murdered at his home. Unfortunately which of the ladies is responsible for the homicide remains unclear even after one of them confesses. Released in the U.S. under the title High Heels Tacones Lejanos was nominated for several Goya Awards as well as the Best Foreign Language Film at the 1992 Golden Globes.
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Written and directed by Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almódovar , Tacones Lejanos is a murder mystery centering on flamboyant actress Becky del Paramo ( Marisa Paredes ) and her daughter Rebecca ( Victoria Abril ), a television anchorwoman. After being estranged for 15 years , Becky re - enters Rebecca's life when she comes to perform a concert. Rebecca , she finds , is now married to one of Becky's ex - lovers , Manuel ( Feodor Atkine ) . As the mother and daughter begin making up for lost time , Manuel is suddenly murdered at his home. Unfortunately , which of the ladies is responsible for the homicide remains unclear , even after one of them confesses. Released in the U.S. under the title High Heels , Tacones Lejanos was nominated for several Goya Awards as well as the Best Foreign Language Film at the 1992 Golden Globes.
0951
Jose Luis Lopez Vasquez stars as a millionaire industrialist who is involved in an auto accident. When he comes to Vasquez has completely forgotten who he is and how much money he has. His greedy relatives would love to put Vasquez away and claim his fortune. But there's a fly in the ointment: the money is in a secret Swiss bank account and the only one who knows (or who knew) the account number is the amnesiac Vasquez. Those familiar with the work of Spanish director Carlos Saura know for darn sure that he's not about to go the expected route with this surefire material: Garden of Delights is just that a bountiful garden of the surreal the symbolic the illusory and at times the hilarious.
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Jose Luis Lopez Vasquez stars as a millionaire industrialist who is involved in an auto accident. When he comes to , Vasquez has completely forgotten who he is and how much money he has. His greedy relatives would love to put Vasquez away and claim his fortune. But there's a fly in the ointment : the money is in a secret Swiss bank account , and the only one who knows ( or who knew ) the account number is the amnesiac Vasquez . Those familiar with the work of Spanish director Carlos Saura know for darn sure that he's not about to go the expected route with this surefire material : Garden of Delights , is just that , a bountiful garden of the surreal , the symbolic , the illusory , and at times the hilarious.
0952
In 1959 Sweden young Ingemar (Anton Glanzelius) lives with his dying mother and his nasty older brother. He survives all of life's knocks by comparing himself to those who are worse off--such as Laika the little Russian space dog who was rocketed to his death and had nothing to say in the matter. Ingemar begins to identify with Laika more and more as his mother's health deteriorates at times dropping to all fours and baying at the moon. When his mother is advised to get some peace and quiet away from her children Ingemar is sent to live with his loveable uncle and aunt. For the first time the boy is surrounded by relatives and classmates who pose no threat and who genuinely like him. He even has a sexual awakening. When his mother dies he no longer rationalizes his misfortunes by comparing himself to those less fortunate; from now on he can conjure up pleasant memories of his summer away from home to sustain him through the hard times. My Life as a Dog (Mitt Liv Som Hund) is based on the autobiographical novel by Reidar Jonsson.
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In 1959 Sweden , young Ingemar ( Anton Glanzelius ) lives with his dying mother and his nasty older brother. He survives all of life's knocks by comparing himself to those who are worse off -- such as Laika , the little Russian space dog who was rocketed to his death and had nothing to say in the matter. Ingemar begins to identify with Laika more and more as his mother's health deteriorates , at times dropping to all fours and baying at the moon. When his mother is advised to get some peace and quiet away from her children , Ingemar is sent to live with his loveable uncle and aunt. For the first time , the boy is surrounded by relatives and classmates who pose no threat and who genuinely like him. He even has a sexual awakening. When his mother dies , he no longer rationalizes his misfortunes by comparing himself to those less fortunate ; from now on , he can conjure up pleasant memories of his summer away from home to sustain him through the hard times. My Life as a Dog ( Mitt Liv Som Hund ) is based on the autobiographical novel by Reidar Jonsson .
0953
Shame is grand master Ingmar Bergman's bitter and unsparing condemnation of war - all war regardless of which side one chooses. The story begins with two ex-musicians Eva and Jan Rosenberg (Liv Ullmann and Max von Sydow respectively) peacefully inhabiting a weathered house where they grow fruits and vegetables. The residence is located on a desolate arid island in some unspecified geographic location. Many items in The Rosenbergs' house such as the radio aren't functioning properly and an explosive conflict transpires in the distance. (To avoid being ideologically pigeonholed Bergman avoids identifying either side of the struggle or the reasons for the conflict itself). The Rosenbergs remain aloof detached and geographically removed from the struggle but little by little over time various elements of the war seep into the couples' lives and force their involvement. The tumult first sets in when jet planes roar over the house; then a parachutist gets killed and soldiers turn up at the Rosenberg residence. Finally Eva and Jan get forcibly interrogated and incarcerated. Following the complete obliteration of the Rosenberg house Eva has sex with one of the military leaders Colonel Jacobi (Gunnar Bjornstrand) for unspecified reasons. Although Bergman never explicitly makes it clear if Jan witnesses this he does deliberately conceal money that he could have easily used to buy Jacobi's freedom from the other side. As the heart-wrenching tale rolls forward circumstances force The Rosenbergs into a face-to-face confrontation with their own identities and emotions.
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Shame is grand master Ingmar Bergman 's bitter and unsparing condemnation of war - all war , regardless of which side one chooses. The story begins with two ex - musicians , Eva and Jan Rosenberg ( Liv Ullmann and Max von Sydow , respectively ) peacefully inhabiting a weathered house where they grow fruits and vegetables. The residence is located on a desolate , arid island in some unspecified geographic location. Many items in The Rosenbergs' house , such as the radio , aren't functioning properly , and an explosive conflict transpires in the distance. ( To avoid being ideologically pigeonholed , Bergman avoids identifying either side of the struggle or the reasons for the conflict itself ) . The Rosenbergs remain aloof , detached and geographically removed from the struggle , but little by little , over time , various elements of the war seep into the couples' lives and force their involvement. The tumult first sets in when jet planes roar over the house ; then a parachutist gets killed and soldiers turn up at the Rosenberg residence. Finally , Eva and Jan get forcibly interrogated and incarcerated. Following the complete obliteration of the Rosenberg house , Eva has sex with one of the military leaders , Colonel Jacobi ( Gunnar Bjornstrand ) for unspecified reasons. Although Bergman never explicitly makes it clear if Jan witnesses this , he does deliberately conceal money that he could have easily used to buy Jacobi's freedom from the other side. As the heart - wrenching tale rolls forward , circumstances force The Rosenbergs into a face - to - face confrontation with their own identities and emotions.
0954
The Sacrifice director Andrei Tarkovsky's final film begins in Bergmanesque fashion on a small remote island where friends and family gather for drama critic Alexander's (Erland Josephson) birthday celebration. The revelry is interrupted by a radio announcement: World War III has begun and Mankind is only hours away from utter annihilation. Each of the guests reacts differently to the news: the most dramatic response is Alexander's who promises God that he'll give up everything he holds dear--including his beloved 6-year-old son -- if war is averted. Allan Edwall a local mailman with purported mystical powers offers to intervene with the Creator on Josephson's behalf. The Sacrifice is so dependent upon its visuals and overall mood that any attempt at a detailed synopsis would be woefully inadequate. The willingness of Tarkovsky's protagonist to forego all his possessions may well have sprung from the cancer-ridden director's awareness that he too would soon be giving up everything to face his Maker. The Sacrifice won four awards at the Cannes Film Festival including the Grand Prix.
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The Sacrifice , director Andrei Tarkovsky 's final film , begins in Bergmanesque fashion on a small , remote island , where friends and family gather for drama critic Alexander's ( Erland Josephson ) birthday celebration. The revelry is interrupted by a radio announcement : World War III has begun , and Mankind is only hours away from utter annihilation. Each of the guests reacts differently to the news : the most dramatic response is Alexander's , who promises God that he'll give up everything he holds dear -- including his beloved 6 - year - old son -- if war is averted. Allan Edwall , a local mailman with purported mystical powers , offers to intervene with the Creator on Josephson 's behalf. The Sacrifice is so dependent upon its visuals and overall mood that any attempt at a detailed synopsis would be woefully inadequate. The willingness of Tarkovsky 's protagonist to forego all his possessions may well have sprung from the cancer - ridden director's awareness that he , too , would soon be giving up everything to face his Maker. The Sacrifice won four awards at the Cannes Film Festival , including the Grand Prix.
0955
Liv Ullmann plays Dr. Jenny Isakson a psychiatrist who is taking a vacation while her husband Dr. Erik Isakson (Sven Lindberg) is elsewhere. Haunted by visions of an old woman Jenny suffers from profound inexplicable depression. Desperately in search of a escape from her doldrums she has an affair with married doctor Tomas Jacobi (Erland Josephson). This only serves to spark an attack of hysteria for Jenny. Again visited by hallucinations of the old woman she attempts suicide. While hovering between life and death she imagines she sees all the people who've been influential in her life and rails against them for causing her neuroses. Only while recovering does she learn who the spectral old woman is and why she is undergoing so harrowing an emotional experience. Like his later Scenes From a Marriage Bergman's Face to Face (Ansikte mot ansikte) originated as a multipart TV series which was then pared down into a two-hour-plus feature film.
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Liv Ullmann plays Dr. Jenny Isakson , a psychiatrist who is taking a vacation while her husband Dr. Erik Isakson ( Sven Lindberg ) is elsewhere. Haunted by visions of an old woman , Jenny suffers from profound , inexplicable depression. Desperately in search of a escape from her doldrums , she has an affair with married doctor Tomas Jacobi ( Erland Josephson ) . This only serves to spark an attack of hysteria for Jenny. Again visited by hallucinations of the old woman , she attempts suicide. While hovering between life and death , she imagines she sees all the people who've been influential in her life , and rails against them for causing her neuroses. Only while recovering does she learn who the spectral old woman is and why she is undergoing so harrowing an emotional experience. Like his later Scenes From a Marriage , Bergman 's Face to Face ( Ansikte mot ansikte ) originated as a multipart TV series , which was then pared down into a two - hour - plus feature film.
0956
Roland (Jesper Salen) is a boy growing up in Stockholm. It is the middle of the 1920s and he suffers from the twin handicaps of being Jewish and the son of a socialist. However despite the taunts and bullying he endures he gets in a few licks of his own and manages to have some fun (and get some revenge on his tormentors). One particularly successful ploy of his is to take some of the illegal condoms his mother is selling in her tobacco store and use them to power some slingshots he has made sellling them to neighborhood boys. This affectionate richly detailed portrait of a man's early adolescence in pre-war Stockholm is based on an autobiographical novel by Roland Schutt)
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Roland ( Jesper Salen ) is a boy growing up in Stockholm. It is the middle of the 1920s , and he suffers from the twin handicaps of being Jewish and the son of a socialist. However , despite the taunts and bullying he endures , he gets in a few licks of his own , and manages to have some fun ( and get some revenge on his tormentors ) . One particularly successful ploy of his is to take some of the illegal condoms his mother is selling in her tobacco store and use them to power some slingshots he has made , sellling them to neighborhood boys. This affectionate , richly detailed portrait of a man's early adolescence in pre - war Stockholm is based on an autobiographical novel by Roland Schutt )
0957
A young man growing up at a difficult time enters into a relationship that only makes his life more complicated in this acclaimed coming-of-age drama. Stig (Johan Widerberg) is a 15-year-old boy growing up in Malmo Sweden in 1942. While WWII rages in Europe Sweden remains politically neutral though it's all but impossible for the people of Malmo not to have an opinion about the conflict and Stig's own brother intends to volunteer to serve on a submarine. Stig has fallen in love with his schoolteacher Viola (Marika Lagercrantz) who is 22 years his senior. To his great surprise Viola confesses that she's also attracted to Stig; she's stuck in a failing marriage to Kjell (Tomas von Bromssen) a depressive alcoholic salesman and there's something in Stig's naive desire that touches her. The two become involved in a passionate love affair which Viola makes little effort to disguise from Kjell; in fact Kjell becomes friendly with Stig and tries to teach him about his great passion in life classical music. Eventually Stig becomes attracted to Lisbet (Karin Huldt) a girl from school his own age and when they become involved Stig breaks off his affair with Viola. Viola is not eager to give up Stig and in time she retaliates with violence. Lust Och Fagring Stor was the final film from noted Swedish director Bo Widerberg; he died two years after its release -- at the age of 56. Jonah Widerberg who played Stig is Bo's son and was 21 at the time the film was released.
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A young man growing up at a difficult time enters into a relationship that only makes his life more complicated in this acclaimed coming - of - age drama. Stig ( Johan Widerberg ) is a 15 - year - old boy growing up in Malmo , Sweden , in 1942. While WWII rages in Europe , Sweden remains politically neutral , though it's all but impossible for the people of Malmo not to have an opinion about the conflict , and Stig's own brother intends to volunteer to serve on a submarine. Stig has fallen in love with his schoolteacher Viola ( Marika Lagercrantz ), who is 22 years his senior. To his great surprise , Viola confesses that she's also attracted to Stig ; she's stuck in a failing marriage to Kjell ( Tomas von Bromssen ), a depressive alcoholic salesman , and there's something in Stig's naive desire that touches her. The two become involved in a passionate love affair , which Viola makes little effort to disguise from Kjell ; in fact , Kjell becomes friendly with Stig and tries to teach him about his great passion in life , classical music. Eventually , Stig becomes attracted to Lisbet ( Karin Huldt ), a girl from school his own age , and when they become involved , Stig breaks off his affair with Viola. Viola is not eager to give up Stig , and in time , she retaliates with violence. Lust Och Fagring Stor was the final film from noted Swedish director Bo Widerberg ; he died two years after its release -- at the age of 56. Jonah Widerberg , who played Stig , is Bo's son , and was 21 at the time the film was released.
0958
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0959
Liv Ullmann plays the widowed crippled Anna Fromm who while traveling on a remote island calls upon reclusive ex-convict Andreas (Max von Sydow) in order to use his telephone. After Anna leaves Andreas discovers she's left her purse behind; he opens it hoping to find some identification. A letter in the purse details Anna's unhappy marriage and the depths of her loneliness. Eventually Anna moves in with Andreas who has become more closely acquainted with her through the intervention of Anna's friends Ellis and Evan Vergerus (Bibi Andersson and Erland Josephson). But tensions and conflicts ensue and threaten to destroy the burgeoning relationship between Anna and Andreas.
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Liv Ullmann plays the widowed , crippled Anna Fromm , who while traveling on a remote island calls upon reclusive ex - convict Andreas ( Max von Sydow ) in order to use his telephone. After Anna leaves , Andreas discovers she's left her purse behind ; he opens it , hoping to find some identification. A letter in the purse details Anna's unhappy marriage and the depths of her loneliness. Eventually , Anna moves in with Andreas , who has become more closely acquainted with her through the intervention of Anna's friends Ellis and Evan Vergerus ( Bibi Andersson and Erland Josephson ) . But tensions and conflicts ensue , and threaten to destroy the burgeoning relationship between Anna and Andreas.
0960
ased on an Astrid Lindgren novel this fantasy focuses on a Swedish teen drawn into a magical world to battle an evil knight.
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Based on an Astrid Lindgren novel , this fantasy focuses on a Swedish teen drawn into a magical world to battle an evil knight.
0961
Xavier Koller's fact-based drama chronicles the hardships suffered by a family of Turkish farmers who sell all of their worldly possessions in order to fund an escape to the greener pastures of Switzerland. En route they fall prey to a group of smugglers who direct them to access Switzerland via an illegal and dangerous mountain pass.
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Xavier Koller 's fact - based drama chronicles the hardships suffered by a family of Turkish farmers who sell all of their worldly possessions in order to fund an escape to the greener pastures of Switzerland. En route , they fall prey to a group of smugglers , who direct them to access Switzerland via an illegal and dangerous mountain pass.
0962
Michel Piccoli plays Akiva Liebskind a Russian chess genius in the Swiss-filmed Dangerous Moves. He is pitted against Soviet exile Pavius Fromm (Alexandre Arbatt) who since childhood has dreamed of nothing but defeating Liebskind. Both men soon become obsessed with winning. Already suffering from a weak heart Liebskind courts a coronary while the increasingly paranoid Fromm is convinced that his opponent is spying on him from every corner. The KGB enters into the game by attempting to sabotage Fromm hoping that by doing so they will discredit everyone who's ever publicly opposed the Soviet government. Dangerous Moves was the 1984 recipient of the Best Foreign-Language Picture Academy Award.
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Michel Piccoli plays Akiva Liebskind , a Russian chess genius in the Swiss - filmed Dangerous Moves . He is pitted against Soviet exile Pavius Fromm ( Alexandre Arbatt ), who , since childhood , has dreamed of nothing but defeating Liebskind. Both men soon become obsessed with winning. Already suffering from a weak heart , Liebskind courts a coronary , while the increasingly paranoid Fromm is convinced that his opponent is spying on him from every corner. The KGB enters into the game by attempting to sabotage Fromm , hoping that by doing so they will discredit everyone who's ever publicly opposed the Soviet government. Dangerous Moves was the 1984 recipient of the Best Foreign - Language Picture Academy Award.
0963
An affectionate reverie about war childhood and British stoicism John Boorman's Hope and Glory is the veteran filmmaker's recollection of the bombing of London during World War II. Set on the British home front during the early days of the war this episodic movie shows the blitz through the eyes of seven-year-old Billy Rohan (Sebastian Rice-Edwards). At the war's outset Billy finds himself alone in a house full of women as all the men are called off to join the war effort. With wide-eyed wonder and an outsized imagination Billy sees the war as a grand diversion an extension of his world of knights tin soldiers and war games. As bombs fall and houses burn Billy's mother (Sarah Miles) struggles to keep the family together in her husband's absence. Even as Billy seeks to escape the harem of aunts and sisters Dawn (Sammi Davis) his older sister falls for a Canadian soldier who gets her pregnant. After the Rohans' home catches fire (not ironically as the result of a bomb blast but from a domestic accident) the family is forced to move in with Billy's cantankerous grandfather in the countryside where they spend the rest of their summer and enjoy an unusual idyll amid the raging war. Nominated in 1987 for a Best Picture Academy Award Hope and Glory proved to be another high point in the career of the remarkably protean Boorman.
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An affectionate reverie about war , childhood , and British stoicism , John Boorman 's Hope and Glory is the veteran filmmaker's recollection of the bombing of London during World War II. Set on the British home front during the early days of the war , this episodic movie shows the blitz through the eyes of seven - year - old Billy Rohan ( Sebastian Rice - Edwards ) . At the war's outset , Billy finds himself alone in a house full of women , as all the men are called off to join the war effort. With wide - eyed wonder and an outsized imagination , Billy sees the war as a grand diversion , an extension of his world of knights , tin soldiers , and war games. As bombs fall and houses burn , Billy's mother ( Sarah Miles ) struggles to keep the family together in her husband's absence. Even as Billy seeks to escape the harem of aunts and sisters , Dawn ( Sammi Davis ), his older sister , falls for a Canadian soldier , who gets her pregnant. After the Rohans' home catches fire ( not , ironically , as the result of a bomb blast , but from a domestic accident ), the family is forced to move in with Billy's cantankerous grandfather in the countryside , where they spend the rest of their summer and enjoy an unusual idyll amid the raging war. Nominated in 1987 for a Best Picture Academy Award , Hope and Glory proved to be another high point in the career of the remarkably protean Boorman .
0964
Peter Greenaway's first fiction feature (after the mock-documentary The Falls) made him immediately famous and was named one of the most original films of the 1980s by British critics. The action is set in the director's beloved 17th century. Ambitious young artist Mr. Neville (Anthony Higgins) is invited by Mrs. Herbert (Janet Suzman) to make 12 elaborate sketches of her estate. Besides money the contract includes sexual favors that Mrs. Herbert will offer to the draughtsman in the absence of Mr. Herbert. Entirely confident in his ability to weave a web of intrigues Mr. Neville eventually becomes a victim of someone else's elaborate scheme. The film is structured as a sophisticated intellectual puzzle like the ones popular in the 17th century. There is a lot to pay attention to besides the intrigues -- fancy wigs conversations by candlelight English parks Purcell-inspired baroque music by Michael Nyman all to please the eyes soothe the ears and stimulate the mind.
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Peter Greenaway 's first fiction feature ( after the mock - documentary The Falls ) made him immediately famous and was named one of the most original films of the 1980s by British critics. The action is set in the director's beloved 17th century. Ambitious young artist Mr. Neville ( Anthony Higgins ) is invited by Mrs. Herbert ( Janet Suzman ) to make 12 elaborate sketches of her estate. Besides money , the contract includes sexual favors that Mrs. Herbert will offer to the draughtsman in the absence of Mr. Herbert. Entirely confident in his ability to weave a web of intrigues , Mr. Neville eventually becomes a victim of someone else's elaborate scheme. The film is structured as a sophisticated intellectual puzzle like the ones popular in the 17th century. There is a lot to pay attention to besides the intrigues -- fancy wigs , conversations by candlelight , English parks , Purcell - inspired baroque music by Michael Nyman , all to please the eyes , soothe the ears , and stimulate the mind.
0965
Noted for intimate character studies created in collaboration with his actors director Mike Leigh makes a dramatic change of pace with this biography of comic opera composers W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan. Gilbert (Jim Broadbent) is an easily angered but otherwise emotionally remote lyricist who works in collaboration with composer Sullivan (Alan Corduner) a genial and fun-loving sort who feels unsatisfied writing light operettas and longs to work with more serious material. While Sullivan is having a creative crisis Gilbert is facing a failing marriage to Lucy (Lesley Manville) who loves her husband even if he can't return her affections and must deal with his ailing father (Charles Simon). When they suffer their first failure both men are depressed and Sullivan announces that he's giving up operetta for good. However a visit to an exhibit of Japanese art sparks an idea in Gilbert and soon he and Sullivan are hard at work on what will become one of their greatest successes The Mikado. Much of the film is devoted to the staging of this classic with Shirley Henderson Dorothy Atkinson Martin Savage Timothy Spall and Kevin McKidd as members of the operetta's cast. Jim Broadbent won Best Actor at the 1999 Venice Film Festival.
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Noted for intimate character studies created in collaboration with his actors , director Mike Leigh makes a dramatic change of pace with this biography of comic opera composers W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan . Gilbert ( Jim Broadbent ) is an easily angered but otherwise emotionally remote lyricist who works in collaboration with composer Sullivan ( Alan Corduner ), a genial and fun - loving sort who feels unsatisfied writing light operettas and longs to work with more serious material. While Sullivan is having a creative crisis , Gilbert is facing a failing marriage to Lucy ( Lesley Manville ), who loves her husband even if he can't return her affections , and must deal with his ailing father ( Charles Simon ) . When they suffer their first failure , both men are depressed , and Sullivan announces that he's giving up operetta for good. However , a visit to an exhibit of Japanese art sparks an idea in Gilbert , and soon he and Sullivan are hard at work on what will become one of their greatest successes , The Mikado . Much of the film is devoted to the staging of this classic , with Shirley Henderson , Dorothy Atkinson , Martin Savage , Timothy Spall , and Kevin McKidd as members of the operetta's cast. Jim Broadbent won Best Actor at the 1999 Venice Film Festival.
0966
William Shakespeare (Joseph Fiennes) is on a cold streak. Not only is he writing for Philip Henslowe (Geoffrey Rush) owner of "The Rose" a theatre whose doors are about to be closed by sadistic creditors but he's got a nasty case of writer's block. Shakespeare hasn't written a hit in years. In fact he hasn't written much of anything recently. Thus the Bard finds himself in quite a bind when Henslowe desperate to stave off another round of hot-coals-to-feet application stakes The Rose's solvency on Shakespeare's new comedy "Romeo and Ethel the Pirate's Daughter." The problem is "Romeo" is safely "locked away" in Shakespeare's head which is to say that not a word of it is written. Meanwhile the lovely Lady Viola (Gwyneth Paltrow) is an ardent theatre-goer -- scandalous for a woman of her breeding -- who especially admires Shakespeare's plays and not incidentally Bill himself. Alas she's about to be sold as property into a loveless marriage by her mercenary father and shipped off to a Virginia tobacco plantation. But not before dressing up as a young man and winning the part of Romeo in the embryonic play. Shakespeare soon discovers the deception and goes along with it using the blossoming love affair to ignite his muse. As William and Viola's romance grows in intensity and spirals towards its inevitable culmination so too does the farcical comedy about Romeo and pirates transform into the timeless tragedy that is Romeo and Juliet.
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William Shakespeare ( Joseph Fiennes ) is on a cold streak. Not only is he writing for Philip Henslowe ( Geoffrey Rush ), owner of "The Rose , " a theatre whose doors are about to be closed by sadistic creditors , but he's got a nasty case of writer's block. Shakespeare hasn't written a hit in years. In fact , he hasn't written much of anything recently. Thus , the Bard finds himself in quite a bind when Henslowe , desperate to stave off another round of hot - coals - to - feet application , stakes The Rose's solvency on Shakespeare's new comedy , "Romeo and Ethel , the Pirate's Daughter." The problem is , "Romeo" is safely "locked away" in Shakespeare's head , which is to say that not a word of it is written. Meanwhile , the lovely Lady Viola ( Gwyneth Paltrow ) is an ardent theatre - goer -- scandalous for a woman of her breeding -- who especially admires Shakespeare's plays and , not incidentally , Bill himself. Alas , she's about to be sold as property into a loveless marriage by her mercenary father and shipped off to a Virginia tobacco plantation. But not before dressing up as a young man and winning the part of Romeo in the embryonic play. Shakespeare soon discovers the deception and goes along with it , using the blossoming love affair to ignite his muse. As William and Viola's romance grows in intensity and spirals towards its inevitable culmination , so , too , does the farcical comedy about Romeo and pirates transform into the timeless tragedy that is Romeo and Juliet .
0967
A family is forced to confront the personal issues they've been avoiding for years in this powerful realistic drama. Cynthia (Brenda Blethyn) is a working-class British woman whose life has been a long series of painful disappointments. She's single with no romantic prospects and a dead-end job at a box factory. Her daughter Roxanne (Claire Rushbrook) works as a street sweeper and is chronically bitter. Cynthia helped raise her brother Maurice (Timothy Spall) who is doing well as a photographer but she rarely sees him and usually blames his wife Monica (Phyllis Logan). One day Cynthia receives a phone call from a woman named Hortense (Marianne Jean-Baptiste) who claims to be the daughter Cynthia put up for adoption years ago. Cynthia initially reacts with panic but she agrees to meet Hortense and is surprised to discover that she's a successful and soft-spoken eye doctor -- and that she's black. Cynthia is soon convinced that Hortense is just who she claims to be and they quickly form a friendship that gives Cynthia a new source of emotional strength. However when Cynthia decides to introduce the family to her new "friend" it forces them to confront the lies and evasions that have kept them apart all these years. Largely improvised by director Mike Leigh and his cast Secrets & Lies features standout work by Brenda Blethyn (who earned an Academy Award nomination as Best Actress) Marianne Jean-Baptiste (who was nominated as Best Supporting Actress) and Timothy Spall.
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A family is forced to confront the personal issues they've been avoiding for years in this powerful , realistic drama. Cynthia ( Brenda Blethyn ) is a working - class British woman whose life has been a long series of painful disappointments. She's single with no romantic prospects and a dead - end job at a box factory. Her daughter Roxanne ( Claire Rushbrook ) works as a street sweeper and is chronically bitter. Cynthia helped raise her brother , Maurice ( Timothy Spall ), who is doing well as a photographer , but she rarely sees him and usually blames his wife , Monica ( Phyllis Logan ) . One day , Cynthia receives a phone call from a woman named Hortense ( Marianne Jean - Baptiste ), who claims to be the daughter Cynthia put up for adoption years ago. Cynthia initially reacts with panic , but she agrees to meet Hortense and is surprised to discover that she's a successful and soft - spoken eye doctor -- and that she's black. Cynthia is soon convinced that Hortense is just who she claims to be , and they quickly form a friendship that gives Cynthia a new source of emotional strength. However , when Cynthia decides to introduce the family to her new "friend , " it forces them to confront the lies and evasions that have kept them apart all these years. Largely improvised by director Mike Leigh and his cast , Secrets & Lies features standout work by Brenda Blethyn ( who earned an Academy Award nomination as Best Actress ), Marianne Jean - Baptiste ( who was nominated as Best Supporting Actress ), and Timothy Spall .
0968
This ground-breaking British documentary offers the most complete biographical account ever compiled of the young Jewish girl whose simple diary entries and observations brought the grim realities of the Holocaust to millions of readers the world over. It not only includes interviews from survivors who knew her it also looks into never before seen family letters new photographs and even archival footage. This is all combined with historically accurate recreations of the attic where the refugee Frank family spent two years hiding from the Nazis. Together it all provides a fascinating look into Anna's daily life. At the end the filmmakers then examine Otto Frank's efforts to preserve his daughter's memory and to keep alive her message of peace.
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This ground - breaking British documentary offers the most complete biographical account ever compiled of the young Jewish girl whose simple diary entries and observations brought the grim realities of the Holocaust to millions of readers the world over. It not only includes interviews from survivors who knew her , it also looks into never before seen family letters , new photographs and even archival footage. This is all combined with historically accurate recreations of the attic where the refugee Frank family spent two years hiding from the Nazis. Together it all provides a fascinating look into Anna's daily life. At the end , the filmmakers then examine Otto Frank's efforts to preserve his daughter's memory and to keep alive her message of peace.
0969
An institutionalized schizophrenic with a Messiah complex inherits the position of an English Earl in this cutting satire of British society based on a play by Peter Barnes. The film's irreverent tone is established with the disturbingly hilarious death of the thirteenth Earl of Gurney during a bizarre attempt at auto-erotic asphyxiation. To the dismay of the earl's family the title passes to his son Jack (Peter O'Toole) who has been locked away for eight years after claiming to be the second coming of Jesus Christ. Mad but harmless Jack is released to assume his seat. However his embrace of Christianity proves incompatible with a position of power in "normal" society where peace and love are considered serious weaknesses and a somewhat unhinged psychiatrist is called to help him adjust. Meanwhile Jack's scheming uncle Sir Charles (William Mervyn) works on developing a complex scheme to trick Jack out of his position. Loaded with idiosyncratic touches from eccentric camera angles to unexpected outbursts of song the film creates an experience nearly as inspired and mad as O'Toole's brilliantly hilarious central performance. The film's devilish invention may at times seem overloaded but most drawbacks are redeemed by the sharpness of the satire particularly during the memorably disturbing finale.
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An institutionalized schizophrenic with a Messiah complex inherits the position of an English Earl in this cutting satire of British society , based on a play by Peter Barnes . The film's irreverent tone is established with the disturbingly hilarious death of the thirteenth Earl of Gurney during a bizarre attempt at auto - erotic asphyxiation. To the dismay of the earl's family , the title passes to his son Jack ( Peter O'Toole ), who has been locked away for eight years after claiming to be the second coming of Jesus Christ. Mad but harmless , Jack is released to assume his seat. However , his embrace of Christianity proves incompatible with a position of power in "normal" society , where peace and love are considered serious weaknesses , and a somewhat unhinged psychiatrist is called to help him adjust. Meanwhile , Jack's scheming uncle , Sir Charles ( William Mervyn ), works on developing a complex scheme to trick Jack out of his position. Loaded with idiosyncratic touches from eccentric camera angles to unexpected outbursts of song , the film creates an experience nearly as inspired and mad as O'Toole's brilliantly hilarious central performance. The film's devilish invention may at times seem overloaded , but most drawbacks are redeemed by the sharpness of the satire , particularly during the memorably disturbing finale.
0970
Adapted by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala from the novel by E.M. Forster A Room with a View is a shining example of Merchant-Ivory's ability to achieve maximum quality and opulence at minimum cost. Set during the Edwardian Era the film stars Helena Bonham Carter as Lucy Honeychurch who like all proper young British ladies is compelled to tour Europe in the company of an older chaperone -- in this instance her spinster cousin Charlotte Bartlett (Maggie Smith). While in Italy the ladies make the acquaintance of a wide variety of personalities; the most fascinating of their fellow tourists -- at least in Lucy's eyes -- is free-spirited George Emerson (Julian Sands). Aware that her cousin is becoming too familiar with Emerson Charlotte demands that Lucy return to England posthaste. Lucy complacently settles for the tiresomely traditional courtship of nerdish Cecil Vyse (Daniel Day-Lewis) -- and then Mr. Emerson moves into the neighborhood. Lucy now finds herself on the horns of a dilemma: Should she opt for a safe proper marriage to Cecil or the bohemian unpredictability of the charismatic Emerson? A winner of three Academy Awards A Room with a View is not what one could call fast-moving but fans of the Merchant-Ivory team will enjoy luxuriating in the film's leisurely pace and stimulating cast of characters.
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Adapted by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala from the novel by E.M. Forster , A Room with a View is a shining example of Merchant - Ivory's ability to achieve maximum quality and opulence at minimum cost. Set during the Edwardian Era , the film stars Helena Bonham Carter as Lucy Honeychurch , who like all proper young British ladies is compelled to tour Europe in the company of an older chaperone -- in this instance , her spinster cousin Charlotte Bartlett ( Maggie Smith ) . While in Italy , the ladies make the acquaintance of a wide variety of personalities ; the most fascinating of their fellow tourists -- at least in Lucy's eyes -- is free - spirited George Emerson ( Julian Sands ) . Aware that her cousin is becoming too familiar with Emerson , Charlotte demands that Lucy return to England posthaste. Lucy complacently settles for the tiresomely traditional courtship of nerdish Cecil Vyse ( Daniel Day - Lewis ) -- and then Mr. Emerson moves into the neighborhood. Lucy now finds herself on the horns of a dilemma : Should she opt for a safe , proper marriage to Cecil , or the bohemian unpredictability of the charismatic Emerson? A winner of three Academy Awards , A Room with a View is not what one could call fast - moving , but fans of the Merchant - Ivory team will enjoy luxuriating in the film's leisurely pace and stimulating cast of characters.
0971
A Passage to India director David Lean's final film (for which he also received editing credit) breaks no new ground cinematically but remains an exquisitely assembled harkback to such earlier Lean epics as Doctor Zhivago and Ryan's Daughter. Based on the novel by E. M. Forster the film is set in colonial India in 1924. Adela Quested (Judy Davis) a sheltered well-educated British woman arrives in the town of Chandrapore where she hopes to experience "the real India". Here she meets and befriends Dr. Aziz (Victor Banerjee) who despite longstanding racial and social taboos moves with relative ease and freedom amongst highborn British circles. Feeling comfortable with Adela Aziz invites her to accompany him on a visit to the Marabar caves. Adela has previously exhibited bizarre almost mystical behavior during other ventures into the Indian wilderness: this time she emerges from the caves showing signs of injury and ill usage. To Aziz' horror he is accused by Adela of raping her. Typically the British ruling class rallies to Adela's defense virtually convicting Aziz before the trial ever begins. Though he is eventually acquitted due to lack of evidence (in fact director Lean never shows us what really happened) Aziz is ruined in the eyes of both the British and his own people-as is Adela. Woven into these proceedings is a subplot involving Adela's elderly travelling companion Mrs. Moore (Peggy Ashcroft) who through a series of plot twists too complex to describe here becomes a heroine of the Indian Independence movement. A Passage to India was nominated for several Academy Awards scoring wins in the categories of Best Supporting Actress (Peggy Ashcroft) and Best Original Score (Maurice Jarre). A theatrical version of A Passage to India written by Santha Rama Rau was previously adapted for television by the BBC in the mid-1970s.
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A Passage to India , director David Lean 's final film ( for which he also received editing credit ), breaks no new ground cinematically , but remains an exquisitely assembled harkback to such earlier Lean epics as Doctor Zhivago and Ryan's Daughter . Based on the novel by E. M. Forster , the film is set in colonial India in 1924. Adela Quested ( Judy Davis ), a sheltered , well - educated British woman , arrives in the town of Chandrapore , where she hopes to experience "the real India". Here she meets and befriends Dr. Aziz ( Victor Banerjee ), who , despite longstanding racial and social taboos , moves with relative ease and freedom amongst highborn British circles. Feeling comfortable with Adela , Aziz invites her to accompany him on a visit to the Marabar caves. Adela has previously exhibited bizarre , almost mystical behavior during other ventures into the Indian wilderness : this time , she emerges from the caves showing signs of injury and ill usage. To Aziz' horror , he is accused by Adela of raping her. Typically , the British ruling class rallies to Adela's defense , virtually convicting Aziz before the trial ever begins. Though he is eventually acquitted due to lack of evidence ( in fact , director Lean never shows us what really happened ), Aziz is ruined in the eyes of both the British and his own people - as is Adela. Woven into these proceedings is a subplot involving Adela's elderly travelling companion Mrs. Moore ( Peggy Ashcroft ), who through a series of plot twists too complex to describe here becomes a heroine of the Indian Independence movement. A Passage to India was nominated for several Academy Awards , scoring wins in the categories of Best Supporting Actress ( Peggy Ashcroft ) and Best Original Score ( Maurice Jarre ) . A theatrical version of A Passage to India , written by Santha Rama Rau , was previously adapted for television by the BBC in the mid - 1970s.
0972
An alternative to the general run of "triumph over the odds" biopics My Left Foot is the true story of Irish cerebral palsy victim Christy Brown. Paralyzed from birth Brown (played by Hugh O'Conor as child and Daniel Day-Lewis as an adult) is written off as retarded and helpless. But Christy's indomitable mother (Brenda Fricker) never gives up on the boy. Using his left foot the only part of his body not afflicted Brown learns to write. He grows up to become a well-known author painter and fundraiser and along the way falls in love with nurse Mary Carr (Ruth McCabe). There's no sugarcoating in My Left Foot: Brown a heavy drinker was by no means lovable. Day-Lewis and Fricker both won Academy Awards for their performances and the film was nominated for Best Picture Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay. Also notable are the late Ray McAnally in his next-to-last film role as Christy's father and venerable Cyril Cusack as Lord Castlewelland. Director Jim Sheridan co-scripted with Shane Connaughton from Christy Brown's autobiography.
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An alternative to the general run of "triumph over the odds" biopics , My Left Foot is the true story of Irish cerebral palsy victim Christy Brown . Paralyzed from birth , Brown ( played by Hugh O'Conor as child and Daniel Day - Lewis as an adult ) is written off as retarded and helpless. But Christy's indomitable mother ( Brenda Fricker ) never gives up on the boy. Using his left foot , the only part of his body not afflicted , Brown learns to write. He grows up to become a well - known author , painter , and fundraiser , and along the way falls in love with nurse Mary Carr ( Ruth McCabe ) . There's no sugarcoating in My Left Foot : Brown , a heavy drinker , was by no means lovable. Day - Lewis and Fricker both won Academy Awards for their performances , and the film was nominated for Best Picture , Best Director , and Best Adapted Screenplay. Also notable are the late Ray McAnally in his next - to - last film role as Christy's father , and venerable Cyril Cusack as Lord Castlewelland. Director Jim Sheridan co - scripted with Shane Connaughton from Christy Brown 's autobiography.
0973
ob Hoskins plays George a tough but basically goodhearted British mob flunky recently released from prison where he'd served a term to cover up for his gangster boss (Michael Caine). Still willing to be everyone's doormat George agrees to act as chauffeur for Simone (Cathy Tyson) a haughty high-priced call girl. They don't like each other at first but George begins to fall for her and take a protective interest. She implores him to help her find her only truly friend a prostitute named Cathy (Kate Hardie). Touched by this devotion George locates the girl only to be chagrined to learn that Simone and Cathy are lovers. Hoskins is used and abused by so many people in Mona Lisa that when the worm finally does turn you feel like cheering--even though it doesn't make him any happier. Director Neil Jordan cowrote this study of underworld mores with David Leland.
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Bob Hoskins plays George , a tough but basically goodhearted British mob flunky , recently released from prison , where he'd served a term to cover up for his gangster boss ( Michael Caine ) . Still willing to be everyone's doormat , George agrees to act as chauffeur for Simone ( Cathy Tyson ), a haughty , high - priced call girl. They don't like each other at first , but George begins to fall for her and take a protective interest. She implores him to help her find her only truly friend , a prostitute named Cathy ( Kate Hardie ) . Touched by this devotion , George locates the girl , only to be chagrined to learn that Simone and Cathy are lovers. Hoskins is used and abused by so many people in Mona Lisa that when the worm finally does turn , you feel like cheering -- even though it doesn't make him any happier. Director Neil Jordan cowrote this study of underworld mores with David Leland .
0974
Perhaps William Shakespeare meant to have Lady Macbeth perform her sleepwalking scene in the nude -- it was this X-rated scene and the film's much-publicized spurts of violence rather than the brilliant performances of Jon Finch as Macbeth and Francesca Annis as his Lady that lured crowds to Roman Polanski's 1972 adaptation of Macbeth. Only a few critics glommed onto the most impressive aspect of Polanski's version: as Macbeth and his wife sink deeper and deeper into the morass of their murderous ambitions they age and wither before our eyes (Shakespeare's play does cover several years but this is usually forgotten or ignored by many actors and directors). Macbeth was financed and released by Playboy which naturally necessitated a fold-out spread on "the witches of Cawdor." The original Shakespearean text was adapted for the screen by Polanski and Kenneth Tynan. Despite an excellent first week Macbeth ended up in the red compelling Hugh Hefner to think twice about future motion-picture projects.
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Perhaps William Shakespeare meant to have Lady Macbeth perform her sleepwalking scene in the nude -- it was this X - rated scene and the film's much - publicized spurts of violence , rather than the brilliant performances of Jon Finch as Macbeth and Francesca Annis as his Lady , that lured crowds to Roman Polanski 's 1972 adaptation of Macbeth . Only a few critics glommed onto the most impressive aspect of Polanski 's version : as Macbeth and his wife sink deeper and deeper into the morass of their murderous ambitions , they age and wither before our eyes ( Shakespeare 's play does cover several years , but this is usually forgotten or ignored by many actors and directors ) . Macbeth was financed and released by Playboy , which naturally necessitated a fold - out spread on "the witches of Cawdor." The original Shakespearean text was adapted for the screen by Polanski and Kenneth Tynan . Despite an excellent first week , Macbeth ended up in the red , compelling Hugh Hefner to think twice about future motion - picture projects.
0975
The Killing Fields is a romanticized adaptation of an eyewitness magazine story by New York Times correspondent Sidney Schanberg. Covering the U.S. pullout from Vietnam in 1975 Schanberg (Sam Waterston) relies on his Cambodian friend and translator Dith Pran (Haing S. Ngor) for inside information. Schanberg has an opportunity to rescue Dith Pran when the U.S. army evacuates all Cambodian citizens; instead the reporter coerces his friend to remain behind to continue sending him news flashes. Although his family is helicoptered out of Saigon (a recreation of the famous TV news clip) Dith Pran stays with Schanberg on the ground. Racked with guilt Schanberg does his best to arrange for Dith Pran's escape but the Cambodian is captured by the dreaded Khmer Rouge. Accepting his Pulitzer Prize on behalf of Dith Pran Schanberg vows to do right by his friend and extricate him from Cambodia. The rest of the film details Dith Pran's harrowing experiences at the hands of the Khmer Rouge and his attempt to escape on his own. The Killing Fields won Academy Awards for Hang S. Ngor (a Cambodian doctor who lived through many of the horrific events depicted herein) cinematographer Chris Menges and editor Jim Clark; an Oscar nomination went to Roland Joffe who made his directorial debut with this film. Spalding Gray who played a small role in the film later elaborated on this experiences in his one-man stage presentation Swimming to Cambodia.
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The Killing Fields is a romanticized adaptation of an eyewitness magazine story by New York Times correspondent Sidney Schanberg . Covering the U.S. pullout from Vietnam in 1975 , Schanberg ( Sam Waterston ) relies on his Cambodian friend and translator Dith Pran ( Haing S. Ngor ) for inside information. Schanberg has an opportunity to rescue Dith Pran when the U.S. army evacuates all Cambodian citizens ; instead , the reporter coerces his friend to remain behind to continue sending him news flashes. Although his family is helicoptered out of Saigon ( a recreation of the famous TV news clip ), Dith Pran stays with Schanberg on the ground. Racked with guilt , Schanberg does his best to arrange for Dith Pran's escape , but the Cambodian is captured by the dreaded Khmer Rouge. Accepting his Pulitzer Prize on behalf of Dith Pran , Schanberg vows to do right by his friend and extricate him from Cambodia. The rest of the film details Dith Pran's harrowing experiences at the hands of the Khmer Rouge , and his attempt to escape on his own. The Killing Fields won Academy Awards for Hang S. Ngor ( a Cambodian doctor who lived through many of the horrific events depicted herein ), cinematographer Chris Menges , and editor Jim Clark ; an Oscar nomination went to Roland Joffe , who made his directorial debut with this film. Spalding Gray , who played a small role in the film , later elaborated on this experiences in his one - man stage presentation Swimming to Cambodia .
0976
John Hurt stars as John Merrick the hideously deformed 19th century Londoner known as "The Elephant Man". Treated as a sideshow freak Merrick is assumed to be retarded as well as misshapen because of his inability to speak coherently. In fact he is highly intelligent and sensitive a fact made public when one Dr. Frederick Treves (Anthony Hopkins) rescues Merrick from a carnival and brings him to a hospital for analysis. Alas even after being recognized as a man of advanced intellect Merrick is still treated like a freak; no matter his station in life he will forever be a prisoner of his own malformed body. Unable to secure rights for the famous stage play The Elephant Man producer Mel Brooks based his film on the memoirs of Frederick Treves and a much later account of Merrick's life by Ashley Montagu. The film is lensed in black and white by British master cinematographer Freddie Francis. Though nominated for eight Academy Awards the film was ultimately shut out in every category.
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John Hurt stars as John Merrick , the hideously deformed 19th century Londoner known as "The Elephant Man". Treated as a sideshow freak , Merrick is assumed to be retarded as well as misshapen because of his inability to speak coherently. In fact , he is highly intelligent and sensitive , a fact made public when one Dr. Frederick Treves ( Anthony Hopkins ) rescues Merrick from a carnival and brings him to a hospital for analysis. Alas , even after being recognized as a man of advanced intellect , Merrick is still treated like a freak ; no matter his station in life , he will forever be a prisoner of his own malformed body. Unable to secure rights for the famous stage play The Elephant Man , producer Mel Brooks based his film on the memoirs of Frederick Treves and a much later account of Merrick's life by Ashley Montagu . The film is lensed in black and white by British master cinematographer Freddie Francis . Though nominated for eight Academy Awards , the film was ultimately shut out in every category.
0977
This is probably Peter Greenaway's most famous (or infamous) film which first shocked audiences at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival and then on both sides of the Atlantic. A gang leader (Michael Gambon) accompanied by his wife (Helen Mirren) and his associates entertains himself every night in a fancy French restaurant that he has recently bought. Having tired of her sadistic boorish husband the wife finds herself a lover (Alan Howard) and makes love to him in the restaurant's coziest places with the silent permission of the cook (Richard Bohringer). Though less cerebral than Greenaway's other films featuring deadly passions reminiscent of Jacobean revenge tragedies of the early 17th century the picture still offers the director's usual ironic and paradoxical comments on the relations between eating and sex love and death. The film is at once funny and horrific and those who are not used to Greenaway's peculiar style might be even disgusted or shocked; however one might mention Sacha Vierny's brilliant camerawork Jean-Paul Gaultier's gaudily stylized costumes and Michael Nyman's somber pulsating music which will haunt the viewer long after the film's end.
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This is probably Peter Greenaway 's most famous ( or infamous ) film , which first shocked audiences at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival and then on both sides of the Atlantic. A gang leader ( Michael Gambon ), accompanied by his wife ( Helen Mirren ) and his associates , entertains himself every night in a fancy French restaurant that he has recently bought. Having tired of her sadistic , boorish husband , the wife finds herself a lover ( Alan Howard ) and makes love to him in the restaurant's coziest places with the silent permission of the cook ( Richard Bohringer ) . Though less cerebral than Greenaway 's other films , featuring deadly passions reminiscent of Jacobean revenge tragedies of the early 17th century , the picture still offers the director's usual ironic and paradoxical comments on the relations between eating and sex , love and death. The film is at once funny and horrific , and those who are not used to Greenaway 's peculiar style might be even disgusted or shocked ; however , one might mention Sacha Vierny 's brilliant camerawork , Jean - Paul Gaultier 's gaudily stylized costumes , and Michael Nyman 's somber , pulsating music , which will haunt the viewer long after the film's end.
0978
ased on a true story Chariots of Fire is the internationally acclaimed Oscar-winning drama of two very different men who compete as runners in the 1924 Paris Olympics. Eric Liddell (Ian Charleson) a serious Christian Scotsman believes that he has to succeed as a testament to his undying religious faith. Harold Abrahams (Ben Cross) is a Jewish Englishman who wants desperately to be accepted and prove to the world that Jews are not inferior. The film crosscuts between each man's life as he trains for the competition fueled by these very different desires. As compelling as the racing scenes are it's really the depth of the two main characters that touches the viewer as they forcefully drive home the theme that victory attained through devotion commitment integrity and sacrifice is the most admirable feat that one can achieve. (Ian Holm was nominated for an Oscar as Best Supporting Actor in his role as Abrahams' coach) and this powerful film ended up with four Academy Awards: Best Picture Best Original Screenplay Best Costume Design and Best Original Score.
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Based on a true story , Chariots of Fire is the internationally acclaimed Oscar - winning drama of two very different men who compete as runners in the 1924 Paris Olympics. Eric Liddell ( Ian Charleson ), a serious Christian Scotsman , believes that he has to succeed as a testament to his undying religious faith. Harold Abrahams ( Ben Cross ), is a Jewish Englishman who wants desperately to be accepted and prove to the world that Jews are not inferior. The film crosscuts between each man's life as he trains for the competition , fueled by these very different desires. As compelling as the racing scenes are , it's really the depth of the two main characters that touches the viewer , as they forcefully drive home the theme that victory attained through devotion , commitment , integrity , and sacrifice is the most admirable feat that one can achieve. ( Ian Holm was nominated for an Oscar as Best Supporting Actor in his role as Abrahams' coach ), and this powerful film ended up with four Academy Awards : Best Picture , Best Original Screenplay , Best Costume Design , and Best Original Score.
0979
Adapted for the screen from Edith Wharton's much-loved novel of the same name House of Mirth follows the fortunes -- or lack thereof -- of Lily Bart an ambitious but financially imperiled young woman looking for a rich husband in early 20th century New York. The story opens as Lily (Gillian Anderson) takes tea at the apartment of Lawrence Selden (Eric Stoltz) a young bachelor lawyer to whom Lily is attracted but cannot marry because he is not wealthy enough for her liking. Lily stops at Selden's apartment en route to Bellomont where she is planning to husband-hunt at the country home of shifty businessman Gus Trenor (Dan Aykroyd) and his wife. Gus agrees to invest some money for Lily but his intentions toward her quickly turn carnal and when she rebuffs his advances she finds herself $9000 in debt. Help arrives in the form of financier Sim Rosedale (Anthony LaPaglia) who extends to Lily a businesslike proposition of marriage; though she is tempted Lily refuses his offer because he is nouveau riche rather than blueblood society. Soldiering on Lily journeys to the Mediterranean where she has been invited to the home of Bertha Dorset (Laura Linney) an alpha socialite who schemes to use Lily as an unwitting decoy for an affair under the nose of her husband George (Terry Kinney). When the trip starts to go bad George tells Lily that he wants to divorce the slatternly Bertha but needs some solid proof of her affairs in order to do so. Lily knows that one of Bertha's previous lovers was Selden but her loyalty to him prevents her from speaking up to George. So still in debt to Gus and given only a paltry inheritance by her aunt (Eleanor Bron) Lily endures a slew of unsuccessful jobs and tragically gradually sinks into the mire of genteel poverty. Directed by Terence Davies House of Mirth premiered at the 2000 Locarno Film Festival.
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Adapted for the screen from Edith Wharton 's much - loved novel of the same name , House of Mirth follows the fortunes -- or lack thereof -- of Lily Bart , an ambitious but financially imperiled young woman looking for a rich husband in early 20th century New York. The story opens as Lily ( Gillian Anderson ) takes tea at the apartment of Lawrence Selden ( Eric Stoltz ), a young bachelor lawyer to whom Lily is attracted but cannot marry because he is not wealthy enough for her liking. Lily stops at Selden's apartment en route to Bellomont , where she is planning to husband - hunt at the country home of shifty businessman Gus Trenor ( Dan Aykroyd ) and his wife. Gus agrees to invest some money for Lily , but his intentions toward her quickly turn carnal , and when she rebuffs his advances , she finds herself $9 , 000 in debt. Help arrives in the form of financier Sim Rosedale ( Anthony LaPaglia ), who extends to Lily a businesslike proposition of marriage ; though she is tempted , Lily refuses his offer because he is nouveau riche rather than blueblood society. Soldiering on , Lily journeys to the Mediterranean , where she has been invited to the home of Bertha Dorset ( Laura Linney ), an alpha socialite who schemes to use Lily as an unwitting decoy for an affair under the nose of her husband George ( Terry Kinney ) . When the trip starts to go bad , George tells Lily that he wants to divorce the slatternly Bertha , but needs some solid proof of her affairs in order to do so. Lily knows that one of Bertha's previous lovers was Selden , but her loyalty to him prevents her from speaking up to George. So , still in debt to Gus and given only a paltry inheritance by her aunt ( Eleanor Bron ), Lily endures a slew of unsuccessful jobs and , tragically , gradually sinks into the mire of genteel poverty. Directed by Terence Davies , House of Mirth premiered at the 2000 Locarno Film Festival .
0980
ased on the novel by Graham Greene this romantic drama stars Ralph Fiennes as Maurice Bendrix a novelist who during World War II had an affair with Sarah Miles (Julianne Moore) the wife of his best friend Henry (Stephen Rea). Sarah abruptly broke off the romance in 1944 but two years later after Maurice runs into Henry he becomes obsessed with the affair and hires a man to investigate Sarah. He reads her diary of their forbidden romance in the midst of the London Blitz and discovers that overwhelmed with fear and guilt she pledged to God that she would end the affair if Maurice's life were spared. Maurice is determined to reintroduce himself into Sarah's life but she fears that being near him would be too great a temptation. The End of the Affair was previously brought to the screen in 1955 by Edward Dmytryk; this version was written for the screen and directed by Academy Award-winner Neil Jordan.
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Based on the novel by Graham Greene , this romantic drama stars Ralph Fiennes as Maurice Bendrix , a novelist who , during World War II , had an affair with Sarah Miles ( Julianne Moore ), the wife of his best friend Henry ( Stephen Rea ) . Sarah abruptly broke off the romance in 1944 , but two years later , after Maurice runs into Henry , he becomes obsessed with the affair and hires a man to investigate Sarah. He reads her diary of their forbidden romance in the midst of the London Blitz and discovers that , overwhelmed with fear and guilt , she pledged to God that she would end the affair if Maurice's life were spared. Maurice is determined to reintroduce himself into Sarah's life , but she fears that being near him would be too great a temptation. The End of the Affair was previously brought to the screen in 1955 by Edward Dmytryk ; this version was written for the screen and directed by Academy Award - winner Neil Jordan .
0981
Lynne Ramsay's debut feature Ratcatcher is a gritty but often lyrical portrait of a boy growing up on the wrong side of the Scottish tracks. James (William Eadie) is a 12-year-old coming of age in a rough working-class section of Glasgow. Something of a misfit James has only two close friends Margaret Anne (Leanne Mullen) an older girl whose need to be loved often leads her into ill-advised sexual episodes with the neighborhood boys and Kenny (John Miller) a half-bright kid who loves animals but isn't sure what went wrong when he tried to send his pet mouse into space. One day James gets into a fight with another boy near a canal that runs through town. James accidentally knocks the boy into the water and he drowns; James is too scared to tell anyone but the incident weighs heavily on him adding further tension to an already strained relationship with his alcoholic father. Lynne Ramsay's previous short films won awards at the Cannes Film Festival which led to Ratcatcher's being screened in the "Un Certain Regard" series at Cannes in 1999.
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Lynne Ramsay 's debut feature Ratcatcher is a gritty but often lyrical portrait of a boy growing up on the wrong side of the Scottish tracks. James ( William Eadie ) is a 12 - year - old coming of age in a rough working - class section of Glasgow. Something of a misfit , James has only two close friends , Margaret Anne ( Leanne Mullen ), an older girl whose need to be loved often leads her into ill - advised sexual episodes with the neighborhood boys , and Kenny ( John Miller ), a half - bright kid who loves animals but isn't sure what went wrong when he tried to send his pet mouse into space. One day , James gets into a fight with another boy near a canal that runs through town. James accidentally knocks the boy into the water and he drowns ; James is too scared to tell anyone , but the incident weighs heavily on him , adding further tension to an already strained relationship with his alcoholic father. Lynne Ramsay 's previous short films won awards at the Cannes Film Festival , which led to Ratcatcher 's being screened in the "Un Certain Regard" series at Cannes in 1999.
0982
Can a beautiful and internationally famous American actress find happiness with a frumpy British bookstore clerk? She can -- at least for a while it seems -- in Notting Hill. William Thacker (played by Hugh Grant) is a bookseller at a shop in the Notting Hill district in West London who shares a house with an eccentric Welsh friend Spike (Rhys Ifans). One day William is minding the store when in strolls Anna Scott (Julia Roberts) a lovely and well-known actress from the United States who is in London working on a film. She buys a book from William and she is polite and charming in the way a famous actress would be with a star-struck sales clerk. Their relationship would logically end there if William didn't run out a few minutes later to buy some juice. While dashing back to the shop he bumps into Anna on the street spilling juice all over her blouse. Since he lives nearby William politely offers to let her stop by his house to clean up; since William seems harmless enough Anna agrees. When Anna has to stop back to pick up a bag she left at William's house they kiss -- just in time for Spike to show up. A romance slowly blooms as his friends and family (not to mention the world at large) wonder out loud what he's doing dating a movie star. Notting Hill reunites Hugh Grant with producer Duncan Kenworthy and screenwriter Richard Curtis who previously worked together on the international hit Four Weddings And A Funeral.
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Can a beautiful and internationally famous American actress find happiness with a frumpy British bookstore clerk? She can -- at least for a while , it seems -- in Notting Hill . William Thacker ( played by Hugh Grant ) is a bookseller at a shop in the Notting Hill district in West London , who shares a house with an eccentric Welsh friend , Spike ( Rhys Ifans ) . One day , William is minding the store when in strolls Anna Scott ( Julia Roberts ), a lovely and well - known actress from the United States who is in London working on a film. She buys a book from William , and she is polite and charming in the way a famous actress would be with a star - struck sales clerk. Their relationship would logically end there , if William didn't run out a few minutes later to buy some juice. While dashing back to the shop , he bumps into Anna on the street , spilling juice all over her blouse. Since he lives nearby , William politely offers to let her stop by his house to clean up ; since William seems harmless enough , Anna agrees. When Anna has to stop back to pick up a bag she left at William's house , they kiss -- just in time for Spike to show up. A romance slowly blooms as his friends and family ( not to mention the world at large ) wonder out loud what he's doing dating a movie star. Notting Hill reunites Hugh Grant with producer Duncan Kenworthy and screenwriter Richard Curtis , who previously worked together on the international hit Four Weddings And A Funeral .
0983
Actor Peter Mullan won the 1998 Cannes Film Festival "Best Actor" award with this film directed by Ken Loach (Carla's Song Ladybird Ladybird). The drama is set in Possilpark one of Glasgow's poorest neighborhoods a rough section where half the population is out of work. Unemployed reformed alcoholic Joe Kavanagh (Mullan) does odd jobs and manages a stumbling soccer team. One of the players is Liam (David McKay) in debt to hood McGowan (David Hayman). Liam and junkie Sabine (Annemarie Kennedy) are raising a small son. After Joe meets social worker Sarah (Louise Goodall) he and his pal Shanks show up to help in the wallpapering of Sarah's apartment. This job creates a problem for Joe with the local unemployment office until Sarah steps in to cover. It's the beginning of a romance and Joe and Sarah make an effort to help Liam and Sarah when they are threatened by the loan sharks. Mullan commented "The drug problem in that place is so serious that people are passive. They are corralled in a sort of dog-eat-dog environment where humans meet to laugh and thrive but have no hope of getting out." Scripted by former lawyer Paul Laverty the film is inspired by the first half of Loach's Carla's Song.
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Actor Peter Mullan won the 1998 Cannes Film Festival "Best Actor" award with this film , directed by Ken Loach ( Carla's Song , Ladybird , Ladybird ) . The drama is set in Possilpark , one of Glasgow's poorest neighborhoods , a rough section where half the population is out of work. Unemployed reformed alcoholic Joe Kavanagh ( Mullan ) does odd jobs and manages a stumbling soccer team. One of the players is Liam ( David McKay ), in debt to hood McGowan ( David Hayman ) . Liam and junkie Sabine ( Annemarie Kennedy ) are raising a small son. After Joe meets social worker Sarah ( Louise Goodall ), he and his pal Shanks show up to help in the wallpapering of Sarah's apartment. This job creates a problem for Joe with the local unemployment office , until Sarah steps in to cover. It's the beginning of a romance , and Joe and Sarah make an effort to help Liam and Sarah when they are threatened by the loan sharks. Mullan commented , "The drug problem in that place is so serious that people are passive. They are corralled in a sort of dog - eat - dog environment where humans meet to laugh and thrive but have no hope of getting out." Scripted by former lawyer Paul Laverty , the film is inspired by the first half of Loach 's Carla's Song .
0984
Noted actor Tim Roth made his directorial debut with this powerful drama about a family in crisis. Tom (Freddie Cunliffe) is an awkward and troubled 15-year-old boy whose isolation increases when his family moves from London to a remote community in the Devon countryside. Tom his 18-year-old sister Jessie (Lara Belmont) his father (Ray Winstone) and his pregnant mother (Tilda Swinton) live in close quarters in a small cottage; they sometimes bathe in the kitchen and they have grown used to casual nudity around the house. But one day Tom sees his father in a sexual embrace with Jessie. He tries to discuss what he's seen with her but she refuses to talk about it. Unable to stand the tension in the household after his mother takes the seriously ill baby to the hospital Tom confronts his father who angrily denies the truth. Tom is finally forced to take drastic action to stop his vengeful and violent father. Written by Alexander Stuart from his own novel The War Zone received an enthusiastic response at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival and was named Best New British Feature at the 1999 Edinburgh International Film Festival.
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Noted actor Tim Roth made his directorial debut with this powerful drama about a family in crisis. Tom ( Freddie Cunliffe ) is an awkward and troubled 15 - year - old boy whose isolation increases when his family moves from London to a remote community in the Devon countryside. Tom , his 18 - year - old sister Jessie ( Lara Belmont ), his father ( Ray Winstone ), and his pregnant mother ( Tilda Swinton ) live in close quarters in a small cottage ; they sometimes bathe in the kitchen , and they have grown used to casual nudity around the house. But one day , Tom sees his father in a sexual embrace with Jessie. He tries to discuss what he's seen with her , but she refuses to talk about it. Unable to stand the tension in the household after his mother takes the seriously ill baby to the hospital , Tom confronts his father , who angrily denies the truth. Tom is finally forced to take drastic action to stop his vengeful and violent father. Written by Alexander Stuart from his own novel , The War Zone received an enthusiastic response at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival and was named Best New British Feature at the 1999 Edinburgh International Film Festival .
0985
Jim Sheridan (In the Name of the Father) directed this drama about a Belfast boxer filmed with Dublin locations substituting for Belfast. Released after his 14-year prison sentence for IRA activities 32-year-old Danny Flynn (Daniel Day-Lewis) returns to his old neighborhood and sees former-flame Maggie (Emily Watson) who has an unhappy marriage and now raises her son alone while her husband is in prison. To get back in the boxing ring Danny gets the community-center gym back in operation and starts training encountering opposition from militant IRA members including Harry (Gerald McSorley). Danny and Maggie grow closer but after a bomb sets off events leading to the destruction of the gym Danny leaves for a disastrous boxing match in London. More grim situations arise when he returns to Belfast.
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Jim Sheridan ( In the Name of the Father ) directed this drama about a Belfast boxer , filmed with Dublin locations substituting for Belfast. Released after his 14 - year prison sentence for IRA activities , 32 - year - old Danny Flynn ( Daniel Day - Lewis ) returns to his old neighborhood and sees former - flame Maggie ( Emily Watson ), who has an unhappy marriage and now raises her son alone while her husband is in prison. To get back in the boxing ring , Danny gets the community - center gym back in operation and starts training , encountering opposition from militant IRA members , including Harry ( Gerald McSorley ) . Danny and Maggie grow closer , but after a bomb sets off events leading to the destruction of the gym , Danny leaves for a disastrous boxing match in London. More grim situations arise when he returns to Belfast.
0986
ased on the 1902 Henry James novel of the same name The Wings of the Dove is set in 1910. After the death of her mother Kate Croy (Helena Bonham Carter) has become a ward of her wealthy Aunt Maude (Charlotte Rampling) who is paying her dissipated father (Michael Gambon) to stay out of Kate's life. Maude wants Kate not to repeat Kate's mother's mistake and marry someone who is a commoner and Maude arranges a meeting between Kate and Lord Mark (Alex Jennings) a high-class gentleman who can escort her to the right places. But Kate is more interested in Merton Densher (Linus Roache) a penniless journalist. A beautiful but terminally ill American heiress Millie Theale (Alison Elliott) arrives on the scene and befriends Kate. Kate notices Millie's obvious affection for the handsome Merton and she arranges an elaborate scheme to hook up the two of them so that Merton can collect Millie's money after her death. But because of her own jealousy Kate repeatedly sabotages her own arrangement.
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Based on the 1902 Henry James novel of the same name , The Wings of the Dove is set in 1910. After the death of her mother , Kate Croy ( Helena Bonham Carter ) has become a ward of her wealthy Aunt Maude ( Charlotte Rampling ), who is paying her dissipated father ( Michael Gambon ) to stay out of Kate's life. Maude wants Kate not to repeat Kate's mother's mistake and marry someone who is a commoner , and Maude arranges a meeting between Kate and Lord Mark ( Alex Jennings ), a high - class gentleman who can escort her to the right places. But Kate is more interested in Merton Densher ( Linus Roache ), a penniless journalist. A beautiful but terminally ill American heiress , Millie Theale ( Alison Elliott ), arrives on the scene and befriends Kate. Kate notices Millie's obvious affection for the handsome Merton , and she arranges an elaborate scheme to hook up the two of them so that Merton can collect Millie's money after her death. But because of her own jealousy , Kate repeatedly sabotages her own arrangement.
0987
Six guys with nothing left to lose try losing their clothing for fun and profit in this international hit comedy. Gaz (Robert Carlyle) and Dave (Mark Addy) are two former steelworkers in the British industrial town of Sheffield who have been devastated by the economic downturn in their community. Gaz is threatened with losing visitation rights with his son if he can't pay his child support while Dave feels emasculated by his inability to support his wife. One day Gaz stops by a local pub for a drink and is told it's women only tonight -- the Chippendales male exotic dancing troupe is playing and they are demanding a hefty cover charge. Gaz decides there's nothing a bunch of pantywaists from America can do that he and his pals can't do better and decides to form his own crew of male strippers called "Hard Steel." However the local talent pool leaves a bit to be desired. Gaz isn't bad looking but Dave is a bit heavy and very self conscious about it. Horse (Paul Barber) was probably hot stuff at Soul Night in the mid-70's but his joints don't move like they used to. Guy (Hugo Speer) can't dance to save his life but makes the troupe because ... well let's say he and Dirk Diggler would have a lot to say to each other. Lomper (Steve Huison) is sometimes too busy attempting suicide to practice. And Gerald (Tom Wilkinson) their choreographer isn't much on male exotic dancing -- ballroom dancing is more his speed. While "Hard Steel"'s performances are more amusing then enticing for the first time since they lost their jobs the men have a reason to get up in the morning; joining the group has given them a circle of friendship and a renewed sense of purpose. Combining broad comedy with believable and well-drawn characters The Full Monty was a major box-office hit both in England and the United States and was nominated for Academy Awards as Best Picture Best Director and Best Original Screenplay.
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Six guys with nothing left to lose try losing their clothing for fun and profit in this international hit comedy. Gaz ( Robert Carlyle ) and Dave ( Mark Addy ) are two former steelworkers in the British industrial town of Sheffield who have been devastated by the economic downturn in their community. Gaz is threatened with losing visitation rights with his son if he can't pay his child support , while Dave feels emasculated by his inability to support his wife. One day , Gaz stops by a local pub for a drink and is told it's women only tonight -- the Chippendales male exotic dancing troupe is playing , and they are demanding a hefty cover charge. Gaz decides there's nothing a bunch of pantywaists from America can do that he and his pals can't do better , and decides to form his own crew of male strippers , called "Hard Steel." However , the local talent pool leaves a bit to be desired. Gaz isn't bad looking , but Dave is a bit heavy and very self conscious about it. Horse ( Paul Barber ) was probably hot stuff at Soul Night in the mid - 70's , but his joints don't move like they used to. Guy ( Hugo Speer ) can't dance to save his life , but makes the troupe because ... well , let's say he and Dirk Diggler would have a lot to say to each other. Lomper ( Steve Huison ) is sometimes too busy attempting suicide to practice. And Gerald ( Tom Wilkinson ), their choreographer , isn't much on male exotic dancing -- ballroom dancing is more his speed. While "Hard Steel"'s performances are more amusing then enticing , for the first time since they lost their jobs the men have a reason to get up in the morning ; joining the group has given them a circle of friendship , and a renewed sense of purpose. Combining broad comedy with believable and well - drawn characters , The Full Monty was a major box - office hit both in England and the United States and was nominated for Academy Awards as Best Picture , Best Director , and Best Original Screenplay.
0988
In a small city in the English midlands a Pakistani immigrant named Parvez (Om Puri) works long hours driving a cab to provide modest comfort for his disapproving wife Minoo (Gopi Desai) and better opportunities for his collegiate son Farid (Akbar Kurtha). When Farid breaks off his engagement with the daughter of the city's white police commissioner drops out of university and joins a cell of Islamic fundamentalists Parvez must bide his time and hope that his son will come around to his own liberal assimilationist views. Meanwhile a monied German entrepreneur named Schitz (Stellan Skarsgard) arrives in town on business and retains Parvez's services as not only driver but navigator of the city's steamy underbelly. Parvez recommends the services of Bettina (Rachel Griffiths) a local hooker with whom he has struck up an unlikely but warm friendship. Schitz's callous treatment of both of his new employees soon however sickens Parvez. After his son convinces Parvez to let a visiting holy man move into the family home the conflicts between Parvez's nocturnal activities and his home life escalate. The screenplay was adapted by Hanif Kureishi from his own short story which appears in the collection Love in a Blue Time.
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In a small city in the English midlands , a Pakistani immigrant named Parvez ( Om Puri ) works long hours driving a cab to provide modest comfort for his disapproving wife , Minoo ( Gopi Desai ), and better opportunities for his collegiate son , Farid ( Akbar Kurtha ) . When Farid breaks off his engagement with the daughter of the city's white police commissioner , drops out of university and joins a cell of Islamic fundamentalists , Parvez must bide his time and hope that his son will come around to his own liberal , assimilationist views. Meanwhile , a monied German entrepreneur named Schitz ( Stellan Skarsgard ) arrives in town on business and retains Parvez's services as not only driver but navigator of the city's steamy underbelly. Parvez recommends the services of Bettina ( Rachel Griffiths ), a local hooker with whom he has struck up an unlikely but warm friendship. Schitz's callous treatment of both of his new employees soon , however , sickens Parvez. After his son convinces Parvez to let a visiting holy man move into the family home , the conflicts between Parvez's nocturnal activities and his home life escalate. The screenplay was adapted by Hanif Kureishi from his own short story , which appears in the collection Love in a Blue Time .
0989
Neil Jordan directed this adaptation of Patrick McCabe's novel about a boy's struggles with violence and mental illness. Francie Brady (Eamonn Owens) is a young boy growing up in Dublin in the early 1960s where his life is dominated by his active imagination and his best friend Joe (Alan Boyle). But beneath this benign surface lurks a troubled soul; his father (Stephen Rea) is an embittered alcoholic his mother (Aisling O'Sullivan) is emotionally unstable and periodically ends up in the local mental hospital (or as she calls it "the garage" because it's where they take you when you break down) and their next-door neighbor Mrs. Nugent (Fiona Shaw) often rants that the Bradys are "pigs" not fit to live with. For all their troubles Francie fiercely loves his parents and he can't abide Mrs. Nugent's insults. But his playful childhood pranks begin to advance into more destructive and menacing behavior which leads him to his own stay in "the garage." Branded a lunatic by the community and shorn of his only close friendship when Joe takes up with Mrs. Nugent's son Francie soon reaches the point of collapse. With nowhere to go Francie takes an especially awful job as a butcher's assistant and his overactive imagination goes into overdrive flooding his mind with images of alien takeover atomic apocalypse and the Virgin Mary (Sinead O'Connor) that lead him further down the path toward shocking acts of violence.
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Neil Jordan directed this adaptation of Patrick McCabe 's novel about a boy's struggles with violence and mental illness. Francie Brady ( Eamonn Owens ) is a young boy growing up in Dublin in the early 1960s , where his life is dominated by his active imagination and his best friend Joe ( Alan Boyle ) . But beneath this benign surface lurks a troubled soul ; his father ( Stephen Rea ) is an embittered alcoholic , his mother ( Aisling O'Sullivan ) is emotionally unstable and periodically ends up in the local mental hospital ( or as she calls it , "the garage , " because it's where they take you when you break down ), and their next - door neighbor , Mrs. Nugent ( Fiona Shaw ) often rants that the Bradys are "pigs" not fit to live with. For all their troubles , Francie fiercely loves his parents , and he can't abide Mrs. Nugent's insults. But his playful childhood pranks begin to advance into more destructive and menacing behavior , which leads him to his own stay in "the garage." Branded a lunatic by the community and shorn of his only close friendship when Joe takes up with Mrs. Nugent's son , Francie soon reaches the point of collapse. With nowhere to go , Francie takes an especially awful job as a butcher's assistant , and his overactive imagination goes into overdrive , flooding his mind with images of alien takeover , atomic apocalypse , and the Virgin Mary ( Sinead O'Connor ) that lead him further down the path toward shocking acts of violence.
0990
Anthony Minghella wrote and directed this award-winning adaptation of Michael Ondaatje's novel about a doomed and tragic romance set against the backdrop of World War II. In a field hospital in Italy Hana (Juliette Binoche) a nurse from Canada is caring for a pilot who was horribly burned in a plane wreck; he has no identification and cannot remember his name so he's known simply as "the English Patient" thanks to his accent. When the hospital is forced to evacuate Hana determines en route that the patient shouldn't be moved far due to his fragile condition so the two are left in a monastery to be picked up later. In time Hana begins to piece together the patient's story from the shards of his memories; he's actually Count Laszlo Almasy (Ralph Fiennes) of Hungarian nobility and an explorer working with a group mapping uncharted territory in North Africa. An Englishman Geoffrey Clifton (Colin Firth) soon joins Almasy's team; travelling with him is his lovely and spirited wife Katherine (Kristin Scott Thomas). Katherine and Laszlo soon fall in love which leads Laszlo to betray his friend his country and all that is dear to him. Meanwhile Hana and the Patient are joined by Kip (Naveen Andrews) a Sikh with a gift for defusing mines and Caravaggio (Willem Dafoe) an intelligence agent who knows some of Laszlo's most shameful secrets. The English Patient won nine Academy Awards including Best Picture Best Director and Best Supporting Actress (Juliette Binoche).
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Anthony Minghella wrote and directed this award - winning adaptation of Michael Ondaatje 's novel about a doomed and tragic romance set against the backdrop of World War II. In a field hospital in Italy , Hana ( Juliette Binoche ), a nurse from Canada , is caring for a pilot who was horribly burned in a plane wreck ; he has no identification and cannot remember his name , so he's known simply as "the English Patient , " thanks to his accent. When the hospital is forced to evacuate , Hana determines en route that the patient shouldn't be moved far due to his fragile condition , so the two are left in a monastery to be picked up later. In time , Hana begins to piece together the patient's story from the shards of his memories ; he's actually Count Laszlo Almasy ( Ralph Fiennes ), of Hungarian nobility and an explorer working with a group mapping uncharted territory in North Africa. An Englishman , Geoffrey Clifton ( Colin Firth ), soon joins Almasy's team ; travelling with him is his lovely and spirited wife , Katherine ( Kristin Scott Thomas ) . Katherine and Laszlo soon fall in love , which leads Laszlo to betray his friend , his country and all that is dear to him. Meanwhile , Hana and the Patient are joined by Kip ( Naveen Andrews ), a Sikh with a gift for defusing mines , and Caravaggio ( Willem Dafoe ), an intelligence agent who knows some of Laszlo's most shameful secrets. The English Patient won nine Academy Awards , including Best Picture , Best Director and Best Supporting Actress ( Juliette Binoche ) .
0991
Mark Renton (Ewan McGregor) a young man with few prospects and fewer ambitions lives in economically depressed Edinburgh. Like most of his friends Renton is a heroin addict who loves the drug's blissful nothingness; financing his habit also provides excitement and challenges that his life otherwise lacks. Renton's two best friends are also junkies: Sick Boy (Jonny Lee Miller) a snappy dresser obsessed with James Bond and Spud (Ewan Bremner) a guileless nerd who suggests Pee Wee Herman's debauched cousin. Renton and his pals also hang out with Begbie (Robert Carlyle) a borderline psychotic who loathes junkies even though he drinks like a fish. After one too many brushes with the law Renton kicks heroin and moves to London where he finds a job a flat and something close to peace of mind. However Sick Boy Begbie and Spud all arrive at his doorstep on the trail of a big score leading Renton back into drugs and crime.
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Mark Renton ( Ewan McGregor ), a young man with few prospects and fewer ambitions , lives in economically depressed Edinburgh. Like most of his friends , Renton is a heroin addict who loves the drug's blissful nothingness ; financing his habit also provides excitement and challenges that his life otherwise lacks. Renton's two best friends are also junkies : Sick Boy ( Jonny Lee Miller ), a snappy dresser obsessed with James Bond , and Spud ( Ewan Bremner ), a guileless nerd who suggests Pee Wee Herman 's debauched cousin. Renton and his pals also hang out with Begbie ( Robert Carlyle ), a borderline psychotic who loathes junkies even though he drinks like a fish. After one too many brushes with the law , Renton kicks heroin and moves to London , where he finds a job , a flat , and something close to peace of mind. However , Sick Boy , Begbie , and Spud all arrive at his doorstep on the trail of a big score , leading Renton back into drugs and crime.
0992
The recipient of seven Oscar® nominations this film version of Jane Austen's classic 1811 novel stars Emma Thompson as Elinor Dashwood. With her mother and sisters Elinor struggles financially after the death of her father who bequeathed the Dashwood estate to his oafish son by an earlier marriage. While sorting out the family's affairs the shy self-sacrificing Elinor secretly falls for her stepbrother-in-law Edward Ferrars (Hugh Grant) a sensitive well-educated bachelor who cannot court her because of his foolhardy youthful engagement to the greedy Lucy Steele (Imogen Stubbs). The grateful Dashwoods are offered a modest country home by family friends which they accept. Once relocated Elinor's brash spirited sister Marianne (Kate Winslet) falls for a dashing local John Willoughby (Greg Wise) a womanizer who nevertheless seems to share her affections. A prominent neighbor Colonel Brandon (Alan Rickman) also falls in love with Marianne but she is oblivious to the older man's affections. Eventually Willoughby fails Marianne breaking her heart until she realizes Brandon's feelings. When Edward's family disowns him Lucy marries his brother instead leaving him free to pursue an exultant Elinor. Thompson won the film's sole Oscar® for her screenplay adaptation of Austen's novel.
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The recipient of seven Oscar® nominations , this film version of Jane Austen 's classic 1811 novel stars Emma Thompson as Elinor Dashwood. With her mother and sisters , Elinor struggles financially after the death of her father , who bequeathed the Dashwood estate to his oafish son by an earlier marriage. While sorting out the family's affairs , the shy , self - sacrificing Elinor secretly falls for her stepbrother - in - law , Edward Ferrars ( Hugh Grant ), a sensitive , well - educated bachelor who cannot court her because of his foolhardy youthful engagement to the greedy Lucy Steele ( Imogen Stubbs ) . The grateful Dashwoods are offered a modest country home by family friends , which they accept. Once relocated , Elinor's brash , spirited sister Marianne ( Kate Winslet ) falls for a dashing local , John Willoughby ( Greg Wise ), a womanizer who nevertheless seems to share her affections. A prominent neighbor , Colonel Brandon ( Alan Rickman ), also falls in love with Marianne , but she is oblivious to the older man's affections. Eventually , Willoughby fails Marianne , breaking her heart , until she realizes Brandon's feelings. When Edward's family disowns him , Lucy marries his brother instead , leaving him free to pursue an exultant Elinor. Thompson won the film's sole Oscar® for her screenplay adaptation of Austen's novel.
0993
The film equivalent of a stroll through the Louvre the documentary Visions of Light: The Art of Cinematography collects interviews with many of modern-day Hollywood's finest directors of photography and is illustrated by examples of their best work as well as scenes from the pictures which most influenced them. A who's-who of cinematographers -- Nestor Almendros John Bailey Conrad Hall Laszlo Kovacs Sven Nykvist Vittorio Storaro Haskell Wexler Gordon Willis Vilmos Zsigmond and others -- discuss their craft with rare perception and insight paying homage to pioneers like Gregg Toland Billy Bitzer and John Alton and explaining the origins behind many of the most indelible images in movie history; from Citizen Kane to The Godfather and from Sunrise to Night of the Hunter many of the truly unforgettable moments in American film history are here in all their brilliance and glory.
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The film equivalent of a stroll through the Louvre , the documentary Visions of Light : The Art of Cinematography collects interviews with many of modern - day Hollywood's finest directors of photography and is illustrated by examples of their best work as well as scenes from the pictures which most influenced them. A who's - who of cinematographers -- Nestor Almendros , John Bailey , Conrad Hall , Laszlo Kovacs , Sven Nykvist , Vittorio Storaro , Haskell Wexler , Gordon Willis , Vilmos Zsigmond and others -- discuss their craft with rare perception and insight , paying homage to pioneers like Gregg Toland , Billy Bitzer and John Alton and explaining the origins behind many of the most indelible images in movie history ; from Citizen Kane to The Godfather and from Sunrise to Night of the Hunter , many of the truly unforgettable moments in American film history are here in all their brilliance and glory.
0994
While set within the milieu of the Los Angeles adult film industry Boogie Nights is less a film about pornography than the serio-comic story of a group of misfits losers and lost souls who are embraced by Jack Horner (Burt Reynolds) a director who makes "adult films exotic motion pictures." In 1977 while hanging out at a disco Jack spots Eddie (Mark Wahlberg) the new busboy at the club and tells him he's convinced "there's something wonderful inside those jeans waiting to get out." Jack knows his business well and his expert eye has not betrayed him; Eddie is a pornographer's dream -- good looking remarkably endowed and willing and able to do as many takes as might be needed. The product of a woefully dysfunctional upbringing Eddie is not terribly bright but is very ambitious and eager to prove he has a "special something" to share with the world. Eddie changes his name to Dirk Diggler and quickly becomes the biggest star in hardcore. Working alongside "Dirk" in Jack's films are Amber Waves (Julianne Moore) a porn actress who applies her misplaced maternal instincts to anyone who needs nurturing; Rollergirl (Heather Graham) a cheerful but blank-faced high school drop-out who never removes her roller skates; Reed Rothchild (John C. Reilly) a none-too-bright actor aspiring magician and failing songwriter; Buck (Don Cheadle) a black actor fascinated with cowboy iconography who wants to open a stereo shop; Scotty J (Philip Seymour Hoffman) a stocky and awkward soundman infatuated with Dirk; Little Bill (William H. Macy) Jack's assistant director who has trouble dealing with his wife's brazen infidelity; and Colonel James (Robert Ridgely) Jack's backer who has a weakness for young girls. In the brief late-'70s moment when porn was chic and sex films seemed poised to break into the mainstream Dirk becomes a star and Jack a respected name. But a few years later drugs and pride have taken their toll on Dirk and many of his friends while the advent of the VCR radically changes the adult movie business; Jack goes from being a "filmmaker" to manufacturing and wholesaling videocassettes a wealthy but emotionally broken man. In his second film wunderkind director Paul Thomas Anderson juggled a broad range of characters in a manner reminiscent of Robert Altman's ensemble films making Boogie Nights a sad but funny story of a makeshift family of damaged people and what happens before and after their brief moment in the sun.
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While set within the milieu of the Los Angeles adult film industry , Boogie Nights is less a film about pornography than the serio - comic story of a group of misfits , losers , and lost souls who are embraced by Jack Horner ( Burt Reynolds ), a director who makes "adult films , exotic motion pictures." In 1977 , while hanging out at a disco , Jack spots Eddie ( Mark Wahlberg ), the new busboy at the club , and tells him he's convinced "there's something wonderful inside those jeans waiting to get out." Jack knows his business well and his expert eye has not betrayed him ; Eddie is a pornographer's dream -- good looking , remarkably endowed , and willing and able to do as many takes as might be needed. The product of a woefully dysfunctional upbringing , Eddie is not terribly bright but is very ambitious and eager to prove he has a "special something" to share with the world. Eddie changes his name to Dirk Diggler and quickly becomes the biggest star in hardcore. Working alongside "Dirk" in Jack's films are Amber Waves ( Julianne Moore ), a porn actress who applies her misplaced maternal instincts to anyone who needs nurturing ; Rollergirl ( Heather Graham ), a cheerful but blank - faced high school drop - out who never removes her roller skates ; Reed Rothchild ( John C. Reilly ), a none - too - bright actor , aspiring magician , and failing songwriter ; Buck ( Don Cheadle ), a black actor fascinated with cowboy iconography who wants to open a stereo shop ; Scotty J ( Philip Seymour Hoffman ), a stocky and awkward soundman infatuated with Dirk ; Little Bill ( William H. Macy ), Jack's assistant director , who has trouble dealing with his wife's brazen infidelity ; and Colonel James ( Robert Ridgely ), Jack's backer , who has a weakness for young girls. In the brief , late - '70s moment when porn was chic and sex films seemed poised to break into the mainstream , Dirk becomes a star and Jack a respected name. But a few years later , drugs and pride have taken their toll on Dirk and many of his friends , while the advent of the VCR radically changes the adult movie business ; Jack goes from being a "filmmaker" to manufacturing and wholesaling videocassettes , a wealthy but emotionally broken man. In his second film , wunderkind director Paul Thomas Anderson juggled a broad range of characters in a manner reminiscent of Robert Altman 's ensemble films , making Boogie Nights a sad but funny story of a makeshift family of damaged people and what happens before and after their brief moment in the sun.
0995
This documentary about the aspirations of high-school basketball players from inner city Chicago won awards from the Sundance film festival the New York Film Critics Circle and the Academy Award (Oscar) for best editing. Two young men are followed during their entire high-school career beginning with their participation in playground games and ending with their being recruited by colleges. The obstacles these young men face include parental drug addiction family poverty and inner-city violence as well as the usual obstacles that arise in competition including physical injuries. While each aspires to leave the ghetto there are many reasons to suppose they may not be able to despite each beating the odds against them by winning college scholarships.
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This documentary about the aspirations of high - school basketball players from inner city Chicago won awards from the Sundance film festival , the New York Film Critics Circle , and the Academy Award ( Oscar ) for best editing. Two young men are followed during their entire high - school career , beginning with their participation in playground games and ending with their being recruited by colleges. The obstacles these young men face include parental drug addiction , family poverty , and inner - city violence , as well as the usual obstacles that arise in competition , including physical injuries. While each aspires to leave the ghetto , there are many reasons to suppose they may not be able to , despite each beating the odds against them by winning college scholarships.
0996
Hollywood visionary Tim Burton pays homage to another Hollywood visionary albeit a less successful one in this unusual fictionalized biography. The film follows Wood (Johnny Depp) in his quest for film greatness as he writes and directs turkey after turkey cross-dresses and surrounds himself with a motley crew of Hollywood misfits outcasts has-beens and never-weres. The real story however is his friendship with aging morphine-addicted Bela Lugosi (Martin Landau) whom he tries to help stage a comeback. Landau's unforgettable Oscar-winning performance must be seen to be believed as must Rick Baker's Oscar-winning makeup. While it would have been easy to make a film simply ridiculing the bumbling director Burton instead focuses on his driving passion for filmmaking and his unwavering persistence in the face of ridicule and failure. Possibly the most surprising aspect of the film is the genuine sentiment with which Burton treats the relationship between Wood and Lugosi; his devotion to Lugosi is touching as is Lugosi's final soliloquy -- an inane bit of dialogue from the hilariously bad Bride of the Monster that grows into a poignant metaphor for the actor's life and ultimate triumph of his spirit. Even the look of the film is right; it manages to preserve the air of one of Wood's own films while retaining a sense of artistry in much of the composition on screen (note the scene at the drug rehab where Lugosi endures a horrifying night of detox). In all Ed Wood is a unique film -- at times side-splittingly funny; at others tragic or even frightening -- and a heartfelt tribute to the love of movies good and bad alike.
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Hollywood visionary Tim Burton pays homage to another Hollywood visionary , albeit a less successful one , in this unusual fictionalized biography. The film follows Wood ( Johnny Depp ) in his quest for film greatness as he writes and directs turkey after turkey , cross - dresses , and surrounds himself with a motley crew of Hollywood misfits , outcasts , has - beens , and never - weres. The real story , however , is his friendship with aging , morphine - addicted Bela Lugosi ( Martin Landau ), whom he tries to help stage a comeback. Landau's unforgettable Oscar - winning performance must be seen to be believed , as must Rick Baker 's Oscar - winning makeup. While it would have been easy to make a film simply ridiculing the bumbling director , Burton instead focuses on his driving passion for filmmaking and his unwavering persistence in the face of ridicule and failure. Possibly the most surprising aspect of the film is the genuine sentiment with which Burton treats the relationship between Wood and Lugosi ; his devotion to Lugosi is touching , as is Lugosi's final soliloquy -- an inane bit of dialogue from the hilariously bad Bride of the Monster that grows into a poignant metaphor for the actor's life and ultimate triumph of his spirit. Even the look of the film is right ; it manages to preserve the air of one of Wood's own films while retaining a sense of artistry in much of the composition on screen ( note the scene at the drug rehab where Lugosi endures a horrifying night of detox ) . In all , Ed Wood is a unique film -- at times side - splittingly funny ; at others , tragic or even frightening -- and a heartfelt tribute to the love of movies , good and bad alike.
0997
Repentance (Pokayaniye) features Avtandil Makharadze in a dual role. As Georgian mayor Varlam Aravidze Makharadze is a strutting arbitrarily cruel dictator something of a composite Stalin and Hitler. Visually he very closely resembles Lavrentiy Beriya Stalin's right hander and one-time KGB chief. As Abel the mayor's son Makharadze finds himself in the middle of an ideological squabble when his father dies. Zeinab Botsvadze a local woman who had suffered mightily under the mayor's regime refuses to allow the old man's corpse to be interred. Despite the son's Herculean efforts Botsvadze continues digging up the late mayor's body a symbolic gesture to prevent the dead man's villainy from being forgotten. Repentance was the first Soviet film that openly denounced the horrors of Stalinism though the Georgian director Tengiz Abuladze (known for his poetic and surrealist films) chose to make it allegorical deliberately using anachronisms and making the leading character look like a combination of Stalin's henchman Lavrenti Beriya Hitler and Mussolini. An interesting point -- the last name chosen for the leading character is totally fictional there is no such name as Aravidze in Georgia. In fact "aravi" means "nobody" in Georgian. The filmmakers opted for such a name in order not to offend any real person in the Republic of Georgia. Filmed in 1984 Repentance fell victim to Soviet censorship from the moment it left the editing room. When it was finally released in 1987 the film was deservedly garlanded with several awards including the Cannes Film Festival Special Jury Prize.
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Repentance ( Pokayaniye ) features Avtandil Makharadze in a dual role. As Georgian mayor Varlam Aravidze , Makharadze is a strutting , arbitrarily cruel dictator , something of a composite Stalin and Hitler . Visually he very closely resembles Lavrentiy Beriya , Stalin 's right hander and one - time KGB chief. As Abel , the mayor's son , Makharadze finds himself in the middle of an ideological squabble when his father dies. Zeinab Botsvadze , a local woman who had suffered mightily under the mayor's regime , refuses to allow the old man's corpse to be interred. Despite the son's Herculean efforts , Botsvadze continues digging up the late mayor's body , a symbolic gesture to prevent the dead man's villainy from being forgotten. Repentance was the first Soviet film that openly denounced the horrors of Stalinism , though the Georgian director Tengiz Abuladze ( known for his poetic and surrealist films ) chose to make it allegorical , deliberately using anachronisms and making the leading character look like a combination of Stalin's henchman Lavrenti Beriya , Hitler , and Mussolini. An interesting point -- the last name chosen for the leading character is totally fictional , there is no such name as Aravidze in Georgia. In fact , "aravi" means "nobody" in Georgian. The filmmakers opted for such a name in order not to offend any real person in the Republic of Georgia. Filmed in 1984 , Repentance fell victim to Soviet censorship from the moment it left the editing room. When it was finally released in 1987 , the film was deservedly garlanded with several awards , including the Cannes Film Festival Special Jury Prize.
0998
A few months after his notorious suicide attempt Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa was regenerated by the notion of helming the first Russian/Japanese co-production. Co-scripted and directed by Kurosawa Dersu Uzala is the story of an elderly guide and Goldi hunter (Maxim Munzuk) who at the turn of the century agrees to shepherd a Russian explorer (Yuri Solomin) and a troop of soldiers through the most treacherous passages of the Far East. The guide has been "one" with the land almost from birth and is thus able to save his party from perishing. Four years in the making Dersu Uzala won the 1976 Best Foreign Film Oscar and restored the flagging Akira Kurosawa to the top ranks of the Japanese film industry.
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A few months after his notorious suicide attempt , Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa was regenerated by the notion of helming the first Russian / Japanese co - production. Co - scripted and directed by Kurosawa , Dersu Uzala is the story of an elderly guide and Goldi hunter ( Maxim Munzuk ), who , at the turn of the century , agrees to shepherd a Russian explorer ( Yuri Solomin ) and a troop of soldiers through the most treacherous passages of the Far East. The guide has been "one" with the land almost from birth , and is thus able to save his party from perishing. Four years in the making , Dersu Uzala won the 1976 Best Foreign Film Oscar and restored the flagging Akira Kurosawa to the top ranks of the Japanese film industry.
0999
In Volker Schlöndorff's award-winning adaptation of Nobel Prize winner Günter Grass' allegorical novel David Bennent plays Oskar the young son of a German rural family circa 1925. On his third birthday Oskar receives a shiny new tin drum. At this point rather than mature into one of the miserable specimens of grown-up humanity that he sees around him he vows never to get any older or any bigger. Whenever the world around him becomes too much to bear the boy begins to hammer on his drum; should anyone try to take the toy away from him he emits an ear-piercing scream that literally shatters glass. As Germany goes to hell during the 1930s and '40s the never-aging Oskar continues savagely beating his drum serving as the angry conscience of a world gone mad. The intense and visceral Tin Drum was one of the most financially successful German films of the 1970s and won the 1979 Oscar for Best Foreign Film and the 1979 Golden Palm (which it shared with Apocalypse Now). In the late '90s the film became the center of a censorship controversy when some U.S. videotapes were confiscated because of the film's supposed violation of a child pornography statute.
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In Volker Schlöndorff 's award - winning adaptation of Nobel Prize winner Günter Grass ' allegorical novel , David Bennent plays Oskar , the young son of a German rural family , circa 1925. On his third birthday , Oskar receives a shiny new tin drum. At this point , rather than mature into one of the miserable specimens of grown - up humanity that he sees around him , he vows never to get any older or any bigger. Whenever the world around him becomes too much to bear , the boy begins to hammer on his drum ; should anyone try to take the toy away from him , he emits an ear - piercing scream that literally shatters glass. As Germany goes to hell during the 1930s and '40s , the never - aging Oskar continues savagely beating his drum , serving as the angry conscience of a world gone mad. The intense and visceral Tin Drum was one of the most financially successful German films of the 1970s and won the 1979 Oscar for Best Foreign Film and the 1979 Golden Palm ( which it shared with Apocalypse Now ) . In the late '90s , the film became the center of a censorship controversy when some U.S. videotapes were confiscated because of the film's supposed violation of a child pornography statute.
1000
The costume drama Die Marquise von O is French director Eric Rohmer's first feature-length theatrical release after a four-year break from filmmaking. Based on a novella by Henrich von Kleist the dialogue is spoken in the original German language and the story is set in Italy during the 18th century. Edith Clever plays the widowed Marquise who is sexually assaulted by Russian soldiers and rescued by a Count (Bruno Ganz). Some time later she has to explain to her parents (Peter Lühr and Edda Seippel) and brother (Otto Sander) why she's pregnant. Die Marquise von O won the Grand Jury Prize in the 1976 Cannes Film Festival. At least one of the home video releases and several capsule reviews erroneously state the film (and its parent novella) as unfolding during the Franco-Prussian wars but both are actually set during the Napoleonic Wars hence the presence of Russian troops.
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The costume drama Die Marquise von O is French director Eric Rohmer 's first feature - length theatrical release after a four - year break from filmmaking. Based on a novella by Henrich von Kleist , the dialogue is spoken in the original German language and the story is set in Italy during the 18th century. Edith Clever plays the widowed Marquise , who is sexually assaulted by Russian soldiers and rescued by a Count ( Bruno Ganz ) . Some time later , she has to explain to her parents ( Peter Lühr and Edda Seippel ) and brother ( Otto Sander ) why she's pregnant. Die Marquise von O won the Grand Jury Prize in the 1976 Cannes Film Festival . At least one of the home video releases and several capsule reviews erroneously state the film ( and its parent novella ) as unfolding during the Franco - Prussian wars , but both are actually set during the Napoleonic Wars , hence the presence of Russian troops.
1001
runo Ganz plays a West German journalist whose frequent assignments to war-torn nations have left him jaundiced. He is assigned to cover the civil war in Beirut. The combination of his harrowing experiences on the job and his after-hours relationship with widow Hannah Schygulla affects Ganz deeply in spite of the wall he's built around himself. He suffers a crisis of conscience when he is forced to commit himself to someone--and something--for the first time in his life. The plot of Circle of Deceit was based on the reminiscences of novelist Nicolas Born; the picture's realism is grotesquely enhanced by the decision to film on location in Beirut surrounding the actors with genuine wartime carnage--bodies and all. Originally titled Die Falschung Circle of Deceit is not a comfortable experience but few will stop watching once the film has started.
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Bruno Ganz plays a West German journalist whose frequent assignments to war - torn nations have left him jaundiced. He is assigned to cover the civil war in Beirut. The combination of his harrowing experiences on the job and his after - hours relationship with widow Hannah Schygulla affects Ganz deeply , in spite of the wall he's built around himself. He suffers a crisis of conscience when he is forced to commit himself to someone -- and something -- for the first time in his life. The plot of Circle of Deceit was based on the reminiscences of novelist Nicolas Born ; the picture's realism is grotesquely enhanced by the decision to film on location in Beirut , surrounding the actors with genuine wartime carnage -- bodies and all. Originally titled Die Falschung , Circle of Deceit is not a comfortable experience , but few will stop watching once the film has started.
1002
Originally Die Sehnsucht de Veronika Voss this Rainer Werner Fassbinder spin on Sunset Boulevard stars Rosel Zech as film actress Veronika Voss. Once the toast of Germany Veronika had allegedly been an intimate of Joseph Gobbels. But the Third Reich is dead...and Veronika may as well be. Playing to an increasingly diminishing fan following Veronika turns to drugs to cushion her against the cruelties of life. Her self-destruction is accelerated by her "Doctor Feelgood" Annemaire Duringer who plys Veronika with morphine in order to gain control of the actress's money and property. Well-meaning sportswriter Hilmar Thate tries to save Veronika from herself sacrificing his own personal happiness -- and the life of his girlfriend Cornelia Froeboess -- in the process. Allegedly an amalgam of several true stories Veronika Voss is the last of Fassbinder's "postwar trilogy" (the first two were The Marriage of Maria Braun and Lola).
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Originally Die Sehnsucht de Veronika Voss , this Rainer Werner Fassbinder spin on Sunset Boulevard stars Rosel Zech as film actress Veronika Voss. Once the toast of Germany , Veronika had allegedly been an intimate of Joseph Gobbels. But the Third Reich is dead...and Veronika may as well be. Playing to an increasingly diminishing fan following , Veronika turns to drugs to cushion her against the cruelties of life. Her self - destruction is accelerated by her "Doctor Feelgood" Annemaire Duringer , who plys Veronika with morphine in order to gain control of the actress's money and property. Well - meaning sportswriter Hilmar Thate tries to save Veronika from herself , sacrificing his own personal happiness -- and the life of his girlfriend Cornelia Froeboess -- in the process. Allegedly an amalgam of several true stories , Veronika Voss is the last of Fassbinder 's "postwar trilogy" ( the first two were The Marriage of Maria Braun and Lola ) .
1003
Can anything be bleaker than the shabby slums of Berlin? Yes argues director Werner Herzog in Stroszek: try Wisconsin sometime. Bruno S.. stars as an ex-mental patient who dreams of the so-called promised land of America. He aligns himself with like-minded prostitute Eva Mattes and elderly near-senile Clemens Scheitz. Upon their arrival in Wisconsin the three misfits find that they're just as trapped in Dairy Country as they'd been in Germany--if not more so. The sour and bitter Stroszek earned worldwide critical and commercial acclaim.
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Can anything be bleaker than the shabby slums of Berlin? Yes , argues director Werner Herzog in Stroszek : try Wisconsin sometime. Bruno S. . stars as an ex - mental patient who dreams of the so - called promised land of America. He aligns himself with like - minded prostitute Eva Mattes and elderly , near - senile Clemens Scheitz . Upon their arrival in Wisconsin , the three misfits find that they're just as trapped in Dairy Country as they'd been in Germany -- if not more so. The sour and bitter Stroszek earned worldwide critical and commercial acclaim.
1004
The Lost Honor of Katharina Blum marks the directorial debut for actress Margarethe von Trotta who co-directed the film with her then-husband Volker Schlöndorff. At a costume party Katharina Blum (Angela Winkler) meets Ludwig Goetten (Jürgen Prochnow ) and spends the night with him. The next morning he's gone and the police bust into her apartment looking for him with the belief that he is a dangerous terrorist. She is taken into police custody and interrogated by Kommissar Beizmenne (Mario Adorf) who questions her about her every action. Meanwhile sleazy reporter Werner Toetges (Dieter Laser) makes her story into a scandal in the papers by writing sensational stories about her personal life and portraying her as a criminal in photos. He exaggerates the testimonies of her ex-husband neighbors and even her elderly mother who is dying of cancer in an intensive care hospital. With the fear-induced public thinking she is a Communist and terrorist sympathizer Katharina receives hate mail and personal threats until she is finally driven over the edge.
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The Lost Honor of Katharina Blum marks the directorial debut for actress Margarethe von Trotta , who co - directed the film with her then - husband Volker Schlöndorff . At a costume party , Katharina Blum ( Angela Winkler ) meets Ludwig Goetten ( Jürgen Prochnow ) and spends the night with him. The next morning , he's gone and the police bust into her apartment looking for him with the belief that he is a dangerous terrorist. She is taken into police custody and interrogated by Kommissar Beizmenne ( Mario Adorf ), who questions her about her every action. Meanwhile , sleazy reporter Werner Toetges ( Dieter Laser ) makes her story into a scandal in the papers by writing sensational stories about her personal life and portraying her as a criminal in photos. He exaggerates the testimonies of her ex - husband , neighbors , and even her elderly mother who is dying of cancer in an intensive care hospital. With the fear - induced public thinking she is a Communist and terrorist sympathizer , Katharina receives hate mail and personal threats until she is finally driven over the edge.
1005
Rainer Werner Fassbinder's adaptation of a late 19th-century novel by Theodor Fontane is an austere period piece that may be the least characteristic of the German director's films. The titular heroine played by Fassbinder regular Hanna Schygulla is a 17-year-old girl forced into a loveless marriage with an old count. Living as the aristocrat's trophy wife Effi endures her provincial existence unhappily. Her circumstances lead to a brief affair with a young lieutenant that attracts the attention of the townspeople but not her unsuspecting husband's. Years later however the count discovers the love letters between his wife and her lover. As dictated by convention he challenges the lieutenant to a duel and throws his wife out of their home. The shamed Effi is forced to live by herself shunned by society and spurned by her family. Effi eventually returns to her unsympathetic parents who reluctantly take in their disgraced daughter.
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Rainer Werner Fassbinder 's adaptation of a late 19th - century novel by Theodor Fontane is an austere period piece that may be the least characteristic of the German director's films. The titular heroine , played by Fassbinder regular Hanna Schygulla , is a 17 - year - old girl forced into a loveless marriage with an old count. Living as the aristocrat's trophy wife , Effi endures her provincial existence unhappily. Her circumstances lead to a brief affair with a young lieutenant that attracts the attention of the townspeople , but not her unsuspecting husband's. Years later , however , the count discovers the love letters between his wife and her lover. As dictated by convention , he challenges the lieutenant to a duel and throws his wife out of their home. The shamed Effi is forced to live by herself , shunned by society and spurned by her family. Effi eventually returns to her unsympathetic parents , who reluctantly take in their disgraced daughter.
1006
This West German film is set in the California Desert. A husband-and-wife pair of Bavarian tourists become stranded when their car breaks down; after a quarrel the wife Marianne Sagebrecht gathers her luggage and stalks off. She stops at the Bagdad Cafe a fleapit truckstop run by outspoken C.C.H. Pounder who is also having husband problems. The Cafe has become a magnet for some of truly odd character: temperamental Hispanic cook George Aguilar tattoo artist Christine Kaufmann and onetime Hollywood set designer Jack Palance. Despite obvious personality differences Sagebrecht and Pounder become friends. Bagdad Cafe was later adapted into a short-lived American sitcom starring Jean Stapleton and Whoopi Goldberg.
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This West German film is set in the California Desert. A husband - and - wife pair of Bavarian tourists become stranded when their car breaks down ; after a quarrel , the wife , Marianne Sagebrecht , gathers her luggage and stalks off. She stops at the Bagdad Cafe , a fleapit truckstop run by outspoken C.C.H. Pounder , who is also having husband problems. The Cafe has become a magnet for some of truly odd character : temperamental Hispanic cook George Aguilar , tattoo artist Christine Kaufmann , and onetime Hollywood set designer Jack Palance . Despite obvious personality differences , Sagebrecht and Pounder become friends. Bagdad Cafe was later adapted into a short - lived American sitcom starring Jean Stapleton and Whoopi Goldberg .
1007
Wim Wenders' mines Dennis Hopper's real-life experience as a painter and collector in this existential take on the American gangster film based on a Patricia Highsmith novel featuring the notoriously sociopathic Tom Ripley. Hopper stars as the eponymous American currently a middleman selling the work of American painter Derwatt (Nicholas Ray) who has feigned his own death to increase the value of his paintings. While auctioning this work in Berlin he meets art restorer Jonathan Zimmerman (Bruno Ganz) who he learns is suffering from an incurable blood disease. When a shady friend (Gerard Blain) requires Ripley to find a "clean" non-professional to do a contract hit in order to pay off a debt even he is reluctant. But he quickly realizes that the physically vulnerable Jonathan would be perfect for the job and tries to get him to accept by employing various subterfuges to persuade him that his condition is even worse than it is. For his part Blain guarantees the restorer that his family will be financially secure for life and a deal is struck. As usual nothing works out quite as expected.
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Wim Wenders ' mines Dennis Hopper 's real - life experience as a painter and collector in this existential take on the American gangster film based on a Patricia Highsmith novel featuring the notoriously sociopathic Tom Ripley. Hopper stars as the eponymous American , currently a middleman selling the work of American painter Derwatt ( Nicholas Ray ), who has feigned his own death to increase the value of his paintings. While auctioning this work in Berlin , he meets art restorer Jonathan Zimmerman ( Bruno Ganz ), who he learns is suffering from an incurable blood disease. When a shady friend ( Gerard Blain ) requires Ripley to find a "clean" non - professional to do a contract hit in order to pay off a debt , even he is reluctant. But he quickly realizes that the physically vulnerable Jonathan would be perfect for the job , and tries to get him to accept by employing various subterfuges to persuade him that his condition is even worse than it is. For his part , Blain guarantees the restorer that his family will be financially secure for life , and a deal is struck. As usual , nothing works out quite as expected.
1008
With a storyline that is stretched thin over its 87-minute running time Zuckerbaby is about an overweight woman (Marianne Sagebrecht) who works in a mortuary develops a crush on a married subway engineer (Eisi Gulp) and then does something about it. At first the love-struck woman is content with just seeing the object of her infatuation. Then she seeks out the train driven by her "sugarbaby" so she will always ride on that particular subway. Next she goes through a complex series of subterfuges to discover more about him and finds out that his wife will be out of town for a few weeks -- which in her mind makes him "free." Eventually she does get together with him -- but then what?
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With a storyline that is stretched thin over its 87 - minute running time , Zuckerbaby is about an overweight woman ( Marianne Sagebrecht ) who works in a mortuary , develops a crush on a married subway engineer ( Eisi Gulp ), and then does something about it. At first , the love - struck woman is content with just seeing the object of her infatuation. Then she seeks out the train driven by her "sugarbaby" so she will always ride on that particular subway. Next , she goes through a complex series of subterfuges to discover more about him and finds out that his wife will be out of town for a few weeks -- which in her mind , makes him "free." Eventually , she does get together with him -- but then what?
1009
The men in The Men are stuffy ad exec Heiner Lauterbach and nonconformist artist Uwe Oschsenknecht. Both are amorously involved with lovely Ulrike Kleiner: Lauterbach is her husband Oschsenknecht her new lover. Deducing that Ulrike is attracted to Oschsenknecht's Bohemian lifestyle Lauterbach plots to transform the artist into a rock-ribbed conservative. A dash of gratuitous slapstick hurts the farcical proceedings not one whit. Originally titled Manner The Men was made on a shoestring for German television then released as a theatrical feature making a tidy sum in the process.
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The men in The Men are stuffy ad exec Heiner Lauterbach and nonconformist artist Uwe Oschsenknecht . Both are amorously involved with lovely Ulrike Kleiner : Lauterbach is her husband , Oschsenknecht her new lover. Deducing that Ulrike is attracted to Oschsenknecht's Bohemian lifestyle , Lauterbach plots to transform the artist into a rock - ribbed conservative. A dash of gratuitous slapstick hurts the farcical proceedings not one whit. Originally titled Manner , The Men was made on a shoestring for German television , then released as a theatrical feature , making a tidy sum in the process.
1010
Inspired a song that was extremely popular with the German soldiers during WW II this fictional story begins in 1938 while Wilkie Bunterberg (Hanna Schygulla) a third-tier cabaret singer performs in a Zurich nightclub. It is her boyfriend a Swiss Jew who also turns out to be a resistance fighter who pens her the famous song Lili Marleen. She sings it in Germany and it becomes a hit with the German troops. As a result Hitler himself invites her to perform for him. This does not set well with the songwriter's powerful who upon learning that Marleen has become a famed singer in Germany seek to have her barred from Switzerland. This does not stop the songwriter from loving her though and desperate to see her one last time he sneaks into Berlin for a tryst. Unfortuantely he is arrested and she gets blacklisted. They do not see each other again until after the war. By this time their lives have changed considerably. This is not considered among the best of Fassbinder's best films.
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Inspired a song that was extremely popular with the German soldiers during WW II , this fictional story begins in 1938 while Wilkie Bunterberg ( Hanna Schygulla ), a third - tier cabaret singer , performs in a Zurich nightclub. It is her boyfriend , a Swiss Jew who also turns out to be a resistance fighter who pens her the famous song Lili Marleen. She sings it in Germany and it becomes a hit with the German troops. As a result , Hitler himself invites her to perform for him. This does not set well with the songwriter's powerful who , upon learning that Marleen has become a famed singer in Germany , seek to have her barred from Switzerland. This does not stop the songwriter from loving her though and desperate to see her one last time , he sneaks into Berlin for a tryst. Unfortuantely he is arrested and she gets blacklisted. They do not see each other again until after the war. By this time , their lives have changed considerably. This is not considered among the best of Fassbinder 's best films.
1011
ased on a true story Istvan Szabo's Hanussen centers on an Austrian soldier (Klaus Maria Brandauer) who becomes clairvoyant after he is shot in the head during World War I. He is able to read minds and predict the future. Before long he has foreseen Hitler and the Nazis' rise to power and he soon finds himself in danger. Hanussen is the third of Szabo and Brandauer's collaborations following Mephisto and Colonel Redl.
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Based on a true story , Istvan Szabo 's Hanussen centers on an Austrian soldier ( Klaus Maria Brandauer ) who becomes clairvoyant after he is shot in the head during World War I. He is able to read minds and predict the future. Before long , he has foreseen Hitler and the Nazis' rise to power , and he soon finds himself in danger. Hanussen is the third of Szabo and Brandauer's collaborations , following Mephisto and Colonel Redl .
1012
Helmed by director Uli Edel this West German coming-of-age drama is the tale of an aimless teen-aged girl played by Natja Brunkhorst. In search of kicks Brunkhorst falls in with junkie/pusher Thomas Haustein. Christiane F boasts a generous chunk of concert footage featuring David Bowie.
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Helmed by director Uli Edel , this West German coming - of - age drama is the tale of an aimless teen - aged girl , played by Natja Brunkhorst . In search of kicks , Brunkhorst falls in with junkie / pusher Thomas Haustein . Christiane F boasts a generous chunk of concert footage featuring David Bowie .
1013
The German documentary Chariots of the Gods attempts to lend credence to the speculative best-seller by Eric Von Daniken. Using the most tenuous of evidence -- pyramids curiously plowed farm fields obscured-origin artifacts -- Von Daniken strived to prove that mankind's ancient civilizations had been visited by extraterrestrials. American documentary producer Alan Landsburg bought the US rights for Chariots of the Gods transforming it into a more compact TV special In Search of the Ancient Astronauts. Landsburg also replaced the German film's narration with the cadences of Twilight Zone mentor Rod Serling.
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The German documentary Chariots of the Gods attempts to lend credence to the speculative best - seller by Eric Von Daniken . Using the most tenuous of evidence -- pyramids , curiously plowed farm fields , obscured - origin artifacts -- Von Daniken strived to prove that mankind's ancient civilizations had been visited by extraterrestrials. American documentary producer Alan Landsburg bought the US rights for Chariots of the Gods , transforming it into a more compact TV special , In Search of the Ancient Astronauts . Landsburg also replaced the German film's narration with the cadences of Twilight Zone mentor Rod Serling .
1014
Perhan (Davor Dujmovic) is a Gypsy teenager with the ability to move objects with his mind. A criminal named Ahmed convinces him to leave his devoted grandmother (Ljubica Adzovic) and loving girlfriend and to use his powers to make some money illegally. While becoming a man and learning the trade of crime the boy searches for his sister (who was supposed to have a leg operation) and tries to save money to realize his fantasy of returning home to marry the woman of his dreams. This film won Emir Kusturica an award at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival for his direction and was the first feature to be filmed with its entire dialogue in the Gypsy language Romany.
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Perhan ( Davor Dujmovic ) is a Gypsy teenager with the ability to move objects with his mind. A criminal named Ahmed convinces him to leave his devoted grandmother ( Ljubica Adzovic ) and loving girlfriend , and to use his powers to make some money illegally. While becoming a man and learning the trade of crime , the boy searches for his sister ( who was supposed to have a leg operation ) and tries to save money to realize his fantasy of returning home to marry the woman of his dreams. This film won Emir Kusturica an award at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival for his direction and was the first feature to be filmed with its entire dialogue in the Gypsy language , Romany.
1015
The Yugoslavian When Father Was Away on Business (Otac na Sluzbenoh Putu) takes place in the early 1950s. The title is a euphemism: because of the strained relationship between Yugoslavia and the USSR various private citizens have disappeared in the middle of the night accompanied by the police. One such "vanishing" individual is Miki Manojlovic the father of 6-year old Moreno D'E Bartolli from whose viewpoint this story is told When Manojlovic an employee in the labor ministry is whisked away to prison his family reacts with pride assuring one and all that he is "away on business" because of his fervent political beliefs. The sad truth: Manojlovic has ended up behind bars because of his sexual peccadilloes. The film details the tribulations of a fatherless family struggling to cope with the financial deprivations of Communism. Director Emir Kusturica won the Cannes Film Festival Golden Palm award for his work on When Father Was Away on Business.
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The Yugoslavian When Father Was Away on Business ( Otac na Sluzbenoh Putu ) takes place in the early 1950s. The title is a euphemism : because of the strained relationship between Yugoslavia and the USSR , various private citizens have disappeared in the middle of the night , accompanied by the police. One such "vanishing" individual is Miki Manojlovic , the father of 6 - year old Moreno D'E Bartolli , from whose viewpoint this story is told When Manojlovic , an employee in the labor ministry is whisked away to prison , his family reacts with pride , assuring one and all that he is "away on business" because of his fervent political beliefs. The sad truth : Manojlovic has ended up behind bars because of his sexual peccadilloes. The film details the tribulations of a fatherless family struggling to cope with the financial deprivations of Communism. Director Emir Kusturica won the Cannes Film Festival Golden Palm award for his work on When Father Was Away on Business .
1016
osnian-born filmmaker Emir Kusturica made this farce set in a Gypsy settlement along the banks of the Danube where three generations of characters burst forth in manic and frenetic displays of charm confusion and chaos. Garbage dump godfather Grga Pitic (Sabri Sulejman) and cement czar Zarije Destanov (Zabit Memedov) both in their 80s remain friends even though they haven't seen each other in 25 years. Zarije's son Matko Destanov (Bajram Severdzan) goes to Grga for a loan. Matko is double-crossed by his partner gypsy gangster Dadan Karambolo (Srdan Todorovic) who demands that Matko's son Zare Destanov (Florijan Ajdini) marry Dadan's small sister Afrodita (Salija Ibraimova). Unfortunately Afrodita and Zare have absolutely no interest in each other. Cute barmaid Ida (Branka Katic) and Zare fall in love and only have eyes for each other as plans get underway for the wedding of Zare and Afrodite. The sudden death of Zarije seems to offer a solution since no gypsy would have a wedding and a funeral on the same day. However Dadan delays the death announcement by hiding Zarije packed in ice in the attic. The wedding celebration gets underway amid numerous madcap mishaps and misadventures. With a soundtrack of gypsy music and songs the funny film features numerous non-professionals in the cast. Shown in competition at the 1998 Venice Film Festival and at the 1998 New York Film Festival.
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Bosnian - born filmmaker Emir Kusturica made this farce , set in a Gypsy settlement along the banks of the Danube , where three generations of characters burst forth in manic and frenetic displays of charm , confusion , and chaos. Garbage dump godfather Grga Pitic ( Sabri Sulejman ) and cement czar Zarije Destanov ( Zabit Memedov ), both in their 80s , remain friends even though they haven't seen each other in 25 years. Zarije's son Matko Destanov ( Bajram Severdzan ) goes to Grga for a loan. Matko is double - crossed by his partner , gypsy gangster Dadan Karambolo ( Srdan Todorovic ), who demands that Matko's son , Zare Destanov ( Florijan Ajdini ), marry Dadan's small sister , Afrodita ( Salija Ibraimova ) . Unfortunately , Afrodita and Zare have absolutely no interest in each other. Cute barmaid Ida ( Branka Katic ) and Zare fall in love and only have eyes for each other as plans get underway for the wedding of Zare and Afrodite. The sudden death of Zarije seems to offer a solution , since no gypsy would have a wedding and a funeral on the same day. However , Dadan delays the death announcement by hiding Zarije , packed in ice , in the attic. The wedding celebration gets underway amid numerous madcap mishaps and misadventures. With a soundtrack of gypsy music and songs , the funny film features numerous non - professionals in the cast. Shown in competition at the 1998 Venice Film Festival and at the 1998 New York Film Festival .
1017
That Summer of White Roses is a World War II drama about a lifeguard at a Yugoslavian summer resort who falls in love with a woman who fights against the country's Nazi occupation.
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That Summer of White Roses is a World War II drama about a lifeguard at a Yugoslavian summer resort who falls in love with a woman who fights against the country's Nazi occupation.
1018
Maverick director Todd Haynes embraces the look and feel of classic Hollywood melodramas of the 1950s in this period drama. Cathy Whitaker (Julianne Moore) and her husband Frank (Dennis Quaid) are a seemingly perfect couple; living in a handsome suburban neighborhood in Hartford CT in 1957 Cathy and Frank have a beautiful home and two happy healthy children while Frank pursues a successful career in sales and Cathy cares for the home. But Cathy has begun to sense something isn't quite right in her marriage as Frank begins working late spending less time with her and seems cold and distant. One day Cathy visits Frank's work and discovers something she never expected -- her husband is kissing a man. At Cathy's urging Frank undergoes psychotherapy but as she tries to keep up a brave face the emotional trauma takes a great toll on her and she finds there are very few people she can talk with. Cathy strikes up a friendship with Raymond Deagan (Dennis Haysbert) an African-American gardener who works for the Whitakers and as she discovers how intelligent and compassionate Raymond is she finds herself drawn to him. However Hartford is in many ways still a small town and when Mona (Celia Weston) sees Cathy and Raymond alone together it sets off a wave of vicious gossip that threatens to make the Whitakers' many secrets public knowledge. Far from Heaven premiered at the 2002 Venice Film Festival where Julianne Moore's performance won the prize for Best Actress.
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Maverick director Todd Haynes embraces the look and feel of classic Hollywood melodramas of the 1950s in this period drama. Cathy Whitaker ( Julianne Moore ) and her husband , Frank ( Dennis Quaid ), are a seemingly perfect couple ; living in a handsome suburban neighborhood in Hartford , CT , in 1957 , Cathy and Frank have a beautiful home and two happy , healthy children , while Frank pursues a successful career in sales and Cathy cares for the home. But Cathy has begun to sense something isn't quite right in her marriage , as Frank begins working late , spending less time with her , and seems cold and distant. One day , Cathy visits Frank's work and discovers something she never expected -- her husband is kissing a man. At Cathy's urging , Frank undergoes psychotherapy , but as she tries to keep up a brave face , the emotional trauma takes a great toll on her , and she finds there are very few people she can talk with. Cathy strikes up a friendship with Raymond Deagan ( Dennis Haysbert ), an African - American gardener who works for the Whitakers , and as she discovers how intelligent and compassionate Raymond is , she finds herself drawn to him. However , Hartford is in many ways still a small town , and when Mona ( Celia Weston ) sees Cathy and Raymond alone together , it sets off a wave of vicious gossip that threatens to make the Whitakers' many secrets public knowledge. Far from Heaven premiered at the 2002 Venice Film Festival , where Julianne Moore 's performance won the prize for Best Actress.
1019
Kenneth Lonergan the co-screenwriter for Analyze This (1999) makes his directorial debut with this sensitive portrait of a pair of grown siblings. Sammy and Terry Prescott (Laura Linney and Mark Ruffalo) were orphaned as children after their parents were killed in a car accident. Since then the two have taken drastically divergent paths. Sammy is a single mother who leads a quiet stable life in a small town in upstate New York. A fiercely protective mother she shields her young son Rudy (Rory Culkin) from all information about his absentee father. She is also involved with Bob (Jon Tenney) a well-meaning but less-than-exciting mate both in and out of bed. Terry by contrast is a troubled self-destructive soul eking out a nomadic existence. When he abandons his pregnant girlfriend to borrow money from his sister Sammy finds her stable world disrupted. A bond soon develops between Terry and Rudy; over the objections of his mother Terry takes the tyke fishing and shares old family secrets. Meanwhile Terry's presence inspires Sammy to break out of her quiet life. This film won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2000 Sundance Film Festival.
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Kenneth Lonergan , the co - screenwriter for Analyze This ( 1999 ), makes his directorial debut with this sensitive portrait of a pair of grown siblings. Sammy and Terry Prescott ( Laura Linney and Mark Ruffalo ) were orphaned as children after their parents were killed in a car accident. Since then , the two have taken drastically divergent paths. Sammy is a single mother who leads a quiet , stable life in a small town in upstate New York. A fiercely protective mother , she shields her young son Rudy ( Rory Culkin ) from all information about his absentee father. She is also involved with Bob ( Jon Tenney ), a well - meaning but less - than - exciting mate , both in and out of bed. Terry , by contrast , is a troubled , self - destructive soul eking out a nomadic existence. When he abandons his pregnant girlfriend to borrow money from his sister , Sammy finds her stable world disrupted. A bond soon develops between Terry and Rudy ; over the objections of his mother , Terry takes the tyke fishing and shares old family secrets. Meanwhile , Terry's presence inspires Sammy to break out of her quiet life. This film won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2000 Sundance Film Festival.
1020
Co-winner of the Palme d'Or at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival The Taste of Cherry is the venerable Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami's examination of life death and the small miracles in between. Homayoun Ershadi stars as Mr. Badii a middle-aged man wishing to kill himself; driving his Range Rover across the arid outskirts of Tehran he searches for someone to aid him in his final hours someone who will agree to bury his body if he succeeds in his mission -- a planned overdose of sleeping pills -- or rescue him if he fails. Offering a large sum of money in exchange for services rendered he first picks up a Kurdish soldier who ultimately flees in fear upon learning of Badii's plan; the next passenger an Afghani seminary student instead attempts to convince him of the sanctity of human life. Finally Badii picks up a Turkish taxidermist who reluctantly agrees to check the body for signs of life; having long ago contemplated suicide himself the taxidermist also tries to dissuade Badii from ending it all accepting the offer only because he needs the money to care for his sick daughter. Kiarostami's refusal to answer the film's two most obvious questions -- exactly why does Mr. Badii wish to end his life and does he successfully carry out his plan? -- invites viewers to share in his protagonist's plight by triggering their own powers of imagination.
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Co - winner of the Palme d'Or at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival , The Taste of Cherry is the venerable Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami 's examination of life , death and the small miracles in between. Homayoun Ershadi  stars as Mr. Badii , a middle - aged man wishing to kill himself ; driving his Range Rover across the arid outskirts of Tehran , he searches for someone to aid him in his final hours , someone who will agree to bury his body if he succeeds in his mission -- a planned overdose of sleeping pills -- or rescue him if he fails. Offering a large sum of money in exchange for services rendered , he first picks up a Kurdish soldier who ultimately flees in fear upon learning of Badii's plan ; the next passenger , an Afghani seminary student , instead attempts to convince him of the sanctity of human life. Finally , Badii picks up a Turkish taxidermist who reluctantly agrees to check the body for signs of life ; having long ago contemplated suicide himself , the taxidermist also tries to dissuade Badii from ending it all , accepting the offer only because he needs the money to care for his sick daughter. Kiarostami's refusal to answer the film's two most obvious questions -- exactly why does Mr. Badii wish to end his life , and does he successfully carry out his plan? -- invites viewers to share in his protagonist's plight by triggering their own powers of imagination.
1021
Mohsen Makhmalbaf's Gabbeh is just the second Iranian film ever widely distributed in the U.S. (Jafar Panahi's The White Balloon was the first). A gabbeh is an Iranian carpet produced by the nomadic Ghashghai tribe of southern Iran comparable to the folk art of American quilts; in the film's opening scenes an elderly husband and wife travel to a nearby stream to wash their gabbeh discussing the meaning behind the figures sewn upon it. The rug depicts a woman in blue and a man in red together on a white horse; suddenly the woman on the tapestry seems to come to life -- her name too is Gabbeh and the blue dress she wears is identical to the one worn by the old wife. She proceeds to tell her tragic story: it seems that despite her love for a mysterious stranger on horseback who follows her nomadic family wherever they travel Gabbeh's father refuses to allow her to marry until a series of stipulations have first been met. Makhmalbaf frames his episodic tale with interludes on the colors of nature.
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Mohsen Makhmalbaf 's Gabbeh is just the second Iranian film ever widely distributed in the U.S. ( Jafar Panahi 's The White Balloon was the first ) . A gabbeh is an Iranian carpet produced by the nomadic Ghashghai tribe of southern Iran , comparable to the folk art of American quilts ; in the film's opening scenes , an elderly husband and wife travel to a nearby stream to wash their gabbeh , discussing the meaning behind the figures sewn upon it. The rug depicts a woman in blue and a man in red , together on a white horse ; suddenly , the woman on the tapestry seems to come to life -- her name too is Gabbeh , and the blue dress she wears is identical to the one worn by the old wife. She proceeds to tell her tragic story : it seems that despite her love for a mysterious stranger on horseback who follows her nomadic family wherever they travel , Gabbeh's father refuses to allow her to marry until a series of stipulations have first been met. Makhmalbaf frames his episodic tale with interludes on the colors of nature.
1022
Mike Figgis' grim drama documents a romantic triangle of sorts involving prostitute Sera (Elisabeth Shue) failed Hollywood screenwriter Ben (Oscar-winner Nicolas Cage) and the constant flow of booze which he loves more dearly than life itself. Arriving in Las Vegas with the intention of drinking himself to death Ben meets Sera and they gradually begin falling for one another. From the outset however Ben warns Sera that no matter what she can never ask him to quit drinking a condition to which she grudgingly agrees. A darkly comic tragedy Leaving Las Vegas charts the brief romantic convergence of two desperately needy people who together find a brief flicker of happiness.
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Mike Figgis ' grim drama documents a romantic triangle of sorts involving prostitute Sera ( Elisabeth Shue ), failed Hollywood screenwriter Ben ( Oscar - winner Nicolas Cage ), and the constant flow of booze which he loves more dearly than life itself. Arriving in Las Vegas with the intention of drinking himself to death , Ben meets Sera , and they gradually begin falling for one another. From the outset , however , Ben warns Sera that no matter what , she can never ask him to quit drinking , a condition to which she grudgingly agrees. A darkly comic tragedy , Leaving Las Vegas charts the brief romantic convergence of two desperately needy people who together find a brief flicker of happiness.
1023
A "cyclo" is a bicycle-drawn taxi similar to a rickshaw and in this story the nickname of an 18-year-old boy trying to scrape together a living in the desperate poverty of Ho Chi Mihn City. Cyclo lives with his grandfather (Le Kinh Huy) and two sisters (Tran Nu Yen-Khe and Pham Ngoc Lieu) and drives his taxi for a bitter woman (Nhu Quynh Nguyen) who devotes most of her time to her mentally unstable son (Bjuhoang Huy). When the pedal-cab is stolen Cyclo is forced into a life of crime to repay the debt and falls in with a group of petty thugs led by a self-styled poet (Tony Leung Chiu Wai). What Cyclo doesn't know at first is that the poet is also a pimp and he's been using his romantic wiles to lure Cyclo's older sister into a career as a prostitute. Cyclo was directed by Tran Anh Hung whose breakthrough film was the acclaimed drama The Scent of Green Papaya.
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A "cyclo" is a bicycle - drawn taxi similar to a rickshaw , and , in this story , the nickname of an 18 - year - old boy trying to scrape together a living in the desperate poverty of Ho Chi Mihn City. Cyclo lives with his grandfather ( Le Kinh Huy ) and two sisters ( Tran Nu Yen - Khe and Pham Ngoc Lieu ), and drives his taxi for a bitter woman ( Nhu Quynh Nguyen ) who devotes most of her time to her mentally unstable son ( Bjuhoang Huy ) . When the pedal - cab is stolen , Cyclo is forced into a life of crime to repay the debt and falls in with a group of petty thugs led by a self - styled poet ( Tony Leung Chiu Wai ) . What Cyclo doesn't know at first is that the poet is also a pimp , and he's been using his romantic wiles to lure Cyclo's older sister into a career as a prostitute. Cyclo was directed by Tran Anh Hung , whose breakthrough film was the acclaimed drama The Scent of Green Papaya .
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In 1946 a banker named Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) is convicted of a double murder even though he stubbornly proclaims his innocence. He's sentenced to a life term at the Shawshank State Prison in Maine where another lifer Ellis "Red" Redding (Morgan Freeman) picks him as the new recruit most likely to crack under the pressure. The ugly realities of prison life are quickly introduced to Andy: a corrupt warden (Bob Gunton) sadistic guards led by Capt. Byron Hadley (Clancy Brown) and inmates who are little better than animals willing to use rape or beatings to insure their dominance. But Andy does not crack: he has the hope of the truly innocent which (together with his smarts) allow him to prevail behind bars. He uses his banking skills to win favor with the warden and the guards doing the books for Norton's illegal business schemes and keeping an eye on the investments of most of the prison staff. In exchange he is able to improve the prison library and bring some dignity and respect back to many of the inmates including Red. Based on a story by Stephen King The Shawshank Redemption was the directorial debut of screenwriter Frank Darabont.
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In 1946 , a banker named Andy Dufresne ( Tim Robbins ) is convicted of a double murder , even though he stubbornly proclaims his innocence. He's sentenced to a life term at the Shawshank State Prison in Maine , where another lifer , Ellis "Red" Redding ( Morgan Freeman ), picks him as the new recruit most likely to crack under the pressure. The ugly realities of prison life are quickly introduced to Andy : a corrupt warden ( Bob Gunton ), sadistic guards led by Capt. Byron Hadley ( Clancy Brown ), and inmates who are little better than animals , willing to use rape or beatings to insure their dominance. But Andy does not crack : he has the hope of the truly innocent , which ( together with his smarts ) allow him to prevail behind bars. He uses his banking skills to win favor with the warden and the guards , doing the books for Norton's illegal business schemes and keeping an eye on the investments of most of the prison staff. In exchange , he is able to improve the prison library and bring some dignity and respect back to many of the inmates , including Red. Based on a story by Stephen King , The Shawshank Redemption was the directorial debut of screenwriter Frank Darabont .
1025
It's 1958 and the producers of the quiz show 21 have a problem. Their current champ Herbert Stempel (John Turturro) has a phenomenal memory and a broad range of knowledge. He's also a pudgy loudmouth with a grating personality so Herbert is encouraged to "take a dive" and allow Charles Van Doren (Ralph Fiennes) a handsome and charming college professor to become the show's new champion. Audiences like Van Doren and he's certainly not averse to the money he's winning but the ethics of the situation begin to trouble him especially when the show's producers begin to give him the questions in advance. Director Robert Redford and writer Paul Attanasio paint a telling portrait of how the network heads and advertising men who manipulated the quiz shows were also able to manipulate the responsibility for the scandal away from themselves. While on the surface a story about the scandal itself Quiz Show is just as importantly about a turning point in the 1950s when TV and advertising began to change American character and culture.
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It's 1958 , and the producers of the quiz show 21 have a problem. Their current champ , Herbert Stempel ( John Turturro ), has a phenomenal memory and a broad range of knowledge. He's also a pudgy loudmouth with a grating personality , so Herbert is encouraged to "take a dive" and allow Charles Van Doren ( Ralph Fiennes ), a handsome and charming college professor , to become the show's new champion. Audiences like Van Doren , and he's certainly not averse to the money he's winning , but the ethics of the situation begin to trouble him , especially when the show's producers begin to give him the questions in advance. Director Robert Redford and writer Paul Attanasio paint a telling portrait of how the network heads and advertising men who manipulated the quiz shows were also able to manipulate the responsibility for the scandal away from themselves. While on the surface a story about the scandal itself , Quiz Show is just as importantly about a turning point in the 1950s when TV and advertising began to change American character and culture.
1026
Faces is right: this definitive John Cassavetes film consists almost exclusively of tight uncomfortable close-ups. It takes place in the fourteenth year of the marriage of Richard (John Marley) and Maria (Lynn Carlin). Neither husband nor wife is content with the conditions that prevail; Maria joins her friends looking for romantic satisfaction elsewhere while Richard secures the services of a prostitute (Gena Rowlands). Maria herself has a one-night stand with a hippie (Seymour Cassel) but this is no more satisfying than her dead-end marriage. If you think that Faces is an exhausting experience in its current 130-minute length imagine what it looked like in Cassavetes' original six-hour cut. Alternately clumsy and profound it is nonetheless a work of deep sincerity as recognized by the Venice Film Festival which bestowed no fewer than five awards on the film and it perfectly exemplifies Cassavetes' improvisational cinéma vérité style and searching explorations of modern relationships.
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Faces is right : this definitive John Cassavetes film consists almost exclusively of tight , uncomfortable close - ups. It takes place in the fourteenth year of the marriage of Richard ( John Marley ) and Maria ( Lynn Carlin ) . Neither husband nor wife is content with the conditions that prevail ; Maria joins her friends looking for romantic satisfaction elsewhere , while Richard secures the services of a prostitute ( Gena Rowlands ) . Maria herself has a one - night stand with a hippie ( Seymour Cassel ), but this is no more satisfying than her dead - end marriage. If you think that Faces is an exhausting experience in its current 130 - minute length , imagine what it looked like in Cassavetes ' original six - hour cut. Alternately clumsy and profound , it is nonetheless a work of deep sincerity , as recognized by the Venice Film Festival , which bestowed no fewer than five awards on the film , and it perfectly exemplifies Cassavetes ' improvisational , cinéma vérité style and searching explorations of modern relationships.
1027
Rebellious students at an English private school plan a violent revolt against their repressive environment in director Lindsay Anderson's highly acclaimed but extremely controversial drama. Centering on a small group of non-conformists led by Mick Travis (Malcolm McDowell) the film paints a distinctly negative picture of the British school system and by extension English society. Seeing the powers-that-be as humorless bureaucratic and needlessly restrictive Mick and his cohorts indulge in small acts of rebellion including sneaking into town to romance a local waitress. Their actions are discovered and punished with harsh beatings leading the students to plot revenge. This effort culminates in the film's most famous sequence a surrealistic depiction of a bloody uprising by the students against the adult world. Daring and unpredictable in content and form If... mixes color and black-and-white cinematography as easily as it mingles satire with dark fantasy. The film's ambiguous attitude toward violence caused controversy at the time as many commentators saw the film as a potential incitement to violence. It became a great success among younger counter-culture audiences who appreciated the audacious shock tactics and embraced the satirical anti-establishment message. Often compared to Jean Vigo's French classic Zéro de conduite which also featured surrealistic boarding-school rebellion If... has become a high point in the cinema of youth rebellion. Anderson and McDowell later collaborated on O Lucky Man! (1973) Look Back in Anger (1980) and Britannia Hospital (1982).
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Rebellious students at an English private school plan a violent revolt against their repressive environment in director Lindsay Anderson 's highly acclaimed but extremely controversial drama. Centering on a small group of non - conformists led by Mick Travis ( Malcolm McDowell ), the film paints a distinctly negative picture of the British school system and , by extension , English society. Seeing the powers - that - be as humorless , bureaucratic , and needlessly restrictive , Mick and his cohorts indulge in small acts of rebellion , including sneaking into town to romance a local waitress. Their actions are discovered and punished with harsh beatings , leading the students to plot revenge. This effort culminates in the film's most famous sequence , a surrealistic depiction of a bloody uprising by the students against the adult world. Daring and unpredictable in content and form , If... mixes color and black - and - white cinematography as easily as it mingles satire with dark fantasy. The film's ambiguous attitude toward violence caused controversy at the time , as many commentators saw the film as a potential incitement to violence. It became a great success among younger , counter - culture audiences who appreciated the audacious shock tactics and embraced the satirical , anti - establishment message. Often compared to Jean Vigo's French classic Zéro de conduite , which also featured surrealistic boarding - school rebellion , If... has become a high point in the cinema of youth rebellion. Anderson and McDowell later collaborated on O Lucky Man! ( 1973 ), Look Back in Anger ( 1980 ), and Britannia Hospital ( 1982 ) .
1028
In Philip Kaufman's surprisingly successful film adaptation of Czech author Milan Kundera's demanding 1984 best-seller Daniel Day-Lewis stars as Tomas an overly amorous Prague surgeon while Juliette Binoche plays Tereza the waiflike beauty whom he marries. Even though he's supposedly committed Tomas continues his wanton womanizing notably with his silken mistress Sabina (Lena Olin). Escaping the 1968 Russian invasion of Prague by heading for Geneva Sabina takes up with another man and unexpectedly develops a friendship with Tereza. Meanwhile Tomas who previously was interested only in sex becomes politicized by the collapse of Czechoslovakia's Dubcek regime. The Unbearable Lightness of Being may be too leisurely for some viewers but other viewers may feel the same warm sense of inner satisfaction that is felt after finishing a good long novel.
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In Philip Kaufman 's surprisingly successful film adaptation of Czech author Milan Kundera 's demanding 1984 best - seller , Daniel Day - Lewis stars as Tomas , an overly amorous Prague surgeon , while Juliette Binoche plays Tereza , the waiflike beauty whom he marries. Even though he's supposedly committed , Tomas continues his wanton womanizing , notably with his silken mistress Sabina ( Lena Olin ) . Escaping the 1968 Russian invasion of Prague by heading for Geneva , Sabina takes up with another man and unexpectedly develops a friendship with Tereza. Meanwhile , Tomas , who previously was interested only in sex , becomes politicized by the collapse of Czechoslovakia's Dubcek regime. The Unbearable Lightness of Being may be too leisurely for some viewers , but other viewers may feel the same warm sense of inner satisfaction that is felt after finishing a good , long novel.
1029
Mac Sledge (Robert Duvall) a once-famous country western singer wakes up broke alone and hung over in a tiny Texas motel run by widowed Rosa Lee (Tess Harper). Having nowhere else to go Sledge takes a job at the motel and through the kindness and faith of Rosa he changes his self-destructive ways. He marries Rosa (after he's baptized at her urging) and becomes a father/pal to her son (Allan Hubbard). Given an opportunity to make a comeback Sledge considers leaving his new family behind but after a reunion with his own unhappy daughter (Ellen Barkin) he vows never again to ruin anyone else's life. A simple story simply told Tender Mercies is a warm persuasive tale of redemption with Robert Duvall giving one of his finest performances. Also appearing is Betty Buckley as Duvall's ex-wife a Dolly Parton-type country star and Wilford Brimley as Duvall's former manager.
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Mac Sledge ( Robert Duvall ), a once - famous country western singer , wakes up broke , alone and hung over in a tiny Texas motel run by widowed Rosa Lee ( Tess Harper ) . Having nowhere else to go , Sledge takes a job at the motel , and through the kindness and faith of Rosa he changes his self - destructive ways. He marries Rosa ( after he's baptized at her urging ) and becomes a father / pal to her son ( Allan Hubbard ) . Given an opportunity to make a comeback , Sledge considers leaving his new family behind , but after a reunion with his own unhappy daughter ( Ellen Barkin ), he vows never again to ruin anyone else's life. A simple story simply told , Tender Mercies is a warm , persuasive tale of redemption , with Robert Duvall giving one of his finest performances. Also appearing is Betty Buckley as Duvall's ex - wife , a Dolly Parton - type country star , and Wilford Brimley as Duvall's former manager.
1030
Ernest Lehman drew upon his experiences as a Broadway press agent to write the devastating a clef short story "Tell Me About Tomorrow." This in turn was adapted by Lehman and Clifford Odets into the sharp-edged penetrating feature film Sweet Smell of Success. Burt Lancaster stars as J. J. Hunsecker a Walter Winchell-style columnist who wields his power like a club steamrolling friends and enemies alike. Tony Curtis co-stars as Sidney Falco a sycophantic press agent who'd sell his grandmother to get an item into Hunsecker's popular newspaper column. Hunsecker enlists Falco's aid in ruining the reputation of jazz guitarist Steve Dallas (Martin Milner) who has had the temerity to court Hunsecker's sister Susan (Susan Harrison). Falco contrives to plant marijuana on Dallas then summons corrupt sadistic NYPD officer Harry Kello (Emile Meyer) who owes Hunsecker several favors to arrest the innocent singer. The real Walter Winchell no longer as powerful as he'd been in the 1940s but still a man to be reckoned with went after Ernest Lehman with both barrels upon the release of Sweet Smell of Success. Winchell was not so much offended by the unflattering portrait of himself as by the dredging up of an unpleasant domestic incident from his past. While Success was not a success at the box office it is now regarded as a model of street-smart cinematic cynicism. The electric performances of the stars are matched by the taut direction of Alex MacKendrick the driving jazz score of Elmer Bernstein and the evocative nocturnal camerawork of James Wong Howe.
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Ernest Lehman drew upon his experiences as a Broadway press agent to write the devastating a clef short story "Tell Me About Tomorrow." This in turn was adapted by Lehman and Clifford Odets into the sharp - edged , penetrating feature film Sweet Smell of Success. Burt Lancaster stars as J. J. Hunsecker , a Walter Winchell - style columnist who wields his power like a club , steamrolling friends and enemies alike. Tony Curtis co - stars as Sidney Falco , a sycophantic press agent who'd sell his grandmother to get an item into Hunsecker's popular newspaper column. Hunsecker enlists Falco's aid in ruining the reputation of jazz guitarist Steve Dallas ( Martin Milner ), who has had the temerity to court Hunsecker's sister Susan ( Susan Harrison ) . Falco contrives to plant marijuana on Dallas , then summons corrupt , sadistic NYPD officer Harry Kello ( Emile Meyer ), who owes Hunsecker several favors , to arrest the innocent singer. The real Walter Winchell , no longer as powerful as he'd been in the 1940s but still a man to be reckoned with , went after Ernest Lehman with both barrels upon the release of Sweet Smell of Success . Winchell was not so much offended by the unflattering portrait of himself as by the dredging up of an unpleasant domestic incident from his past. While Success was not a success at the box office , it is now regarded as a model of street - smart cinematic cynicism. The electric performances of the stars are matched by the taut direction of Alex MacKendrick , the driving jazz score of Elmer Bernstein , and the evocative nocturnal camerawork of James Wong Howe .
1031
Inspired by the Herman Melville novel Billy Budd writer Charles Fuller created the Pulitzer Prize-winning A Soldier's Play which he then adapted into this film drama in 1984 for socially conscious liberal director Norman Jewison. In the racially-divided 1940s Fort Neal Louisiana is a military base where black soldiers are sent not to fight in WWII but to play baseball against other armed forces teams. The murder of a black sergeant Waters (Adolph Caesar) brings an investigator Captain Davenport (Howard E. Rollins Jr.) to the base. Davenport the first black officer that most of the men have ever met suspects that a pair of white men were responsible for Waters' death but his probe reveals that nearly everyone regardless of skin color had ample reason to kill the loathsome but pitiable Waters. The cast of A Soldier's Story features early supporting performances from several African-American actors who would go on to greater prominence including Denzel Washington David Alan Grier and Robert Townsend. The film was nominated for three Oscars: Best Picture Best Supporting Actor (Caesar) and Best Adapted Screenplay.
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Inspired by the Herman Melville novel Billy Budd , writer Charles Fuller created the Pulitzer Prize - winning A Soldier's Play , which he then adapted into this film drama in 1984 , for socially conscious , liberal director Norman Jewison . In the racially - divided 1940s , Fort Neal , Louisiana , is a military base where black soldiers are sent not to fight in WWII but to play baseball against other armed forces teams. The murder of a black sergeant , Waters ( Adolph Caesar ) brings an investigator , Captain Davenport ( Howard E. Rollins , Jr. ) to the base. Davenport , the first black officer that most of the men have ever met , suspects that a pair of white men were responsible for Waters' death , but his probe reveals that nearly everyone , regardless of skin color , had ample reason to kill the loathsome but pitiable Waters. The cast of A Soldier's Story features early supporting performances from several African - American actors who would go on to greater prominence , including Denzel Washington , David Alan Grier , and Robert Townsend . The film was nominated for three Oscars : Best Picture , Best Supporting Actor ( Caesar ) and Best Adapted Screenplay.
1032
While Salvador wasn't Oliver Stone's first film (a pair of offbeat horror stories preceded it) it defined his style of fiercely dramatic politically oriented filmmaking staked out his territory as one of the major directors of the 1980s and 1990s and remains one of his strongest works to date. Veteran photojournalist Richard Boyle (James Woods) has been taking his camera to the world's trouble spots for over 20 years; while he does good work Boyle's fondness for booze and drugs and his colossal arrogance have given him a reputation that's left him practically unemployable. Broke and with no immediate prospects Boyle and his buddy Doctor Rock (Jim Belushi) an out-of-work disc jockey head to El Salvador where Boyle is convinced that he can scare up some lucrative freelance work amidst the nation's political turmoil. However when Boyle and Rock witness the execution of a student by government troops just as they enter the country it becomes clear that this war is more serious than they were expecting. Increasingly convinced that El Salvador is a disaster starting to happen Boyle eventually decides that it's time to get out; but he has fallen in love with a woman named Maria (Elpidia Carrillo) and he doesn't want to leave her behind. James Woods gives one of his best performances as Boyle; and the passion of Stone's message aided by the power of its truth (the film is based on actual events) propels the film forward.
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While Salvador wasn't Oliver Stone 's first film ( a pair of offbeat horror stories preceded it ), it defined his style of fiercely dramatic , politically oriented filmmaking , staked out his territory as one of the major directors of the 1980s and 1990s , and remains one of his strongest works to date. Veteran photojournalist Richard Boyle ( James Woods ) has been taking his camera to the world's trouble spots for over 20 years ; while he does good work , Boyle's fondness for booze and drugs , and his colossal arrogance , have given him a reputation that's left him practically unemployable. Broke and with no immediate prospects , Boyle and his buddy Doctor Rock ( Jim Belushi ), an out - of - work disc jockey , head to El Salvador , where Boyle is convinced that he can scare up some lucrative freelance work amidst the nation's political turmoil. However , when Boyle and Rock witness the execution of a student by government troops just as they enter the country , it becomes clear that this war is more serious than they were expecting. Increasingly convinced that El Salvador is a disaster starting to happen , Boyle eventually decides that it's time to get out ; but he has fallen in love with a woman named Maria ( Elpidia Carrillo ), and he doesn't want to leave her behind. James Woods gives one of his best performances as Boyle ; and the passion of Stone 's message , aided by the power of its truth ( the film is based on actual events ), propels the film forward.
1033
Travis (Harry Dean Stanton) is wandering through the Texas desert a bit shaky and in desperate need of water when he stumbles into a bar and collapses. A German doctor of dubious credentials finds a phone number in Travis' wallet which belongs to his brother Walt (Dean Stockwell). Walt is shocked to hear about his brother's condition since no one in the family has seen or heard from Travis in four years; Walt flies to Texas to bring him home only to find Travis wandering by the side of the road and they begin the long drive back to Los Angeles where Walt lives with his wife Anne (Aurore Clement) and Hunter (Hunter Carson) Travis' seven-year-old son. At first Travis refuses to speak and is oddly distant but in time he begins to talk again and when he arrives in California he begins the painful process of reacquainting himself with his son and trying to reconcile with his wife Jane (Nastassia Kinski).
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Travis ( Harry Dean Stanton ) is wandering through the Texas desert , a bit shaky and in desperate need of water , when he stumbles into a bar and collapses. A German doctor of dubious credentials finds a phone number in Travis' wallet , which belongs to his brother , Walt ( Dean Stockwell ) . Walt is shocked to hear about his brother's condition , since no one in the family has seen or heard from Travis in four years ; Walt flies to Texas to bring him home , only to find Travis wandering by the side of the road , and they begin the long drive back to Los Angeles , where Walt lives with his wife , Anne ( Aurore Clement ), and Hunter ( Hunter Carson ), Travis' seven - year - old son. At first , Travis refuses to speak and is oddly distant , but in time he begins to talk again , and when he arrives in California , he begins the painful process of reacquainting himself with his son and trying to reconcile with his wife , Jane ( Nastassia Kinski ) .
1034
Robert Redford's directorial debut ended up the 1980 Oscar winner for Best Picture. It is a simple but painfully emotional story of the disintegration of a "perfect" family. Teenager Conrad (Timothy Hutton) lives under a cloud of guilt after his brother drowns after their boat capsizes in Lake Michigan. Despite intensive therapy sessions with his psychiatrist (Judd Hirsch) Conrad can't shake the belief that he should have died instead of his brother; nor do his preoccupied parents (Donald Sutherland and Mary Tyler Moore) offer much in the way of solace. The boy is brought out of his doldrums through his romance with Jeannine (Elizabeth McGovern). A winner in every respect Ordinary People (adapted from the novel by Judith Guest) scores highest in the scenes with Mary Tyler Moore who superbly and perceptively portrays a blinkered ever-smiling suburban wife and mother for whom outward appearance is all that matters.
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Robert Redford 's directorial debut ended up the 1980 Oscar winner for Best Picture. It is a simple but painfully emotional story of the disintegration of a "perfect" family. Teenager Conrad ( Timothy Hutton ) lives under a cloud of guilt after his brother drowns after their boat capsizes in Lake Michigan. Despite intensive therapy sessions with his psychiatrist ( Judd Hirsch ), Conrad can't shake the belief that he should have died instead of his brother ; nor do his preoccupied parents ( Donald Sutherland and Mary Tyler Moore ) offer much in the way of solace. The boy is brought out of his doldrums through his romance with Jeannine ( Elizabeth McGovern ) . A winner in every respect , Ordinary People ( adapted from the novel by Judith Guest ) scores highest in the scenes with Mary Tyler Moore , who superbly and perceptively portrays a blinkered , ever - smiling suburban wife and mother for whom outward appearance is all that matters.
1035
One of the most popular kung fu films ever and perhaps the peak of the famed Bruce Lee's career Enter the Dragon achieved success by presenting a series of superbly staged fighting sequences with a minimum of distractions. The story finds Lee as a martial-arts expert determined to help capture the narcotics dealer whose gang was responsible for his sister's death. This evil villain operates from a fortified island manned by a team of crack martial artists who also host a kung fu competition. Lee uses his skills to enter the contest and then tries to chop kick and otherwise fight his way into the dealer's headquarter. The story is of course merely an excuse for showdown after showdown featuring masterly fighting by Lee in a wide variety of martial arts styles. Essential viewing for martial arts fans the film was also embraced by a larger audience thanks to a fast pace and higher-than-usual production values.
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One of the most popular kung fu films ever , and perhaps the peak of the famed Bruce Lee 's career , Enter the Dragon achieved success by presenting a series of superbly staged fighting sequences with a minimum of distractions. The story finds Lee as a martial - arts expert determined to help capture the narcotics dealer whose gang was responsible for his sister's death. This evil villain operates from a fortified island manned by a team of crack martial artists , who also host a kung fu competition. Lee uses his skills to enter the contest and then tries to chop , kick , and otherwise fight his way into the dealer's headquarter. The story is , of course , merely an excuse for showdown after showdown , featuring masterly fighting by Lee in a wide variety of martial arts styles. Essential viewing for martial arts fans , the film was also embraced by a larger audience , thanks to a fast pace and higher - than - usual production values.
1036
Two men who have a great deal in common become friends only to find themselves turned into enemies in this slam-bang action fest from Hong Kong. Tyler (Nicholas Tse) is a man trying to make a career in a rough section of Hong Kong. One night after several drinks too many he hooks up with Ah Jo (Cathy Chui) an off-duty undercover cop who has also had a bit more alcohol than usual. Tyler and Ah Jo spend the night together even though she usually prefers the company of women and Ah Jo soon finds she's pregnant. Ah Jo has no desire to remain involved with Tyler but he wants to do the right thing so he takes a job as a bodyguard for low-level gangster Uncle Ji (Anthony Wong) and sends her his money all the while wishing he could be in Brazil. Meanwhile Jack (Wu Bai) who once lived in Brazil is back in Hong Kong with his very pregnant wife Ah Hui (Candy Lo) the daughter of a triad kingpin targeted by Brazilian gangsters. Uncle Ji is in charge of protecting the triad leader and he makes Tyler one of his right-hand men. Tyler and Jack get to know one another and become close friends but their friendship comes to an end when the Brazilian mob makes Jack an offer he can't refuse putting the two men on opposite sides of a gangland war. Seunlau Ngaklau was directed by Tsui Hark who returned to Hong Kong filmmaking after a brief sojourn in Hollywood.
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Two men who have a great deal in common become friends , only to find themselves turned into enemies in this slam - bang action fest from Hong Kong. Tyler ( Nicholas Tse ) is a man trying to make a career in a rough section of Hong Kong. One night , after several drinks too many , he hooks up with Ah Jo ( Cathy Chui ), an off - duty undercover cop who has also had a bit more alcohol than usual. Tyler and Ah Jo spend the night together , even though she usually prefers the company of women , and Ah Jo soon finds she's pregnant. Ah Jo has no desire to remain involved with Tyler , but he wants to do the right thing , so he takes a job as a bodyguard for low - level gangster Uncle Ji ( Anthony Wong ) and sends her his money , all the while wishing he could be in Brazil. Meanwhile Jack ( Wu Bai ), who once lived in Brazil , is back in Hong Kong with his very pregnant wife Ah Hui ( Candy Lo ), the daughter of a triad kingpin targeted by Brazilian gangsters. Uncle Ji is in charge of protecting the triad leader , and he makes Tyler one of his right - hand men. Tyler and Jack get to know one another and become close friends , but their friendship comes to an end when the Brazilian mob makes Jack an offer he can't refuse , putting the two men on opposite sides of a gangland war. Seunlau Ngaklau was directed by Tsui Hark , who returned to Hong Kong filmmaking after a brief sojourn in Hollywood.
1037
In the third and last in the original Shaft (1971) series of action-packed "blaxploitation" pictures private eye John Shaft (Richard Roundtree) travels to the "motherland" where he breaks up a modern slavery ring. Shaft is hired by a diplomat Emir Ramila (Cy Grant) to infiltrate the criminal empire of the evil Vincent Amafi (Frank Finlay) who is kidnapping poor Africans and shipping them to Europe as slave laborers. Amafi murdered Ramila's son when he attempted to expose the illegal operation and Ramila now aware that his investigation of Amafi has been compromised needs an unfamiliar to face to help bring the ring leader down. After undergoing some training at the hands of a comely tutor so that he'll be able to pass muster as an African Shaft travels to Ethiopia and allows himself to be shanghaied by Amafi's men. However the high-ranking Wassa (Debebe Eshetu) is the traitor in Ramila's ranks and he has betrayed Shaft. As the tough private eye attempts to free the slaves being held captive in a former Nazi prison below a French chateau and bed any beautiful women who crosses his path he must also dodge a series of assassination attempts by Ramila's men.
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In the third and last in the original Shaft ( 1971 ) series of action - packed "blaxploitation" pictures , private eye John Shaft ( Richard Roundtree ) travels to the "motherland , " where he breaks up a modern slavery ring. Shaft is hired by a diplomat , Emir Ramila ( Cy Grant ), to infiltrate the criminal empire of the evil Vincent Amafi ( Frank Finlay ), who is kidnapping poor Africans and shipping them to Europe as slave laborers. Amafi murdered Ramila's son when he attempted to expose the illegal operation , and Ramila , now aware that his investigation of Amafi has been compromised , needs an unfamiliar to face to help bring the ring leader down. After undergoing some training at the hands of a comely tutor so that he'll be able to pass muster as an African , Shaft travels to Ethiopia and allows himself to be shanghaied by Amafi's men. However , the high - ranking Wassa ( Debebe Eshetu ) is the traitor in Ramila's ranks , and he has betrayed Shaft. As the tough private eye attempts to free the slaves being held captive in a former Nazi prison below a French chateau and bed any beautiful women who crosses his path , he must also dodge a series of assassination attempts by Ramila's men.
1038
"Another basement another elevator...how can the same thing happen to the same guy twice?" asks John McClane (Bruce Willis) in what is doubtless the key question of this film. A year after foiling the terrorist takeover of a high-rise office building in the first movie McClane is waiting to pick up his wife Holly (Bonnie Bedelia) at Dulles International Airport just outside Washington D.C. on Christmas Eve. Scheduled to arrive the same evening is Ramon Esperanza (Franco Nero) a South American political figure who is being brought to the United States to stand trial for his role in a drug-smuggling ring. However a group of terrorists led by renegade American military officer Col. Stuart (William Sadler) take control of the airport scuttling radio transmissions and placing their own men in the control tower. Stuart and his men ensure that Esperanza's plane lands safely and then demand that Stuart and his men be given a fully-fueled 747 and free passage wherever they choose to go. Otherwise they will guide the many circling jets waiting for landing instructions into definite crash landings killing the many passengers on board. Not willing to stand aside as terrorists once again threaten his wife's life the wise-cracking McClane once again leaps into action to foil Stuart's plans and bring the passenger jets safely to the ground. William Atherton John Amos Dennis Franz and John Leguizamo highlight the supporting cast.
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"Another basement , another elevator...how can the same thing happen to the same guy twice?" asks John McClane ( Bruce Willis ), in what is doubtless the key question of this film. A year after foiling the terrorist takeover of a high - rise office building in the first movie , McClane is waiting to pick up his wife , Holly ( Bonnie Bedelia ), at Dulles International Airport just outside Washington , D.C. , on Christmas Eve. Scheduled to arrive the same evening is Ramon Esperanza ( Franco Nero ), a South American political figure who is being brought to the United States to stand trial for his role in a drug - smuggling ring. However , a group of terrorists , led by renegade American military officer Col. Stuart ( William Sadler ), take control of the airport , scuttling radio transmissions and placing their own men in the control tower. Stuart and his men ensure that Esperanza's plane lands safely , and then demand that Stuart and his men be given a fully - fueled 747 and free passage wherever they choose to go. Otherwise , they will guide the many circling jets waiting for landing instructions into definite crash landings , killing the many passengers on board. Not willing to stand aside as terrorists once again threaten his wife's life , the wise - cracking McClane once again leaps into action to foil Stuart's plans and bring the passenger jets safely to the ground. William Atherton , John Amos , Dennis Franz , and John Leguizamo highlight the supporting cast.
1039
Richard Sarafian directed this minimalist chase film starring Barry Newman as ex-marine ex-race car driver and cop named Kowalski. He drives into Denver to deliver a car and pick up another vehicle to drive to San Francisco. To make the fifteen-hour drive to San Francisco bearable he pops a load of pep pills and drives off. Almost immediately he is told to pull over by the police but Kowalski refuses to stop. Ignoring the cops a police chase ensues. Egging Kowalski on is a blind black disc jockey Super Soul (Cleavon Little) who announces his comings and goings on his local radio show praising Kowalski to the skies as "the last American to whom speed means freedom of the soul." Super Soul's hype makes Kowalski a media sensation and Kowalski fans mount up -- as do the police cars chasing him -- as he races against time to deliver both the car and himself to his San Francisco destination.
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Richard Sarafian directed this minimalist chase film , starring Barry Newman as ex - marine , ex - race car driver and cop named Kowalski. He drives into Denver to deliver a car and pick up another vehicle to drive to San Francisco. To make the fifteen - hour drive to San Francisco bearable he pops a load of pep pills and drives off. Almost immediately , he is told to pull over by the police , but Kowalski refuses to stop. Ignoring the cops , a police chase ensues. Egging Kowalski on is a blind black disc jockey , Super Soul ( Cleavon Little ), who announces his comings and goings on his local radio show , praising Kowalski to the skies as "the last American to whom speed means freedom of the soul." Super Soul's hype makes Kowalski a media sensation and Kowalski fans mount up -- as do the police cars chasing him -- as he races against time to deliver both the car and himself to his San Francisco destination.
1040
A skyscraper and an all-star cast go up in flames in Irwin Allen's classic disaster movie. To celebrate the construction of the Glass Tower the world's tallest building architect Doug Roberts (Paul Newman) and builder James Duncan (William Holden) hold a gala bash on the highest floors. Trouble is Duncan's son-in-law and electrical subcontractor Roger Simmons (Richard Chamberlain) installed faulty wiring throughout the 138-story behemoth to save money. While the guests -- including Doug's lady friend (Faye Dunaway) a rich widow (Jennifer Jones) a con man (Fred Astaire) and a politico (Robert Vaughn) -- enjoy the party and a security guard (O.J. Simpson) wonders why his equipment is on the fritz a burnt-out circuit breaker ignites some garbage on the 85th floor swiftly turning the high-rise into well a towering inferno. With the guests trapped on the 135th floor it's up to Roberts and Fire Chief O'Hallorhan (Steve McQueen) to find a way to stop the blaze. Though not the first all-star '70s disaster movie (1970's Airport and 1972's The Poseidon Adventure preceded it) The Towering Inferno was the most popular and the most spectacular. In a move that would become more common in late-'90s blockbuster Hollywood The Towering Inferno's mammoth production was mounted by two studios; screenwriter Stirling Silliphant combined the two novels owned by the studios into one saga. 1970s "shake 'n bake" maestro Allen with co-director John Guillermin (Allen did the action sequences) tapped into deep fears about the fragility of modern life in the face of extreme natural phenomena as well as into the envies and insecurities of middle-aged professional men. The Towering Inferno packed theaters and earned eight Oscar nominations including Best Picture; it won for Cinematography Editing and Song. While its heroic no-nonsense men provided some traditional comfort The Towering Inferno still might provoke second thoughts about going into a skyscraper.
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A skyscraper and an all - star cast go up in flames in Irwin Allen 's classic disaster movie. To celebrate the construction of the Glass Tower , the world's tallest building , architect Doug Roberts ( Paul Newman ) and builder James Duncan ( William Holden ) hold a gala bash on the highest floors. Trouble is , Duncan's son - in - law and electrical subcontractor Roger Simmons ( Richard Chamberlain ) installed faulty wiring throughout the 138 - story behemoth to save money. While the guests -- including Doug's lady friend ( Faye Dunaway ), a rich widow ( Jennifer Jones ), a con man ( Fred Astaire ), and a politico ( Robert Vaughn ) -- enjoy the party , and a security guard ( O.J. Simpson ) wonders why his equipment is on the fritz , a burnt - out circuit breaker ignites some garbage on the 85th floor , swiftly turning the high - rise into , well , a towering inferno. With the guests trapped on the 135th floor , it's up to Roberts and Fire Chief O'Hallorhan ( Steve McQueen ) to find a way to stop the blaze. Though not the first all - star '70s disaster movie ( 1970's Airport and 1972's The Poseidon Adventure preceded it ), The Towering Inferno was the most popular and the most spectacular. In a move that would become more common in late - '90s blockbuster Hollywood , The Towering Inferno 's mammoth production was mounted by two studios ; screenwriter Stirling Silliphant combined the two novels owned by the studios into one saga. 1970s "shake 'n bake" maestro Allen , with co - director John Guillermin ( Allen did the action sequences ), tapped into deep fears about the fragility of modern life in the face of extreme natural phenomena , as well as into the envies and insecurities of middle - aged professional men. The Towering Inferno packed theaters and earned eight Oscar nominations , including Best Picture ; it won for Cinematography , Editing , and Song. While its heroic , no - nonsense men provided some traditional comfort , The Towering Inferno still might provoke second thoughts about going into a skyscraper.
1041
This is the hurriedly produced sequel to Gordon Parks' trend-setting hit Shaft. Richard Roundtree is on hand once again portraying "the cat who's a bad mutha." In this installment Shaft investigates the murder of a well-respected Harlem figure and funeral-home director Cal Asby (Robert Kya-Hill) who is blown to smithereens after stashing money in a coffin. Cal's funeral is attended by Bumpy Jonas (Moses Gunn) the local Harlem boss. Since Bumpy is attending Cal's funeral Shaft suspects some dirty dealings between Bumpy and Cal's business partner Kelly (Wally Taylor). After the funeral Shaft returns home to find that his place has been ransacked. Kelly arrives to inform him that he is taking over Cal's funeral-home business. When Kelly leaves Captain Bollin (Julius Harris) makes an appearance and takes Shaft downtown for questioning about Cal's murder. Bollin reveals that Cal and Kelly were in cahoots -- running a numbers racket and involved with Gus Mascola (Joseph Mascolo) another local gangster. Bollin agrees to let Shaft go on the provision that he will inform him of any leads. Now Shaft must track down the real killer to get his Harlem neighbors off the hook.
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This is the hurriedly produced sequel to Gordon Parks ' trend - setting hit Shaft . Richard Roundtree is on hand once again , portraying "the cat who's a bad mutha." In this installment , Shaft investigates the murder of a well - respected Harlem figure and funeral - home director , Cal Asby ( Robert Kya - Hill ), who is blown to smithereens after stashing money in a coffin. Cal's funeral is attended by Bumpy Jonas ( Moses Gunn ), the local Harlem boss. Since Bumpy is attending Cal's funeral , Shaft suspects some dirty dealings between Bumpy and Cal's business partner Kelly ( Wally Taylor ) . After the funeral , Shaft returns home to find that his place has been ransacked. Kelly arrives to inform him that he is taking over Cal's funeral - home business. When Kelly leaves , Captain Bollin ( Julius Harris ) makes an appearance and takes Shaft downtown for questioning about Cal's murder. Bollin reveals that Cal and Kelly were in cahoots -- running a numbers racket and involved with Gus Mascola ( Joseph Mascolo ), another local gangster. Bollin agrees to let Shaft go on the provision that he will inform him of any leads. Now Shaft must track down the real killer to get his Harlem neighbors off the hook.
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Russian director Andrei Konchalovsky's second American film may well be the only existential adventure flick in Hollywood history. Two prisoners Manny (Jon Voight) and Buck (Eric Roberts) escape from a desolate Alaskan maximum-security facility. They hop aboard a speeding train making a clean escape. But the engineer has suffered a heart attack and the train goes out of control. To prevent a disastrous head-on collision the railroad heads decide to derail the runaway train killing its occupants to save the lives of hundreds of others. Once Manny catches on to what's happening he tries to jump off the train only to be talked out of such a foolhardy act by railroad employee Sara (Rebecca DeMornay). As doom approaches Manny apparently goes mad viciously preventing any attempts to stop the train or rescue its passengers: if he's to die and if the others are to be saved it will be on his terms or no terms. Runaway Train was slated as a project for Akira Kurosawa in 1970 but for various creative and scheduling reasons it remained on the back burner for 15 years.
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Russian director Andrei Konchalovsky 's second American film may well be the only existential adventure flick in Hollywood history. Two prisoners , Manny ( Jon Voight ) and Buck ( Eric Roberts ), escape from a desolate Alaskan maximum - security facility. They hop aboard a speeding train , making a clean escape. But the engineer has suffered a heart attack , and the train goes out of control. To prevent a disastrous head - on collision , the railroad heads decide to derail the runaway train , killing its occupants to save the lives of hundreds of others. Once Manny catches on to what's happening , he tries to jump off the train , only to be talked out of such a foolhardy act by railroad employee Sara ( Rebecca DeMornay ) . As doom approaches , Manny apparently goes mad , viciously preventing any attempts to stop the train or rescue its passengers : if he's to die , and if the others are to be saved , it will be on his terms , or no terms. Runaway Train was slated as a project for Akira Kurosawa in 1970 , but for various creative and scheduling reasons , it remained on the back burner for 15 years.
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The Poseidon an ocean liner larger than the Queens Elizabeth and Mary combined is charting its course on New Year's Eve. Just after midnight Captain Harrison (Leslie Nielsen) spots the mother of all tidal waves. It is the last thing that Harrison and practically everyone else onboard sees before drowning -- the Poseidon is turned upside down with only a handful of survivors. The ten lucky ones -- including Mike Rogo (Ernest Borgnine) Linda Rogo (Stella Stevens) Acres (Roddy McDowall) Belle Rosen (Shelley Winters) and Manny Rosen (Jack Albertson) -- led by no-nonsense minister Frank Scott (Gene Hackman) desperately attempt to climb from the top of the ship (now submerged) to the bottom (now "the top"). The film's theme song "The Morning After" sung by Maureen McGovern earned an Oscar. In addition The Poseidon Adventure received the Special Achievement Award for Special Effects; L.B. Abbott and A.D. Flowers were the recipients. A sequel Beyond the Poseidon Adventure came out in 1979.
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The Poseidon , an ocean liner larger than the Queens Elizabeth and Mary combined , is charting its course on New Year's Eve. Just after midnight , Captain Harrison ( Leslie Nielsen ) spots the mother of all tidal waves. It is the last thing that Harrison and practically everyone else onboard sees before drowning -- the Poseidon is turned upside down , with only a handful of survivors. The ten lucky ones -- including Mike Rogo ( Ernest Borgnine ), Linda Rogo ( Stella Stevens ), Acres ( Roddy McDowall ), Belle Rosen ( Shelley Winters ), and Manny Rosen ( Jack Albertson ) -- led by no - nonsense minister Frank Scott ( Gene Hackman ), desperately attempt to climb from the top of the ship ( now submerged ) to the bottom ( now "the top" ) . The film's theme song , "The Morning After , " sung by Maureen McGovern , earned an Oscar. In addition , The Poseidon Adventure received the Special Achievement Award for Special Effects ; L.B. Abbott and A.D. Flowers were the recipients. A sequel , Beyond the Poseidon Adventure , came out in 1979.
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One of the most popular superhero teams in comic book history finally comes to the screen in this big-budget adaptation of the long-running Marvel Comics series. Psychic Professor Xavier (Patrick Stewart) leads a school of skilled mutants called X-Men a peacekeeping force to safeguard the world against a race of genetically mutated humans known as Homo Sapiens Superior. However Magneto (Ian McKellen) a mutant with a powerful magnetic charge has also begun to organize a team to strike first against what he believes to be a threat from humanity. When he kidnaps Rogue (Anna Paquin) from the X-Men's compound Xavier and his forces must rescue her even as they continue to vie with Magneto for the fearsomely strong mutant battler Wolverine (Hugh Jackman). Both Xavier and Magneto also have to contend with Senator Kelly (Bruce Davison) a heartless political leader who wants a final solution against mutants on both sides. Fighting for the forces of virtue with the X-Men are Famke Janssen as Jean Grey Halle Berry as Storm and James Marsden as Cyclops; Rebecca Romjin-Stamos as Mystique Ray Park as the Toad and Tyler Mane as Sabretooth are the minions of Magneto.
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One of the most popular superhero teams in comic book history finally comes to the screen in this big - budget adaptation of the long - running Marvel Comics series. Psychic Professor Xavier ( Patrick Stewart ) leads a school of skilled mutants called X - Men , a peacekeeping force to safeguard the world against a race of genetically mutated humans known as Homo Sapiens Superior. However , Magneto ( Ian McKellen ), a mutant with a powerful magnetic charge , has also begun to organize a team to strike first against what he believes to be a threat from humanity. When he kidnaps Rogue ( Anna Paquin ) from the X - Men's compound , Xavier and his forces must rescue her , even as they continue to vie with Magneto for the fearsomely strong mutant battler Wolverine ( Hugh Jackman ) . Both Xavier and Magneto also have to contend with Senator Kelly ( Bruce Davison ), a heartless political leader who wants a final solution against mutants on both sides. Fighting for the forces of virtue with the X - Men are Famke Janssen as Jean Grey , Halle Berry as Storm , and James Marsden as Cyclops ; Rebecca Romjin - Stamos as Mystique , Ray Park as the Toad , and Tyler Mane as Sabretooth are the minions of Magneto.
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Jackie Chan has often played a fish out of water but he's rarely found himself so far upstream as in this comic adventure in which he puts his fighting skills to the test in the Old West of the 1850s. Lo Fong (Roger Yuan) onetime captain of the Chinese Imperial Guard has traded upholding the law for smuggling opium. Needing some operating capital Lo Fong kidnaps the Emperor's daughter Princess Pei Pei (Lucy Liu) and takes her to America. When the Emperor sends his best men to find her Chon Wang (Chan) one of the Emperor's less distinguished guards insists on joining them; he feels at fault for Lo Fong's capturing the Princess and he wants to make amends. However while the rescue party scours the West Chon Wang gets separated from the group and soon becomes lost. When he crosses paths with Roy O'Bannon (Owen Wilson) a bright but arrogant train robber the two become unlikely allies. While Shanghai Noon was billed as Jackie Chan's follow-up to Rush Hour his first successful American-made feature it was actually filmed in Canada as was Chan's breakthrough film in America the Hong Kong-backed Rumble in the Bronx.
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Jackie Chan has often played a fish out of water , but he's rarely found himself so far upstream as in this comic adventure , in which he puts his fighting skills to the test in the Old West of the 1850s. Lo Fong ( Roger Yuan ), onetime captain of the Chinese Imperial Guard , has traded upholding the law for smuggling opium. Needing some operating capital , Lo Fong kidnaps the Emperor's daughter , Princess Pei Pei ( Lucy Liu ), and takes her to America. When the Emperor sends his best men to find her , Chon Wang ( Chan ), one of the Emperor's less distinguished guards , insists on joining them ; he feels at fault for Lo Fong's capturing the Princess , and he wants to make amends. However , while the rescue party scours the West , Chon Wang gets separated from the group and soon becomes lost. When he crosses paths with Roy O'Bannon ( Owen Wilson ), a bright but arrogant train robber , the two become unlikely allies. While Shanghai Noon was billed as Jackie Chan 's follow - up to Rush Hour , his first successful American - made feature , it was actually filmed in Canada , as was Chan's breakthrough film in America , the Hong Kong - backed Rumble in the Bronx .
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rett Ratner directed this action-comedy that found box-office success by teaming Chris Tucker with Jackie Chan -- performing his own stunts as per his earlier films. As the story begins Hong-Kong supercop Lee's (Chan) detective savvy leads to the confiscation of $500 million in weapons drugs and Chinese art. When Hong Kong Chinese Consul Han (Tzi Ma) is sent on a diplomatic mission to Los Angeles his 11-year-old daughter Soo Young (Julia Hsu) is abducted by an international criminal mastermind. The FBI assures Han they will find the kidnappers and return her safely yet Han only trusts his longtime friend and ally (also his daughter's beloved martial arts teacher) Inspector Lee who immediately flies in to help. Unwilling to have an outsider interfere in their investigation the FBI assigns rogue LAPD detective (and buffoon) James Carter (Chris Tucker) to the case. Hoping to impress the FBI Carter enthusiastically reports for work but is dismayed to discover his real mission is only to keep Lee away from the case (read b-a-b-y-s-i-t-t-e-r). The arrogant Carter reacts by embarking on a one-man crusade to solve the case but he must first distract Lee. It doesn't take Carter long before he realizes he has greatly underestimated his Hong Kong counterpart who sees what's going on and slips away. Impatient FBI agents try to cast off these unwanted misfit cops but with an assist from LAPD bomb expert Tania Johnson (Elizabeth Pena) Carter and Lee eventually confront the bad guys in a full-tilt action sequence.
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Brett Ratner directed this action - comedy that found box - office success by teaming Chris Tucker with Jackie Chan -- performing his own stunts as per his earlier films. As the story begins , Hong - Kong supercop Lee's ( Chan ), detective savvy leads to the confiscation of $500 million in weapons , drugs , and Chinese art. When Hong Kong Chinese Consul Han ( Tzi Ma ), is sent on a diplomatic mission to Los Angeles , his 11 - year - old daughter , Soo Young ( Julia Hsu ), is abducted by an international criminal mastermind. The FBI assures Han they will find the kidnappers and return her safely , yet Han only trusts his longtime friend and ally ( also his daughter's beloved martial arts teacher ) Inspector Lee , who immediately flies in to help. Unwilling to have an outsider interfere in their investigation , the FBI assigns rogue LAPD detective ( and buffoon ) James Carter ( Chris Tucker ) to the case. Hoping to impress the FBI , Carter enthusiastically reports for work but is dismayed to discover his real mission is only to keep Lee away from the case ( read b - a - b - y - s - i - t - t - e - r ) . The arrogant Carter reacts by embarking on a one - man crusade to solve the case , but he must first distract Lee. It doesn't take Carter long before he realizes he has greatly underestimated his Hong Kong counterpart , who sees what's going on and slips away. Impatient FBI agents try to cast off these unwanted misfit cops , but with an assist from LAPD bomb expert Tania Johnson ( Elizabeth Pena ), Carter and Lee eventually confront the bad guys in a full - tilt action sequence.
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John Frankenheimer directed this $20 million international action thriller from a screenplay by Richard Weisz (pseudonym for David Mamet) and J.D. Zeik. In Paris Irish organizer Deidre (Natascha McElhone) assembles a team to grab a mysterious briefcase from criminals. They are never told who hired them or the true identity of their targets. The hired specialists: Former CIA officer Sam (Robert De Niro) former Euro intelligence agent Vincent (Jean Reno) German electronics expert Gregor (Stellan Skarsgard) driver Larry (Skip Sudduth) and British weapons wrangler Spence (Sean Bean). After a Seine shootout the action moves to the South of France with a recon mission in Cannes and a chase that brings everyone to Nice. Inevitable betrayals ensue along with more pursuits.
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John Frankenheimer directed this $20 million international action thriller from a screenplay by Richard Weisz ( pseudonym for David Mamet ) and J.D. Zeik . In Paris , Irish organizer Deidre ( Natascha McElhone ) assembles a team to grab a mysterious briefcase from criminals. They are never told who hired them or the true identity of their targets. The hired specialists : Former CIA officer Sam ( Robert De Niro ), former Euro intelligence agent Vincent ( Jean Reno ), German electronics expert Gregor ( Stellan Skarsgard ), driver Larry ( Skip Sudduth ), and British weapons wrangler Spence ( Sean Bean ) . After a Seine shootout , the action moves to the South of France , with a recon mission in Cannes , and a chase that brings everyone to Nice. Inevitable betrayals ensue , along with more pursuits.
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Director Martin Campbell well-known to the action arena after 1995's GoldenEye teams up with executive producer Steven Spielberg to bring the first Hollywood production of creator Johnston McCulley's Zorro in over four decades to the big screen. With scenic 18th century Mexico as a backdrop Anthony Hopkins plays the original Zorro a.k.a. Don Diego de la Vega intent on revenge after rival enemy Don Raphael Montero (Stuart Wilson) murdered his wife and took his daughter Elena. After being imprisoned for 20 years the fabled hero removes his mask and takes on a tarnished young apprentice Alejandro Murieta (Antonio Banderas) to infiltrate Montero's plan to take control of California from Santa Anna. A boisterous outlaw with his own desire for revenge Murieta works with Diego to avenge his brother's death by the sword of Montero's right-hand man Captain Harrison Love (Matt Letscher in his big screen debut). After Diego's extensive training in swordfighting discipline and manners a new Zorro appears wreaking vengeance and stealing the heart of a now-grown Elena (Catherine Zeta-Jones). A sizable summer hit the film served as Zeta-Jones' stepping stone to leading lady status as the high-spirited heroine.
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Director Martin Campbell , well - known to the action arena after 1995's GoldenEye , teams up with executive producer Steven Spielberg to bring the first Hollywood production of creator Johnston McCulley's Zorro in over four decades to the big screen. With scenic 18th century Mexico as a backdrop , Anthony Hopkins plays the original Zorro , a.k.a. Don Diego de la Vega , intent on revenge after rival enemy Don Raphael Montero ( Stuart Wilson ) murdered his wife and took his daughter , Elena. After being imprisoned for 20 years , the fabled hero removes his mask and takes on a tarnished young apprentice , Alejandro Murieta ( Antonio Banderas ), to infiltrate Montero's plan to take control of California from Santa Anna. A boisterous outlaw with his own desire for revenge , Murieta works with Diego to avenge his brother's death by the sword of Montero's right - hand man , Captain Harrison Love ( Matt Letscher , in his big screen debut ) . After Diego's extensive training in swordfighting , discipline and manners , a new Zorro appears wreaking vengeance and stealing the heart of a now - grown Elena ( Catherine Zeta - Jones ) . A sizable summer hit , the film served as Zeta - Jones' stepping stone to leading lady status as the high - spirited heroine.
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Andrew Davis directed this exciting thriller starring Steven Seagal sans ponytail and featuring electric over-the-top performances by Gary Busey and Tommy Lee Jones. This action saga takes place on the battleship USS Missouri about to be decommissioned from service after a visit from George Bush. When Bush departs the vessel a band of terrorists overcome the remaining skeleton crew and take over the ship under the ruse of holding a surprise birthday party for the ship's commander Captain Adams (Patrick O'Neal). The band is led by Strannix (Jones) a disgruntled ex-CIA operative and his right-hand man the psychotic Krill (Busey). The terrorists plan to steal the ship's store of nuclear warheads transfer them to a stolen North Korean submarine and sell them to a Middle Eastern country. Unfortunately for Strannix he has overlooked the ship's cook Casey Ryback (Seagal). Ryback is a much-honored Navy SEAL who because of a minor scandal is quietly completing his twenty-year tour in the galley of the Missouri. Forced into action Ryback along with the woman who jumped out of Captain Adams' birthday cake (Erika Eleniak) knocks off the bad guys one-by-one while crawling inside the bowels of the ship.
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Andrew Davis directed this exciting thriller starring Steven Seagal , sans ponytail , and featuring electric , over - the - top performances by Gary Busey and Tommy Lee Jones . This action saga takes place on the battleship USS Missouri , about to be decommissioned from service after a visit from George Bush. When Bush departs the vessel , a band of terrorists overcome the remaining skeleton crew and take over the ship , under the ruse of holding a surprise birthday party for the ship's commander , Captain Adams ( Patrick O'Neal ) . The band is led by Strannix ( Jones ), a disgruntled ex - CIA operative , and his right - hand man , the psychotic Krill ( Busey ) . The terrorists plan to steal the ship's store of nuclear warheads , transfer them to a stolen North Korean submarine , and sell them to a Middle Eastern country. Unfortunately for Strannix , he has overlooked the ship's cook , Casey Ryback ( Seagal ) . Ryback is a much - honored Navy SEAL who , because of a minor scandal , is quietly completing his twenty - year tour in the galley of the Missouri. Forced into action , Ryback , along with the woman who jumped out of Captain Adams' birthday cake ( Erika Eleniak ), knocks off the bad guys one - by - one while crawling inside the bowels of the ship.
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Produced directed written scored by and starring Melvin Van Peebles this landmark "blaxploitation" film was as controversial as it was popular for its then X-rated story of one African-American man's triumph over the Man. After beating a couple of white cops he witnessed brutalizing a local black revolutionary sex show performer Sweetback (Van Peebles) has to go on the run. As he flees through decrepit South Central Los Angeles Sweetback demonstrates his formidable potency through sex as well as violence evading the police manhunt by any means necessary. As Sweetback runs off into the sunset however Van Peebles warns that the story like the 1960s racial strife isn't over.
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Produced , directed , written , scored by , and starring Melvin Van Peebles , this landmark "blaxploitation" film was as controversial as it was popular for its then X - rated story of one African - American man's triumph over the Man. After beating a couple of white cops he witnessed brutalizing a local black revolutionary , sex show performer Sweetback ( Van Peebles ) has to go on the run. As he flees through decrepit South Central Los Angeles , Sweetback demonstrates his formidable potency through sex as well as violence , evading the police manhunt by any means necessary. As Sweetback runs off into the sunset , however , Van Peebles warns that the story , like the 1960s racial strife , isn't over.
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Dutch (Arnold Schwarzenegger) has a code of honor which he will not violate even when his life depends on it. Paradoxically his code of honor gives him the backbone to survive as a military special forces operative when he is sent on a covert mission to rescue another group which was sent in to assist some nefarious U.S. government plan in a Latin American country. Once there he encounters an old army buddy (Carl Weathers) who has gotten too deep in the CIA's good graces for Dutch's comfort. When he and his team go into the jungle to rescue the others they get involved in a pitched battle with local guerillas but they are more than capable of besting these vicious fighters. However not long after that they encounter signs that the equally capable men they were sent to rescue were all killed unawares and in an unusually gruesome fashion. Given their training it should have been impossible for anyone to best all of these commando warriors. Soon the men from Dutch's own team get picked off one by one as they grow aware that they are up against something uncanny not of this world something that is hunting them for sport. Why? Because their skills make them worthy opponents for the perfectly camouflaged Predator. This carefully paced action movie was given poor reviews by many movie critics but was sufficiently satisfying for its (largely male) audiences that a successful sequel (Predator 2) was released in 1990.
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Dutch ( Arnold Schwarzenegger ) has a code of honor which he will not violate , even when his life depends on it. Paradoxically , his code of honor gives him the backbone to survive as a military special forces operative when he is sent on a covert mission to rescue another group which was sent in to assist some nefarious U.S. government plan in a Latin American country. Once there , he encounters an old army buddy ( Carl Weathers ) who has gotten too deep in the CIA's good graces for Dutch's comfort. When he and his team go into the jungle to rescue the others , they get involved in a pitched battle with local guerillas , but they are more than capable of besting these vicious fighters. However , not long after that , they encounter signs that the equally capable men they were sent to rescue were all killed unawares and in an unusually gruesome fashion. Given their training , it should have been impossible for anyone to best all of these commando warriors. Soon , the men from Dutch's own team get picked off one by one , as they grow aware that they are up against something uncanny , not of this world , something that is hunting them for sport. Why? Because their skills make them worthy opponents for the perfectly camouflaged Predator . This carefully paced action movie was given poor reviews by many movie critics , but was sufficiently satisfying for its ( largely male ) audiences that a successful sequel ( Predator 2 ) was released in 1990.
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Following his successful foray into swashbuckler comedy with The Three Musketeers and The Four Musketeers director Richard Lester made what has proved to be one of the few quality films from the disaster craze that dominated filmmaking in the mid-'70s. Juggernaut is the pseudonym of a madman (Freddie Jones) who plants several steel drums aboard a luxury liner and calls the company's officials once the boat has put out to sea demanding a large sum of money in exchange for instructions on how to defuse bombs inside the drums. Anthony Hopkins plays one of the company officials whose wife and children are aboard the ship Omar Sharif is the ship's captain Shirley Knight is a passenger who is also his mistress and Richard Harris and David Hemmings are two members of the bomb disposal team which is helicoptered onto the ship to defuse the explosives. As in many of Lester's best works humor pops up in unexpected places; particularly memorable are Harris as the weary but wisecracking top dog among the explosives experts and Lester regular Roy Kinnear as a bumbling entertainment director desperately trying to distract the apprehensive passengers.
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Following his successful foray into swashbuckler comedy with The Three Musketeers and The Four Musketeers , director Richard Lester made what has proved to be one of the few quality films from the disaster craze that dominated filmmaking in the mid - '70s. Juggernaut is the pseudonym of a madman ( Freddie Jones ) who plants several steel drums aboard a luxury liner and calls the company's officials once the boat has put out to sea , demanding a large sum of money in exchange for instructions on how to defuse bombs inside the drums. Anthony Hopkins plays one of the company officials whose wife and children are aboard the ship , Omar Sharif is the ship's captain , Shirley Knight is a passenger who is also his mistress , and Richard Harris and David Hemmings are two members of the bomb disposal team , which is helicoptered onto the ship to defuse the explosives. As in many of Lester 's best works , humor pops up in unexpected places ; particularly memorable are Harris as the weary but wisecracking top dog among the explosives experts and Lester regular Roy Kinnear as a bumbling entertainment director desperately trying to distract the apprehensive passengers.
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A magazine article about real-life car racing gangs for Vibe becomes this fast-paced automotive thriller from director Rob Cohen. Paul Walker stars as Brian O'Conner a youthful FBI agent investigating a series of hijackings by going undercover with a street gang led by charismatic Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel). Caught up in Toretto's world of gang conflict that is resolved in late-night car races Spindler starts to sympathize with his chief suspect and falls in love with Toretto's younger sister Mia (Jordana Brewster). In the meantime Spindler initially suspects the wrong gang of complicity in the crimes he's probing while Toretto remains involved in a forbidden romance à la Romeo and Juliet with his girlfriend Letty (Michelle Rodriguez). The Fast and the Furious co-stars Ted Levine Rick Yune and Matt Schulze.
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A magazine article about real - life car racing gangs for Vibe becomes this fast - paced automotive thriller from director Rob Cohen . Paul Walker stars as Brian O'Conner , a youthful FBI agent investigating a series of hijackings by going undercover with a street gang led by charismatic Dominic Toretto ( Vin Diesel ) . Caught up in Toretto's world of gang conflict that is resolved in late - night car races , Spindler starts to sympathize with his chief suspect and falls in love with Toretto's younger sister Mia ( Jordana Brewster ) . In the meantime , Spindler initially suspects the wrong gang of complicity in the crimes he's probing , while Toretto remains involved in a forbidden romance , à la Romeo and Juliet , with his girlfriend Letty ( Michelle Rodriguez ) . The Fast and the Furious co - stars Ted Levine , Rick Yune , and Matt Schulze .
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This crowd-pleasing medieval adventure tale is very loosely inspired by Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales and mixes the anachronistic elements of modern-day rock music and colloquialisms with a period setting and characters. Heath Ledger stars as William Thatcher a low-born 14th century squire who in a fit of inspired spontaneity replaces his deceased employer as the competitor at a jousting competition. Jousting is a pastime only permitted to knights who are of noble birth but Thatcher wins and decides to continue his new pursuits. With the help of his two fellow squire friends Wat and Roland (Alan Tudyk and Mark Addy) and none other than the gambling-addicted Geoffrey Chaucer (Paul Bettany) Thatcher has soon adopted a false identity and is winning one joust after another on his way to a championship in London. His victories inspire the affection of a female fan Jocelyn (Shannyn Sossamon) and the ire of a competitor Count Adehmar (Rufus Sewell) but Thatcher's ruse is threatened with exposure. A Knight's Tale is the sophomore directorial effort of acclaimed screenwriter Brian Helgeland who won an Oscar for his work on L.A. Confidential (1997) and debuted behind the camera with the troubled production of Payback (1999).
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This crowd - pleasing medieval adventure tale is very loosely inspired by Geoffrey Chaucer 's The Canterbury Tales and mixes the anachronistic elements of modern - day rock music and colloquialisms with a period setting and characters. Heath Ledger stars as William Thatcher , a low - born 14th century squire who , in a fit of inspired spontaneity , replaces his deceased employer as the competitor at a jousting competition. Jousting is a pastime only permitted to knights , who are of noble birth , but Thatcher wins and decides to continue his new pursuits. With the help of his two fellow squire friends Wat and Roland ( Alan Tudyk and Mark Addy ) and none other than the gambling - addicted Geoffrey Chaucer ( Paul Bettany ), Thatcher has soon adopted a false identity and is winning one joust after another on his way to a championship in London. His victories inspire the affection of a female fan , Jocelyn ( Shannyn Sossamon ), and the ire of a competitor , Count Adehmar ( Rufus Sewell ), but Thatcher's ruse is threatened with exposure. A Knight's Tale is the sophomore directorial effort of acclaimed screenwriter Brian Helgeland , who won an Oscar for his work on L.A. Confidential ( 1997 ) and debuted behind the camera with the troubled production of Payback ( 1999 ) .
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They're beautiful they're brilliant and they can kick your butt -- the most glamorous private eyes in the world are back in action in this big-screen adaptation of the popular '70s television series. Natalie (Cameron Diaz) is the smart but silly one Dylan (Drew Barrymore) is the tough but fun-loving one and Alex (Lucy Liu) is the classy but hard-as-nails one and they work for a man named Charlie (voice of John Forsythe) who never meets his employees face to face. Along with their helper Bosley (Bill Murray) the Angels are sent into action when electronics genius Eric Knox (Sam Rockwell) is kidnapped with the nefarious Roger Corwin (Tim Curry) as the prime suspect. But they soon learn even bigger danger is afoot -- the kidnappers have gotten their hands on Knox's latest invention a system that can monitor voice communication from anywhere in the world virtually ending the notion of private conversation. Charlie's Angels also stars Crispin Glover Luke Wilson Kelly Lynch and Tom Green.
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They're beautiful , they're brilliant , and they can kick your butt -- the most glamorous private eyes in the world are back in action in this big - screen adaptation of the popular '70s television series. Natalie ( Cameron Diaz ) is the smart but silly one , Dylan ( Drew Barrymore ) is the tough but fun - loving one , and Alex ( Lucy Liu ) is the classy but hard - as - nails one , and they work for a man named Charlie ( voice of John Forsythe ), who never meets his employees face to face. Along with their helper Bosley ( Bill Murray ), the Angels are sent into action when electronics genius Eric Knox ( Sam Rockwell ) is kidnapped , with the nefarious Roger Corwin ( Tim Curry ) as the prime suspect. But they soon learn even bigger danger is afoot -- the kidnappers have gotten their hands on Knox's latest invention , a system that can monitor voice communication from anywhere in the world , virtually ending the notion of private conversation. Charlie's Angels also stars Crispin Glover , Luke Wilson , Kelly Lynch , and Tom Green .
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Director John Woo brings Hong Kong-style martial arts action to this comic book-flavored sequel that eschews the complicated plot and political maneuverings of its predecessor in favor of pure adrenaline-charged thrills. Tom Cruise returns as Ethan Hunt an operative for the top-secret government agency IMF (Impossible Missions Force). Fellow agent Sean Ambrose (Dougray Scott) has gone rogue stealing a sample of a deadly synthetic virus named Chimera that could rapidly wipe out the world's population. Ambrose's plan is to sell Chimera to the highest bidder in exchange for shares of stock in the winner's company. Summoned by the new IMF chief (Anthony Hopkins in an uncredited cameo role) Ethan is assigned to recruit the help of Ambrose's former lover Nyah Nordoff-Hall (Thandie Newton) a gorgeous woman who left Ambrose broken-hearted and who may be able to quickly regain his confidence. Once he meets and spends a night with Nyah however Ethan is smitten and now must both capture Ambrose and keep Nyah alive as she infiltrates a nest of vipers. Sophisticated disguises gun battles and high-speed chases are the order of the day very much in the James Bond mold. Mission: Impossible 2 is based on a story by Star Trek: The Next Generation writers Ronald D. Moore and Brannon Braga with a script polish by Robert Towne.
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Director John Woo brings Hong Kong - style martial arts action to this comic book - flavored sequel that eschews the complicated plot and political maneuverings of its predecessor in favor of pure , adrenaline - charged thrills. Tom Cruise returns as Ethan Hunt , an operative for the top - secret government agency IMF ( Impossible Missions Force ) . Fellow agent Sean Ambrose ( Dougray Scott ) has gone rogue , stealing a sample of a deadly synthetic virus named Chimera that could rapidly wipe out the world's population. Ambrose's plan is to sell Chimera to the highest bidder in exchange for shares of stock in the winner's company. Summoned by the new IMF chief ( Anthony Hopkins in an uncredited cameo role ), Ethan is assigned to recruit the help of Ambrose's former lover Nyah Nordoff - Hall ( Thandie Newton ), a gorgeous woman who left Ambrose broken - hearted and who may be able to quickly regain his confidence. Once he meets and spends a night with Nyah , however , Ethan is smitten , and now must both capture Ambrose and keep Nyah alive as she infiltrates a nest of vipers. Sophisticated disguises , gun battles , and high - speed chases are the order of the day , very much in the James Bond mold. Mission : Impossible 2 is based on a story by Star Trek : The Next Generation writers Ronald D. Moore and Brannon Braga , with a script polish by Robert Towne .
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The action producing-directing team of Jerry Bruckheimer and Tony Scott is back with another thrill-a-minute ride called Enemy of the State. Taking its "innocent man accidentally caught up in political corruption" story from such films as Francis Ford Coppola's The Conversation Alfred Hitchcock's The Man Who Knew Too Much and Sydney Pollack's Three Days of the Condor they turn up the high-tech volume in an attempt to create the ultimate action film. Robert Clayton Dean played by Will Smith is a devoted father husband and attorney shopping for a sexy gift for his wife. What he doesn't know is that he was given a videotape from a friend (Jason Lee) regarding the recent murder of a U.S. senator led by corrupt National Security Agency official Thomas Reynolds (Jon Voight). Now Reynolds is after Dean to cover his tracks or as the audience soon finds out frame Dean for Rachel's murder. Since Dean isn't up on his high-tech gadgetry he needs the aid of ex-intelligence operative Brill (Gene Hackman). Between the explosions and chases is the subtext of George Orwell's 1984 mantra "beware of big brother" as Dean realizes that in the modern world there is no such thing as total privacy.
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The action producing - directing team of Jerry Bruckheimer and Tony Scott is back with another thrill - a - minute ride called Enemy of the State . Taking its "innocent man accidentally caught up in political corruption" story from such films as Francis Ford Coppola 's The Conversation , Alfred Hitchcock 's The Man Who Knew Too Much , and Sydney Pollack 's Three Days of the Condor , they turn up the high - tech volume in an attempt to create the ultimate action film. Robert Clayton Dean , played by Will Smith , is a devoted father , husband , and attorney shopping for a sexy gift for his wife. What he doesn't know is that he was given a videotape from a friend ( Jason Lee ) regarding the recent murder of a U.S. senator led by corrupt National Security Agency official Thomas Reynolds ( Jon Voight ) . Now Reynolds is after Dean to cover his tracks or , as the audience soon finds out , frame Dean for Rachel's murder. Since Dean isn't up on his high - tech gadgetry , he needs the aid of ex - intelligence operative Brill ( Gene Hackman ) . Between the explosions and chases is the subtext of George Orwell 's 1984 mantra "beware of big brother , " as Dean realizes that in the modern world , there is no such thing as total privacy.
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In this the third of what has become a long series of films Doctor Wong Fei-Hung (Jet Li) a master of the martial arts defender of the poor upholder of tradition and a Confucian scholar (in addition to being a medical man) is visiting Beijing during a competition designed to determine what group has the best Lion King dancers. The doctor's father a member of the Cantonese Association in town is well known for his ability to turn out the best Lion King and the many criminal gangs of the city usually embroiled in rivalry against one another are of one mind when it comes to wanting to eliminate the threat that this "outsider" will win. However they had not counted on the intervention of the good doctor and his helpers. Simultaneously the doctor foils several nefarious plots against the government - one of which has gotten his lady-love Aunt Yee (Rosamund Kwan) involved.
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In this , the third of what has become a long series of films , Doctor Wong Fei - Hung ( Jet Li ), a master of the martial arts , defender of the poor , upholder of tradition and a Confucian scholar ( in addition to being a medical man ) is visiting Beijing during a competition designed to determine what group has the best Lion King dancers. The doctor's father , a member of the Cantonese Association in town , is well known for his ability to turn out the best Lion King , and the many criminal gangs of the city , usually embroiled in rivalry against one another , are of one mind when it comes to wanting to eliminate the threat that this "outsider" will win. However , they had not counted on the intervention of the good doctor and his helpers. Simultaneously , the doctor foils several nefarious plots against the government - one of which has gotten his lady - love , Aunt Yee ( Rosamund Kwan ) involved.
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It is 1895 in Canton China. The Europeans are still milking the country for every dollar they can and claiming special privileges in it as well. Meanwhile the virulently anti-foreign White Lotus Society is mounting attacks on the generally clueless British with the very obvious but low-key support of the government. If somebody doesn't protect the idiotic foreigners things could get so far out of hand that they will bring in their armies for some really debilitating reprisals. This is all going on just at a time when China has some other serious problems like the democratic agitations of Sun Yat Sen and the imperialist inroads of the Japanese who have just stolen Taiwan from China. Fortunately Wong Fey Hong (Jet Li) is a crafty and effective man and a wonderfully skilled martial artist. He is prepared to do what he can to protect the widely resented foreigners for reasons which are quintessentially Chinese. This is the second of four martial arts historical epics all with the same basic title.
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It is 1895 in Canton , China. The Europeans are still milking the country for every dollar they can and claiming special privileges in it , as well. Meanwhile , the virulently anti - foreign White Lotus Society is mounting attacks on the generally clueless British , with the very obvious but low - key support of the government. If somebody doesn't protect the idiotic foreigners , things could get so far out of hand that they will bring in their armies for some really debilitating reprisals. This is all going on just at a time when China has some other serious problems , like the democratic agitations of Sun Yat Sen and the imperialist inroads of the Japanese , who have just stolen Taiwan from China. Fortunately , Wong Fey Hong ( Jet Li ) is a crafty and effective man and a wonderfully skilled martial artist. He is prepared to do what he can to protect the widely resented foreigners for reasons which are quintessentially Chinese. This is the second of four martial arts historical epics , all with the same basic title.
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In this action-suspense thriller orphaned nine-year-old autistic savant Simon (Miko Hughes) deciphers a government code hidden in a puzzle magazine. Calling for his prize Simon triggers an alarm at the National Security Agency: NSA chief Nicholas Kudrow (Alec Baldwin) who says the code protects covert American operatives all over the world sends an assassin to do away with Simon. Simon's parents are killed but Simon survives hiding in a secret closet crawlspace where he's later discovered by maverick FBI agent Art Jeffries (Bruce Willis). Simon is emotionally unpredictable complicating matters as Art drags him all over Chicago eluding Kudrow's hitman in a variety of interesting locations (train tracks street scenes heliport Wrigley building) and improbable situations. Based on the novel Simple Simon by Ryne Douglas Peardon the film features Industrial Light & Magic special FX/animation.
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In this action - suspense thriller , orphaned nine - year - old autistic savant Simon ( Miko Hughes ) deciphers a government code hidden in a puzzle magazine. Calling for his prize , Simon triggers an alarm at the National Security Agency : NSA chief Nicholas Kudrow ( Alec Baldwin ), who says the code protects covert American operatives all over the world , sends an assassin to do away with Simon. Simon's parents are killed , but Simon survives , hiding in a secret closet crawlspace where he's later discovered by maverick FBI agent Art Jeffries ( Bruce Willis ) . Simon is emotionally unpredictable , complicating matters as Art drags him all over Chicago , eluding Kudrow's hitman in a variety of interesting locations ( train tracks , street scenes , heliport , Wrigley building ) and improbable situations. Based on the novel Simple Simon by Ryne Douglas Peardon , the film features Industrial Light & Magic special FX / animation.
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ritish director Stephen Norrington helmed this David S. Goyer adaptation of the Marvel Comics character created in 1973 by scripter Marv Wolfman and artist Gene Colan. In the Tomb of Dracula comic book origin just before Blade's mother gave birth to Blade she was bitten by a vampire which made Blade immune to vampires. Now a vampire hunter Blade joined by vampire detective Hannibal King and Dracula-descendent Frank Drake stalks vampires. In the 1990s (in Marvel's Nightstalkers) Blade teamed with Drake and King in an agency created to fight a variety of supernatural beings. The Marvel origin is retold in this 1998 Norrington film with Blade's mother dying as he is born. Thirty-some years later Blade now exists somewhere between the two worlds not human but not fully vampire. He has become a relentless and superhuman vampire hunter out to avenge the death of his mother and protect the rest of humankind from the evil vampire race. In this pursuit Blade storms a notorious vampire nightclub and in a virtual bloodbath manages to wipe out most of the blood-lusting denizens. But the burnt corpse of vampire Quinn (Donal Logue) is reanimated at the hospital morgue and bites hematologist Karen Jenson (N'Bushe Wright). Blade magically appears at the hospital just in time to whisk Karen to his hideaway a machine-shop run by his mentor Abraham Whistler (Kris Kristofferson) who once rescued Blade and who now produces a antidote to keep Blade from turning into a full-fledged vampire and who builds custom weapons for Blade to use against his evil foes. Meanwhile Blade's vampire arch-nemesis Deacon Frost (Stephen Dorff) uses computers to translate the Book of Erebus with the ultimate aim of bringing down the old-guard vampire council headed by Dragonetti (Udo Kier) and triggering the Blood Tide -- an event in which everyone in the world becomes a vampire.
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British director Stephen Norrington helmed this David S. Goyer adaptation of the Marvel Comics character created in 1973 by scripter Marv Wolfman and artist Gene Colan . In the Tomb of Dracula comic book origin , just before Blade's mother gave birth to Blade , she was bitten by a vampire , which made Blade immune to vampires. Now a vampire hunter , Blade , joined by vampire detective Hannibal King and Dracula - descendent Frank Drake , stalks vampires. In the 1990s ( in Marvel's Nightstalkers ), Blade teamed with Drake and King in an agency created to fight a variety of supernatural beings. The Marvel origin is retold in this 1998 Norrington film , with Blade's mother dying as he is born. Thirty - some years later , Blade now exists somewhere between the two worlds , not human but not fully vampire. He has become a relentless and superhuman vampire hunter , out to avenge the death of his mother and protect the rest of humankind from the evil vampire race. In this pursuit , Blade storms a notorious vampire nightclub and in a virtual bloodbath manages to wipe out most of the blood - lusting denizens. But the burnt corpse of vampire Quinn ( Donal Logue ) is reanimated at the hospital morgue and bites hematologist Karen Jenson ( N'Bushe Wright ) . Blade magically appears at the hospital just in time to whisk Karen to his hideaway , a machine - shop run by his mentor Abraham Whistler ( Kris Kristofferson ), who once rescued Blade and who now produces a antidote to keep Blade from turning into a full - fledged vampire and who builds custom weapons for Blade to use against his evil foes. Meanwhile , Blade's vampire arch - nemesis Deacon Frost ( Stephen Dorff ) uses computers to translate the Book of Erebus , with the ultimate aim of bringing down the old - guard vampire council , headed by Dragonetti ( Udo Kier ), and triggering the Blood Tide -- an event in which everyone in the world becomes a vampire.
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Former war hero Cameron Poe (Nicolas Cage) is sentenced to eight years in prison when he accidentally kills a man in a barroom brawl while defending his pregnant wife. When his release comes through he's eager to see the daughter he's never met. However Poe's original flight is delayed so he's put aboard a flight transporting ten of the most dangerous men in the American penal system to a new high-security facility. One of the criminals Cyrus "The Virus" Grissom (John Malkovich) is a serial killer and insane genius who has hatched a diabolical plot: with the help of several other hoods including Diamond Dog (Ving Rhames) Johnny 23 (Daniel Trejo) and Garland Greene (Steve Buscemi) Cyrus and his men will hijack the plane and fly to a neutral nation where they can live as free men. Poe finds himself stuck in the middle; he has to find a way to get home keep himself alive look after his cellmate Baby-O (Mykelti Williamson) who will die without proper medicine and try to help the cops on the ground including agent Vince Larkin (John Cusack). Producer Jerry Bruckheimer's first film after the death of his partner Don Simpson Con Air shows he learned well how to assemble the formula all by himself with plenty of action stunts and special effects and not a lot of story to get in the way.
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Former war hero Cameron Poe ( Nicolas Cage ) is sentenced to eight years in prison when he accidentally kills a man in a barroom brawl while defending his pregnant wife. When his release comes through , he's eager to see the daughter he's never met. However , Poe's original flight is delayed , so he's put aboard a flight transporting ten of the most dangerous men in the American penal system to a new high - security facility. One of the criminals , Cyrus "The Virus" Grissom ( John Malkovich ), is a serial killer and insane genius who has hatched a diabolical plot : with the help of several other hoods , including Diamond Dog ( Ving Rhames ), Johnny 23 ( Daniel Trejo ), and Garland Greene ( Steve Buscemi ), Cyrus and his men will hijack the plane and fly to a neutral nation where they can live as free men. Poe finds himself stuck in the middle ; he has to find a way to get home , keep himself alive , look after his cellmate Baby - O ( Mykelti Williamson ), who will die without proper medicine , and try to help the cops on the ground , including agent Vince Larkin ( John Cusack ) . Producer Jerry Bruckheimer 's first film after the death of his partner Don Simpson , Con Air shows he learned well how to assemble the formula all by himself , with plenty of action , stunts , and special effects and not a lot of story to get in the way.
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ruce Willis returns as misfit cop John McClane in the third film in the Die Hard series. McClane has fallen on hard times; after moving to New York City and breaking up with his wife he's developed a drinking problem and has been suspended from the NYPD. However his past comes back to haunt him in the form of Simon (Jeremy Irons) a terrorist bomber who has been using McClane as his contact as he plants a series of bombs in public places and gives McClane inane "clues" to their whereabouts in the form of riddles and bizarre games. McClane soon discovers he's been involved in Simon's scheme as part of a personal grudge; while associated with an international terrorist group Simon is also the brother of the man McClane threw off the side of a skyscraper several years back (in the original Die Hard). Now McClane with the help of a Harlem shopkeeper named Zeus (Samuel L. Jackson) has to find out where Simon has planted the bombs guess where he'll strike next and try to find his base of operations before more bombs go off and thousands of people die. The supporting cast features Graham Greene and Colleen Camp; singer Sam Phillips made her acting debut as a member of Simon's terrorist group (Phillips never speaks so as to not to reveal her Texas accent).
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Bruce Willis returns as misfit cop John McClane in the third film in the Die Hard series. McClane has fallen on hard times ; after moving to New York City and breaking up with his wife , he's developed a drinking problem and has been suspended from the NYPD. However , his past comes back to haunt him in the form of Simon ( Jeremy Irons ), a terrorist bomber who has been using McClane as his contact as he plants a series of bombs in public places and gives McClane inane "clues" to their whereabouts in the form of riddles and bizarre games. McClane soon discovers he's been involved in Simon's scheme as part of a personal grudge ; while associated with an international terrorist group , Simon is also the brother of the man McClane threw off the side of a skyscraper several years back ( in the original Die Hard ) . Now McClane , with the help of a Harlem shopkeeper named Zeus ( Samuel L. Jackson ), has to find out where Simon has planted the bombs , guess where he'll strike next , and try to find his base of operations before more bombs go off and thousands of people die. The supporting cast features Graham Greene and Colleen Camp ; singer Sam Phillips made her acting debut as a member of Simon's terrorist group ( Phillips never speaks , so as to not to reveal her Texas accent ) .
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This lucrative elephantine-budgeted sci-fi opus paved the way for director Roland Emmerich's mega-hit Independence Day (1996). The story commences in Giza Egypt circa 1928 where an archaeological expedition unearths an ancient ring with cryptic hieroglyphs. The film then moves to the present day where Egyptologist Daniel Jackson (James Spader) is busily trying to convince a group of skeptics that the pyramids were not built by man but by an extraterrestrial force. After the lecture a military man approaches him and offers him a job translating the said ring; its inscriptions actually constitute a map to a massive stargate (or interstellar portal). The army sends over resident crackpot colonel Jack O'Neill (Kurt Russell) to travel through the stargate and see what's on the other side; Jackson accompanies him and the two men turn up in a desert planet on the other side of the universe with three moons in its sky. The world in question is ruled by Ra (Jaye Davidson) a hermaphroditic Egyptian sun god who oppresses hordes of slave workers. Jackson and O'Neill then join forces to help the said workers revolt against their oppressor.
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This lucrative , elephantine - budgeted sci - fi opus paved the way for director Roland Emmerich 's mega - hit Independence Day ( 1996 ) . The story commences in Giza , Egypt , circa 1928 , where an archaeological expedition unearths an ancient ring with cryptic hieroglyphs. The film then moves to the present day , where Egyptologist Daniel Jackson ( James Spader ) is busily trying to convince a group of skeptics that the pyramids were not built by man , but by an extraterrestrial force. After the lecture , a military man approaches him and offers him a job translating the said ring ; its inscriptions actually constitute a map to a massive stargate ( or interstellar portal ) . The army sends over resident crackpot colonel Jack O'Neill ( Kurt Russell ) to travel through the stargate and see what's on the other side ; Jackson accompanies him , and the two men turn up in a desert planet on the other side of the universe , with three moons in its sky. The world in question is ruled by Ra ( Jaye Davidson ), a hermaphroditic Egyptian sun god , who oppresses hordes of slave workers. Jackson and O'Neill then join forces to help the said workers revolt against their oppressor.
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Elements of Orwellian science-fiction and old-fashioned prison dramas are combined in this futuristic action film as an unjustly imprisoned couple attempts to escape from a high-tech jail known as The Fortress. The Fortress is the tool of a repressive government an imposing computerized hell featuring lasers for cell bars robot guards computerized brainwashing and the like. Still some things never change including the presence of an evil warden who harasses the pretty wife while her husband frantically searches for a way out. The special effects and design work are effective particularly in comparison to the film's modest budget but the story will undoubtedly seem disappointingly predictable to many viewers. Nevertheless the film's blend of competent (if unoriginal) action and technology proved enough of a draw to make the film a financial success internationally though it received little notice in the United States.
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Elements of Orwellian science - fiction and old - fashioned prison dramas are combined in this futuristic action film , as an unjustly imprisoned couple attempts to escape from a high - tech jail known as The Fortress. The Fortress is the tool of a repressive government , an imposing , computerized hell , featuring lasers for cell bars , robot guards , computerized brainwashing , and the like. Still , some things never change , including the presence of an evil warden , who harasses the pretty wife while her husband frantically searches for a way out. The special effects and design work are effective , particularly in comparison to the film's modest budget , but the story will undoubtedly seem disappointingly predictable to many viewers. Nevertheless , the film's blend of competent ( if unoriginal ) action and technology proved enough of a draw to make the film a financial success internationally , though it received little notice in the United States.
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A runaway box-office hit to the tune of 17 million dollars Walking Tall is the unabashedly manipulative story of real-life Tennessee sheriff Buford Pusser. As played by Joe Don Baker Pusser can either be regarded as a tireless champion of justice or a baseball-bat-wielding hooligan. But with some of the most scurrilous villains this side of a Republic serial as the main targets of Pusser's wrath the audience cannot help but applaud the sheriff's strongarm methods. When the town baddies seek vengeance by killing Pusser's wife (Elizabeth Hartman) the you-know-what really hits the fan! Never resorting to subtlety Walking Tall was such a winner that it spawned two sequels a made-for-television movie and a weekly TV series -- none of which were enjoyed by the real Buford Pusser who had long since died under questionable circumstances. At the time of the film's theatrical release the MPAA rating system was comparatively new so the studio launched an ad campaign aimed at parents letting them know that the R-rated Walking Tall contained violence and not sex and therefore was good family entertainment.
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A runaway box - office hit to the tune of 17 million dollars , Walking Tall is the unabashedly manipulative story of real - life Tennessee sheriff Buford Pusser. As played by Joe Don Baker , Pusser can either be regarded as a tireless champion of justice or a baseball - bat - wielding hooligan. But with some of the most scurrilous villains this side of a Republic serial as the main targets of Pusser's wrath , the audience cannot help but applaud the sheriff's strongarm methods. When the town baddies seek vengeance by killing Pusser's wife ( Elizabeth Hartman ), the you - know - what really hits the fan! Never resorting to subtlety , Walking Tall was such a winner that it spawned two sequels , a made - for - television movie , and a weekly TV series -- none of which were enjoyed by the real Buford Pusser , who had long since died under questionable circumstances. At the time of the film's theatrical release , the MPAA rating system was comparatively new , so the studio launched an ad campaign aimed at parents , letting them know that the R - rated Walking Tall contained violence and not sex , and therefore was good family entertainment.
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As much an eccentric character study as a road movie Michael Cimino's directorial debut follows the adventures of a quartet of misfits in their life of crime. Retired thief Thunderbolt (Clint Eastwood) and sweet drifter Lightfoot (Jeff Bridges) meet cute when Thunderbolt jumps into Lightfoot's stolen car to escape a gunman. The pair embarks on an oddball journey to get Thunderbolt's loot from an old robbery before his former associates the sadistic Red (George Kennedy) and cretinous Goody (Geoffrey Lewis) get to it first but all four are too late; the one-room schoolhouse hiding place has apparently vanished. So instead the four play house and work legit jobs while they plot to rob the same place Thunderbolt and Red hit before. Although the plan goes awry Thunderbolt and Lightfoot discover that they may still have succeeded-or so they think. As the easy-going mediator between the two Eastwood's Thunderbolt was a move away from his tough cop-westerner image; his audience accepted this then-atypical performance enough to turn Thunderbolt and Lightfoot into a moderate hit. Bridges received his second Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination but Cimino turned down a subsequent deal with Eastwood moving instead to his artistic peak with The Deer Hunter (1978) and career nadir with Heaven's Gate (1980).
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As much an eccentric character study as a road movie , Michael Cimino 's directorial debut follows the adventures of a quartet of misfits in their life of crime. Retired thief Thunderbolt ( Clint Eastwood ) and sweet drifter Lightfoot ( Jeff Bridges ) meet cute when Thunderbolt jumps into Lightfoot's stolen car to escape a gunman. The pair embarks on an oddball journey to get Thunderbolt's loot from an old robbery before his former associates , the sadistic Red ( George Kennedy ) and cretinous Goody ( Geoffrey Lewis ), get to it first , but all four are too late ; the one - room schoolhouse hiding place has apparently vanished. So instead , the four play house and work legit jobs while they plot to rob the same place Thunderbolt and Red hit before. Although the plan goes awry , Thunderbolt and Lightfoot discover that they may still have succeeded - or so they think. As the easy - going mediator between the two , Eastwood 's Thunderbolt was a move away from his tough cop - westerner image ; his audience accepted this then - atypical performance enough to turn Thunderbolt and Lightfoot into a moderate hit. Bridges received his second Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination , but Cimino turned down a subsequent deal with Eastwood , moving instead to his artistic peak with The Deer Hunter ( 1978 ) and career nadir with Heaven's Gate ( 1980 ) .
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This 1978 re-remake of The 39 Steps adheres more closely to the source novel by John Buchan than Alfred Hitchcock's better-known original restoring the pre-World War I time frame of the Buchan story. Hannay (Robert Powell) is an innocent bystander suspected by enemy agents of having intercepted their secret war plans. Pursued by both the spies and the police Hannay runs for his life in the company of Alex (Karen Dotrice). The Thirty-Nine Steps ends with a "high and dizzy" sequence on the face of Big Ben borrowed from the 1942 Will Hay comedy My Learned Friend.
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This 1978 re - remake of The 39 Steps adheres more closely to the source novel by John Buchan than Alfred Hitchcock 's better - known original , restoring the pre - World War I time frame of the Buchan story. Hannay ( Robert Powell ) is an innocent bystander , suspected by enemy agents of having intercepted their secret war plans. Pursued by both the spies and the police , Hannay runs for his life in the company of Alex ( Karen Dotrice ) . The Thirty - Nine Steps ends with a "high and dizzy" sequence on the face of Big Ben , borrowed from the 1942 Will Hay comedy My Learned Friend .
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"Smokey" aka Sheriff Buford T. Justice (Jackie Gleason) is the prospective father-in-law of unwilling bride Carrie (Sally Field). The Bandit (Burt Reynolds) a maverick racecar driver makes an 80000-dollar bet that he can transport a shipment of Coors beer from Texarkana TX to Atlanta within 28 hours. It's important to note that in 1977 it was illegal to sell the Coors brand east of the Mississippi River without a permit; if we don't note that then the plot won't make sense at times. Already in danger of arrest from redneck lawmen like Buford T. Justice Bandit furthers his chances at a stiff jail term when he offers a ride to Carrie who hopes to escape her unwanted wedding to Justice's boy. The rest of the film is one long chase; not quite as subtle as a Road Runner/Coyote cartoon not quite as restrained as a Three Stooges comedy. Universally panned by critics upon its first release Smokey and the Bandit reportedly pulled in just under $126 million and led to two sequels.
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"Smokey , " aka Sheriff Buford T. Justice ( Jackie Gleason ), is the prospective father - in - law of unwilling bride Carrie ( Sally Field ) . The Bandit ( Burt Reynolds ), a maverick racecar driver , makes an 80 , 000 - dollar bet that he can transport a shipment of Coors beer from Texarkana , TX , to Atlanta within 28 hours. It's important to note that in 1977 , it was illegal to sell the Coors brand east of the Mississippi River without a permit ; if we don't note that , then the plot won't make sense at times. Already in danger of arrest from redneck lawmen like Buford T. Justice , Bandit furthers his chances at a stiff jail term when he offers a ride to Carrie , who hopes to escape her unwanted wedding to Justice's boy. The rest of the film is one long chase ; not quite as subtle as a Road Runner / Coyote cartoon , not quite as restrained as a Three Stooges comedy. Universally panned by critics upon its first release , Smokey and the Bandit reportedly pulled in just under $126 million and led to two sequels.
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Adapted from the "Destroyer" series of novels and comic books (not exactly the level of Ian Fleming) Remo Williams (Fred Ward) is a New York cop who works for a top-secret government agency accountable directly to the President of the U.S. After his reluctant induction into this agency Remo is trained in a near-magical Korean martial arts form by Chiun (Joel Grey) in great sequences where walking on water is taken in stride. After his training Remo goes after a corrupt arms manufacturer with connections in the U.S. military and acquires the necessary help-mate in the form of Major Rayner Fleming (Kate Mulgrew). Antics at the Statue of Liberty and other stunts enliven the action but cannot make up for comic-book level characters.
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Adapted from the "Destroyer" series of novels and comic books ( not exactly the level of Ian Fleming ), Remo Williams ( Fred Ward ) is a New York cop who works for a top - secret government agency accountable directly to the President of the U.S. After his reluctant induction into this agency , Remo is trained in a near - magical Korean martial arts form by Chiun ( Joel Grey ) in great sequences where walking on water is taken in stride. After his training , Remo goes after a corrupt arms manufacturer with connections in the U.S. military and acquires the necessary help - mate in the form of Major Rayner Fleming ( Kate Mulgrew ) . Antics at the Statue of Liberty and other stunts enliven the action , but cannot make up for comic - book level characters.
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Deke DaSilva (Sylvester Stallone) and Matthew Fox (Billy Dee Williams) are New York police officers specially assigned to a special multi-national team dedicated to tracking down terrorist Wulfgar (Rutger Hauer). Wulfgar planted a bomb in a London department store killing several children and he is now an outcast hunted by both the police and his fellow gang members. He has extensive plastic surgery and resumes his activities aided by Shakka (Persis Khambutta) a completely psychotic fellow outcast. Soon DaSilva and Wulfgar are engaged in a violent battle of wits as Wulfgar resumes his terrorist activities and threatens New York . This very effective thriller features a chilling performance by Rutger Hauer as the handsome ruthless cold-blooded killer who charms women into helping him and then kills them. Sylvester Stallone gives an unusually understated emotionally vulnerable performance as a man trying to save lives while he saves his own marriage. The film makes excellent use of New York locales particularly during a terrifying hijacking of a cable car where Wulfgar coolly decides which of the hostages will live or die.
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Deke DaSilva ( Sylvester Stallone ) and Matthew Fox ( Billy Dee Williams ) are New York police officers specially assigned to a special multi - national team dedicated to tracking down terrorist Wulfgar ( Rutger Hauer ) . Wulfgar planted a bomb in a London department store , killing several children and he is now an outcast , hunted by both the police and his fellow gang members. He has extensive plastic surgery and resumes his activities aided by Shakka ( Persis Khambutta ), a completely psychotic fellow outcast. Soon DaSilva and Wulfgar are engaged in a violent battle of wits as Wulfgar resumes his terrorist activities and threatens New York . This very effective thriller features a chilling performance by Rutger Hauer as the handsome , ruthless cold - blooded killer who charms women into helping him and then kills them. Sylvester Stallone gives an unusually understated emotionally vulnerable performance as a man trying to save lives while he saves his own marriage. The film makes excellent use of New York locales , particularly during a terrifying hijacking of a cable car where Wulfgar coolly decides which of the hostages will live or die.
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After his brother is badly beaten by a street gang Jean-Claude Van Damme deserts the foreign legion in order to avenge his honor in this action film also known as A.W.O.L. and Wrong Bet.
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After his brother is badly beaten by a street gang , Jean - Claude Van Damme deserts the foreign legion in order to avenge his honor in this action film also known as A.W.O.L. and Wrong Bet .
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Superstars Mel Gibson and Danny Glover return with director Richard Donner for Lethal Weapon 3 the third in the phenomenally successful action series. In this film Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover) is only eight days away from retirement and his partner Martin Riggs (Mel Gibson) once again manages to get them both into hot water with both the LAPD and the bad guys who this time are Jack Travis (Stuart Wilson) and a gang of hoodlums selling armor-piercing bullets. Joe Pesci returns as the fast-talking schmuck Leo Getz. A new addition to the cast is Rene Russo as Lorna Cole a sergeant from internal affairs sent to investigate Riggs and Murtaugh but who ultimately ends up falling in love with the caffeinated Riggs.
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Superstars Mel Gibson and Danny Glover return with director Richard Donner for Lethal Weapon 3 , the third in the phenomenally successful action series. In this film , Roger Murtaugh ( Danny Glover ) is only eight days away from retirement and his partner , Martin Riggs ( Mel Gibson ), once again manages to get them both into hot water with both the LAPD and the bad guys , who this time are Jack Travis ( Stuart Wilson ) and a gang of hoodlums selling armor - piercing bullets. Joe Pesci returns as the fast - talking schmuck Leo Getz. A new addition to the cast is Rene Russo as Lorna Cole , a sergeant from internal affairs sent to investigate Riggs and Murtaugh , but who ultimately ends up falling in love with the caffeinated Riggs.
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Lethal Weapon 2 re-teams Mel Gibson and Danny Glover as respectively "loose cannon" L.A. detective Martin Riggs and his partner the cautious family man Roger Murtaugh. The villain this time is a South African diplomat (Joss Ackland) who doubles as a drug dealer. Though Riggs knows what's going on thanks to characterless character witness Joe Pesci he can't touch the villain because of "diplomatic immunity." After perils too numerous to mention Riggs and Murtaugh shoot it out with the heavies on the deck of a South African cargo ship. Lethal Weapon 2 of course contains as one of its comic high-points a now famous suspense scene: Mel Gibson agonizingly attempting to extricate a terrified Danny Glover from a booby-trapped toilet seat. Director Richard Donner Gibson Glover and Joe Pesci would be reunited three years later for Lethal Weapon 3 and in 1998 for Lethal Weapon 4.
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Lethal Weapon 2 re - teams Mel Gibson and Danny Glover as , respectively , "loose cannon" L.A. detective Martin Riggs and his partner , the cautious family man Roger Murtaugh. The villain this time is a South African diplomat ( Joss Ackland ) who doubles as a drug dealer. Though Riggs knows what's going on thanks to characterless character witness Joe Pesci , he can't touch the villain because of "diplomatic immunity." After perils too numerous to mention , Riggs and Murtaugh shoot it out with the heavies on the deck of a South African cargo ship. Lethal Weapon 2 , of course , contains as one of its comic high - points a now famous suspense scene : Mel Gibson agonizingly attempting to extricate a terrified Danny Glover from a booby - trapped toilet seat. Director Richard Donner , Gibson , Glover , and Joe Pesci would be reunited three years later for Lethal Weapon 3 and in 1998 for Lethal Weapon 4 .
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Steve McQueen is ideally cast as a champion race car driver participating in the famed 24-hour race headquartered in Le Mans France. Though dedicated to Going for the Gold McQueen finds time to romance widowed Elga Andersen. The dramatic angle to this plot wrinkle is that McQueen may well have been responsible for the death of Andersen's husband during a previous car pile-up. Director John Sturges who'd previously helmed Steve McQueen's legendary motorcycle chase scenes in The Great Escape was originally slated to direct Le Mans but withdrew from the project; it was then taken over by Lee H. Katzin of The Phynx.
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Steve McQueen is ideally cast as a champion race car driver , participating in the famed 24 - hour race headquartered in Le Mans , France. Though dedicated to Going for the Gold , McQueen finds time to romance widowed Elga Andersen . The dramatic angle to this plot wrinkle is that McQueen may well have been responsible for the death of Andersen 's husband during a previous car pile - up. Director John Sturges , who'd previously helmed Steve McQueen 's legendary motorcycle chase scenes in The Great Escape , was originally slated to direct Le Mans , but withdrew from the project ; it was then taken over by Lee H. Katzin of The Phynx .
1076
This sequel to the Oscar-winning The French Connection picks up almost exactly where the earlier film leaves off. Still on the trail of drug kingpin Frog One (Fernando Rey) narcotics officer "Popeye" Doyle (Gene Hackman) leaves his Manhattan stomping grounds and heads for Marseilles. There Popeye is captured by Frog One's minions who pump him full of drugs in hopes of turning the cop into a hopeless junkie. After a grueling "cold turkey" treatment Popeye is up and about and chasing after the villains determined to mete out justice.
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This sequel to the Oscar - winning The French Connection picks up almost exactly where the earlier film leaves off. Still on the trail of drug kingpin Frog One ( Fernando Rey ), narcotics officer "Popeye" Doyle ( Gene Hackman ) leaves his Manhattan stomping grounds and heads for Marseilles. There , Popeye is captured by Frog One's minions , who pump him full of drugs in hopes of turning the cop into a hopeless junkie. After a grueling "cold turkey" treatment , Popeye is up and about and chasing after the villains , determined to mete out justice.
1077
The year is 1978: 12-year-old David Freeman (Joey Cramer) playing in the woods near his home is knocked unconscious. He awakens and heads home only to find strangers living there. He also finds that the year is 1986 and that he's been officially missing for eight years. NASA officials determine that David was abducted by aliens during his blackout and hope to scan the boy's brain in order to unlock a few secrets of the universe. Answering the call of a strange unseen force David boards a well-hidden spaceship and takes off guided by the jocular voice of a computer named MAX (voiced by none other than Paul Reubens aka Pee-Wee Herman). Realizing that he can't fit in to 1986 so long as he's a child of the '70s David hopes to retrace the steps of his alien abductors and get back to his own time.
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The year is 1978 : 12 - year - old David Freeman ( Joey Cramer ), playing in the woods near his home , is knocked unconscious. He awakens and heads home , only to find strangers living there. He also finds that the year is 1986 , and that he's been officially missing for eight years. NASA officials determine that David was abducted by aliens during his blackout , and hope to scan the boy's brain in order to unlock a few secrets of the universe. Answering the call of a strange , unseen force , David boards a well - hidden spaceship and takes off , guided by the jocular voice of a computer named MAX ( voiced by none other than Paul Reubens , aka Pee - Wee Herman ) . Realizing that he can't fit in to 1986 so long as he's a child of the '70s , David hopes to retrace the steps of his alien abductors and get back to his own time.
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In this action drama Harrison Ford plays James Marshall a onetime combat hero in the Vietnam War who is now President of the United States. While visiting the former Soviet Union Marshall gives a speech in which he supports a get-tough attitude against both terrorists and a right-wing general and war criminal from Kazakhstan imprisoned in Moscow earning him few friends in the Eastern Bloc. While flying back to the United States aboard Air Force One Marshall and his staff discover that one of the journalists returning with them is actually Ivan Korshunov (Gary Oldman) a Kazakhstani terrorist who hijacks the plane with three associates and holds the president hostage -- with his wife and daughter on board. Marshall must use his strength and intelligence to keep the terrorists at bay and devise a plan to allow his family to escape to safety while on the ground the vice-president (Glenn Close) the secretary of defense (Dean Stockwell) and the attorney general (Philip Baker Hall) grapple over what to do and how much control to take in this crisis. Slam-bang action sequences and plot twists fly fast and furious in this nail-biter from director Wolfgang Petersen who previously generated suspense under water (rather than in the air) with Das Boot.
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In this action drama , Harrison Ford plays James Marshall , a onetime combat hero in the Vietnam War who is now President of the United States. While visiting the former Soviet Union , Marshall gives a speech in which he supports a get - tough attitude against both terrorists and a right - wing general and war criminal from Kazakhstan imprisoned in Moscow , earning him few friends in the Eastern Bloc. While flying back to the United States aboard Air Force One , Marshall and his staff discover that one of the journalists returning with them is actually Ivan Korshunov ( Gary Oldman ), a Kazakhstani terrorist , who hijacks the plane with three associates and holds the president hostage -- with his wife and daughter on board. Marshall must use his strength and intelligence to keep the terrorists at bay and devise a plan to allow his family to escape to safety , while on the ground the vice - president ( Glenn Close ), the secretary of defense ( Dean Stockwell ), and the attorney general ( Philip Baker Hall ) grapple over what to do and how much control to take in this crisis. Slam - bang action sequences and plot twists fly fast and furious in this nail - biter from director Wolfgang Petersen , who previously generated suspense under water ( rather than in the air ) with Das Boot .
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Former video director Michael Bay had his first big hit with this action comedy which also returned producers Jerry Bruckheimer and Don Simpson to the big-budget high-violence movies that they successfully churned out in the '80s. Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) are two Miami cops who watch as 100 million dollars in heroin from the biggest drug bust of their careers is stolen out of the basement of police headquarters. This puts them hot on the trail of French drug lord Fouchet (Tchéky Karyo) who leaves a trail of bodies in his wake and only one witness Julie Mott (Téa Leoni) who quickly teams up with our heroes. Comic hijinks ensue when plot complications force Mike to impersonate the married Marcus to the point of moving in with his wife and children while Marcus takes over Mike's bachelor pad and lifestyle. Car chases snappy one-liners and nonstop pacing fuel this umpteenth variation on the cop "buddy" formula.
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Former video director Michael Bay had his first big hit with this action comedy , which also returned producers Jerry Bruckheimer and Don Simpson to the big - budget , high - violence movies that they successfully churned out in the '80s. Mike Lowrey ( Will Smith ) and Marcus Burnett ( Martin Lawrence ) are two Miami cops who watch as 100 million dollars in heroin , from the biggest drug bust of their careers , is stolen out of the basement of police headquarters. This puts them hot on the trail of French drug lord Fouchet ( Tchéky Karyo ), who leaves a trail of bodies in his wake and only one witness , Julie Mott ( Téa Leoni ), who quickly teams up with our heroes. Comic hijinks ensue when plot complications force Mike to impersonate the married Marcus , to the point of moving in with his wife and children , while Marcus takes over Mike's bachelor pad and lifestyle. Car chases , snappy one - liners , and nonstop pacing fuel this umpteenth variation on the cop "buddy" formula.
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More like a series of MTV sequences than a long-term narration this super-thin story line focuses on a kidnapped singer (Diane Lane) and her ex-boyfriend (Michael Pare) who goes forth to save her through rainy streets the roar of elevated subways several alleys and the usual warehouses. Each thrust of the story has rock music that follows along with the narration.
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More like a series of MTV sequences than a long - term narration , this super - thin story line focuses on a kidnapped singer ( Diane Lane ) and her ex - boyfriend ( Michael Pare ) who goes forth to save her through rainy streets , the roar of elevated subways , several alleys , and the usual warehouses. Each thrust of the story has rock music that follows along with the narration.
1081
The dark-horse box-office hit First Blood spawned this even more successful sequel in which Sylvester Stallone reprising his role as ex-Green Beret loner John Rambo is extricated from prison by his former superior Colonel Trautman (Richard Crenna) for a top-secret operation to bring back POWs still held in Vietnam. Teamed up with a female Vietnamese freedom fighter (Julia Nickson) Rambo embarks on a "reconnaissance" mission. A love interest develops in the beautiful young guide -- she dies by enemy fire; he seeks revenge. Of course there are also corrupt American officials behind the mission and Rambo saves them for last. Over the course of the film Rambo kills enough communist bad guys to fill the Rose Bowl using everything from fishing line to exploding arrowheads to rocket launchers. Stallone mumbles grunts and groans his way through this laughable and often insulting film intended to exploit anti-communist fervor at the height of the Reagan years.
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The dark - horse box - office hit First Blood spawned this even more successful sequel in which Sylvester Stallone , reprising his role as ex - Green Beret loner John Rambo , is extricated from prison by his former superior Colonel Trautman ( Richard Crenna ) for a top - secret operation to bring back POWs still held in Vietnam. Teamed up with a female Vietnamese freedom fighter ( Julia Nickson ), Rambo embarks on a "reconnaissance" mission. A love interest develops in the beautiful young guide -- she dies by enemy fire ; he seeks revenge. Of course , there are also corrupt American officials behind the mission , and Rambo saves them for last. Over the course of the film , Rambo kills enough communist bad guys to fill the Rose Bowl , using everything from fishing line to exploding arrowheads to rocket launchers. Stallone mumbles , grunts , and groans his way through this laughable and often insulting film intended to exploit anti - communist fervor at the height of the Reagan years.
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Action film director John Badham bites the hand that feeds him in this action movie spoof that features ribbing of pretty-boy Hollywood action stars by Michael J. Fox and a parody of colorful hair-trigger James Woods types by the man himself. Woods plays New York homicide detective John Moss who is within an inch of closing in on a serial killer who calls himself The Party Crasher (Stephen Lang) because his specialty is shooting his victims in the middle of discos. Chasing The Party Crasher after his latest victim has been dispatched Moss finds himself hanging onto the door of a speeding truck with The Party Crasher at the wheel. When Moss is thrown off the truck and nearly killed The Party Crasher escapes and Moss is taken off the case. Moss is given a new assignment --to tag around with Hollywood action film star Nick Lang (Michael J. Fox) the popular hero of the "Smoking Gun" movies. Lang spotted Moss on a television news show and thinks he would be the ideal cop to study for adding authenticity to an up-coming police action picture. Posing as Moss's rookie partner Lang follows Moss everywhere proceeding to spoil his pursuit of The Party Crasher and interfering with Moss's burgeoning affair with his girlfriend Susan (Anabella Sciorra).
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Action film director John Badham bites the hand that feeds him in this action movie spoof that features ribbing of pretty - boy Hollywood action stars by Michael J. Fox and a parody of colorful , hair - trigger James Woods types by the man himself. Woods plays New York homicide detective John Moss , who is within an inch of closing in on a serial killer who calls himself The Party Crasher ( Stephen Lang ) because his specialty is shooting his victims in the middle of discos. Chasing The Party Crasher after his latest victim has been dispatched , Moss finds himself hanging onto the door of a speeding truck with The Party Crasher at the wheel. When Moss is thrown off the truck and nearly killed , The Party Crasher escapes , and Moss is taken off the case. Moss is given a new assignment -- to tag around with Hollywood action film star Nick Lang ( Michael J. Fox ), the popular hero of the "Smoking Gun" movies. Lang spotted Moss on a television news show and thinks he would be the ideal cop to study for adding authenticity to an up - coming police action picture. Posing as Moss's rookie partner , Lang follows Moss everywhere , proceeding to spoil his pursuit of The Party Crasher and interfering with Moss's burgeoning affair with his girlfriend Susan ( Anabella Sciorra ) .
1083
Playing police stooge Ben Shockley Clint Eastwood sends up his Dirty Harry-ness in this 1977 cop film-action movie-romantic comedy. Ben is assigned to escort tough Vegas hooker Gus Mally (Sondra Locke) to Phoenix for a Mob trial because he thinks he always "gets the job done." But corrupt commissioner Blakelock (William Prince) chose alcoholic Ben precisely because Ben does not get much done at all and Blakelock has no intention of letting them get to Phoenix alive. Once Gus figures this out and makes Ben see the truth Ben resolves to prove Blakelock wrong even if it means surviving car bombs a house shot to pieces a helicopter-motorcycle chase and finally driving an armored bus through a gauntlet formed by scores of shooting cops. Amidst the mayhem Ben falls in love with the smart-mouthed college-educated Gus and she insists on riding out the gauntlet with her Ben. An obedient cop who is not as clever as his female charge Ben Shockley is the opposite of Eastwood's ultra-capable loner Harry Callahan from the Dirty Harry series allowing Eastwood to poke fun at his image even as Shockley eventually does get the job done. While the exaggerated action set pieces also parody the Eastwood cop hero's usual invincibility their efficient energetic staging still makes them effective; The Gauntlet was another popular success for Eastwood as director as well as star.
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Playing police stooge Ben Shockley , Clint Eastwood sends up his Dirty Harry - ness in this 1977 cop film - action movie - romantic comedy. Ben is assigned to escort tough Vegas hooker Gus Mally ( Sondra Locke ) to Phoenix for a Mob trial because , he thinks , he always "gets the job done." But corrupt commissioner Blakelock ( William Prince ) chose alcoholic Ben precisely because Ben does not get much done at all , and Blakelock has no intention of letting them get to Phoenix alive. Once Gus figures this out and makes Ben see the truth , Ben resolves to prove Blakelock wrong , even if it means surviving car bombs , a house shot to pieces , a helicopter - motorcycle chase , and finally driving an armored bus through a gauntlet formed by scores of shooting cops. Amidst the mayhem , Ben falls in love with the smart - mouthed , college - educated Gus , and she insists on riding out the gauntlet with her Ben. An obedient cop who is not as clever as his female charge , Ben Shockley is the opposite of Eastwood's ultra - capable loner Harry Callahan from the Dirty Harry series , allowing Eastwood to poke fun at his image even as Shockley eventually does get the job done. While the exaggerated action set pieces also parody the Eastwood cop hero's usual invincibility , their efficient , energetic staging still makes them effective ; The Gauntlet was another popular success for Eastwood as director as well as star.
1084
First Blood is the Sylvester Stallone film that unleashed "Rambo" onto an unsuspecting world. Wandering into a small hostile town ex-Green Beret John Rambo (Stallone) is targeted for persecution and abuse by potbellied Sheriff Will Teasle (Brian Dennehy). When he can stand no more Rambo goes bonkers killing a deputy and heading into the surrounding hills armed to the teeth. Only after Rambo has picked off practically every law enforcement officer within a radius of 50 miles do the local authorities bring in his former commanding officer Trautman (Richard Crenna) for advice. Trautman's response -- that the locals had better get a lot of body bags ready -- is hardly encouraging. First Blood proved to be one of Stallone's biggest non-Rocky hits. Kirk Douglas had originally been cast as Trautman but he quit the project when the producers refused to cave in to his demand that Trautman kill Rambo in the finale.
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First Blood is the Sylvester Stallone film that unleashed "Rambo" onto an unsuspecting world. Wandering into a small , hostile town , ex - Green Beret John Rambo ( Stallone ) is targeted for persecution and abuse by potbellied Sheriff Will Teasle ( Brian Dennehy ) . When he can stand no more , Rambo goes bonkers , killing a deputy and heading into the surrounding hills , armed to the teeth. Only after Rambo has picked off practically every law enforcement officer within a radius of 50 miles do the local authorities bring in his former commanding officer , Trautman ( Richard Crenna ), for advice. Trautman's response -- that the locals had better get a lot of body bags ready -- is hardly encouraging. First Blood proved to be one of Stallone 's biggest non - Rocky hits. Kirk Douglas had originally been cast as Trautman , but he quit the project when the producers refused to cave in to his demand that Trautman kill Rambo in the finale.
1085
After the death of Bruce Lee in 1973 writer/director Robert Clouse made several attempts to reproduce the success of his Enter the Dragon which belatedly made Lee a household name in America. Clouse felt (with good reason) that Jackie Chan could be the next big martial arts star in America and he crafted this feature with him in mind. Jerry Kwan (Chan) is a Korean immigrant trying to make good in Chicago in the 1930s. Work isn't easy to find for an Asian immigrant. Jerry is forced by Domenici (Jose Ferrer) a well-connected mobster to represent him in a no-holds-barred winner-take-all battle in Texas. But can Jerry handle the pressure? The Big Brawl was Jackie Chan's first starring role in an American film but Chan wouldn't break through in the United States until the 1996 U.S. release of Rumble in the Bronx.
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After the death of Bruce Lee in 1973 , writer / director Robert Clouse made several attempts to reproduce the success of his Enter the Dragon , which belatedly made Lee a household name in America. Clouse felt ( with good reason ) that Jackie Chan could be the next big martial arts star in America , and he crafted this feature with him in mind. Jerry Kwan ( Chan ) is a Korean immigrant trying to make good in Chicago in the 1930s. Work isn't easy to find for an Asian immigrant. Jerry is forced by Domenici ( Jose Ferrer ), a well - connected mobster , to represent him in a no - holds - barred , winner - take - all battle in Texas. But can Jerry handle the pressure? The Big Brawl was Jackie Chan 's first starring role in an American film , but Chan wouldn't break through in the United States until the 1996 U.S. release of Rumble in the Bronx .
1086
Michael Bay directed this 150-million-dollar science fiction action thriller about an asteroid on a collision course with Earth sending fireballs down on Manhattan prompting a plan to split the asteroid into two sections before it arrives and causes human extinction. NASA executive director Dan Truman (Billy Bob Thornton) brings in the world's number-one oil driller Harry S. Stamper (Bruce Willis) who assembles his team that is trained for the task. The group includes top crew hand A.J. Frost (Ben Affleck) who is involved in a relationship with Stamper's daughter Grace (Liv Tyler). With only days remaining two shuttles head into space to drill 800 feet into the asteroid and nuke the rock. Back on Earth as mini-asteroids pelt Paris and Shanghai humanity hopes and prays for a successful mission.
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Michael Bay directed this 150 - million - dollar science fiction action thriller about an asteroid on a collision course with Earth , sending fireballs down on Manhattan , prompting a plan to split the asteroid into two sections before it arrives and causes human extinction. NASA executive director Dan Truman ( Billy Bob Thornton ) brings in the world's number - one oil driller , Harry S. Stamper ( Bruce Willis ), who assembles his team that is trained for the task. The group includes top crew hand A.J. Frost ( Ben Affleck ), who is involved in a relationship with Stamper's daughter Grace ( Liv Tyler ) . With only days remaining , two shuttles head into space to drill 800 feet into the asteroid and nuke the rock. Back on Earth , as mini - asteroids pelt Paris and Shanghai , humanity hopes and prays for a successful mission.
1087
The plot of this action film begins in 1996 with Los Angeles in a violence-crazed conflagration. One of the LAPD's most notorious cops John Spartan (Sylvester Stallone) known as "the demolition man" is in hot pursuit of blonde-haired psychopath Simon Phoenix (Wesley Snipes) who is so nasty he even kills sometimes just because he feels cranky. John captures Simon but not before Simon kills innocent hostages. John is blamed for the deaths of the hostages and both he and Simon are cryogenically frozen to remove their brand of ultra-violence from a society that is simply just too violent. The film shifts to the future world of 2032 where Los Angeles has become a megalopolis called San Angeles. There is no poverty Arnold Schwarzenegger was (at one time) president of the United States and Taco Bell is the sole survivor of the Franchise Wars. Into this peaceful and bland society Simon is summarily defrosted by reigning benevolent dictator Dr. Cocteau (Nigel Hawthorne) to have Simon murder Edgar Friendly (Denis Leary) the leader of a group of underground rebels. But Cocteau bites off more than he can chew when the melted-down Simon proceeds to go on a murder-and-looting spree. Reluctantly Cocteau defrosts John to hunt down his old adversary. As John adjusts to self-driving cars and having sex wearing helmets he pairs up with Lenina Huxley (Sandra Bullock) a bored cop with a nostalgic fascination for 20th-century culture.
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The plot of this action film begins in 1996 , with Los Angeles in a violence - crazed conflagration. One of the LAPD's most notorious cops , John Spartan ( Sylvester Stallone ), known as "the demolition man , " is in hot pursuit of blonde - haired psychopath Simon Phoenix ( Wesley Snipes ), who is so nasty he even kills sometimes just because he feels cranky. John captures Simon , but not before Simon kills innocent hostages. John is blamed for the deaths of the hostages , and both he and Simon are cryogenically frozen to remove their brand of ultra - violence from a society that is simply just too violent. The film shifts to the future world of 2032 , where Los Angeles has become a megalopolis called San Angeles. There is no poverty , Arnold Schwarzenegger was ( at one time ) president of the United States , and Taco Bell is the sole survivor of the Franchise Wars. Into this peaceful and bland society , Simon is summarily defrosted by reigning benevolent dictator Dr. Cocteau ( Nigel Hawthorne ) to have Simon murder Edgar Friendly ( Denis Leary ), the leader of a group of underground rebels. But Cocteau bites off more than he can chew when the melted - down Simon proceeds to go on a murder - and - looting spree. Reluctantly , Cocteau defrosts John to hunt down his old adversary. As John adjusts to self - driving cars and having sex wearing helmets , he pairs up with Lenina Huxley ( Sandra Bullock ), a bored cop with a nostalgic fascination for 20th - century culture.
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Jean-Claude Van Damme makes his starring debut in the aptly titled Bloodsport. An American soldier at large in Hong Kong Van Damme becomes involved in the Kumite (also spelled Kumatai) a highly illegal kickboxing competition. Whoever survives the bout will be crowned Kumite champion of the world-a title that has plenty of challengers with homicide in their hearts. The finale offers a duel to the death (or near-death) between Van Damme and reigning Kumite king Bolo Yeung. The script is based on the real-life exploits of martial arts champ Frank Dux (who serves as the film's fight coordinator). Denied such niceties as production values Bloodsport scores big-time in the violent action department. A sequel followed in 1995 inventively titled Bloodsport 2.
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Jean - Claude Van Damme makes his starring debut in the aptly titled Bloodsport . An American soldier at large in Hong Kong , Van Damme becomes involved in the Kumite ( also spelled Kumatai ), a highly illegal kickboxing competition. Whoever survives the bout will be crowned Kumite champion of the world - a title that has plenty of challengers with homicide in their hearts. The finale offers a duel to the death ( or near - death ) between Van Damme and reigning Kumite king Bolo Yeung . The script is based on the real - life exploits of martial arts champ Frank Dux ( who serves as the film's fight coordinator ) . Denied such niceties as production values , Bloodsport scores big - time in the violent action department. A sequel followed in 1995 , inventively titled Bloodsport 2 .
1089
Terrence Malick's Days of Heaven the long-awaited follow-up to his 1973 debut Badlands confirmed his reputation as a visual poet and narrative iconoclast with a story of love and murder told through the jaded voice of a child and expressive images of nature. In 1916 Chicago steelworker Bill (Richard Gere stepping in for John Travolta) flees to Texas with his little sister Linda (Linda Manz) and girlfriend Abby (Brooke Adams) after fatally erupting at his boss. Along with other itinerant laborers they work the harvest at a wealthy ailing farmer's ranch but the farmer (playwright Sam Shepard) falls in love with Abby and believing her to be Bill's sister asks the three to stay on at his elysian spread. Seeing it as his one real chance to escape perpetual poverty Bill urges Abby to marry the sick man. Marriage however has more restorative powers and the farmer has more magnetism than Bill had planned. "Nobody's perfect" Linda impassively observes in one of her many voiceovers after their brief paradise is erased by plagues of locusts fire and lethal jealousy.
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Terrence Malick 's Days of Heaven , the long - awaited follow - up to his 1973 debut Badlands , confirmed his reputation as a visual poet and narrative iconoclast with a story of love and murder told through the jaded voice of a child and expressive images of nature. In 1916 , Chicago steelworker Bill ( Richard Gere , stepping in for John Travolta ) flees to Texas with his little sister Linda ( Linda Manz ) and girlfriend Abby ( Brooke Adams ) after fatally erupting at his boss. Along with other itinerant laborers , they work the harvest at a wealthy , ailing farmer's ranch , but the farmer ( playwright Sam Shepard ) falls in love with Abby , and , believing her to be Bill's sister , asks the three to stay on at his elysian spread. Seeing it as his one real chance to escape perpetual poverty , Bill urges Abby to marry the sick man. Marriage , however , has more restorative powers , and the farmer has more magnetism , than Bill had planned. "Nobody's perfect , " Linda impassively observes in one of her many voiceovers , after their brief paradise is erased by plagues of locusts , fire , and lethal jealousy.
1090
Adapted for stage and screen several times over the past century French author Francois Choderlos de Laclos' 1782 novel Les Liasons Dangeureuses was the basis for this Academy Award-winning Stephen Frears film. The plot is motivated by a cruel wager between the beautiful but debauched Marquise de Merteuil (Glenn Close) and her misogynistic former lover the Vicomte de Valmont (John Malkovitch). The Marquise challenges Valmont to seduce the virginal Cecile de Volanges (Uma Thurman) before the girl can be wed. Valmont offers a more difficult counter-challenge: He bets the Marquise that he will be able to bed the very moral and very married Madame de Tourvel (Michelle Pfeiffer). In the course of carrying out his plan Valmont is stricken with a sudden case of honor and remorse while the Marquise becomes all the more vicious.
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Adapted for stage and screen several times over the past century , French author Francois Choderlos de Laclos ' 1782 novel Les Liasons Dangeureuses was the basis for this Academy Award - winning Stephen Frears film. The plot is motivated by a cruel wager between the beautiful but debauched Marquise de Merteuil ( Glenn Close ) and her misogynistic former lover , the Vicomte de Valmont ( John Malkovitch ) . The Marquise challenges Valmont to seduce the virginal Cecile de Volanges ( Uma Thurman ) before the girl can be wed. Valmont offers a more difficult counter - challenge : He bets the Marquise that he will be able to bed the very moral and very married Madame de Tourvel ( Michelle Pfeiffer ) . In the course of carrying out his plan , Valmont is stricken with a sudden case of honor and remorse , while the Marquise becomes all the more vicious.
1091
ased on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker The Color Purple spans the years 1909 to 1949 relating the life of Celie (Whoopi Goldberg) a Southern black woman virtually sold into a life of servitude to her brutal husband sharecropper Albert (Danny Glover). Celie pours out her innermost thoughts in letter form to her sister Nettie (Akousa Busia) but Albert has been hiding the letters Nettie writes back allowing Celie to assume that Nettie is dead. Finally Celie finds a champion in the don't-take-no-guff Sofia (Oprah Winfrey) the wife of Glover's son from a previous marriage. Alas Sofia is "humbled" when she is beaten into submission by angry whites. Later Celie is able to forge a strong friendship with Albert's mistress Shug (Margaret Avery). Emboldened by this Celie begins rifling through her husband's belongings and finds Nettie's letters. Able at last to stand up to her husband Celie leaves him to search for a new life on her own. A major box-office hit The Color Purple was nominated for eleven Oscars. The film was co-produced by Quincy Jones who also wrote the score.
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Based on the Pulitzer Prize - winning novel by Alice Walker , The Color Purple spans the years 1909 to 1949 , relating the life of Celie ( Whoopi Goldberg ), a Southern black woman virtually sold into a life of servitude to her brutal husband , sharecropper Albert ( Danny Glover ) . Celie pours out her innermost thoughts in letter form to her sister Nettie ( Akousa Busia ), but Albert has been hiding the letters Nettie writes back , allowing Celie to assume that Nettie is dead. Finally , Celie finds a champion in the don't - take - no - guff Sofia ( Oprah Winfrey ), the wife of Glover's son from a previous marriage. Alas , Sofia is "humbled" when she is beaten into submission by angry whites. Later , Celie is able to forge a strong friendship with Albert's mistress Shug ( Margaret Avery ) . Emboldened by this , Celie begins rifling through her husband's belongings and finds Nettie's letters. Able at last to stand up to her husband , Celie leaves him to search for a new life on her own. A major box - office hit , The Color Purple was nominated for eleven Oscars. The film was co - produced by Quincy Jones , who also wrote the score.
1092
"What do we do now?" Director Michael Ritchie and executive producer/star Robert Redford satirically explore the machinations and manipulations of media-age political campaigns in this cynical political drama. Rumpled left-wing California lawyer Bill McKay (Redford) the son of a former governor (Melvyn Douglas) is enlisted by campaign maestro Marvin Lucas (Peter Boyle) to challenge Republican incumbent Crocker Jarmon (Don Porter) for his Senate seat. McKay agrees but only if he can say exactly what he thinks. That approach is all well and good when McKay does not seem to have a chance but things change when his honesty unexpectedly captivates the electorate. As McKay inches up in the polls Lucas and company start to do what it takes to win leaving McKay to ponder the consequences of his political seduction. Working without studio interference from a script by Jeremy Larner a speechwriter for 1968 Presidential candidate Eugene McCarthy Ritchie enhanced the behind-the-scenes realism of Larner's insights with a realistic cinéma vérité approach. He orchestrated a campaign parade for "candidate" Redford that drew such a considerable unstaged audience that local politicians wanted to draft Redford for a real election. Redford's resemblance to the telegenic Kennedys and his character's resonance with the future career of California governor Jerry Brown only emphasized how close to the bone The Candidate was (and is). Released the fateful year of Richard Nixon's reelection the film garnered accolades if not substantial box office; Larner won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay and thanked the "politicians of our time" for inspiration. Creating a documentary fiction about the semi-truths manufactured to market a candidate The Candidate shrewdly exposed the effects of the media on the increasingly cynical political process posing unanswerable questions that have become all the more pressing with every soundbite-ruled election.
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"What do we do now?" Director Michael Ritchie and executive producer / star Robert Redford satirically explore the machinations and manipulations of media - age political campaigns in this cynical political drama. Rumpled left - wing California lawyer Bill McKay ( Redford ), the son of a former governor ( Melvyn Douglas ), is enlisted by campaign maestro Marvin Lucas ( Peter Boyle ) to challenge Republican incumbent Crocker Jarmon ( Don Porter ) for his Senate seat. McKay agrees , but only if he can say exactly what he thinks. That approach is all well and good when McKay does not seem to have a chance , but things change when his honesty unexpectedly captivates the electorate. As McKay inches up in the polls , Lucas and company start to do what it takes to win , leaving McKay to ponder the consequences of his political seduction. Working without studio interference from a script by Jeremy Larner , a speechwriter for 1968 Presidential candidate Eugene McCarthy , Ritchie enhanced the behind - the - scenes realism of Larner 's insights with a realistic , cinéma vérité approach. He orchestrated a campaign parade for "candidate" Redford that drew such a considerable unstaged audience that local politicians wanted to draft Redford for a real election. Redford 's resemblance to the telegenic Kennedys , and his character's resonance with the future career of California governor Jerry Brown , only emphasized how close to the bone The Candidate was ( and is ) . Released the fateful year of Richard Nixon 's reelection , the film garnered accolades , if not substantial box office ; Larner won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay and thanked the "politicians of our time" for inspiration. Creating a documentary fiction about the semi - truths manufactured to market a candidate , The Candidate shrewdly exposed the effects of the media on the increasingly cynical political process , posing unanswerable questions that have become all the more pressing with every soundbite - ruled election.
1093
Adapted by Robert Getchell from Woody Guthrie's autobiography Hal Ashby's biopic portrays a few pivotal years in the life of the celebrated folk singer and social activist. In the Depression 1930s Midwesterner Guthrie (David Carradine) plays music locally but cannot make enough as a sign painter to support his wife (Melinda Dillon) and children. With only his paintbrushes Woody joins the migration westward from the Dust Bowl to supposedly greener California pastures via boxcar and hitchhiking. When penniless Woody is turned back from the California border he sneaks into the state alone and meets Luther (Randy Quaid) who takes Woody to a farm where hundreds of workers scrounge for a few ill-paid harvesting jobs. When singer Ozark Bole (Ronny Cox) arrives both to entertain and to urge the workers to unionize Woody joins Ozark in song fleeing with him after thugs break up the assembly. He lands a job singing with Ozark on the radio and the two become partners in union agitation. Unable to commit in his personal life as he finds his political voice Woody brings his family west but his wife can't tolerate Woody's wandering ways. Reluctant to sell out his ideals for a lucrative career Woody hits the road again bringing his songs of freedom and protest to a nationwide audience on his own terms. Opting for atmospheric story-telling over strident polemic the filmmakers present Guthrie as a complex individual with contradictory virtues and faults. Despite critical praise and nominations for several Oscars including Best Picture Bound for Glory proved less than glorious at the box office.
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Adapted by Robert Getchell from Woody Guthrie's autobiography , Hal Ashby 's biopic portrays a few pivotal years in the life of the celebrated folk singer and social activist. In the Depression 1930s , Midwesterner Guthrie ( David Carradine ) plays music locally but cannot make enough as a sign painter to support his wife ( Melinda Dillon ) and children. With only his paintbrushes , Woody joins the migration westward from the Dust Bowl to supposedly greener California pastures via boxcar and hitchhiking. When penniless Woody is turned back from the California border , he sneaks into the state alone and meets Luther ( Randy Quaid ), who takes Woody to a farm where hundreds of workers scrounge for a few ill - paid harvesting jobs. When singer Ozark Bole ( Ronny Cox ) arrives both to entertain and to urge the workers to unionize , Woody joins Ozark in song , fleeing with him after thugs break up the assembly. He lands a job singing with Ozark on the radio , and the two become partners in union agitation. Unable to commit in his personal life as he finds his political voice , Woody brings his family west , but his wife can't tolerate Woody's wandering ways. Reluctant to sell out his ideals for a lucrative career , Woody hits the road again , bringing his songs of freedom and protest to a nationwide audience on his own terms. Opting for atmospheric story - telling over strident polemic , the filmmakers present Guthrie as a complex individual with contradictory virtues and faults. Despite critical praise and nominations for several Oscars , including Best Picture , Bound for Glory proved less than glorious at the box office.
1094
The intertwined lives of four couples living in and around Sydney Australia form the structure for this drama masquerading as a whodunit. Andrew Bovell freely adapted his play Speaking in Tongues opening up the action as the geography and topography of Sydney and its suburbs become major characters as well. The film opens with a shot of what looks like a corpse entangled in a thick stand of branches -- the title plant which grows in profusion in Australia. Bovell and director Ray Lawrence take their time in explaining whose body that is and then slowly reveal with no help from a number of red herrings how it happened to be there. The principal players are Valerie Somers (Barbara Hershey) a psychiatrist with issues over her child a murder victim; her husband John Knox (Geoffrey Rush) an aloof professor whom she suspects of infidelity; Leon Zat (Anthony LaPaglia) a police detective cheating on his wife Sonja (Kerry Armstrong) who is a patient of Valerie's. Zat's mistress Jane O'May (Rachael Blake) is someone he met at a dancing class his wife dragged him to; she is estranged from her husband Pete (Glenn L. Robbins). Their neighbors Paula (Daniela Farinacci) and Nik D'Amato (Vince Colosimo) try to stay neutral in the O'Mays' split; she works days as a nurse and he's unemployed and minds their children. Suspicion around the disappearance of one character manages to enmesh all of the others. Bovell's stories are about secrets real and imagined and how they can poison relationships. The film virtually swept all the major awards at the Australian Film Institute's annual ceremony though its reception in the States was mildly respectful.
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The intertwined lives of four couples living in and around Sydney , Australia , form the structure for this drama masquerading as a whodunit. Andrew Bovell freely adapted his play , Speaking in Tongues , opening up the action , as the geography and topography of Sydney and its suburbs become major characters as well. The film opens with a shot of what looks like a corpse entangled in a thick stand of branches -- the title plant , which grows in profusion in Australia. Bovell and director Ray Lawrence take their time in explaining whose body that is and then slowly reveal , with no help from a number of red herrings , how it happened to be there. The principal players are Valerie Somers ( Barbara Hershey ), a psychiatrist with issues over her child , a murder victim ; her husband , John Knox ( Geoffrey Rush ), an aloof professor whom she suspects of infidelity ; Leon Zat ( Anthony LaPaglia ), a police detective cheating on his wife , Sonja ( Kerry Armstrong ), who is a patient of Valerie's. Zat's mistress , Jane O'May ( Rachael Blake ), is someone he met at a dancing class his wife dragged him to ; she is estranged from her husband , Pete ( Glenn L. Robbins ) . Their neighbors , Paula ( Daniela Farinacci ) and Nik D'Amato ( Vince Colosimo ), try to stay neutral in the O'Mays' split ; she works days as a nurse and he's unemployed and minds their children. Suspicion around the disappearance of one character manages to enmesh all of the others. Bovell 's stories are about secrets , real and imagined , and how they can poison relationships. The film virtually swept all the major awards at the Australian Film Institute's annual ceremony , though its reception in the States was mildly respectful.
1095
Character actor and noted photographer Todd Field made his directorial debut with this emotionally powerful drama which earned enthusiastic reviews at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival. Frank Fowler (Nick Stahl) is a handsome and amiable young man who has recently graduated from high school and is spending the summer working as a lobster fisherman before heading off to college in the fall. Frank is also involved with Natalie (Marisa Tomei) an attractive woman ten years his senior who is separated from her husband Richard (William Mapother) though their divorce has not yet been finalized. Frank's parents Matt (Tom Wilkinson) and Ruth (Sissy Spacek) wonder if it's wise for their son to be pursuing a romance that he won't be able to continue in a few months; Matt trusts Frank and leaves him to make his own decisions while Ruth quietly but firmly registers her objections. One day Richard snaps and breaks into Natalie's home; when he discovers Frank is there he viciously kills him. The wheels of justice turn in an unexpected direction and Richard is released on bail free to go his own way as he awaits his trial. Matt and Ruth are both deeply traumatized by the event; while Matt tries to deal with his hurt by retreating into his work and avoiding his feelings Ruth instead becomes increasingly withdrawn losing interest in her job as a music teacher and spending her nights chain smoking in front of the television. In the Bedroom was adapted from the short story Killings by Andre Dubus.
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Character actor and noted photographer Todd Field made his directorial debut with this emotionally powerful drama , which earned enthusiastic reviews at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival . Frank Fowler ( Nick Stahl ) is a handsome and amiable young man who has recently graduated from high school and is spending the summer working as a lobster fisherman before heading off to college in the fall. Frank is also involved with Natalie ( Marisa Tomei ), an attractive woman ten years his senior who is separated from her husband Richard ( William Mapother ), though their divorce has not yet been finalized. Frank's parents , Matt ( Tom Wilkinson ) and Ruth ( Sissy Spacek ) wonder if it's wise for their son to be pursuing a romance that he won't be able to continue in a few months ; Matt trusts Frank and leaves him to make his own decisions , while Ruth quietly but firmly registers her objections. One day , Richard snaps , and breaks into Natalie's home ; when he discovers Frank is there , he viciously kills him. The wheels of justice turn in an unexpected direction , and Richard is released on bail , free to go his own way as he awaits his trial. Matt and Ruth are both deeply traumatized by the event ; while Matt tries to deal with his hurt by retreating into his work and avoiding his feelings , Ruth instead becomes increasingly withdrawn , losing interest in her job as a music teacher and spending her nights chain smoking in front of the television. In the Bedroom was adapted from the short story Killings by Andre Dubus.
1096
In this powerful and disturbing drama Danny Balint (Ryan Gosling) is a member of a gang of racist skinheads who espouses a vile but well-articulated philosophy of anti-Semitism. Danny also has a secret -- he is a Jew and was a top student in Hebrew school before he began to ask too many questions about the deeper implications of the teachings in the Torah and the Old Testament leading to his expulsion. Angry and confused Danny began to explore the philosophies of the neo-Nazi movement which he soon came to embrace through a mixture of anger over the tragic history of the Jewish people bitterness over his experiences in Hebrew school and a loathing of himself. Danny soon becomes a key member of a skinhead sect led by Curtis (Billy Zane) and Lina (Theresa Russell) but while Curtis and Lina believe that the desire for cultural assimilation by many American Jews will lead to their self-destruction Danny advocates a more direct and violent approach in dealing with the "enemy." Danny gains the admiration of his fellow skinheads for his intelligence and commitment and wins the affection of Carla (Summer Phoenix) a group member with severe masochistic tendencies. But in time Danny's beliefs begin to shift once again just as the truth about his background becomes known to his comrades. Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival The Believer was inspired by the true story of Daniel Burros a member of the American Nazi Party who committed suicide in the 1960s when it was revealed by the press that he was born to a Jewish family.
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In this powerful and disturbing drama , Danny Balint ( Ryan Gosling ) is a member of a gang of racist skinheads who espouses a vile but well - articulated philosophy of anti - Semitism. Danny also has a secret -- he is a Jew , and was a top student in Hebrew school before he began to ask too many questions about the deeper implications of the teachings in the Torah and the Old Testament , leading to his expulsion. Angry and confused , Danny began to explore the philosophies of the neo - Nazi movement , which he soon came to embrace through a mixture of anger over the tragic history of the Jewish people , bitterness over his experiences in Hebrew school , and a loathing of himself. Danny soon becomes a key member of a skinhead sect led by Curtis ( Billy Zane ) and Lina ( Theresa Russell ), but while Curtis and Lina believe that the desire for cultural assimilation by many American Jews will lead to their self - destruction , Danny advocates a more direct and violent approach in dealing with the "enemy." Danny gains the admiration of his fellow skinheads for his intelligence and commitment , and wins the affection of Carla ( Summer Phoenix ), a group member with severe masochistic tendencies. But in time Danny's beliefs begin to shift once again , just as the truth about his background becomes known to his comrades. Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival , The Believer was inspired by the true story of Daniel Burros , a member of the American Nazi Party who committed suicide in the 1960s when it was revealed by the press that he was born to a Jewish family.
1097
Two women connected by family are drawn closer by fate in this low-key drama. Frances (Jacqueline Bisset) is a woman in her early fifties who had already begun to sense time was running out for her when she learned that she has cancer. While Frances is fighting the disease through medical treatment she decides it's a good idea to do some travelling before it's too late and she pays a visit to Bob (Seymour Cassel) a former boyfriend who now owns a farm in rural Pennsylvania. To Bob's surprise Frances strikes up a fast friendship with his wife Betty (Peggy Gormley) and Frances shares a confession with her -- while Frances maintains a close relationship with her son Morgan (Nick Stahl) she also had a daughter by Bob that she put up for adoption and she's not certain if she should track down the child while there's still time. Coincidentally Frances' daughter is Rebecca (Martha Plimpton) a successful lawyer who has begun to express a curiosity about her birth parents. Rebecca has been hired by a large communications firm to deal with the paperwork regarding the purchase of a radio station in Florida and while in the Sunshine State Rebecca gets to know the station's manager Jimmy (Frankie R. Faison). As Jimmy and Rebecca ease into a short-term romance he shares stories about the "Sleepy Time Gal" a mysterious female disc jockey who worked at the station back in the '50s; what neither Jimmy nor Rebecca know is that the Sleepy Time Gal was actually Frances.
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Two women connected by family are drawn closer by fate in this low - key drama. Frances ( Jacqueline Bisset ) is a woman in her early fifties who had already begun to sense time was running out for her when she learned that she has cancer. While Frances is fighting the disease through medical treatment , she decides it's a good idea to do some travelling before it's too late , and she pays a visit to Bob ( Seymour Cassel ), a former boyfriend who now owns a farm in rural Pennsylvania. To Bob's surprise , Frances strikes up a fast friendship with his wife Betty ( Peggy Gormley ), and Frances shares a confession with her -- while Frances maintains a close relationship with her son Morgan ( Nick Stahl ), she also had a daughter by Bob that she put up for adoption , and she's not certain if she should track down the child while there's still time. Coincidentally , Frances' daughter is Rebecca ( Martha Plimpton ), a successful lawyer who has begun to express a curiosity about her birth parents. Rebecca has been hired by a large communications firm to deal with the paperwork regarding the purchase of a radio station in Florida , and while in the Sunshine State , Rebecca gets to know the station's manager , Jimmy ( Frankie R. Faison ) . As Jimmy and Rebecca ease into a short - term romance , he shares stories about the "Sleepy Time Gal , " a mysterious female disc jockey who worked at the station back in the '50s ; what neither Jimmy nor Rebecca know is that the Sleepy Time Gal was actually Frances.
1098
Following on the heels of director Zhang Yimou's Not One Less (1999) which won the top prize at the 1999 Venice Film Festival comes this sensitively-wrought portrait of a young woman's unshakable love. The film opens in the present shot in gritty black and white as businessman Luo Yusheng (Sun Honglei) returns to his hometown in the rural Hebei province to attend the funeral of his father. When Luo suggests that the coffin should be brought home from the hospital on a tractor his aging mother Zhao Di (Zhao Yuelin) rebuffs him insisting that they conform to custom and have it carried home by local men. Later as Luo recalls his parent's courtship the film switches to color and travels back in time about 40 years. A young beautiful Zhao Di (Zhang Ziyi) find herself falling for the village's handsome new teacher Luo Changyu (Zheng Hao). As the males in the village join together to build a school for the burg Zhao Di helps the other women prepare food waiting patiently to meet the strapping educator. Just as their romance begins Luo is suddenly ordered to leave by the Communist authorities. As Luo packs up and leaves the village Zhao Di races hither and thither carrying his favorite steamed dumplings hoping to catch him before he departs. Though the odds of reunion seem slim Zhao Di steadfastly holds vigil for her lover until miraculously Luo returns under the cover of the night only to be once again ordered to the city where he has been commanded to stay. The pair are forced to wait another two years until they can be together. This film won the prestigious Silver Bear at the 2000 Berlin Film Festival and the World Cinema Audience Award at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival; the victories were all the more sweet for the director as The Road Home was rejected outright from the 1999 Cannes Film Festival prompting Zhang to angrily withdraw his Not One Less from competition.
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Following on the heels of director Zhang Yimou 's Not One Less ( 1999 ), which won the top prize at the 1999 Venice Film Festival , comes this sensitively - wrought portrait of a young woman's unshakable love. The film opens in the present , shot in gritty black and white , as businessman Luo Yusheng ( Sun Honglei ) returns to his hometown in the rural Hebei province to attend the funeral of his father. When Luo suggests that the coffin should be brought home from the hospital on a tractor , his aging mother Zhao Di ( Zhao Yuelin ) rebuffs him , insisting that they conform to custom and have it carried home by local men. Later , as Luo recalls his parent's courtship , the film switches to color and travels back in time about 40 years. A young , beautiful Zhao Di ( Zhang Ziyi ) find herself falling for the village's handsome new teacher Luo Changyu ( Zheng Hao ) . As the males in the village join together to build a school for the burg , Zhao Di helps the other women prepare food , waiting patiently to meet the strapping educator. Just as their romance begins , Luo is suddenly ordered to leave by the Communist authorities. As Luo packs up and leaves the village , Zhao Di races hither and thither carrying his favorite steamed dumplings , hoping to catch him before he departs. Though the odds of reunion seem slim , Zhao Di steadfastly holds vigil for her lover until miraculously , Luo returns under the cover of the night only to be once again ordered to the city where he has been commanded to stay. The pair are forced to wait another two years until they can be together. This film won the prestigious Silver Bear at the 2000 Berlin Film Festival and the World Cinema Audience Award at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival ; the victories were all the more sweet for the director , as The Road Home was rejected outright from the 1999 Cannes Film Festival , prompting Zhang to angrily withdraw his Not One Less from competition.
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In this independent drama a young man tries to find himself in the early 1970s as he wades through a swamp of heroin addiction. FH (Billy Crudup) is a well-intentioned but weak-willed man whose propensity for messing up his life has earned him his nickname short for "F--khead." FH's problems with drugs begin in earnest when he falls in love with Michelle (Samantha Morton) a beautiful but emotionally unsettled woman addicted to heroin. FH soon finds himself drawn to the needle and the couple drifts from one incident to the next some funny and some horrifying. Michelle rescues FH from overdoses on a few occasions although their friend Wayne (Denis Leary) isn't so lucky. After a few years Michelle becomes pregnant and has an abortion in Chicago shortly before leaving FH and journeying to Mexico. While heading South in hopes of finding her FH falls into a relationship with an older woman Mira (Holly Hunter) and becomes involved in an auto wreck; his brush with death and the opportunity to save a child's life lead him into rehab and a chance to straighten out his life. The American debut from New Zealand director Alison Maclean and based on the novel by Denis Johnson Jesus' Son also features Dennis Hopper Will Patton and Jack Black.
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In this independent drama , a young man tries to find himself in the early 1970s as he wades through a swamp of heroin addiction. FH ( Billy Crudup ) is a well - intentioned but weak - willed man whose propensity for messing up his life has earned him his nickname , short for "F -- khead." FH's problems with drugs begin in earnest when he falls in love with Michelle ( Samantha Morton ), a beautiful but emotionally unsettled woman addicted to heroin. FH soon finds himself drawn to the needle , and the couple drifts from one incident to the next , some funny and some horrifying. Michelle rescues FH from overdoses on a few occasions , although their friend Wayne ( Denis Leary ) isn't so lucky. After a few years , Michelle becomes pregnant and has an abortion in Chicago shortly before leaving FH and journeying to Mexico. While heading South in hopes of finding her , FH falls into a relationship with an older woman , Mira ( Holly Hunter ), and becomes involved in an auto wreck ; his brush with death , and the opportunity to save a child's life , lead him into rehab and a chance to straighten out his life. The American debut from New Zealand director Alison Maclean and based on the novel by Denis Johnson , Jesus' Son also features Dennis Hopper , Will Patton , and Jack Black .
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The Insider tells the true story of a man who decided to tell the world what the seven major tobacco companies knew (and concealed) about the dangers of their product. Jeffrey Wigand (Russell Crowe) was a scientist employed in research for a tobacco firm Brown and Williamson. Not long after he was fired by Brown and Williamson Wigand came into contact with Lowell Bergman (Al Pacino) a producer for 60 Minutes who worked closely with journalist Mike Wallace (played here by Christopher Plummer). Bergman arranged for Wigand to be interviewed by Wallace for a 60 Minutes expose on the cigarette industry though Wigand was still bound by a confidentiality agreement not to discuss his employment with the company. Despite Wigand's willingness to talk CBS pulled his interview from at the last minute after Brown and Williamson threatened a multi-billion dollar lawsuit. The staff of 60 Minutes and CBS News were soon embroiled in an internal struggle over the killing of the story and Wigand found himself the subject of lawsuits and a smear campaign without his full story reaching the public. The Insider was directed by Michael Mann and also features Diane Venora Philip Baker Hall Debi Mazar Colm Feore and Rip Torn.
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The Insider tells the true story of a man who decided to tell the world what the seven major tobacco companies knew ( and concealed ) about the dangers of their product. Jeffrey Wigand ( Russell Crowe ) was a scientist employed in research for a tobacco firm , Brown and Williamson. Not long after he was fired by Brown and Williamson , Wigand came into contact with Lowell Bergman ( Al Pacino ), a producer for 60 Minutes who worked closely with journalist Mike Wallace ( played here by Christopher Plummer ) . Bergman arranged for Wigand to be interviewed by Wallace for a 60 Minutes expose on the cigarette industry , though Wigand was still bound by a confidentiality agreement not to discuss his employment with the company. Despite Wigand's willingness to talk , CBS pulled his interview from at the last minute after Brown and Williamson threatened a multi - billion dollar lawsuit. The staff of 60 Minutes and CBS News were soon embroiled in an internal struggle over the killing of the story , and Wigand found himself the subject of lawsuits and a smear campaign , without his full story reaching the public. The Insider was directed by Michael Mann and also features Diane Venora , Philip Baker Hall , Debi Mazar , Colm Feore , and Rip Torn .
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ased on a true story this drama was adapted from the life of Brandon Teena born Teena Brandon a woman who chose to live her life as a man and suffered tragic consequences as a result. In 1993 20-year-old Brandon (Hilary Swank) leaves Lincoln Nebraska for the nearby community of Falls City where she sports a crew cut favors jeans and boots and is regarded as a man by most of the people in town. While Brandon's friend Lonny (Matt McGrath) warns her that sexual outsiders aren't looked upon kindly in Falls City she develops a reputation for being something of a ladies' man and is soon living with a single mother named Candace (Alicia Goranson). But when Brandon meets teenage Lana (Chloe Sevigny) the two become romantically involved almost immediately. Brandon makes friends with Lana's mother (Jeanetta Arnette) and a burly ex-con named John (Peter Sarsgaard). John and his buddy Tom (Brendan Sexton) run with a rough group of men who like to drink and carouse and they accept Brandon as one of their own. However when Brandon ends up in jail on a traffic violation her secret comes out and while Lana stands by Brandon's side John and Tom feel betrayed -- and their anger soon boils over into violence. A distinguished feature debut for director Kimberly Peirce Boys Don't Cry was enthusiastically received in its showings at 1999 film festivals in Venice Toronto and New York.
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Based on a true story , this drama was adapted from the life of Brandon Teena , born Teena Brandon , a woman who chose to live her life as a man and suffered tragic consequences as a result. In 1993 , 20 - year - old Brandon ( Hilary Swank ) leaves Lincoln , Nebraska for the nearby community of Falls City , where she sports a crew cut , favors jeans and boots , and is regarded as a man by most of the people in town. While Brandon's friend Lonny ( Matt McGrath ) warns her that sexual outsiders aren't looked upon kindly in Falls City , she develops a reputation for being something of a ladies' man , and is soon living with a single mother named Candace ( Alicia Goranson ) . But when Brandon meets teenage Lana ( Chloe Sevigny ), the two become romantically involved almost immediately. Brandon makes friends with Lana's mother ( Jeanetta Arnette ) and a burly ex - con named John ( Peter Sarsgaard ) . John and his buddy Tom ( Brendan Sexton ) run with a rough group of men who like to drink and carouse , and they accept Brandon as one of their own. However , when Brandon ends up in jail on a traffic violation , her secret comes out , and , while Lana stands by Brandon's side , John and Tom feel betrayed -- and their anger soon boils over into violence. A distinguished feature debut for director Kimberly Peirce , Boys Don't Cry was enthusiastically received in its showings at 1999 film festivals in Venice , Toronto , and New York .
1102
David Lynch offers an uncharacteristically straightforward and warmly sentimental approach to his material in this film based on a true story about an elderly man's journey to reconcile with his brother. Alvin Straight (Richard Farnsworth) is an ailing widower in his early 70's who lives in Laurens Iowa with his daughter Rose (Sissy Spacek) who is mildly retarded and has a speech defect. Alvin doesn't trust doctors despite suffering from emphysema and a bad hip. Alvin learns that his brother Lyle (Harry Dean Stanton) has suffered a stroke and may not have long to live. Alvin and Lyle haven't spoken in 10 years which Alvin says is mainly a matter of pride and alcohol; Alvin wants to clear his slate with his brother before it's too late. However Lyle lives in Wisconsin and Alvin has little money no car and no driver's license. He does however have a riding lawn mower and so Alvin hops on board and heads northeast to Wisconsin hoping to make it while there's still time. Along the way Alvin makes new friends and refuses to give up on his journey despite frequent mechanical breakdowns. Richard Farnsworth's performance as Alvin earned him an Academy Award nomination as Best Actor; it would prove to be his final screen appearance as he died a year after the film's release.
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David Lynch offers an uncharacteristically straightforward and warmly sentimental approach to his material in this film , based on a true story , about an elderly man's journey to reconcile with his brother. Alvin Straight ( Richard Farnsworth ) is an ailing widower in his early 70's who lives in Laurens , Iowa with his daughter , Rose ( Sissy Spacek ), who is mildly retarded and has a speech defect. Alvin doesn't trust doctors , despite suffering from emphysema and a bad hip. Alvin learns that his brother Lyle ( Harry Dean Stanton ) has suffered a stroke and may not have long to live. Alvin and Lyle haven't spoken in 10 years , which Alvin says is mainly a matter of pride and alcohol ; Alvin wants to clear his slate with his brother before it's too late. However , Lyle lives in Wisconsin , and Alvin has little money , no car , and no driver's license. He does , however , have a riding lawn mower , and so Alvin hops on board and heads northeast to Wisconsin , hoping to make it while there's still time. Along the way , Alvin makes new friends and refuses to give up on his journey , despite frequent mechanical breakdowns. Richard Farnsworth 's performance as Alvin earned him an Academy Award nomination as Best Actor ; it would prove to be his final screen appearance , as he died a year after the film's release.
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Playwright and filmmaker David Mamet best known for gritty emotionally powerful dramas such as American Buffalo Glengarry Glen Ross and Oleanna approaches something different with this project a screen adaptation of Terrence Rattigan's play The Winslow Boy which was previously filmed in 1948. Set in England in 1912 (and based on an actual court case) the story begins with the Winslow family at a tense and trying moment. Arthur Winslow (Nigel Hawthorne) is making final preparations for a dinner to seal the engagement between his daughter Catherine (Rebecca Pidgeon) and John Watherstone (Aden Gillett). Catherine herself has been a subject of no small tension in the family given her outspoken support of the controversial cause of women's suffrage. However the meeting between Arthur and John goes well and the family and guests are toasting the upcoming marriage when Arthur discovers that his youngest son Ronnie (Guy Edwards) is unexpectedly home from the Naval College at Osbourne. It seems Ronnie was accused of stealing a five shilling postal note from one of his classmates and was expelled as a result. Ronnie proclaims his innocence and his father believes him -- enough so that he demands an apology from the College. When the college refuses to reinstate Ronnie Arthur decides to take the matter to court. His councilor Sir Robert Morton (Jeremy Northam) informs him that the Naval College is a representative of the Admiralty and the Crown and as such British law presumes they are infallible and above question; their judgement can be legally questioned only with the permission of the Attorney General. Arthur insists on taking the matter before Parliament to decide if his suit can be brought forward and the case begins to split the family's foundations. Catherine is upset with her father for hiring a lawyer who opposes a woman's right to vote John's father threatens to stop the engagement if Arthur does not drop the matter and Arthur's wife Grace (Gemma Jones) begins to wonder if the real issue is justice or a father's stubborn and foolish pride. The Winslow Boy was filmed in England with a primarily British cast (the most notable exception being Rebecca Pidgeon who happens to be Mamet's wife); Neil North who plays the First Lord of the Admiralty played Ronnie in the first film version of the story.
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Playwright and filmmaker David Mamet , best known for gritty , emotionally powerful dramas such as American Buffalo , Glengarry Glen Ross and Oleanna , approaches something different with this project , a screen adaptation of Terrence Rattigan's play The Winslow Boy , which was previously filmed in 1948. Set in England in 1912 ( and based on an actual court case ), the story begins with the Winslow family at a tense and trying moment. Arthur Winslow ( Nigel Hawthorne ) is making final preparations for a dinner to seal the engagement between his daughter Catherine ( Rebecca Pidgeon ) and John Watherstone ( Aden Gillett ) . Catherine herself has been a subject of no small tension in the family , given her outspoken support of the controversial cause of women's suffrage. However , the meeting between Arthur and John goes well , and the family and guests are toasting the upcoming marriage when Arthur discovers that his youngest son Ronnie ( Guy Edwards ) is unexpectedly home from the Naval College at Osbourne. It seems Ronnie was accused of stealing a five shilling postal note from one of his classmates and was expelled as a result. Ronnie proclaims his innocence and his father believes him -- enough so that he demands an apology from the College. When the college refuses to reinstate Ronnie , Arthur decides to take the matter to court. His councilor , Sir Robert Morton ( Jeremy Northam ), informs him that the Naval College is a representative of the Admiralty and the Crown , and as such British law presumes they are infallible and above question ; their judgement can be legally questioned only with the permission of the Attorney General. Arthur insists on taking the matter before Parliament to decide if his suit can be brought forward , and the case begins to split the family's foundations. Catherine is upset with her father for hiring a lawyer who opposes a woman's right to vote , John's father threatens to stop the engagement if Arthur does not drop the matter , and Arthur's wife Grace ( Gemma Jones ) begins to wonder if the real issue is justice or a father's stubborn and foolish pride. The Winslow Boy was filmed in England with a primarily British cast ( the most notable exception being Rebecca Pidgeon , who happens to be Mamet's wife ); Neil North , who plays the First Lord of the Admiralty , played Ronnie in the first film version of the story.
1104
Director Majid Majidi whose Bacheha-Ye Aseman/Children Of Heaven was the first Iranian film to be nominated for an American Academy Award returns with another compassionate story of children in need. Mohammad (Moshen Ramezani) is a student at a special school for blind children in Tehran; when summer break rolls around Mohammad is the last student to be picked up by his family. His mother is dead and his father (Hossein Mahjub) who earns a meagre wage working in a charcoal producing plant sometimes considers abandoning the boy. However father does eventually arrive and Mohammad spends the summer with his sisters and grandmother at a farm surrounding by dazzling fields of wild flowers. The summer in the country is a joyous experience for Mohammad until he discovers his father is giving thoughts to re-marrying and considers his handicapped son to be a stumbling block in his future matrimonial plans.
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Director Majid Majidi , whose Bacheha - Ye Aseman / Children Of Heaven was the first Iranian film to be nominated for an American Academy Award , returns with another compassionate story of children in need. Mohammad ( Moshen Ramezani ) is a student at a special school for blind children in Tehran ; when summer break rolls around , Mohammad is the last student to be picked up by his family. His mother is dead , and his father ( Hossein Mahjub ), who earns a meagre wage working in a charcoal producing plant , sometimes considers abandoning the boy. However , father does eventually arrive , and Mohammad spends the summer with his sisters and grandmother at a farm surrounding by dazzling fields of wild flowers. The summer in the country is a joyous experience for Mohammad , until he discovers his father is giving thoughts to re - marrying , and considers his handicapped son to be a stumbling block in his future matrimonial plans.
1105
Gods and Monsters was promoted from the outset as an artistic drama but the publicity tended to play coyly on the possibility of a homosexual romance between the retired film director James Whale played by Ian McKellen and his hunky gardener Clayton Boone (Brendan Fraser). While the film does involve romance the central relationship between the director and his gardener is about the development of a genuine friendship between two outwardly dissimilar but inwardly kindred spirits. In the story Whale has been living for many years in peaceful if not entirely contented retirement under the loving and watchful eye of his contentious and argumentative Hungarian housekeeper (Lynn Redgrave). His earlier celebrity as the director of the original Frankenstein movie and its sequel The Bride of Frankenstein results in his being visited occasionally by disagreeable young men who have come to bask in the reminiscences of this creator of two "camp" classics. His reputation as a fairly outrageous homosexual comes into play here when one particularly unpleasant and effeminate young man comes by seeking cinematic tidbits: the director challenges the boy to a game of stripping off one article of clothing for every revelation he shares about his moviemaking past. He had gotten the boy down to his briefs when he is stricken with one of his ever-recurring bouts of epilepsy the result of a series of strokes. By way of contrast while he is clearly interested in his gardener as a sex-object gradually luring him into ever closer association the openness and vulnerability of this awkwardly aggressive heterosexual boy inspires him to reveal the history of his heart. It turns out that like the young man who is modeling for his supposed artworks he came from a poor and difficult background. By the time naïve gardener learns of the director's homosexuality from the housekeeper he has been drawn too deeply under the man's spell to stay away from their meetings for long. While the tension between the men never departs a genuine relationship of caring develops between them. Meanwhile Whale has been clearly observing the progressive deterioration of his mental faculties and is increasingly being overwhelmed by vivid memories and visions.
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Gods and Monsters was promoted from the outset as an artistic drama , but the publicity tended to play coyly on the possibility of a homosexual romance between the retired film director James Whale , played by Ian McKellen and his hunky gardener Clayton Boone ( Brendan Fraser ) . While the film does involve romance , the central relationship between the director and his gardener is about the development of a genuine friendship between two outwardly dissimilar but inwardly kindred spirits. In the story , Whale has been living for many years in peaceful , if not entirely contented retirement , under the loving and watchful eye of his contentious and argumentative Hungarian housekeeper ( Lynn Redgrave ) . His earlier celebrity as the director of the original Frankenstein movie and its sequel , The Bride of Frankenstein , results in his being visited occasionally by disagreeable young men who have come to bask in the reminiscences of this creator of two "camp" classics. His reputation as a fairly outrageous homosexual comes into play here , when one particularly unpleasant and effeminate young man comes by seeking cinematic tidbits : the director challenges the boy to a game of stripping off one article of clothing for every revelation he shares about his moviemaking past. He had gotten the boy down to his briefs when he is stricken with one of his ever - recurring bouts of epilepsy , the result of a series of strokes. By way of contrast , while he is clearly interested in his gardener as a sex - object , gradually luring him into ever closer association , the openness and vulnerability of this awkwardly aggressive heterosexual boy inspires him to reveal the history of his heart. It turns out that , like the young man who is modeling for his supposed artworks , he came from a poor and difficult background. By the time naïve gardener learns of the director's homosexuality from the housekeeper , he has been drawn too deeply under the man's spell to stay away from their meetings for long. While the tension between the men never departs , a genuine relationship of caring develops between them. Meanwhile , Whale has been clearly observing the progressive deterioration of his mental faculties , and is increasingly being overwhelmed by vivid memories and visions.
1106
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck co-scripted and star in this drama set in Boston and Cambridge about rebellious 20-year-old MIT janitor Will Hunting (Damon) gifted with a photographic memory who hangs out with his South Boston bar buddies his best friend Chuckie (Affleck) and his affluent British girlfriend Skylar (Minnie Driver). After MIT professor Lambeau (Stellan Skarsgard) stumps students with a challenging math formula on a hallway blackboard Will anonymously leaves the correct solution prompting Lambeau to track the elusive young genius. As Will's problems with the police escalate Lambeau offers an out but with two conditions -- visits to a therapist and weekly math sessions. Will agrees to the latter but refuses to cooperate with a succession of therapists. Lambeau then contacts his former classmate therapist Sean McGuire (Robin Williams) an instructor at Bunker Hill Community College. Both are equally stubborn but Will is finally forced to deal with both his past and his future.
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Matt Damon and Ben Affleck co - scripted and star in this drama , set in Boston and Cambridge , about rebellious 20 - year - old MIT janitor Will Hunting ( Damon ), gifted with a photographic memory , who hangs out with his South Boston bar buddies , his best friend Chuckie ( Affleck ), and his affluent British girlfriend Skylar ( Minnie Driver ) . After MIT professor Lambeau ( Stellan Skarsgard ) stumps students with a challenging math formula on a hallway blackboard , Will anonymously leaves the correct solution , prompting Lambeau to track the elusive young genius. As Will's problems with the police escalate , Lambeau offers an out , but with two conditions -- visits to a therapist and weekly math sessions. Will agrees to the latter but refuses to cooperate with a succession of therapists. Lambeau then contacts his former classmate , therapist Sean McGuire ( Robin Williams ), an instructor at Bunker Hill Community College. Both are equally stubborn , but Will is finally forced to deal with both his past and his future.
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The final work of legendary director Stanley Kubrick who died within a week of completing the edit stars Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman at the time Hollywood's most bankable celebrity couple and was shot on a open-ended schedule (finally totaling over 400 days) with closed sets in London standing in for New York City. Cruise and Kidman play William and Alice Harford a physician and a gallery manager who are wealthy successful and travel in a sophisticated social circle; however a certain amount of decadence crosses their paths on occasion and a visit to a formal-dress party leads them into sexual temptation when William is drafted into helping a beautiful girl who has overdosed on drugs while Alice is charmed by a man bent on seduction. While neither William and Alice act on their adulterous impulses once the issue has been brought into the open it begins a dangerous season of erotic gamesmanship for the couple with William in particular openly confronting his desire for new sexual experiences. What didn't make the final cut of Eyes Wide Shut may have been as fascinating as what finally appeared on screen: Harvey Keitel was replaced almost immediately by Sydney Pollack while Jennifer Jason Leigh was replaced by Marie Richardson after she had shot all her scenes and left town.
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The final work of legendary director Stanley Kubrick , who died within a week of completing the edit , stars Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman , at the time Hollywood's most bankable celebrity couple , and was shot on a open - ended schedule ( finally totaling over 400 days ), with closed sets in London standing in for New York City. Cruise and Kidman play William and Alice Harford , a physician and a gallery manager who are wealthy , successful , and travel in a sophisticated social circle ; however , a certain amount of decadence crosses their paths on occasion , and a visit to a formal - dress party leads them into sexual temptation when William is drafted into helping a beautiful girl who has overdosed on drugs while Alice is charmed by a man bent on seduction. While neither William and Alice act on their adulterous impulses , once the issue has been brought into the open , it begins a dangerous season of erotic gamesmanship for the couple , with William in particular openly confronting his desire for new sexual experiences. What didn't make the final cut of Eyes Wide Shut may have been as fascinating as what finally appeared on screen : Harvey Keitel was replaced almost immediately by Sydney Pollack , while Jennifer Jason Leigh was replaced by Marie Richardson after she had shot all her scenes and left town.
1108
Devout Pentecostal preacher Eulis "Sonny" Dewey (Robert Duvall) of New Boston Texas has a lovely wife (Farrah Fawcett) and two children. But not only has Jessie been cheating on him with a younger minister Horace (Todd Allen) she has pulled a few strings to gain control of his church. Sonny goes into a violent rage attacking Horace with a bat during a softball game. With Horace in a coma Sonny leaves town on a bus headed east for a new life. He changes his name to E.F. baptizing himself as "The Apostle" to God. Arriving in the black community of Bayou Boutte Louisiana he meets Brother Blackwell (John Beasley) who helps him start anew. E.F. works as a garage mechanic and preaches on the streets and a local radio station owned by Elmo (Rich Dial). He leads the community in remodeling a rundown church and gains supporters as he seeks his own salvation. In sorrow from the deaths of both his mother (June Carter Cash) and Horace he encounters more problems when a racist (Billy Bob Thornton) attempts to drive a bulldozer into his church. Eventually Jessie finds out where he's living and informs the police. Duvall wrote directed and financed this exploration of the evangelical world shown at the Toronto Film Festival and the New York Film Festival. Filmed in Texas (Denton County Collin County and Dallas) and Lafayette Louisiana.
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Devout Pentecostal preacher Eulis "Sonny" Dewey ( Robert Duvall ) of New Boston , Texas , has a lovely wife ( Farrah Fawcett ) and two children. But not only has Jessie been cheating on him with a younger minister , Horace ( Todd Allen ), she has pulled a few strings to gain control of his church. Sonny goes into a violent rage , attacking Horace with a bat during a softball game. With Horace in a coma , Sonny leaves town on a bus , headed east for a new life. He changes his name to E.F. , baptizing himself as "The Apostle" to God. Arriving in the black community of Bayou Boutte , Louisiana , he meets Brother Blackwell ( John Beasley ) who helps him start anew. E.F. works as a garage mechanic and preaches on the streets and a local radio station owned by Elmo ( Rich Dial ) . He leads the community in remodeling a rundown church and gains supporters as he seeks his own salvation. In sorrow from the deaths of both his mother ( June Carter Cash ) and Horace , he encounters more problems when a racist ( Billy Bob Thornton ) attempts to drive a bulldozer into his church. Eventually , Jessie finds out where he's living and informs the police. Duvall wrote , directed , and financed this exploration of the evangelical world , shown at the Toronto Film Festival and the New York Film Festival. Filmed in Texas ( Denton County , Collin County , and Dallas ) and Lafayette , Louisiana.
1109
Nick Nolte and James Coburn deliver some of the finest work of their respective careers in this powerful but troubling adaptation of Russell Banks's novel. Wade Whitehouse (Nick Nolte) is the sheriff in a small New England town; it's a part-time job with few taxing responsibilities and Wade fills his many free hours by swilling booze smoking pot and thinking back on his nightmarish childhood. Wade's father Glen (James Coburn) was by turns callous distant and abusive and Wade has inherited his addiction to alcohol and inability to deal with others. Consequently Wade's ex-wife (Mary Beth Hurt) despises him his daughter is uncomfortable and frightened in his presence and the only person who can reach him is his loving but long-suffering girlfriend Margie (Sissy Spacek). When a wealthy businessman is killed in a hunting accident Wade suspects foul play and pursues the case with an obsession that puzzles all around him; meanwhile Wade's mother dies and his brother Rolfe (Willem Dafoe) the only one in the family to escape Glen's abuse without crippling emotional scars returns to pay his respects and is caught up once again in the damaged lives of his father and brother. James Coburn) won an Academy award for Best Supporting Actor for his work in Affliction while Nick Nolte was nominated for Best Actor (he lost to Roberto Benigni).
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Nick Nolte and James Coburn deliver some of the finest work of their respective careers in this powerful but troubling adaptation of Russell Banks's novel. Wade Whitehouse ( Nick Nolte ) is the sheriff in a small New England town ; it's a part - time job with few taxing responsibilities , and Wade fills his many free hours by swilling booze , smoking pot , and thinking back on his nightmarish childhood. Wade's father Glen ( James Coburn ) was by turns callous , distant , and abusive , and Wade has inherited his addiction to alcohol and inability to deal with others. Consequently , Wade's ex - wife ( Mary Beth Hurt ) despises him , his daughter is uncomfortable and frightened in his presence , and the only person who can reach him is his loving but long - suffering girlfriend Margie ( Sissy Spacek ) . When a wealthy businessman is killed in a hunting accident , Wade suspects foul play and pursues the case with an obsession that puzzles all around him ; meanwhile , Wade's mother dies and his brother Rolfe ( Willem Dafoe ), the only one in the family to escape Glen's abuse without crippling emotional scars , returns to pay his respects and is caught up once again in the damaged lives of his father and brother. James Coburn ) won an Academy award for Best Supporting Actor for his work in Affliction , while Nick Nolte was nominated for Best Actor ( he lost to Roberto Benigni ) .
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Peter Fonda received a richly deserved Oscar nomination for his superb performance as Ulysses "Ulee" Jackson a Florida beekeeper forced to put his splintered family back together. Ulee is a Vietnam veteran whose wife died several years ago a blow he's still learning to live with. His son Jimmy (Tom Wood) is in prison and his daughter-in-law Helen (Christine Dunford) ran away leaving Ulee to raise their two daughters by himself. Ulee is a quiet man who has a hard time displaying warmth and does not always deal well with the rebellious children put in his care. But he possesses an intense inner strength and a firm sense of loyalty and responsibility. One day Ulee gets a call from Jimmy; he's received word that Helen has fallen in with a pair of drug dealers and is in sad shape. While he doesn't much care for the idea Ulee heads out to rescue her only to discover the men who have her were Jimmy's partners in the robbery that put him behind bars; they threaten Ulee by saying if they're not given the $100000 Jimmy has stashed away they'll come after his daughters. Meanwhile Ulee is forced to deal with Helen's painful withdrawal from drugs; he gets some help from Connie (Patricia Richardson) a divorced nurse who has recently moved into the neighborhood and seems to understand Ulee's lonely stoicism. Written and directed with subtle intelligence by Victor Nuñez Ulee's Gold is a moving story about the trials and responsibilities of family ties with Peter Fonda leading a fine cast that delivers uniformly impressive work.
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Peter Fonda received a richly deserved Oscar nomination for his superb performance as Ulysses "Ulee" Jackson , a Florida beekeeper forced to put his splintered family back together. Ulee is a Vietnam veteran whose wife died several years ago , a blow he's still learning to live with. His son Jimmy ( Tom Wood ) is in prison , and his daughter - in - law Helen ( Christine Dunford ) ran away , leaving Ulee to raise their two daughters by himself. Ulee is a quiet man who has a hard time displaying warmth and does not always deal well with the rebellious children put in his care. But he possesses an intense inner strength and a firm sense of loyalty and responsibility. One day Ulee gets a call from Jimmy ; he's received word that Helen has fallen in with a pair of drug dealers and is in sad shape. While he doesn't much care for the idea , Ulee heads out to rescue her , only to discover the men who have her were Jimmy's partners in the robbery that put him behind bars ; they threaten Ulee by saying if they're not given the $100 , 000 Jimmy has stashed away , they'll come after his daughters. Meanwhile , Ulee is forced to deal with Helen's painful withdrawal from drugs ; he gets some help from Connie ( Patricia Richardson ), a divorced nurse who has recently moved into the neighborhood and seems to understand Ulee's lonely stoicism. Written and directed with subtle intelligence by Victor Nuñez , Ulee's Gold is a moving story about the trials and responsibilities of family ties , with Peter Fonda leading a fine cast that delivers uniformly impressive work.
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Two frustrated young executives vent their pent-up rage via a childish prank and end up paying a price in this psychological black comedy the feature-film debut of writer-director Neil LaBute. Former college buddies Chad (Aaron Eckhart) and Howard (Matt Malloy) are in their early 30s and work in the same company. One day the two encounter each other in the men's executive washroom and begin expressing their mutual frustration regarding their lack of rapid advancement at work and their most recent bad luck with women. In hopes of gaining revenge against the fairer sex and bolstering their battered egos the two hatch a nasty scheme to be enacted over an upcoming six-week-long business trip: Find a vulnerable young woman to court slather with affection and then callously dump. They choose a lovely hearing-impaired typist named Christine (Stacey Edwards) a woman who hasn't dated in many years. Not realizing that she is about to be the metaphorical mouse between a pair of hungry cats she laps up the sudden attention but in no time it becomes apparent that Chad is the man she prefers. When Howard discovers this it creates escalating tension between the two men who begin playing more psychological games not only with hapless Christine but also with each other.
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Two frustrated young executives vent their pent - up rage via a childish prank and end up paying a price in this psychological black comedy , the feature - film debut of writer - director Neil LaBute . Former college buddies Chad ( Aaron Eckhart ) and Howard ( Matt Malloy ) are in their early 30s and work in the same company. One day the two encounter each other in the men's executive washroom and begin expressing their mutual frustration regarding their lack of rapid advancement at work and their most recent bad luck with women. In hopes of gaining revenge against the fairer sex and bolstering their battered egos , the two hatch a nasty scheme to be enacted over an upcoming six - week - long business trip : Find a vulnerable young woman to court , slather with affection , and then callously dump. They choose a lovely , hearing - impaired typist named Christine ( Stacey Edwards ), a woman who hasn't dated in many years. Not realizing that she is about to be the metaphorical mouse between a pair of hungry cats , she laps up the sudden attention , but in no time it becomes apparent that Chad is the man she prefers. When Howard discovers this , it creates escalating tension between the two men who begin playing more psychological games , not only with hapless Christine , but also with each other.
1112
André Téchiné's complex and ambitious crime drama starts with a prologue in which a little boy is awakened in the middle of the night by two strangers bringing home his father's body. The story of the deceased Ivan (Didier Bezace) and his involvement with car thieves unfolds in flashbacks as told by different people: Ivan's policeman brother Alex (Daniel Auteuil); Juliette (Laurence Côte) a young woman involved with the both brothers; and Marie (Catherine Deneuve) an unhappy philosophy professor in love with Juliette. Auteuil and Deneuve played siblings three years earlier in Téchiné's similarly rueful family drama Ma Saison Préferée.
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André Téchiné 's complex and ambitious crime drama starts with a prologue in which a little boy is awakened in the middle of the night by two strangers bringing home his father's body. The story of the deceased , Ivan ( Didier Bezace ), and his involvement with car thieves unfolds in flashbacks as told by different people : Ivan's policeman brother Alex ( Daniel Auteuil ); Juliette ( Laurence Côte ), a young woman involved with the both brothers ; and Marie ( Catherine Deneuve ), an unhappy philosophy professor in love with Juliette. Auteuil and Deneuve played siblings three years earlier in Téchiné 's similarly rueful family drama Ma Saison Préferée .
1113
Sling Blade marked the directorial debut of country singer turned actor Billy Bob Thornton who also authored the script (expanding George Hickenlooper's acclaimed short Some Folks Call it a Sling Blade) and stars in the picture. Thornton plays Karl Childers a mildly retarded man who spent most of his life in a mental institution. When Karl was a boy he was severely mistreated by his abusive father (Robert Duvall). At age 12 Karl found his mother having intercourse with a man who tormented him endlessly; he snapped flew into a homicidal rage and killed both individuals by decapitating them. Years later as a middle-aged man Karl is deemed harmless to society and released from the mental institution where he resides. Karl says he has learned his lesson and adds "I reckon I got no reason to kill no one." He returns to the town of his boyhood where he's befriended by Frank (Lucas Black) the son of a widowed mother who sees the eccentric but open-hearted Karl as a kindred spirit. Karl also gets a job at a fix-it shop and resides in the backroom until Frank's mother Linda (Natalie Canerday) takes a liking to Karl and lets him stay with them. However Karl also meets Doyle (Dwight Yoakam) Linda's boyfriend a sadistically cruel narrow-minded drunk who tosses casual abuse at Frank treats Linda like dirt and mocks Karl endlessly. The late John Ritter co-stars as Linda's friend Vaughan a mild-mannered homosexual who works at the neighborhood dollar store. Musicians Col. Bruce Hampton and Vic Chesnutt are among Doyle's party guests.
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Sling Blade marked the directorial debut of country singer turned actor Billy Bob Thornton , who also authored the script ( expanding George Hickenlooper 's acclaimed short Some Folks Call it a Sling Blade ) and stars in the picture. Thornton plays Karl Childers , a mildly retarded man who spent most of his life in a mental institution. When Karl was a boy , he was severely mistreated by his abusive father ( Robert Duvall ) . At age 12 , Karl found his mother having intercourse with a man who tormented him endlessly ; he snapped , flew into a homicidal rage , and killed both individuals by decapitating them. Years later , as a middle - aged man , Karl is deemed harmless to society and released from the mental institution where he resides. Karl says he has learned his lesson and adds , "I reckon I got no reason to kill no one." He returns to the town of his boyhood , where he's befriended by Frank ( Lucas Black ), the son of a widowed mother who sees the eccentric but open - hearted Karl as a kindred spirit. Karl also gets a job at a fix - it shop and resides in the backroom , until Frank's mother , Linda ( Natalie Canerday ), takes a liking to Karl and lets him stay with them. However , Karl also meets Doyle ( Dwight Yoakam ), Linda's boyfriend , a sadistically cruel , narrow - minded drunk who tosses casual abuse at Frank , treats Linda like dirt , and mocks Karl endlessly. The late John Ritter co - stars as Linda's friend Vaughan , a mild - mannered homosexual who works at the neighborhood dollar store. Musicians Col. Bruce Hampton and Vic Chesnutt are among Doyle's party guests.
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efore his commercial breakthrough with Boogie Nights (1997) writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson made this low-key drama. John (John C. Reilly) a half-bright loser stranded in Reno is down to his last few bucks when Sydney (Phillip Baker Hall) taking pity on him buys him breakfast and offers him a few tips on making money in the casinos. Two years later John has become Sydney's partner but his lack of common sense goes from problematic to dangerous when he falls in love with Clementine (Gwyneth Paltrow) a cocktail waitress who isn't above turning a few tricks when she needs to make money -- and isn't any brighter than John. Hall and Reilly both first-rate character actors are cast in rare leading roles and Paltrow is cast strongly against type as a part-time prostitute with a serious lack of street smarts.
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Before his commercial breakthrough with Boogie Nights ( 1997 ), writer / director Paul Thomas Anderson made this low - key drama. John ( John C. Reilly ), a half - bright loser stranded in Reno , is down to his last few bucks when Sydney ( Phillip Baker Hall ), taking pity on him , buys him breakfast and offers him a few tips on making money in the casinos. Two years later , John has become Sydney's partner , but his lack of common sense goes from problematic to dangerous when he falls in love with Clementine ( Gwyneth Paltrow ), a cocktail waitress who isn't above turning a few tricks when she needs to make money -- and isn't any brighter than John. Hall and Reilly , both first - rate character actors , are cast in rare leading roles , and Paltrow is cast strongly against type as a part - time prostitute with a serious lack of street smarts.
1115
While to most outsiders Paris seems the very picture of beauty and civility France has had a long and unfortunate history of intolerance toward outsiders and this powerful drama from filmmaker Mathieu Kassovitz takes an unblinking look at a racially diverse group of young people trapped in the Parisian economic and social underclass. Vinz (Vincent Cassel) who is Jewish Hubert (Hubert Kounde) who is Black and Said (Said Taghmaoui) who is Arabic are young men from the lower rungs of the French economic ladder; they have no jobs few prospects and no productive way to spend their time. They hang out and wander the streets as a way of filling their days and are sometimes caught up in frequent skirmishes between the police and other disaffected youth. One day a street riot breaks out after police seriously injure an Arab student; the three friends are arrested and questioned and it is learned that a policeman lost a gun in the chaos. However what they don't know is that Vinz picked it up and has it in his possession and when Vinz Hubert and Said get into a scuffle with a group of racist skinheads the circumstances seem poised for tragedy. Actress Jodie Foster was so impressed with La Haine when she saw it at the 1995 Cannes Film Festival that she helped to arrange American distribution for the film through her production company Egg Pictures.
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While to most outsiders Paris seems the very picture of beauty and civility , France has had a long and unfortunate history of intolerance toward outsiders , and this powerful drama from filmmaker Mathieu Kassovitz takes an unblinking look at a racially diverse group of young people trapped in the Parisian economic and social underclass. Vinz ( Vincent Cassel ), who is Jewish , Hubert ( Hubert Kounde ), who is Black , and Said ( Said Taghmaoui ), who is Arabic , are young men from the lower rungs of the French economic ladder ; they have no jobs , few prospects , and no productive way to spend their time. They hang out and wander the streets as a way of filling their days and are sometimes caught up in frequent skirmishes between the police and other disaffected youth. One day , a street riot breaks out after police seriously injure an Arab student ; the three friends are arrested and questioned , and it is learned that a policeman lost a gun in the chaos. However , what they don't know is that Vinz picked it up and has it in his possession , and when Vinz , Hubert , and Said get into a scuffle with a group of racist skinheads , the circumstances seem poised for tragedy. Actress Jodie Foster was so impressed with La Haine when she saw it at the 1995 Cannes Film Festival that she helped to arrange American distribution for the film through her production company , Egg Pictures.
1116
This Iranian movie about making movies wavers between a documentary and a fictional drama. It is the third in director Abbas Kiarostami's cycle of films that include Where Is My Friend's Home? and And Life Goes On. Like the others this film is also set in northern Iran. An actor playing the director tells the audience that he will be the only professional actor in the film. The Director selects a young woman Tahereh who was recently orphaned in the last earthquake to play the heroine. Mrs. Shivas the non-nonsense assistant director keeps the actors on task and focused. She is especially picky about the appearance of Tahereh. Mrs. Shiva is assigned to prepare crew member Hossein to play the new hero. Trouble ensues because Tahereh has recently rejected Hossein's advances because he is poor and illiterate. She refuses to speak to him on camera or off. Hossein talks to the Director who subsequently changes the story; the two are now married. Hossein is a naturally gifted actor but Tahereh cannot distinguish her role from reality and refuses to speak her lines. The Director changes the story again.
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This Iranian movie about making movies wavers between a documentary and a fictional drama. It is the third in director Abbas Kiarostami 's cycle of films that include Where Is My Friend's Home? and And Life Goes On . Like the others , this film is also set in northern Iran. An actor playing the director , tells the audience that he will be the only professional actor in the film. The Director selects a young woman , Tahereh , who was recently orphaned in the last earthquake to play the heroine. Mrs. Shivas , the non - nonsense assistant director keeps the actors on task and focused. She is especially picky about the appearance of Tahereh. Mrs. Shiva is assigned to prepare crew member Hossein to play the new hero. Trouble ensues because Tahereh has recently rejected Hossein's advances because he is poor and illiterate. She refuses to speak to him on camera or off. Hossein talks to the Director who subsequently changes the story ; the two are now married. Hossein is a naturally gifted actor , but Tahereh cannot distinguish her role from reality and refuses to speak her lines. The Director changes the story again.
1117
This is a nostalgic French coming-of-age drama from director Andre Techine set in a Provence deeply divided over the war for independence being waged against French colonialism in Algeria. In 1962 Francois (Gael Morel) and Maite (Elodie Bouchez) are best friends and students at a boarding school in southwestern France where Maite's mother Madame Alvarez (Michele Moretti) is an instructor. Francois is realizing he's gay because of his attraction to his working class roommate Serge (Stephane Rideau). Although Serge seduces Francois one night he is not gay and is actually attracted to Maite. So is Henri (Frederic Gorny) a radically-politicized Algerian-born Frenchman who supports France in the war an unpopular position particularly with Madame Alvarez a communist. The classroom sparring between Henri and Alvarez galvanizes the school but then word comes that Serge's older brother has been killed in the war. Madame Alvarez who loved him but refused to help him desert the military becomes so unhinged that she must be sent away for treatment. Wild Reeds (1994) won four Cesars (France's equivalent of the Oscar) including the award for that year's Best Picture beating such other notable films as Red (1994) and Queen Margot (1994).
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This is a nostalgic French coming - of - age drama from director Andre Techine set in a Provence deeply divided over the war for independence being waged against French colonialism in Algeria. In 1962 , Francois ( Gael Morel ) and Maite ( Elodie Bouchez ) are best friends and students at a boarding school in southwestern France , where Maite's mother Madame Alvarez ( Michele Moretti ) is an instructor. Francois is realizing he's gay because of his attraction to his working class roommate Serge ( Stephane Rideau ) . Although Serge seduces Francois one night , he is not gay and is actually attracted to Maite. So is Henri ( Frederic Gorny ), a radically - politicized Algerian - born Frenchman who supports France in the war , an unpopular position , particularly with Madame Alvarez , a communist. The classroom sparring between Henri and Alvarez galvanizes the school , but then word comes that Serge's older brother has been killed in the war. Madame Alvarez , who loved him but refused to help him desert the military , becomes so unhinged that she must be sent away for treatment. Wild Reeds ( 1994 ) won four Cesars ( France's equivalent of the Oscar ), including the award for that year's Best Picture , beating such other notable films as Red ( 1994 ) and Queen Margot ( 1994 ) .
1118
In the late 1980s noted theatrical director Andre Gregory assembled a group of friends and actors and began rehearsing a new translation of Anton Chekhov's Uncle Vanya by David Mamet not with any specific performance in mind but as a way of exploring the beauty and precise construction of Chekhov's play. Louis Malle a friend of Gregory's became interested in the project and spent two weeks filming Gregory's actors as they performed Uncle Vanya without an audience in a run-down theater near New York's Times Square. In these performances the line between theater and real life is blurred as conversations between actors -- juggling take-out cups of coffee and wearing street clothes -- slowly grow into a superb performance of Chekhov's classic with Wallace Shawn as Vanya Julianne Moore as Yelena Brooke Smith as Sonya and Larry Pine as Dr. Astrov. With a certain sad irony this marvelously realized adaptation of a play about people wondering what they've done with their lives proved to be Louis Malle's final film; he died of cancer in 1995.
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In the late 1980s , noted theatrical director Andre Gregory assembled a group of friends and actors and began rehearsing a new translation of Anton Chekhov's Uncle Vanya by David Mamet , not with any specific performance in mind but as a way of exploring the beauty and precise construction of Chekhov's play. Louis Malle , a friend of Gregory's , became interested in the project and spent two weeks filming Gregory's actors as they performed Uncle Vanya without an audience in a run - down theater near New York's Times Square. In these performances , the line between theater and real life is blurred as conversations between actors -- juggling take - out cups of coffee and wearing street clothes -- slowly grow into a superb performance of Chekhov's classic , with Wallace Shawn as Vanya , Julianne Moore as Yelena , Brooke Smith as Sonya , and Larry Pine as Dr. Astrov. With a certain sad irony , this marvelously realized adaptation of a play about people wondering what they've done with their lives proved to be Louis Malle 's final film ; he died of cancer in 1995.
1119
Featuring Jennifer Lopez in her first major big-screen role Gregory Nava's My Family traces three generations of the Sanchez's a Mexican-American family living in East Los Angeles. Beginning in the 1930s the film outlines the struggles faced by Jose (Jacob Vargas) and Maria (Lopez) as a recently immigrated married couple raising a family. As Jose and Maria age the focus shifts to their son Jimmy (Jimmy Smits) as he starts his own family in the 1960s. While Lopez' role was uncredited she was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for her performance. My Family has also been released under the titles My Family Mi Familia Cafe Con Leche and East L.A.
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Featuring Jennifer Lopez in her first major big - screen role , Gregory Nava 's My Family traces three generations of the Sanchez's , a Mexican - American family living in East Los Angeles. Beginning in the 1930s , the film outlines the struggles faced by Jose ( Jacob Vargas ) and Maria ( Lopez ) as a recently immigrated married couple raising a family. As Jose and Maria age , the focus shifts to their son , Jimmy ( Jimmy Smits ), as he starts his own family in the 1960s. While Lopez ' role was uncredited , she was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for her performance. My Family has also been released under the titles My Family , Mi Familia , Cafe Con Leche , and East L.A.
1120
A single mother struggles against the British social service system and her own troubled past in director Ken Loach's brutally realistic drama. Coming from a background of abuse and poverty the hardened Maggie (Crissy Rock) has already suffered through a series of painful romances when she falls for the caring Jorge (Vladimir Vega) and they begin a loving but turbulent relationship. Their situation takes a turn for the worse when Maggie becomes pregnant for her troubled past has left her branded an unfit mother by the government with four previous children already in foster care. Determined to keep their child Maggie and Jorge begin a difficult fight against the government bureaucracy made all the more difficult by Maggie's volatile temperament.
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A single mother struggles against the British social service system and her own troubled past in director Ken Loach 's brutally realistic drama. Coming from a background of abuse and poverty , the hardened Maggie ( Crissy Rock ) has already suffered through a series of painful romances when she falls for the caring Jorge ( Vladimir Vega ), and they begin a loving but turbulent relationship. Their situation takes a turn for the worse when Maggie becomes pregnant , for her troubled past has left her branded an unfit mother by the government , with four previous children already in foster care. Determined to keep their child , Maggie and Jorge begin a difficult fight against the government bureaucracy , made all the more difficult by Maggie's volatile temperament.
1121
Swedish director Lasse Hallstrom's follow-up to the underrated Once Around earned far more attention than its predecessor thanks to the judicious casting of perennial thinking woman's heartthrob Johnny Depp and a certain up-and-coming thespian by the name of Leonardo DiCaprio. A prisoner of his dysfunctional family's broken dreams in tiny Endora IA Gilbert (Depp) serves as breadwinner and caretaker for his mother and siblings following his father's suicide and his older brother's defection. Momma (Darlene Cates) is a morbidly obese shut-in who hasn't left the house in seven years; her children include retarded Arnie (DiCaprio) who's about to turn 18 despite a host of negative medical forecasts and terminally embarrassed Ellen (Mary Kate Schellhardt) who's emerging from an awkward adolescence. When he's not taking care of the difficult but tender Arnie Gilbert spends his time fixing up the family's tattered farmhouse working at a failing mom-and-pop grocery store and hanging with local misfits Bobby (Crispin Glover) an overly ambitious junior undertaker and Tucker (John C. Reilly) a handyman who hankers after a job at the new burger franchise. Into this complicated but essentially unchanging social universe steps Becky (Juliette Lewis) a thoughtful young woman who's been escorting her nomadic grandmother from state to state in a mobile-home caravan. As Becky teaches Gilbert to finally consider his own happiness for a change she disrupts both his family obligations and his long-running affair with a lonely housewife (Mary Steenburgen). Adapted by Peter Hedges from his own novel of the same name What's Eating Gilbert Grape was the first and only film role for non-actress Cates whom the filmmakers discovered on an episode of the Sally Jesse Raphael Show titled "Too Heavy to Leave Their House."
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Swedish director Lasse Hallstrom 's follow - up to the underrated Once Around earned far more attention than its predecessor thanks to the judicious casting of perennial thinking woman's heartthrob Johnny Depp and a certain up - and - coming thespian by the name of Leonardo DiCaprio . A prisoner of his dysfunctional family's broken dreams in tiny Endora , IA , Gilbert ( Depp ) serves as breadwinner and caretaker for his mother and siblings following his father's suicide and his older brother's defection. Momma ( Darlene Cates ) is a morbidly obese shut - in who hasn't left the house in seven years ; her children include retarded Arnie ( DiCaprio ), who's about to turn 18 despite a host of negative medical forecasts , and terminally embarrassed Ellen ( Mary Kate Schellhardt ), who's emerging from an awkward adolescence. When he's not taking care of the difficult but tender Arnie , Gilbert spends his time fixing up the family's tattered farmhouse , working at a failing mom - and - pop grocery store and hanging with local misfits Bobby ( Crispin Glover ), an overly ambitious junior undertaker , and Tucker ( John C. Reilly ), a handyman who hankers after a job at the new burger franchise. Into this complicated but essentially unchanging social universe steps Becky ( Juliette Lewis ), a thoughtful young woman who's been escorting her nomadic grandmother from state to state in a mobile - home caravan. As Becky teaches Gilbert to finally consider his own happiness for a change , she disrupts both his family obligations and his long - running affair with a lonely housewife ( Mary Steenburgen ) . Adapted by Peter Hedges from his own novel of the same name , What's Eating Gilbert Grape was the first and only film role for non - actress Cates , whom the filmmakers discovered on an episode of the Sally Jesse Raphael Show titled "Too Heavy to Leave Their House."
1122
ob (Bruce Jones) lives with his wife Anne (Julie Brown) and his daughter Coleen (Gemma Phoenix) in a poor English town. Bob scrapes by with whatever odd jobs come his way -- working as a bouncer stealing green turf cleaning septic tanks. Although Bob has no money and is living on the dole he is determined to buy his daughter a dress for her first communion. The local parish priest (Tom Hickey) suggests that Bob settle cheaper and get a second-hand dress for Coleen's communion. But Bob will have none of that. Bob wants a new dress for his daughter and no matter what it takes he will get a dress for her. Unfortunately Bob has only murky ideas about how to earn the money to buy it.
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Bob ( Bruce Jones ) lives with his wife Anne ( Julie Brown ) and his daughter Coleen ( Gemma Phoenix ) in a poor English town. Bob scrapes by with whatever odd jobs come his way -- working as a bouncer , stealing green turf , cleaning septic tanks. Although Bob has no money and is living on the dole , he is determined to buy his daughter a dress for her first communion. The local parish priest ( Tom Hickey ) suggests that Bob settle cheaper and get a second - hand dress for Coleen's communion. But Bob will have none of that. Bob wants a new dress for his daughter , and no matter what it takes he will get a dress for her. Unfortunately , Bob has only murky ideas about how to earn the money to buy it.
1123
A scathing look at Britain in the post-Thatcher era Mike Leigh's Naked stars David Thewlis as Johnny an unemployed layabout with a philosophical bent and a nasty edge. In the opening scene he's committing rape and before the credits even roll he's also stolen a car to flee from Manchester to the London home of an old girlfriend (Lesley Sharp). The film's loose sprawling narrative follows Johnny as he randomly makes his way through the streets of London encountering a homeless Scottish couple a nightwatchman and a series of women whom he charms and discards. He lives defiantly outside of the system refusing to conform to the demands of anyone (including himself).
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A scathing look at Britain in the post - Thatcher era , Mike Leigh 's Naked stars David Thewlis as Johnny , an unemployed layabout with a philosophical bent and a nasty edge. In the opening scene , he's committing rape , and before the credits even roll , he's also stolen a car to flee from Manchester to the London home of an old girlfriend ( Lesley Sharp ) . The film's loose , sprawling narrative follows Johnny as he randomly makes his way through the streets of London , encountering a homeless Scottish couple , a nightwatchman and a series of women whom he charms and discards. He lives defiantly outside of the system , refusing to conform to the demands of anyone ( including himself ) .
1124
The My Left Foot team of star Daniel Day-Lewis and director Jim Sheridan were reunited to make this political docudrama about Irish citizen Gerry Conlon (Day-Lewis) who was wrongly convicted of taking part in an IRA bombing that killed five in Guildford England in 1974. After a brutal interrogation forces him to sign a false confession Gerry is sentenced to prison his family is raked over the coals and later his father Giuseppe (Pete Postelthwaite) is charged with being an accomplice and is also sent to prison where he lives out the last days of his life. Day-Lewis gives an outstanding performance as a man tormented by the injustice served him. Watch for Emma Thompson as the persevering lawyer who works for years gathering evidence to clear Gerry's name.
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The My Left Foot team of star Daniel Day - Lewis and director Jim Sheridan were reunited to make this political docudrama about Irish citizen Gerry Conlon ( Day - Lewis ), who was wrongly convicted of taking part in an IRA bombing that killed five in Guildford , England in 1974. After a brutal interrogation forces him to sign a false confession , Gerry is sentenced to prison , his family is raked over the coals , and later his father Giuseppe ( Pete Postelthwaite ) is charged with being an accomplice and is also sent to prison where he lives out the last days of his life. Day - Lewis gives an outstanding performance as a man tormented by the injustice served him. Watch for Emma Thompson as the persevering lawyer who works for years , gathering evidence to clear Gerry's name.
1125
Adapted by screenwriter Rafael Yglesias from his own novel Fearless explores the complex struggle back to mental health of post-traumatic stress disorder victim Max Klein (Jeff Bridges). One of few survivors of a fatal plane crash Klein remains calm and assists other survivors out of the burning debris earning praise as a hero by the media. After stoically departing the tragedy without a word to emergency officials Max returns home with detached feelings towards his wife (Isabella Rossellini) and son along with a bizarre seemingly authentic belief that he is now impervious to harm. Bill Perlman (John Turturro) a psychiatrist for the airline fails to reach Max about his newfound fearlessness but asks for his help in aiding Carla (Best Supporting Actress Oscar nominee Rosie Perez) a fellow crash survivor filled with grief and guilt over the loss of her baby. In one of his earlier roles Benicio del Toro plays a small part as Carla's boyfriend.
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Adapted by screenwriter Rafael Yglesias from his own novel , Fearless explores the complex struggle back to mental health of post - traumatic stress disorder victim Max Klein ( Jeff Bridges ) . One of few survivors of a fatal plane crash , Klein remains calm and assists other survivors out of the burning debris , earning praise as a hero by the media. After stoically departing the tragedy without a word to emergency officials , Max returns home with detached feelings towards his wife ( Isabella Rossellini ) and son , along with a bizarre , seemingly authentic belief that he is now impervious to harm. Bill Perlman ( John Turturro ), a psychiatrist for the airline , fails to reach Max about his newfound fearlessness , but asks for his help in aiding Carla ( Best Supporting Actress Oscar nominee Rosie Perez ), a fellow crash survivor filled with grief and guilt over the loss of her baby. In one of his earlier roles , Benicio del Toro plays a small part as Carla's boyfriend.
1126
A little-seen film suppressed by Paramount studio executives and never released theatrically in the U.S. this drama is a powerful saga about racism. Julie Sawyer (Kristy McNichol) hits a handsome white dog with her car one night and then nurses it back to health. One day the theretofore mild-mannered dog saves her life by viciously attacking and killing a rapist who breaks into her home. Lucy discovers that the dog has been trained to attack black skin. She consults an animal trainer Carruthers (Burl Ives) who urges her to have the dog exterminated. But a maverick black trainer Keys (Paul Winfield) who has tried before to break the training of such dogs but never succeeded steps in. Director Sam Fuller had made other controversial films but this one frightened studio executives who deep-sixed it. It was hailed by critics when it was released in Europe.
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A little - seen film , suppressed by Paramount studio executives and never released theatrically in the U.S. , this drama is a powerful saga about racism. Julie Sawyer ( Kristy McNichol ) hits a handsome white dog with her car one night and then nurses it back to health. One day , the theretofore mild - mannered dog saves her life by viciously attacking and killing a rapist who breaks into her home. Lucy discovers that the dog has been trained to attack black skin. She consults an animal trainer , Carruthers ( Burl Ives ), who urges her to have the dog exterminated. But a maverick black trainer , Keys ( Paul Winfield ), who has tried before to break the training of such dogs but never succeeded , steps in. Director Sam Fuller had made other controversial films , but this one frightened studio executives , who deep - sixed it. It was hailed by critics when it was released in Europe.
1127
Robert Altman's Three Women takes a surreal improvisational and rather eerie look at the lives of three women in a western desert town. The plot centers around the youngest of the women Pinky (Sissy Spacek) an eccentric withdrawn woman trying to begin a new life. She finds work as an attendant at a hot springs spa catering to the elderly and infirm. There she befriends her co-worker Millie (Shelley Duvall) an equally strange but more outgoing woman; the two bond and are soon sharing an apartment. Pinky becomes increasingly dependent on Millie eventually adopting aspects of her personality and appearance. This obsessive attachment is threatened when Pinky discovers Millie with a man -- Edgar (Robert Fortier) the macho faux-cowboy husband of local artist Willie (Janice Rule) the last of the title's three women. Pinky's subsequent desperate actions precipitate the film's enigmatic conclusion involving an unexpected series of confrontations and role reversals amongst the three women. This story tends to take a backseat to the elliptical spooky imagery particularly the desert landscapes and the quirky performances -- not surprising given that the film was reportedly shot without a full screenplay and inspired by Altman's own dreams.
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Robert Altman 's Three Women takes a surreal , improvisational and rather eerie look at the lives of three women in a western desert town. The plot centers around the youngest of the women , Pinky ( Sissy Spacek ), an eccentric , withdrawn woman trying to begin a new life. She finds work as an attendant at a hot springs spa catering to the elderly and infirm. There she befriends her co - worker Millie ( Shelley Duvall ), an equally strange but more outgoing woman ; the two bond , and are soon sharing an apartment. Pinky becomes increasingly dependent on Millie , eventually adopting aspects of her personality and appearance. This obsessive attachment is threatened when Pinky discovers Millie with a man -- Edgar ( Robert Fortier ), the macho , faux - cowboy husband of local artist Willie ( Janice Rule ), the last of the title's three women. Pinky's subsequent , desperate actions precipitate the film's enigmatic conclusion , involving an unexpected series of confrontations and role reversals amongst the three women. This story tends to take a backseat to the elliptical , spooky imagery , particularly the desert landscapes , and the quirky performances -- not surprising , given that the film was reportedly shot without a full screenplay and inspired by Altman 's own dreams.
1128
A Delicate Balance is the 1973 film adaptation of Edward Albee's Pulitzer Prize-winning play. Katharine Hepburn and Paul Scofield play an old married couple Agnes and Tobias who much prefer to be alone. Each time someone visits them their "delicate balance" is threatened. The first intruder is Agnes' inebriated sister Claire (Kate Reid). The next is their much-divorced daughter Julia (Lee Remick). The limit is reached when well-meaning friends Harry (Joseph Cotten) and Edna (Betsy Blair) show up unexpectedly and threaten to stay forever. In keeping with the austerity of the other American Film Theatre presentations director Tony Richardson eschews his usual cinematographic pyrotechnics here.
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A Delicate Balance is the 1973 film adaptation of Edward Albee 's Pulitzer Prize - winning play. Katharine Hepburn and Paul Scofield play an old married couple , Agnes and Tobias , who much prefer to be alone. Each time someone visits them , their "delicate balance" is threatened. The first intruder is Agnes' inebriated sister , Claire ( Kate Reid ) . The next is their much - divorced daughter , Julia ( Lee Remick ) . The limit is reached when well - meaning friends Harry ( Joseph Cotten ) and Edna ( Betsy Blair ) show up unexpectedly and threaten to stay forever. In keeping with the austerity of the other American Film Theatre presentations , director Tony Richardson eschews his usual cinematographic pyrotechnics here.
1129
Running nearly three hours Maurice Pialat's Van Gogh is a leisurely paced look at the famous painter's final year. Pialat's portrait differs from many other films in that he shows Van Gogh (Jacques Dutronc) as being reasonably sane and he focuses on the everyday events of the painter's life and art.
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Running nearly three hours , Maurice Pialat 's Van Gogh is a leisurely paced look at the famous painter's final year. Pialat 's portrait differs from many other films in that he shows Van Gogh ( Jacques Dutronc ) as being reasonably sane and he focuses on the everyday events of the painter's life and art.
1130
Cinematographer Chris Menges' first directorial effort A World Apart was inspired by the lives of South African journalist Ruth First and her daughter Shawn Slovo (who wrote the film's screenplay). Barbara Hershey plays the fictional counterpart to Ms. First Diana Roth with Jodhi May as her daughter. Told from the daughter's viewpoint the film shows us that Diana and her husband Jeroen Krabbe are so busy with their anti-Apartheid political activism that they totally shut May out of their lives. In 1963 Hershey is arrested by the South African police becoming the first white woman to be held under the infamous 90-day-detention act. Left despondent and suicidal by two separate arrests and by constant harassment from the police Diana still won't include her daughter in her life until the girl presses the issue in a climactic confrontation. Some critics felt that Shawn Slovo was using A World Apart to settle unresolved issues in her own life: Ruth First was killed under suspicious circumstances in 1982 without ever reconciling with her daughter.
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Cinematographer Chris Menges ' first directorial effort , A World Apart was inspired by the lives of South African journalist Ruth First and her daughter Shawn Slovo ( who wrote the film's screenplay ) . Barbara Hershey plays the fictional counterpart to Ms. First , Diana Roth , with Jodhi May as her daughter. Told from the daughter's viewpoint , the film shows us that Diana and her husband Jeroen Krabbe are so busy with their anti - Apartheid political activism that they totally shut May out of their lives. In 1963 , Hershey is arrested by the South African police , becoming the first white woman to be held under the infamous 90 - day - detention act. Left despondent and suicidal by two separate arrests and by constant harassment from the police , Diana still won't include her daughter in her life until the girl presses the issue in a climactic confrontation. Some critics felt that Shawn Slovo was using A World Apart to settle unresolved issues in her own life : Ruth First was killed under suspicious circumstances in 1982 , without ever reconciling with her daughter.
1131
Women in Love is set in 1920s England where free-spirited artist Gudrun (Glenda Jackson) and her schoolteacher sister Ursula (Jennie Linden) make the acquaintance of lifelong friends Gerald (Oliver Reed) and Rupert (Alan Bates). The foursome attends a picnic in honor of a pair of newlyweds who put a damper on the proceedings (literally!) by drowning in a nearby lake. Evidently unscathed by this tragedy Gerald and Rupert participate in a nude wrestling match later that evening (this was the sequence that got the most press thanks to fleeting glimpses of the male stars' privates). Gerald marries Gudrun Rupert weds Ursula and the foursome embarks upon a Swiss honeymoon. The holiday is marred by infidelity and sudden death leaving Rupert to wonder aloud just what it is that makes men and women "tick." An Academy Award went to Glenda Jackson while nominations were bestowed upon screenwriter Larry Kramer and cinematographer Billy Williams (who received an uncredited assist from director Ken Russell).
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Women in Love is set in 1920s England , where free - spirited artist Gudrun ( Glenda Jackson ) and her schoolteacher sister Ursula ( Jennie Linden ) make the acquaintance of lifelong friends Gerald ( Oliver Reed ) and Rupert ( Alan Bates ) . The foursome attends a picnic in honor of a pair of newlyweds , who put a damper on the proceedings ( literally! ) by drowning in a nearby lake. Evidently unscathed by this tragedy , Gerald and Rupert participate in a nude wrestling match later that evening ( this was the sequence that got the most press , thanks to fleeting glimpses of the male stars' privates ) . Gerald marries Gudrun , Rupert weds Ursula , and the foursome embarks upon a Swiss honeymoon. The holiday is marred by infidelity and sudden death , leaving Rupert to wonder aloud just what it is that makes men and women "tick." An Academy Award went to Glenda Jackson , while nominations were bestowed upon screenwriter Larry Kramer and cinematographer Billy Williams ( who received an uncredited assist from director Ken Russell ) .
1132
In a novel and intriguing approach to storytelling director David Hare has created an engaging mystery and human drama that ostensibly focuses on an innocent dinner party but is really about something else. Jean Travers (Vanessa Redgrave) is an old-maid schoolmarm who has lived in Wetherby a small town in northeastern Yorkshire all of her life. She is still haunted by memories of a passionate love affair with a young man who was later murdered while on military duty in Malaysia nearly 35 years ago in the '50s. One evening Jean invites a group of friends over for dinner; the group is comprised of two couples one of which spends the time sniping at each other. A young man John Morgan (Tim McInnerny) is also in the dinner party. Jean thinks he was brought along by one of the couples; the couples in turn believe he was invited by Jean -- in short he is a total stranger that everyone assumes is a friend of someone there. As the evening progresses political topics of the moment are brought up and chewed over; Margaret Thatcher Richard Nixon and other notables of the era are discussed and various comments are made on the laziness of today's youth. The dinner party ends and the next day John Morgan comes back to visit Jean. While she is in the midst of preparing tea for them both he takes out a gun and kills himself. The shock waves from his senseless act later reverberate among the dinner-party guests as the police investigator tries to piece together the man's background and the dinner party itself. Questions are raised about his motives and viewers see the dinner party again moment by moment in an entirely new light.
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In a novel and intriguing approach to storytelling , director David Hare has created an engaging mystery and human drama that ostensibly focuses on an innocent dinner party but is really about something else. Jean Travers ( Vanessa Redgrave ) is an old - maid schoolmarm who has lived in Wetherby , a small town in northeastern Yorkshire , all of her life. She is still haunted by memories of a passionate love affair with a young man who was later murdered while on military duty in Malaysia nearly 35 years ago in the '50s. One evening , Jean invites a group of friends over for dinner ; the group is comprised of two couples , one of which spends the time sniping at each other. A young man , John Morgan ( Tim McInnerny ) is also in the dinner party. Jean thinks he was brought along by one of the couples ; the couples , in turn , believe he was invited by Jean -- in short , he is a total stranger that everyone assumes is a friend of someone there. As the evening progresses , political topics of the moment are brought up and chewed over ; Margaret Thatcher , Richard Nixon , and other notables of the era are discussed , and various comments are made on the laziness of today's youth. The dinner party ends , and the next day John Morgan comes back to visit Jean. While she is in the midst of preparing tea for them both , he takes out a gun and kills himself. The shock waves from his senseless act later reverberate among the dinner - party guests , as the police investigator tries to piece together the man's background and the dinner party itself. Questions are raised about his motives , and viewers see the dinner party again , moment by moment , in an entirely new light.
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Claude Chabrol's Violette was based on the true story of 19-year-old Violette Noziere who in the 1930s was tried and convicted for the poisoning of her father and the attempted murder of her mother. As played by Isabelle Huppert (who won several awards for her performance) Violette is a thrill-seeking girl who falls for a no-good slug from the slums of Paris. Anxious to give money to her lover Violette hatches the patricide scheme in order to inherit her father's fortune. But Violette's mother played as an deglamorized drudge by the otherwise stunning Stephane Audran is not so easily disposed of; it is her testimony that condemns Violette first to the guillotine then to a commuted life sentence. In emulation of his idol Alfred Hitchcock director Chabrol manages to evoke a measure of sympathy and audience identification for his thoroughly dislikable leading character.
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Claude Chabrol 's Violette was based on the true story of 19 - year - old Violette Noziere , who in the 1930s was tried and convicted for the poisoning of her father and the attempted murder of her mother. As played by Isabelle Huppert ( who won several awards for her performance ), Violette is a thrill - seeking girl who falls for a no - good slug from the slums of Paris. Anxious to give money to her lover , Violette hatches the patricide scheme in order to inherit her father's fortune. But Violette's mother , played as an deglamorized drudge by the otherwise stunning Stephane Audran , is not so easily disposed of ; it is her testimony that condemns Violette , first to the guillotine , then to a commuted life sentence. In emulation of his idol Alfred Hitchcock , director Chabrol manages to evoke a measure of sympathy and audience identification for his thoroughly dislikable leading character.
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In Sidney Lumet's powerful courtroom drama The Verdict Paul Newman stars as Frank Galvin an alcoholic Boston lawyer who tries to redeem his personal and professional reputation by winning a difficult medical malpractice case. Frank down on his luck is presented with the case of his life when he is approached by the family of a woman who has been left in a coma following an operation in a large Catholic hospital. Helped by his assistant Mickey (Jack Warden) he agrees to take the case hoping for a fast settlement. When he visits the victim in the hospital he becomes emotionally involved turns down a sizable settlement offer made by the hospital and decides to bring the case to trial despite the formidable opposition of the Church and its lawyer Newman (James Mason). He is also assisted by his new girlfriend Laura (Charlotte Rampling) a woman who turns out to have an unusual past. Oscar-nominated for "Best Picture" and "Best Director" (Lumet) as well as for "Best Adapted Screenplay" (David Mamet from a novel by Barry Reed) The Verdict is an outstanding if not very legally accurate courtroom drama; Frank's decision to try the case without telling the family of the victim of the settlement offer would probably lead to his real-life disbarment. Paul Newman and James Mason give fine Oscar-nominated performances and Charlotte Rampling is quite good as the deceitful Laura who never seems to turn down a drink.
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In Sidney Lumet 's powerful courtroom drama The Verdict , Paul Newman stars as Frank Galvin , an alcoholic Boston lawyer who tries to redeem his personal and professional reputation by winning a difficult medical malpractice case. Frank , down on his luck , is presented with the case of his life when he is approached by the family of a woman who has been left in a coma following an operation in a large Catholic hospital. Helped by his assistant Mickey ( Jack Warden ), he agrees to take the case , hoping for a fast settlement. When he visits the victim in the hospital , he becomes emotionally involved , turns down a sizable settlement offer made by the hospital , and decides to bring the case to trial despite the formidable opposition of the Church and its lawyer , Newman ( James Mason ) . He is also assisted by his new girlfriend , Laura ( Charlotte Rampling ), a woman who turns out to have an unusual past. Oscar - nominated for "Best Picture" and "Best Director" ( Lumet ) as well as for "Best Adapted Screenplay" ( David Mamet from a novel by Barry Reed ), The Verdict is an outstanding , if not very legally accurate , courtroom drama ; Frank's decision to try the case without telling the family of the victim of the settlement offer would probably lead to his real - life disbarment. Paul Newman and James Mason give fine , Oscar - nominated performances , and Charlotte Rampling is quite good as the deceitful Laura , who never seems to turn down a drink.
1135
Vagabond directed by Agnes Varda is the dark disturbing story of a female drifter named Mona (Sandrine Bonnaire). The film opens as Mona's frozen body is found in a drainage ditch and proceeds to tell her story in a series of flashbacks and semi-documentary style "interviews" with the people who have known Mona during the last few weeks of her life. Mona is a distant independent and not-very-likeable woman who goes from place to place living where she can and with anyone who will take her in. Mona's true nature remains a puzzle both to those who thought they knew her and to the audience. As the movie progresses it becomes clear that no one knew the true Mona and she because of her aloofness and essential coldness provided a canvas for those she met to write upon. Who Mona really was and what she thought remains ambiguous. Sandrine Bonnaire is excellent as Mona making an unappealing and cold character interesting and intriguing. Director Agnes Varda began her career as a still photographer. This beginning is evident in her elegant framing of the film. She has an instinctive awareness of and a photographer's eye for visual detail which makes the film cold bleak and aridly beautiful. Internationally acclaimed Vagabond is Varda's most successful film.
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Vagabond , directed by Agnes Varda is the dark disturbing story of a female drifter named Mona ( Sandrine Bonnaire ) . The film opens as Mona's frozen body is found in a drainage ditch and proceeds to tell her story in a series of flashbacks and semi - documentary style "interviews" with the people who have known Mona during the last few weeks of her life. Mona is a distant , independent and not - very - likeable woman who goes from place to place , living where she can and with anyone who will take her in. Mona's true nature remains a puzzle , both to those who thought they knew her , and to the audience. As the movie progresses it becomes clear that no one knew the true Mona and she , because of her aloofness and essential coldness , provided a canvas for those she met to write upon. Who Mona really was , and what she thought remains ambiguous. Sandrine Bonnaire is excellent as Mona , making an unappealing and cold character interesting and intriguing. Director Agnes Varda began her career as a still photographer. This beginning is evident in her elegant framing of the film. She has an instinctive awareness of and a photographer's eye for visual detail which makes the film cold , bleak , and aridly beautiful. Internationally acclaimed , Vagabond is Varda 's most successful film.
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A strange hallucinatory adaptation of the Malcolm Lowry novel of the same name John Huston's bleak drama is set during the Mexican "Day of the Dead" ceremony in 1939. Albert Finney stars as Geoffrey Firmin the booze-besotted former British consul to Cuernevarca who has cut himself off from his loved ones the better to drink himself to death while surrounded by all manner of skull-and-skeleton decorations. At the urging of his wife Yvonne (Jacqueline Bisset) his half-brother Hugh (Anthony Andrews) goes on a "heart of darkness" search for his missing sibling. Novelist Lowry was himself a suicidal alcoholic who poured every drop of his embittered philosophy into the Firmin character. If any director could bring Lowry's difficult novel to life it was Huston whose own record for drunken self-destruction is the source of legend. (Huston was actually the seventh director to tackle the novel which had originally been optioned in 1957 by actor Zachary Scott.) Artists contributing to the fascinating Under the Volcano include the brilliant Mexican cinematographer Gabriel Figueroa screenwriter Guy Gallo composer Alex North and director Emilio Fernandez cast in a significant cameo as a bartender.
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A strange , hallucinatory adaptation of the Malcolm Lowry novel of the same name , John Huston 's bleak drama is set during the Mexican "Day of the Dead" ceremony in 1939. Albert Finney stars as Geoffrey Firmin , the booze - besotted former British consul to Cuernevarca , who has cut himself off from his loved ones , the better to drink himself to death while surrounded by all manner of skull - and - skeleton decorations. At the urging of his wife Yvonne ( Jacqueline Bisset ), his half - brother Hugh ( Anthony Andrews ) goes on a "heart of darkness" search for his missing sibling. Novelist Lowry was himself a suicidal alcoholic , who poured every drop of his embittered philosophy into the Firmin character. If any director could bring Lowry's difficult novel to life , it was Huston , whose own record for drunken self - destruction is the source of legend. ( Huston was actually the seventh director to tackle the novel , which had originally been optioned in 1957 by actor Zachary Scott . ) Artists contributing to the fascinating Under the Volcano include the brilliant Mexican cinematographer Gabriel Figueroa , screenwriter Guy Gallo , composer Alex North , and director Emilio Fernandez , cast in a significant cameo as a bartender.
1137
African-American drifter Danny Glover shows up at the LA doorstep of his old pal Paul Butler. In the spirit of auld lang syne Butler takes Glover in though his wife (Mary Alice) is not happy with this intrusion. She already has enough on her hands contending with her grown live-in son Richard Brooks and his real-estate agent wife Sheryl Lee Ralph. Glover ingratiates himself by reminding family of their Southern roots; less positively he drinks a great deal brings suspicious-looking cronies into the household. When Butler suffers a stroke Glover assumes charge of the house--whereupon his charm evaporates and disaster follows. But Glover isn't really the villain of To Sleep With Anger: everyone in the film is depicted in all-too-human shades of gray. This effort by African American writer/ director Charles Burnett was the first of his films to attract widespread critical notice almost 13 years after he created the seminal Killer of Sheep.
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African - American drifter Danny Glover shows up at the LA doorstep of his old pal Paul Butler . In the spirit of auld lang syne , Butler takes Glover in , though his wife ( Mary Alice ) is not happy with this intrusion. She already has enough on her hands contending with her grown live - in son Richard Brooks and his real - estate agent wife Sheryl Lee Ralph . Glover ingratiates himself by reminding family of their Southern roots ; less positively , he drinks a great deal , brings suspicious - looking cronies into the household. When Butler suffers a stroke , Glover assumes charge of the house -- whereupon his charm evaporates and disaster follows. But Glover isn't really the villain of To Sleep With Anger : everyone in the film is depicted in all - too - human shades of gray. This effort by African American writer / director Charles Burnett was the first of his films to attract widespread critical notice , almost 13 years after he created the seminal Killer of Sheep .
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A total of nine Academy Award nominations went to this wildly acclaimed allegorical drama set amongst the contestants in a marathon dance contest during the Great Depression. Gig Young stars as Rocky the obnoxious emcee for a dance marathon that offers prize money of $1500 a small fortune during hard economic times that brings out the worst in several participants. Among them are Gloria Beatty (Jane Fonda) a malcontent who's partnered with a drifter Robert Syverton (Michael Sarrazin); a pregnant farm girl (Bonnie Bedelia) and her husband (Bruce Dern); a sailor (Red Buttons); and an aspiring actress (Susannah York). As the marathon winds into a staggering second month suspicion doubt and insecurity rages among the competitors and even the decaying and increasingly manipulative Rocky leading to a shocking crime.
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A total of nine Academy Award nominations went to this wildly acclaimed , allegorical drama set amongst the contestants in a marathon dance contest during the Great Depression. Gig Young stars as Rocky , the obnoxious emcee for a dance marathon that offers prize money of $1 , 500 , a small fortune during hard economic times that brings out the worst in several participants. Among them are Gloria Beatty ( Jane Fonda ), a malcontent who's partnered with a drifter , Robert Syverton ( Michael Sarrazin ); a pregnant farm girl ( Bonnie Bedelia ) and her husband ( Bruce Dern ); a sailor ( Red Buttons ); and an aspiring actress ( Susannah York ) . As the marathon winds into a staggering second month , suspicion , doubt and insecurity rages among the competitors and even the decaying and increasingly manipulative Rocky , leading to a shocking crime.
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Director Lynne Littman has created an effective understated portrayal of the cost of a nuclear war in human terms in a film as far removed from the fake hyperbole of action and disaster movies as the natural world is from cartoons. Set in the small California town of Hamlin the Wetherly family and their everyday concerns open the story. The trivia that fills their secure ordinary existence disappears when a TV show is interrupted with the announcement that nuclear bombs have exploded in the major cities on the East Coast and then the entire scene is erased in an increasingly white blank movie screen -- meant to show that nuclear blasts have been detonated in California as well. Over 1000 people die in the first month from radiation sickness but the mother in the Wetherly family (Jane Alexander) displays great inner strength as she cares for orphaned children the family has taken under its wing and goes on sustaining those that remain in her own family. At one point she quietly conveys to her daughter the happiness of intimacy between two adults knowing her daughter will not live to experience adult love. As these individuals and the children cope with day-to-day existence there is never any intrusion of overt horrors the focus remains on the individuals and the way in which they adjust to the inevitable.
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Director Lynne Littman has created an effective , understated portrayal of the cost of a nuclear war in human terms , in a film as far removed from the fake hyperbole of action and disaster movies as the natural world is from cartoons. Set in the small California town of Hamlin , the Wetherly family and their everyday concerns open the story. The trivia that fills their secure , ordinary existence disappears when a TV show is interrupted with the announcement that nuclear bombs have exploded in the major cities on the East Coast , and then the entire scene is erased in an increasingly white , blank movie screen -- meant to show that nuclear blasts have been detonated in California as well. Over 1000 people die in the first month from radiation sickness , but the mother in the Wetherly family ( Jane Alexander ) displays great inner strength as she cares for orphaned children the family has taken under its wing and goes on sustaining those that remain in her own family. At one point , she quietly conveys to her daughter the happiness of intimacy between two adults , knowing her daughter will not live to experience adult love. As these individuals and the children cope with day - to - day existence , there is never any intrusion of overt horrors , the focus remains on the individuals and the way in which they adjust to the inevitable.
1140
John Cheever's "misery in suburbia" short stories brief and to the point have always proven excellent TV fodder. Director Frank Perry's The Swimmer adapted for the screen by Perry's wife Eleanor is a rare and for the most part successful attempt at offering a Cheever story in feature-length form. Dressed only in swimming trunks throughout the film Burt Lancaster plays a wealthy middle-aged advertising man embarked on a long and revelatory journey through suburban Connecticut. Lancaster slowly makes his way to his split-level home by travelling from house to house and from swimming pool to swimming pool. At each stop Lancaster comes face to face with an incident in his past. Informing Kim Hunter that he once harbored a secret love for her Lancaster is mildly upset by Hunter's indifference. Elderly Cornelia Otis Skinner is incensed at Lancaster's intrusion in her backyard and orders him to leave. At the next home Lancaster tries to seduce the nubile Janet Landgard who'd once baby-sat for his daughters but she runs away in horror. And so it goes: as each subsequent suburbanite peels off his self-protective veneer Lancaster grows more and more disillusioned with what he thought was his ideal lifestyle. The more intensely painful episode is the confrontation between Lancaster and ex-mistress Janice Rule (this scene was directed without credit by Sydney Pollack). Thoroughly defeated the all-but-naked Lancaster laboriously makes his way through the Connecticut woods in a blinding rainstorm desperately seeking out his own home where he fully expects his "loving" wife and daughters to greet him. Not this time. Dismissed as too self-consciously "arty" at the time of its release The Swimmer's reputation increased over the decades following its release thanks to constant late-night TV exposure. The film represents the first movie work of 22-year-old composer Marvin Hamlisch.
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John Cheever's "misery in suburbia" short stories , brief and to the point , have always proven excellent TV fodder. Director Frank Perry's The Swimmer , adapted for the screen by Perry's wife Eleanor , is a rare , and for the most part successful , attempt at offering a Cheever story in feature - length form. Dressed only in swimming trunks throughout the film , Burt Lancaster plays a wealthy , middle - aged advertising man , embarked on a long and revelatory journey through suburban Connecticut. Lancaster slowly makes his way to his split - level home by travelling from house to house , and from swimming pool to swimming pool. At each stop , Lancaster comes face to face with an incident in his past. Informing Kim Hunter that he once harbored a secret love for her , Lancaster is mildly upset by Hunter's indifference. Elderly Cornelia Otis Skinner is incensed at Lancaster's intrusion in her backyard and orders him to leave. At the next home , Lancaster tries to seduce the nubile Janet Landgard , who'd once baby - sat for his daughters , but she runs away in horror. And so it goes : as each subsequent suburbanite peels off his self - protective veneer , Lancaster grows more and more disillusioned with what he thought was his ideal lifestyle. The more intensely painful episode is the confrontation between Lancaster and ex - mistress Janice Rule ( this scene was directed , without credit , by Sydney Pollack ) . Thoroughly defeated , the all - but - naked Lancaster laboriously makes his way through the Connecticut woods in a blinding rainstorm , desperately seeking out his own home where he fully expects his "loving" wife and daughters to greet him. Not this time. Dismissed as too self - consciously "arty" at the time of its release , The Swimmer 's reputation increased over the decades following its release thanks to constant late - night TV exposure. The film represents the first movie work of 22 - year - old composer Marvin Hamlisch .
1141
This British film examines the choices individuals must make when confronted with a romantic relationship which is rewarding but does not offer them everything they want. In this sympathetic and psychologically precise drama Alexandra Greville (Glenda Jackson) "Alex" to her friends has a younger man as her sometime lover the young sculptor Bob Elkin (Murray Head). Elkin is completely open about the fact that he is also the lover of her acquaintance Dr. Daniel Hirsch (Peter Finch). These relationships continue in some kind of equilibrium until Alex and Bob agree to house-sit the children of a couple known to the three of them. In their roles neither Head nor Finch "swished" or otherwise catered to homosexual stereotypes and theirs was considered to be a groundbreaking sympathetic portrayal of this kind of relationship not condescending in any way. One highlight of the film is a scene in which Dr. Hirsch attends the Bar Mitzvah of his nephew. This critically well-received movie was unexpectedly successful at the box office. The film's director and screenwriter as well as Jackson and Finch were nominated for Academy Awards.
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This British film examines the choices individuals must make when confronted with a romantic relationship which is rewarding but does not offer them everything they want. In this sympathetic and psychologically precise drama , Alexandra Greville ( Glenda Jackson ), "Alex" to her friends , has a younger man as her sometime lover , the young sculptor Bob Elkin ( Murray Head ) . Elkin is completely open about the fact that he is also the lover of her acquaintance , Dr. Daniel Hirsch ( Peter Finch ) . These relationships continue in some kind of equilibrium until Alex and Bob agree to house - sit the children of a couple known to the three of them. In their roles , neither Head nor Finch "swished , " or otherwise catered to homosexual stereotypes , and theirs was considered to be a groundbreaking , sympathetic portrayal of this kind of relationship , not condescending in any way. One highlight of the film is a scene in which Dr. Hirsch attends the Bar Mitzvah of his nephew. This critically well - received movie was unexpectedly successful at the box office. The film's director and screenwriter , as well as Jackson and Finch , were nominated for Academy Awards.
1142
Summer (Le Rayon Vert) is the fifth of French director Eric Rohmer's "Comedies et Proverbes" movie cycle. Left out of everyone's Summer vacation plans unhappy Parisian student Marie Riviere (Rohmer's star in all of the "Comedies et Proverbes") accepts an invitation to stay at her friend's empty apartment in Biarritz. Swedish tourist Carita tries to snap Riviere out of her bad mood but the two ladies are polar opposites in terms of relating to the opposite sex. Carita will take it any way she can while Riviere holds out for true romance. A mystical assignation tied in with the old Jules Verne novel Le Rayon Vert (The Green Ray) brings Riviere in contact with the man of her dreams (Vincent Gauthier). An international award winner Summer was surprisingly overlooked in France where director Rohmer was (in the 1980s at least) somewhat taken for granted.
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Summer ( Le Rayon Vert ) is the fifth of French director Eric Rohmer 's "Comedies et Proverbes" movie cycle. Left out of everyone's Summer vacation plans , unhappy Parisian student Marie Riviere ( Rohmer 's star in all of the "Comedies et Proverbes" ) accepts an invitation to stay at her friend's empty apartment in Biarritz. Swedish tourist Carita tries to snap Riviere out of her bad mood , but the two ladies are polar opposites in terms of relating to the opposite sex. Carita will take it any way she can , while Riviere holds out for true romance. A mystical assignation tied in with the old Jules Verne novel Le Rayon Vert ( The Green Ray ) brings Riviere in contact with the man of her dreams ( Vincent Gauthier ) . An international award winner , Summer was surprisingly overlooked in France , where director Rohmer was ( in the 1980s at least ) somewhat taken for granted.
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ased on the Stephen King short story The Body Rob Reiner's easygoing nostalgia piece is set in Castle Rock OR over Labor Day weekend 1959. A quartet of boys inseparable friends all set out in search of a dead body that one of the boys overhears his brother talking about. The foursome consists of intellectual Gordie (Wil Wheaton) born leader Chris (River Phoenix) emotionally disturbed Teddy (Corey Feldman) and chubby hanger-on Vern (Jerry O'Connell). The boys' adventures en route to the elusive body are colored by the personal pressures brought to bear on all of them by the adult world. Richard Dreyfuss playing the grown-up Gordie narrates the film while Kiefer Sutherland dominates every scene he's in as a brutish high-school bully.
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Based on the Stephen King short story The Body , Rob Reiner 's easygoing nostalgia piece is set in Castle Rock , OR , over Labor Day weekend , 1959. A quartet of boys , inseparable friends all , set out in search of a dead body that one of the boys overhears his brother talking about. The foursome consists of intellectual Gordie ( Wil Wheaton ), born leader Chris ( River Phoenix ), emotionally disturbed Teddy ( Corey Feldman ), and chubby hanger - on Vern ( Jerry O'Connell ) . The boys' adventures en route to the elusive body are colored by the personal pressures brought to bear on all of them by the adult world. Richard Dreyfuss , playing the grown - up Gordie , narrates the film , while Kiefer Sutherland dominates every scene he's in as a brutish high - school bully.
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The year is 1947. Aspiring southern author Stingo (Peter MacNichol) heads to New York to seek his fortune. Moving into a dingy Brooklyn boarding house Stingo strikes up a friendship with research chemist Nathan Landau (Kevin Kline) and Nathan's girlfriend Polish refugee Sophie Zawistowska (Oscar-winner Meryl Streep). There is something unsettling about the relationship; Nathan is subject to violent mood swings while Sophie seems to be harboring a horrible secret. Stingo soons learns that both Nathan and Sophie are strangers to truth; the audience is likewise led down several garden paths by a series of sepia-toned flashbacks depicting Sophie's ordeal in a wartime concentration camp. The scene in which we discover the facts behind Sophie's "choice" is a gut-wrenching one; it might have been even more powerful had not the film taken so long to get there. It is betraying nothing to reveal that the character of Stingo is the alter ego of William Styron upon whose best-selling novel the film was based. The film is rated R due in great part to a disposable scene wherein Stingo tries to put the make on a "liberated" female intellectual.
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The year is 1947. Aspiring southern author Stingo ( Peter MacNichol ) heads to New York to seek his fortune. Moving into a dingy Brooklyn boarding house , Stingo strikes up a friendship with research chemist Nathan Landau ( Kevin Kline ) and Nathan's girlfriend , Polish refugee Sophie Zawistowska ( Oscar - winner Meryl Streep ) . There is something unsettling about the relationship ; Nathan is subject to violent mood swings , while Sophie seems to be harboring a horrible secret. Stingo soons learns that both Nathan and Sophie are strangers to truth ; the audience is likewise led down several garden paths by a series of sepia - toned flashbacks , depicting Sophie's ordeal in a wartime concentration camp. The scene in which we discover the facts behind Sophie's "choice" is a gut - wrenching one ; it might have been even more powerful had not the film taken so long to get there. It is betraying nothing to reveal that the character of Stingo is the alter ego of William Styron , upon whose best - selling novel the film was based. The film is rated R , due in great part to a disposable scene wherein Stingo tries to put the make on a "liberated" female intellectual.
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ased on a true story Silkwood begins and ends with Karen Silkwood (Meryl Streep) driving along a lonely road in 1974 heading to a meeting with a New York Times reporter to deliver evidence of negligence at the Kerr-McGee Plant in Cimarron Oklahoma. The balance of the film flashes back to Karen's ribald private life with her lover (Kurt Russell) and her loose-living friends (Cher and Diana Scarwid). This is in contrast to her humdrum job at Kerr-McGee--or it least it was humdrum until Karen and several other employees become contaminated by radiation. The higher-ups want to sweep this incident under the rug but Karen thinks that something's fishy and informs the union of that fact. X-rays of the faulty fuel rods and written proof of the inadequate safety measures that caused Karen's illness are tampered with forcing Karen to conduct her own private investigation. As she gathers evidence Karen becomes a pariah to her boyfriend because of her obsession. She finally organizes the evidence into a briefcase and heads off to her meeting with the Times reporter. She never makes it; the "official" report on her fatal auto accident is that Ms. Silkwood had been drinking and was under the influence of tranquilizers. Kerr-McGee was eventually forced to pay the Silkwood family an enormous settlement because of her contamination but the full facts behind her convenient accident have never been revealed (though the filmmakers clearly indictate whom they hold responsible). Director Mike Nichols and screenwriters Nora Ephron and Alice Arlen surround this true story with a lively improvisational atmosphere that gets the best out of Streep Russell and Cher while providing perhaps the fullest on-screen realization of Nichols' theater-based techniques of realistic character-centered dialogue-driven filmmaking as well as one of the first movie screenplays from future director Ephron.
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Based on a true story , Silkwood begins and ends with Karen Silkwood ( Meryl Streep ) driving along a lonely road in 1974 , heading to a meeting with a New York Times reporter to deliver evidence of negligence at the Kerr - McGee Plant in Cimarron , Oklahoma. The balance of the film flashes back to Karen's ribald private life with her lover ( Kurt Russell ) and her loose - living friends ( Cher and Diana Scarwid ) . This is in contrast to her humdrum job at Kerr - McGee -- or it least it was humdrum until Karen and several other employees become contaminated by radiation. The higher - ups want to sweep this incident under the rug , but Karen thinks that something's fishy , and informs the union of that fact. X - rays of the faulty fuel rods and written proof of the inadequate safety measures that caused Karen's illness are tampered with , forcing Karen to conduct her own private investigation. As she gathers evidence , Karen becomes a pariah to her boyfriend because of her obsession. She finally organizes the evidence into a briefcase , and heads off to her meeting with the Times reporter. She never makes it ; the "official" report on her fatal auto accident is that Ms. Silkwood had been drinking and was under the influence of tranquilizers. Kerr - McGee was eventually forced to pay the Silkwood family an enormous settlement because of her contamination , but the full facts behind her convenient accident have never been revealed ( though the filmmakers clearly indictate whom they hold responsible ) . Director Mike Nichols and screenwriters Nora Ephron and Alice Arlen surround this true story with a lively , improvisational atmosphere that gets the best out of Streep , Russell , and Cher , while providing perhaps the fullest on - screen realization of Nichols ' theater - based techniques of realistic , character - centered , dialogue - driven filmmaking , as well as one of the first movie screenplays from future director Ephron .
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In this family drama from director Sidney Lumet Judd Hirsch and Christine Lahti play Arthur and Annie Pope a pair of '60s radicals who have eluded the FBI for 16 years after bombing a napalm laboratory as a Vietnam War protest. This lifestyle involves continually moving their base of operations and establishing new identities which is especially hard on their children 18-year-old Danny (River Phoenix) and 10-year-old Harry (Jonas Abry) who can never amass a group of friends or an academic record. This last problem comes to the fore when they arrive in a New Jersey town where the high school music teacher (Ed Crowley) takes an interest in Danny's piano playing encouraging him to apply for early admission to Juilliard. Danny yearns to follow this dream but knows that separating from his parents would be a permanent break -- the aging hippies rarely even see their own parents and can never inform anyone where they've moved. Arthur can't stand the idea of breaking up the family unit which has provided the support that's allowed him to tolerate life on the move but Annie sees her own sacrificed dreams in her son's prodigious musical talents and begins pressuring Arthur to grant the boy his independence. Complicating factors Danny has fallen in love with the daughter of his music teacher (Martha Plimpton) but can't allow himself to get too close to her because he may have to leave again at any moment.
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In this family drama from director Sidney Lumet , Judd Hirsch and Christine Lahti play Arthur and Annie Pope , a pair of '60s radicals who have eluded the FBI for 16 years after bombing a napalm laboratory as a Vietnam War protest. This lifestyle involves continually moving their base of operations and establishing new identities , which is especially hard on their children , 18 - year - old Danny ( River Phoenix ) and 10 - year - old Harry ( Jonas Abry ), who can never amass a group of friends or an academic record. This last problem comes to the fore when they arrive in a New Jersey town where the high school music teacher ( Ed Crowley ) takes an interest in Danny's piano playing , encouraging him to apply for early admission to Juilliard. Danny yearns to follow this dream , but knows that separating from his parents would be a permanent break -- the aging hippies rarely even see their own parents , and can never inform anyone where they've moved. Arthur can't stand the idea of breaking up the family unit , which has provided the support that's allowed him to tolerate life on the move , but Annie sees her own sacrificed dreams in her son's prodigious musical talents , and begins pressuring Arthur to grant the boy his independence. Complicating factors , Danny has fallen in love with the daughter of his music teacher ( Martha Plimpton ), but can't allow himself to get too close to her , because he may have to leave again at any moment.
1147
The nude strangled body of a teenaged girl lies on the edge of the river. Her murderer is her boyfriend Daniel Roebuck. All the kids in Roebuck's dismal dead-end town know who committed the murder. Trouble is no one bothers to turn Roebuck in; some of the teens don't know how to react to the crime while others strung out on drugs and booze just don't give a damn. A study of contemporary alienation River's Edge was based on a real-life incident that occurred in Milpitas California in 1981. That same year Neal Jimenez wrote his screenplay for River's Edge but was not able to finance the project until 1987. Except for Dennis Hopper cast as a holdover from the sixties who hobbles about on one leg and makes love to a blow-up doll the cast was largely comprised of unknowns many of whom (Crispin Glover Keanu Reeves Ione Skye) would definitely be heard from in the future.
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The nude , strangled body of a teenaged girl lies on the edge of the river. Her murderer is her boyfriend , Daniel Roebuck . All the kids in Roebuck 's dismal , dead - end town know who committed the murder. Trouble is , no one bothers to turn Roebuck in ; some of the teens don't know how to react to the crime , while others , strung out on drugs and booze , just don't give a damn. A study of contemporary alienation , River's Edge was based on a real - life incident that occurred in Milpitas , California , in 1981. That same year , Neal Jimenez wrote his screenplay for River's Edge , but was not able to finance the project until 1987. Except for Dennis Hopper , cast as a holdover from the sixties who hobbles about on one leg and makes love to a blow - up doll , the cast was largely comprised of unknowns , many of whom ( Crispin Glover , Keanu Reeves , Ione Skye ) would definitely be heard from in the future.
1148
Robert Redford's lyrical direction sets the tone for this evocative adaptation of author Norman MacLean's memoir of his idyllic Montana youth. The MacLean family is presided over by the strict but encouraging Rev. MacLean (Tom Skerritt) and his loving wife (Brenda Blethyn). Craig Sheffer stars as the young Norman the older son in his family who takes his school work and writing a bit too seriously for Paul (Brad Pitt) the impetuous younger son to take much stock in. Paul would rather have a good time drink and play cards than get involved with academic study. Where Norman wants to be a college literature professor Paul would prefer to stay in Montana all his life and wrangle some kind of job writing for a local newspaper. But ironically Paul is the better fly fisherman and in this way attains a sense of perfection. The film also details the MacLean boys' involvement with a colorful group of town's people -- including a young Indian woman Paul decides to date and the defiant Jessie (Emily Lloyd) whom Norman later marries.
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Robert Redford 's lyrical direction sets the tone for this evocative adaptation of author Norman MacLean's memoir of his idyllic Montana youth. The MacLean family is presided over by the strict but encouraging Rev. MacLean ( Tom Skerritt ) and his loving wife ( Brenda Blethyn ) . Craig Sheffer stars as the young Norman , the older son in his family , who takes his school work and writing a bit too seriously for Paul ( Brad Pitt ), the impetuous younger son , to take much stock in. Paul would rather have a good time , drink and play cards than get involved with academic study. Where Norman wants to be a college literature professor , Paul would prefer to stay in Montana all his life and wrangle some kind of job writing for a local newspaper. But , ironically , Paul is the better fly fisherman and in this way attains a sense of perfection. The film also details the MacLean boys' involvement with a colorful group of town's people -- including a young Indian woman Paul decides to date and the defiant Jessie ( Emily Lloyd ), whom Norman later marries.
1149
Paul Newman made his directorial debut and Newman's wife Joanne Woodward stars as Rachel Cameron a 35-year-old unmarried schoolteacher who feels as though she's wasted her life. Rachel's best friend Calla Mackie (Estelle Parsons) invites her to attend a religious revival meeting. Here Rachel is swept up in the emotional fervor orchestrated by a young guest preacher (Terry Kiser). This is the first of several cathartic incidents which convince Rachel to kick over the traces and express her own needs and emotions. She has a brief sexual liaison with an old family friend (James Olson) and is delighted at the notion that she might have become pregnant. Rachel ends up alone and childless (her "pregnancy" was nothing more than a benign cyst) but still determined to forge a new life for herself. Based the novel A Jest of God by Margaret Laurence Rachel Rachel won New York Film Critics awards for both Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman and an Oscar nomination for Joanne Woodward.
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Paul Newman made his directorial debut and Newman 's wife , Joanne Woodward , stars as Rachel Cameron , a 35 - year - old unmarried schoolteacher who feels as though she's wasted her life. Rachel's best friend , Calla Mackie ( Estelle Parsons ), invites her to attend a religious revival meeting. Here Rachel is swept up in the emotional fervor orchestrated by a young guest preacher ( Terry Kiser ) . This is the first of several cathartic incidents which convince Rachel to kick over the traces and express her own needs and emotions. She has a brief sexual liaison with an old family friend ( James Olson ), and is delighted at the notion that she might have become pregnant. Rachel ends up alone and childless ( her "pregnancy" was nothing more than a benign cyst ), but still determined to forge a new life for herself. Based the novel A Jest of God by Margaret Laurence , Rachel , Rachel won New York Film Critics awards for both Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman , and an Oscar nomination for Joanne Woodward .
1150
Gus Van Sant's dreamtime riff on Shakespeare's "Henry IV Parts I and II" features River Phoenix as Mike Waters a narcoleptic male hustler who is first seen drifting on a stretch of highway in Idaho. Mike shifts from Seattle to Portland where he has taken up with Scott Favor (Keanu Reeves) who is also a hustler. The difference between them is Mike's sleepy state betrays an uncertain future while Scott is ready to inherit a fortune from his father within a week. Mike feels a real affection for Scott but Scott does not believe men can really love each other. Besides Scott is mostly hustling as a means of slumming and killing time before he inherits his money. Mike however delusionally thinks Scott will continue with his life as a drifter after receiving his inheritance. Mike's belief is shared by the dregs of Portland who live out of an abandoned hotel with their spiritual leader Bob (film director William Richert). They're convinced Scott's fortune will benefit them all when in reality Scott has other plans.
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Gus Van Sant 's dreamtime riff on Shakespeare's "Henry IV , Parts I and II" features River Phoenix as Mike Waters , a narcoleptic male hustler who is first seen drifting on a stretch of highway in Idaho. Mike shifts from Seattle to Portland , where he has taken up with Scott Favor ( Keanu Reeves ), who is also a hustler. The difference between them is Mike's sleepy state betrays an uncertain future , while Scott is ready to inherit a fortune from his father within a week. Mike feels a real affection for Scott , but Scott does not believe men can really love each other. Besides , Scott is mostly hustling as a means of slumming and killing time before he inherits his money. Mike , however , delusionally thinks Scott will continue with his life as a drifter after receiving his inheritance. Mike's belief is shared by the dregs of Portland , who live out of an abandoned hotel with their spiritual leader Bob ( film director William Richert ) . They're convinced Scott's fortune will benefit them all , when in reality Scott has other plans.
1151
The final film of stars Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe is an elegy for the death of the Old West from writer Arthur Miller and director John Huston. Gable stars as Gay Langland an aging hand traveling the byways and working at rodeos with his two comrades Guido (Eli Wallach) and young Perce Howland (Montgomery Clift). The three men come up with a plan to corral some misfit mustangs and sell them for dog food but Gay's new girlfriend Roslyn Taber (Marilyn Monroe) a high-minded ex-stripper who has just divorced her husband Ray (Kevin McCarthy) in Reno is appalled by the plan. Although both Guido and Perce are also in love with Roslyn she stands by Gay sure that in the end he will do the right thing even as he and his pals begin their planned roundup.
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The final film of stars Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe is an elegy for the death of the Old West from writer Arthur Miller and director John Huston . Gable stars as Gay Langland , an aging hand traveling the byways and working at rodeos with his two comrades , Guido ( Eli Wallach ) and young Perce Howland ( Montgomery Clift ) . The three men come up with a plan to corral some misfit mustangs and sell them for dog food , but Gay's new girlfriend Roslyn Taber ( Marilyn Monroe ), a high - minded ex - stripper who has just divorced her husband Ray ( Kevin McCarthy ) in Reno , is appalled by the plan. Although both Guido and Perce are also in love with Roslyn , she stands by Gay , sure that in the end he will do the right thing , even as he and his pals begin their planned roundup.
1152
This is the true story of Rocky Dennis (Eric Stoltz) a personable young man suffering from "lionitis" a fatal disease which causes hideous facial disfigurement. The son of freewheeling biker Rusty Dennis (Cher) Rocky is accepted without question by his mom's boyfriends and cycle buddies but treated with pity condescension and disgust by much of the outside world. The local high school principal tries to get Rocky classified as brain-damaged so he won't have to enroll the boy in his school but Rusty fights for her son's rights with the ferocity of a mother lioness. Rocky makes friends easily both at school and at summer camp. He also falls in love with Diana (Laura Dern) a blind girl who cannot see his deformed countenance and is entranced by the boy's kindness and compassion. Now that he's got his own life in order Rocky sets about to wean his chronically depressed mother from her drug habit. Mask is the sort of story that might have ending up wallowing in its own pathos had the acting direction and scriptwriting (by Anna Hamilton Phelan) been anything less than very good. The film proved a much-needed financial success for director Peter Bogdanovich though unfortunately it didn't come soon enough to stave off his declaring personal bankruptcy.
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This is the true story of Rocky Dennis ( Eric Stoltz ), a personable young man suffering from "lionitis , " a fatal disease which causes hideous facial disfigurement. The son of freewheeling biker Rusty Dennis ( Cher ), Rocky is accepted without question by his mom's boyfriends and cycle buddies , but treated with pity , condescension , and disgust by much of the outside world. The local high school principal tries to get Rocky classified as brain - damaged so he won't have to enroll the boy in his school , but Rusty fights for her son's rights with the ferocity of a mother lioness. Rocky makes friends easily both at school and at summer camp. He also falls in love with Diana ( Laura Dern ), a blind girl who cannot see his deformed countenance and is entranced by the boy's kindness and compassion. Now that he's got his own life in order , Rocky sets about to wean his chronically depressed mother from her drug habit. Mask is the sort of story that might have ending up wallowing in its own pathos had the acting , direction and scriptwriting ( by Anna Hamilton Phelan ) been anything less than very good. The film proved a much - needed financial success for director Peter Bogdanovich , though unfortunately it didn't come soon enough to stave off his declaring personal bankruptcy.
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Susan Sarandon and Nick Nolte give brilliant performances as parents trying to save the life of their son in George Miller's harrowing and heartbreaking Lorenzo's Oil. Based on a true story the film begins as bright young Lorenzo (Zack O'Malley Greenburg) is leading a pleasant life on the Comoro Islands. But things start to go wrong with him -- he collapses he raves and he loses his hearing -- so his concerned parents Augusto (Nick Nolte) and Michaela Odone (Susan Sarandon) take him to a doctor. The diagnosis is a death warrant; they are told that Lorenzo has been diagnosed with adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) an rare and incurable nerve disease that is always fatal. When Augusto and Michaela are told to be patient as they watch their son sink further into the debilitating illness they take matters into their own hands and start their own investigation of the disease. Using rapeseed oil they find their own treatment for ALD.
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Susan Sarandon and Nick Nolte give brilliant performances as parents trying to save the life of their son in George Miller 's harrowing and heartbreaking Lorenzo's Oil . Based on a true story , the film begins as bright young Lorenzo ( Zack O'Malley Greenburg ) is leading a pleasant life on the Comoro Islands. But things start to go wrong with him -- he collapses , he raves , and he loses his hearing -- so his concerned parents , Augusto ( Nick Nolte ) and Michaela Odone ( Susan Sarandon ), take him to a doctor. The diagnosis is a death warrant ; they are told that Lorenzo has been diagnosed with adrenoleukodystrophy ( ALD ), an rare and incurable nerve disease that is always fatal. When Augusto and Michaela are told to be patient as they watch their son sink further into the debilitating illness , they take matters into their own hands and start their own investigation of the disease. Using rapeseed oil , they find their own treatment for ALD.
1154
Dreams die hard in wintry Atlantic City in Bob Rafelson's downbeat character drama. Depressive deejay David Staebler (Jack Nicholson) tends to his grandfather as he philosophizes on late-night Philadelphia talk radio. When his huckster older brother Jason (Bruce Dern) calls out of the blue one day David travels to Atlantic City to see what his latest easy money scheme is. Along with his former beauty queen companion Sally (Ellen Burstyn) and her pretty stepdaughter Jessica (Julia Anne Robinson) Jason plans to open a resort on a small Hawaiian island insisting to an initially skeptical David that the deal is as good as done. David plays along but as he learns the reality of the situation tries to talk some sense into Jason. Jason and his women will have none of it leading to a tragic lesson about the cost of superficial values like beauty and wealth and the limits of brotherly love. Rafelson's follow-up to his 1970 hit Five Easy Pieces once again questions American myths of success with one brother unwilling to come to earth to realize his dreams and the other unable to do much beyond talk about his inertia to an unseen radio audience. With Five Easy Pieces star Nicholson as the introverted lead and impressive cinematography by Laszlo Kovacs The King of Marvin Gardens had the makings of another Hollywood New Wave hit. The response however was not what stumbling BBS Productions hoped as Columbia barely supported the film and 1972 audiences were not as responsive to Rafelson's second exploration of contemporary alienation. The King of Marvin Gardens' artful depiction of disillusionment roots it firmly in the 1970s Hollywood art cinema and its failure became one more sign of that cycle's popular limits.
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Dreams die hard in wintry Atlantic City in Bob Rafelson 's downbeat character drama. Depressive deejay David Staebler ( Jack Nicholson ) tends to his grandfather as he philosophizes on late - night Philadelphia talk radio. When his huckster older brother Jason ( Bruce Dern ) calls out of the blue one day , David travels to Atlantic City to see what his latest easy money scheme is. Along with his former beauty queen companion Sally ( Ellen Burstyn ) and her pretty stepdaughter Jessica ( Julia Anne Robinson ), Jason plans to open a resort on a small Hawaiian island , insisting to an initially skeptical David that the deal is as good as done. David plays along but , as he learns the reality of the situation , tries to talk some sense into Jason. Jason and his women will have none of it , leading to a tragic lesson about the cost of superficial values like beauty and wealth , and the limits of brotherly love. Rafelson 's follow - up to his 1970 hit Five Easy Pieces once again questions American myths of success , with one brother unwilling to come to earth to realize his dreams and the other unable to do much beyond talk about his inertia to an unseen radio audience. With Five Easy Pieces star Nicholson as the introverted lead , and impressive cinematography by Laszlo Kovacs , The King of Marvin Gardens had the makings of another Hollywood New Wave hit. The response , however , was not what stumbling BBS Productions hoped , as Columbia barely supported the film and 1972 audiences were not as responsive to Rafelson 's second exploration of contemporary alienation. The King of Marvin Gardens ' artful depiction of disillusionment roots it firmly in the 1970s Hollywood art cinema , and its failure became one more sign of that cycle's popular limits.
1155
Susan Hayward pulls out all the stops and then some in this cinemadaptation of singer Lillian Roth's autobiography I'll Cry Tomorrow. In as harshly realistic a manner as possible in the still censor-dominated Hollywood of 1955 the film recounts Roth's rise to fame her precipitous fall and her tearful comeback. The fact that Roth loves not wisely but too well is only part of the problem (only two of her eight husbands are portrayed in the film); contributing factors to her self-destruction also included her witchlike "stage mother" (Jo Van Fleet) and the pressures of fame and fortune. The principal reason for Roth's fall from the height of fame to the depths of squalor and despair is booze -- at least until she begins to pull herself together with the help of Alcoholics-Anonymous representative Burt McGuire (Eddie Albert). The story concludes with a testimonial staged in Roth's honor on the TV series This is Your Life (the original of which still exists in kinescope form). Having been personally coached by the real Lillian Roth Susan Hayward does an excellent job of copying the singer's unique style. Though Hayward did not win an Oscar for her performance she did cop the "Best Actress" prize at the Cannes Film Festival.
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Susan Hayward pulls out all the stops , and then some , in this cinemadaptation of singer Lillian Roth 's autobiography I'll Cry Tomorrow . In as harshly realistic a manner as possible in the still censor - dominated Hollywood of 1955 , the film recounts Roth 's rise to fame , her precipitous fall and her tearful comeback. The fact that Roth loves not wisely but too well is only part of the problem ( only two of her eight husbands are portrayed in the film ); contributing factors to her self - destruction also included her witchlike "stage mother" ( Jo Van Fleet ) and the pressures of fame and fortune. The principal reason for Roth 's fall from the height of fame to the depths of squalor and despair is booze -- at least until she begins to pull herself together with the help of Alcoholics - Anonymous representative Burt McGuire ( Eddie Albert ) . The story concludes with a testimonial staged in Roth 's honor on the TV series This is Your Life ( the original of which still exists in kinescope form ) . Having been personally coached by the real Lillian Roth , Susan Hayward does an excellent job of copying the singer's unique style. Though Hayward did not win an Oscar for her performance , she did cop the "Best Actress" prize at the Cannes Film Festival .
1156
ased on the play by Robert Anderson I Never Sang for My Father is devoted to the prickly relationship between aged Tom Garrison (Melvyn Douglas) and his grown son Gene (Gene Hackman). A college professor who feels that he has never been fully accepted by his self-made dad Gene announces that he is going to move from New York to marry a California divorcee. His mother (Dorothy Stickney) approves of the union but worries that her son's move will have a negative effect on the increasingly truculent Tom. When his mother dies just before the wedding Gene is forced to help his father through his dark days. His sister (Estelle Parsons) urges her brother to break the ties for good and all--or else he'll wind up as bitter and withdrawn as their father. Gene realizes the wisdom of these words when he tries to reach out to his father during a vulnerable moment only to have the crabby Tom tell him to get lost and leave him alone.
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Based on the play by Robert Anderson , I Never Sang for My Father is devoted to the prickly relationship between aged Tom Garrison ( Melvyn Douglas ) and his grown son Gene ( Gene Hackman ) . A college professor who feels that he has never been fully accepted by his self - made dad , Gene announces that he is going to move from New York to marry a California divorcee. His mother ( Dorothy Stickney ) approves of the union but worries that her son's move will have a negative effect on the increasingly truculent Tom. When his mother dies just before the wedding , Gene is forced to help his father through his dark days. His sister ( Estelle Parsons ) urges her brother to break the ties for good and all -- or else he'll wind up as bitter and withdrawn as their father. Gene realizes the wisdom of these words when he tries to reach out to his father during a vulnerable moment , only to have the crabby Tom tell him to get lost and leave him alone.
1157
The third film written and directed by playwright David Mamet this combination of crime drama and character study stars several of Mamet's stock players. Joe Mantegna stars as Bobby Gold a detective with a gift for negotiation who along with his partner Tim Sullivan (William H. Macy) accidentally stumbles upon a crime scene -- the murder of an elderly Jewish woman in her corner store. When it turns out that the victim was politically well-connected and Jewish Bobby's superiors assign him the case because he's also Jewish. The problem is that Bobby isn't very religious and he resents being taken off a higher profile drug investigation involving a dealer Randolph (Ving Rhames). Bobby's also highly skeptical when the murdered woman's family claims that her death was not a simple robbery but an anti-Semitic hate crime. As he gets deeper into his case however Bobby discovers that a larger conspiracy may be afoot and he begins to question his own ethnic roots.
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The third film written and directed by playwright David Mamet , this combination of crime drama and character study stars several of Mamet 's stock players. Joe Mantegna stars as Bobby Gold , a detective with a gift for negotiation who , along with his partner Tim Sullivan ( William H. Macy ), accidentally stumbles upon a crime scene -- the murder of an elderly Jewish woman in her corner store. When it turns out that the victim was politically well - connected and Jewish , Bobby's superiors assign him the case because he's also Jewish. The problem is that Bobby isn't very religious and he resents being taken off a higher profile drug investigation involving a dealer , Randolph ( Ving Rhames ) . Bobby's also highly skeptical when the murdered woman's family claims that her death was not a simple robbery but an anti - Semitic hate crime. As he gets deeper into his case , however , Bobby discovers that a larger conspiracy may be afoot , and he begins to question his own ethnic roots.
1158
ased on the novel by Carson McCullers The Heart is a Lonely Hunter stars Alan Arkin as John Singer who is deaf. Singer moves from a small town in order to be close to his institutionalized friend Antonapoulos (Chuck McCann) who is deaf and mentally impaired. Singer rents a room with a family whose father Mr. Kelly (Biff McGuire) is unable to earn a living due to a serious injury. His teen-aged daughter Mick (Sondra Locke in her film debut) is at first resentful of Singer's presence but he ingratiates himself by introducing her to classical music (which he can "feel" if not hear). Singer likewise tries to brighten the lives of such unfortunates as alcoholic Blount (Stacy Keach Jr. also making his first film appearance) dying black doctor Copeland (Percy Rodriguez) and Copeland's poverty-stricken daughter (Cicely Tyson).
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Based on the novel by Carson McCullers , The Heart is a Lonely Hunter stars Alan Arkin as John Singer , who is deaf. Singer moves from a small town in order to be close to his institutionalized friend Antonapoulos ( Chuck McCann ), who is deaf and mentally impaired. Singer rents a room with a family whose father , Mr. Kelly ( Biff McGuire ), is unable to earn a living due to a serious injury. His teen - aged daughter Mick ( Sondra Locke , in her film debut ) is at first resentful of Singer's presence , but he ingratiates himself by introducing her to classical music ( which he can "feel , " if not hear ) . Singer likewise tries to brighten the lives of such unfortunates as alcoholic Blount ( Stacy Keach Jr. , also making his first film appearance ), dying black doctor Copeland ( Percy Rodriguez ), and Copeland's poverty - stricken daughter ( Cicely Tyson ) .
1159
ull Meechum (Robert Duvall) loves fighting almost as much as he loves the Marine Corps. Profane cocky and arrogant he's a great fighter pilot -- and he knows it. His boss hates his guts but knows that if he's going to straighten out his lagging squadron Meechum is the man to do it. The story and irony of The Great Santini is in Meechum's total intolerance of family life and fatherhood. Meechum has a lovely supportive wife Lillian (Blythe Danner) an earnest likeable son Ben (Michael O'Keefe) three smaller children and a good home but Meechum finds the pastoral nature of peacetime totally incompatible with his gung-ho nature. So he begins to drink. He drills his family unmercifully like recruits. He hammers his son relentlessly until in a basketball game his son fights back and the family cheers Ben's efforts. Tension builds in the household until during one drunken night Meechum breaks down. Based on a best-selling novel by Pat Conroy The Great Santini earned critical raves but fared poorly at the box office. Duvall's performance as Meechum is generally regarded as one of his greatest.
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Bull Meechum ( Robert Duvall ) loves fighting almost as much as he loves the Marine Corps. Profane , cocky , and arrogant , he's a great fighter pilot -- and he knows it. His boss hates his guts , but knows that if he's going to straighten out his lagging squadron , Meechum is the man to do it. The story and irony of The Great Santini is in Meechum's total intolerance of family life and fatherhood. Meechum has a lovely , supportive wife , Lillian ( Blythe Danner ), an earnest , likeable son , Ben ( Michael O'Keefe ), three smaller children , and a good home , but Meechum finds the pastoral nature of peacetime totally incompatible with his gung - ho nature. So he begins to drink. He drills his family unmercifully , like recruits. He hammers his son relentlessly until , in a basketball game , his son fights back , and the family cheers Ben's efforts. Tension builds in the household until , during one drunken night , Meechum breaks down. Based on a best - selling novel by Pat Conroy , The Great Santini earned critical raves but fared poorly at the box office. Duvall 's performance as Meechum is generally regarded as one of his greatest.
1160
Director Lawrence Kasdan's Grand Canyon is a gathering of random events uniting the film's wildly divergent protagonists. Driving home from an LA Lakers game Mack (Kevin Kline) an immigration attorney is stranded in an unsavory part of town when his car breaks down. He is rescued from a gang of hoods by Simon (Danny Glover) an African-American tow truck driver inaugurating a friendship between these two men. Mack offers to repay Simon's kindness by helping his sister (Tina Lifford) find an apartment in a better neighborhood and by arranging a blind date between Simon and Jane (Alfre Woodard) a friend of Mack's secretary Dee (Mary Louise Parker). Woven into this fabric are the tribulations of Mack's best friend a pompous exploitation movie producer (Steve Martin) who is later wounded in a robbery similar to the one threatening Mack at the beginning of the film; of Mack's wife Claire (Mary McDonnell) who adopts an abandoned baby and disenfranchised son Roberto (Jeremy Sisto); and of Simon's nephew (Patrick Malone) who is contemplating joining a street gang. The title is symbolic referring to the class-imposed chasms which would normally separate the characters. Kasdan co-wrote the screenplay with his wife Meg.
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Director Lawrence Kasdan 's Grand Canyon is a gathering of random events , uniting the film's wildly divergent protagonists. Driving home from an LA Lakers game , Mack ( Kevin Kline ), an immigration attorney , is stranded in an unsavory part of town when his car breaks down. He is rescued from a gang of hoods by Simon ( Danny Glover ), an African - American tow truck driver , inaugurating a friendship between these two men. Mack offers to repay Simon's kindness by helping his sister ( Tina Lifford ) find an apartment in a better neighborhood , and by arranging a blind date between Simon and Jane ( Alfre Woodard ), a friend of Mack's secretary Dee ( Mary Louise Parker ) . Woven into this fabric are the tribulations of Mack's best friend , a pompous exploitation movie producer ( Steve Martin ), who is later wounded in a robbery similar to the one threatening Mack at the beginning of the film ; of Mack's wife Claire ( Mary McDonnell ), who adopts an abandoned baby , and disenfranchised son Roberto ( Jeremy Sisto ); and of Simon's nephew ( Patrick Malone ), who is contemplating joining a street gang. The title is symbolic , referring to the class - imposed chasms which would normally separate the characters. Kasdan co - wrote the screenplay with his wife Meg .
1161
David Mamet's award-winning play about a group of desperate real estate agents comes to the big screen from director James Foley. In a role created specifically for the movie Alec Baldwin appears as a sales motivator informing the group of hard-luck salesmen that they must compete in a sales contest where the losers will be fired. The agents work their same tired leads until one hatches a scheme to burglarize the office steal the leads and sell them to a rival. Featuring a cast that includes Al Pacino as the office's sales leader Jack Lemmon as an elderly loser Alan Arkin and Ed Harris as frustrated salesmen Kevin Spacey as the harassed office manager and Jonathan Pryce as a client Glengarry Glen Ross is at its core a character study about a group of men whose time has passed.
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David Mamet 's award - winning play about a group of desperate real estate agents comes to the big screen from director James Foley . In a role created specifically for the movie , Alec Baldwin appears as a sales motivator , informing the group of hard - luck salesmen that they must compete in a sales contest where the losers will be fired. The agents work their same tired leads , until one hatches a scheme to burglarize the office , steal the leads , and sell them to a rival. Featuring a cast that includes Al Pacino as the office's sales leader , Jack Lemmon as an elderly loser , Alan Arkin and Ed Harris as frustrated salesmen , Kevin Spacey as the harassed office manager , and Jonathan Pryce as a client , Glengarry Glen Ross is , at its core , a character study about a group of men whose time has passed.
1162
Paul Newman directed this moving adaptation of Tennessee Williams' classic play The Glass Menagerie. Joanne Woodward stars as aging Southern belle Amanda Wingfield whose domineering parenting has driven her shy timid daughter Laura (Karen Allen) inward and has made her adventure-hungry son Tom (John Malkovich) miserable. Newman hasn't tried to open the original stage play up at all preferring to keep all of the action within the Wingfield apartment. The cast performed the play in a Broadway revival prior to the filming. James Naughton appears as Laura's gentleman caller.
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Paul Newman directed this moving adaptation of Tennessee Williams ' classic play The Glass Menagerie . Joanne Woodward stars as aging Southern belle Amanda Wingfield , whose domineering parenting has driven her shy , timid daughter Laura ( Karen Allen ) inward and has made her adventure - hungry son Tom ( John Malkovich ) miserable. Newman hasn't tried to open the original stage play up at all , preferring to keep all of the action within the Wingfield apartment. The cast performed the play in a Broadway revival prior to the filming. James Naughton appears as Laura's gentleman caller.
1163
Real-life siblings Beau and Jeff Bridges star as the eponymous Fabulous Baker Boys. Musical prodigies both the Bakers have long been teamed as a twin-piano act with the less talented Frank (Beau Bridges) coasting on the skills of his brilliant younger brother Jack (Jeff Bridges). Their career dwindling to nickel-and-dime dates in second-rate clubs the Bakers decide that they need a female vocalist to boost their popularity. They select auditioner Susie Diamond (Michelle Pfeiffer) who in addition to being a gifted songstress is drop-dead gorgeous. The newly renovated Baker Boys act scores a success which is inevitably threatened by Susie's growing popularity and by Jack's insistence upon pursuing an affair with the girl.
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Real - life siblings Beau and Jeff Bridges star as the eponymous Fabulous Baker Boys . Musical prodigies both , the Bakers have long been teamed as a twin - piano act , with the less talented Frank ( Beau Bridges ) coasting on the skills of his brilliant younger brother , Jack ( Jeff Bridges ) . Their career dwindling to nickel - and - dime dates in second - rate clubs , the Bakers decide that they need a female vocalist to boost their popularity. They select auditioner Susie Diamond ( Michelle Pfeiffer ), who in addition to being a gifted songstress is drop - dead gorgeous. The newly renovated Baker Boys act scores a success , which is inevitably threatened by Susie's growing popularity and by Jack's insistence upon pursuing an affair with the girl.
1164
The Duellists is based on a story by Joseph Conrad variously titled The Duel and The Point of Honour. Keith Carradine and Harvey Keitel play officers in Napoleon's army -- D'Hubert and Feraud respectively -- who spend their off-hours challenging each other to bloody duels. This goes on for nearly 16 years with neither man showing any inclination of calling a truce. The final clash finds the gentlemanly D'Hubert getting the upper hand of the obsessed Feraud -- but that's not quite the end of the story. The Duellists was the debut feature for director Ridley Scott; it won the Cannes Film Festival prize for Best First Film.
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The Duellists is based on a story by Joseph Conrad , variously titled The Duel and The Point of Honour . Keith Carradine and Harvey Keitel play officers in Napoleon's army -- D'Hubert and Feraud , respectively -- who spend their off - hours challenging each other to bloody duels. This goes on for nearly 16 years , with neither man showing any inclination of calling a truce. The final clash finds the gentlemanly D'Hubert getting the upper hand of the obsessed Feraud -- but that's not quite the end of the story. The Duellists was the debut feature for director Ridley Scott ; it won the Cannes Film Festival prize for Best First Film.
1165
This darkly haunting slightly fictionalized film is a retelling of the life and death of Ruth Ellis (Miranda Richardson) the last woman to be executed in England. Ellis a divorcee and ex-prostitute works as a "hostess" in a tacky nightclub. There she meets and begins an obsessive love affair with upper-class David Blakely (Rupert Everett) who eventually discards her. Still obsessed and jealous because of David's upcoming marriage to a woman of his own class Ellis murders him. Miranda Richardson in a stark knock-out performance is outstanding as the cold calculating Ellis unscrupulous in her use of everyone to get what she wants. Ian Holm in an often-overlooked performance is superb as the man who loves Ellis supporting her and her teenage son without ever gaining her love. He is her mainstay and the surrogate father to her teenage son who Ellis has little time for. In his own quiet way he is as obsessed as Ellis. The screenplay adapted by Shelagh Delaney remains faithful to the true story taking only minor dramatic license. Dance With a Stranger is an uncompromising look at obsessive love and its consequences on others. The story is made even more poignant because of the sad life and eventual suicide of Ellis' real son.
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This darkly haunting slightly fictionalized film is a retelling of the life and death of Ruth Ellis ( Miranda Richardson ), the last woman to be executed in England. Ellis , a divorcee and ex - prostitute works as a "hostess" in a tacky nightclub. There she meets and begins an obsessive love affair with upper - class David Blakely ( Rupert Everett ), who eventually discards her. Still obsessed and jealous because of David's upcoming marriage to a woman of his own class , Ellis murders him. Miranda Richardson , in a stark , knock - out performance is outstanding as the cold , calculating Ellis , unscrupulous in her use of everyone to get what she wants. Ian Holm , in an often - overlooked performance , is superb as the man who loves Ellis , supporting her and her teenage son , without ever gaining her love. He is her mainstay and the surrogate father to her teenage son , who Ellis has little time for. In his own , quiet way he is as obsessed as Ellis. The screenplay , adapted by Shelagh Delaney remains faithful to the true story , taking only minor dramatic license. Dance With a Stranger is an uncompromising look at obsessive love and its consequences on others. The story is made even more poignant because of the sad life and eventual suicide of Ellis' real son.
1166
Loretta Lynn was one of the first female superstars in country music and remains a defining presence within the genre; with her strong clear hard-country voice and tough no-nonsense songs about husbands who cheat and wives who weren't about to be pushed around Lynn introduced a feminist mindset to Nashville years before the phrase "women's liberation" became common currency. Coal Miner's Daughter is a screen adaptation of Lynn's autobiography starring Sissy Spacek as Loretta Lynn. One of eight children born to Ted Webb (Levon Helm) a coal miner raising a family despite grinding poverty in Butcher's Holler KY Loretta married Dolittle "Mooney" Lynn (Tommy Lee Jones) when she was only 13 years old. A mother of four by the time she was 20 Lynn began singing the occasional song at local honky-tonks on weekends and at 25 she cut (at Mooney's suggestion) a demo tape that earned her a deal with an independent record label. Loretta and Mooney's tireless promotion of the record (including a long road trip through the south in which they stopped at every country radio station they could find) paid off -- Loretta's first single "Honky Tonk Girl" hit the charts and earned her a spot on the Grand Ole Opry. Stardom called and Loretta never looked back but success brought with it both joy (a long string of hit records and sold-out concerts and a close friendship with Patsy Cline) and sorrow (a nervous breakdown brought on by overwork and a great deal of stress to a marriage that endured -- but just barely). Sissy Spacek won an Academy award for her vivid thoroughly natural performance as Loretta (she also did her own singing) and Levon Helm (drummer for the legendary rock group the Band) made an impressive screen debut as her father. Ernest Tubb makes a cameo appearance as himself.
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Loretta Lynn was one of the first female superstars in country music and remains a defining presence within the genre ; with her strong , clear , hard - country voice and tough , no - nonsense songs about husbands who cheat and wives who weren't about to be pushed around , Lynn introduced a feminist mindset to Nashville years before the phrase "women's liberation" became common currency. Coal Miner's Daughter is a screen adaptation of Lynn 's autobiography , starring Sissy Spacek as Loretta Lynn . One of eight children born to Ted Webb ( Levon Helm ), a coal miner raising a family despite grinding poverty in Butcher's Holler , KY , Loretta married Dolittle "Mooney" Lynn ( Tommy Lee Jones ) when she was only 13 years old. A mother of four by the time she was 20 , Lynn began singing the occasional song at local honky - tonks on weekends , and at 25 , she cut ( at Mooney's suggestion ) a demo tape that earned her a deal with an independent record label. Loretta and Mooney's tireless promotion of the record ( including a long road trip through the south in which they stopped at every country radio station they could find ) paid off -- Loretta 's first single , "Honky Tonk Girl , " hit the charts and earned her a spot on the Grand Ole Opry. Stardom called and Loretta never looked back , but success brought with it both joy ( a long string of hit records and sold - out concerts and a close friendship with Patsy Cline ) and sorrow ( a nervous breakdown brought on by overwork and a great deal of stress to a marriage that endured -- but just barely ) . Sissy Spacek won an Academy award for her vivid , thoroughly natural performance as Loretta ( she also did her own singing ), and Levon Helm ( drummer for the legendary rock group the Band ) made an impressive screen debut as her father. Ernest Tubb makes a cameo appearance as himself.
1167
Set in French Colonial Africa Chocolat is told from the viewpoint of 8-year-old Cecile Ducasse. With no other frame of reference the innocent Ducasse accepts the subjugation of the black natives by the white colonists as the natural order of things. The girl grows gradually aware of the social iniquities about her but only in retrospect (the film is related in flashback narrated by the grown-up heroine) does she fully realize just how cruel and wrong-headed the entire colonial system had been.
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Set in French Colonial Africa , Chocolat is told from the viewpoint of 8 - year - old Cecile Ducasse . With no other frame of reference , the innocent Ducasse accepts the subjugation of the black natives by the white colonists as the natural order of things. The girl grows gradually aware of the social iniquities about her , but only in retrospect ( the film is related in flashback , narrated by the grown - up heroine ) does she fully realize just how cruel and wrong - headed the entire colonial system had been.
1168
Children of a Lesser God is a love story about a speech teacher who falls for a beautiful yet distant deaf girl in a small New England school for the deaf and the obstacles that they face due to their differences. William Hurt plays James Leeds a renegade teacher with an unconventional approach to education and a resume that includes stints as a bartender and a disk jockey. Upon his arrival he is warned by school administrator Dr. Franklin (Philip Bosco) not to get creative with his instruction. Naturally Leeds already has his mind set on his teaching plan and proceeds to play loud rock music in class in order to teach the students to feel the vibrations of the music and get them to try to speak phonetically. But a new element enters his life when he meets the attractive custodian Sarah (Marlee Matlin). An exceptionally intelligent yet extremely bitter young woman Sarah is a graduate of the school who has decided to remain there in the confines of her world of silence; it's safer for her to be with her own "people" than to face what she perceives as a cruel and uncaring world. She hardly seems interested in James and will only communicate with him through signing although she can read lips and even speak a little. James learns from Sarah's mother (Piper Laurie) that Sarah was sexually molested as a teenager; this explains why she is so wary of his attempts to form a relationship with her and why she is so full of fear. Eventually James does get through to Sarah and the two fall in love although both have to learn new ways to communicate their feelings. Though it seldom resembles the Mark Medoff play on which it was based this directing debut from Randa Haines won an Best Actress Oscar for Matlin for her first screen performance.
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Children of a Lesser God is a love story about a speech teacher who falls for a beautiful yet distant deaf girl in a small New England school for the deaf , and the obstacles that they face due to their differences. William Hurt plays James Leeds , a renegade teacher with an unconventional approach to education and a resume that includes stints as a bartender and a disk jockey. Upon his arrival , he is warned by school administrator Dr. Franklin ( Philip Bosco ) not to get creative with his instruction. Naturally , Leeds already has his mind set on his teaching plan and proceeds to play loud rock music in class in order to teach the students to feel the vibrations of the music and get them to try to speak phonetically. But a new element enters his life when he meets the attractive custodian , Sarah ( Marlee Matlin ) . An exceptionally intelligent yet extremely bitter young woman , Sarah is a graduate of the school who has decided to remain there , in the confines of her world of silence ; it's safer for her to be with her own "people" than to face what she perceives as a cruel and uncaring world. She hardly seems interested in James and will only communicate with him through signing , although she can read lips and even speak a little. James learns from Sarah's mother ( Piper Laurie ) that Sarah was sexually molested as a teenager ; this explains why she is so wary of his attempts to form a relationship with her and why she is so full of fear. Eventually , James does get through to Sarah and the two fall in love , although both have to learn new ways to communicate their feelings. Though it seldom resembles the Mark Medoff play on which it was based , this directing debut from Randa Haines won an Best Actress Oscar for Matlin , for her first screen performance.
1169
Gaspard Manesse plays Julien an 11-year-old Catholic boarding-school resident during the Nazi occupation of France. He is witness to the courage of his instructors who defy the German's anti-Semitic policies and quietly enroll Jewish children into the school under assumed names. Manesse befriends Jean (Raphael Fejto) one of these "instant Catholics." The refugee children are betrayed by a hostile ex-employee of the school forcing Julien once more to be a bystander to history as Jean and the teachers are arrested. For this return to the French film industry after several years in the US Louis Malle purged himself of his own bitter memories of life under the thumbs of the Nazis.
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Gaspard Manesse plays Julien , an 11 - year - old Catholic boarding - school resident during the Nazi occupation of France. He is witness to the courage of his instructors , who defy the German's anti - Semitic policies and quietly enroll Jewish children into the school under assumed names. Manesse befriends Jean ( Raphael Fejto ), one of these "instant Catholics." The refugee children are betrayed by a hostile ex - employee of the school , forcing Julien once more to be a bystander to history as Jean and the teachers are arrested. For this return to the French film industry after several years in the US , Louis Malle purged himself of his own bitter memories of life under the thumbs of the Nazis.
1170
The first of Allen Drury "all names changed to protect the guilty" political novels Advise and Consent was brought to the screen by producer/director Otto Preminger. The film hinges upon the appointment of Robert Leffingwell (Henry Fonda) to Secretary of State. Leffingwell has been hand-picked by the President (Franchot Tone) meaning that there'll be a battle on the Senate floor between adherents of and opponents to the current administration. Among the participants are veteran Dixiecrat Charles Laughton freshman Senator Don Murray and powerseeker George Grizzard. Burgess Meredith also shows up as a man who is brought into the Senate to "prove" that Leffingwell is a communist. To neutralize Murray Grizzard threatens to dredge up a homosexual incident in Murray's past which results in the latter's suicide. Advise and Consent is a slow and old-fashioned film coming to life only when Laughton and Grizzard are on screen--and in the climax in which the fate of Leffingwell's appointment is left in the hands of acting President Lew Ayres.
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The first of Allen Drury "all names changed to protect the guilty" political novels , Advise and Consent was brought to the screen by producer / director Otto Preminger . The film hinges upon the appointment of Robert Leffingwell ( Henry Fonda ) to Secretary of State. Leffingwell has been hand - picked by the President ( Franchot Tone ), meaning that there'll be a battle on the Senate floor between adherents of and opponents to the current administration. Among the participants are veteran Dixiecrat Charles Laughton , freshman Senator Don Murray and powerseeker George Grizzard . Burgess Meredith also shows up as a man who is brought into the Senate to "prove" that Leffingwell is a communist. To neutralize Murray , Grizzard threatens to dredge up a homosexual incident in Murray 's past , which results in the latter's suicide. Advise and Consent is a slow and old - fashioned film , coming to life only when Laughton and Grizzard are on screen -- and in the climax , in which the fate of Leffingwell's appointment is left in the hands of acting President Lew Ayres .
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In the same year that filmmaker Richard Linklater explored the possibilities of image manipulation in digital filmmaking with Waking Life he also embraced the new medium's potential for creating intimate character portraits under confined circumstances with this feature based on the play by Stephen Belber. Johnny (Robert Sean Leonard) is a 30-year-old filmmaker who is enjoying a recent run of success and has returned to his old hometown of Lansing MI to show his latest project at a film festival. While in town Johnny pays a visit to Vince (Ethan Hawke) an old friend from high school who is staying in a nearby hotel. Vince has never had a knack for responsibility and these days scrapes together a living as a low-level drug dealer. Johnny and Vince discuss their lives with Johnny more than a bit judgmental about Vince's current situation when the conversation turns to Amy (Uma Thurman) a girl who was Vince's girlfriend through much of high school and who Johnny dated for a brief spell afterward. Johnny confesses that he hasn't thought about Amy in ages but Vince informs him that she's living nearby then begins firing a series of increasingly pointed questions at him about his relationship with Amy concluding with the shocking accusation that Johnny once raped Amy at a party. Like Waking Life Tape was entirely shot using digital video equipment and director Linklater remained true to the story's origins as a stage play using only three actors and one set for the entire film. Both Tape and Waking Life premiered at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival.
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In the same year that filmmaker Richard Linklater explored the possibilities of image manipulation in digital filmmaking with Waking Life , he also embraced the new medium's potential for creating intimate character portraits under confined circumstances with this feature , based on the play by Stephen Belber . Johnny ( Robert Sean Leonard ) is a 30 - year - old filmmaker who is enjoying a recent run of success and has returned to his old hometown of Lansing , MI , to show his latest project at a film festival. While in town , Johnny pays a visit to Vince ( Ethan Hawke ), an old friend from high school who is staying in a nearby hotel. Vince has never had a knack for responsibility and these days scrapes together a living as a low - level drug dealer. Johnny and Vince discuss their lives , with Johnny more than a bit judgmental about Vince's current situation , when the conversation turns to Amy ( Uma Thurman ), a girl who was Vince's girlfriend through much of high school and who Johnny dated for a brief spell afterward. Johnny confesses that he hasn't thought about Amy in ages , but Vince informs him that she's living nearby , then begins firing a series of increasingly pointed questions at him about his relationship with Amy , concluding with the shocking accusation that Johnny once raped Amy at a party. Like Waking Life , Tape was entirely shot using digital video equipment , and director Linklater remained true to the story's origins as a stage play , using only three actors and one set for the entire film. Both Tape and Waking Life premiered at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival .
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Shot against the barren sand dunes of Africa's Namib Desert The King Is Alive is the fourth film to adhere to the stripped-down aesthetic of the Dogma 95 movement and the first to bear the directorial stamp of the manifesto's co-author Kristian Levring. The improvised shot-on-digital video production concerns the exploits of almost a dozen tourists who find themselves stranded when their bus breaks down miles from civilization. A thespian amongst the group Henry (David Bradley) is the first to suggest that their situation may be more dire than it seems. His doubts send the rest of the folks -- including American travelers Ray (Bruce Davison) Liz (Janet McTeer) Ashley (Brion James) and Gina (Jennifer Jason Leigh) and a high-minded Parisian Catherine (Romane Bohringer) -- into fits of fear and dread. To get their minds off the heat hunger and dehydration the castaways stage an impromptu reading of Shakespeare's King Lear which they can only fitfully remember. As their situations worsen the tourists begin to take out their personal aggressions on one another. The King Is Alive was shown as part of the 2000 Cannes and Toronto Film Festivals.
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Shot against the barren sand dunes of Africa's Namib Desert , The King Is Alive is the fourth film to adhere to the stripped - down aesthetic of the Dogma 95 movement , and the first to bear the directorial stamp of the manifesto's co - author Kristian Levring . The improvised , shot - on - digital video production concerns the exploits of almost a dozen tourists who find themselves stranded when their bus breaks down miles from civilization. A thespian amongst the group , Henry ( David Bradley ), is the first to suggest that their situation may be more dire than it seems. His doubts send the rest of the folks -- including American travelers Ray ( Bruce Davison ), Liz ( Janet McTeer ), Ashley ( Brion James ), and Gina ( Jennifer Jason Leigh ), and a high - minded Parisian , Catherine ( Romane Bohringer ) -- into fits of fear and dread. To get their minds off the heat , hunger , and dehydration , the castaways stage an impromptu reading of Shakespeare 's King Lear , which they can only fitfully remember. As their situations worsen , the tourists begin to take out their personal aggressions on one another. The King Is Alive was shown as part of the 2000 Cannes and Toronto Film Festivals.
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The second film by Nobuhiro Suwa further explores the improvisational style that he developed in his highly praised debut 2/Duo (1997). Starting from a three-page treatment Suwa worked with actors Makiko Watanabe and Tomokazu Miura to fill out the plot and shade in the subtleties of their characters. The story focuses on Tetsuro (Miura) a divorced restaurateur whose business is beginning to fail and his younger live-in girlfriend Aki (Watanabe). They live in an open relationship that avoids questions of commitment. Aki is not interested in marriage choosing to focus on her career at a successful graphic design company. This comfortable dynamic is upset when Tetsuro's ex-wife is involved in a serious car accident and he is forced to take custody of his 8-year-old son Shun. Though she is charmed by the boy Aki is less than enthusiastic about this new arrangement. Aki and Tetsuro experience identity crises as Shun's presence reshapes their lives; their formerly free-form relationship quickly develops the contours of a traditional family. Almost in spite of herself Aki takes on the bulk of the domestic responsibilities while Tetsuro is forced to behave like a traditional father and role model. Watanabe gives a brilliantly subtle performance as she deftly reveals Aki's conflicting emotions: affection toward Shun love tempered with repressed annoyance at Tetsuro and frustration with herself for not living up to the traditional ideal. As the boy's stay draws to an end the two are forced to rethink their relationship and their respective futures. Though the dialogue has the same fresh spontaneous feel that marked Suwa's first film M/Other is more deliberately paced and rigorously formal. In several scenes the static camera runs for five or ten minutes as the actors walk in and out of frame. This film was screened at the 1999 Toronto Film Festival.
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The second film by Nobuhiro Suwa further explores the improvisational style that he developed in his highly praised debut , 2 / Duo ( 1997 ) . Starting from a three - page treatment , Suwa worked with actors Makiko Watanabe and Tomokazu Miura to fill out the plot and shade in the subtleties of their characters. The story focuses on Tetsuro ( Miura ), a divorced restaurateur whose business is beginning to fail , and his younger live - in girlfriend , Aki ( Watanabe ) . They live in an open relationship that avoids questions of commitment. Aki is not interested in marriage , choosing to focus on her career at a successful graphic design company. This comfortable dynamic is upset when Tetsuro's ex - wife is involved in a serious car accident , and he is forced to take custody of his 8 - year - old son , Shun. Though she is charmed by the boy , Aki is less than enthusiastic about this new arrangement. Aki and Tetsuro experience identity crises as Shun's presence reshapes their lives ; their formerly free - form relationship quickly develops the contours of a traditional family. Almost in spite of herself , Aki takes on the bulk of the domestic responsibilities , while Tetsuro is forced to behave like a traditional father and role model. Watanabe gives a brilliantly subtle performance as she deftly reveals Aki's conflicting emotions : affection toward Shun , love tempered with repressed annoyance at Tetsuro , and frustration with herself for not living up to the traditional ideal. As the boy's stay draws to an end , the two are forced to rethink their relationship and their respective futures. Though the dialogue has the same fresh , spontaneous feel that marked Suwa's first film , M / Other is more deliberately paced and rigorously formal. In several scenes , the static camera runs for five or ten minutes , as the actors walk in and out of frame. This film was screened at the 1999 Toronto Film Festival.
1174
Writer/director John Sayles once again takes his audience to a place they may never have been before (this time both psychologically and geographically). Joe Gastineau (David Strathairn) lives in Juneau Alaska where his life has been stuck in neutral for about 25 years. When he was young Joe was involved in an accident on a fishing boat that led to the death of two crewmembers and he's never recovered from the blow. When Joe meets Donna De Angelo (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) however he starts to come out of his shell. Donna is a lounge singer who goes from job to job wherever she can get work. Her life has been built around being able to pick herself up when she falls and learning to be comfortable wherever she lands -- a gift that her teenage daughter Noelle (Vanessa Martinez) does not share. Donna and Joe become attracted to each other and her example leads Joe to take a job on a boat again. However just as Joe's life is starting to get back on track his ne'er-do-well half-brother Bobby (Casey Siemaszko) arrives to ask Joe a favor. One disaster leads to another and Joe soon finds himself stranded on an island with Donna and Noelle trying to hide from a group of men out to kill him. Shot on location in Alaska by award-winning cinematographer Haskell Wexler Limbo also features a soundtrack with a new song by Bruce Springsteen "Lift Me Up"; Sayles directed three Springsteen music videos in the 1980s.
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Writer / director John Sayles once again takes his audience to a place they may never have been before ( this time both psychologically and geographically ) . Joe Gastineau ( David Strathairn ) lives in Juneau , Alaska , where his life has been stuck in neutral for about 25 years. When he was young , Joe was involved in an accident on a fishing boat that led to the death of two crewmembers , and he's never recovered from the blow. When Joe meets Donna De Angelo ( Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio ), however , he starts to come out of his shell. Donna is a lounge singer who goes from job to job , wherever she can get work. Her life has been built around being able to pick herself up when she falls and learning to be comfortable wherever she lands -- a gift that her teenage daughter , Noelle ( Vanessa Martinez ), does not share. Donna and Joe become attracted to each other , and her example leads Joe to take a job on a boat again. However , just as Joe's life is starting to get back on track , his ne'er - do - well half - brother Bobby ( Casey Siemaszko ) arrives to ask Joe a favor. One disaster leads to another , and Joe soon finds himself stranded on an island with Donna and Noelle , trying to hide from a group of men out to kill him. Shot on location in Alaska by award - winning cinematographer Haskell Wexler , Limbo also features a soundtrack with a new song by Bruce Springsteen , "Lift Me Up" ; Sayles directed three Springsteen music videos in the 1980s.
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David Rabe's popular play of Hollywood immorality and decadence is brought to the big screen by director Anthony Drazan and an all-star cast that includes Sean Penn Robin Wright-Penn Kevin Spacey Meg Ryan Chazz Palminteri Garry Shandling and Anna Paquin. The film is set in the Hollywood Hills and tells the story of Eddie (Penn) a drinking-smoking-snorting-womanizing casting director and his philandering partner-roommate Mickey (Spacey). Along with their buddies Artie and Phil they sit around and pontificate about the meaning of life -- that is the meaning of their lives of which there is very little. Eddie is in love with Darlene (real-life wife Wright Penn) but she is also seeing the married Mickey. When Artie brings Eddie and Mickey a "care package" in the shape of a pretty disillusioned hitchhiker named Donna (Paquin) they take turns throwing her around until yet again their own empty pathetic lives preoccupy their paranoid minds. As people and relationships deteriorate everywhere the guys try to pick Phil by giving him the gift of a washed-up exotic dancer Bonnie (Ryan). Of course she ends up just more abused than ever as she and the rest of the gang hit rock bottom.
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David Rabe 's popular play of Hollywood immorality and decadence is brought to the big screen by director Anthony Drazan and an all - star cast that includes Sean Penn , Robin Wright - Penn , Kevin Spacey , Meg Ryan , Chazz Palminteri , Garry Shandling , and Anna Paquin . The film is set in the Hollywood Hills and tells the story of Eddie ( Penn ) a drinking - smoking - snorting - womanizing casting director and his philandering partner - roommate Mickey ( Spacey ) . Along with their buddies Artie and Phil , they sit around and pontificate about the meaning of life -- that is , the meaning of their lives , of which there is very little. Eddie is in love with Darlene ( real - life wife Wright Penn ), but she is also seeing the married Mickey. When Artie brings Eddie and Mickey a "care package" in the shape of a pretty , disillusioned hitchhiker named Donna ( Paquin ), they take turns throwing her around until , yet again , their own empty pathetic lives preoccupy their paranoid minds. As people and relationships deteriorate everywhere , the guys try to pick Phil by giving him the gift of a washed - up exotic dancer , Bonnie ( Ryan ) . Of course she ends up just more abused than ever as she and the rest of the gang hit rock bottom.
1176
Lisa Cholodenko wrote and directed this lesbian-themed drama winner of the 1998 Sundance Film Festival's Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award. Ambitious photography magazine associate editor Syd (Radha Mitchell) has a ho-hum relationship with James (Gabriel Mann). Investigating a ceiling leak she enters the apartment of her neighbor retired photographer Lucy Berliner (Ally Sheedy) who lives with former Fassbinder actress Greta (Patricia Clarkson) a heroin addict. The friendship between the worldly Lucy and the naive insecure Syd ripens into an affair one destined to change the lives of both women.
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Lisa Cholodenko wrote and directed this lesbian - themed drama , winner of the 1998 Sundance Film Festival's Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award. Ambitious photography magazine associate editor Syd ( Radha Mitchell ) has a ho - hum relationship with James ( Gabriel Mann ) . Investigating a ceiling leak , she enters the apartment of her neighbor , retired photographer Lucy Berliner ( Ally Sheedy ), who lives with former Fassbinder actress Greta ( Patricia Clarkson ), a heroin addict. The friendship between the worldly Lucy and the naive , insecure Syd ripens into an affair , one destined to change the lives of both women.
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A young girl learns some difficult lessons about truth love and fidelity in this critically-acclaimed Southern gothic drama. Eve Batiste (Jurnee Smollett) is a ten-year-old girl whose father Louis (Samuel L. Jackson) is a successful and well-liked doctor in an African-American community in Louisiana. Louis is a good father and an excellent provider but he also has a way of attracting the ladies and he's not inclined to turn them away. One night the Batistes hold a party and Eve her older sister Cisely (Meagan Good) and their mother Roz (Lynn Whitfield) all notice that Louis is spending a great deal of time dancing with the same woman. Eve later spies her father and the woman in an embrace in the carriage house though Louis unconvincingly claims that nothing untoward was happening. The evidence of Louis' infidelity takes a toll on the entire family: Cisely who at age 14 is walking the middle-ground between being a girl and a woman becomes sullen and confused about her new emotions Roz takes out her frustrations on her loved ones and Eve visits Elzora (Diahann Carroll) a voodoo priestess looking for advice and possibly revenge. Meanwhile Eve's Aunt Mozelle (Debbi Morgan) who claims to have psychic powers arrives to stay with the family after the death of her third husband though she isn't lonely for long after meeting the eccentric Julien Greyraven (Vondie Curtis-Hall). Eve's Bayou was the first project as writer-director for actress Kasi Lemmons; leading man Samuel L. Jackson also co-produced.
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A young girl learns some difficult lessons about truth , love , and fidelity in this critically - acclaimed Southern gothic drama. Eve Batiste ( Jurnee Smollett ) is a ten - year - old girl whose father Louis ( Samuel L. Jackson ) is a successful and well - liked doctor in an African - American community in Louisiana. Louis is a good father and an excellent provider , but he also has a way of attracting the ladies , and he's not inclined to turn them away. One night , the Batistes hold a party , and Eve , her older sister Cisely ( Meagan Good ), and their mother Roz ( Lynn Whitfield ) all notice that Louis is spending a great deal of time dancing with the same woman. Eve later spies her father and the woman in an embrace in the carriage house , though Louis unconvincingly claims that nothing untoward was happening. The evidence of Louis' infidelity takes a toll on the entire family : Cisely , who at age 14 is walking the middle - ground between being a girl and a woman , becomes sullen and confused about her new emotions , Roz takes out her frustrations on her loved ones , and Eve visits Elzora ( Diahann Carroll ), a voodoo priestess , looking for advice and possibly revenge. Meanwhile , Eve's Aunt Mozelle ( Debbi Morgan ), who claims to have psychic powers , arrives to stay with the family after the death of her third husband , though she isn't lonely for long after meeting the eccentric Julien Greyraven ( Vondie Curtis - Hall ) . Eve's Bayou was the first project as writer - director for actress Kasi Lemmons ; leading man Samuel L. Jackson also co - produced.
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A working class British family struggles with their demons -- sometimes violently -- in this intensely emotional drama that marked the directorial debut of actor Gary Oldman. Janet (Laila Morse) is a widowed factory worker who shares her home with her aged mother Kath (Edna Dore) her daughter Valerie (Kathy Burke) her son Billy (Charlie Creed-Miles) and Valerie's husband Ray (Ray Winstone). Ray is an unstable and out-of-work alcoholic who often uses his pregnant wife as a punching bag while Billy is a drug addict whose habit has led Janet to throw him out of the house more then once only to take him back later. Janet is uncertain about what to do when Ray's latest tirade sends Valerie to the emergency room and Janet also has to come to terms with the financial and emotional costs of Billy's addiction. Kathy Burke Ray Winstone and Laila Morse all received prizes from the 1997 British Independent Film Awards for their work in Nil by Mouth; Burke also received Best Actress honors at that year's Cannes Film Festival.
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A working class British family struggles with their demons -- sometimes violently -- in this intensely emotional drama that marked the directorial debut of actor Gary Oldman . Janet ( Laila Morse ) is a widowed factory worker who shares her home with her aged mother Kath ( Edna Dore ), her daughter Valerie ( Kathy Burke ), her son Billy ( Charlie Creed - Miles ), and Valerie's husband Ray ( Ray Winstone ) . Ray is an unstable and out - of - work alcoholic who often uses his pregnant wife as a punching bag , while Billy is a drug addict whose habit has led Janet to throw him out of the house more then once , only to take him back later. Janet is uncertain about what to do when Ray's latest tirade sends Valerie to the emergency room , and Janet also has to come to terms with the financial and emotional costs of Billy's addiction. Kathy Burke , Ray Winstone , and Laila Morse all received prizes from the 1997 British Independent Film Awards for their work in Nil by Mouth ; Burke also received Best Actress honors at that year's Cannes Film Festival.
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Peter Kosminksy directed this faithful adaptation of the Emily Bronte classic. Ralph Fiennes has the role of Heathcliff a wanderer adopted by the father of Cathy (Juliette Binoche) "a wild slip of a girl." Heathcliffe is looked down upon by his stepbrothers and becomes a servant. He is further crushed when Cathy the love of his life marries another man -- since to marry a servant would be the ultimate in humiliation for her. Heathcliffe disappears for a number a years but then returns revenge and hatred for Cathy's family the only thing on his mind.
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Peter Kosminksy directed this faithful adaptation of the Emily Bronte classic. Ralph Fiennes has the role of Heathcliff , a wanderer adopted by the father of Cathy ( Juliette Binoche ), "a wild slip of a girl." Heathcliffe is looked down upon by his stepbrothers and becomes a servant. He is further crushed when Cathy , the love of his life , marries another man -- since to marry a servant would be the ultimate in humiliation for her. Heathcliffe disappears for a number a years but then returns , revenge and hatred for Cathy's family the only thing on his mind.
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Ariel Dorfman's acclaimed play of the same name serves as the basis for Roman Polanski's drama which depicts a politically and psychological complex battle of wills amongst three characters in an unnamed South American country. The trio in question is made up of Paulina Sigourney Weaver her husband Gerardo Stuart Wilson and Dr. Miranda Ben Kingsley a seemingly friendly stranger who provided Gerardo with a ride home after a car breakdown. The trouble begins when Paulina claims to recognize Miranda's voice and accuses him of being the unseen doctor who had subjected her to horrific torture during her days as a prisoner of the country's former government. Miranda flabbergasted denies any knowledge of such events but Paulina is determined to have her revenge. The uncertain Gerardo finds himself caught in the middle forced to decide if his wife is telling the truth or reacting irrationally due to her past trauma. The confrontation and shifts in power between the three inevitably raises issues of justice and revenge especially in relationship to the punishment of war criminals.
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Ariel Dorfman 's acclaimed play of the same name serves as the basis for Roman Polanski 's drama , which depicts a politically and psychological complex battle of wills amongst three characters in an unnamed South American country. The trio in question is made up of Paulina Sigourney Weaver , her husband Gerardo Stuart Wilson , and Dr. Miranda Ben Kingsley , a seemingly friendly stranger who provided Gerardo with a ride home after a car breakdown. The trouble begins when Paulina claims to recognize Miranda's voice , and accuses him of being the unseen doctor who had subjected her to horrific torture during her days as a prisoner of the country's former government. Miranda , flabbergasted , denies any knowledge of such events , but Paulina is determined to have her revenge. The uncertain Gerardo finds himself caught in the middle , forced to decide if his wife is telling the truth or reacting irrationally due to her past trauma. The confrontation and shifts in power between the three inevitably raises issues of justice and revenge , especially in relationship to the punishment of war criminals.
1181
Russian playwright Anton Chekhov's three upper-class Prozorov sisters -- Masha Olga and Irina -- come no closer to their dream of returning to Moscow in director Laurence Olivier's 1970 film version of Three Sisters than they did in Chekhov's original 1900 play. This melancholy classic about shattered dreams self-delusion and compromise was directed by Olivier for Britain's National Theatre in 1967. The film a literal record of Olivier's stage version was produced in order to raise money for the ever-imperiled National. Olivier who'd just recovered from a serious illness plays the mischievous army doctor Chebutikin while Olivier's wife Joan Plowright essays the major role of Masha the snobbish general's daughter who tries to escape the stultifying banality of her provincial marriage by having an affair. Three Sisters was released in the U.S. in 1974 as part of the American Film Theatre series.
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Russian playwright Anton Chekhov 's three upper - class Prozorov sisters -- Masha , Olga , and Irina -- come no closer to their dream of returning to Moscow in director Laurence Olivier 's 1970 film version of Three Sisters than they did in Chekhov 's original 1900 play. This melancholy classic about shattered dreams , self - delusion , and compromise was directed by Olivier for Britain's National Theatre in 1967. The film , a literal record of Olivier 's stage version , was produced in order to raise money for the ever - imperiled National . Olivier , who'd just recovered from a serious illness , plays the mischievous army doctor Chebutikin , while Olivier 's wife , Joan Plowright , essays the major role of Masha , the snobbish general's daughter who tries to escape the stultifying banality of her provincial marriage by having an affair. Three Sisters was released in the U.S. in 1974 as part of the American Film Theatre series.
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Director Alan Parker tackles this adapation of William Wharton's novel which retains much of the source material's texture and complexity. Matthew Modine is Birdy who comes back from Vietnam mentally shattered and deludes himself into thinking that he is a bird an animal that has obsessed him since childhood. Birdy is confined to a military hospital where he spends his time sitting naked in his room not acknowleding anyone moving and acting like a parakeet. His best friend Al (Nicolas Cage) also a wounded Vietnam vet visits Birdy every day determined to bring him back to reality. Birdy is occasionally disjointed but enriched by strong performances from Modine and Cage and a number of hard-to-forget moments.
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Director Alan Parker tackles this adapation of William Wharton 's novel , which retains much of the source material's texture and complexity. Matthew Modine is Birdy , who comes back from Vietnam mentally shattered and deludes himself into thinking that he is a bird , an animal that has obsessed him since childhood. Birdy is confined to a military hospital , where he spends his time sitting naked in his room , not acknowleding anyone , moving and acting like a parakeet. His best friend Al ( Nicolas Cage ), also a wounded Vietnam vet , visits Birdy every day , determined to bring him back to reality. Birdy is occasionally disjointed but enriched by strong performances from Modine and Cage and a number of hard - to - forget moments.
1183
ased on one of the most scandalous murders in British history White Mischief transpires in Kenya at a time just before the beginning of World War II. Jock Broughton (Joss Ackland) is a wealthy rancher who becomes taken with a young gold-digger named Diana (Greta Scacchi). Even though he is fully aware of her reasons for doing so the pair wed. Broughton falls on hard times and loses his fortune. The hedonistic Earl of Erroll (Charles Dance) realizes this change of fortune may make Diana more open to engaging in an affair. One evening Erroll is found murdered. Broughton is tried for the crime. Michael Radford would not direct again for seven years but returned with the international hit Il Postino in 1994.
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Based on one of the most scandalous murders in British history , White Mischief transpires in Kenya at a time just before the beginning of World War II. Jock Broughton ( Joss Ackland ) is a wealthy rancher who becomes taken with a young gold - digger named Diana ( Greta Scacchi ) . Even though he is fully aware of her reasons for doing so , the pair wed. Broughton falls on hard times and loses his fortune. The hedonistic Earl of Erroll ( Charles Dance ) realizes this change of fortune may make Diana more open to engaging in an affair. One evening , Erroll is found murdered. Broughton is tried for the crime. Michael Radford would not direct again for seven years , but returned with the international hit Il Postino in 1994.
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On the occasion of his 50th birthday blue-collar family man Gene Hackman is possessed by our old friend The Mid-Life Crisis. Visiting a local tavern Hackman becomes enchanted by gorgeous barmaid Ann-Margret. In less time than it takes to down his beer he has resolved to leave his wife Ellen Burstyn and his daughters Ally Sheedy and Amy Madigan in favor of a fresh start with his sexy new "conquest." The film deals not so much with Hackman's impulsive decision as with the genuine pain he leaves in his wake. Madigan's vituperative lash-out at her father is one of many heartbreaking moments of truth in this refreshingly cliché-free domestic drama. The perceptive screenplay for Twice in a Lifetime was written by Colin Welland; the film's theme music was composed by Paul McCartney.
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On the occasion of his 50th birthday , blue - collar family man Gene Hackman is possessed by our old friend , The Mid - Life Crisis. Visiting a local tavern , Hackman becomes enchanted by gorgeous barmaid Ann - Margret . In less time than it takes to down his beer , he has resolved to leave his wife Ellen Burstyn , and his daughters Ally Sheedy and Amy Madigan , in favor of a fresh start with his sexy new "conquest." The film deals not so much with Hackman 's impulsive decision as with the genuine pain he leaves in his wake. Madigan 's vituperative lash - out at her father is one of many heartbreaking moments of truth in this refreshingly cliché - free domestic drama. The perceptive screenplay for Twice in a Lifetime was written by Colin Welland ; the film's theme music was composed by Paul McCartney .
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Monologist Eric Bogosian's one-man theater piece Talk Radio co-written by Bogosian and Tad Savinar is searingly brought to the screen by Oliver Stone. Bogosian plays provocateur radio talk-show host Barry Champlain whose constant espousal of his inflammatory views and ceaseless hectoring of his callers and listeners reaps equal parts love and hate. As his program rolls on Champlain is revealed to be just as screwed up as any of his fans if not more. And then he pushes one caller just a bit too far. In co-adapting the play for the screen Stone interweaves elements of Stephen Singular's factual book Talked to Death the story of a liberal Denver radio personality who was murdered at the behest of a militant right-wing hate group. One word of warning: if you're not a fan of the sort of radio depicted herein chances are you won't warm up to this film.
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Monologist Eric Bogosian 's one - man theater piece Talk Radio , co - written by Bogosian and Tad Savinar , is searingly brought to the screen by Oliver Stone . Bogosian plays provocateur radio talk - show host Barry Champlain , whose constant espousal of his inflammatory views and ceaseless hectoring of his callers and listeners reaps equal parts love and hate. As his program rolls on , Champlain is revealed to be just as screwed up as any of his fans , if not more. And then he pushes one caller just a bit too far. In co - adapting the play for the screen , Stone interweaves elements of Stephen Singular 's factual book Talked to Death , the story of a liberal Denver radio personality who was murdered at the behest of a militant right - wing hate group. One word of warning : if you're not a fan of the sort of radio depicted herein , chances are you won't warm up to this film.
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In this tightly-wound perceptive film a young farm boy kills his older brother when a shotgun accidentally goes off then retreats into a shell of silence as his family seems to react against him. Arnold (Jason Presson) and his brother get up at the crack of dawn to go duck hunting but their happy plans take a tragic turn when Arnold's shotgun gets caught in a barbed wire fence and accidentally goes off killing his older brother. Arnold is in shock he sits by his brother's side he irrationally wanders in a pea patch slowly picking the vegetables. When he finally goes home and manages to articulate what happened his parents ignore him in their own grief. His father Joe (Robert Duvall) thinks Arnold does not have a clue about what he did because he just stands there not speaking or communicating anything at all -- like a stone. Arnold's mother may not understand his behavior -- this is a Montana farming couple not a pair of psychologists -- but she is not as judgmental as her husband. The family's grief causes some aberrant behavior making the life of Arnold's next-door Aunt Lu miserable (her philandering husband is taking off after the dead boy's girlfriend) and Arnold senses a kindred spirit in the woman. But his grandfather is the only one who understands that the family should not mistreat Arnold that he is suffering so intensely he simply cannot express it. When Arnold runs away escaping to the city of Reno there is some hope that the boy will find a much-needed emotional release.
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In this tightly - wound , perceptive film , a young farm boy kills his older brother when a shotgun accidentally goes off then retreats into a shell of silence as his family seems to react against him. Arnold ( Jason Presson ) and his brother get up at the crack of dawn to go duck hunting , but their happy plans take a tragic turn when Arnold's shotgun gets caught in a barbed wire fence and accidentally goes off , killing his older brother. Arnold is in shock , he sits by his brother's side , he irrationally wanders in a pea patch , slowly picking the vegetables. When he finally goes home and manages to articulate what happened , his parents ignore him in their own grief. His father Joe ( Robert Duvall ) thinks Arnold does not have a clue about what he did because he just stands there , not speaking or communicating anything at all -- like a stone. Arnold's mother may not understand his behavior -- this is a Montana farming couple , not a pair of psychologists -- but she is not as judgmental as her husband. The family's grief causes some aberrant behavior , making the life of Arnold's next - door Aunt Lu miserable ( her philandering husband is taking off after the dead boy's girlfriend ), and Arnold senses a kindred spirit in the woman. But his grandfather is the only one who understands that the family should not mistreat Arnold , that he is suffering so intensely he simply cannot express it. When Arnold runs away , escaping to the city of Reno , there is some hope that the boy will find a much - needed emotional release.
1187
ased on a gritty semi-autobiographical novel by author Kim Wozencraft this crime thriller was adapted for the screen by noir novelist Pete Dexter and marked the directorial debut of producer Lili Fini Zanuck. Jennifer Jason Leigh stars as Kristen Cates a rookie police officer recruited to partner with Jim Raynor (Jason Patric) an undercover Texas cop trying to infiltrate the criminal ring of major drug dealer Will Gaines (Gregg Allman) in the 1970s. What Kristen isn't told is that as part of his deep cover masquerade Jim must take drugs in order to be convincing and unsurprisingly has become an addict. Although this dangerous practice is not acceptable police procedure Jim and Kristen's zealous superiors Larry Dodd (Sam Elliott) and Donald Nettle (Tony Frank) are obsessed with taking Gaines down because he has corrupted the daughter of a prominent local citizen. Jim and Kristen who fall in love and move in together befriend a petty car thief Walker (Max Perlich) who has ties to Gaines. Since they both become drug addicts Jim and Kristen's case makes little progress until they clean up and convince Walker to turn on Gaines. Their investigation becomes tainted however when they are pressured from above to manufacture false evidence against their target. The soundtrack for Rushcontained the hit song "Tears in Heaven" by Eric Clapton.
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Based on a gritty , semi - autobiographical novel by author Kim Wozencraft , this crime thriller was adapted for the screen by noir novelist Pete Dexter and marked the directorial debut of producer Lili Fini Zanuck . Jennifer Jason Leigh stars as Kristen Cates , a rookie police officer recruited to partner with Jim Raynor ( Jason Patric ), an undercover Texas cop trying to infiltrate the criminal ring of major drug dealer Will Gaines ( Gregg Allman ) in the 1970s. What Kristen isn't told is that , as part of his deep cover masquerade , Jim must take drugs in order to be convincing and , unsurprisingly , has become an addict. Although this dangerous practice is not acceptable police procedure , Jim and Kristen's zealous superiors Larry Dodd ( Sam Elliott ) and Donald Nettle ( Tony Frank ) are obsessed with taking Gaines down because he has corrupted the daughter of a prominent local citizen. Jim and Kristen , who fall in love and move in together , befriend a petty car thief , Walker ( Max Perlich ), who has ties to Gaines. Since they both become drug addicts , Jim and Kristen's case makes little progress , until they clean up and convince Walker to turn on Gaines. Their investigation becomes tainted , however , when they are pressured from above to manufacture false evidence against their target. The soundtrack for Rush contained the hit song "Tears in Heaven" by Eric Clapton .
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Juliette Binoche teams with Lambert Wilson in this erotic drama. Binoche plays Nina the young lady friend of timid Paulot (Wadeck Stanczak). Though she intends to be true to Paulot Nina falls hard for his roommate Quentin (Wilson) a thoroughly self-centered actor who performs in live sex shows. After a torrid affair with Nina Quentin dies under questionable circumstances. Nina's search for answers to Quentin's sudden death leads her to Scrutzler (Jean-Louis Trintignant) the theater director who'd once cast Quentin in Romeo and Juliet. Scrutzler has likewise suffered a terrible loss in his life: his Juliet was also his wife who also died unexpectedly. Apparently it was the wife's death that led to Quentin's demise. On impulse Scrutzler casts the inexperienced Nina as Juliet -- and before long both unhappy souls find a common emotional ground.
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Juliette Binoche teams with Lambert Wilson in this erotic drama. Binoche plays Nina , the young lady friend of timid Paulot ( Wadeck Stanczak ) . Though she intends to be true to Paulot , Nina falls hard for his roommate , Quentin ( Wilson ), a thoroughly self - centered actor who performs in live sex shows. After a torrid affair with Nina , Quentin dies under questionable circumstances. Nina's search for answers to Quentin's sudden death leads her to Scrutzler ( Jean - Louis Trintignant ), the theater director who'd once cast Quentin in Romeo and Juliet . Scrutzler has likewise suffered a terrible loss in his life : his Juliet was also his wife , who also died unexpectedly. Apparently , it was the wife's death that led to Quentin's demise. On impulse , Scrutzler casts the inexperienced Nina as Juliet -- and before long , both unhappy souls find a common emotional ground.
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The film version of The Natural pulls off the neat trick of conveying the spirit of the Bernard Malamud novel upon which it is based even while changing both the outcome and the meaning of Malamud's closing chapters. In his first film appearance in four years Robert Redford plays Roy Hobbs a farm boy with a hankering to be a great baseball player. With his faithful homemade bat "Wonderboy" in hand Roy heads to the big city. En route he arouses the fascination of the mysterious Harriet Bird (Barbara Hershey). Luring the boy to a hotel room Harriet asks Roy what he wants out of life. Roy brashly responds he wants to be "the best there is" whereupon Harriet whips out a gun and shoots Roy down. Sixteen years later a humbler Roy Hobbs emerges from the bush leagues to become a 35-year-old "rookie" on the 1939 lineup of the New York Knights. He soon becomes the team's star player and in so doing once more attracts enigmatic woman Memo Paris (Kim Basinger) the glamorous niece of the Knights' manager Pop Fisher (Wilford Brimley) and the mistress of Rothstein-like gambler Gus Sands (a curiously unbilled Darren McGavin). Roy's fascination with Memo compromises his ability to play but this time he finds salvation in the form the angelic Iris Gaines (Glenn Close) his childhood sweetheart. From this point forward the script for The Natural bears very little resemblance to the Malamud original. Without giving anything away it can be said that Roy Hobbs is given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compensate for the mistakes of his youth despite the demonic intrusion of inexplicably spiteful sports writer Max Mercy (Robert Duvall). The Natural elevates the art of slow-motion photography to new heights; while this technique would become precious and boring in later baseball films it works beautifully here as does the decision by director Barry Levinson and cinematographer Caleb Deschanel to convey the symbolism inherent in the story in purely visual rather than blatantly verbal terms. (If the characters told you that the story was a retelling of the Camelot legend in baseball terms would you have watched?) Another plus is the pastoral theme music by Randy Newman which has been well utilized on sports broadcasts and "human interest" TV documentaries ever since. The baseball scenes in The Natural were staged at War Memorial Stadium in Buffalo New York.
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The film version of The Natural pulls off the neat trick of conveying the spirit of the Bernard Malamud novel upon which it is based , even while changing both the outcome and the meaning of Malamud 's closing chapters. In his first film appearance in four years , Robert Redford plays Roy Hobbs , a farm boy with a hankering to be a great baseball player. With his faithful homemade bat "Wonderboy" in hand , Roy heads to the big city. En route , he arouses the fascination of the mysterious Harriet Bird ( Barbara Hershey ) . Luring the boy to a hotel room , Harriet asks Roy what he wants out of life. Roy brashly responds he wants to be "the best there is , " whereupon Harriet whips out a gun and shoots Roy down. Sixteen years later , a humbler Roy Hobbs emerges from the bush leagues to become a 35 - year - old "rookie" on the 1939 lineup of the New York Knights. He soon becomes the team's star player , and in so doing once more attracts enigmatic woman Memo Paris ( Kim Basinger ), the glamorous niece of the Knights' manager Pop Fisher ( Wilford Brimley ) and the mistress of Rothstein - like gambler Gus Sands ( a curiously unbilled Darren McGavin ) . Roy's fascination with Memo compromises his ability to play , but this time he finds salvation in the form the angelic Iris Gaines ( Glenn Close ), his childhood sweetheart. From this point forward , the script for The Natural bears very little resemblance to the Malamud original. Without giving anything away , it can be said that Roy Hobbs is given a once - in - a - lifetime opportunity to compensate for the mistakes of his youth , despite the demonic intrusion of inexplicably spiteful sports writer Max Mercy ( Robert Duvall ) . The Natural elevates the art of slow - motion photography to new heights ; while this technique would become precious and boring in later baseball films , it works beautifully here , as does the decision by director Barry Levinson and cinematographer Caleb Deschanel to convey the symbolism inherent in the story in purely visual rather than blatantly verbal terms. ( If the characters told you that the story was a retelling of the Camelot legend in baseball terms , would you have watched? ) Another plus is the pastoral theme music by Randy Newman , which has been well utilized on sports broadcasts and "human interest" TV documentaries ever since. The baseball scenes in The Natural were staged at War Memorial Stadium in Buffalo , New York.
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Fact-based drama starring Robert Redford as Henry Brubaker the new inmate at a run-down Southern prison that's become notorious for corruption and violence. After he witnesses several instances of gross misconduct and defuses a tense confrontation with a crazed inmate (Morgan Freeman) Brubaker reveals to the guards and administrators that he's not a criminal at all but the new warden assigned by the governor to infiltrate the facility undercover. His identity confirmed Brubaker takes office and sets about shaping up policies and procedures despite resistance from incredibly even some of the more entitled convicts. With the help of the prison's chief trustee (Yaphet Kotto) and a compassionate ally (Jane Alexander) the warden effects some positive change but powerful business interests line up against him when his ideas threaten their financial bottom line. A reform-minded socially conscious and politically liberal picture of the type usually associated with director Norman Jewison this fact-based prison drama was the result of a troubled production that saw original director Bob Rafelson replaced with Cool Hand Luke (1967) and The Amityville Horror (1979) helmsman Stuart Rosenberg. Despite the backstage turmoil Brubaker was an acclaimed release and an Oscar-nominated career-finale triumph for co-screenwriter Arthur A. Ross creator of Creature From the Black Lagoon (1954) and father of successful writer/director Gary Ross.
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Fact - based drama starring Robert Redford as Henry Brubaker , the new inmate at a run - down Southern prison that's become notorious for corruption and violence. After he witnesses several instances of gross misconduct and defuses a tense confrontation with a crazed inmate ( Morgan Freeman ), Brubaker reveals to the guards and administrators that he's not a criminal at all , but the new warden , assigned by the governor to infiltrate the facility undercover. His identity confirmed , Brubaker takes office and sets about shaping up policies and procedures , despite resistance from , incredibly , even some of the more entitled convicts. With the help of the prison's chief trustee ( Yaphet Kotto ) and a compassionate ally ( Jane Alexander ), the warden effects some positive change , but powerful business interests line up against him when his ideas threaten their financial bottom line. A reform - minded , socially conscious , and politically liberal picture of the type usually associated with director Norman Jewison , this fact - based prison drama was the result of a troubled production that saw original director Bob Rafelson replaced with Cool Hand Luke ( 1967 ) and The Amityville Horror ( 1979 ) helmsman Stuart Rosenberg . Despite the backstage turmoil , Brubaker was an acclaimed release and an Oscar - nominated , career - finale triumph for co - screenwriter Arthur A. Ross , creator of Creature From the Black Lagoon ( 1954 ) and father of successful writer / director Gary Ross .
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ased on the novel by Hubert Selby Jr. this gritty drama concerns four people trapped by their addictions. Harry (Jared Leto) and his best friend Tyrone (Marlon Wayans) are impoverished heroin addicts living in Coney Island NY while Harry's girlfriend Marion (Jennifer Connelly) is a fellow addict trying to distance herself from her wealthy father. Harry dreams of scoring a pound of smack from which he could make enough money to open a clothing boutique with Marion but so far he and his friends can barely scrape by supporting their own habits. Meanwhile Harry's mother Sara (Ellen Burstyn) who spends her days watching television is told she has the opportunity to appear on her favorite game show; wanting to lose enough weight to fit into her favorite red dress she visits a sleazy doctor who gives her a prescription for amphetamines. Soon Sara has a drug habit of her own that is spiraling out of control. Requiem for a Dream was directed by Darren Aronofsky who also co-wrote the screenplay with Selby; it was Aronofsky's second feature following his acclaimed independent film Pi.
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Based on the novel by Hubert Selby Jr. , this gritty drama concerns four people trapped by their addictions. Harry ( Jared Leto ), and his best friend Tyrone ( Marlon Wayans ) are impoverished heroin addicts living in Coney Island , NY , while Harry's girlfriend Marion ( Jennifer Connelly ) is a fellow addict trying to distance herself from her wealthy father. Harry dreams of scoring a pound of smack , from which he could make enough money to open a clothing boutique with Marion , but so far he and his friends can barely scrape by supporting their own habits. Meanwhile , Harry's mother Sara ( Ellen Burstyn ), who spends her days watching television , is told she has the opportunity to appear on her favorite game show ; wanting to lose enough weight to fit into her favorite red dress , she visits a sleazy doctor who gives her a prescription for amphetamines. Soon Sara has a drug habit of her own that is spiraling out of control. Requiem for a Dream was directed by Darren Aronofsky , who also co - wrote the screenplay with Selby ; it was Aronofsky 's second feature , following his acclaimed independent film Pi .
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Director Frank Darabont who made an acclaimed feature film debut with The Shawshank Redemption (1994) based on a Stephen King novel set in a prison returns for a second feature based on King's 1996 serialized novel set in a prison. In 1935 inmates at the Cold Mountain Correctional Facility call Death Row "The Green Mile" because of the dark green linoleum that tiles the floor. Paul Edgecomb (Tom Hanks) is the head guard on the Green Mile when a new inmate is brought into his custody: John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan) convicted of the sadistic murder of two young girls. Despite his size and the fearsome crimes for which he's serving time Coffey seems to be a kind and well-mannered person who behaves more like an innocent child than a hardened criminal. Soon Edgecomb and two of his fellow guards Howell (David Morse) and Stanton Barry Pepper) notice something odd about Coffey: he's able to perform what seem to be miracles of healing among his fellow inmates leading them to wonder just what sort of person he could be and if he could have committed the crimes with which he was charged. The Green Mile also stars James Cromwell as the warden; Michael Jeter Sam Rockwell and Graham Greene as inmates awaiting dates with the electric chair; and Harry Dean Stanton as a clever trustee.
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Director Frank Darabont , who made an acclaimed feature film debut with The Shawshank Redemption ( 1994 ), based on a Stephen King novel set in a prison , returns for a second feature , based on King's 1996 serialized novel set in a prison. In 1935 , inmates at the Cold Mountain Correctional Facility call Death Row "The Green Mile" because of the dark green linoleum that tiles the floor. Paul Edgecomb ( Tom Hanks ) is the head guard on the Green Mile when a new inmate is brought into his custody : John Coffey ( Michael Clarke Duncan ), convicted of the sadistic murder of two young girls. Despite his size and the fearsome crimes for which he's serving time , Coffey seems to be a kind and well - mannered person who behaves more like an innocent child than a hardened criminal. Soon Edgecomb and two of his fellow guards , Howell ( David Morse ) and Stanton Barry Pepper ), notice something odd about Coffey : he's able to perform what seem to be miracles of healing among his fellow inmates , leading them to wonder just what sort of person he could be , and if he could have committed the crimes with which he was charged. The Green Mile also stars James Cromwell as the warden ; Michael Jeter , Sam Rockwell , and Graham Greene as inmates awaiting dates with the electric chair ; and Harry Dean Stanton as a clever trustee.
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Perhaps inspired by the success of biopics like Shine and Amadeus this film based on a true story -- and a book (entitled A Genius in the Family) -- also focuses on the destructive forces of being a musical genius. Hilary and Jacqueline du Pré are gifted sisters who grow up in England in the 1950s and compete for musical accolades and love. Hilary (Rachel Griffiths) is a talented flutist but it's her younger sister Jackie (Breaking the Waves' Emily Watson) who is the musical "genius" cellist. The film follows their sibling rivalry in musical competition and romance. Though extremely close as children it is younger sister Jackie who eventually becomes the international star marrying top pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim. Hilary marries her true love Kiffer Finzi (David Morrissey) and settles in a beautiful country home with her two children. But who is jealous of whom? Hilary receives an unexpected visit from Jackie asking her sister for a chance to live a normal life and to sleep with Kiffer. Later Jackie suffers from multiple sclerosis and the sisters strive to repair the emotional damage of their long-standing rivalry.
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Perhaps inspired by the success of biopics like Shine and Amadeus , this film based on a true story -- and a book ( entitled A Genius in the Family ) -- also focuses on the destructive forces of being a musical genius. Hilary and Jacqueline du Pré are gifted sisters who grow up in England in the 1950s and compete for musical accolades and love. Hilary ( Rachel Griffiths ) is a talented flutist , but it's her younger sister , Jackie ( Breaking the Waves ' Emily Watson ), who is the musical "genius" cellist. The film follows their sibling rivalry in musical competition and romance. Though extremely close as children , it is younger sister Jackie who eventually becomes the international star , marrying top pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim . Hilary marries her true love , Kiffer Finzi ( David Morrissey ), and settles in a beautiful country home with her two children. But who is jealous of whom? Hilary receives an unexpected visit from Jackie , asking her sister for a chance to live a normal life and to sleep with Kiffer. Later , Jackie suffers from multiple sclerosis , and the sisters strive to repair the emotional damage of their long - standing rivalry.
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Diane Keaton Kristin Griffith and Mary Beth Hurt play Renata Flyn and Joey the grown daughters of wealthy Arthur (E.G. Marshall) and his emotionally disturbed wife Eve (Geraldine Page). When Arthur leaves Eve her three daughters rally around her. As it turns out none of the daughters are ideally suited to provide an "anchor" for their distracted mother but all four women are strengthened by their renewed relationship. Interiors received five Oscar nominations including Best Director for Woody Allen Best Original Screenplay for Allen Best Actress for Geraldine Page Best Supporting Actress for Maureen Stapleton (who plays Arthur's new love) and Best Art Direction for Mel Bourne and Daniel Robert.
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Diane Keaton , Kristin Griffith , and Mary Beth Hurt play Renata , Flyn , and Joey , the grown daughters of wealthy Arthur ( E.G. Marshall ) and his emotionally disturbed wife , Eve ( Geraldine Page ) . When Arthur leaves Eve , her three daughters rally around her. As it turns out , none of the daughters are ideally suited to provide an "anchor" for their distracted mother , but all four women are strengthened by their renewed relationship. Interiors received five Oscar nominations , including Best Director for Woody Allen , Best Original Screenplay for Allen , Best Actress for Geraldine Page , Best Supporting Actress for Maureen Stapleton ( who plays Arthur's new love ), and Best Art Direction for Mel Bourne and Daniel Robert .
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Jonathan Demme directed this adaptation of Toni Morrison's fact-based fifth novel (winner of a 1988 Pulitzer Prize) written in an experimental stream-of-consciousness flow and capturing the impact and aftermath of slavery on the human soul. In 1873 middle-aged Sethe (Oprah Winfrey) lives near Cincinnati with her teenage daughter Denver (Kimberly Elise). She gets a surprise visit from her old friend Paul D (Danny Glover) whom she knew when they were both slaves on the Kentucky plantation Sweet Home. Paul D moves in and a number of mysteries are introduced including Sethe's memories of her dead older daughter and the fact that Sethe has been abandoned by her husband two sons and Denver's grandmother Baby Suggs (Beah Richards). When a feral insect-covered stuttering teenager (Thandie Newton) turns up at Sethe's house she is nursed back to health by Denver and called "Beloved." Violent flashbacks begin to explore shocking episodes from Sethe's past. (The film is rated R "for violent images sexuality and nudity.") Hints of the supernatural surface as the question arises -- could Beloved be Sethe's older daughter back from the dead? This film was a pet project of producer-star Oprah Winfrey who spent over a decade bringing this work to the screen after she bought the film rights in 1987. With titles fashioned by leading poster/titles designer Pablo Ferro and music by Rachel Portman director Demme filmed in a variety of locations including Pennsylvania (Philadelphia Civic Center Lancaster's Landis Valley Museum) Maryland (Fair Hill Natural Resources Area) and Delaware (Old New Castle).
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Jonathan Demme directed this adaptation of Toni Morrison 's fact - based fifth novel ( winner of a 1988 Pulitzer Prize ), written in an experimental stream - of - consciousness flow and capturing the impact and aftermath of slavery on the human soul. In 1873 , middle - aged Sethe ( Oprah Winfrey ) lives near Cincinnati with her teenage daughter , Denver ( Kimberly Elise ) . She gets a surprise visit from her old friend Paul D ( Danny Glover ), whom she knew when they were both slaves on the Kentucky plantation Sweet Home. Paul D moves in , and a number of mysteries are introduced , including Sethe's memories of her dead older daughter and the fact that Sethe has been abandoned by her husband , two sons , and Denver's grandmother , Baby Suggs ( Beah Richards ) . When a feral , insect - covered , stuttering teenager ( Thandie Newton ) turns up at Sethe's house , she is nursed back to health by Denver and called "Beloved." Violent flashbacks begin to explore shocking episodes from Sethe's past. ( The film is rated R "for violent images , sexuality and nudity." ) Hints of the supernatural surface as the question arises -- could Beloved be Sethe's older daughter , back from the dead? This film was a pet project of producer - star Oprah Winfrey , who spent over a decade bringing this work to the screen after she bought the film rights in 1987. With titles fashioned by leading poster / titles designer Pablo Ferro and music by Rachel Portman , director Demme filmed in a variety of locations , including Pennsylvania ( Philadelphia Civic Center , Lancaster's Landis Valley Museum ), Maryland ( Fair Hill Natural Resources Area ), and Delaware ( Old New Castle ) .
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Ainsley Dupree (Martha Plimpton) is a short-order cook at a diner in Kingfisher Oklahoma a country town in the middle of nowhere. Lonely and bored Ainsley becomes pen pals with Jack Stillings (Kevin Anderson) who is currently serving time in prison. When Jack is released he immediately asks Ainsley to marry him and she impulsively agrees. Jack embraced Christianity while behind bars and he encourages his wife to attend church with him each Sunday. However Jack's requests soon become demands and before long she's forbidden to leave the house while he's at work pumping gas. Ainsley quietly rebuffs Jack's demands slipping into town to a convenience store while he's away but she soon learns after Jack's parole officer pays a visit to their home that his crime was more serious than she imagined; he beat a woman so brutally that she nearly died. Meanwhile Sheriff Sam Rogers (Hal Holbrook) finds a 14-year-old boy Tom Spencer (Nick Stahl) wandering dazed in ragged and bloody clothes along a lonely road. Tom leads Sam to the scene of a violent crime he has just witnessed while telling him of the traumatic events in his family that led to an act of shocking brutality. Writer and director Tim Blake Nelson adapted Eye of God from his own stage play.
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Ainsley Dupree ( Martha Plimpton ) is a short - order cook at a diner in Kingfisher , Oklahoma , a country town in the middle of nowhere. Lonely and bored , Ainsley becomes pen pals with Jack Stillings ( Kevin Anderson ), who is currently serving time in prison. When Jack is released , he immediately asks Ainsley to marry him , and she impulsively agrees. Jack embraced Christianity while behind bars , and he encourages his wife to attend church with him each Sunday. However , Jack's requests soon become demands , and before long , she's forbidden to leave the house while he's at work pumping gas. Ainsley quietly rebuffs Jack's demands , slipping into town to a convenience store while he's away , but she soon learns , after Jack's parole officer pays a visit to their home , that his crime was more serious than she imagined ; he beat a woman so brutally that she nearly died. Meanwhile , Sheriff Sam Rogers ( Hal Holbrook ) finds a 14 - year - old boy , Tom Spencer ( Nick Stahl ), wandering dazed in ragged and bloody clothes along a lonely road. Tom leads Sam to the scene of a violent crime he has just witnessed , while telling him of the traumatic events in his family that led to an act of shocking brutality. Writer and director Tim Blake Nelson adapted Eye of God from his own stage play.
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Zabriskie Point director Michelangelo Antonioni's only American film is an unusual visually stunning examination of youthful rebellion against the Establishment. The film initially presented in quasi-documentary style presents a group of college activists discussing key issues of their political agenda. Mark (Mark Frechette) steals an airplane and flies over a desert where he meets Daria (Daria Halprin). She is the pot-smoking secretary to businessman Lee Allen (Rod Taylor) while he is a rebel searching for a worthy cause. In the midst of the arid surroundings Mark and Daria fall in love. Antonioni's nonrealistic approach to American counterculture myths his loose and sluggish narrative and the dialogue (credited to Fred Gardner Sam Shepard Tonino Guerra Clare Peploe and Antonioni) caused Zabriskie Point to be poorly received when it was first released. The score features songs from Pink Floyd The Grateful Dead Kaleidoscope The Rolling Stones John Fahey The Youngbloods and Patti Page.
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Zabriskie Point , director Michelangelo Antonioni 's only American film , is an unusual , visually stunning examination of youthful rebellion against the Establishment. The film , initially presented in quasi - documentary style , presents a group of college activists discussing key issues of their political agenda. Mark ( Mark Frechette ) steals an airplane and flies over a desert where he meets Daria ( Daria Halprin ) . She is the pot - smoking secretary to businessman Lee Allen ( Rod Taylor ), while he is a rebel searching for a worthy cause. In the midst of the arid surroundings , Mark and Daria fall in love. Antonioni 's nonrealistic approach to American counterculture myths , his loose and sluggish narrative , and the dialogue ( credited to Fred Gardner , Sam Shepard , Tonino Guerra , Clare Peploe , and Antonioni ) caused Zabriskie Point to be poorly received when it was first released. The score features songs from Pink Floyd , The Grateful Dead , Kaleidoscope , The Rolling Stones , John Fahey , The Youngbloods and Patti Page .
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Falling in Love can be described as an urban American Brief Encounter. Reteamed for the first time since The Deer Hunter Robert De Niro and Meryl Streep star as a married couple. Thing of it is they're not married to each other. While Christmas shopping for their respective families architect Frank Raftis (DeNiro) and graphic artist Molly Gilmore (Streep) "meet cute" their holiday packages becoming mixed up. What starts as a pleasant chance acquaintance blossoms into romance. Inevitably however both parties realize that what they're doing is wrong--a shade too late to save their marriages as it turns out. The film ends with a bittersweet "one year later" coda. The natural charisma of its stars lends distinction to the otherwise so-so Falling in Love.
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Falling in Love can be described as an urban American Brief Encounter . Reteamed for the first time since The Deer Hunter , Robert De Niro and Meryl Streep star as a married couple. Thing of it is , they're not married to each other. While Christmas shopping for their respective families , architect Frank Raftis ( DeNiro ) and graphic artist Molly Gilmore ( Streep ) "meet cute , " their holiday packages becoming mixed up. What starts as a pleasant chance acquaintance blossoms into romance. Inevitably , however , both parties realize that what they're doing is wrong -- a shade too late to save their marriages , as it turns out. The film ends with a bittersweet "one year later" coda. The natural charisma of its stars lends distinction to the otherwise so - so Falling in Love .
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After parodying the idiosyncrasies of community theater devotees in the mock documentary Waiting for Guffman actor/director Christopher Guest returns with another semi-improvised comedy that casts a satirical gaze on the world of championship dog breeding and training. A television crew is on hand to document the prestigious Mayflower Kennel Club Dog Show and competition is fierce among the canine devotees vying for top honors. Salesman Gerry Fleck (Eugene Levy) who is cursed with two left feet (literally) and his wife Cookie (Catherine O'Hara) have entered their Norwich terrier "Winky" in competition. Wealthy and neurotic Meg Swan (Parker Posey) and her husband Hamilton (Michael Hitchcock) are on hand with their Weimaraner "Beatrice" who they fear may have been traumatized by watching them have sex. Scott Donlan (John Michael Higgins) and his life partner Stefan Vanderhoof (Michael McKean) have brought their beloved Shih Tzu "Miss Agnes." Trophy wife Sherri Ann Cabot (Jennifer Coolidge) and her close friend and trainer Christy Cummings (Jane Lynch) are hoping for a repeat victory for Sheri's poodle "Rhapsody In White." And Harlan Pepper (Guest) who operates a store specializing in fly-fishing gear has decided to stack his bloodhound "Hubert" up against the competition. In addition to Guest Levy O'Hara and Posey several other veterans of the Waiting for Guffman cast also appear in Best in Show including Fred Willard Bob Balaban and Lewis Arquette.
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After parodying the idiosyncrasies of community theater devotees in the mock documentary Waiting for Guffman , actor / director Christopher Guest returns with another semi - improvised comedy that casts a satirical gaze on the world of championship dog breeding and training. A television crew is on hand to document the prestigious Mayflower Kennel Club Dog Show , and competition is fierce among the canine devotees vying for top honors. Salesman Gerry Fleck ( Eugene Levy ), who is cursed with two left feet ( literally ), and his wife Cookie ( Catherine O'Hara ) have entered their Norwich terrier "Winky" in competition. Wealthy and neurotic Meg Swan ( Parker Posey ) and her husband Hamilton ( Michael Hitchcock ) are on hand with their Weimaraner "Beatrice , " who they fear may have been traumatized by watching them have sex. Scott Donlan ( John Michael Higgins ) and his life partner Stefan Vanderhoof ( Michael McKean ) have brought their beloved Shih Tzu , "Miss Agnes." Trophy wife Sherri Ann Cabot ( Jennifer Coolidge ) and her close friend and trainer Christy Cummings ( Jane Lynch ) are hoping for a repeat victory for Sheri's poodle , "Rhapsody In White." And Harlan Pepper ( Guest ), who operates a store specializing in fly - fishing gear , has decided to stack his bloodhound "Hubert" up against the competition. In addition to Guest , Levy , O'Hara , and Posey , several other veterans of the Waiting for Guffman cast also appear in Best in Show , including Fred Willard , Bob Balaban , and Lewis Arquette .
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The writing directing and producing team of Joel Coen and Ethan Coen created this picaresque comedy (inspired in part by Homer's The Odyssey) set in the Deep South during the Depression. Suave and fancy-talking Everett Ulysses McGill (George Clooney) dim-witted Delmar (Tim Blake Nelson) and easily-excitable Pete (John Turturro) are serving time together on a prison chain gang. Everett knows where $1.2 million is hidden that's theirs for the taking and the three manage to escape; however a stranger soon warns them that they'll find treasure but not the sort they're looking for. As Everett and his partners hit the road they happen upon a gluttonous bible salesman Big Dan Teague (John Goodman); meet up with Baby Face Nelson (Michael Badalucco) as he robs a bank; encounter three Sirens doing their washing; run into Everett's estranged wife Penny (Holly Hunter) who has told everyone her husband was killed in a train wreck; find themselves in the middle of a heated campaign between political boss Pappy O'Daniel (Charles Durning) and reformist candidate Homer Stokes (Wayne Duvall); and even find time to make a hit record as The Soggy Bottom Boys. Noted songwriter T-Bone Burnett helped compile the songs (combining vintage country blues tunes with originals in the same style) while Carter Burwell composed the background score. Incidentally the title O Brother Where Art Thou? is a reference to the classic Preston Sturges comedy Sullivan's Travels in which a director plans to make a serious "message picture" with that name.
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The writing , directing , and producing team of Joel Coen and Ethan Coen created this picaresque comedy ( inspired in part by Homer's The Odyssey ) set in the Deep South during the Depression. Suave and fancy - talking Everett Ulysses McGill ( George Clooney ), dim - witted Delmar ( Tim Blake Nelson ), and easily - excitable Pete ( John Turturro ) are serving time together on a prison chain gang. Everett knows where $1.2 million is hidden that's theirs for the taking , and the three manage to escape ; however , a stranger soon warns them that they'll find treasure , but not the sort they're looking for. As Everett and his partners hit the road , they happen upon a gluttonous bible salesman , Big Dan Teague ( John Goodman ); meet up with Baby Face Nelson ( Michael Badalucco ) as he robs a bank ; encounter three Sirens doing their washing ; run into Everett's estranged wife Penny ( Holly Hunter ), who has told everyone her husband was killed in a train wreck ; find themselves in the middle of a heated campaign between political boss Pappy O'Daniel ( Charles Durning ), and reformist candidate Homer Stokes ( Wayne Duvall ); and even find time to make a hit record as The Soggy Bottom Boys. Noted songwriter T - Bone Burnett helped compile the songs ( combining vintage country blues tunes with originals in the same style ), while Carter Burwell composed the background score. Incidentally , the title O Brother , Where Art Thou? is a reference to the classic Preston Sturges comedy Sullivan's Travels , in which a director plans to make a serious "message picture" with that name.
1201
The most tasteless third graders on television graduate to the big screen as Trey Parker and Matt Stone expand their animated series with foul-mouthed humor that might breach the boundaries of basic cable. In the small Colorado town of South Park good-natured Stan Marsh slightly neurotic Kyle Broflovski fat and petulant Eric Cartman and perpetually doomed Kenny McCormick are psyched for the premiere of the first feature film from flatulent Canadian TV performers Terrance and Phillip entitled "Asses of Fire." The movie is rated R but that's not about to stop the boys from sneaking into the theater. However when the boys' language gets bluer by the minute after seeing the film their parents and school administrators decide that something must be done. Kyle's mother comes up with the ideal solution: blame Canada. Terrance and Phillip end up in jail for corrupting America's youth while the Canadian Air Force retaliates with an air strike targeting the Baldwin brothers. The boys soon organize a children's underground resistance force to free Terrance and Phillip before they can be executed; meanwhile in a sensitive subplot exploring relationship issues we're permitted an inside look at the domestic problems of Satan and his lover Saddam Hussein. As on the TV show Parker and Stone perform the voices of most of the characters and they also wrote several songs for the film; George Clooney Minnie Driver Eric Idle Dave Foley and Mike Judge contribute voices. Not to spoil the plot but rumor has it that Kenny dies.
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The most tasteless third graders on television graduate to the big screen , as Trey Parker and Matt Stone expand their animated series with foul - mouthed humor that might breach the boundaries of basic cable. In the small Colorado town of South Park , good - natured Stan Marsh , slightly neurotic Kyle Broflovski , fat and petulant Eric Cartman , and perpetually doomed Kenny McCormick are psyched for the premiere of the first feature film from flatulent Canadian TV performers Terrance and Phillip , entitled "Asses of Fire." The movie is rated R , but that's not about to stop the boys from sneaking into the theater. However , when the boys' language gets bluer by the minute after seeing the film , their parents and school administrators decide that something must be done. Kyle's mother comes up with the ideal solution : blame Canada. Terrance and Phillip end up in jail for corrupting America's youth , while the Canadian Air Force retaliates with an air strike targeting the Baldwin brothers. The boys soon organize a children's underground resistance force to free Terrance and Phillip before they can be executed ; meanwhile , in a sensitive subplot exploring relationship issues , we're permitted an inside look at the domestic problems of Satan and his lover , Saddam Hussein . As on the TV show , Parker and Stone perform the voices of most of the characters , and they also wrote several songs for the film ; George Clooney , Minnie Driver , Eric Idle , Dave Foley , and Mike Judge contribute voices. Not to spoil the plot , but rumor has it that Kenny dies.
1202
Peter Gibbons (Ron Livingston) is a computer programmer working for Initech in Houston. Every day he and his friends Samir (Ajay Naidu) and Michael Bolton (David Herman as not THAT Michael Bolton) suffer endless indignities and humiliations in their soulless workspace from their soulless boss Bill Lumbergh (Gary Cole). For Peter stuck in his cookie-cutter apartment with paper-thin walls and IKEA furniture every day is worse than the one before it -- so every day is the worst of his life. To cap it off Initech has hired a pair of "efficiency experts" to downsize the company. One Friday night Peter's soon to be ex-girlfriend Anne (Alexandra Wentworth) forces him to go to an occupational hypnotherapist to relieve work stress. While Peter is under hypnosis the therapist keels over and dies. As he never snaps out of his hypnotic state Peter has a new outlook on life. If something annoys him he just ignores it or walks away from it. He is completely relaxed and enjoying life for the first time in a long time. On Monday Peter skips work and sleeps in. He gets up for lunch and drives down to a restaurant next to his office and asks the waitress he's had a crush on Joanna (Jennifer Aniston) on a date. When Peter stops into the office to pick up his organizer he's called in to talk to the efficiency experts. Relaxed and friendly Peter charms them as he describes everything wrong with the office including his boss. Even as Peter now appears at work only as the mood strikes him the experts decide he's management material and give him a promotion even as they lay off the hardworking Samir and Michael. Peter then convinces his friends to exact revenge on Initech based upon an idea from Superman III. Not everything works out quite as planned. Office Space originated from writer/director Mike Judge's first animated short of the same name created in 1991. The short was about Milton (reproduced in the film by Stephen Root) a damaged office drone whose complaints and threats about his sufferings go unheeded.
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Peter Gibbons ( Ron Livingston ) is a computer programmer working for Initech in Houston. Every day , he and his friends Samir ( Ajay Naidu ) and Michael Bolton ( David Herman as not THAT Michael Bolton ), suffer endless indignities and humiliations in their soulless workspace from their soulless boss , Bill Lumbergh ( Gary Cole ) . For Peter , stuck in his cookie - cutter apartment with paper - thin walls and IKEA furniture , every day is worse than the one before it -- so every day is the worst of his life. To cap it off , Initech has hired a pair of "efficiency experts" to downsize the company. One Friday night , Peter's soon to be ex - girlfriend Anne ( Alexandra Wentworth ) forces him to go to an occupational hypnotherapist to relieve work stress. While Peter is under hypnosis , the therapist keels over and dies. As he never snaps out of his hypnotic state , Peter has a new outlook on life. If something annoys him , he just ignores it or walks away from it. He is completely relaxed and enjoying life for the first time in a long time. On Monday , Peter skips work and sleeps in. He gets up for lunch and drives down to a restaurant next to his office and asks the waitress he's had a crush on , Joanna ( Jennifer Aniston ), on a date. When Peter stops into the office to pick up his organizer , he's called in to talk to the efficiency experts. Relaxed and friendly , Peter charms them as he describes everything wrong with the office , including his boss. Even as Peter now appears at work only as the mood strikes him , the experts decide he's management material and give him a promotion even as they lay off the hardworking Samir and Michael. Peter then convinces his friends to exact revenge on Initech based upon an idea from Superman III . Not everything works out quite as planned. Office Space originated from writer / director Mike Judge 's first animated short of the same name , created in 1991. The short was about Milton ( reproduced in the film by Stephen Root ), a damaged office drone whose complaints and threats about his sufferings go unheeded.
1203
Screenwriter Don Roos made his directorial debut with this oddball sex comedy. The tale is narrated by 16-year-old Louisiana tramp Dedee Truitt (Christina Ricci) who buries her stepfather and then heads for Indiana to visit her homosexual half-brother Bill (Martin Donovan). Recovering from the AIDS death of longtime companion Tom schoolteacher Bill has linked up with a new partner handsome Matt (Ivan Sergei). After Dedee seduces Matt and claims she's pregnant by him the couple steals $10000 from Bill's safety deposit box and heads for L.A. Alarmed by Matt's seeming disappearance and hoping to blackmail Bill into disclosing Matt's whereabouts Bill's former student (also Matt's former beau) Jason (Johnny Galecki) accuses Bill of molestation four years previous a charge that jeopardizes Bill's job as a schoolteacher. To clear his name Bill and Tom's sister Lucia (Lisa Kudrow) leave for L.A. to locate Matt and Dedee. Lucia is a repressed old maid who flinches from even the thought of sex but even so weird Sheriff Tippett (Lyle Lovett) takes a fancy to her. Meanwhile questions are raised about the true father of Dedee's baby and the film comes to a climax with a shooting a cross-county chase and the inevitable showdown between the quirky characters. Shown at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival.
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Screenwriter Don Roos made his directorial debut with this oddball sex comedy. The tale is narrated by 16 - year - old Louisiana tramp Dedee Truitt ( Christina Ricci ), who buries her stepfather and then heads for Indiana to visit her homosexual half - brother Bill ( Martin Donovan ) . Recovering from the AIDS death of longtime companion Tom , schoolteacher Bill has linked up with a new partner , handsome Matt ( Ivan Sergei ) . After Dedee seduces Matt and claims she's pregnant by him , the couple steals $10 , 000 from Bill's safety deposit box and heads for L.A. Alarmed by Matt's seeming disappearance and hoping to blackmail Bill into disclosing Matt's whereabouts , Bill's former student ( also Matt's former beau ) Jason ( Johnny Galecki ) accuses Bill of molestation four years previous , a charge that jeopardizes Bill's job as a schoolteacher. To clear his name , Bill , and Tom's sister Lucia ( Lisa Kudrow ), leave for L.A. to locate Matt and Dedee. Lucia is a repressed old maid who flinches from even the thought of sex , but even so , weird Sheriff Tippett ( Lyle Lovett ) takes a fancy to her. Meanwhile , questions are raised about the true father of Dedee's baby , and the film comes to a climax with a shooting , a cross - county chase , and the inevitable showdown between the quirky characters. Shown at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival .
1204
In a 29-day shoot Barry Levinson filmed this $15 million political and media satire adapted by Hilary Henkin and David Mamet from Larry Beinhart's novel American Hero. Two weeks prior to re-election the President (Michael Belson) is accused of cornering an underage girl in the Oval Office. To keep the media from learning of this Presidential adviser Winifred Ames (Anne Heche) brings in political consultant and spin doctor Conrad Brean (Robert De Niro) a specialist in such salvage operations. Brean suggests fabricating denials of non-existent emergencies -- such as denials about the B-3 bomber. The denial of course is true since no B-3 bomber exists. Brean visits the mansion of Hollywood producer Stanley Motss (Dustin Hoffman) and gives him the assignment to create a patriotic campaign centered around a war in Albania. Motss assembles a creative team -- Liz Butsky (Andrea Martin) the trend-setter Fad King (Denis Leary) and songwriter Johnny Green (Willie Nelson). Treated like an ad campaign the songs and symbols are transmitted directly from a Hollywood soundstage to CNN. The star of their campaign is a "rescued" pilot -- in reality a psychotic military prisoner (Woody Harrelson) who's a ticking time bomb. The flag-waving song "The American Dream" was written for the film by Tom Bahler (who co-wrote "We Are the World"). Beinhart's original novel involved a real President (Bush) a real war (the Gulf War) and the premise that George Bush and Saddam Hussein staged it.
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In a 29 - day shoot , Barry Levinson filmed this $15 million political and media satire , adapted by Hilary Henkin and David Mamet from Larry Beinhart 's novel , American Hero . Two weeks prior to re - election , the President ( Michael Belson ) is accused of cornering an underage girl in the Oval Office. To keep the media from learning of this , Presidential adviser Winifred Ames ( Anne Heche ) brings in political consultant and spin doctor Conrad Brean ( Robert De Niro ), a specialist in such salvage operations. Brean suggests fabricating denials of non - existent emergencies -- such as denials about the B - 3 bomber. The denial , of course , is true , since no B - 3 bomber exists. Brean visits the mansion of Hollywood producer Stanley Motss ( Dustin Hoffman ) and gives him the assignment to create a patriotic campaign centered around a war in Albania. Motss assembles a creative team -- Liz Butsky ( Andrea Martin ), the trend - setter Fad King ( Denis Leary ), and songwriter Johnny Green ( Willie Nelson ) . Treated like an ad campaign , the songs and symbols are transmitted directly from a Hollywood soundstage to CNN. The star of their campaign is a "rescued" pilot -- in reality , a psychotic military prisoner ( Woody Harrelson ), who's a ticking time bomb. The flag - waving song , "The American Dream" was written for the film by Tom Bahler ( who co - wrote "We Are the World" ) . Beinhart's original novel involved a real President ( Bush ), a real war ( the Gulf War ), and the premise that George Bush and Saddam Hussein staged it.
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Warren Beatty directed co-produced (with Pieter Jan Brugge) co-scripted (with Jeremy Pikser) and stars in this political satire a comedy drama about a U.S. senator who decides to start speaking the truth. Despondent California senator Jay Bulworth (Beatty) up for re-election is disillusioned by the usual campaign banalities; his marriage to Constance (Christine Baranski) seems equally hollow. In the midst of a nervous breakdown Bulworth goes without sleep or food for three days and takes out a ten-million-dollar insurance policy on himself while arranging his own assassination. Drinking during a return to Los Angeles Bulworth is scheduled to speak at an African-American church in South Central L.A. Once there he tosses aside his prepared speech startling both the audience and his campaign manager Murphy (Oliver Platt) by improvising truthful remarks instead of the familiar rhetoric. These loose-cannon salvos gain the attention of an attractive young woman Nina (Halle Berry). Bulworth finds an exhilaration with this new freestyle approach and after shocking a gathering in Beverly Hills with further fulminations Bulworth invites Nina and her girlfriends into his limo. During a spaced-out sojourn at one of South Central's more frenzied after-hours clubs Bulworth gains respect for hip-hop culture. Still reeling from insights gained by this nightlife he arrives the next day for a fundraising function at the Beverly Wilshire startling everyone with a diatribe delivered in the intonations of a rap artist. His interest in Nina and his new optimistic outlook on life give Bulworth a sense of elation and a will to live. He phones to call off the hit but the gears have been set in motion. After an assumed hitman turns up during a church appearance Bulworth flees and Nina offers him a safe-house hideout at the home of her family veterans of the civil rights movement. Here Bulworth goes through the final steps in his transformation -- making a Kennedy-styled connection with the disenfranchised as he tunes in to forgotten memories of the '60s. Outfitted in homeboy clothing the born-again Bulworth heads for a TV station to unleash even more caustic comments on the American political scene.
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Warren Beatty directed , co - produced ( with Pieter Jan Brugge ), co - scripted ( with Jeremy Pikser ), and stars in this political satire , a comedy drama about a U.S. senator who decides to start speaking the truth. Despondent California senator Jay Bulworth ( Beatty ), up for re - election , is disillusioned by the usual campaign banalities ; his marriage to Constance ( Christine Baranski ) seems equally hollow. In the midst of a nervous breakdown , Bulworth goes without sleep or food for three days and takes out a ten - million - dollar insurance policy on himself while arranging his own assassination. Drinking during a return to Los Angeles , Bulworth is scheduled to speak at an African - American church in South Central L.A. Once there , he tosses aside his prepared speech , startling both the audience and his campaign manager , Murphy ( Oliver Platt ), by improvising truthful remarks instead of the familiar rhetoric. These loose - cannon salvos gain the attention of an attractive young woman , Nina ( Halle Berry ) . Bulworth finds an exhilaration with this new freestyle approach , and after shocking a gathering in Beverly Hills with further fulminations , Bulworth invites Nina and her girlfriends into his limo. During a spaced - out sojourn at one of South Central's more frenzied after - hours clubs , Bulworth gains respect for hip - hop culture. Still reeling from insights gained by this nightlife , he arrives the next day for a fundraising function at the Beverly Wilshire , startling everyone with a diatribe delivered in the intonations of a rap artist. His interest in Nina and his new optimistic outlook on life give Bulworth a sense of elation and a will to live. He phones to call off the hit , but the gears have been set in motion. After an assumed hitman turns up during a church appearance , Bulworth flees , and Nina offers him a safe - house hideout at the home of her family , veterans of the civil rights movement. Here Bulworth goes through the final steps in his transformation -- making a Kennedy - styled connection with the disenfranchised as he tunes in to forgotten memories of the '60s. Outfitted in homeboy clothing , the born - again Bulworth heads for a TV station to unleash even more caustic comments on the American political scene.
1206
Woody Allen wrote directed and stars in this very dark comedy about a novelist Harry Block who says with admirable honesty "I'm a guy who can't function well in life but I can in art." So far Harry has made his way through six psychiatrists and three marriages (one conveniently enough with one of his psychiatrists) and he has precious few friends whom he hasn't alienated or betrayed. Harry uses the chaos of his life as fodder for his writing angering his friends lovers and family who find thinly veiled (and rarely flattering) portraits of themselves in his work. Drowning his growing misery in pills and sex Harry finds himself invited to receive an award at a college in upstate New York which he attended but never graduated from. However he has a hard time finding anyone who will attend the weekend-long symposium with him: his girlfriend Fay (Elisabeth Shue) has just left him to marry his friend Larry (Billy Crystal); his best friend Richard (Bob Balaban) is afraid he's about to have a heart attack; his former wife/analyst Joan (Kirstie Alley) refuses to let him take their son and his one-time sister-in-law Lucy (Judy Davis) is literally ready to kill him. Undaunted Harry hires a hooker Cookie (Hazelle Goodman) kidnaps his son forces Richard to come along and heads upstate where disaster awaits. A stellar cast appears in small roles and episodes from Harry's stories including Robin Williams Demi Moore Julia Louis-Dreyfus Eric Bogosian Amy Irving Richard Benjamin Mariel Hemingway and Julie Kavner.
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Woody Allen wrote , directed , and stars in this very dark comedy about a novelist , Harry Block , who says with admirable honesty , "I'm a guy who can't function well in life , but I can in art." So far , Harry has made his way through six psychiatrists and three marriages ( one , conveniently enough , with one of his psychiatrists ), and he has precious few friends whom he hasn't alienated or betrayed. Harry uses the chaos of his life as fodder for his writing , angering his friends , lovers , and family , who find thinly veiled ( and rarely flattering ) portraits of themselves in his work. Drowning his growing misery in pills and sex , Harry finds himself invited to receive an award at a college in upstate New York which he attended , but never graduated from. However , he has a hard time finding anyone who will attend the weekend - long symposium with him : his girlfriend Fay ( Elisabeth Shue ) has just left him to marry his friend Larry ( Billy Crystal ); his best friend Richard ( Bob Balaban ) is afraid he's about to have a heart attack ; his former wife / analyst Joan ( Kirstie Alley ) refuses to let him take their son , and his one - time sister - in - law Lucy ( Judy Davis ) is literally ready to kill him. Undaunted , Harry hires a hooker , Cookie ( Hazelle Goodman ), kidnaps his son , forces Richard to come along , and heads upstate , where disaster awaits. A stellar cast appears in small roles and episodes from Harry's stories , including Robin Williams , Demi Moore , Julia Louis - Dreyfus , Eric Bogosian , Amy Irving , Richard Benjamin , Mariel Hemingway , and Julie Kavner .
1207
Less a parody of the early James Bond film than a parody of the films that parodied the early James Bond films Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery stars Mike Myers as Austin Powers by day a hipster fashion photographer in mid-'60s swingin' London and by night a crime-fighting secret agent. Austin's wardrobe is pure Carnaby Street at its most outrageous his vocabulary is crowded by the cool lingo of the day ("Groovy baby! Yeah!!") and he's irresistible to women despite the fact that he can be charitably described as "stocky" and has teeth that strike fear into any practicing dentist. When his nemesis the arch-enemy Dr. Evil (also played by Myers) has himself cryogenically frozen and sent into space Powers also has himself put on ice so he can be thawed out when Dr. Evil returns. Come 1997 Dr. Evil returns to Earth and is back to his old tricks so Austin is thawed out and returned to active service -- though he soon discovers his style doesn't play so well 30 years on. The supporting cast includes Elizabeth Hurley as Austin's sidekick Vanessa Kensington; Michael York as his boss Basil Exposition; Robert Wagner as Dr. Evil's assistant Number Two; and Seth Green as Dr. Evil's troubled son Scott Evil. Ming Tea the swingin' pop band that periodically backs up Austin includes real life pop-rockers Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs. Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery was a mild box-office hit but an even bigger success on home video which led to the 1999 sequel Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me.
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Less a parody of the early James Bond film than a parody of the films that parodied the early James Bond films , Austin Powers : International Man of Mystery stars Mike Myers as Austin Powers , by day a hipster fashion photographer in mid - '60s swingin' London and by night a crime - fighting secret agent. Austin's wardrobe is pure Carnaby Street at its most outrageous , his vocabulary is crowded by the cool lingo of the day ( "Groovy , baby! Yeah!!" ), and he's irresistible to women , despite the fact that he can be charitably described as "stocky" and has teeth that strike fear into any practicing dentist. When his nemesis , the arch - enemy Dr. Evil ( also played by Myers ), has himself cryogenically frozen and sent into space , Powers also has himself put on ice so he can be thawed out when Dr. Evil returns. Come 1997 , Dr. Evil returns to Earth and is back to his old tricks , so Austin is thawed out and returned to active service -- though he soon discovers his style doesn't play so well 30 years on. The supporting cast includes Elizabeth Hurley as Austin's sidekick , Vanessa Kensington ; Michael York as his boss , Basil Exposition ; Robert Wagner as Dr. Evil's assistant , Number Two ; and Seth Green as Dr. Evil's troubled son , Scott Evil. Ming Tea , the swingin' pop band that periodically backs up Austin , includes real life pop - rockers Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs . Austin Powers : International Man of Mystery was a mild box - office hit but an even bigger success on home video , which led to the 1999 sequel , Austin Powers : The Spy Who Shagged Me .
1208
The city of Blaine Missouri is celebrating its sesquicentennial and what better reason could there be to put on a show? Corky St. Claire (Christopher Guest) current leader of Blaine's community theater group and creator of a stage musical version of Backdraft that led to the unfortunate destruction of the theater has been commissioned to put together a musical about the city's noble history "Red White and Blaine" which stars a variety of the town's theatrical talent. Corky's cast includes Ron and Sheila Albertson (Fred Willard and Catherine O'Hara) a pair of married travel agents that Corky calls "the Lunts of Blaine;" Allan Pearl (Eugene Levy) a dentist who insists that he wasn't the class clown in high school but did sit next to him; Libby Mae Brown (Parker Posey) a sweet young thing who lives for her job at the Dairy Queen; and Clifford Wooley (Lewis Arquette) an "Old Blainian" who makes gun racks from deer hooves. Somehow Corky has persuaded a major theatrical producer in New York to send a representative to look at the show -- is it possible that "Red White and Blaine" could be headed to Broadway? Christopher Guest directed and co-wrote this very funny mock-documentary in addition to playing the flamboyant Corky; Guests's partners from This Is Spinal Tap Michael McKean and Harry Shearer helped write the memorable songs for "Red White and Blaine."
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The city of Blaine , Missouri is celebrating its sesquicentennial , and what better reason could there be to put on a show? Corky St. Claire ( Christopher Guest ), current leader of Blaine's community theater group and creator of a stage musical version of Backdraft that led to the unfortunate destruction of the theater , has been commissioned to put together a musical about the city's noble history , "Red , White and Blaine , " which stars a variety of the town's theatrical talent. Corky's cast includes Ron and Sheila Albertson ( Fred Willard and Catherine O'Hara ), a pair of married travel agents that Corky calls "the Lunts of Blaine ; " Allan Pearl ( Eugene Levy ), a dentist who insists that he wasn't the class clown in high school but did sit next to him ; Libby Mae Brown ( Parker Posey ), a sweet young thing who lives for her job at the Dairy Queen ; and Clifford Wooley ( Lewis Arquette ), an "Old Blainian" who makes gun racks from deer hooves. Somehow , Corky has persuaded a major theatrical producer in New York to send a representative to look at the show -- is it possible that "Red , White and Blaine" could be headed to Broadway? Christopher Guest directed and co - wrote this very funny mock - documentary , in addition to playing the flamboyant Corky ; Guests's partners from This Is Spinal Tap , Michael McKean and Harry Shearer , helped write the memorable songs for "Red , White and Blaine."
1209
A knowing examination of the psyche of the modern American male Doug Liman's debut comedy Swingers stars screenwriter Jon Favreau as the sensitive Mike a struggling actor and stand-up comic looking for romance in the wake of the dissolution of a six-year relationship. Against his better judgment he hits the town with his pal Trent (Vince Vaughn in a star-making performance) a retro-hip smooth-talker who calls women "babies" and feels compelled to illustrate to Mike the error of his gentlemanly ways. First in Las Vegas and later in a series of hip L.A. nightspots the duo and their other pals including a guy named Sue (Patrick Van Horn) prowl for women looking for kicks and cheap thrills. The difference is that while Trent wants sex Mike wants love and romance. Only when he learns to simply be himself does he find what he's looking for.
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A knowing examination of the psyche of the modern American male , Doug Liman 's debut comedy Swingers stars screenwriter Jon Favreau as the sensitive Mike , a struggling actor and stand - up comic looking for romance in the wake of the dissolution of a six - year relationship. Against his better judgment , he hits the town with his pal Trent ( Vince Vaughn , in a star - making performance ), a retro - hip smooth - talker who calls women "babies" and feels compelled to illustrate to Mike the error of his gentlemanly ways. First in Las Vegas and later in a series of hip L.A. nightspots , the duo and their other pals , including a guy named Sue ( Patrick Van Horn ), prowl for women , looking for kicks and cheap thrills. The difference is that while Trent wants sex , Mike wants love and romance. Only when he learns to simply be himself does he find what he's looking for.
1210
In this satirical comedy Mel Coplin (Ben Stiller) has a beautiful wife Nancy (Patricia Arquette) and a four-month old son and on the surface his life is good. But something's been troubling him: Mel knows he was adopted and he can't resolve his issues with the mother who gave him away years ago much to the annoyance of his adoptive parents (George Segal and Mary Tyler Moore). Mel decides it's time he met his birth parents and resolved his feelings once and for all and Tina (Tea Leoni) a psychology student has offered to tag along to capture the event on video for a research project. But after a few minutes with Mel's "real" mother they discover that a mistake has been made and they've been directed to the wrong person. A second meeting this time with Mel's supposed dad also turns out to be a mistake and it's quite some time before Mel Nancy and Tina are finally face to face with Mel's biological parents -- a pair of burned-out hippies (played by Alan Alda and Lily Tomlin) who support themselves by dealing blotter acid daubed onto pictures of Ronald Reagan. It doesn't help that Mel finds himself attracted to the very leggy Tina or that Nancy's head is turned by a bisexual ATF agent (Josh Brolin). Writer/director David O. Russell previously made a splash with his independent debut feature 1994's Spanking the Monkey.
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In this satirical comedy , Mel Coplin ( Ben Stiller ) has a beautiful wife , Nancy ( Patricia Arquette ), and a four - month old son , and on the surface his life is good. But something's been troubling him : Mel knows he was adopted , and he can't resolve his issues with the mother who gave him away years ago , much to the annoyance of his adoptive parents ( George Segal and Mary Tyler Moore ) . Mel decides it's time he met his birth parents and resolved his feelings once and for all , and Tina ( Tea Leoni ), a psychology student , has offered to tag along to capture the event on video for a research project. But after a few minutes with Mel's "real" mother , they discover that a mistake has been made and they've been directed to the wrong person. A second meeting , this time with Mel's supposed dad , also turns out to be a mistake , and it's quite some time before Mel , Nancy , and Tina are finally face to face with Mel's biological parents -- a pair of burned - out hippies ( played by Alan Alda and Lily Tomlin ) who support themselves by dealing blotter acid daubed onto pictures of Ronald Reagan . It doesn't help that Mel finds himself attracted to the very leggy Tina , or that Nancy's head is turned by a bisexual ATF agent ( Josh Brolin ) . Writer / director David O. Russell previously made a splash with his independent debut feature , 1994's Spanking the Monkey .
1211
The Canadian sketch-comedy masters hit the big screen with Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy their send-up of psychopharmacology and its social ramifications. Each "kid" plays a plethora of roles; in fact nearly every character in the film is played by one of the five "kids". When Roritor Pharmaceuticals finds itself on the verge of bankruptcy research chemist Chris Cooper (Kevin McDonald) finds himself pressured to push his latest development to market without adequate testing at the risk of losing his job. The product -- Gleemonex an anti-depressant bearing more than a slight resemblance to Prozac -- seems at first to be a wonder drug; users find themselves in a perpetual state of bliss as they relive their fondest memories time and again. Success goes awry however when a fatal side-effect surfaces -- users become catatonics. The craze has caught on however and the entire world seems to be taking Gleemonex forcing Dr. Cooper to fight his employers and warn the masses before disaster strikes. The plot is really just an excuse for a series of funny hallucinogenic sketches involving the memories and fantasies of its users; the funniest include a grandmother's all-too brief holiday visit with her family and a married man's homoerotic experiences in the military. Another winning scene: a brooding grunge-rock idol (Bruce McCulloch) who's taken the drug unexpectedly changes his tune at a concert to the bewilderment of his angst-hungry fans. Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy is hit-or-miss satire but much of the humor finds its mark in this humble surprisingly intelligent film.
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The Canadian sketch - comedy masters hit the big screen with Kids in the Hall : Brain Candy , their send - up of psychopharmacology and its social ramifications. Each "kid" plays a plethora of roles ; in fact , nearly every character in the film is played by one of the five "kids". When Roritor Pharmaceuticals finds itself on the verge of bankruptcy , research chemist Chris Cooper ( Kevin McDonald ) finds himself pressured to push his latest development to market without adequate testing at the risk of losing his job. The product -- Gleemonex , an anti - depressant bearing more than a slight resemblance to Prozac -- seems at first to be a wonder drug ; users find themselves in a perpetual state of bliss as they relive their fondest memories time and again. Success goes awry , however , when a fatal side - effect surfaces -- users become catatonics. The craze has caught on , however , and the entire world seems to be taking Gleemonex , forcing Dr. Cooper to fight his employers and warn the masses before disaster strikes. The plot is really just an excuse for a series of funny , hallucinogenic sketches involving the memories and fantasies of its users ; the funniest include a grandmother's all - too brief holiday visit with her family , and a married man's homoerotic experiences in the military. Another winning scene : a brooding grunge - rock idol ( Bruce McCulloch ) who's taken the drug unexpectedly changes his tune at a concert to the bewilderment of his angst - hungry fans. Kids in the Hall : Brain Candy is hit - or - miss satire , but much of the humor finds its mark in this humble , surprisingly intelligent film.
1212
A gangster is looking to get away from crooked deals and double-crossing people but ends up in the movie business anyway in this comic crime story. Chili Palmer (John Travolta) is a Miami-based loan collector for the mob trying to collect a gambling debt. His assignment takes him to Hollywood to collect money from Harry Zimm (Gene Hackman) a mildly sleazy producer of low-budget horror movies. Although Chili intends to hurt Harry if necessary he takes a certain liking to him and an even keener interest in Karen (Rene Russo) Harry's girlfriend whom Chili recognizes from Harry's grade-B monster epics. It seems Harry has a script that he feels is Academy Award material and he could get the project off the ground if he could get the right actor for the lead -- say the well-respected but egocentric (and diminutive) Martin Weir (Danny DeVito). Chili thinks he has a feel for the movie business and decides to see what he can do to persuade Weir to get behind the project. Chili soon finds himself hip deep in the film industry which at least puts him in contact with a higher grade of scumbags than he's used to. But Chili isn't the only criminal Harry's been dealing with; he's been obtaining financing from Bo Catlett (Delroy Lindo) a drug dealer with a highly uncertain temperament. An intelligently constructed crime story and a hilarious look at the absurdities of the film business Get Shorty was based on the novel of the same name by Elmore Leonard; Leonard based Chili on a real-life former gangster of his acquaintance though Chili's model never worked in Hollywood.
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A gangster is looking to get away from crooked deals and double - crossing people but ends up in the movie business anyway in this comic crime story. Chili Palmer ( John Travolta ) is a Miami - based loan collector for the mob trying to collect a gambling debt. His assignment takes him to Hollywood to collect money from Harry Zimm ( Gene Hackman ), a mildly sleazy producer of low - budget horror movies. Although Chili intends to hurt Harry if necessary , he takes a certain liking to him and an even keener interest in Karen ( Rene Russo ), Harry's girlfriend , whom Chili recognizes from Harry's grade - B monster epics. It seems Harry has a script that he feels is Academy Award material , and he could get the project off the ground if he could get the right actor for the lead -- say , the well - respected but egocentric ( and diminutive ) Martin Weir ( Danny DeVito ) . Chili thinks he has a feel for the movie business and decides to see what he can do to persuade Weir to get behind the project. Chili soon finds himself hip deep in the film industry , which at least puts him in contact with a higher grade of scumbags than he's used to. But Chili isn't the only criminal Harry's been dealing with ; he's been obtaining financing from Bo Catlett ( Delroy Lindo ), a drug dealer with a highly uncertain temperament. An intelligently constructed crime story and a hilarious look at the absurdities of the film business , Get Shorty was based on the novel of the same name by Elmore Leonard ; Leonard based Chili on a real - life former gangster of his acquaintance , though Chili's model never worked in Hollywood.
1213
When Dante Hicks (Brian O'Halloran) is reluctantly put in charge of the Quick Stop market on his day off he tries though half-heartedly to perform his minimum-wage duties as efficiently as possible. This gets tough amidst the on-going fight with his girlfriend Veronica (Marilyn Ghigliotti) and his attempt to get back together with his ex-girlfriend Caitlyn Bree (Lisa Spoonhauer). Meanwhile his friend and alter ego Randall (Jeff Anderson) is working behind the counter of the adjacent video store -- at least when he feels like it. Randall's unabashed disdain of his place of employment a long with his self-admitted hatred towards its customers is a sharp contrast to Dante's feeble attempts at the niceties of customer service. Much of the film consists of Randall and Dante's criticism of their customers their lives and the world in general. Clerks filmed in black-and-white on a budget of only $27000 began the career of writer director Kevin Smith who would go on to make Mallrats (1995) Chasing Amy (1997) Dogma (1999) and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001).
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When Dante Hicks ( Brian O'Halloran ) is reluctantly put in charge of the Quick Stop market on his day off , he tries , though half - heartedly , to perform his minimum - wage duties as efficiently as possible. This gets tough amidst the on - going fight with his girlfriend , Veronica ( Marilyn Ghigliotti ), and his attempt to get back together with his ex - girlfriend , Caitlyn Bree ( Lisa Spoonhauer ) . Meanwhile , his friend and alter ego Randall ( Jeff Anderson ) is working behind the counter of the adjacent video store -- at least when he feels like it. Randall's unabashed disdain of his place of employment , a long with his self - admitted hatred towards its customers is a sharp contrast to Dante's feeble attempts at the niceties of customer service. Much of the film consists of Randall and Dante's criticism of their customers , their lives , and the world in general. Clerks , filmed in black - and - white on a budget of only $27 , 000 , began the career of writer director Kevin Smith , who would go on to make Mallrats ( 1995 ), Chasing Amy ( 1997 ), Dogma ( 1999 ), and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back ( 2001 ) .
1214
Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels play the title roles (though viewers may find themselves debating which is which) in this genially low-brow comedy. Lloyd Christmas (Jim Carrey) and Harry Dunne (Jeff Daniels) are two intellectually-challenged best friends who share an apartment so messy that gangsters aren't sure how to trash the place; the guys also have a certain problem (not difficult to understand) holding on to jobs. Lloyd is working as a limo driver in Rhode Island when he picks up a beautiful and wealthy woman named Mary Swanson (Lauren Holly) who is being taken to the airport. Lloyd immediately falls head over heels in love with Mary and when she leaves a briefcase at the airport he's determined to return it in hopes of impressing her. Lloyd isn't able to get aboard Mary's flight (though not for lack of trying). Harry has a van decorated to look like a dog (to promote his failing dog-grooming business) and the pair hop in the Poochmobile to find Mary in Aspen. What Lloyd and Harry don't know is that the briefcase is full of money which Mary deliberately left at the airport as a ransom payment to save the life of her kidnapped husband. Incidentally Lloyd's chipped front tooth happens to be real; while Jim Carrey had the injured tooth capped many years ago he thought a broken smile would suit Lloyd's character and had the cap removed for the duration of filming.
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Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels play the title roles ( though viewers may find themselves debating which is which ) in this genially low - brow comedy. Lloyd Christmas ( Jim Carrey ) and Harry Dunne ( Jeff Daniels ) are two intellectually - challenged best friends who share an apartment so messy that gangsters aren't sure how to trash the place ; the guys also have a certain problem ( not difficult to understand ) holding on to jobs. Lloyd is working as a limo driver in Rhode Island when he picks up a beautiful and wealthy woman named Mary Swanson ( Lauren Holly ) who is being taken to the airport. Lloyd immediately falls head over heels in love with Mary , and when she leaves a briefcase at the airport , he's determined to return it in hopes of impressing her. Lloyd isn't able to get aboard Mary's flight ( though not for lack of trying ) . Harry has a van decorated to look like a dog ( to promote his failing dog - grooming business ), and the pair hop in the Poochmobile to find Mary in Aspen. What Lloyd and Harry don't know is that the briefcase is full of money , which Mary deliberately left at the airport as a ransom payment to save the life of her kidnapped husband. Incidentally , Lloyd's chipped front tooth happens to be real ; while Jim Carrey had the injured tooth capped many years ago , he thought a broken smile would suit Lloyd's character and had the cap removed for the duration of filming.
1215
ullets Over Broadway is a Woody Allen romp that as the title suggests combines gangsters with show business at the height of the Roaring Twenties. David Shayne (John Cusack) is a straight-arrow playwright who plans to stand firm against compromising his work but quickly abandons that stance when his producer (Jack Warden) finds a backer to mount his show on Broadway. There's just one catch however: the backer is a mobster (Joe Viterelli) who sees Shayne's play as a vehicle for his dizzy talent-free girlfriend Olive (Jennifer Tilly). Shayne also has to deal with the demands of veteran theatre diva Helen Sinclair (Dianne Wiest) and is shocked to discover that Olive's hitman bodyguard Cheech (Chazz Palminteri) is probably a better playwright than he is as he secretly revises Shayne's work when he sits in on rehearsals.
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Bullets Over Broadway is a Woody Allen romp that , as the title suggests , combines gangsters with show business at the height of the Roaring Twenties. David Shayne ( John Cusack ) is a straight - arrow playwright who plans to stand firm against compromising his work , but quickly abandons that stance when his producer ( Jack Warden ) finds a backer to mount his show on Broadway. There's just one catch , however : the backer is a mobster ( Joe Viterelli ) who sees Shayne's play as a vehicle for his dizzy , talent - free girlfriend , Olive ( Jennifer Tilly ) . Shayne also has to deal with the demands of veteran theatre diva Helen Sinclair ( Dianne Wiest ) and is shocked to discover that Olive's hitman bodyguard , Cheech ( Chazz Palminteri ), is probably a better playwright than he is , as he secretly revises Shayne's work when he sits in on rehearsals.
1216
On a midnight clear 2000 years ago three wise men enter a manger where a babe is wrapped in swaddling clothes. It is an infant called Brian...and the three wise men are in the wrong manger. For the rest of his life Brian (Graham Chapman) finds himself regarded as something of a messiah -- yet he's always in the shadow of this other guy from Galilee. Brian is witness to the Sermon of the Mount but his seat is in such a bad location that he can't hear any of it ("Blessed are the cheesemakers?"). Ultimately he is brought before Pontius Pilate and sentenced to crucifixion which takes place at that crowded nonexclusive execution site a few blocks shy of Calvary. Rather than utter the Last Six Words Brian leads his fellow crucifixees in a spirited rendition of a British music-hall cheer-up song "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life." The whole Monty Python gang (Chapman John Cleese Michael Palin Eric Idle and Terry Gilliam) are on hand in multiple roles playing such sacred characters as Stan Called Loretta Biggus Dickus Deadly Dirk Casts the First Stone and Intensely Dull Youth; also showing up are Goon Show veteran Spike Milligan and a Liverpool musician named George Harrison.
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On a midnight clear 2 , 000 years ago , three wise men enter a manger where a babe is wrapped in swaddling clothes. It is an infant called Brian...and the three wise men are in the wrong manger. For the rest of his life , Brian ( Graham Chapman ) finds himself regarded as something of a messiah -- yet he's always in the shadow of this other guy from Galilee. Brian is witness to the Sermon of the Mount , but his seat is in such a bad location that he can't hear any of it ( "Blessed are the cheesemakers?" ) . Ultimately , he is brought before Pontius Pilate and sentenced to crucifixion , which takes place at that crowded , nonexclusive execution site a few blocks shy of Calvary. Rather than utter the Last Six Words , Brian leads his fellow crucifixees in a spirited rendition of a British music - hall cheer - up song "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life." The whole Monty Python gang ( Chapman , John Cleese , Michael Palin , Eric Idle , and Terry Gilliam ) are on hand in multiple roles , playing such sacred characters as Stan Called Loretta , Biggus Dickus , Deadly Dirk , Casts the First Stone , and Intensely Dull Youth ; also showing up are Goon Show veteran Spike Milligan and a Liverpool musician named George Harrison .
1217
We know we're in a 1988 film when we're invited to laugh at O.J. Simpson in an opening slapstick sequence. We can also pinpoint the year of production when hard-nosed cop Frank Drebin (Leslie Nielsen) during a scuffle with the world's leading dictators wipes the wine-colored birthmark off the head of Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev. Those wacky ZAZ boys -- David Zucker Jim Abrahams and Jerry Zucker -- serve up a feature-length spin-off of their cult favorite TV show Police Squad!. Seeking vengeance when his partner (Simpson) is shot full of holes by drug dealers dead-pan and dead-brained Lt. Frank Drebin searches for the Mister Big behind it all. Drebin suspects above-reproach shipping magnate Vincent Ludwig (Ricardo Montalban) but he can't prove a thing. Bumped from the force by the mayor (Nancy Marchand) Drebin with the unexpected assistance of Ludwig's ex-girlfriend (Priscilla Presley) manages to nab the bad guy at a baseball game where Reggie Jackson has been programmed to assassinate Queen Elizabeth. MGM mogul Irving Thalberg once reportedly told the Marx Brothers "You can't build jokes on top of jokes." The producers of Naked Gun prove otherwise; indeed one could develop writer's cramp just listing the gags in the film's first 20 minutes. Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad was followed by two lesser but still hilarious sequels Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear (1991) and Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult (1994).
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We know we're in a 1988 film when we're invited to laugh at O.J. Simpson in an opening slapstick sequence. We can also pinpoint the year of production when hard - nosed cop Frank Drebin ( Leslie Nielsen ), during a scuffle with the world's leading dictators , wipes the wine - colored birthmark off the head of Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev. Those wacky ZAZ boys -- David Zucker , Jim Abrahams , and Jerry Zucker -- serve up a feature - length spin - off of their cult favorite TV show Police Squad! . Seeking vengeance when his partner ( Simpson ) is shot full of holes by drug dealers , dead - pan and dead - brained Lt. Frank Drebin searches for the Mister Big behind it all. Drebin suspects above - reproach shipping magnate Vincent Ludwig ( Ricardo Montalban ), but he can't prove a thing. Bumped from the force by the mayor ( Nancy Marchand ), Drebin , with the unexpected assistance of Ludwig's ex - girlfriend ( Priscilla Presley ), manages to nab the bad guy at a baseball game , where Reggie Jackson has been programmed to assassinate Queen Elizabeth. MGM mogul Irving Thalberg once reportedly told the Marx Brothers , "You can't build jokes on top of jokes." The producers of Naked Gun prove otherwise ; indeed , one could develop writer's cramp just listing the gags in the film's first 20 minutes. Naked Gun : From the Files of Police Squad was followed by two lesser but still hilarious sequels , Naked Gun 2 1 / 2 : The Smell of Fear ( 1991 ) and Naked Gun 33 1 / 3 : The Final Insult ( 1994 ) .
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Expanding on their Saturday Night Live characters John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd star as Jake and Elwood Blues two white boys with black soul. Sporting cool shades and look-alike suits Jake and Elwood are dispatched on a "mission from God" by their former teacher Sister Mary Stigmata (Kathleen Freeman). Said mission is to raise $5000 to save an orphanage. In the course of their zany adventures the Blues Brothers run afoul of neo-Nazi Henry Gibson perform the theme from Rawhide before the most unruly bar crowd in written history and lay waste to hundreds of cars on the streets and freeways of Chicago. In case you aren't swept up in the infectuous nuttiness of the brothers Blue you might have fun spotting film's legion of guest stars including James Brown Cab Calloway Aretha Franklin Ray Charles John Candy Carrie Fisher Steve Lawrence Twiggy Paul Reubens (aka Pee-Wee Herman) Frank Oz and Steven Spielberg.
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Expanding on their Saturday Night Live characters , John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd star as Jake and Elwood Blues , two white boys with black soul. Sporting cool shades and look - alike suits , Jake and Elwood are dispatched on a "mission from God" by their former teacher , Sister Mary Stigmata ( Kathleen Freeman ) . Said mission is to raise $5000 to save an orphanage. In the course of their zany adventures , the Blues Brothers run afoul of neo - Nazi Henry Gibson , perform the theme from Rawhide before the most unruly bar crowd in written history , and lay waste to hundreds of cars on the streets and freeways of Chicago. In case you aren't swept up in the infectuous nuttiness of the brothers Blue , you might have fun spotting film's legion of guest stars , including James Brown , Cab Calloway , Aretha Franklin , Ray Charles , John Candy , Carrie Fisher , Steve Lawrence , Twiggy , Paul Reubens ( aka Pee - Wee Herman ), Frank Oz , and Steven Spielberg .
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Unhappy with her job and her loser boyfriend Melanie Griffith takes a secretarial post at a major Wall Street firm. Her boss is Sigourney Weaver an outwardly affable yuppie whose grinning visage hides a wicked and larcenous propensity for exploiting the ideas of her employees. While Weaver is incapacitated Griffith is compelled by circumstances to pose as her boss. Her inborn business acumen and common sense enable Griffith to rise to the top of New York's financial circles and along the way she wins the love of executive (Harrison Ford). Things threaten to take a sorry turn when Weaver returns but it is she who suffers from the consequences of her own past duplicity. Working Girl was Melanie Griffith's breakthrough film proving than she was more than just the off-and-on "significant other" of Don Johnson. The film was later adapted into a brief TV series starring a pre-Speed Sandra Bullock.
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Unhappy with her job and her loser boyfriend , Melanie Griffith takes a secretarial post at a major Wall Street firm. Her boss is Sigourney Weaver , an outwardly affable yuppie whose grinning visage hides a wicked and larcenous propensity for exploiting the ideas of her employees. While Weaver is incapacitated , Griffith is compelled by circumstances to pose as her boss. Her inborn business acumen and common sense enable Griffith to rise to the top of New York's financial circles , and along the way she wins the love of executive ( Harrison Ford ) . Things threaten to take a sorry turn when Weaver returns , but it is she who suffers from the consequences of her own past duplicity. Working Girl was Melanie Griffith's breakthrough film , proving than she was more than just the off - and - on "significant other" of Don Johnson . The film was later adapted into a brief TV series , starring a pre - Speed Sandra Bullock .
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With Howard Hawks's Bringing Up Baby (1938) as his blueprint Peter Bogdanovich resurrected and payed homage to 1930s screwball comedy in What's Up Doc? (1972). When wacky co-ed Judy Maxwell (Barbra Streisand in the Katharine Hepburn part) spies nebbishy musicologist Howard Bannister (Ryan O'Neal in bespectacled Cary Grant mode) in a San Francisco hotel lobby she decides that Howard and his precious igneous rocks are right up her alley. Too bad Howard already has a fiancée the propriety-fixated Eunice (Madeline Kahn in her film debut). Using all her arcane knowledge from brief stays at numerous colleges Judy tries to charm her way to a $20000 grant for Howard and Howard himself at a banquet with grantor Frederick Larrabee (Austin Pendleton). Things get even more complicated the next day when Judy's underwear-filled overnight bag gets mixed up with Howard's rock bag which gets mixed up with Mrs. Van Hoskins' bag of jewels which gets mixed up with Mr. Smith's bag of top secret government papers. All sides converge at Larrabee's mod townhouse and the chase begins. Retaining Hawks' machine-gun pace (as well as the sly pop culture referentiality of Billy Wilder) Bogdanovich and writers Buck Henry David Newman and Robert Benton updated the opposites-attract screwball convention for contemporary times. O'Neal gently parodied not only Grant but also his own Love Story (1970) preppy while Kahn represents stiff-wigged 1950s manners as opposed to Streisand's long-haired pants-wearing free spirit. The happy ending in which Cole Porter-belting youth wins out over old manners found favor with audiences as What's Up Doc? became one of the most popular films of 1972 and the second hit in a row for Bogdanovich after 1971's The Last Picture Show.
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With Howard Hawks 's Bringing Up Baby ( 1938 ) as his blueprint , Peter Bogdanovich resurrected and payed homage to 1930s screwball comedy in What's Up , Doc? ( 1972 ) . When wacky co - ed Judy Maxwell ( Barbra Streisand , in the Katharine Hepburn part ) spies nebbishy musicologist Howard Bannister ( Ryan O'Neal in bespectacled Cary Grant mode ) in a San Francisco hotel lobby , she decides that Howard and his precious igneous rocks are right up her alley. Too bad Howard already has a fiancée , the propriety - fixated Eunice ( Madeline Kahn in her film debut ) . Using all her arcane knowledge from brief stays at numerous colleges , Judy tries to charm her way to a $20 , 000 grant for Howard , and Howard himself , at a banquet with grantor Frederick Larrabee ( Austin Pendleton ) . Things get even more complicated the next day when Judy's underwear - filled overnight bag gets mixed up with Howard's rock bag , which gets mixed up with Mrs. Van Hoskins' bag of jewels , which gets mixed up with Mr. Smith's bag of top secret government papers. All sides converge at Larrabee's mod townhouse and the chase begins. Retaining Hawks' machine - gun pace ( as well as the sly pop culture referentiality of Billy Wilder ), Bogdanovich and writers Buck Henry , David Newman , and Robert Benton updated the opposites - attract screwball convention for contemporary times. O'Neal gently parodied not only Grant but also his own Love Story ( 1970 ) preppy , while Kahn represents stiff - wigged 1950s manners as opposed to Streisand's long - haired , pants - wearing free spirit. The happy ending , in which Cole Porter - belting youth wins out over old manners , found favor with audiences , as What's Up , Doc? became one of the most popular films of 1972 , and the second hit in a row for Bogdanovich after 1971's The Last Picture Show .
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ased on the Saturday Night Live sketch of the same name Wayne's World is a wacky irreverent pop-culture comedy about the adventures of two amiably aimless metal-head friends Wayne (Mike Myers) and Garth (Dana Carvey). From Wayne's basement the pair broadcast a talk-show called "Wayne's World" on local public access television. The show comes to the attention of a sleazy network executive (Rob Lowe) who wants to produce a big-budget version of "Wayne's World"--and he also wants Wayne's girlfriend a rock singer named Cassandra (Tia Carrere). Wayne and Garth have to battle the executive not only to save their show but also Cassandra. Director Penelope Spheeris Myers and Carvey hang a lot of silly but funny jokes on this thin plot and the energy of the cast--as well as the wild pop-culture references--make Wayne's World a cut above the average Saturday Night Live spin-off movie.
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Based on the Saturday Night Live sketch of the same name , Wayne's World is a wacky , irreverent pop - culture comedy about the adventures of two amiably aimless metal - head friends , Wayne ( Mike Myers ) and Garth ( Dana Carvey ) . From Wayne's basement , the pair broadcast a talk - show called "Wayne's World" on local public access television. The show comes to the attention of a sleazy network executive ( Rob Lowe ) who wants to produce a big - budget version of "Wayne's World" -- and he also wants Wayne's girlfriend , a rock singer named Cassandra ( Tia Carrere ) . Wayne and Garth have to battle the executive not only to save their show , but also Cassandra. Director Penelope Spheeris , Myers and Carvey hang a lot of silly , but funny , jokes on this thin plot , and the energy of the cast -- as well as the wild pop - culture references -- make Wayne's World a cut above the average Saturday Night Live spin - off movie.
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Divorce lawyer Danny De Vito warns his prospective client that the story he's about to tell isn't a pretty one but the client listens with eager intensity -- as do the folks out there in the movie in the audience. The War of the Roses can best be described as a slapstick tragedy concerning the decline and literal fall of a marriage. After 17 years Oliver (Michael Douglas) and Barbara (Kathleen Turner) Rose want a divorce. Not for this couple is there anything resembling a "civilized understanding": Barbara wants their opulent house and Oliver isn't about to part with the domicile. Barbara nails the basement door shut while Oliver is downstairs Oliver disrupts Barbara's fancy party by taking aim at the catered dinner Barbara lays waste to Oliver's sports car....and so it goes culminating in a disastrous showdown around about and under the living room's fancy chandelier. DeVito and screenwriter Michael Leeson never let us forget that the couple's self-indulgent imbroglio exacts an awful price upon their children (Sean Astin and Heather Fairfield). The War of the Roses was adapted from the novel by Warren Adler.
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Divorce lawyer Danny De Vito warns his prospective client that the story he's about to tell isn't a pretty one , but the client listens with eager intensity -- as do the folks out there in the movie in the audience. The War of the Roses can best be described as a slapstick tragedy concerning the decline and literal fall of a marriage. After 17 years , Oliver ( Michael Douglas ) and Barbara ( Kathleen Turner ) Rose want a divorce. Not for this couple is there anything resembling a "civilized understanding" : Barbara wants their opulent house , and Oliver isn't about to part with the domicile. Barbara nails the basement door shut while Oliver is downstairs , Oliver disrupts Barbara's fancy party by taking aim at the catered dinner , Barbara lays waste to Oliver's sports car....and so it goes , culminating in a disastrous showdown around , about and under the living room's fancy chandelier. DeVito and screenwriter Michael Leeson never let us forget that the couple's self - indulgent imbroglio exacts an awful price upon their children ( Sean Astin and Heather Fairfield ) . The War of the Roses was adapted from the novel by Warren Adler .
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The trouble with Harry is that he's dead. The scene is a autumnal Vermont village where a pre-Leave It to Beaver Jerry Mathers stumbles upon Harry's corpse in the woods. Mathers alerts his mother Shirley MacLaine (making her film debut) who recognizes Harry as her ex-husband. Later on retired sea captain Edmund Gwenn likewise comes across the moribund Harry. Both MacLaine and Gwenn have reason to believe that they're responsible for Harry's demise; MacLaine thinks that she killed Harry by clobbering him with a bottle while Gwenn is certain that he shot the poor fellow while hunting. As the day draws to a close seemingly every person in town is convinced that he or she has had some hand in Harry's death thus they conspire to hide the body from the authorities. Visiting artist John Forsythe dumbfounded at the calm collected reactions of the villagers regarding Harry (whose ubiquitous body pops up at the most inopportune moments) solves the "mystery." Though not his most successful film The Trouble with Harry was one of director Alfred Hitchcock's favorites. The story's whimsical black-comedy elements are perfectly complemented by Bernard Herrmann's playful music score. Best bit: Mildred Natwick coming upon Gwenn as the latter is strenuously dragging away Harry's corpse asking offhandedly "What seems to be the trouble Captain?" The Trouble With Harry was adapted by John Michael Hayes from the novel by John Trevor.
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The trouble with Harry is that he's dead. The scene is a autumnal Vermont village , where a pre - Leave It to Beaver Jerry Mathers stumbles upon Harry's corpse in the woods. Mathers alerts his mother Shirley MacLaine ( making her film debut ), who recognizes Harry as her ex - husband. Later on , retired sea captain Edmund Gwenn likewise comes across the moribund Harry. Both MacLaine and Gwenn have reason to believe that they're responsible for Harry's demise ; MacLaine thinks that she killed Harry by clobbering him with a bottle , while Gwenn is certain that he shot the poor fellow while hunting. As the day draws to a close , seemingly every person in town is convinced that he or she has had some hand in Harry's death , thus they conspire to hide the body from the authorities. Visiting artist John Forsythe , dumbfounded at the calm , collected reactions of the villagers regarding Harry ( whose ubiquitous body pops up at the most inopportune moments ), solves the "mystery." Though not his most successful film , The Trouble with Harry was one of director Alfred Hitchcock 's favorites. The story's whimsical black - comedy elements are perfectly complemented by Bernard Herrmann 's playful music score. Best bit : Mildred Natwick , coming upon Gwenn as the latter is strenuously dragging away Harry's corpse , asking offhandedly "What seems to be the trouble , Captain?" The Trouble With Harry was adapted by John Michael Hayes from the novel by John Trevor.
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The "nature-nurture" theory that motivated so many Three Stooges comedies is the basis of John Landis's hit comedy. The fabulously wealthy but morally bankrupt Duke brothers (Ralph Bellamy and Don Ameche) make a one-dollar bet over heredity vs. environment. Curious as to what might happen if different lifestyles were reversed they arrange for impoverished street hustler Billy Ray Valentine (Eddie Murphy) to be placed in the lap of luxury and trained for a cushy career in commodities brokerage. Simultaneously they set about to reduce aristocratic yuppie Louis Winthorpe III (Dan Aykroyd to poverty and disgrace hiring a prostitute (Jamie Lee Curtis) to hasten his downfall. When Billy Ray figures out that the brothers intend to dump him back on the streets once their experiment is complete he seeks out Winthorpe and together the pauper-turned-prince and prince-turned-pauper plot an uproarious revenge. With the good-hearted prostitute and Winthorpe's faithful butler (Denholm Elliott) as their accomplices they set about to hit the brothers where it really hurts: in the pocketbook.
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The "nature - nurture" theory that motivated so many Three Stooges comedies is the basis of John Landis 's hit comedy. The fabulously wealthy but morally bankrupt Duke brothers ( Ralph Bellamy and Don Ameche ) make a one - dollar bet over heredity vs. environment. Curious as to what might happen if different lifestyles were reversed , they arrange for impoverished street hustler Billy Ray Valentine ( Eddie Murphy ) to be placed in the lap of luxury and trained for a cushy career in commodities brokerage. Simultaneously , they set about to reduce aristocratic yuppie Louis Winthorpe III ( Dan Aykroyd to poverty and disgrace , hiring a prostitute ( Jamie Lee Curtis ) to hasten his downfall. When Billy Ray figures out that the brothers intend to dump him back on the streets once their experiment is complete , he seeks out Winthorpe , and together the pauper - turned - prince and prince - turned - pauper plot an uproarious revenge. With the good - hearted prostitute and Winthorpe's faithful butler ( Denholm Elliott ) as their accomplices , they set about to hit the brothers where it really hurts : in the pocketbook.
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Producer/director Melvin Frank struck box-office gold when he teamed George Segal with Glenda Jackson in A Touch of Class. Segal plays married insurance executive Steve Blackburn who can't seem to avoid bumping into divorced fashion designer Vicki Allessio (Glenda Jackson) wherever he goes. Finally bowing to the inevitable Steve and Vicki fall in love. He suggests a romantic rendezvous in Spain...but nothing absolutely nothing goes as planned. A comedy of errors ending on an unexpected note of pathos A Touch of Class was nominated for four Academy Awards and earned Glenda Jackson a Best Actress Oscar.
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Producer / director Melvin Frank struck box - office gold when he teamed George Segal with Glenda Jackson in A Touch of Class . Segal plays married insurance executive Steve Blackburn , who can't seem to avoid bumping into divorced fashion designer Vicki Allessio ( Glenda Jackson ) wherever he goes. Finally bowing to the inevitable , Steve and Vicki fall in love. He suggests a romantic rendezvous in Spain...but nothing , absolutely nothing , goes as planned. A comedy of errors ending on an unexpected note of pathos , A Touch of Class was nominated for four Academy Awards , and earned Glenda Jackson a Best Actress Oscar.
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A trio of inept bachelors receives an unexpected lesson in the challenges of fatherhood when a young infant turns up on their doorstep in this popular appealing French comedy. The child was unknowingly fathered by one of the roommates but the mother who had relationships with each man leaves no hint as to which one is the father. Even worse she's flown off to America meaning the clueless Pierre Jacques and Michel must work together to take care of the adorable infant. As one might expect most of the film's comedy concerns the men's reluctant adaptation to fatherhood as they become increasingly attached to the child and compete to become the best father. The film's good-natured if familiar humor was welcomed with strong box office numerous award nominations and an American remake Three Men and a Baby.
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A trio of inept bachelors receives an unexpected lesson in the challenges of fatherhood when a young infant turns up on their doorstep in this popular , appealing French comedy. The child was unknowingly fathered by one of the roommates , but the mother , who had relationships with each man , leaves no hint as to which one is the father. Even worse , she's flown off to America , meaning the clueless Pierre , Jacques , and Michel must work together to take care of the adorable infant. As one might expect , most of the film's comedy concerns the men's reluctant adaptation to fatherhood , as they become increasingly attached to the child and compete to become the best father. The film's good - natured if familiar humor was welcomed with strong box office , numerous award nominations , and an American remake , Three Men and a Baby .
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Franco Zeffirelli's adaptation of William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew is a zesty version of the classic comedy highlighted by performances by Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor and Nino Rota's score. Instead of simply filming a play Zeffirelli turned Shakespeare's text into a lively cinematic movie with sweeping sets and cinematography. Set in Padua Italy in the late 1500s the story concerns the shy Bianca (Natasha Pyne) and the mean-spirited Katarina (Elizabeth Taylor) the two daughters of a rich merchant named Baptista (Michael Hordern). Though Bianca is being courted by a number of young men Baptista announces that she may not marry until Katarina is wed. None of the men in town are willing to marry Katarina so Bianca remains unwed even as more suitors--such as Lucentio (Michael York) a student who begins working as a tutor in the Hordern household just so he can be near Bianca--line up to wed the maiden. No man approaches Katarina until Petruchio (Richard Burton--a wanderer who arrived in Padua just to find a rich wife--falls in love with her. After an intense occasionally furious courtship Katarina eventually agrees to marry him and they move to Petruchio's shoddy house which is located outside of the city. Following the wedding Lucentio reveals that he is not a student but instead the son of one of the most respected men in town. Lucentio gets permission to marry Bianca and a mild-mannered Katarina shows up at the wedding giving advice to her sister on how to be a good wife. The Taming of the Shrew received Academy Award nominations for Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design and opened the British Royal Film Festival.
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Franco Zeffirelli 's adaptation of William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew is a zesty version of the classic comedy , highlighted by performances by Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor and Nino Rota 's score. Instead of simply filming a play , Zeffirelli turned Shakespeare's text into a lively , cinematic movie , with sweeping sets and cinematography. Set in Padua , Italy in the late 1500s , the story concerns the shy Bianca ( Natasha Pyne ) and the mean - spirited Katarina ( Elizabeth Taylor ), the two daughters of a rich merchant named Baptista ( Michael Hordern ) . Though Bianca is being courted by a number of young men , Baptista announces that she may not marry until Katarina is wed. None of the men in town are willing to marry Katarina , so Bianca remains unwed , even as more suitors -- such as Lucentio ( Michael York ), a student who begins working as a tutor in the Hordern household just so he can be near Bianca -- line up to wed the maiden. No man approaches Katarina until Petruchio ( Richard Burton -- a wanderer who arrived in Padua just to find a rich wife -- falls in love with her. After an intense , occasionally furious , courtship , Katarina eventually agrees to marry him , and they move to Petruchio's shoddy house , which is located outside of the city. Following the wedding , Lucentio reveals that he is not a student , but instead the son of one of the most respected men in town. Lucentio gets permission to marry Bianca and a mild - mannered Katarina shows up at the wedding , giving advice to her sister on how to be a good wife. The Taming of the Shrew received Academy Award nominations for Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design , and opened the British Royal Film Festival.
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In this 1975 adaptation of Neil Simon's stage play director Herbert Ross presents the story of two old-time Vaudvillians played by Walter Matthau and George Burns in his first starring role since 1939's Honolulu. After decades apart the cantankerous duo is persuaded to reunite for a television special despite the fact that they hate each other. Richard Benjamin co-stars as Matthau's nephew who has the responsibility of making sure the comedians go through with the show and don't kill each other in the process. Nominated for four Academy Awards Burns took home the statue for Best Supporting Actor.
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In this 1975 adaptation of Neil Simon 's stage play , director Herbert Ross presents the story of two old - time Vaudvillians played by Walter Matthau and George Burns in his first starring role since 1939's Honolulu . After decades apart , the cantankerous duo is persuaded to reunite for a television special despite the fact that they hate each other. Richard Benjamin co - stars as Matthau 's nephew , who has the responsibility of making sure the comedians go through with the show and don't kill each other in the process. Nominated for four Academy Awards , Burns took home the statue for Best Supporting Actor.
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ill Murray decides to be all that he can be -- and it ain't pretty -- in this hit comedy. John Winger (Murray) is a quick-witted but unambitious loser who comes home after getting fired to discover that his car has been repossessed and his girlfriend is leaving him. With no idea of what to do next John and his best friend Russell Ziskey (Harold Ramis) impulsively join the Army more as a practical joke than a career goal. John and Russell find themselves in basic training under the hard-nosed and impatient Sgt. Hulka (Warren Oates) who is stuck with an outfit of goofballs including overweight Ox (John Candy) naive Cruiser (John Deihl) perpetually stoned Elmo (Judge Reinhold) and the appropriately-nicknamed Psycho (Conrad Dunn). The platoon succeeds in impressing the generals spite of themselves and John and Russell even find time to romance two pretty female MPs Stella (P.J. Soles) and Louise (Sean Young). However when John and Russell commandeer a high-tech military vehicle for a European weekend getaway with the girls they happen into Soviet territory and stumble into an international incident. Remarkably Stripes was made with the full cooperation of the U.S. Army despite its less-than-rosy view of the all-volunteer armed forces.
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Bill Murray decides to be all that he can be -- and it ain't pretty -- in this hit comedy. John Winger ( Murray ) is a quick - witted but unambitious loser who comes home after getting fired to discover that his car has been repossessed and his girlfriend is leaving him. With no idea of what to do next , John and his best friend Russell Ziskey ( Harold Ramis ) impulsively join the Army , more as a practical joke than a career goal. John and Russell find themselves in basic training under the hard - nosed and impatient Sgt. Hulka ( Warren Oates ), who is stuck with an outfit of goofballs , including overweight Ox ( John Candy ), naive Cruiser ( John Deihl ), perpetually stoned Elmo ( Judge Reinhold ), and the appropriately - nicknamed Psycho ( Conrad Dunn ) . The platoon succeeds in impressing the generals spite of themselves , and John and Russell even find time to romance two pretty female MPs , Stella ( P.J. Soles ) and Louise ( Sean Young ) . However , when John and Russell commandeer a high - tech military vehicle for a European weekend getaway with the girls , they happen into Soviet territory and stumble into an international incident. Remarkably , Stripes was made with the full cooperation of the U.S. Army , despite its less - than - rosy view of the all - volunteer armed forces.
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This entry in Pryor's comedy-concert film series Richard Pryor: Here and Now goes so far as to include hecklers who bedevil Pryor all through his performance. The most memorable bits involve Pryor's R-rated comments regarding the Reagan administration; the concert was filmed in New Orleans.
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This entry in Pryor 's comedy - concert film series , Richard Pryor : Here and Now goes so far as to include hecklers who bedevil Pryor all through his performance. The most memorable bits involve Pryor's R - rated comments regarding the Reagan administration ; the concert was filmed in New Orleans.
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Albert Brooks made his feature-length debut as a writer and director with this wickedly funny satire in which Albert Brooks plays "Albert Brooks" an arrogant and self-centered comedian who has decided to make a documentary film. Following the lead of the infamous pre-Real World PBS series An American Family (in which a "typical" family was filmed during most of their waking hours and eventually self-destructed on camera) Brooks moves in with the Yeager family of Phoenix Arizona and chronicles their lives with the support of a battery of psychiatrists and sociologists. He arrives at the Yeagers' doorstep with a two-man crew wearing high-tech cameras that look like space helmets from a grade-B sci-fi movie and it quickly becomes obvious that he is incapable of being unobtrusive. The Yeagers are driven to distraction by Brooks who repeatedly ignores the advice of his team of experts and wishes there were some way to make the family's life more interesting (leading to perhaps the least expected homage to Gone With the Wind in film history). Of all Brooks' features Real Life most resembles his cutting but deadpan short subjects for Saturday Night Live; Brooks never fails to cast himself in an unflattering light and the supporting cast does admirable work in reacting to him especially Charles Grodin and Lee McCain as Mr. and Mrs. Yeager. Harry Shearer contributed to the screenplay and plays a small role.
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Albert Brooks made his feature - length debut as a writer and director with this wickedly funny satire , in which Albert Brooks plays "Albert Brooks , " an arrogant and self - centered comedian who has decided to make a documentary film. Following the lead of the infamous pre - Real World PBS series An American Family ( in which a "typical" family was filmed during most of their waking hours and eventually self - destructed on camera ), Brooks moves in with the Yeager family of Phoenix , Arizona and chronicles their lives , with the support of a battery of psychiatrists and sociologists. He arrives at the Yeagers' doorstep with a two - man crew , wearing high - tech cameras that look like space helmets from a grade - B sci - fi movie , and it quickly becomes obvious that he is incapable of being unobtrusive. The Yeagers are driven to distraction by Brooks , who repeatedly ignores the advice of his team of experts and wishes there were some way to make the family's life more interesting ( leading to perhaps the least expected homage to Gone With the Wind in film history ) . Of all Brooks ' features , Real Life most resembles his cutting but deadpan short subjects for Saturday Night Live ; Brooks never fails to cast himself in an unflattering light , and the supporting cast does admirable work in reacting to him , especially Charles Grodin and Lee McCain as Mr. and Mrs. Yeager. Harry Shearer contributed to the screenplay and plays a small role.
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Woody Allen's gentle and nostalgic tribute to the glory days of radio and coming-of-age during World War II plays like Fellini's Amarcord filtered through Neil Simon. The nominal star is Seth Green as Joe a teenage Jewish boy growing up with a house full of relatives in Brooklyn. Allen cuts between Joe's working class neighborhood of Rockaway Beach Queens and the glittery and glamorous world of radio in Manhattan.
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Woody Allen 's gentle and nostalgic tribute to the glory days of radio and coming - of - age during World War II plays like Fellini 's Amarcord filtered through Neil Simon . The nominal star is Seth Green as Joe , a teenage Jewish boy , growing up with a house full of relatives in Brooklyn. Allen cuts between Joe's working class neighborhood of Rockaway Beach , Queens , and the glittery and glamorous world of radio in Manhattan.
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Herbert Ross directed this adaptation of Woody Allen's hit Broadway play concerning a shy film critic who has trouble with women. Woody Allen plays Allan Felix a writer for Film Quarterly consumed by movies particularly his favorite film of all time Casablanca. At the start of the film Allan's wife Nancy (Susan Anspach) has just left him and is applying for a divorce. Unable to deal with this emotional turmoil Allan seeks solace in the movies he loves imagining Humphrey Bogart (Jerry Lacy) has dropped by his apartment to offer Allan advice on dealing with the ladies ("Dames are simple. I never met one that didn't understand a slap in the mouth or a slug from a forty-five"). Helping Allan meet new women are his good friends Dick (Tony Roberts) and Linda Christie (Diane Keaton). Dick and Linda fix him up with a succession of dates all of which end disastrously because of Allan's nervousness and insecurity. Finally Allan realizes that he has been spending more time with Linda than anyone else and he is becoming attracted to her -- she's the only woman he truly feels comfortable around. Linda proves unexpectedly receptive to Allan's advances since Dick's workaholic ways leave Linda neglected and ignored.
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Herbert Ross directed this adaptation of Woody Allen 's hit Broadway play concerning a shy film critic who has trouble with women. Woody Allen plays Allan Felix , a writer for Film Quarterly consumed by movies , particularly his favorite film of all time , Casablanca . At the start of the film , Allan's wife Nancy ( Susan Anspach ) has just left him and is applying for a divorce. Unable to deal with this emotional turmoil , Allan seeks solace in the movies he loves , imagining Humphrey Bogart ( Jerry Lacy ) has dropped by his apartment to offer Allan advice on dealing with the ladies ( "Dames are simple. I never met one that didn't understand a slap in the mouth or a slug from a forty - five" ) . Helping Allan meet new women are his good friends Dick ( Tony Roberts ) and Linda Christie ( Diane Keaton ) . Dick and Linda fix him up with a succession of dates , all of which end disastrously because of Allan's nervousness and insecurity. Finally , Allan realizes that he has been spending more time with Linda than anyone else and he is becoming attracted to her -- she's the only woman he truly feels comfortable around. Linda proves unexpectedly receptive to Allan's advances , since Dick's workaholic ways leave Linda neglected and ignored.
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Renegade filmmaker and noted aficionado of expressive bad taste John Waters exploded into international infamy with this darkly comic no-budget parade of the perverse (his third feature film and first in color) in which plus-size cross-dresser Divine stars as Babs Johnson a flashy criminal on the lam from the FBI who is hiding out in a trailer outside of Baltimore MD. Accompanying Babs are her mother (Edith Massey) an obese and dim-witted woman who is malignly obsessed with eggs; her degenerate son Crackers (Danny Mills); and Cotton (Mary Vivian Pierce) Babs' duplicitous "traveling companion" and Crackers' co-conspirator in unwholesome erotic play. While Babs would prefer to be left in peace she takes great pride in her status as "the Filthiest Person Alive" (an honor confirmed by one of America's sleazier tabloid newspapers) and when Connie and Raymond Marble (Mink Stole and David Lochary) announce their plans to take the title away from her Babs is not about to stand idly by. The Marbles are a hateful couple who kidnap women force their homosexual manservant Channing (Channing Wilroy) to impregnate them and sell the babies to lesbian couples found unfit for legal adoption; the Marbles then turn the profits back into pornography and narcotics trafficking. Impressive stuff to be sure but Babs is not about to take a back seat to anyone in a battle of filth and when the Marbles throw down the gauntlet Babs and her family retaliate in a no-holds-barred battle to determine who truly are "the Filthiest People Alive." Featuring murder bestiality rape dismemberment coprophagia a dizzying variety of sexual perversions and a performance of "Papa Oom Mow Mow" you will not soon forget Pink Flamingos is nonetheless a comedy and a surprisingly successful one; shot on a budget of only 12000 dollars the film has grossed close to ten million dollars around the world and its success launched John Waters into a career as America's leading authority on poor taste.
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Renegade filmmaker and noted aficionado of expressive bad taste John Waters exploded into international infamy with this darkly comic , no - budget parade of the perverse ( his third feature film , and first in color ), in which plus - size cross - dresser Divine stars as Babs Johnson , a flashy criminal on the lam from the FBI who is hiding out in a trailer outside of Baltimore , MD. Accompanying Babs are her mother ( Edith Massey ), an obese and dim - witted woman who is malignly obsessed with eggs ; her degenerate son , Crackers ( Danny Mills ); and Cotton ( Mary Vivian Pierce ), Babs' duplicitous "traveling companion" and Crackers' co - conspirator in unwholesome erotic play. While Babs would prefer to be left in peace , she takes great pride in her status as "the Filthiest Person Alive" ( an honor confirmed by one of America's sleazier tabloid newspapers ), and when Connie and Raymond Marble ( Mink Stole and David Lochary ) announce their plans to take the title away from her , Babs is not about to stand idly by. The Marbles are a hateful couple who kidnap women , force their homosexual manservant , Channing ( Channing Wilroy ), to impregnate them , and sell the babies to lesbian couples found unfit for legal adoption ; the Marbles then turn the profits back into pornography and narcotics trafficking. Impressive stuff , to be sure , but Babs is not about to take a back seat to anyone in a battle of filth , and when the Marbles throw down the gauntlet , Babs and her family retaliate in a no - holds - barred battle to determine who truly are "the Filthiest People Alive." Featuring murder , bestiality , rape , dismemberment , coprophagia , a dizzying variety of sexual perversions , and a performance of "Papa Oom Mow Mow" you will not soon forget , Pink Flamingos is nonetheless a comedy , and a surprisingly successful one ; shot on a budget of only 12 , 000 dollars , the film has grossed close to ten million dollars around the world , and its success launched John Waters into a career as America's leading authority on poor taste.
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Adapted by Larry Gelbart from the novel by Avery Corman the film stars John Denver as Jerry Landers the assistant manager of a grocery store who is chosen by God (George Burns) to spread the Word to the rest of the world. Not surprisingly Jerry is soon labelled a basket case: even his loving wife Bobbie (Teri Garr) doubts her husband's sanity. But there's enough evidence on Jerry's side for a panel of prominent clerics to demand that the hapless fellow prove in court that he's the agent of God. Donald Pleasence was supposed to have an extended supporting role in the film but the first cut ran too long and Pleasence's dialogue was eliminated -- but not Pleasence himself who retains his prominent billing and is seen doing precisely nothing in several scenes. Netting $30 million on its first run Oh God was followed by two lesser sequels both featuring Burns.
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Adapted by Larry Gelbart from the novel by Avery Corman , the film stars John Denver as Jerry Landers , the assistant manager of a grocery store who is chosen by God ( George Burns ) to spread the Word to the rest of the world. Not surprisingly , Jerry is soon labelled a basket case : even his loving wife Bobbie ( Teri Garr ) doubts her husband's sanity. But there's enough evidence on Jerry's side for a panel of prominent clerics to demand that the hapless fellow prove in court that he's the agent of God. Donald Pleasence was supposed to have an extended supporting role in the film , but the first cut ran too long , and Pleasence 's dialogue was eliminated -- but not Pleasence himself , who retains his prominent billing and is seen doing precisely nothing in several scenes. Netting $30 million on its first run , Oh God was followed by two lesser sequels , both featuring Burns .
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Compulsive neatnik Felix Unger (Jack Lemmon) is thrown out of his house by his divorce-bound wife. He wanders aimlessly through the streets of New York toying with the idea of suicide before gravitating to the apartment of his best friend incorrigibly sloppy sportswriter Oscar Madison (Walter Matthau). Worried that Felix will try something desperate Oscar himself in the process of being divorced by his wife invites Felix to move in with him. Within a few days this mismatched pair is on the verge of mutual murder: Felix cannot abide Oscar's slovenliness while Oscar is driven insane by Felix's obsession with cleanliness. A potentially passionate evening with Oscar's neighbors the "coo-coo" Pigeon sisters (Monica Evans and Carole Shelley) is ruined when Felix ruminating over his wife and children reduces the two ladies to remorseful tears. Pushed to the brink Oscar stalks around the apartment making as big a mess as possible. Comes the next week's poker game and the previously vengeful Oscar is worried that Felix might have attempted to do away with himself again. Instead a surprisingly self-confident Felix shows up to collect his belongings then announces that he's temporarily moving upstairs with the toothsome Pigeon sisters! There's a laugh a second in this faithful movie adaptation of Neil Simon's hit Broadway play. A foolproof comic situation (allegedly based on a chapter in the life of Simon's brother Danny) is kept alive and healthy by some of the funniest dialogue ever written. The Odd Couple was later adapted into a long-running TV sitcom starring Tony Randall and Jack Klugman.
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Compulsive neatnik Felix Unger ( Jack Lemmon ) is thrown out of his house by his divorce - bound wife. He wanders aimlessly through the streets of New York , toying with the idea of suicide , before gravitating to the apartment of his best friend , incorrigibly sloppy sportswriter Oscar Madison ( Walter Matthau ) . Worried that Felix will try something desperate , Oscar , himself in the process of being divorced by his wife , invites Felix to move in with him. Within a few days , this mismatched pair is on the verge of mutual murder : Felix cannot abide Oscar's slovenliness , while Oscar is driven insane by Felix's obsession with cleanliness. A potentially passionate evening with Oscar's neighbors , the "coo - coo" Pigeon sisters ( Monica Evans and Carole Shelley ) is ruined when Felix , ruminating over his wife and children , reduces the two ladies to remorseful tears. Pushed to the brink , Oscar stalks around the apartment making as big a mess as possible. Comes the next week's poker game , and the previously vengeful Oscar is worried that Felix might have attempted to do away with himself again. Instead , a surprisingly self - confident Felix shows up to collect his belongings , then announces that he's temporarily moving upstairs with the toothsome Pigeon sisters! There's a laugh a second in this faithful movie adaptation of Neil Simon 's hit Broadway play. A foolproof comic situation ( allegedly based on a chapter in the life of Simon 's brother Danny ) is kept alive and healthy by some of the funniest dialogue ever written. The Odd Couple was later adapted into a long - running TV sitcom starring Tony Randall and Jack Klugman .
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In Richard Benjamin's directorial debut Mark Linn-Baker stars as Benjy Stone junior writer on the popular 1950s TV comedy/variety series The King Kaiser Show. Kaiser (Joseph Bologna)'s guest star this week is Hollywood matinee idol Alan Swann (Peter O'Toole) a swashbuckling Errol Flynn type right down to his indiscriminate womanizing and fondness for mass quantities of booze. Stone is assigned to keep the actor out of trouble during rehearsals and deliver him sober to the performance. Becoming fast friends Stone and Swann alternate baby-sitting responsibilities: Swann takes the young writer to the Stork Club and on an early-morning jaunt through Central Park with a "borrowed" police horse while Stone takes Swann to his home where the star is fawned over by Benji's mom (Lainie Kazan) and asked embarrassing questions about his love life by Uncle Morty (Lou Jacobi). Despite a few anxious moments all goes well until Swann panicking at the discovery that King Kaiser's show will be telecast live and not on film walks out just before airtime. Shamed by Benjy into honoring his committment Swann makes a spectacular timber-smashing entrance saving the show and rescuing Kaiser from being rubbed out by a gangster (Cameron Mitchell) whom the comedian has offended. The film co-stars Jessica Harper Gloria Stuart and Selma Diamond a real-life comedy writer for Sid Caesar. My Favorite Year was converted into an unsuccessful Broadway musical in the early 1990s.
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In Richard Benjamin 's directorial debut , Mark Linn - Baker stars as Benjy Stone , junior writer on the popular 1950s TV comedy / variety series The King Kaiser Show . Kaiser ( Joseph Bologna ) 's guest star this week is Hollywood matinee idol Alan Swann ( Peter O'Toole ), a swashbuckling Errol Flynn type , right down to his indiscriminate womanizing and fondness for mass quantities of booze. Stone is assigned to keep the actor out of trouble during rehearsals and deliver him sober to the performance. Becoming fast friends , Stone and Swann alternate baby - sitting responsibilities : Swann takes the young writer to the Stork Club and on an early - morning jaunt through Central Park with a "borrowed" police horse , while Stone takes Swann to his home , where the star is fawned over by Benji's mom ( Lainie Kazan ) and asked embarrassing questions about his love life by Uncle Morty ( Lou Jacobi ) . Despite a few anxious moments , all goes well until Swann , panicking at the discovery that King Kaiser's show will be telecast live and not on film , walks out just before airtime. Shamed by Benjy into honoring his committment , Swann makes a spectacular , timber - smashing entrance , saving the show and rescuing Kaiser from being rubbed out by a gangster ( Cameron Mitchell ) whom the comedian has offended. The film co - stars Jessica Harper , Gloria Stuart and Selma Diamond , a real - life comedy writer for Sid Caesar . My Favorite Year was converted into an unsuccessful Broadway musical in the early 1990s.
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The economy of the teeny-tiny European duchy of Grand Fenwick is threatened when an American manufacturer comes up with an imitation of Fenwick's sole export its fabled wine. Crafty prime minister Count Mountjoy (Peter Sellers) comes up with a plan: Grand Fenwick will declare war on the United States. Grand Duchess Gloriana (Peter Sellers again) is hesitant: how can meek little Grand Fenwick win such a conflict? Mountjoy explains that the plan is to lose the war then rely upon American foreign aid to replenish Grand Fenwick's treasury. Bumbling military officer Tully Bascombe (Peter Sellers yet again) leads his country's ragtag army into battle. They cross the Atlantic in an ancient wooden vessel then set foot on Manhattan Island fully prepared to down weapons and surrender. But New York City is deserted due to an air raid drill. While wandering around Sellers comes upon atomic scientist David Kossoff and the scientist's pretty daughter Jean Seberg. Kossoff has been working on the deadly "Q Bomb" a football-sized weapon with the destructive capacity of a hundred hydrogen bombs. Suddenly seized with patriotic fervor Tully captures Kossoff his daughter and the bomb and brings them all back to Grand Fenwick. Tully has "won" the war-precisely what he'd been told not to do. The upshot of this "victory" is that every world power converges upon Grand Fenwick to claim the Q Bomb for themselves. The satire is heavy-handed at times but The Mouse That Roared contains several unforgettably hilarious moments including one startling "false ending." One of the best gags involves the Columbia Pictures logo--a bit frequently cut from TV showings worse luck. Based on one of the many "Grand Fenwick" novels by Leonard Wibberly The Mouse That Roared was a success yielding a Peter Sellers-less sequel 1963's Mouse on the Moon.
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The economy of the teeny - tiny European duchy of Grand Fenwick is threatened when an American manufacturer comes up with an imitation of Fenwick's sole export , its fabled wine. Crafty prime minister Count Mountjoy ( Peter Sellers ) comes up with a plan : Grand Fenwick will declare war on the United States. Grand Duchess Gloriana ( Peter Sellers again ) is hesitant : how can meek little Grand Fenwick win such a conflict? Mountjoy explains that the plan is to lose the war , then rely upon American foreign aid to replenish Grand Fenwick's treasury. Bumbling military officer Tully Bascombe ( Peter Sellers yet again ) leads his country's ragtag army into battle. They cross the Atlantic in an ancient wooden vessel , then set foot on Manhattan Island , fully prepared to down weapons and surrender. But New York City is deserted , due to an air raid drill. While wandering around , Sellers comes upon atomic scientist David Kossoff and the scientist's pretty daughter Jean Seberg . Kossoff has been working on the deadly "Q Bomb , " a football - sized weapon with the destructive capacity of a hundred hydrogen bombs. Suddenly seized with patriotic fervor , Tully captures Kossoff , his daughter and the bomb and brings them all back to Grand Fenwick. Tully has "won" the war - precisely what he'd been told not to do. The upshot of this "victory" is that every world power converges upon Grand Fenwick to claim the Q Bomb for themselves. The satire is heavy - handed at times , but The Mouse That Roared contains several unforgettably hilarious moments , including one startling "false ending." One of the best gags involves the Columbia Pictures logo -- a bit frequently cut from TV showings , worse luck. Based on one of the many "Grand Fenwick" novels by Leonard Wibberly , The Mouse That Roared was a success , yielding a Peter Sellers - less sequel , 1963's Mouse on the Moon .
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The Meaning of Life is without a doubt the most tasteless of the Monty Python feature films; it also happens to be one of the funniest. Life's questions are "answered" in a series of outrageous vignettes beginning with a pre-credits sequence at a staid London insurance company which transforms before our eyes into a pirate ship. One of our favorite bits involve the National Health doctors who try to claim a healthy liver from a still-living donor pointing out that there's nothing in his contract preventing this. And of course there's the scene with the world's most voracious glutton who brings the art of vomiting to new heights before his spectacular demise. Be warned: though hilarious this may be the grossest bit of comedy filmmaking ever conceived (there aren't enough words in the world to describe it in detail!). Loyal Pythonites Graham Chapman John Cleese Terry Gilliam Eric Idle Terry Jones and Michael Palin star in The Meaning of Life and share writing responsibilities while Jones is in the director's chair this time out.
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The Meaning of Life is without a doubt the most tasteless of the Monty Python feature films ; it also happens to be one of the funniest. Life's questions are "answered" in a series of outrageous vignettes , beginning with a pre - credits sequence at a staid London insurance company which transforms before our eyes into a pirate ship. One of our favorite bits involve the National Health doctors who try to claim a healthy liver from a still - living donor , pointing out that there's nothing in his contract preventing this. And of course , there's the scene with the world's most voracious glutton , who brings the art of vomiting to new heights before his spectacular demise. Be warned : though hilarious , this may be the grossest bit of comedy filmmaking ever conceived ( there aren't enough words in the world to describe it in detail! ) . Loyal Pythonites Graham Chapman , John Cleese , Terry Gilliam , Eric Idle , Terry Jones and Michael Palin star in The Meaning of Life and share writing responsibilities , while Jones is in the director's chair this time out.
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There's a real murder and a real mystery in Woody Allen's Manhattan Murder Mystery but these plot pegs are used mainly to allow Allen to explore modern urban relationships. Allen plays a N.Y.C. book editor Larry Lipton married to Carol (Diane Keaton who replaced Mia Farrow at the last minute for reasons well publicized at the time). Carol is a free spirit ever willing to try new experiences but Larry is a wet blanket. When it begins to look like a neighbor has killed his wife Carol is eager to investigate the mystery but Larry thinks her suspicions are nonsensical and doesn't want to leave his apartment. Undaunted Carol finds another "Nick Charles" in the form of family friend Ted (Alan Alda) who joins the investigation and feels attracted to Carol and isn't afraid to let her know. Meanwhile a writer under Larry's aegis (Anjelica Huston) who feels romantically drawn to him also decides to join in the fun. Slightly jealous of Carol in the face of her budding relationship with Ted Larry reluctantly agrees to go along on her clue-hunting expedition -- and it is he who discovers the corpse who as it turns out was killed after Carol started poking around the apartment building.
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There's a real murder and a real mystery in Woody Allen 's Manhattan Murder Mystery , but these plot pegs are used mainly to allow Allen to explore modern urban relationships. Allen plays a N.Y.C. book editor , Larry Lipton , married to Carol ( Diane Keaton , who replaced Mia Farrow at the last minute , for reasons well publicized at the time ) . Carol is a free spirit , ever willing to try new experiences , but Larry is a wet blanket. When it begins to look like a neighbor has killed his wife , Carol is eager to investigate the mystery , but Larry thinks her suspicions are nonsensical and doesn't want to leave his apartment. Undaunted , Carol finds another "Nick Charles" in the form of family friend Ted ( Alan Alda ), who joins the investigation , and feels attracted to Carol and isn't afraid to let her know. Meanwhile , a writer under Larry's aegis ( Anjelica Huston ), who feels romantically drawn to him , also decides to join in the fun. Slightly jealous of Carol in the face of her budding relationship with Ted , Larry reluctantly agrees to go along on her clue - hunting expedition -- and it is he who discovers the corpse , who as it turns out was killed after Carol started poking around the apartment building.
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At the suggestion of a friend Constance (Miou-Miou) places an ad in the paper offering her services as a reader in this romantic comedy drama. Her job leads her to a variety of employers and occasional romantic involvement. Maria Casares plays the widow of an East European general who has Constance read Tolstoy and Marx. Pierre Dux is the local magistrate who prefers to hear the memoirs of the Marquis de Sade. She also has an affair with a harried business executive played by Patrick Chesnais. This film was named the "Best Feature" at the 1988 Montreal World Film Festival.
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At the suggestion of a friend , Constance ( Miou - Miou ) places an ad in the paper offering her services as a reader in this romantic comedy drama. Her job leads her to a variety of employers and occasional romantic involvement. Maria Casares plays the widow of an East European general who has Constance read Tolstoy and Marx . Pierre Dux is the local magistrate who prefers to hear the memoirs of the Marquis de Sade . She also has an affair with a harried business executive played by Patrick Chesnais . This film was named the "Best Feature" at the 1988 Montreal World Film Festival .
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One the best most serious detectives in France (Gérard Depardieu) is teamed up with a luckless stumble-bum (Pierre Richard) and sent off to Central America to search for the klutzy daughter of a powerful magnate in this fast-paced and funny French farce.
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One the best , most serious detectives in France ( Gérard Depardieu ) is teamed up with a luckless stumble - bum ( Pierre Richard ) and sent off to Central America to search for the klutzy daughter of a powerful magnate in this fast - paced and funny French farce.
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An international comedy sensation based on a successful French stage play La Cage aux Folles depicts the farcical chaos that results when a gay man attempts to pose as straight for the benefit of his son's future in-laws. Renato (Ugo Tognazzi) owns a popular nightclub and is the long-time lover of Zaza (Michel Serrault) a female impersonator who is the club's main attraction. Unfortunately Renato's son Laurent (Remy Laurent) has told none of this to his future father-in-law an important figure in a morally conservative political organization. Not wanting to ruin his son's chance of happiness Renato agrees to pose as a straight man but he finds his familiar habits and those of the even more flamboyant Zaza getting in the way at every turn. Zaza is the one who comes up with what he thinks is an ideal solution: he'll dress in drag and pose as Renato's wife. Naturally the plan does not pan out as expected. La Cage aux Folles' pleasant unthreatening comic sensibility attracted a large mainstream audience in both Europe and the United States which was at the time unusual for a film with a homosexual theme. Indeed the film was popular enough to inspire two remakes: a stage musical and nearly two decades later the Hollywood comedy The Birdcage with Robin Williams Nathan Lane and Gene Hackman.
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An international comedy sensation based on a successful French stage play , La Cage aux Folles depicts the farcical chaos that results when a gay man attempts to pose as straight for the benefit of his son's future in - laws. Renato ( Ugo Tognazzi ) owns a popular nightclub and is the long - time lover of Zaza ( Michel Serrault ), a female impersonator who is the club's main attraction. Unfortunately , Renato's son Laurent ( Remy Laurent ) has told none of this to his future father - in - law , an important figure in a morally conservative political organization. Not wanting to ruin his son's chance of happiness , Renato agrees to pose as a straight man , but he finds his familiar habits , and those of the even more flamboyant Zaza , getting in the way at every turn. Zaza is the one who comes up with what he thinks is an ideal solution : he'll dress in drag and pose as Renato's wife. Naturally , the plan does not pan out as expected. La Cage aux Folles ' pleasant , unthreatening comic sensibility attracted a large mainstream audience in both Europe and the United States , which was at the time unusual for a film with a homosexual theme. Indeed , the film was popular enough to inspire two remakes : a stage musical and , nearly two decades later , the Hollywood comedy The Birdcage with Robin Williams , Nathan Lane , and Gene Hackman .
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Martin Scorsese's satirical comedy/drama caustically explores the lengths to which a nobody will go to be as famous as his idol. Practicing his patter in his basement with cardboard cut-outs of his favorite celebrities mediocre aspiring comedian Rupert Pupkin (Robert De Niro) believes that one appearance on the evening talk show of the Johnny Carson-esque Jerry Langford (Jerry Lewis) will be his ticket to stardom. After he helps Jerry escape the advances of amorous fan Masha (Sandra Bernhard) Rupert takes Jerry's patronizing brush-off as a true promise for an audition and begins haunting Jerry's office. Provoked by Masha's needling and a rejection from Jerry's smooth production exec Cathy Long (Shelley Hack) Rupert makes a disastrous trip to Jerry's country house with embarrassed date Rita (Diahnne Abbott) then hatches an even more outlandish scheme to get ahead. With Masha's help Rupert kidnaps Jerry and demands as ransom the TV appearance that he believes will turn his fantasy into reality.
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Martin Scorsese 's satirical comedy / drama caustically explores the lengths to which a nobody will go to be as famous as his idol. Practicing his patter in his basement with cardboard cut - outs of his favorite celebrities , mediocre aspiring comedian Rupert Pupkin ( Robert De Niro ) believes that one appearance on the evening talk show of the Johnny Carson - esque Jerry Langford ( Jerry Lewis ) will be his ticket to stardom. After he helps Jerry escape the advances of amorous fan Masha ( Sandra Bernhard ), Rupert takes Jerry's patronizing brush - off as a true promise for an audition and begins haunting Jerry's office. Provoked by Masha's needling and a rejection from Jerry's smooth production exec Cathy Long ( Shelley Hack ), Rupert makes a disastrous trip to Jerry's country house with embarrassed date Rita ( Diahnne Abbott ), then hatches an even more outlandish scheme to get ahead. With Masha's help , Rupert kidnaps Jerry and demands as ransom the TV appearance that he believes will turn his fantasy into reality.
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Carl Reiner directs Steve Martin (who co-wrote the script with Carl Gottlieb) in this gag-laden comedy about an idiotic white man raised by a poor family of black sharecroppers who doesn't realize he's not black. Navin R. Johnson (Steve Martin) is told the horrible truth when he finds himself instinctively tapping his feet to an easy listening tune on the radio instead of a low-down blues. His mother (Mabel King) tells him he's white and Navin takes to the road (in a World War II bomber helmet and goggles) to start a new life in St. Louis. A filling station owner Harry Hartounian (Jackie Mason) give Navin his first break hiring him to pump gas. One day at the station Navin has a brainstorm concocting an invention called "The Opti-grab" a combination handle and nose-brace for eyeglasses. But Navin runs into trouble when a crazed killer (M. Emmet Walsh) picks out his name at random from the telephone book and tries to kill him. Navin escapes to a traveling carnival where he wrangles a job as the "guess-your-weight" man. At the carnival he discovers his sexual nature thanks to stunt rider and S&M enthusiast Patty Bernstein (Catlin Adams). But Navin meets the beautiful Marie (Bernadette Peters) and he quickly falls in love. In the meantime the "Opti-grab" has taken off and soon Navin is a millionaire.
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Carl Reiner directs Steve Martin ( who co - wrote the script with Carl Gottlieb ) in this gag - laden comedy about an idiotic white man , raised by a poor family of black sharecroppers , who doesn't realize he's not black. Navin R. Johnson ( Steve Martin ) is told the horrible truth when he finds himself instinctively tapping his feet to an easy listening tune on the radio , instead of a low - down blues. His mother ( Mabel King ) tells him he's white and Navin takes to the road ( in a World War II bomber helmet and goggles ) to start a new life in St. Louis. A filling station owner , Harry Hartounian ( Jackie Mason ), give Navin his first break , hiring him to pump gas. One day at the station , Navin has a brainstorm , concocting an invention called "The Opti - grab , " a combination handle and nose - brace for eyeglasses. But Navin runs into trouble when a crazed killer ( M. Emmet Walsh ) picks out his name at random from the telephone book and tries to kill him. Navin escapes to a traveling carnival , where he wrangles a job as the "guess - your - weight" man. At the carnival , he discovers his sexual nature , thanks to stunt rider and S&M enthusiast Patty Bernstein ( Catlin Adams ) . But Navin meets the beautiful Marie ( Bernadette Peters ) and he quickly falls in love. In the meantime , the "Opti - grab" has taken off and soon Navin is a millionaire.
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With this all-star Cinerama epic producer/director Stanley Kramer vowed to make "the comedy that would end all comedies." The story begins during a massive traffic jam caused by reckless driver Smiler Grogan (Jimmy Durante) who before (literally) kicking the bucket cryptically tells the assembled drivers that he's buried a fortune in stolen loot "under the Big W." The various motorists setting out on a mad scramble include a dentist (Sid Caesar) and his wife (Edie Adams); a henpecked husband (Milton Berle) accompanied by his mother-in-law (Ethel Merman) and his beatnik brother-in-law (Dick Shawn); a pair of comedy writers (Buddy Hackett and Mickey Rooney); and a variety of assorted nuts including a slow-wit (Jonathan Winters) a wheeler-dealer (Phil Silvers) and a pair of covetous cabdrivers (Peter Falk and Eddie \"Rochester\" Anderson). Monitoring every move that the fortune hunters make is a scrupulously honest police detective (Spencer Tracy). Virtually every lead supporting and bit part in the picture is filled by a well-known comic actor: the laughspinning lineup also includes Carl Reiner Terry-Thomas Arnold Stang Buster Keaton Jack Benny Jerry Lewis and The Three Stooges who get one of the picture's biggest laughs by standing stock still and uttering not a word. Two prominent comedians are conspicuous by their absence: Groucho Marx refused to appear when Kramer couldn't meet his price while Stan Laurel declined because he felt he was too old-looking to be funny. Available for years in its 154-minute general release version the film was restored to its roadshow length of 175 minutes on home video; the search goes on for a missing Buster Keaton routine reportedly excised on the eve of the picture's premiere.
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With this all - star Cinerama epic , producer / director Stanley Kramer vowed to make "the comedy that would end all comedies." The story begins during a massive traffic jam , caused by reckless driver Smiler Grogan ( Jimmy Durante ), who , before ( literally ) kicking the bucket , cryptically tells the assembled drivers that he's buried a fortune in stolen loot , "under the Big W." The various motorists setting out on a mad scramble include a dentist ( Sid Caesar ) and his wife ( Edie Adams ); a henpecked husband ( Milton Berle ) accompanied by his mother - in - law ( Ethel Merman ) and his beatnik brother - in - law ( Dick Shawn ); a pair of comedy writers ( Buddy Hackett and Mickey Rooney ); and a variety of assorted nuts including a slow - wit ( Jonathan Winters ), a wheeler - dealer ( Phil Silvers ), and a pair of covetous cabdrivers ( Peter Falk and Eddie \ "Rochester \ " Anderson ) . Monitoring every move that the fortune hunters make is a scrupulously honest police detective ( Spencer Tracy ) . Virtually every lead , supporting , and bit part in the picture is filled by a well - known comic actor : the laughspinning lineup also includes Carl Reiner , Terry - Thomas , Arnold Stang , Buster Keaton , Jack Benny , Jerry Lewis , and The Three Stooges , who get one of the picture's biggest laughs by standing stock still and uttering not a word. Two prominent comedians are conspicuous by their absence : Groucho Marx refused to appear when Kramer couldn't meet his price , while Stan Laurel declined because he felt he was too old - looking to be funny. Available for years in its 154 - minute general release version , the film was restored to its roadshow length of 175 minutes on home video ; the search goes on for a missing Buster Keaton routine , reportedly excised on the eve of the picture's premiere.
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One of the few 1960s satires of the hippie culture that doesn't appear to be concocted by grumpy old men I Love You Alice B. Toklas stars Peter Sellers as Harold Fine a staid Jewish attorney. Engaged to the equally straitlaced Joyce (Joyce Van Patten) Harold wistfully dreams of having a more exciting lifestyle. Through a fluke Harold is obliged to drive a station wagon emblazoned with "psychedelic" imagery; it is with this vehicle that he picks up his flower-child brother Herbie (David Arkin) and Herbie's groovy chick Nancy (Leigh Taylor-Young). Rather enjoying the company of people outside of his establishment orbit Harold lets Nancy stay over at her place and she plies him with marijuana-spiked brownies. His inhibitions released by the spiked pastries Harold kicks over the traces grows his hair to shoulder length and embarks upon an affair with Nancy. But when the effects of the brownies wear off Harold suddenly feels like the rather foolish middle-aged man that he is. The beauty of I Love You Alice B. Toklas is that it patronizes neither the hippies nor the Establishment characters; both groups are shown as human beings rather than agit-prop stereotypes.
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One of the few 1960s satires of the hippie culture that doesn't appear to be concocted by grumpy old men , I Love You , Alice B. Toklas stars Peter Sellers as Harold Fine , a staid Jewish attorney. Engaged to the equally straitlaced Joyce ( Joyce Van Patten ), Harold wistfully dreams of having a more exciting lifestyle. Through a fluke , Harold is obliged to drive a station wagon emblazoned with "psychedelic" imagery ; it is with this vehicle that he picks up his flower - child brother Herbie ( David Arkin ), and Herbie's groovy chick Nancy ( Leigh Taylor - Young ) . Rather enjoying the company of people outside of his establishment orbit , Harold lets Nancy stay over at her place , and she plies him with marijuana - spiked brownies. His inhibitions released by the spiked pastries , Harold kicks over the traces , grows his hair to shoulder length , and embarks upon an affair with Nancy. But when the effects of the brownies wear off , Harold suddenly feels like the rather foolish middle - aged man that he is. The beauty of I Love You , Alice B. Toklas is that it patronizes neither the hippies nor the Establishment characters ; both groups are shown as human beings rather than agit - prop stereotypes.
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House Party is an infectious engaging comedy starring the rap duo Kid 'N Play. Kid (Christopher Reid) decides to throw a party where he plans to blow the roof off the joint with his rhyming skills so he and his friend Play (Christopher Martin) throw a huge party while Play's parents are away. The day of the party Kid is grounded by his father (Robin Harris) and he has to sneak out of the house to get to the party where he is confronted by several rival rappers as well as a bevy of adoring girls. Though House Party follows a standard plot-line straight out of the '50s rock & roll films the script is inventive providing many different twists and turns while Reginald Hudlin's direction is assured and very very funny. Kid 'N Play are both terrific but the true standout is legendary comedian Robin Harris in one of his few screen roles. House Party later spawned two sequels and an animated television series.
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House Party is an infectious , engaging comedy starring the rap duo Kid 'N Play . Kid ( Christopher Reid ) decides to throw a party where he plans to blow the roof off the joint with his rhyming skills , so he and his friend Play ( Christopher Martin ) throw a huge party while Play's parents are away. The day of the party , Kid is grounded by his father ( Robin Harris ) and he has to sneak out of the house to get to the party , where he is confronted by several rival rappers , as well as a bevy of adoring girls. Though House Party follows a standard plot - line straight out of the '50s rock & roll films , the script is inventive , providing many different twists and turns , while Reginald Hudlin 's direction is assured and very , very funny. Kid 'N Play are both terrific , but the true standout is legendary comedian Robin Harris in one of his few screen roles. House Party later spawned two sequels and an animated television series.
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In this early film award-winning director Mike Leigh uses a loose open-ended narrative structure to unsettle cinematic expectations and create a truly inventive and very honest film. High Hopes opens with the arrival of Wayne a small-town lad in his twenties in the London metropolis. Completely lost in the hustle and bustle Wayne asks for directions from a cyclist named Cyril. Unable to assist him Cyril brings Wayne to his house to examine a map and meet his long-time girlfriend Shirley also a working-class intellectual. After the opening credits roll Wayne equipped with directions leaves and turns to wave goodbye to the helpful couple. Completely unexpectedly the camera stays with Cyril and Shirley Wayne exits the film as a minor character and the viewer's notions of what to expect from a narrative drama are completely shaken. Throughout High Hopes' seemingly innocuous events turn out to be crucial incidents in the characters' lives. After this abrupt change of direction Cyril and Shirley pay a visit to Cyril's aging mother Mrs. Bender and meet her neighbors the vapid Boothe-Braines. In a parallel story we meet Cyril's high-strung sister Valerie who perpetually neglects her mother as she herself is neglected by her wandering husband Martin. The remainder of the film explores the dull unfulfilled lives of the middle class and the wasteful and purposeless lives of the upper-middle class (the Boothe-Braines) and Cyril and Shirley's struggle to decide if they should bring a child into this mess of a world. As with his other films Leigh did not work from a script in filming High Hopes relying instead on the actors' improvisations which contribute to the lyrical open-ended quality of the narrative.
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In this early film , award - winning director Mike Leigh uses a loose , open - ended narrative structure to unsettle cinematic expectations and create a truly inventive and very honest film. High Hopes opens with the arrival of Wayne , a small - town lad in his twenties , in the London metropolis. Completely lost in the hustle and bustle , Wayne asks for directions from a cyclist named Cyril. Unable to assist him , Cyril brings Wayne to his house to examine a map and meet his long - time girlfriend , Shirley , also a working - class intellectual. After the opening credits roll , Wayne , equipped with directions , leaves and turns to wave goodbye to the helpful couple. Completely unexpectedly the camera stays with Cyril and Shirley , Wayne exits the film as a minor character , and the viewer's notions of what to expect from a narrative drama are completely shaken. Throughout , High Hopes ' seemingly innocuous events turn out to be crucial incidents in the characters' lives. After this abrupt change of direction , Cyril and Shirley pay a visit to Cyril's aging mother , Mrs. Bender , and meet her neighbors , the vapid Boothe - Braines. In a parallel story , we meet Cyril's high - strung sister , Valerie , who perpetually neglects her mother as she herself is neglected by her wandering husband , Martin. The remainder of the film explores the dull , unfulfilled lives of the middle class and the wasteful and purposeless lives of the upper - middle class ( the Boothe - Braines ), and Cyril and Shirley's struggle to decide if they should bring a child into this mess of a world. As with his other films , Leigh did not work from a script in filming High Hopes , relying instead on the actors' improvisations which contribute to the lyrical , open - ended quality of the narrative.
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rian De Palma takes on late 1960s media culture in his followup to Greetings (1968). Seeking a place in New York life one way or another Vietnam vet John Rubin (Robert De Niro) moves into a Greenwich Village dive with hopes of becoming a director for porn king Joe Banner (Allen Garfield). Rubin sells Banner on his idea to make "Peep Art" by filming the racy action in the building windows across from his apartment. He plans to seduce talky window denizen Judy (Jennifer Salt) to get the film he wants; but when that plan fails John trades his camera for a TV and joins a radical theater troupe for their performance piece "Be Black Baby." Inspired by the radicals John decides to make his own violent political statement -- or does he just want to be on TV? Mixing long passages of the TV-framed "Be Black Baby" with John's misadventures in Manhattan the film sends up political extremism liberal guilt and the Chicago 1968 protestors' mantra that "the whole world is watching" as it all becomes one big staged performance for the cameras.
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Brian De Palma takes on late 1960s media culture in his followup to Greetings ( 1968 ) . Seeking a place in New York life one way or another , Vietnam vet John Rubin ( Robert De Niro ) moves into a Greenwich Village dive , with hopes of becoming a director for porn king Joe Banner ( Allen Garfield ) . Rubin sells Banner on his idea to make "Peep Art" by filming the racy action in the building windows across from his apartment. He plans to seduce talky window denizen Judy ( Jennifer Salt ) to get the film he wants ; but when that plan fails , John trades his camera for a TV and joins a radical theater troupe for their performance piece , "Be Black Baby." Inspired by the radicals , John decides to make his own violent political statement -- or does he just want to be on TV? Mixing long passages of the TV - framed "Be Black Baby" with John's misadventures in Manhattan , the film sends up political extremism , liberal guilt , and the Chicago 1968 protestors' mantra that "the whole world is watching , " as it all becomes one big staged performance for the cameras.
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In Elaine May's second directorial outing Charles Grodin stars as Lenny a slick salesman who while honeymooning with his new bride Lila (Jeannie Berlin May's daughter) begins to have second thoughts about his marriage. Once Lenny spots the gorgeous Kelly (Cybill Shepherd) he is lost forever. Legally divesting himself of poor Lila he follows Kelly to her upper-middle-class home where he runs into the formidable opposition of her father (Eddie Albert) who states bluntly that he'd rather be dragged from a horse by his tongue than allow Lenny to become his son-in-law. The picture received critical kudos for Neil Simon's adroit screenplay May's knowing direction and Grodin's on-target performance.
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In Elaine May 's second directorial outing , Charles Grodin stars as Lenny , a slick salesman who , while honeymooning with his new bride , Lila ( Jeannie Berlin , May 's daughter ), begins to have second thoughts about his marriage. Once Lenny spots the gorgeous Kelly ( Cybill Shepherd ), he is lost forever. Legally divesting himself of poor Lila , he follows Kelly to her upper - middle - class home , where he runs into the formidable opposition of her father ( Eddie Albert ), who states bluntly that he'd rather be dragged from a horse by his tongue than allow Lenny to become his son - in - law. The picture received critical kudos for Neil Simon 's adroit screenplay , May 's knowing direction , and Grodin 's on - target performance.
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Marsha Mason is known as "The Goodbye Girl" because of all the live-in boyfriends who have said ta-ta to her in the past few years. A former Broadway chorus dancer the divorced Mason lives in the Manhattan apartment of her latest lost love with her daughter Quinn Cummings. Enter arrogant actor Richard Dreyfuss who has subleased the apartment from Mason's former boyfriend and moves in bag and baggage in the middle of the night. Dreyfuss and Mason spend the next few weeks getting in each other's way and fighting like cats and dogs. The wind is taken out of Dreyfuss' sails when he opens in a production of Richard III which has been sabotaged by the director (Paul Benjamin) who insists that Dreyfuss portrays Richard as a hip-swinging homosexual. The play closes after one performance and the once-overconfident Dreyfuss goes on a self-pitying drunken binge. Touched by his vulnerability Mason begins falling in love with Dreyfuss despite her lousy track record with men. Richard Dreyfuss became the youngest ever "Best Actor" Oscar winner as a result of his performance.
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Marsha Mason is known as "The Goodbye Girl" because of all the live - in boyfriends who have said ta - ta to her in the past few years. A former Broadway chorus dancer , the divorced Mason lives in the Manhattan apartment of her latest lost love with her daughter Quinn Cummings . Enter arrogant actor Richard Dreyfuss , who has subleased the apartment from Mason 's former boyfriend and moves in bag and baggage in the middle of the night. Dreyfuss and Mason spend the next few weeks getting in each other's way and fighting like cats and dogs. The wind is taken out of Dreyfuss ' sails when he opens in a production of Richard III , which has been sabotaged by the director ( Paul Benjamin ), who insists that Dreyfuss portrays Richard as a hip - swinging homosexual. The play closes after one performance , and the once - overconfident Dreyfuss goes on a self - pitying drunken binge. Touched by his vulnerability , Mason begins falling in love with Dreyfuss despite her lousy track record with men. Richard Dreyfuss became the youngest ever "Best Actor" Oscar winner as a result of his performance.
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Kalahari bushman Xi (played by genuine bushman N!xau) is as surprised as the rest of his tibe when a Coke bottle thrown from a passing plane lands in the middle of their village. This "gift from the gods" proves to be a mixed blessing when the tribesmen fight over it and eventually use it for a weapon. To keep peace in the village Xi is assigned to take the bottle to "the end of the earth" (actually a lush valley) and throw it back to the gods. Meanwhile back in urbanized South Africa Kate Thompson (Sandra Prinsloo) leaves her office job in the city to take a job teaching Kalahari children; once in the wilderness she finds herself constantly bumping into clumsy microbiologist Andrew Steyn (Marius Weyers). And meanwhile maniacal Sam Boga (Louw Verwey) is leading a military coup against the government. How do all these various and wildly divergent characters fit together? You'll have to see The Gods Must be Crazy yourself--if you haven't seen it already. This Botswanian comedy/melodrama was directed by Jamie Uys who had helmed dozens of films before Gods and would make many more afterwards. Originally slated for limited domestic distribution in 1982 Gods Must Be Crazy was picked up for American consumption by 20th Century-Fox in 1984. Within a few weeks "word of mouth" transformed Gods into the biggest foreign boxoffice hit ever released in the U.S. The 1989 sequel didn't do quite as well indicating that perhaps the bloom was off the rose for N!xau and his confreres.
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Kalahari bushman Xi ( played by genuine bushman N!xau ) is as surprised as the rest of his tibe when a Coke bottle , thrown from a passing plane , lands in the middle of their village. This "gift from the gods" proves to be a mixed blessing when the tribesmen fight over it and eventually use it for a weapon. To keep peace in the village , Xi is assigned to take the bottle to "the end of the earth" ( actually a lush valley ) and throw it back to the gods. Meanwhile , back in urbanized South Africa , Kate Thompson ( Sandra Prinsloo ) leaves her office job in the city to take a job teaching Kalahari children ; once in the wilderness , she finds herself constantly bumping into clumsy microbiologist Andrew Steyn ( Marius Weyers ) . And meanwhile , maniacal Sam Boga ( Louw Verwey ) is leading a military coup against the government. How do all these various and wildly divergent characters fit together? You'll have to see The Gods Must be Crazy yourself -- if you haven't seen it already. This Botswanian comedy / melodrama was directed by Jamie Uys , who had helmed dozens of films before Gods and would make many more afterwards. Originally slated for limited domestic distribution in 1982 , Gods Must Be Crazy was picked up for American consumption by 20th Century - Fox in 1984. Within a few weeks , "word of mouth" transformed Gods into the biggest foreign boxoffice hit ever released in the U.S. The 1989 sequel didn't do quite as well , indicating that perhaps the bloom was off the rose for N!xau and his confreres.
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The lightly mocking title Get Out Your Handkerchiefs (Préparez Vos Mouchoirs) sets the tone for this Bertrand Blier-directed amalgam of the sentimental and sardonic. Gérard Depardieu plays an at-wit's-end husband Raoul who'll go to any lengths to sexually satisfy his wife Solange (Carole Laure). Raoul decides that the best thing to cure Solange's boredom would be if she took a lover; thus he chooses Stéphane (Patrick Dewaere) for the "job." But Stéphane isn't any more successful in arousing Solange than her husband had been. Eventually it is a 13-year-old boy who quenches Solange's erotic yearnings. Get Out Your Handkerchiefs won a Best Foreign Language Film Oscar as well as a French César award for Best Score (by Georges Delerue).
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The lightly mocking title Get Out Your Handkerchiefs ( Préparez Vos Mouchoirs ) sets the tone for this Bertrand Blier - directed amalgam of the sentimental and sardonic. Gérard Depardieu plays an at - wit's - end husband , Raoul , who'll go to any lengths to sexually satisfy his wife , Solange ( Carole Laure ) . Raoul decides that the best thing to cure Solange's boredom would be if she took a lover ; thus , he chooses Stéphane ( Patrick Dewaere ) for the "job." But Stéphane isn't any more successful in arousing Solange than her husband had been. Eventually , it is a 13 - year - old boy who quenches Solange's erotic yearnings. Get Out Your Handkerchiefs won a Best Foreign Language Film Oscar as well as a French César award for Best Score ( by Georges Delerue ) .
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In A Fish Called Wanda Jamie Lee Curtis plays an ambitious con artist who uses every ounce of her sexual wiles to obtain a fortune in jewels stolen by her gangster lover Tom Georgeson. First she romances Georgeson's dimwitted but deadly henchman Kevin Kline (who won an Academy Award for his performance). Then to clear the path for her getaway with Kline Jamie woos Georgeson's starched-shirt attorney John Cleese -- and it's Cleese whom she genuinely falls in love with. Michael Palin Cleese's former Monty Python cohort plays a stuttering mob flunkey who continually messes up his one big assignment: killing a little old lady (it isn't that he has any qualms about knocking off the old dear; it's just that her pet dogs keep getting in the way). A Fish Called Wanda was scripted by star John Cleese.
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In A Fish Called Wanda , Jamie Lee Curtis plays an ambitious con artist who uses every ounce of her sexual wiles to obtain a fortune in jewels stolen by her gangster lover Tom Georgeson. First , she romances Georgeson's dimwitted but deadly henchman Kevin Kline ( who won an Academy Award for his performance ) . Then , to clear the path for her getaway with Kline , Jamie woos Georgeson's starched - shirt attorney , John Cleese -- and it's Cleese whom she genuinely falls in love with. Michael Palin , Cleese's former Monty Python cohort , plays a stuttering mob flunkey who continually messes up his one big assignment : killing a little old lady ( it isn't that he has any qualms about knocking off the old dear ; it's just that her pet dogs keep getting in the way ) . A Fish Called Wanda was scripted by star John Cleese .
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Down and Out in Beverly Hills is an updated remake of the 1932 Jean Renoir film Boudu Saved From Drowning. Philandering businessman Dave Whiteman (Richard Dreyfuss) rescues scraggly tramp Jerry Baskin (Nick Nolte) from drowning himself in Dave's swimming pool. Much against his will Jerry is invited to enjoy the hospitality of Dave his social-climbing wife Barbara (Bette Midler) and their sexually ambivalent son Max (Evan Richards). The hapless hobo bonds only with the family dog Matisse which fascinates Barbara to the point that she's willing to share her bed (and a few other things) with him. Dave is twice cuckolded when Jerry makes out with the maid (Elizabeth Peña) with whom he has been carrying on a torrid -- and noisy -- affair. He plans to wreak revenge on the tramp but several plot twists result in Dave and Jerry becoming bosom companions. Little Richard appears as the family's easily irritated next-door neighbor. Down and Out in Beverly Hills was the R-rated film that compelled Disney to create its adult-oriented Touchstone Films division. The property was later cleaned up for TV consumption and converted into a short-lived Fox-network sitcom.
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Down and Out in Beverly Hills is an updated remake of the 1932 Jean Renoir film Boudu Saved From Drowning . Philandering businessman Dave Whiteman ( Richard Dreyfuss ) rescues scraggly tramp Jerry Baskin ( Nick Nolte ) from drowning himself in Dave's swimming pool. Much against his will , Jerry is invited to enjoy the hospitality of Dave , his social - climbing wife , Barbara ( Bette Midler ), and their sexually ambivalent son , Max ( Evan Richards ) . The hapless hobo bonds only with the family dog , Matisse , which fascinates Barbara to the point that she's willing to share her bed ( and a few other things ) with him. Dave is twice cuckolded when Jerry makes out with the maid ( Elizabeth Peña ), with whom he has been carrying on a torrid -- and noisy -- affair. He plans to wreak revenge on the tramp , but several plot twists result in Dave and Jerry becoming bosom companions. Little Richard appears as the family's easily irritated next - door neighbor. Down and Out in Beverly Hills was the R - rated film that compelled Disney to create its adult - oriented Touchstone Films division. The property was later cleaned up for TV consumption and converted into a short - lived Fox - network sitcom.
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Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is a remake of the 1964 film farce Bedtime Story. Steve Martin and Michael Caine take over the roles originally played by Marlon Brando and David Niven: two international con artists plying their trade on gullible wealthy women up and down the Riviera. Martin and Caine vie over the honor of fleecing ingenuous heiress Glenne Headly (in a role originated by Shirley Jones).
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Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is a remake of the 1964 film farce Bedtime Story . Steve Martin and Michael Caine take over the roles originally played by Marlon Brando and David Niven : two international con artists , plying their trade on gullible wealthy women up and down the Riviera. Martin and Caine vie over the honor of fleecing ingenuous heiress Glenne Headly ( in a role originated by Shirley Jones ) .
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A post-apocalyptic future becomes the setting for pitch black humor in this visually intricate French comedy. The action takes place within a single apartment complex which is owned by the same man that operates the downstairs butcher shop. It's a particularly popular place to live thanks to the butcher's uncanny ability to find excellent cuts of meat despite the horrible living conditions outside. The newest building superintendent a former circus clown thinks he has found an ideal living situation. All that changes however when he discovers the true source of the butcher's meat and that he may be the next main course. This dark tale is played out in a brilliantly designed glorious surreal alternate world reminiscent of the works of director Terry Gilliam who co-presented the film's American release. Like Gilliam co-directors Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro hail from an animation background and have a fondness for extravagant visuals absurdist plot twists and a sense of humor that combines sharp satire with broad slapstick and gross-out imagery. This mixture may displease the weak of stomach but those attuned to the film's sensibility will be delighted by the obvious technical virtuosity and wicked sense of humor.
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A post - apocalyptic future becomes the setting for pitch black humor in this visually intricate French comedy. The action takes place within a single apartment complex , which is owned by the same man that operates the downstairs butcher shop. It's a particularly popular place to live , thanks to the butcher's uncanny ability to find excellent cuts of meat despite the horrible living conditions outside. The newest building superintendent , a former circus clown , thinks he has found an ideal living situation. All that changes , however , when he discovers the true source of the butcher's meat , and that he may be the next main course. This dark tale is played out in a brilliantly designed , glorious surreal alternate world reminiscent of the works of director Terry Gilliam , who co - presented the film's American release. Like Gilliam , co - directors Jean - Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro hail from an animation background , and have a fondness for extravagant visuals , absurdist plot twists , and a sense of humor that combines sharp satire with broad slapstick and gross - out imagery. This mixture may displease the weak of stomach , but those attuned to the film's sensibility will be delighted by the obvious technical virtuosity and wicked sense of humor.
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The ghost of Frank Capra must have smiled when he saw Dave an amusing and effective update of one of Capra's favorite themes -- the scrupulously honest little guy who becomes a force for good against a corrupt system. Dave Kovic (Kevin Kline) runs an employment agency and seems to genuinely enjoy finding work for people who need it. He also bears a striking resemblance to the president of the United States Bill Mitchell (also played by Kline) and occasionally gets work as a Bill Mitchell impersonator. One day Dave gets a call from the Secret Service -- for security purposes they want to hire him to act as a decoy for an upcoming appearance by the president. All goes well but later that evening President Mitchell suffers a massive stroke while in bed with his mistress. Wanting to keep the matter a secret two of the president's top advisors appeal to Dave to stand in as Bill Mitchell until he regains his health. One of the men behind this scheme Bob Alexander (Frank Langella) hopes to use Mitchell's absence to promote his own right-wing political agenda but after a few weeks "in office" Dave decides it's time to promote some changes of his own that will help increase employment and keep homeless shelters open. Dave also finds himself growing fond of Ellen Mitchell (Sigourney Weaver) the President's wife while Ellen sees in Dave the idealism her husband left behind years ago. Dave features numerous cameo appearances by politicians Washington insiders and journalists; Oliver Stone also appears to explain a conspiracy theory regarding sudden changes in Bill Mitchell's behavior.
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The ghost of Frank Capra must have smiled when he saw Dave , an amusing and effective update of one of Capra's favorite themes -- the scrupulously honest little guy who becomes a force for good against a corrupt system. Dave Kovic ( Kevin Kline ) runs an employment agency and seems to genuinely enjoy finding work for people who need it. He also bears a striking resemblance to the president of the United States , Bill Mitchell ( also played by Kline ) and occasionally gets work as a Bill Mitchell impersonator. One day , Dave gets a call from the Secret Service -- for security purposes , they want to hire him to act as a decoy for an upcoming appearance by the president. All goes well , but later that evening President Mitchell suffers a massive stroke while in bed with his mistress. Wanting to keep the matter a secret , two of the president's top advisors appeal to Dave to stand in as Bill Mitchell until he regains his health. One of the men behind this scheme , Bob Alexander ( Frank Langella ), hopes to use Mitchell's absence to promote his own right - wing political agenda , but after a few weeks "in office , " Dave decides it's time to promote some changes of his own that will help increase employment and keep homeless shelters open. Dave also finds himself growing fond of Ellen Mitchell ( Sigourney Weaver ), the President's wife , while Ellen sees in Dave the idealism her husband left behind years ago. Dave features numerous cameo appearances by politicians , Washington insiders , and journalists ; Oliver Stone also appears to explain a conspiracy theory regarding sudden changes in Bill Mitchell's behavior.
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Can an independent contemporary woman find happiness with a guy who sells pickles? Isabelle Grossman (Amy Irving) is an attractive intelligent Jewish woman in her early 30s. She has a good job and a nice apartment on the Upper West Side and she values her independence; she often visits her grandmother Bubbie (Reiz Bozyk) who lives on the Lower East Side and wants Isabelle to meet a nice Jewish man and settle down. Bubbie goes so far as to obtain the services of Hannah Mandelbaum (Sylvia Miles) a matchmaker who finds the "perfect" man for Isabelle: a pickle salesman named Sam Posner (Peter Riegert). Isabelle thinks Sam is a nice enough guy but she has a hard time imagining herself spending her life with the pickle man and she isn't sure if she wants to pursue the relationship. However Sam is taken with Isabelle and goes out of his way to change her mind. Crossing Delancy was directed by Joan Micklin Silver whose breakthrough film Hester Street also examined Jewish culture on the Lower East Side albeit from the vantage point of the 1890s.
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Can an independent , contemporary woman find happiness with a guy who sells pickles? Isabelle Grossman ( Amy Irving ) is an attractive , intelligent Jewish woman in her early 30s. She has a good job and a nice apartment on the Upper West Side , and she values her independence ; she often visits her grandmother Bubbie ( Reiz Bozyk ), who lives on the Lower East Side and wants Isabelle to meet a nice Jewish man and settle down. Bubbie goes so far as to obtain the services of Hannah Mandelbaum ( Sylvia Miles ), a matchmaker who finds the "perfect" man for Isabelle : a pickle salesman named Sam Posner ( Peter Riegert ) . Isabelle thinks Sam is a nice enough guy , but she has a hard time imagining herself spending her life with the pickle man , and she isn't sure if she wants to pursue the relationship. However , Sam is taken with Isabelle and goes out of his way to change her mind. Crossing Delancy was directed by Joan Micklin Silver , whose breakthrough film Hester Street also examined Jewish culture on the Lower East Side , albeit from the vantage point of the 1890s.
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uffet Froid is an absurd black comedy that cunningly reverses the conventions of the crime thriller to comment on the alienating and dehumanizing effects of contemporary urban life. It starts with Alphonse Tram (Gérard Depardieu) discovering that his casual subway acquaintance (Michel Serrault) is lying down with Alphonse's penknife sticking out of his belly. When he tries to report the crime to his neighbor a police inspector (Bernard Blier) the latter refuses to listen saying that he is not at work now. Later Alphonse's wife is killed and her hapless murderer (Jean Carmet) almost immediately confesses to Alphonse but neither the husband nor the police inspector seem to be shocked. The three embark on a series of adventures and bizarre encounters in modern Paris.
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Buffet Froid is an absurd black comedy that cunningly reverses the conventions of the crime thriller to comment on the alienating and dehumanizing effects of contemporary urban life. It starts with Alphonse Tram ( Gérard Depardieu ) discovering that his casual subway acquaintance ( Michel Serrault ) is lying down with Alphonse's penknife sticking out of his belly. When he tries to report the crime to his neighbor , a police inspector ( Bernard Blier ), the latter refuses to listen , saying that he is not at work now. Later , Alphonse's wife is killed , and her hapless murderer ( Jean Carmet ) almost immediately confesses to Alphonse , but neither the husband nor the police inspector seem to be shocked. The three embark on a series of adventures and bizarre encounters in modern Paris.
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In the tradition of This Is Spinal Tap producer/ director/ star Tim Robbins' Bob Roberts is a satire disguised as a documentary. Robbins plays the titular Roberts a wealthy well-connected young man running for a senatorial seat in Pennsylvania. On the surface Roberts is an ingratiating glad-hander a sincere believer in the restoration of such intangibles as national pride family values etc. But the longer Roberts is followed about by documentary filmmaker Brian Murray the more we become aware that the candidate is a textbook case of cynicism and contempt. Only Giancarlo Esposito a reporter for an underground newspaper is willing to dig beneath Roberts' veneer--a habit that leads to the film's ironic conclusion. Several well-known actors make cameo appearances as TV commentators notably Tim Robbins' longtime partner Susan Sarandon. Bob Roberts started out as a Tim Robbins-directed short subject for the TV series Saturday Night Live then was expanded into a $4 million feature.
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In the tradition of This Is Spinal Tap , producer / director / star Tim Robbins ' Bob Roberts is a satire disguised as a documentary. Robbins plays the titular Roberts , a wealthy , well - connected young man running for a senatorial seat in Pennsylvania. On the surface , Roberts is an ingratiating glad - hander , a sincere believer in the restoration of such intangibles as national pride , family values , etc. But the longer Roberts is followed about by documentary filmmaker Brian Murray , the more we become aware that the candidate is a textbook case of cynicism and contempt. Only Giancarlo Esposito , a reporter for an underground newspaper , is willing to dig beneath Roberts' veneer -- a habit that leads to the film's ironic conclusion. Several well - known actors make cameo appearances as TV commentators , notably Tim Robbins ' longtime partner Susan Sarandon . Bob Roberts started out as a Tim Robbins - directed short subject for the TV series Saturday Night Live , then was expanded into a $4 million feature.
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Some critics carped that the star of Bill Cosby Himself delivered his nearly two-hour monologue while sitting down. "Look how lazy Cos has gotten!" went the complaint. Well we can tell you that Cosby exudes more energy and charisma from a seated position than most younger comics do while jumping around the room. As an appreciative audience roars with laughter Cosby holds court on any number of subjects ranging from childbirth to his views on substance abuse. Bill Cosby Himself isn't really a movie but fans of Cosby (both casual and fervent) will be thoroughly satisfied.
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Some critics carped that the star of Bill Cosby , Himself delivered his nearly two - hour monologue while sitting down. "Look how lazy Cos has gotten!" went the complaint. Well , we can tell you that Cosby exudes more energy and charisma from a seated position than most younger comics do while jumping around the room. As an appreciative audience roars with laughter , Cosby holds court on any number of subjects , ranging from childbirth , to his views on substance abuse. Bill Cosby , Himself isn't really a movie , but fans of Cosby ( both casual and fervent ) will be thoroughly satisfied.
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One of Woody Allen's earlier more slapstick-oriented efforts Bananas tells the story of Fielding Mellish (Allen) a neurotic New Yorker who follows the object of his affections Nancy (Louise Lasser) to the fictional Central American country of San Marcos where she is involved in a revolution. Nancy wants nothing to do with Fielding but he soon becomes a guest of the country's dictator (Carlos Montalban) before accidentally becoming the leader of San Marcos himself. Fielding is eventually shipped back to the US and tried as a subversive but being that this is a comedy and an especially light one at that everything works out in the end. A far cry from Allen's later more somber films Bananas still works as an often hilarious amalgam of sight gags one-liners and bizarre asides.
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One of Woody Allen 's earlier , more slapstick - oriented efforts , Bananas tells the story of Fielding Mellish ( Allen ), a neurotic New Yorker who follows the object of his affections , Nancy ( Louise Lasser ), to the fictional Central American country of San Marcos , where she is involved in a revolution. Nancy wants nothing to do with Fielding , but he soon becomes a guest of the country's dictator ( Carlos Montalban ), before accidentally becoming the leader of San Marcos himself. Fielding is eventually shipped back to the US and tried as a subversive , but being that this is a comedy , and an especially light one at that , everything works out in the end. A far cry from Allen's later , more somber films , Bananas still works as an often hilarious amalgam of sight gags , one - liners , and bizarre asides.
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The success this underdog comedy from director Michael Ritchie almost single-handedly spawned the kids' sports film boom of the 1980s and '90s. When beer-breathed ex-minor-league ball player and professional pool cleaner Morris Buttermaker (Walter Matthau) agrees to coach a little league team in the San Fernando Valley he soon finds he's in over his head having inherited an assortment of pint-sized peons and talentless losers. They play well-organized teams and lose by tremendous margins and the parents threaten to disband the Bears to save the kids (and themselves) any further embarrassment. Buttermaker refuses though and brings in a pair of ringers: Amanda (Tatum O'Neal) his ex-girlfriend's tomboy daughter and Kelly (Jackie Earle Haley) a cigarette-smoking delinquent who happens to be a gifted athlete. With their help the Bears manage to change their losing ways and qualify for the championship where they face their arch-rivals the Yankees.
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The success this underdog comedy from director Michael Ritchie almost single - handedly spawned the kids' sports film boom of the 1980s and '90s. When beer - breathed ex - minor - league ball player and professional pool cleaner Morris Buttermaker ( Walter Matthau ) agrees to coach a little league team in the San Fernando Valley , he soon finds he's in over his head , having inherited an assortment of pint - sized peons and talentless losers. They play well - organized teams and lose by tremendous margins , and the parents threaten to disband the Bears to save the kids ( and themselves ) any further embarrassment. Buttermaker refuses , though , and brings in a pair of ringers : Amanda ( Tatum O'Neal ), his ex - girlfriend's tomboy daughter , and Kelly ( Jackie Earle Haley ), a cigarette - smoking delinquent who happens to be a gifted athlete. With their help , the Bears manage to change their losing ways and qualify for the championship , where they face their arch - rivals , the Yankees.
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A group of wanna-be filmmakers and actors concocts a scheme to make a movie with a major star without having to pay him in this comedy. Bobby Bowfinger (Steve Martin) has struggled for years to make it in Hollywood with no real success; he's convinced that he has to make his big break soon or it will be too late. Bobby has a script and he has a cast including an ingenue straight off the bus from Ohio (Heather Graham) a one-time regional stage star who fondly recalls her brief moment of glory (Christine Baranski) and a hunky aspiring matinee idol (Kohl Sudduth). He also has a young associate named Dave (Jamie Kennedy) who has a low-level job at a movie studio as a gofer -- which means that he has keys to every part of the lot and can "borrow" whatever they need. All they need is a star but without any money how do they get one? Kit Ramsey (Eddie Murphy) is a leading action star and he is obviously beyond Bowfinger's budget. But Bobby has an idea: what if he tricked Kit into appearing in the film without his knowing it? Steve Martin also wrote the film's screenplay and former Muppets performer Frank Oz directs.
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A group of wanna - be filmmakers and actors concocts a scheme to make a movie with a major star without having to pay him in this comedy. Bobby Bowfinger ( Steve Martin ) has struggled for years to make it in Hollywood with no real success ; he's convinced that he has to make his big break soon or it will be too late. Bobby has a script , and he has a cast , including an ingenue straight off the bus from Ohio ( Heather Graham ), a one - time regional stage star who fondly recalls her brief moment of glory ( Christine Baranski ), and a hunky aspiring matinee idol ( Kohl Sudduth ) . He also has a young associate named Dave ( Jamie Kennedy ), who has a low - level job at a movie studio as a gofer -- which means that he has keys to every part of the lot and can "borrow" whatever they need. All they need is a star , but without any money , how do they get one? Kit Ramsey ( Eddie Murphy ) is a leading action star , and he is obviously beyond Bowfinger's budget. But Bobby has an idea : what if he tricked Kit into appearing in the film without his knowing it? Steve Martin also wrote the film's screenplay , and former Muppets performer Frank Oz directs.
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It's said that most American men think about sex once every two or three minutes but this statistic would seriously underestimate the horniness of Jim (Jason Biggs) a high school senior in suburban Michigan. Jim is thoroughly obsessed with sex a fact of which his parents become aware when they discover him performing the sin of Onan with a gym sock while watching scrambled pay-per-view porn. Jim's buddies Kevin (Thomas Ian Nicholas) Finch (Eddie Kaye Thomas) and Oz (Chris Klein) are no less anxious to relieve themselves of their virginity so they all make a pledge: they will go to bed with a woman in the three weeks before senior prom or die trying. Kevin appears to have the advantage since he already has a girlfriend Vicky (Tara Reid) but before he ventures into the Final Frontier Kevin is urged to consult "The Bible" a hand-written how-to manual possessing erotic wisdom passed down through the ages. Oz is a good-looking jock who is actually a nice guy -- which is part of the problem since he has his heart set on a nice girl Heather (Mena Suvari) who does not seem the type to leap into bed within 21 days. Finch has no immediate prospects though Jessica (Natasha Lyonne) is in a position to know if those rumors about him are true. And Jim is a truly hopeless case -- after his attempted seduction of beautiful Czech exchange student Nadia (Shannon Elizabeth) turns out to be a disaster he ends up going to the prom with Michelle (Alyson Hannigan) an annoyingly chatty band geek who does however have a fascinating story about a flute. American Pie was the directorial debut of Paul Weitz who along with his brother Chris Weitz (who served as producer) previously wrote several screenplays including Antz and Madeline (where they presumably worked all their wholesome ideas out of their system).
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It's said that most American men think about sex once every two or three minutes , but this statistic would seriously underestimate the horniness of Jim ( Jason Biggs ), a high school senior in suburban Michigan. Jim is thoroughly obsessed with sex , a fact of which his parents become aware when they discover him performing the sin of Onan with a gym sock while watching scrambled pay - per - view porn. Jim's buddies Kevin ( Thomas Ian Nicholas ), Finch ( Eddie Kaye Thomas ), and Oz ( Chris Klein ) are no less anxious to relieve themselves of their virginity , so they all make a pledge : they will go to bed with a woman in the three weeks before senior prom or die trying. Kevin appears to have the advantage , since he already has a girlfriend , Vicky ( Tara Reid ), but before he ventures into the Final Frontier , Kevin is urged to consult "The Bible , " a hand - written how - to manual possessing erotic wisdom passed down through the ages. Oz is a good - looking jock who is actually a nice guy -- which is part of the problem , since he has his heart set on a nice girl , Heather ( Mena Suvari ), who does not seem the type to leap into bed within 21 days. Finch has no immediate prospects , though Jessica ( Natasha Lyonne ) is in a position to know if those rumors about him are true. And Jim is a truly hopeless case -- after his attempted seduction of beautiful Czech exchange student Nadia ( Shannon Elizabeth ) turns out to be a disaster , he ends up going to the prom with Michelle ( Alyson Hannigan ), an annoyingly chatty band geek who does , however , have a fascinating story about a flute. American Pie was the directorial debut of Paul Weitz , who , along with his brother Chris Weitz ( who served as producer ), previously wrote several screenplays , including Antz and Madeline ( where they presumably worked all their wholesome ideas out of their system ) .
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Robert Altman directed this bittersweet ensemble piece about an eccentric and entangled group of family and friends living in the Deep South. Jewel Mae "Cookie" Orcutt (Patricia Neal) is the widowed matriarch of a small-town Mississippi family which includes her nieces Camille (Glenn Close) a pretentious would-be artist staging an amateur production of Salome at a local church and Cora Julianne Moore) her less than enthusiastic leading lady. Willis (Charles S. Dutton) the caretaker of Cookie's rambling mansion tries to persuade her sweet but aimless grand-niece Emma (Liv Tyler) to move in with her but she's more interested in her on-again off-again romance with local cop Jason (Chris O'Donnell). Typical of Altman's work Cookie's Fortune weaves together a number of different plot lines with relaxed grace and features an impressive cast including Ned Beatty Lyle Lovett and Courtney B. Vance.
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Robert Altman directed this bittersweet ensemble piece about an eccentric and entangled group of family and friends living in the Deep South. Jewel Mae "Cookie" Orcutt ( Patricia Neal ) is the widowed matriarch of a small - town Mississippi family , which includes her nieces Camille ( Glenn Close ), a pretentious would - be artist staging an amateur production of Salome at a local church , and Cora Julianne Moore ), her less than enthusiastic leading lady. Willis ( Charles S. Dutton ), the caretaker of Cookie's rambling mansion , tries to persuade her sweet but aimless grand - niece , Emma ( Liv Tyler ), to move in with her , but she's more interested in her on - again , off - again romance with local cop Jason ( Chris O'Donnell ) . Typical of Altman 's work , Cookie's Fortune weaves together a number of different plot lines with relaxed grace , and features an impressive cast , including Ned Beatty , Lyle Lovett , and Courtney B. Vance .
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Just as the charming British film The Full Monty told the story of simple men willing to shed their clothes for money Waking Ned Devine is the story of older Irish men who pursue money and take off their clothes. Commercial director Kirk Jones makes his feature directing debut with a story about a small town in Ireland called Tulaigh More where one of their 52 inhabitants wins the lotto jackpot of nearly seven million pounds. When nobody claims it the town goes on a search to find out why. They find the winner old Ned Devine dead -- a smile on his face clutching the winning ticket. Well in Ireland the lottery winnings must be claimed by the purchaser which puts the town in a spot -- if the lottery officials discover Devine dead he forfeits his money. What ensues is a community coming together in hopes of getting his money to split 51 ways. What they learn is the importance of friendship and the true value of money. To reveal any more would spoil some major surprises but suffice it to say it involves aging actors David Kelly 69 and Ian Bannen 70 naked.
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Just as the charming British film The Full Monty told the story of simple men willing to shed their clothes for money , Waking Ned Devine is the story of older Irish men who pursue money and take off their clothes. Commercial director Kirk Jones makes his feature directing debut with a story about a small town in Ireland called Tulaigh More , where one of their 52 inhabitants wins the lotto jackpot of nearly seven million pounds. When nobody claims it , the town goes on a search to find out why. They find the winner , old Ned Devine , dead -- a smile on his face , clutching the winning ticket. Well , in Ireland , the lottery winnings must be claimed by the purchaser , which puts the town in a spot -- if the lottery officials discover Devine dead , he forfeits his money. What ensues is a community coming together in hopes of getting his money to split 51 ways. What they learn is the importance of friendship and the true value of money. To reveal any more would spoil some major surprises , but suffice it to say , it involves aging actors David Kelly , 69 , and Ian Bannen , 70 , naked.
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In this dark comedy former broadcast journalist and current substitute teacher Lester Grimm (Eric Stoltz) is not especially good at displaying a healthy trust in his relationships. Ever since the age of 15 when Lester's first girlfriend ditched him for a 24-year-old Lester has displayed an overpowering jealousy toward the women in his life -- which explains why he's still single. When Lester meets Ramona Ray (Annabella Sciorra) he's determined that this time he'll keep his emotions in check until he learns that she has a rather checkered sexual history -- and her most recent boyfriend was a best-selling novelist Dashiell Frank (Christopher Eigeman). Desperate to know if they still have feelings for each other Lester starts crashing Dashiell's group therapy sessions in hopes of getting an inside scoop on what he has to say about his ex. Mr. Jealousy was written and directed by Noah Baumbach; it was his first film after his acclaimed independent debut Kicking and Screaming.
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In this dark comedy , former broadcast journalist and current substitute teacher Lester Grimm ( Eric Stoltz ) is not especially good at displaying a healthy trust in his relationships. Ever since the age of 15 , when Lester's first girlfriend ditched him for a 24 - year - old , Lester has displayed an overpowering jealousy toward the women in his life -- which explains why he's still single. When Lester meets Ramona Ray ( Annabella Sciorra ), he's determined that this time he'll keep his emotions in check , until he learns that she has a rather checkered sexual history -- and her most recent boyfriend was a best - selling novelist , Dashiell Frank ( Christopher Eigeman ) . Desperate to know if they still have feelings for each other , Lester starts crashing Dashiell's group therapy sessions in hopes of getting an inside scoop on what he has to say about his ex. Mr. Jealousy was written and directed by Noah Baumbach ; it was his first film after his acclaimed independent debut Kicking and Screaming .
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Life is sweet for high-school English teacher and sports coach Howard Brackett (Kevin Kline); he's still living where he grew up he has a good relationship with his father (Wilford Brimley) and mother (Debbie Reynolds) he's respected by his community and he's about to marry Emily (Joan Cusack) his fiancée of three years. Fearing she was about to become an old maid Emily has shed 75 pounds for the upcoming nuptials. But first the entire town of Greenleaf IN settles in to watch the Academy Award telecast because young stud star Cameron Drake (Matt Dillon) who attended Greenleaf High has been nominated for an Oscar. What's more he wins and in his acceptance speech singles out Howard -- and announces his favorite teacher is gay. Everyone in town is thunderstruck including Howard himself. The media descend on the town particularly Peter Malloy (Tom Selleck) whose job is hanging by a thread. Even worse Howard's principal Tom Halliwell (Bob Newhart) is shaken by the news and is toying with firing Howard. The beleaguered teacher tries to convince everyone (and himself) that he's as straight and macho as the next guy; he even tries to follow the rules on a motivational tape "Be a Man." But his fondness for Barbra Streisand his theatrical mannerisms and the fact that he and Emily have yet to make love make everyone's eyebrows stay permanently raised. Meanwhile out in Hollywood Cameron who's really a decent guy learns about the problems his impulsive comment has caused and heads back to Greenleaf to see what he can do to help. Howard's mother is fiercely determined to see at least one of her two sons wed -- Walter (Gregory Jbara) the other is a doofus -- and as the wedding date draws nearer and nearer poor Howard's life flies even farther out of control.
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Life is sweet for high - school English teacher and sports coach Howard Brackett ( Kevin Kline ); he's still living where he grew up , he has a good relationship with his father ( Wilford Brimley ) and mother ( Debbie Reynolds ), he's respected by his community , and he's about to marry Emily ( Joan Cusack ), his fiancée of three years. Fearing she was about to become an old maid , Emily has shed 75 pounds for the upcoming nuptials. But first , the entire town of Greenleaf , IN , settles in to watch the Academy Award telecast , because young stud star Cameron Drake ( Matt Dillon ), who attended Greenleaf High , has been nominated for an Oscar. What's more , he wins , and in his acceptance speech , singles out Howard -- and announces his favorite teacher is gay. Everyone in town is thunderstruck , including Howard himself. The media descend on the town , particularly Peter Malloy ( Tom Selleck ), whose job is hanging by a thread. Even worse , Howard's principal Tom Halliwell ( Bob Newhart ) is shaken by the news , and is toying with firing Howard. The beleaguered teacher tries to convince everyone ( and himself ) that he's as straight and macho as the next guy ; he even tries to follow the rules on a motivational tape , "Be a Man." But his fondness for Barbra Streisand , his theatrical mannerisms , and the fact that he and Emily have yet to make love make everyone's eyebrows stay permanently raised. Meanwhile , out in Hollywood , Cameron , who's really a decent guy , learns about the problems his impulsive comment has caused , and heads back to Greenleaf to see what he can do to help. Howard's mother is fiercely determined to see at least one of her two sons wed -- Walter ( Gregory Jbara ), the other , is a doofus -- and as the wedding date draws nearer and nearer , poor Howard's life flies even farther out of control.
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Most people have trouble deciding what to say when they're asked what they've been doing with their lives at a High School reunion but Martin Blank (as played by John Cusack) has a different problem than most -- he has to make his career sound less interesting than it actually is. Martin is a former CIA operative who is now a freelance hit man making good money for killing people he doesn't know. However Martin's game has been a bit off lately; he's no longer happy in his work and both his secretary Marcella (Joan Cusack) and his psychiatrist Dr. Oatman (Alan Arkin) who is more than a bit nervous about having a hired assassin as a patient think that Martin should accept an offered assignment in Grosse Pointe Michigan his old home town which would conveniently coincide with his ten year high school reunion. While in Grosse Pointe Martin discovers that his high school sweetheart Debi Newberry (Minnie Driver) is still living in town and still holds a grudge against him for standing her up on prom night. While Martin tries to sort out his past and tie up loose ends with Debi (whom he still loves) he discovers someone in Grosse Pointe is out to kill him; he's also confronted by the highly unstable Mr. Grocer (Dan Aykroyd) a fellow hit man who wants Martin to join forces with him and form a union and isn't keen on taking no for an answer. Grosse Pointe Blank was a pet project for star John Cusack who co-wrote the screenplay and also served as co-producer.
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Most people have trouble deciding what to say when they're asked what they've been doing with their lives at a High School reunion , but Martin Blank ( as played by John Cusack ) has a different problem than most -- he has to make his career sound less interesting than it actually is. Martin is a former CIA operative who is now a freelance hit man , making good money for killing people he doesn't know. However , Martin's game has been a bit off lately ; he's no longer happy in his work , and both his secretary Marcella ( Joan Cusack ) and his psychiatrist , Dr. Oatman ( Alan Arkin ), who is more than a bit nervous about having a hired assassin as a patient , think that Martin should accept an offered assignment in Grosse Pointe , Michigan , his old home town , which would conveniently coincide with his ten year high school reunion. While in Grosse Pointe , Martin discovers that his high school sweetheart , Debi Newberry ( Minnie Driver ), is still living in town , and still holds a grudge against him for standing her up on prom night. While Martin tries to sort out his past and tie up loose ends with Debi ( whom he still loves ), he discovers someone in Grosse Pointe is out to kill him ; he's also confronted by the highly unstable Mr. Grocer ( Dan Aykroyd ), a fellow hit man who wants Martin to join forces with him and form a union and isn't keen on taking no for an answer. Grosse Pointe Blank was a pet project for star John Cusack , who co - wrote the screenplay and also served as co - producer.
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The divisive issue of abortion is at the center of Citizen Ruth a political satire that attempts to subject both pro-choice and pro-life forces to equal ridicule. Laura Dern portrays Ruth Stoops an irresponsible unemployed woman who's addicted to inhaling household chemicals and has becomes pregnant for the fifth time. After she is arrested for substance abuse the judge offers to lessen her sentence if Ruth chooses to abort her child. Ruth agrees but that night she encounters a group of pro-life activists. They take her under their wing promising to help her while secretly planning to make her case public as a symbol for the pro-life movement . When Ruth discovers the deception she takes refuge with a pro-choice group sparking a media frenzy. Yet Ruth soon finds her new friends are also only interested in her value as a media icon. Realizing she has been used as a pawn in the abortion rights battle the apolitical Ruth turns the tables offering to join whoever will give her the best deal. What results is a frantic comedic session of wheeling-dealing which argues that activists on both sides have become more concerned with waging political warfare than helping women.
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The divisive issue of abortion is at the center of Citizen Ruth , a political satire that attempts to subject both pro - choice and pro - life forces to equal ridicule. Laura Dern portrays Ruth Stoops , an irresponsible , unemployed woman who's addicted to inhaling household chemicals and has becomes pregnant , for the fifth time. After she is arrested for substance abuse , the judge offers to lessen her sentence if Ruth chooses to abort her child. Ruth agrees , but that night she encounters a group of pro - life activists. They take her under their wing , promising to help her , while secretly planning to make her case public as a symbol for the pro - life movement . When Ruth discovers the deception , she takes refuge with a pro - choice group , sparking a media frenzy. Yet Ruth soon finds her new friends are also only interested in her value as a media icon. Realizing she has been used as a pawn in the abortion rights battle , the apolitical Ruth turns the tables , offering to join whoever will give her the best deal. What results is a frantic , comedic session of wheeling - dealing which argues that activists on both sides have become more concerned with waging political warfare than helping women.
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ased on the novel by Jane Austen (who in the '90s seemed to be in the running alongside William Shakespeare and Stephen King for the honors of most adapted author in Hollywood) this period romantic comedy stars Gwyneth Paltrow as Emma Woodhouse a young woman who imagines herself an authority on matters of the heart. With the best of intentions Emma plays matchmaker for her friends most notably her friend Harriet (Toni Collette) who Emma links up with the Reverend Elton (Alan Cumming) and her governess (Greta Scacchi) who she introduces to her future husband Mr. Weston (James Cosmo). However Emma is not nearly as good at playing Cupid as she likes to imagine and she spends so much time trying to solve everyone else's romantic problems that it takes her quite some time to realize that she's fallen in love with Mr. Knightly (Jeremy Northam). A television miniseries based on Austen's book appeared a year later while a year prior to Emma the story appeared in modernized form in the popular teen comedy Clueless.
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Based on the novel by Jane Austen ( who in the '90s seemed to be in the running alongside William Shakespeare and Stephen King for the honors of most adapted author in Hollywood ), this period romantic comedy stars Gwyneth Paltrow as Emma Woodhouse , a young woman who imagines herself an authority on matters of the heart. With the best of intentions , Emma plays matchmaker for her friends , most notably her friend Harriet ( Toni Collette ), who Emma links up with the Reverend Elton ( Alan Cumming ), and her governess , ( Greta Scacchi ), who she introduces to her future husband , Mr. Weston ( James Cosmo ) . However , Emma is not nearly as good at playing Cupid as she likes to imagine , and she spends so much time trying to solve everyone else's romantic problems that it takes her quite some time to realize that she's fallen in love with Mr. Knightly ( Jeremy Northam ) . A television miniseries based on Austen 's book appeared a year later , while a year prior to Emma , the story appeared in modernized form in the popular teen comedy Clueless .
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Twelve-year-old Dawn Wiener (Heather Matarazzo) is perhaps the most put-upon adolescent in film history in Todd Solondz's bitterly hilarious black comedy Welcome to the Dollhouse. Dawn is bright but awkward both physically and socially and is appallingly unpopular among her peers to whom she's better known as "Wienerdog." Possessing little charm or grace and perhaps the most misguided fashion sense of her generation Dawn is not an easy girl to like and practically no one seems interested in making the effort. If life is tough for Dawn at school it's hardly any better at home. While her folks dote on her gratingly cute younger sister Missy (Daria Kalinina) and look with pride to her bookish older brother Mark (Matthew Faber) Dawn is either ignored or treated as an annoyance. Dawn has developed a crush on Steve (Eric Mabius) the hunky guitarist Mark has drafted into his rock band (significantly Mark is less interested in making cool noise or unloading teenage angst than in having another extracurricular activity to put on his college applications); Steve is polite but obviously not interested in her. However Dawn has attracted the attention of a boy at school -- Brandon (Brendan Sexton) a mean-spirited junior thug whose idea of a good time is threatening Dawn with rape. A painfully accurate account of life in junior high (what Matt Groening called "the lowest pit of hell") Welcome to the Dollhouse is also very funny but writer and director Todd Solondz never lets the film's humor dilute the agony of its leading character; anyone who has ever been 12 years old will doubtless laugh at Dawn while uncomfortably recalling the horror of their own preteen years.
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Twelve - year - old Dawn Wiener ( Heather Matarazzo ) is perhaps the most put - upon adolescent in film history in Todd Solondz 's bitterly hilarious black comedy Welcome to the Dollhouse . Dawn is bright but awkward , both physically and socially , and is appallingly unpopular among her peers , to whom she's better known as "Wienerdog." Possessing little charm or grace and perhaps the most misguided fashion sense of her generation , Dawn is not an easy girl to like and practically no one seems interested in making the effort. If life is tough for Dawn at school , it's hardly any better at home. While her folks dote on her gratingly cute younger sister Missy ( Daria Kalinina ) and look with pride to her bookish older brother Mark ( Matthew Faber ), Dawn is either ignored or treated as an annoyance. Dawn has developed a crush on Steve ( Eric Mabius ), the hunky guitarist Mark has drafted into his rock band ( significantly , Mark is less interested in making cool noise or unloading teenage angst than in having another extracurricular activity to put on his college applications ); Steve is polite but obviously not interested in her. However , Dawn has attracted the attention of a boy at school -- Brandon ( Brendan Sexton ), a mean - spirited junior thug whose idea of a good time is threatening Dawn with rape. A painfully accurate account of life in junior high ( what Matt Groening called "the lowest pit of hell" ), Welcome to the Dollhouse is also very funny , but writer and director Todd Solondz never lets the film's humor dilute the agony of its leading character ; anyone who has ever been 12 years old will doubtless laugh at Dawn while uncomfortably recalling the horror of their own preteen years.
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A Texas housewife plots hire a hit man to kill the girl who beat out her daughter for a place on the cheerleading squad in this made-for-cable satire based on a true story. Holly Hunter stars as Wanda Holloway a twice-married Baptist mother of two who becomes obsessed when her daughter Shanna (Frankie Ingrassia) gets disqualified from the election for the eighth-grade cheerleading squad because of overly manipulative campaign tactics (i.e. handing out free rulers imprinted with her name). Looking down her nose at neighbor Verna Heath (Elizabeth Ruscio) whose daughter Amber (Megan Berwick) made the squad Wanda becomes convinced that there's a conspiracy afoot and decides to do something about it. Getting in touch with her ex-husband's brother Terry Harper (Beau Bridges) -- a lowlife with a liquor and drug habit and a wife (Swoosie Kurtz) who sees imaginary creatures on the floor -- Wanda all but orders him to find her an assassin on the cheap. Terry chickens out contacts the police and helps get the goods on his former sister-in-law before she can do any actual damage. A media circus soon engulfs the participants' small Texas town as Wanda heads to court and tries to prove she was the victim of a setup. Set against the backdrop of the Gulf War and the fall of communism The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader-Murdering Mom was filmed for HBO by Bad News Bears and Smile director Michael Ritchie. In adapting the Wanda Holloway story for the small screen the film followed Willing to Kill: The Texas Cheerleader Story a 1992 ABC TV movie starring Lesley Ann Warren.
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A Texas housewife plots hire a hit man to kill the girl who beat out her daughter for a place on the cheerleading squad in this made - for - cable satire based on a true story. Holly Hunter stars as Wanda Holloway , a twice - married Baptist mother of two who becomes obsessed when her daughter , Shanna ( Frankie Ingrassia ), gets disqualified from the election for the eighth - grade cheerleading squad because of overly manipulative campaign tactics ( i.e. handing out free rulers imprinted with her name ) . Looking down her nose at neighbor Verna Heath ( Elizabeth Ruscio ), whose daughter , Amber ( Megan Berwick ), made the squad , Wanda becomes convinced that there's a conspiracy afoot and decides to do something about it. Getting in touch with her ex - husband's brother , Terry Harper ( Beau Bridges ) -- a lowlife with a liquor and drug habit and a wife ( Swoosie Kurtz ) who sees imaginary creatures on the floor -- Wanda all but orders him to find her an assassin on the cheap. Terry chickens out , contacts the police , and helps get the goods on his former sister - in - law before she can do any actual damage. A media circus soon engulfs the participants' small Texas town as Wanda heads to court and tries to prove she was the victim of a setup. Set against the backdrop of the Gulf War and the fall of communism , The Positively True Adventures of the Alleged Texas Cheerleader - Murdering Mom was filmed for HBO by Bad News Bears and Smile director Michael Ritchie . In adapting the Wanda Holloway story for the small screen , the film followed Willing to Kill : The Texas Cheerleader Story , a 1992 ABC TV movie starring Lesley Ann Warren .
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Leslie Nielsen returns as the intrepid (and accident-prone) Lt. Frank Drebin in Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear "un film de David Zucker." This second feature film from the "Police Squad!" series finds Drebin as a guest at a White House dinner receiving an award for shooting his 1000th drug dealer although he admits to shooting only 998 -- he ran over the last two in his car. ("Luckily they turned out to be drug dealers"). Also at the White House dinner is energy czar Dr. Albert S. Meinheimer (Richard Griffiths) whom President George Bush (John Roarke) has chosen to start a new national energy policy. Since Meinheimer believes in promoting alternative energy resources the evil leaders of the polluting energy industries (coal oil and nuclear power--or the lobby groups SMOKE SPILL and KABOOM) are horrified at Bush's choice. Joining together with arch-villain Quentin Hapsburg (Robert Goulet) they plan to kidnap the real Meinheimer and substitute a fake Meinheimer in his place who will enact energy policy according to the dictates of the energy lobby. Drebin becomes deeply involved in the conspiracy when he runs into his ex-girl friend Jane (Priscilla Presley) who is not only Meinheimer's public relations director but also Hapsburg's current paramour.
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Leslie Nielsen returns as the intrepid ( and accident - prone ) Lt. Frank Drebin in Naked Gun 2 1 / 2 : The Smell of Fear , "un film de David Zucker ." This second feature film from the "Police Squad!" series finds Drebin as a guest at a White House dinner , receiving an award for shooting his 1 , 000th drug dealer , although he admits to shooting only 998 -- he ran over the last two in his car. ( "Luckily , they turned out to be drug dealers" ) . Also at the White House dinner is energy czar Dr. Albert S. Meinheimer ( Richard Griffiths ), whom President George Bush ( John Roarke ) has chosen to start a new national energy policy. Since Meinheimer believes in promoting alternative energy resources , the evil leaders of the polluting energy industries ( coal , oil , and nuclear power -- or the lobby groups SMOKE , SPILL and KABOOM ) are horrified at Bush's choice. Joining together with arch - villain Quentin Hapsburg ( Robert Goulet ), they plan to kidnap the real Meinheimer and substitute a fake Meinheimer in his place who will enact energy policy according to the dictates of the energy lobby. Drebin becomes deeply involved in the conspiracy when he runs into his ex - girl friend Jane ( Priscilla Presley ), who is not only Meinheimer's public relations director but also Hapsburg's current paramour.
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The last film to be co-directed by Jim Abrahams David Zucker and Jerry Zucker Ruthless People stars Bette Midler (capitalizing on her comeback performance in Down and Out in Beverly Hills) as Barbara a spoiled rich woman who is kidnapped by the kindly Ken and Sandy Kessler (Judge Reinhold and Helen Slater). Barbara's forceful husband Sam (Danny DeVito) has ripped off the Kesslers and they decide to hold Barbara for ransom. Sam who hates his wife refuses to pay. Eventually Barbara befriends the Kesslers and together they figure out how to exact revenge upon the obnoxious Sam. Bill Pullman makes his film debut here as a very dim would-be criminal.
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The last film to be co - directed by Jim Abrahams , David Zucker , and Jerry Zucker , Ruthless People stars Bette Midler ( capitalizing on her comeback performance in Down and Out in Beverly Hills ) as Barbara , a spoiled rich woman who is kidnapped by the kindly Ken and Sandy Kessler ( Judge Reinhold and Helen Slater ) . Barbara's forceful husband Sam ( Danny DeVito ) has ripped off the Kesslers and they decide to hold Barbara for ransom. Sam , who hates his wife , refuses to pay. Eventually Barbara befriends the Kesslers and together they figure out how to exact revenge upon the obnoxious Sam. Bill Pullman makes his film debut here as a very dim , would - be criminal.
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Martha Coolidge directed this comedy taking place at fictional Pacific Tech concerning incoming freshman Mitch (Gabe Jarret) a high school student whose Science Fair project made important inroads into laser beam technology. Mitch has been recruited by famed physics professor Hathaway (William Atherton) who asks Mitch to work in his laboratory. On campus Mitch becomes roommates with the brilliant Chris Knight (Val Kilmer) legendary as the smartest freshman in the history of the college; but now as a senior he is less interested in his studies and more interested in having fun. It turns out that Hathaway is enlisting his students unbeknownst to them as a slave labor force to do research in developing a state-of-the-art laser device for the Defense Department (he uses his government grant funds to build a house). But Chris and Mitch begin to suspect that something is amiss with Hathaway's project.
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Martha Coolidge directed this comedy taking place at fictional Pacific Tech , concerning incoming freshman Mitch ( Gabe Jarret ), a high school student whose Science Fair project made important inroads into laser beam technology. Mitch has been recruited by famed physics professor Hathaway ( William Atherton ), who asks Mitch to work in his laboratory. On campus , Mitch becomes roommates with the brilliant Chris Knight ( Val Kilmer ), legendary as the smartest freshman in the history of the college ; but now , as a senior , he is less interested in his studies and more interested in having fun. It turns out that Hathaway is enlisting his students , unbeknownst to them , as a slave labor force to do research in developing a state - of - the - art laser device for the Defense Department ( he uses his government grant funds to build a house ) . But Chris and Mitch begin to suspect that something is amiss with Hathaway's project.
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Jim Jarmusch's deadpan comedy-of-the-night is a collection of five vignettes taking place in the enclosed space of a cab ride each occurring simultaneously in five different cities and five different time zones -- Los Angeles New York City Paris Rome and Helsinki. The Los Angeles episode takes place at dusk as high-powered casting agent Victoria (Gena Rowlands) gets a ride from L.A. International Airport with tomboy driver Corky (Winona Ryder) who would rather go on driving her cab than take up Victoria's offer to make her a superstar. In New York City novice East German cabbie Helmut Grokenberger (Armin Mueller-Stahl) has difficulty working the foot pedals to his hack and his passenger YoYo (Giancarlo Esposito) ends up driving himself to Brooklyn picking up the shrill-voiced Angela (Rosie Perez) along the way. In Paris an African cab driver (Isaach De Bankolé) ejects a collection of drunken African diplomats from his cab and picks up a beautiful but surly blind girl (Béatrice Dalle). In Rome cab driver Gino (Roberto Benigni) engages in a heartfelt monologue confessing his past sexual exploits to his passenger a priest who is dying of a heart attack in the back seat. The film winds down in the last melancholy vignette taking place in Helsinki as taxi driver Mika (Matti Pellonpää) picks up three inebriated workmen who regale him with hard-luck stories. But Mika has a much harsher story of his own to tell.
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Jim Jarmusch 's deadpan comedy - of - the - night is a collection of five vignettes taking place in the enclosed space of a cab ride , each occurring simultaneously in five different cities and five different time zones -- Los Angeles , New York City , Paris , Rome , and Helsinki. The Los Angeles episode takes place at dusk , as high - powered casting agent Victoria ( Gena Rowlands ) gets a ride from L.A. International Airport with tomboy driver Corky ( Winona Ryder ), who would rather go on driving her cab than take up Victoria's offer to make her a superstar. In New York City , novice East German cabbie Helmut Grokenberger ( Armin Mueller - Stahl ) has difficulty working the foot pedals to his hack , and his passenger , YoYo ( Giancarlo Esposito ), ends up driving himself to Brooklyn , picking up the shrill - voiced Angela ( Rosie Perez ) along the way. In Paris , an African cab driver ( Isaach De Bankolé ) ejects a collection of drunken African diplomats from his cab and picks up a beautiful but surly blind girl ( Béatrice Dalle ) . In Rome , cab driver Gino ( Roberto Benigni ) engages in a heartfelt monologue confessing his past sexual exploits to his passenger , a priest who is dying of a heart attack in the back seat. The film winds down in the last melancholy vignette , taking place in Helsinki , as taxi driver Mika ( Matti Pellonpää ) picks up three inebriated workmen who regale him with hard - luck stories. But Mika has a much harsher story of his own to tell.
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From director Jim Abrahams one of the minds behind the Airplane! and Naked Gun films comes another parody. This time around Abrahams has his sights set on the action-adventure genre specifically Top Gun. Charlie Sheen stars as Topper Harley a maverick air force pilot who constantly lives in the shadow of his father's legacy. Unable to handle the pressure Harley has left the Air Force to live among a tribe of Native Americans. But when the United States seeks to destroy some Iraqi nuclear facilities there's only one man for the job. After being coaxed back into service Harley soon realizes that in addition to Saddam Hussein he'll have to contend with a rival pilot played by Cary Elwes and a devious aerospace executive. Among the many films lampooned are Dances With Wolves 9 1/2 Weeks The Fabulous Baker Boys and Gone With the Wind.
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From director Jim Abrahams , one of the minds behind the Airplane! and Naked Gun films , comes another parody. This time around , Abrahams has his sights set on the action - adventure genre , specifically Top Gun . Charlie Sheen stars as Topper Harley , a maverick air force pilot who constantly lives in the shadow of his father's legacy. Unable to handle the pressure , Harley has left the Air Force to live among a tribe of Native Americans. But when the United States seeks to destroy some Iraqi nuclear facilities , there's only one man for the job. After being coaxed back into service , Harley soon realizes that in addition to Saddam Hussein , he'll have to contend with a rival pilot , played by Cary Elwes , and a devious aerospace executive. Among the many films lampooned are Dances With Wolves , 9 1 / 2 Weeks , The Fabulous Baker Boys , and Gone With the Wind .
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The owner of a British nightclub attempts to do the impossible by coaxing a legendary Irish tenor out of retirement for a once-in-a-lifetime show in this engagingly quirky comedy. The owner Mickey O'Neill is particularly desperate to land a performance by the great Josef Locke as his already questionable reputation was ruined when he booked an impostor claiming to be Locke. Now only providing a show by the real thing can make up for it. Trouble is Locke fled England several decades before to avoid charges of tax evasion and would face immediate arrest upon his return. Naturally the comedy emerges from O'Neill's desperate attempts to convince Locke to participate in the scheme. Much of the film's charm comes from the presentation of eccentric but believable characters particularly Locke himself -- a real historical figure given warm life by Ned Beatty who was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe for his performance. The film as a whole manages a similar balancing act between realism and comic fantasy grounding even the less believable aspect of the narrative in strongly observed local color.
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The owner of a British nightclub attempts to do the impossible by coaxing a legendary Irish tenor out of retirement for a once - in - a - lifetime show in this engagingly quirky comedy. The owner , Mickey O'Neill , is particularly desperate to land a performance by the great Josef Locke , as his already questionable reputation was ruined when he booked an impostor claiming to be Locke. Now only providing a show by the real thing can make up for it. Trouble is , Locke fled England several decades before to avoid charges of tax evasion , and would face immediate arrest upon his return. Naturally , the comedy emerges from O'Neill's desperate attempts to convince Locke to participate in the scheme. Much of the film's charm comes from the presentation of eccentric but believable characters , particularly Locke himself -- a real historical figure given warm life by Ned Beatty , who was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe for his performance. The film as a whole manages a similar balancing act between realism and comic fantasy , grounding even the less believable aspect of the narrative in strongly observed local color.
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In this farcical comedy Matthew Broderick plays Clark Kellogg an aspiring director who arrives in New York City to attend film school. However moments after he arrives in the city he's robbed by Victor Ray (Bruno Kirby) leaving him no money for the $700 in books required by his instructor Arthur Fleeber (Paul Benedict). A few days later Clark runs into Victor and demands his money back but Victor has already lost it (on a horse race in which he wasn't entirely sure the animal he bet on was a horse). Instead he offers to fix Clark up with a job with his boss an "importer and exporter" named Carmone Sabatini (Marlon Brando) who bears a stunning resemblance to Don Corleone in The Godfather. Clark's adventures with Sabatini are just beginning when he's instructed to pick up a package from the airport. Clark is expecting it to be contraband and he's right but not in the way he figured -- it turns out he's accepting delivery of a komodo dragon which is to be served at a "gourmet club" specializing in dishes prepared from endangered species. Marlon Brando's hilarious comic variation on one of his best-known roles is the highlight of this film but Bruno Kirby and Paul Benedict also deliver fine comic turns and Matthew Broderick copes nobly with his role as the film's lone normal person.
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In this farcical comedy , Matthew Broderick plays Clark Kellogg , an aspiring director who arrives in New York City to attend film school. However , moments after he arrives in the city , he's robbed by Victor Ray ( Bruno Kirby ), leaving him no money for the $700 in books required by his instructor , Arthur Fleeber ( Paul Benedict ) . A few days later , Clark runs into Victor and demands his money back , but Victor has already lost it ( on a horse race in which he wasn't entirely sure the animal he bet on was a horse ) . Instead , he offers to fix Clark up with a job with his boss , an "importer and exporter" named Carmone Sabatini ( Marlon Brando ), who bears a stunning resemblance to Don Corleone in The Godfather . Clark's adventures with Sabatini are just beginning when he's instructed to pick up a package from the airport. Clark is expecting it to be contraband , and he's right , but not in the way he figured -- it turns out he's accepting delivery of a komodo dragon , which is to be served at a "gourmet club" specializing in dishes prepared from endangered species. Marlon Brando 's hilarious comic variation on one of his best - known roles is the highlight of this film , but Bruno Kirby and Paul Benedict also deliver fine comic turns , and Matthew Broderick copes nobly with his role as the film's lone normal person.
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Chevy Chase added a classic comic hero to the film landscape with Fletch one of his few truly popular star vehicles in a famously misguided post-Saturday Night Live career. Chase plays Irwin M. Fletcher known to everyone as Fletch a Los Angeles Lakers-loving investigative reporter with a gleeful disdain for deadlines and a knack for pushing the buttons of his frustrated editor (Richard Libertini). He's also known for donning numerous disguises and assuming zany false identities to help gain information. While pursuing an ongoing story about a powerful drug dealer who operates from Venice Beach he comes across an intriguing offshoot in which he becomes intimately involved. Aviation executive Alan Stanwyk (Tim Matheson) has an unusual proposition for Fletch: If Fletch agrees to an elaborate plan to kill him for reasons Stanwyk refuses to divulge beyond explaining that he has bone cancer Fletch will walk away with a healthy sum of money and a plane ticket to Brazil. Curious yet suspicious by profession Fletch begins investigating Stanwyk's true motives which leads him through numerous misadventures. Among them are a visit to a stuffy country club; a high-speed car chase with an unwitting passenger; repeat encounters with Stanwyk's wife (Dana Wheeler-Nicholson) although she may not be his only one; and a trip to Provo -- that's Utah not Spain. Inspired by a novel of the same name by Gregory McDonald Fletch went from thriller to comedy as it was adapted into a vehicle for Chase.
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Chevy Chase added a classic comic hero to the film landscape with Fletch , one of his few truly popular star vehicles in a famously misguided post - Saturday Night Live career. Chase plays Irwin M. Fletcher , known to everyone as Fletch , a Los Angeles Lakers - loving investigative reporter with a gleeful disdain for deadlines and a knack for pushing the buttons of his frustrated editor ( Richard Libertini ) . He's also known for donning numerous disguises and assuming zany false identities to help gain information. While pursuing an ongoing story about a powerful drug dealer who operates from Venice Beach , he comes across an intriguing offshoot in which he becomes intimately involved. Aviation executive Alan Stanwyk ( Tim Matheson ) has an unusual proposition for Fletch : If Fletch agrees to an elaborate plan to kill him , for reasons Stanwyk refuses to divulge beyond explaining that he has bone cancer , Fletch will walk away with a healthy sum of money and a plane ticket to Brazil. Curious yet suspicious by profession , Fletch begins investigating Stanwyk's true motives , which leads him through numerous misadventures. Among them are a visit to a stuffy country club ; a high - speed car chase with an unwitting passenger ; repeat encounters with Stanwyk's wife ( Dana Wheeler - Nicholson ), although she may not be his only one ; and a trip to Provo -- that's Utah , not Spain. Inspired by a novel of the same name by Gregory McDonald , Fletch went from thriller to comedy as it was adapted into a vehicle for Chase .
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A smaller amusing comedy from writer/director Woody Allen Broadway Danny Rose begins with a bunch of show business vets sitting around a table at New York's Carnegie Deli and reminiscing about the legendary titular character a loser of an agent who would represent anyone including blind xylophonists piano-playing birds and has-been crooners with drinking problems. Allen plays Rose as a befuddled warm-hearted schlub who finally has a shot at getting somewhere when he signs washed-up lounge singer Lou Canova (Nick Apollo Forte) and nearly brings his career back to life. Danny gets him a date at the Waldorf where Milton Berle is in the audience looking for guests for his TV special. Canova has a complicated love life juggling both a wife and a girlfriend. so he enlists Danny to take the girlfriend Tina Vitale (Mia Farrow) to the concert. But Canova and Tina have a fight she goes back to her Mafioso boyfriend and Danny winds up getting chased halfway around New York and New Jersey by the Mob. And of course once Canova gets his big break he dumps Danny for another agent. Allen Forte and especially Farrow all do strong work with characters that could have easily become stereotypes and the film has a lighter warmer touch than the Allen films that preceded it (Stardust Memories and Zelig).
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A smaller , amusing comedy from writer / director Woody Allen , Broadway Danny Rose begins with a bunch of show business vets sitting around a table at New York's Carnegie Deli and reminiscing about the legendary titular character , a loser of an agent who would represent anyone , including blind xylophonists , piano - playing birds , and has - been crooners with drinking problems. Allen plays Rose as a befuddled , warm - hearted schlub who finally has a shot at getting somewhere when he signs washed - up lounge singer Lou Canova ( Nick Apollo Forte ) and nearly brings his career back to life. Danny gets him a date at the Waldorf , where Milton Berle is in the audience , looking for guests for his TV special. Canova has a complicated love life , juggling both a wife and a girlfriend. so he enlists Danny to take the girlfriend , Tina Vitale ( Mia Farrow ), to the concert. But Canova and Tina have a fight , she goes back to her Mafioso boyfriend , and Danny winds up getting chased halfway around New York and New Jersey by the Mob. And of course , once Canova gets his big break , he dumps Danny for another agent. Allen , Forte , and especially Farrow all do strong work with characters that could have easily become stereotypes , and the film has a lighter , warmer touch than the Allen films that preceded it ( Stardust Memories and Zelig ) .
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oyfriends & Girlfriends is the sixth of French director Eric Rohmer's "Comedies et Proverbes" cycle. The sterility of the "new" prefabricated Parisian suburb of Cergy-Pontoise is used as the backdrop for the colorful activities of the film's five principals (literally colorful in that each character is represented by a different hue). The dramatis personae includes Ministry of Cultural Affairs worker Blanche (Emmanuelle Chaulet); Blanche's friend computer school student Lea (Sophie Renoir); Lea's beau (Eric Viellard); unregenerate "wolf" (Francois-Eric Gendron); and his lady friend iconoclastic art student Adrienne (Anne-Laure Meury). A windsurfing weekend is the scene for an elongated shakeup and reassessment of everyone's relationships.
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Boyfriends & Girlfriends is the sixth of French director Eric Rohmer 's "Comedies et Proverbes" cycle. The sterility of the "new" , prefabricated Parisian suburb of Cergy - Pontoise is used as the backdrop for the colorful activities of the film's five principals ( literally colorful , in that each character is represented by a different hue ) . The dramatis personae includes Ministry of Cultural Affairs worker Blanche ( Emmanuelle Chaulet ); Blanche's friend , computer school student Lea ( Sophie Renoir ); Lea's beau ( Eric Viellard ); unregenerate "wolf" ( Francois - Eric Gendron ); and his lady friend , iconoclastic art student Adrienne ( Anne - Laure Meury ) . A windsurfing weekend is the scene for an elongated shakeup and reassessment of everyone's relationships.
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While there are plenty of stories about gay men who have pretended to be straight for the sake of their careers this tart comedy from France considers the dilemma of a straight man doing just the opposite. Francois Pignon (Daniel Auteuil) is an accountant whose personality is bland to the point of being nonexistent; he's been down in the dumps ever since his wife left him two years ago and he becomes even more depressed when he learns that his boss is planning on firing him after 20 years of loyal service. Francois is seriously considering suicide until his next-door neighbor Belone (Michel Aumont) comes up with a plan to save his career. Belone finds some photos snapped at an especially randy gay nightclub and using his computer he pastes Francois' face over that of one of the participants. He sends copies of the doctored picture to several of Francois' co-workers and soon everyone at the office is convinced the quiet little man has a flamboyant secret life. The firm's CEO Kopel (Jean Rochefort) now has second thoughts about firing Francois since letting an employee go who is known to be gay could invite a sexual discrimination suit. Meanwhile the firm's public relations man Guillaume (Thierry Lhermitte) is dealing with Felix (Gérard Depardieu) an employee relations executive who is well known as a narrow-minded thug. In order to counter charges that he's a rampant homophobe Guillaume instructs Felix to make friends with Francois and soon Felix is spending so much time with Francois (while fighting his own internal revulsion) that his wife wonders if he's seeing another woman. Le Placard was writer and director Francis Veber's first film after his international hit Le Diner de Cons -- in which the leading character was also named Francois Pignon.
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While there are plenty of stories about gay men who have pretended to be straight for the sake of their careers , this tart comedy from France considers the dilemma of a straight man doing just the opposite. Francois Pignon ( Daniel Auteuil ) is an accountant whose personality is bland to the point of being nonexistent ; he's been down in the dumps ever since his wife left him two years ago , and he becomes even more depressed when he learns that his boss is planning on firing him after 20 years of loyal service. Francois is seriously considering suicide until his next - door neighbor Belone ( Michel Aumont ) comes up with a plan to save his career. Belone finds some photos snapped at an especially randy gay nightclub , and using his computer , he pastes Francois' face over that of one of the participants. He sends copies of the doctored picture to several of Francois' co - workers , and soon everyone at the office is convinced the quiet little man has a flamboyant secret life. The firm's CEO , Kopel ( Jean Rochefort ), now has second thoughts about firing Francois , since letting an employee go who is known to be gay could invite a sexual discrimination suit. Meanwhile , the firm's public relations man , Guillaume ( Thierry Lhermitte ), is dealing with Felix ( Gérard Depardieu ), an employee relations executive who is well known as a narrow - minded thug. In order to counter charges that he's a rampant homophobe , Guillaume instructs Felix to make friends with Francois , and soon Felix is spending so much time with Francois ( while fighting his own internal revulsion ) that his wife wonders if he's seeing another woman. Le Placard was writer and director Francis Veber 's first film after his international hit Le Diner de Cons -- in which the leading character was also named Francois Pignon.
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In this comedy from Austin Powers director Jay Roach Ben Stiller plays a young man who endures a disastrous weekend at the home of his girlfriend's parents. Greg Focker (Stiller) is completely in love with Pam Byrnes (Teri Polo) and views their upcoming trip to her parents' house on Long Island (where her sister is to be married during the weekend) as a perfect opportunity to ask her to marry him. Once Greg is introduced to Pam's parents however things stampede steadily downhill. Pam's father Jack (Robert De Niro) takes an instant and obvious dislike to his daughter's boyfriend lambasting him for his job as a nurse and generally making Greg painfully aware of the differences between him and Pam's family. Where Greg is grubby relatively unambitious and Jewish Pam comes from a long line of well-mannered blue-blooded WASPs. Things go from bad to worse in less time than it takes to spin a dreidel with Greg incurring the wrath of both Pam's father -- who it turns out worked for the CIA for 34 years -- and the rest of her family and almost single-handedly destroying their house and the wedding in the process.
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In this comedy from Austin Powers director Jay Roach , Ben Stiller plays a young man who endures a disastrous weekend at the home of his girlfriend's parents. Greg Focker ( Stiller ) is completely in love with Pam Byrnes ( Teri Polo ), and views their upcoming trip to her parents' house on Long Island ( where her sister is to be married during the weekend ) as a perfect opportunity to ask her to marry him. Once Greg is introduced to Pam's parents , however , things stampede steadily downhill. Pam's father , Jack ( Robert De Niro ), takes an instant and obvious dislike to his daughter's boyfriend , lambasting him for his job as a nurse and generally making Greg painfully aware of the differences between him and Pam's family. Where Greg is grubby , relatively unambitious , and Jewish , Pam comes from a long line of well - mannered , blue - blooded WASPs. Things go from bad to worse in less time than it takes to spin a dreidel , with Greg incurring the wrath of both Pam's father -- who , it turns out , worked for the CIA for 34 years -- and the rest of her family , and almost single - handedly destroying their house and the wedding in the process.
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Echoing the themes of Living in Oblivion and Irma Vep David Mamet's seventh feature centers on the havoc wrought on the inhabitants of a small town by a troubled film production. After its leading man's propensity for teenage girls gets them banished from their New Hampshire location a film crew relocates to the small town of Waterford VT to finish shooting "The Old Mill." As its title suggests the film depends on the presence of a genuine mill something the town is reported to possess. Unfortunately with only days before principal photography begins it becomes apparent that the mill in fact burned down decades ago. Unfazed the film's director Walt Price (William H. Macy) places his faith in the ability of first-time screenwriter Joseph Turner White (Philip Seymour Hoffman) to alter the script; what he doesn't count on is White's apparently bottomless reserve of angst-fueled writer's block. The film's leading lady (Sarah Jessica Parker) refuses to do her contracted nude scene unless she's give an ungodly sum of cash while a foreign cinematographer offends the locals by messing with an historic firehouse and the leading man Bob Barrenger (Alec Baldwin) dallies with Carla (Julia Stiles) a crafty local teen. Everything comes to a head after Barrenger and Carla are injured in a car accident which leads White to another emotional quandary and into the arms of Ann Black (Rebecca Pidgeon).
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Echoing the themes of Living in Oblivion and Irma Vep , David Mamet 's seventh feature centers on the havoc wrought on the inhabitants of a small town by a troubled film production. After its leading man's propensity for teenage girls gets them banished from their New Hampshire location , a film crew relocates to the small town of Waterford , VT , to finish shooting "The Old Mill." As its title suggests , the film depends on the presence of a genuine mill , something the town is reported to possess. Unfortunately , with only days before principal photography begins , it becomes apparent that the mill in fact burned down decades ago. Unfazed , the film's director , Walt Price ( William H. Macy ), places his faith in the ability of first - time screenwriter Joseph Turner White ( Philip Seymour Hoffman ) to alter the script ; what he doesn't count on is White's apparently bottomless reserve of angst - fueled writer's block. The film's leading lady ( Sarah Jessica Parker ) refuses to do her contracted nude scene unless she's give an ungodly sum of cash , while a foreign cinematographer offends the locals by messing with an historic firehouse , and the leading man , Bob Barrenger ( Alec Baldwin ), dallies with Carla ( Julia Stiles ), a crafty local teen. Everything comes to a head after Barrenger and Carla are injured in a car accident , which leads White to another emotional quandary and into the arms of Ann Black ( Rebecca Pidgeon ) .
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A crime of passion unwittingly leads to a "miracle" in this satirical comedy. Tex (Woody Allen) is a butcher who is married to Candy (Sharon Stone) a former exotic dancer who has no skill or enthusiasm for fidelity. Unhappy with her extramarital affairs Tex kills Candy while performing a "sawing the woman in half" trick with her during a magic show. Tex tries to bury the pieces of Candy's body on the outskirts of town before anyone can find out the trick was real but he makes the mistake of losing one of Candy's hands along the way; a blind woman happens upon it and when she can suddenly and miraculously see she's convinced she's found the hand of the Holy Virgin. Father Jerome (David Schwimmer) the priest of the local Catholic church isn't so sure but the town's mayor (Cheech Marin) is more than happy to have hundreds of tourists coming into town to see a holy relic and word of the miraculous hand spreads like wildfire. However Sheriff Bobo (Kiefer Sutherland) is convinced the severed hand appeared through foul play and Tex is eager to retrieve it before anyone finds out who was once attached to it. Picking Up the Pieces which also features Fran Drescher Eddie Griffin Andy Dick and Elliott Gould had its American premiere on the Cinemax premium cable network after the film's controversial themes prevented it from getting a distribution deal with a U.S. studio.
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A crime of passion unwittingly leads to a "miracle" in this satirical comedy. Tex ( Woody Allen ) is a butcher who is married to Candy ( Sharon Stone ), a former exotic dancer who has no skill or enthusiasm for fidelity. Unhappy with her extramarital affairs , Tex kills Candy while performing a "sawing the woman in half" trick with her during a magic show. Tex tries to bury the pieces of Candy's body on the outskirts of town before anyone can find out the trick was real , but he makes the mistake of losing one of Candy's hands along the way ; a blind woman happens upon it , and when she can suddenly and miraculously see , she's convinced she's found the hand of the Holy Virgin. Father Jerome ( David Schwimmer ), the priest of the local Catholic church , isn't so sure , but the town's mayor ( Cheech Marin ) is more than happy to have hundreds of tourists coming into town to see a holy relic , and word of the miraculous hand spreads like wildfire. However , Sheriff Bobo ( Kiefer Sutherland ) is convinced the severed hand appeared through foul play , and Tex is eager to retrieve it before anyone finds out who was once attached to it. Picking Up the Pieces , which also features Fran Drescher , Eddie Griffin , Andy Dick , and Elliott Gould , had its American premiere on the Cinemax premium cable network after the film's controversial themes prevented it from getting a distribution deal with a U.S. studio.
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Waking Ned Divine (1998) meets Up in Smoke (1978) in this wacky British comedy about growing marijuana. Grace Trevethan (Brenda Blethyn is a cheerful upper-class housewife and gardening enthusiast who is blithefully unaware of business matters. This all changes when she learns that her husband fell from an airplane without a parachute. Her husband's numerous hare-brained schemes at getting rich quick left their accounts in utter ruin. Worse if she does not raise 300000 pounds quickly she might lose her manor. Out of sheer desperation she turns to her oddball Scottish gardener Matthew (Craig Ferguson) who suggests growing pot. Grace puts her green thumb to work and in the blink of an eye the greenhouse is converted into the biggest marijuana farm in Cornwall. Soon word gets out to the not unsympathetic townspeople including the local doctor -- who is somewhat of a pot enthusiast -- and a horror flick-loving Vicar. Unfortunately a nervy French drug lord (Tcheky Karyo) also learns of their scheme and soon starts causing trouble.
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Waking Ned Divine ( 1998 ) meets Up in Smoke ( 1978 ) in this wacky British comedy about growing marijuana. Grace Trevethan ( Brenda Blethyn is a cheerful upper - class housewife and gardening enthusiast who is blithefully unaware of business matters. This all changes when she learns that her husband fell from an airplane without a parachute. Her husband's numerous hare - brained schemes at getting rich quick left their accounts in utter ruin. Worse , if she does not raise 300 , 000 pounds quickly , she might lose her manor. Out of sheer desperation , she turns to her oddball Scottish gardener Matthew ( Craig Ferguson ), who suggests growing pot. Grace puts her green thumb to work , and in the blink of an eye the greenhouse is converted into the biggest marijuana farm in Cornwall. Soon , word gets out to the not unsympathetic townspeople , including the local doctor -- who is somewhat of a pot enthusiast -- and a horror flick - loving Vicar. Unfortunately , a nervy French drug lord ( Tcheky Karyo ) also learns of their scheme and soon starts causing trouble.
1292
Would you believe that the last living descendent of Jesus Christ is a woman working at an abortion clinic in Illinois? And that she's been sent on a holy mission with two minor characters from Clerks and Mallrats as her guides? Prepare to suspend any and all disbelief as you watch the religious satire Dogma the fourth film from writer/director Kevin Smith. Bethany (Linda Fiorentino) has been disappointed in life and has found her faith severely tested after her husband leaves her when she discovers she cannot have children. So Bethany is all the more puzzled when she's approached by Metatron (Alan Rickman) a grumpy angel. Metatron wants her to help him stop Bartleby (Ben Affleck) and Loki (Matt Damon) two fallen angels who were ejected from paradise have escaped from exile and are heading to New Jersey. If they are able to pass through the arc of a certain church it will prove God is fallible and the world will come to a swift end. Bethany has no idea what to do or why she's been given this project but she heads out anyway with her assigned assistants Jay (Jason Mewes) an appallingly rude former dope dealer and self-styled ladies man and Silent Bob (Kevin Smith). Along the way Bethany picks up more helpers including a celestial muse named Serendipity (Salma Hayek) and Rufus (Chris Rock) who claims to have been the 13th apostle and that Jesus owes him 12 dollars. Boasting a huge supporting cast -- including George Carlin Jason Lee Janeane Garofalo Bud Cort and Alanis Morissette (as God) -- Dogma proved to be highly controversial even before its release. Miramax Pictures owned by Disney financed the film but several weeks before Dogma's world premier at the Cannes Film Festival they announced they would not release the picture and intended to sell it to another distributor (which would turn out to be Lions Gate Films). Director Smith however has always contended that Dogma is a film about the importance of faith if not organized religion.
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Would you believe that the last living descendent of Jesus Christ is a woman working at an abortion clinic in Illinois? And that she's been sent on a holy mission with two minor characters from Clerks and Mallrats as her guides? Prepare to suspend any and all disbelief as you watch the religious satire Dogma , the fourth film from writer / director Kevin Smith . Bethany ( Linda Fiorentino ) has been disappointed in life and has found her faith severely tested after her husband leaves her when she discovers she cannot have children. So Bethany is all the more puzzled when she's approached by Metatron ( Alan Rickman ), a grumpy angel. Metatron wants her to help him stop Bartleby ( Ben Affleck ) and Loki ( Matt Damon ), two fallen angels who were ejected from paradise , have escaped from exile and are heading to New Jersey. If they are able to pass through the arc of a certain church , it will prove God is fallible and the world will come to a swift end. Bethany has no idea what to do or why she's been given this project , but she heads out anyway , with her assigned assistants Jay ( Jason Mewes ), an appallingly rude former dope dealer and self - styled ladies man , and Silent Bob ( Kevin Smith ) . Along the way , Bethany picks up more helpers , including a celestial muse named Serendipity ( Salma Hayek ) and Rufus ( Chris Rock ), who claims to have been the 13th apostle and that Jesus owes him 12 dollars. Boasting a huge supporting cast -- including George Carlin , Jason Lee , Janeane Garofalo , Bud Cort , and Alanis Morissette ( as God ) -- Dogma proved to be highly controversial even before its release. Miramax Pictures , owned by Disney , financed the film , but several weeks before Dogma 's world premier at the Cannes Film Festival , they announced they would not release the picture and intended to sell it to another distributor ( which would turn out to be Lions Gate Films ) . Director Smith , however , has always contended that Dogma is a film about the importance of faith , if not organized religion.
1293
In the same year that a hit cable television series The Sopranos successfully mined the same premise this comedy about a mobster seeking advice from a psychiatrist was a box office winner for director Harold Ramis. Billy Crystal stars as Dr. Ben Sobel a New York shrink who's becoming a little bored with his upscale but neurotic clientele. Into Sobel's practice comes a guy with legitimate problems Mafia kingpin Paul Viti (Robert DeNiro) a godfather who is being reduced to tears and panic attacks by stress and his guilt over his beloved father's assassination. Intimidated but also fascinated by Viti Dr. Sobel becomes frustrated when his mob boss patient becomes a full-time occupation as Viti summons the psychiatrist for his professional help at all hours and in all places even including the doctor's Florida wedding to TV reporter Laura MacNamara (Lisa Kudrow). In the meantime a power struggle is brewing with Viti's long-time rival Primo Sidone (Chazz Palminteri) but Viti begins employing the feel-good self-help jargon and techniques he's learned from Dr. Sobel to keep his enemy off balance. Just as the therapist and his powerful patient are making breakthroughs the FBI attempts to persuade Sobel that Viti is going to have him murdered leading to a nearly lethal misunderstanding.
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In the same year that a hit cable television series , The Sopranos , successfully mined the same premise , this comedy about a mobster seeking advice from a psychiatrist was a box office winner for director Harold Ramis . Billy Crystal stars as Dr. Ben Sobel , a New York shrink who's becoming a little bored with his upscale but neurotic clientele. Into Sobel's practice comes a guy with legitimate problems , Mafia kingpin Paul Viti ( Robert DeNiro ), a godfather who is being reduced to tears and panic attacks by stress and his guilt over his beloved father's assassination. Intimidated but also fascinated by Viti , Dr. Sobel becomes frustrated when his mob boss patient becomes a full - time occupation , as Viti summons the psychiatrist for his professional help at all hours and in all places , even including the doctor's Florida wedding to TV reporter Laura MacNamara ( Lisa Kudrow ) . In the meantime , a power struggle is brewing with Viti's long - time rival Primo Sidone ( Chazz Palminteri ), but Viti begins employing the feel - good self - help jargon and techniques he's learned from Dr. Sobel to keep his enemy off balance. Just as the therapist and his powerful patient are making breakthroughs , the FBI attempts to persuade Sobel that Viti is going to have him murdered , leading to a nearly lethal misunderstanding.
1294
Director/cinematographer Doug Liman's third feature links together three edgy stories all beginning in the same Los Angeles supermarket with an interconnected group of characters. Ronna (Sarah Polley) is a down-on-her-luck checkout girl who is sweet talked into taking an extra shift from her friend Simon (Desmond Askew) so he can go to Las Vegas. Ronna is then approached by two good-looking actors Adam (Scott Wolf) and Zack (Jay Mohr) who want to buy drugs. Ronna who needs money plans to act as a go-between between the actors and a dealer friend of Simon's Todd (Timothy Olyphant) until a cop named Burke (William Fichtner) enters the picture. Meanwhile Simon is living it up in Vegas; in the course of a very wild night on the town he manages to bed two women accidentally steal a car with his good friend Marcus (Taye Diggs) and get thrown out of the best strip club in town with more than a few people after him especially when he leaves behind a credit card he borrowed from Todd. Once again back at the supermarket Adam and Zack turn out to not be quite what they seemed and their relationship with Burke and his wife Irene (Jane Krakowski) takes an unexpected turn as their evening becomes very very complicated. Go Liman's long-awaited follow-up to his indie hit Swingers received its World Premiere at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival.
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Director / cinematographer Doug Liman 's third feature links together three edgy stories , all beginning in the same Los Angeles supermarket with an interconnected group of characters. Ronna ( Sarah Polley ) is a down - on - her - luck checkout girl who is sweet talked into taking an extra shift from her friend Simon ( Desmond Askew ) so he can go to Las Vegas. Ronna is then approached by two good - looking actors , Adam ( Scott Wolf ) and Zack ( Jay Mohr ), who want to buy drugs. Ronna , who needs money , plans to act as a go - between between the actors and a dealer friend of Simon's , Todd ( Timothy Olyphant ), until a cop named Burke ( William Fichtner ) enters the picture. Meanwhile , Simon is living it up in Vegas ; in the course of a very wild night on the town , he manages to bed two women , accidentally steal a car with his good friend Marcus ( Taye Diggs ), and get thrown out of the best strip club in town , with more than a few people after him , especially when he leaves behind a credit card he borrowed from Todd. Once again back at the supermarket , Adam and Zack turn out to not be quite what they seemed , and their relationship with Burke and his wife Irene ( Jane Krakowski ) takes an unexpected turn as their evening becomes very , very complicated. Go , Liman 's long - awaited follow - up to his indie hit Swingers , received its World Premiere at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival.
1295
Featuring a soundtrack filled with beloved "standard" songs such as "Just You Just Me" and "My Baby Just Cares for Me" this musical comedy by Woody Allen concerns a polite and comfortably well-off group of people and their romantic difficulties. DJ (Natasha Lyonne) who narrates the picture is the daughter of divorced couple Steffi (Goldie Hawn) and Joe (Woody Allen). Since the break-up Steffi has married Bob (Alan Alda); their children DJ's half-sister and half-brother are Skyler (Drew Barrymore) and Scott (Lukas Haas). Skyler is about to be married to a likeable chap named Holden (Edward Norton). However her mother Steffi a wealthy liberal cultivates people as "projects." Her latest project is ex-con Charles (Tim Roth) an extremely rude and crude customer. At family gatherings everyone politely ignores his lapses in manners and good taste until Skyler postpones her wedding to have an affair with him. In a parallel storyline we see that DJ is convinced that her unremarried dad would find a perfect mate in Von (Julia Roberts) and she contrives an elaborate (and successful) scheme to bring them together. In a fashion typical of '30s musicals this movie completely transcends its fluffy story using a cavalcade of ballads to send the characters on a chaotic romantic merry-go-round from New York to Paris.
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Featuring a soundtrack filled with beloved "standard" songs such as "Just You , Just Me" and "My Baby Just Cares for Me , " this musical comedy by Woody Allen concerns a polite and comfortably well - off group of people and their romantic difficulties. DJ ( Natasha Lyonne ), who narrates the picture , is the daughter of divorced couple Steffi ( Goldie Hawn ) and Joe ( Woody Allen ) . Since the break - up , Steffi has married Bob ( Alan Alda ); their children , DJ's half - sister and half - brother , are Skyler ( Drew Barrymore ) and Scott ( Lukas Haas ) . Skyler is about to be married to a likeable chap named Holden ( Edward Norton ) . However , her mother Steffi , a wealthy liberal , cultivates people as "projects." Her latest project is ex - con Charles ( Tim Roth ), an extremely rude and crude customer. At family gatherings , everyone politely ignores his lapses in manners and good taste until Skyler postpones her wedding to have an affair with him. In a parallel storyline , we see that DJ is convinced that her unremarried dad would find a perfect mate in Von ( Julia Roberts ), and she contrives an elaborate ( and successful ) scheme to bring them together. In a fashion typical of '30s musicals , this movie completely transcends its fluffy story , using a cavalcade of ballads to send the characters on a chaotic , romantic merry - go - round from New York to Paris.
1296
In the Irish town of Kilshannon in the 1920s a matriarchal clique of widows tightly sets the rules for behavior. Heading the town's ruling circle is the doughty Mrs. Counihan (Joan Plowright). The only non-widow in town is a reclusive middle-aged spinster Miss O'Hare (Mia Farrow) who seems to be guarding some kind of secret. Crashing into this provincial coterie is dashing urbane Edwina Broome (Natasha Richardson) who immediately starts feuding with O'Hare for no apparent good reason. Broome mangles O'Hare's prize roses and bumps her skiff in a boat race. Counihan's dimwitted son Godfrey (Adrian Dunbar) proposes marriage to Edwina. Eventually the true motives of all involved are revealed.
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In the Irish town of Kilshannon in the 1920s , a matriarchal clique of widows tightly sets the rules for behavior. Heading the town's ruling circle is the doughty Mrs. Counihan ( Joan Plowright ) . The only non - widow in town is a reclusive middle - aged spinster , Miss O'Hare ( Mia Farrow ), who seems to be guarding some kind of secret. Crashing into this provincial coterie is dashing , urbane Edwina Broome ( Natasha Richardson ), who immediately starts feuding with O'Hare , for no apparent good reason. Broome mangles O'Hare's prize roses and bumps her skiff in a boat race. Counihan's dimwitted son , Godfrey ( Adrian Dunbar ), proposes marriage to Edwina. Eventually , the true motives of all involved are revealed.
1297
Woody Allen's in-name-only adaptation of the once notorious sexual reference guide by Dr. David Reuben contains seven episodes based on "helpful" questions answered in the book. In "Do Aphrodisiacs Work?" Allen appears as a court jester who uses a love potion to spark the erotic interests of the Queen (Lynn Redgrave). "What Is Sodomy?" stars Gene Wilder as a doctor who throws away his marriage career and position in the community when he falls madly in love with an Armenian sheep named Daisy. "Why Do Some Women Have Trouble Reaching Orgasm?" is a parody of stylish Italian films of the '60s in which a slick playboy (Woody Allen) discovers his wife (Louise Lasser) can climax only when they make love in public places. In "Are Transvestites Homosexuals?" Sam (Lou Jacobi) has his little secret revealed at a most inopportune moment. "What Are Sex Researchers Actually Accomplishing?" features John Carradine in a great parody of his mad-scientist roles as Dr. Bernardo whose research into human sexuality has led to a fearsome mutation -- a 50-foot tall female breast! "What Are Sexual Perversions?" takes us to a broadcast of the popular game show What's My Perversion? in which Jack Barry leads a panel of celebrities (including Regis Philbin and Robert Q. Lewis) in guessing the erotic obsessions of their guests. And "What Happens During Ejaculation?" takes the audience inside the body of a man in the throes of passion; The Brain (Tony Randall) guides the body's functions with the help of his assistant (Burt Reynolds) while Allen plays a nervous sperm cell not sure if he can make the big jump. While the quality of the episodes is uneven the best rank with the funniest moments of Allen's career especially Gene Wilder's touching romance with the sheep ("I think we can make this work Daisy") and the final sequence inside the male body ("What if he's only masturbating? I'll end up on the ceiling somewhere!").
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Woody Allen 's in - name - only adaptation of the once notorious sexual reference guide by Dr. David Reuben contains seven episodes based on "helpful" questions answered in the book. In "Do Aphrodisiacs Work?" , Allen appears as a court jester who uses a love potion to spark the erotic interests of the Queen ( Lynn Redgrave ) . "What Is Sodomy?" stars Gene Wilder as a doctor who throws away his marriage , career , and position in the community when he falls madly in love with an Armenian sheep named Daisy. "Why Do Some Women Have Trouble Reaching Orgasm?" is a parody of stylish Italian films of the '60s in which a slick playboy ( Woody Allen ) discovers his wife ( Louise Lasser ) can climax only when they make love in public places. In "Are Transvestites Homosexuals? , " Sam ( Lou Jacobi ) has his little secret revealed at a most inopportune moment. "What Are Sex Researchers Actually Accomplishing?" features John Carradine in a great parody of his mad - scientist roles as Dr. Bernardo , whose research into human sexuality has led to a fearsome mutation -- a 50 - foot tall female breast! "What Are Sexual Perversions?" takes us to a broadcast of the popular game show What's My Perversion? , in which Jack Barry leads a panel of celebrities ( including Regis Philbin and Robert Q. Lewis ) in guessing the erotic obsessions of their guests. And "What Happens During Ejaculation?" takes the audience inside the body of a man in the throes of passion ; The Brain ( Tony Randall ) guides the body's functions , with the help of his assistant ( Burt Reynolds ), while Allen plays a nervous sperm cell not sure if he can make the big jump. While the quality of the episodes is uneven , the best rank with the funniest moments of Allen 's career , especially Gene Wilder 's touching romance with the sheep ( "I think we can make this work , Daisy" ) and the final sequence inside the male body ( "What if he's only masturbating? I'll end up on the ceiling somewhere!" ) .
1298
Director Carl Reiner most closely associated with the homey values of situation comedies shocked surprised and (in some cases) delighted his admirers with the jet-black comedy Where's Poppa?. George Segal plays Gordon Hocheiser a New York attorney whose love life is constantly being sabotaged by his senile mother (Ruth Gordon) who constantly asks the question of the title. (She doesn't realize Poppa is dead). Every time Gordon has a prospective bride or lover lined up Mrs. Hocheiser gums up the works with her insane behavior. The attorney at last finds a kindred spirit in the beautiful caregiver Louise Callan (Trish VanDevere) who has likewise been a victim of someone else's eccentricities (her first husband used the conjugal bed as his own personal toilet). When Mrs. Hocheiser chases Louise away like she has all the others Gordon begins entertaining notions of killing his mother. In desperation Gordon begs his brother Sidney (Ron Leibman) to take his mother off his hands which leads to several comic vignettes in deliriously bad taste. The film's incest-themed original ending (trimmed from the video version but still included in cable prints) finds Gordon climbing into bed with Mrs. Hocheiser only to be greeted with a "Here's Poppa." The celebrated "tush scene" wherein Mrs. Hocheiser bites Gordon on his bare backside while Louise looks on in horror packed a real wallop back in the early '70s as did a courtroom scene involving a disgruntled hippie (Rob Reiner) and a psychotic U.S. general who graphically describes his homicidal acts against the Vietnamese. Though Carl Reiner would continue to "push the envelope" in his later films (Steve Martin as a "poor black child"? George Burns as God?) he would never again attempt anything as risky as Where's Poppa?.
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Director Carl Reiner , most closely associated with the homey values of situation comedies , shocked , surprised , and ( in some cases ) delighted his admirers with the jet - black comedy Where's Poppa? . George Segal plays Gordon Hocheiser , a New York attorney whose love life is constantly being sabotaged by his senile mother ( Ruth Gordon ), who constantly asks the question of the title. ( She doesn't realize Poppa is dead ) . Every time Gordon has a prospective bride or lover lined up , Mrs. Hocheiser gums up the works with her insane behavior. The attorney at last finds a kindred spirit in the beautiful caregiver Louise Callan ( Trish VanDevere ), who has likewise been a victim of someone else's eccentricities ( her first husband used the conjugal bed as his own personal toilet ) . When Mrs. Hocheiser chases Louise away like she has all the others , Gordon begins entertaining notions of killing his mother. In desperation , Gordon begs his brother Sidney ( Ron Leibman ) to take his mother off his hands , which leads to several comic vignettes in deliriously bad taste. The film's incest - themed original ending ( trimmed from the video version but still included in cable prints ) finds Gordon climbing into bed with Mrs. Hocheiser , only to be greeted with a " Here's Poppa." The celebrated "tush scene , " wherein Mrs. Hocheiser bites Gordon on his bare backside while Louise looks on in horror , packed a real wallop back in the early '70s , as did a courtroom scene involving a disgruntled hippie ( Rob Reiner ) and a psychotic U.S. general who graphically describes his homicidal acts against the Vietnamese. Though Carl Reiner would continue to "push the envelope" in his later films ( Steve Martin as a "poor black child"? George Burns as God? ) he would never again attempt anything as risky as Where's Poppa? .
1299
Dexter King (Jeff Goldblum) is an actor who spends his nights on-stage in London's West End as a comedic punching bag for obnoxiously self-centered comedian Ron Anderson (Rowan Atkinson). He gets hit in the head with hammers he trips and he stands by dumbly as Anderson gets all the laughs. His home life is little different. His roommate Carmen (Geraldine James) is a nymphomaniac so he's always surprised by naked men parading through the kitchen in the morning. A chance meeting with lovely nurse Kate Lemon (Emma Thompson) and a tryout for the lead in a new Andrew Lloyd Webber-ish musical based on The Elephant Man (called not surprisingly "Elephant!") jolt Dexter from his torpor. Not that it makes him much less of a loser which is the quality the show's producers are looking for. "You're a victim" they tell him. His attempts to seduce Kate are equally jarring. She asks him if he is a big believer in having sex on the first date. "Why no" he tells her trying to impress her with his sensitivity. Too bad she replies -- she doesn't believe in getting serious with someone if they're sexually incompatible. Romance and showbiz go on with the show a hit though Dexter's romance hits a temporary snag: his backstage romance with a co-star (Kim Thomson) gets found out.
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Dexter King ( Jeff Goldblum ) is an actor who spends his nights on - stage in London's West End as a comedic punching bag for obnoxiously self - centered comedian Ron Anderson ( Rowan Atkinson ) . He gets hit in the head with hammers , he trips , and he stands by dumbly as Anderson gets all the laughs. His home life is little different. His roommate , Carmen ( Geraldine James ), is a nymphomaniac , so he's always surprised by naked men parading through the kitchen in the morning. A chance meeting with lovely nurse Kate Lemon ( Emma Thompson ) and a tryout for the lead in a new Andrew Lloyd Webber - ish musical based on The Elephant Man ( called , not surprisingly , "Elephant!" ) jolt Dexter from his torpor. Not that it makes him much less of a loser , which is the quality the show's producers are looking for. "You're a victim , " they tell him. His attempts to seduce Kate are equally jarring. She asks him if he is a big believer in having sex on the first date. "Why , no , " he tells her , trying to impress her with his sensitivity. Too bad , she replies -- she doesn't believe in getting serious with someone if they're sexually incompatible. Romance and showbiz go on , with the show a hit , though Dexter's romance hits a temporary snag : his backstage romance with a co - star ( Kim Thomson ) gets found out.
1300
When sweet Northern college kid Bill (Ralph Macchio) and his buddy Stan (Mitchell Whitfield) are picked up and thrown into the slammer in a hick Southern town at first it looks like no big deal. Then they are informed that they are accused of murder. Penniless and without a single friend in the area Bill decides to call his goofy cousin Vinny (Joe Pesci) who has somehow recently become a lawyer. Full of family feeling and bravado Vinny who has never tried a criminal case in his short life as a lawyer rides south to defend his trusting relative. He's an expert motormouth and street-level logician from the wilder reaches of metropolitan New York complete with a thick accent and the attitude to go with it. Otherwise he's much less well qualified than your average public defender. When he arrives on the scene with his equally brassy girlfriend Lisa (Marisa Tomei) Bill is fairly sure he's going to be sentenced to death. His buddy Stan is even less confident of his legal representative if that's possible and the first thing Vinny has to do is to regain the consent of his clients to represent them. The local judge doesn't seem any too sympathetic to Vinny's verbal shenanigans either and even the most optimistic supporter of the boys would begin to have doubts at this point -- and Vinny's no exception. With the insistent moral encouragement of his girlfriend Vinny somehow accomplishes the impossible and wins grudging (if very irritated) respect from all concerned for once studying as if his life depended on it.
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When sweet Northern college kid Bill ( Ralph Macchio ) and his buddy Stan ( Mitchell Whitfield ) are picked up and thrown into the slammer in a hick Southern town , at first it looks like no big deal. Then they are informed that they are accused of murder. Penniless and without a single friend in the area , Bill decides to call his goofy cousin Vinny ( Joe Pesci ), who has somehow recently become a lawyer. Full of family feeling and bravado , Vinny , who has never tried a criminal case in his short life as a lawyer , rides south to defend his trusting relative. He's an expert motormouth and street - level logician from the wilder reaches of metropolitan New York , complete with a thick accent and the attitude to go with it. Otherwise , he's much less well qualified than your average public defender. When he arrives on the scene with his equally brassy girlfriend Lisa ( Marisa Tomei ), Bill is fairly sure he's going to be sentenced to death. His buddy Stan is even less confident of his legal representative , if that's possible , and the first thing Vinny has to do is to regain the consent of his clients to represent them. The local judge doesn't seem any too sympathetic to Vinny's verbal shenanigans either , and even the most optimistic supporter of the boys would begin to have doubts at this point -- and Vinny's no exception. With the insistent moral encouragement of his girlfriend , Vinny somehow accomplishes the impossible and wins grudging ( if very irritated ) respect from all concerned , for once studying as if his life depended on it.
1301
The starring cast of the hit A Fish Called Wanda reunited for this farcical comedy which star and co-screenwriter John Cleese described as "not a sequel but an equal." When London's Marwood Zoo is purchased by Octopus Inc. the multi-national holding company run by New Zealand publishing tycoon Rod McCain (Kevin Kline) the staff is given a firm order: if the zoo is not turning at least a 20% profit soon it will be shut down. Willa Weston (Jamie Lee Curtis) who was recently hired by McCain to oversee another firm that bit the dust is assigned to keep a watchful eye over zoo director Rollo Lee (Cleese) who gets the idea that since people seem to enjoy aggressive violent entertainment at the movies the zoo should round up and execute all the cute benign animals and replace them with more vicious specimens to boost attendance. Needless to say talkative zookeeper Adrian "Bugsy" Malone (Michael Palin) is appalled at this suggestion and attempts to disguise the more timid beasts with fake fangs and daubings of artificial blood. Meanwhile Rod and his son Vince (also played by Kevin Kline) want the animal displays to be more spectacular and they hope to boost income by introducing corporate sponsorship with logos pasted on the cages the staff uniforms and even the animals themselves. An already complex situation is further tangled by the efforts of Vince Rod and Rolo to seduce Willa whose obsession with the bottom line is compromised by her fondness for the gorillas. Fierce Creatures was originally shot in 1995 but when the original version tested poorly producers John Cleese and Michael Shamberg opted to reshoot part of the film (most notably the ending) with director Fred Schepisi replacing Robert Young for the revised sequences.
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The starring cast of the hit A Fish Called Wanda reunited for this farcical comedy , which star and co - screenwriter John Cleese described as "not a sequel , but an equal." When London's Marwood Zoo is purchased by Octopus , Inc. , the multi - national holding company run by New Zealand publishing tycoon Rod McCain ( Kevin Kline ), the staff is given a firm order : if the zoo is not turning at least a 20% profit soon , it will be shut down. Willa Weston ( Jamie Lee Curtis ), who was recently hired by McCain to oversee another firm that bit the dust , is assigned to keep a watchful eye over zoo director Rollo Lee ( Cleese ), who gets the idea that since people seem to enjoy aggressive , violent entertainment at the movies , the zoo should round up and execute all the cute , benign animals and replace them with more vicious specimens to boost attendance. Needless to say , talkative zookeeper Adrian "Bugsy" Malone ( Michael Palin ) is appalled at this suggestion and attempts to disguise the more timid beasts with fake fangs and daubings of artificial blood. Meanwhile , Rod and his son Vince ( also played by Kevin Kline ) want the animal displays to be more spectacular , and they hope to boost income by introducing corporate sponsorship with logos pasted on the cages , the staff uniforms , and even the animals themselves. An already complex situation is further tangled by the efforts of Vince , Rod , and Rolo to seduce Willa , whose obsession with the bottom line is compromised by her fondness for the gorillas. Fierce Creatures was originally shot in 1995 , but when the original version tested poorly , producers John Cleese and Michael Shamberg opted to reshoot part of the film ( most notably the ending ), with director Fred Schepisi replacing Robert Young for the revised sequences.
1302
Steve Martin and Carl Reiner concoct one of Martin's best comic vehicles with Martin playing the world's top brain surgeon Dr. Michael Hfuhruhurr -- he ought to know he said so himself. Hfuhruhurr pioneered the radical new cranial screw-top technique but he grieves over the untimely death of his wife Rebecca carrying around a small plastic likeness of her to get through the long and lonely evenings. Thinking of her while driving home Hfuhruhurr takes his eyes off the road and runs down the beautiful but deadly Dolores Benedict (Kathleen Turner). Hfuhruhurr performs surgery which saves her life but as she recovers Hfuhruhurr doesn't realize Dolores is a gold-digging vixen who has driven her latest husband (George Furth) to death by apoplexy. She is now looking for a new victim and Hfuhruhurr fits the bill. They marry but Dolores denies her husband sexual favors which frustrates Hfuhruhurr to distraction. He takes Dolores on a belated honeymoon to Austria where he meets fellow brain surgeon Dr. Necessiter (David Warner) who keeps a wide assortment of brains in his laboratory. Dolores takes the opportunity to have an extramarital affair and when Hfuhruhurr finds out he dumps her. But in Necessiter's laboratory Hfuhruhurr becomes attracted to Brain #21 Ann Uumellmahaye (voice of Sissy Spacek) with whom he communicates telepathically. At last here is one case where a man loves a woman for her mind rather than her body (which doesn't exist)! But Ann's brain is deteriorating rapidly; Hfuhruhurr needs to find a body and transplant the brain quickly in order to save Ann.
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Steve Martin and Carl Reiner concoct one of Martin's best comic vehicles with Martin playing the world's top brain surgeon , Dr. Michael Hfuhruhurr -- he ought to know , he said so himself. Hfuhruhurr pioneered the radical new cranial screw - top technique , but he grieves over the untimely death of his wife Rebecca , carrying around a small plastic likeness of her to get through the long and lonely evenings. Thinking of her while driving home , Hfuhruhurr takes his eyes off the road and runs down the beautiful but deadly Dolores Benedict ( Kathleen Turner ) . Hfuhruhurr performs surgery which saves her life , but as she recovers , Hfuhruhurr doesn't realize Dolores is a gold - digging vixen who has driven her latest husband ( George Furth ) to death by apoplexy. She is now looking for a new victim and Hfuhruhurr fits the bill. They marry , but Dolores denies her husband sexual favors , which frustrates Hfuhruhurr to distraction. He takes Dolores on a belated honeymoon to Austria , where he meets fellow brain surgeon Dr. Necessiter ( David Warner ), who keeps a wide assortment of brains in his laboratory. Dolores takes the opportunity to have an extramarital affair , and when Hfuhruhurr finds out he dumps her. But in Necessiter's laboratory , Hfuhruhurr becomes attracted to Brain # 21 , Ann Uumellmahaye ( voice of Sissy Spacek ), with whom he communicates telepathically. At last , here is one case where a man loves a woman for her mind rather than her body ( which doesn't exist ) ! But Ann's brain is deteriorating rapidly ; Hfuhruhurr needs to find a body and transplant the brain quickly in order to save Ann.
1303
lake Edwards' 10 stars Dudley Moore as George a Mancini-type songwriter. Approaching middle age George feels as if life is passing him by especially his sex life. Despite the presence of longtime lady friend Sam (Julie Andrews) in his life he becomes obsessed from afar with Jenny (Bo Derek) who is engaged to be married. Following her to Mexico without her knowledge George arranges a meeting with Jenny by saving the life of her fiancé David (Sam Jones). Once he has made her acquaintance George suddenly finds himself faced with the realities of embarking on such an affair. Beyond renewing the popularity of Maurice Ravel's "Bolero" and turning Bo Derek into a star upon its release 10 was one of the most financially successful Blake Edwards films in years.
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Blake Edwards ' 10 stars Dudley Moore as George , a Mancini - type songwriter. Approaching middle age , George feels as if life is passing him by , especially his sex life. Despite the presence of longtime lady friend Sam ( Julie Andrews ) in his life , he becomes obsessed from afar with Jenny ( Bo Derek ), who is engaged to be married. Following her to Mexico without her knowledge , George arranges a meeting with Jenny by saving the life of her fiancé , David ( Sam Jones ) . Once he has made her acquaintance , George suddenly finds himself faced with the realities of embarking on such an affair. Beyond renewing the popularity of Maurice Ravel 's "Bolero" and turning Bo Derek into a star , upon its release , 10 was one of the most financially successful Blake Edwards films in years.
1304
In this black comedy a criminal discovers a market for murder in the suburbs. After doing time in prison mobster Jimmy the Tulip (Bruce Willis) moves to a suburban neighborhood. But Jimmy's new neighbors (Rosanna Arquette and Matthew Perry) soon figure out who he is.
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In this black comedy , a criminal discovers a market for murder in the suburbs. After doing time in prison , mobster Jimmy the Tulip ( Bruce Willis ) moves to a suburban neighborhood. But Jimmy's new neighbors ( Rosanna Arquette and Matthew Perry ) soon figure out who he is.
1305
Fatal Instinct is an Airplane-style spoof of the late-'80s early-'90s cycle of erotic crime thrillers. Setting the plot in motion is a kinky murder. Armand Assante plays the cop assigned to the case; he's also the prosecuting attorney; the "Sharon Stone" part is essayed by Sean Young. A dash of Body Heat is thrown in the pot as Assante's wife Kate Nelligan plots her hubby's demise. Tony Randall has a bit as a judge while the film's semi-mocking jazz score is provided by Clarence Clemmons -- who shows up on screen to toot his sax at various crucial plot junctures.
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Fatal Instinct is an Airplane - style spoof of the late - '80s , early - '90s cycle of erotic crime thrillers. Setting the plot in motion is a kinky murder. Armand Assante plays the cop assigned to the case ; he's also the prosecuting attorney ; the "Sharon Stone" part is essayed by Sean Young . A dash of Body Heat is thrown in the pot as Assante's wife Kate Nelligan plots her hubby's demise. Tony Randall has a bit as a judge , while the film's semi - mocking jazz score is provided by Clarence Clemmons -- who shows up on screen to toot his sax at various crucial plot junctures.
1306
ased on a story by Hollywood old-timers Seton I. Miller and S. S. Field Pete's Dragon divides its time between its flesh-and-blood characters and an animated blue dragon. Pete (Sean Marshall) a lonely orphan boy in turn-of-the-century Maine runs away from his abusive foster family. He stumbles upon a lovable dragon named Elliot and the two become inseparable companions. Elliot is visible only to Pete leading the townsfolk to assume that the boy is a trifle tetched. Pete finally finds happiness with his "new" family lighthouse-keeper Lampie (Mickey Rooney) and his daughter Nora (Helen Reddy who sings and sings). British comic actor Jim Dale co-stars as the wacky dentist Dr. Terminus.
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Based on a story by Hollywood old - timers Seton I. Miller and S. S. Field , Pete's Dragon divides its time between its flesh - and - blood characters and an animated blue dragon. Pete ( Sean Marshall ), a lonely orphan boy in turn - of - the - century Maine , runs away from his abusive foster family. He stumbles upon a lovable dragon named Elliot , and the two become inseparable companions. Elliot is visible only to Pete , leading the townsfolk to assume that the boy is a trifle tetched. Pete finally finds happiness with his "new" family , lighthouse - keeper Lampie ( Mickey Rooney ) and his daughter Nora ( Helen Reddy , who sings and sings ) . British comic actor Jim Dale co - stars as the wacky dentist Dr. Terminus.
1307
rian Henson the son of Muppet founder Jim Henson took over directing duties after the untimely death of his father for The Muppet Christmas Carol a sluggish re-telling of the Charles Dickens tale. Michael Caine surrounded by legions of fuzzy felt puppets plays it straight as the crotchety Ebenezer Scrooge an old miser who could care less about Christmas and the joy the season brings. Working for the skinflint is his faithful employee Bob Cratchit (Kermit the Frog) who begs Scrooge for a day off for Christmas. Scrooge reluctantly agrees and goes home on Christmas Eve filled with bile at the holiday merrymakers. But then he is visited by the sprits of Christmas Past Present and Future and Scrooge after revisiting his sorrowful past hate-filled present and doomed future turns over a new leaf and becomes the most generous and celebratory person in town.
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Brian Henson , the son of Muppet founder Jim Henson , took over directing duties after the untimely death of his father for The Muppet Christmas Carol , a sluggish re - telling of the Charles Dickens tale. Michael Caine , surrounded by legions of fuzzy , felt puppets , plays it straight as the crotchety Ebenezer Scrooge , an old miser who could care less about Christmas and the joy the season brings. Working for the skinflint is his faithful employee Bob Cratchit ( Kermit the Frog ), who begs Scrooge for a day off for Christmas. Scrooge reluctantly agrees and goes home on Christmas Eve filled with bile at the holiday merrymakers. But then he is visited by the sprits of Christmas Past , Present , and Future , and Scrooge , after revisiting his sorrowful past , hate - filled present , and doomed future , turns over a new leaf and becomes the most generous and celebratory person in town.
1308
Jim Henson ventures into Tolkien territory in his all-Muppet fantasy feature The Dark Crystal. The titular Crystal maintains equilibrium in a mythical kingdom. When the Crystal is broken the evil Skeksis take over killing off the good-guy Gelflings and enslaving everyone else. Two of the Gelflings have survived: Jen was raised by the all-knowing Mystics while Kira grew up amongst the swamp-dwelling Podlings. Jen and Kira join forces to "heal" the precious Dark Crystal and restore order to their world. Adults may find the whole affair a little precious while children may be disturbed by the film's mortality rate.
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Jim Henson ventures into Tolkien territory in his all - Muppet fantasy feature The Dark Crystal . The titular Crystal maintains equilibrium in a mythical kingdom. When the Crystal is broken , the evil Skeksis take over , killing off the good - guy Gelflings and enslaving everyone else. Two of the Gelflings have survived : Jen was raised by the all - knowing Mystics , while Kira grew up amongst the swamp - dwelling Podlings. Jen and Kira join forces to "heal" the precious Dark Crystal and restore order to their world. Adults may find the whole affair a little precious , while children may be disturbed by the film's mortality rate.
1309
edknobs and Broomsticks was produced several years after Walt Disney's death and released in the fall of 1971. As it turned out Bedknobs was frequently compared to Mary Poppins -- probably thanks to several striking similarities between the two productions notably the presence in the cast of David Tomlinson the use of Cockney children as central characters and the inclusion of sequences that combine animation and live-action. Set in wartime England Bedknobs stars Angela Lansbury as Eglantine Price a would-be witch who hopes to use her newly acquired conjuring powers to forestall a Nazi invasion. Saddled with three surly kids who've been evacuated from London Lansbury wins over her charges by performing various and sundry feats of magic. And yes she manages to foil a few Germans along the way. The film's most famous episode is an elaborate undersea fantasy which combines animation with live-action on a gargantuan scale dwarfing all previous Disney sequences along these lines.
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Bedknobs and Broomsticks was produced several years after Walt Disney 's death and released in the fall of 1971. As it turned out , Bedknobs was frequently compared to Mary Poppins -- probably thanks to several striking similarities between the two productions , notably the presence in the cast of David Tomlinson , the use of Cockney children as central characters , and the inclusion of sequences that combine animation and live - action. Set in wartime England , Bedknobs stars Angela Lansbury as Eglantine Price , a would - be witch who hopes to use her newly acquired conjuring powers to forestall a Nazi invasion. Saddled with three surly kids who've been evacuated from London , Lansbury wins over her charges by performing various and sundry feats of magic. And , yes , she manages to foil a few Germans along the way. The film's most famous episode is an elaborate undersea fantasy , which combines animation with live - action on a gargantuan scale , dwarfing all previous Disney sequences along these lines.
1310
A ruler learns how the other half lives -- the animal half that is -- in this animated comedy-adventure from the Walt Disney Studios. Kuzco (voice of David Spade) is the young emperor of an Inca nation who takes a self-centered joy in the troubles of others. Not surprisingly Kuzco's attitudes have earned the enmity of many of his subjects including Yzma (voice of Eartha Kitt) a sorceress who wants to seize power away from the emperor after he relieved her of her royal duties declaring she was too old and unattractive to do the job. Yzma and her musclebound assistant Kronk (voice of Patrick Warburton) hatch a plan to poison Kuzco and take the throne but thanks to a mistake on Kronk's part Kuzco isn't killed -- he's instead turned into a talking llama. Kronk can't bring himself to kill the llama and instead sends the former emperor into the jungle to fend for himself. Kuzco doesn't do too well as a llama until he runs into Pacha (voice of John Goodman) a poor farmer whose property Kuzco once planned to take over for a vacation home. Soft-hearted Pacha agrees to help the emperor-turned-llama find his way back home where hopefully another sorcerer can reverse the spell but once they hit the road they discover Yzma and Kronk are looking for them with Yzma determined to finish the assassination she started. Pop star Sting composed several original songs for The Emperor's New Groove which during its long and troubled production had previously been announced as Kingdom in the Sun and Kingdom of the Sun.
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A ruler learns how the other half lives -- the animal half , that is -- in this animated comedy - adventure from the Walt Disney Studios. Kuzco ( voice of David Spade ) is the young emperor of an Inca nation who takes a self - centered joy in the troubles of others. Not surprisingly , Kuzco's attitudes have earned the enmity of many of his subjects , including Yzma ( voice of Eartha Kitt ), a sorceress who wants to seize power away from the emperor after he relieved her of her royal duties , declaring she was too old and unattractive to do the job. Yzma and her musclebound assistant Kronk ( voice of Patrick Warburton ) hatch a plan to poison Kuzco and take the throne , but thanks to a mistake on Kronk's part , Kuzco isn't killed -- he's instead turned into a talking llama. Kronk can't bring himself to kill the llama , and instead sends the former emperor into the jungle to fend for himself. Kuzco doesn't do too well as a llama until he runs into Pacha ( voice of John Goodman ), a poor farmer whose property Kuzco once planned to take over for a vacation home. Soft - hearted Pacha agrees to help the emperor - turned - llama find his way back home where , hopefully , another sorcerer can reverse the spell , but once they hit the road , they discover Yzma and Kronk are looking for them , with Yzma determined to finish the assassination she started. Pop star Sting composed several original songs for The Emperor's New Groove , which during its long and troubled production had previously been announced as Kingdom in the Sun and Kingdom of the Sun .
1311
ased on the popular animated children's program Disney's Recess this full-length film focuses on the end of a school year where young pupil T.J. Detweiler is looking ahead to having a wild fun-packed summer vacation. T.J. stumbles upon a plot hatched by the villainous Dr. Benedict a former principal who once tried to strike recess from the average school day. Dr. Benedict hatches a scheme to control weather patterns with a specialized laser beam to create a permanent winter making it impossible for the students to have a summer vacation. T.J. calls in all of his best pals to defeat the villainous Dr. Benedict as well as recruits the help of the faculty who willingly join the young students on their crusade for freedom. Recess: School's Out was directed by Chuck Sheetz who has helmed episodes of The Simpsons and King of the Hill.
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Based on the popular animated children's program Disney's Recess , this full - length film focuses on the end of a school year , where young pupil T.J. Detweiler is looking ahead to having a wild , fun - packed summer vacation. T.J. stumbles upon a plot hatched by the villainous Dr. Benedict , a former principal who once tried to strike recess from the average school day. Dr. Benedict hatches a scheme to control weather patterns with a specialized laser beam to create a permanent winter , making it impossible for the students to have a summer vacation. T.J. calls in all of his best pals to defeat the villainous Dr. Benedict , as well as recruits the help of the faculty , who willingly join the young students on their crusade for freedom. Recess : School's Out was directed by Chuck Sheetz , who has helmed episodes of The Simpsons and King of the Hill .
1312
Walt Disney Pictures redefined computer animation with this technically accomplished fantasy of prehistoric life combining live-action backgrounds with computer-generated animals. After a pterodactyl snatches a dinosaur's egg and accidentally drops it while flying away the egg is rescued by a family of lemurs who keep it warm until it hatches. They raise the baby dinosaur named Aladar as one of their own and as he grows to adulthood Aladar protects the primates that he has come to regard as his family. When a giant meteor appears in the sky packs of dinosaurs have no idea what to make of the strange fiery light but Aladar and the lemurs are convinced that they must escape to a safer place before the huge flaming stone destroys their home leading Aladar to encounter his own kind for the first time. D.B. Sweeney provides the voice of Aladar; other actors in the voice cast include Joan Plowright Julianna Margulies Alfre Woodard and Ossie Davis.
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Walt Disney Pictures redefined computer animation with this technically accomplished fantasy of prehistoric life , combining live - action backgrounds with computer - generated animals. After a pterodactyl snatches a dinosaur's egg and accidentally drops it while flying away , the egg is rescued by a family of lemurs , who keep it warm until it hatches. They raise the baby dinosaur , named Aladar , as one of their own , and as he grows to adulthood , Aladar protects the primates that he has come to regard as his family. When a giant meteor appears in the sky , packs of dinosaurs have no idea what to make of the strange fiery light , but Aladar and the lemurs are convinced that they must escape to a safer place before the huge flaming stone destroys their home , leading Aladar to encounter his own kind for the first time. D.B. Sweeney provides the voice of Aladar ; other actors in the voice cast include Joan Plowright , Julianna Margulies , Alfre Woodard , and Ossie Davis .
1313
Fievel the Mouse returns in this direct-to-video release the third installment in the An American Tail series. Fievel (voice of Thomas Dekker) and his friend Tony Toponi find a map that they believe points to a treasure buried somewhere beneath Old New York and the plucky rodent is determined to find it. However what he discovers under the city is a tribe of Native American mice who were driven underground by prejudiced European immigrants. Fievel makes new friends with the outcasts and he comes to realize that they have the same right to live freely in America as anyone else.
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Fievel the Mouse returns in this direct - to - video release , the third installment in the An American Tail series. Fievel ( voice of Thomas Dekker ) and his friend Tony Toponi find a map that they believe points to a treasure buried somewhere beneath Old New York , and the plucky rodent is determined to find it. However , what he discovers under the city is a tribe of Native American mice who were driven underground by prejudiced European immigrants. Fievel makes new friends with the outcasts , and he comes to realize that they have the same right to live freely in America as anyone else.
1314
It's the day children dream of and parents dread: a sudden snowstorm causes the cancellation of school giving kids a day off and their folks one more thing to worry about. Snow Day traces what happens in an upstate New York town when a thick layer of white stuff forces local schools to take a day off. Fifteen-year-old Hal Brandston (Mark Webber) is crazy about Claire Bonner (Emmanuelle Chriqui) the prettiest girl in his tenth-grade class who already has a boyfriend -- the class jock and BMOC. Will the magical powers of Snow Day give Hal a chance to win her away? Meanwhile Hal's ten-year-old sister Natalie (Zena Grey) is having so much fun with Snow Day that she doesn't want it to end so she makes sure the Snow Plow Man (Chris Elliott) can't get the roads cleared before morning. Four-year-old Randy Brandston (Connor Matheus) is all cranked up and ready to enjoy life on a day with no day care -- bad news for his mom Laura (Jean Smart) a businesswoman who has to close an important deal. And weather is a sore spot with father Tom Brandston (Chevy Chase); as the meteorologist at the lowest-rated TV station in town he is trying in vain to get folks to pay attention to what he has to say about snow rain and the elements. Snow Day was produced by Nickelodeon Movies the feature-film branch of the children's television network and its eclectic cast also includes Pam Grier John Schneider and Iggy Pop.
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It's the day children dream of and parents dread : a sudden snowstorm causes the cancellation of school , giving kids a day off and their folks one more thing to worry about. Snow Day traces what happens in an upstate New York town when a thick layer of white stuff forces local schools to take a day off. Fifteen - year - old Hal Brandston ( Mark Webber ) is crazy about Claire Bonner ( Emmanuelle Chriqui ), the prettiest girl in his tenth - grade class , who already has a boyfriend -- the class jock and BMOC. Will the magical powers of Snow Day give Hal a chance to win her away? Meanwhile , Hal's ten - year - old sister , Natalie ( Zena Grey ), is having so much fun with Snow Day that she doesn't want it to end , so she makes sure the Snow Plow Man ( Chris Elliott ) can't get the roads cleared before morning. Four - year - old Randy Brandston ( Connor Matheus ) is all cranked up and ready to enjoy life on a day with no day care -- bad news for his mom , Laura ( Jean Smart ), a businesswoman who has to close an important deal. And weather is a sore spot with father Tom Brandston ( Chevy Chase ); as the meteorologist at the lowest - rated TV station in town , he is trying in vain to get folks to pay attention to what he has to say about snow , rain , and the elements. Snow Day was produced by Nickelodeon Movies , the feature - film branch of the children's television network , and its eclectic cast also includes Pam Grier , John Schneider , and Iggy Pop .
1315
Initially released to IMAX theaters at the crescendo of millennial fever and 60 years after the original Fantasia Fantasia 2000 was meant to revitalize Walt Disney's goal of a constantly evolving film with new segments replacing old ones with each re-release. Only The Sorcerer's Apprentice remains with seven new shorts. Angular abstracted butterfly-like shapes fly through the air in Beethoven's Symphony No. 5; computer-animated whales take flight in Respighi's Pines of Rome; Al Hirschfeld's caricatures of New York life come alive in George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue; Hans Christian Andersen's The Steadfast Tin Soldier is retold with computer animation against Dmitri Shostakovich's Piano Concerto No. 2 Allegro Opus 102; frantic flamingos try to stop their yo-yoing comrade in Camille Saint-Saëns' Carnival of the Animals Finale; Donald and Daisy Duck play Noah and his wife trying to manage the ark to Sir Edward Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance; and the cycle of life death and rebirth are celebrated in Stravinsky's Firebird Suite.
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Initially released to IMAX theaters at the crescendo of millennial fever and 60 years after the original Fantasia , Fantasia 2000 was meant to revitalize Walt Disney 's goal of a constantly evolving film , with new segments replacing old ones with each re - release. Only The Sorcerer's Apprentice remains , with seven new shorts. Angular , abstracted butterfly - like shapes fly through the air in Beethoven 's Symphony No. 5 ; computer - animated whales take flight in Respighi 's Pines of Rome ; Al Hirschfeld 's caricatures of New York life come alive in George Gershwin 's Rhapsody in Blue ; Hans Christian Andersen 's The Steadfast Tin Soldier is retold with computer animation against Dmitri Shostakovich 's Piano Concerto No. 2 , Allegro , Opus 102 ; frantic flamingos try to stop their yo - yoing comrade in Camille Saint - Saëns ' Carnival of the Animals , Finale ; Donald and Daisy Duck play Noah and his wife trying to manage the ark to Sir Edward Elgar 's Pomp and Circumstance ; and the cycle of life , death , and rebirth are celebrated in Stravinsky 's Firebird Suite.
1316
At long last the secret of just what the Great Gonzo happens to be is revealed! As Gonzo and his friend Rizzo hit the road in search of their roots Gonzo makes a shocking discovery: his parents are actually space aliens from another galaxy. After announcing this startling news on Miss Piggy's talk show (hey if Ricki Lake and Rosie O'Donnell can do it why not Miss Piggy?) Gonzo finds himself the subject of a dark and mysterious government conspiracy led by the nefarious K. Edgar Singer (Jeffrey Tambor). In time Gonzo is forced to choose: should he hop on board the UFO and sail off to live with his family or stay on Earth with the friends he knows and loves? Muppets From Space once again pairs the late Jim Henson's creations with a stellar cast of human beings including F. Murray Abraham David Arquette Ray Liotta and Andie MacDowell.
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At long last , the secret of just what the Great Gonzo happens to be is revealed! As Gonzo and his friend Rizzo hit the road in search of their roots , Gonzo makes a shocking discovery : his parents are actually space aliens from another galaxy. After announcing this startling news on Miss Piggy's talk show ( hey , if Ricki Lake and Rosie O'Donnell can do it , why not Miss Piggy? ), Gonzo finds himself the subject of a dark and mysterious government conspiracy , led by the nefarious K. Edgar Singer ( Jeffrey Tambor ) . In time , Gonzo is forced to choose : should he hop on board the UFO and sail off to live with his family , or stay on Earth with the friends he knows and loves? Muppets From Space once again pairs the late Jim Henson 's creations with a stellar cast of human beings , including F. Murray Abraham , David Arquette , Ray Liotta , and Andie MacDowell .
1317
The inimitable Tim Curry and Carol Kane provide the voices for this distinctly autumn-oriented tale of a duckling who is misfortunate enough to lose his the rest of his flock whilst trying to fly south for the winter. Our hero Sean is taken in by Voley another bird who teaches him how to support himself as he braces for his first winter. Worse yet Sean has to learn how to outsmart the foxes which may be after him.
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The inimitable Tim Curry and Carol Kane provide the voices for this distinctly autumn - oriented tale of a duckling who is misfortunate enough to lose his the rest of his flock whilst trying to fly south for the winter. Our hero Sean is taken in by Voley , another bird who teaches him how to support himself as he braces for his first winter. Worse yet , Sean has to learn how to outsmart the foxes which may be after him.
1318
Dreamworks Pictures has taken the biblical story of Exodus put it into cartoon form and released it on the big screen as an epic animated feature. The Prince of Egypt tells the story of Moses releasing the Jews from Egyptian slavery under the hand of the evil pharaoh Rameses. Think of The Ten Commandments with songs and an all-star cast doing the voices. In the Charlton Heston role of Moses is Val Kilmer. Moses' brother Rameses previously played by Yul Brynner is now voiced by Ralph Fiennes. The story revolves around these two close brothers Moses and Rameses. While Rameses is groomed to take over the land his beloved brother Moses is a carefree prankster until he learns the true secret of his past. His secret of course is that he is really a Jew and as a child was floated down the river to escape mass genocide. The pharaoh Seti (Patrick Stewart) raised Moses as his son. Upon learning the truth of his past from a burning bush Moses returns to Egypt with God on his side and demands that the pharaoh (now his brother Rameses) must "Let my people go." With songs written by Oscar-winner Stephen Schwartz and sung by Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey The Prince of Egypt covers all the classic story points of the story of Moses including the ten plagues and the parting of the Red Sea.
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Dreamworks Pictures has taken the biblical story of Exodus , put it into cartoon form , and released it on the big screen as an epic animated feature. The Prince of Egypt tells the story of Moses releasing the Jews from Egyptian slavery under the hand of the evil pharaoh Rameses. Think of The Ten Commandments with songs and an all - star cast doing the voices. In the Charlton Heston role of Moses is Val Kilmer . Moses' brother Rameses , previously played by Yul Brynner , is now voiced by Ralph Fiennes . The story revolves around these two close brothers , Moses and Rameses. While Rameses is groomed to take over the land , his beloved brother Moses is a carefree prankster , until he learns the true secret of his past. His secret , of course , is that he is really a Jew and as a child was floated down the river to escape mass genocide. The pharaoh Seti ( Patrick Stewart ) raised Moses as his son. Upon learning the truth of his past from a burning bush , Moses returns to Egypt with God on his side and demands that the pharaoh ( now his brother Rameses ) must "Let my people go." With songs written by Oscar - winner Stephen Schwartz and sung by Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey , The Prince of Egypt covers all the classic story points of the story of Moses , including the ten plagues and the parting of the Red Sea.
1319
Daisy von Sherler Mayer directed this family film an adaptation of the famed book series that Austrian-born writer-illustrator Ludwig Bemelmans (1898-1962) launched in 1939 with the opening lines "In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines lived twelve little girls in two straight lines. In two straight lines they broke their bread and brushed their teeth and went to bed. They smiled at the good and frowned at the bad and sometimes they were very sad. They left the house at half past nine in two straight lines in rain or shine -- the smallest one was Madeline." This live-action film interpretation set during the mid-1950s expands on plot elements found throughout several books in the series. Lord Covington (Nigel Hawthorne) plans to sell the small French boarding school where the young orphan Madeline (nine-year-old British actress Hatty Jones) lives with other girls under the supervision of sympathetic schoolmistress Miss Clavel (Frances McDormand). Hospitalized after an appendectomy Madeline wanders down the hospital hallway and meets Covington's dying wife Lady Covington (Stephane Audran) an encounter which becomes an asset in Madeline's efforts to save the school. Moving into the house adjacent to the school is the family of the Spanish Ambassador (Arturo Venegas) including his young son Pepito (Kristian de la Osa) who spends a good deal of time wheeling about on his Vespa so noisy it serves to irritate possible buyers of the school. When Madeline falls into the Seine she is rescued by a dog Genevieve who immediately becomes the school's mascot and pet despite the "no pets" rule and Miss Clavel's allergy to dogs. Pepito's somewhat sinister British tutor Leopold (Ben Daniels) engineers a plan that leads to the county fair kidnapping of Pepito and Madeline. First filmed by UPA in the early '50s as the Oscar-nominated animated cartoon short Madeline (1952) decades passed before other adaptations appeared: the 23-minute Madeline's Rescue and Other Stories (1990 available from Facets Video) narrated by Louise Roberts; and the 1989-1993 series of half-hours narrated by Christopher Plummer -- Madeline Madeline and the Bad Hat Madeline and the Gypsies Madeline in London Madeline's Christmas and Madeline's Rescue. MGM's 1945 Fred Astaire/Vincente Minnelli film Yolanda and the Thief also adapted Bemelmans. Daisy von Scherler Mayer's earlier Party Girl (1995) was the first feature film seen in its entirety on the Internet.
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Daisy von Sherler Mayer directed this family film , an adaptation of the famed book series that Austrian - born writer - illustrator Ludwig Bemelmans ( 1898 - 1962 ) launched in 1939 with the opening lines , "In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines lived twelve little girls in two straight lines. In two straight lines they broke their bread and brushed their teeth and went to bed. They smiled at the good and frowned at the bad and sometimes they were very sad. They left the house at half past nine in two straight lines in rain or shine -- the smallest one was Madeline." This live - action film interpretation , set during the mid - 1950s , expands on plot elements found throughout several books in the series. Lord Covington ( Nigel Hawthorne ) plans to sell the small French boarding school where the young orphan Madeline ( nine - year - old British actress Hatty Jones ) lives with other girls under the supervision of sympathetic schoolmistress Miss Clavel ( Frances McDormand ) . Hospitalized after an appendectomy , Madeline wanders down the hospital hallway and meets Covington's dying wife , Lady Covington ( Stephane Audran ), an encounter which becomes an asset in Madeline's efforts to save the school. Moving into the house adjacent to the school is the family of the Spanish Ambassador ( Arturo Venegas ), including his young son Pepito ( Kristian de la Osa ), who spends a good deal of time wheeling about on his Vespa , so noisy it serves to irritate possible buyers of the school. When Madeline falls into the Seine , she is rescued by a dog , Genevieve , who immediately becomes the school's mascot and pet , despite the "no pets" rule and Miss Clavel's allergy to dogs. Pepito's somewhat sinister British tutor Leopold ( Ben Daniels ) engineers a plan that leads to the county fair kidnapping of Pepito and Madeline. First filmed by UPA in the early '50s as the Oscar - nominated animated cartoon short , Madeline ( 1952 ), decades passed before other adaptations appeared : the 23 - minute Madeline's Rescue and Other Stories ( 1990 , available from Facets Video ), narrated by Louise Roberts ; and the 1989 - 1993 series of half - hours narrated by Christopher Plummer -- Madeline , Madeline and the Bad Hat , Madeline and the Gypsies , Madeline in London , Madeline's Christmas , and Madeline's Rescue. MGM's 1945 Fred Astaire / Vincente Minnelli film Yolanda and the Thief also adapted Bemelmans. Daisy von Scherler Mayer 's earlier Party Girl ( 1995 ) was the first feature film seen in its entirety on the Internet.
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Peter Hewitt (Tom and Huck) directed this $30-million family film an adaptation of Mary Norton's classic children's novels about a miniature family of wee folk four inches high living beneath the floorboards of an English cottage. The Borrowers family so labeled because they "borrow" from the house's kitchen consist of Pod Clock (Jim Broadbent) mother Homily (Celia Imre) and children Arrietty (13-year-old Flora Newbigin) and Peagreen (Tom Felton). Their adventure begins when they're almost caught in the kitchen by the Lenders the tenants of the house so they run for cover. When lawyer-Realtor Ocious P. Potter (John Goodman) discovers the owner of the house has died he makes plans to evict the Lenders and demolish the building -- a situation where one would want to "neither a Borrower nor a Lender be." Fortunately young Pete Lender (Bradley Pierce) has become friends with Arrietty -- an alliance leading toward a method of thwarting Potter.
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Peter Hewitt ( Tom and Huck ) directed this $30 - million family film , an adaptation of Mary Norton 's classic children's novels about a miniature family of wee folk , four inches high , living beneath the floorboards of an English cottage. The Borrowers family , so labeled because they "borrow" from the house's kitchen , consist of Pod Clock ( Jim Broadbent ), mother Homily ( Celia Imre ), and children Arrietty ( 13 - year - old Flora Newbigin ) and Peagreen ( Tom Felton ) . Their adventure begins when they're almost caught in the kitchen by the Lenders , the tenants of the house , so they run for cover. When lawyer - Realtor Ocious P. Potter ( John Goodman ) discovers the owner of the house has died , he makes plans to evict the Lenders and demolish the building -- a situation where one would want to "neither a Borrower nor a Lender be." Fortunately , young Pete Lender ( Bradley Pierce ) has become friends with Arrietty -- an alliance leading toward a method of thwarting Potter.
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Former Monty Python members Terry Jones Eric Idle John Cleese and Michael Palin were reunited by director Jones for this live-action adaptation of the 1908 children's fantasy classic by Kenneth Grahame (1859-1932). The actors have only slight physical changes to suggest animal characteristics plus tails protruding from their Edwardian-style costumes. In pre-WW I England fascist Weasels prowl the countryside forcing modest Mole (Steve Coogan) from his underground home after the Weasels acquire the meadow from wealthy waddling Mr. Toad (Jones). Toad's inheritance is leaking away because of his fascination with the recently invented motorcar. After Mole takes shelter with refined Rat (Idle) the two set out for Toad's cavernous mansion. Toad crashes into another vehicle but unfortunately his attorney (Cleese) has nothing nice to say in Toad's defense. Toad's behavior in court prompts the judge (Stephen Fry) to give him a century-long jail sentence. Rat and Mole plan to spring Toad with the help of the hibernating Badger (Nicol Williamson) but Toad simultaneously puts his own escape plan into motion. Back at Toad Hall the Weasels construct a dog-food factory and intend to destroy the main house by blowing it up-so the threatened animals make plans to retake Toad Hall. Crew members who worked on past Python films include James Acheson (production/costume design) and John Du Prez (original music and songs). Lawrence Van Gelder (New York Times) reviewed "The Wind in the Willows brimming with verbal and visual wit and imagination driven by high adventure reveling in English eccentricity enlivened by bursts of song unafraid of ideas and filled with color and splendid performances exposes most other movies intended to attract children as out-and-out pap." This film should not be confused with the 1996 animated adaptation which also has Michael Palin in the cast. Filmed at Burnham Beeches (in Buckinghamshire England). Other earlier versions: the second half of Disney's animated The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949); live-action by the Minneapolis Children's Theatre (1983); stop-motion animation for British TV (1983); 1982 stop-motion animation by John Semper (Spider-Man); and Rankin-Bass animation for U.S. TV (1987).
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Former Monty Python members Terry Jones , Eric Idle , John Cleese , and Michael Palin were reunited by director Jones for this live - action adaptation of the 1908 children's fantasy classic by Kenneth Grahame ( 1859 - 1932 ) . The actors have only slight physical changes to suggest animal characteristics , plus tails protruding from their Edwardian - style costumes. In pre - WW I England , fascist Weasels prowl the countryside , forcing modest Mole ( Steve Coogan ) from his underground home after the Weasels acquire the meadow from wealthy , waddling Mr. Toad ( Jones ) . Toad's inheritance is leaking away because of his fascination with the recently invented motorcar. After Mole takes shelter with refined Rat ( Idle ), the two set out for Toad's cavernous mansion. Toad crashes into another vehicle , but unfortunately , his attorney ( Cleese ) has nothing nice to say in Toad's defense. Toad's behavior in court prompts the judge ( Stephen Fry ) to give him a century - long jail sentence. Rat and Mole plan to spring Toad with the help of the hibernating Badger ( Nicol Williamson ), but Toad simultaneously puts his own escape plan into motion. Back at Toad Hall , the Weasels construct a dog - food factory and intend to destroy the main house by blowing it up - so the threatened animals make plans to retake Toad Hall. Crew members who worked on past Python films include James Acheson ( production / costume design ) and John Du Prez ( original music and songs ) . Lawrence Van Gelder ( New York Times ) reviewed , " The Wind in the Willows , brimming with verbal and visual wit and imagination , driven by high adventure , reveling in English eccentricity , enlivened by bursts of song , unafraid of ideas and filled with color and splendid performances , exposes most other movies intended to attract children as out - and - out pap." This film should not be confused with the 1996 animated adaptation which also has Michael Palin in the cast. Filmed at Burnham Beeches ( in Buckinghamshire , England ) . Other earlier versions : the second half of Disney's animated The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad ( 1949 ); live - action by the Minneapolis Children's Theatre ( 1983 ); stop - motion animation for British TV ( 1983 ); 1982 stop - motion animation by John Semper ( Spider - Man ); and Rankin - Bass animation for U.S. TV ( 1987 ) .
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In the third installment in the Free Willy series Jesse (Jason James Richter) the once-troubled youth whose life was changed by his friendship with the killer whale Willy is spending the summer on board a ship assisting a group a whale researchers including his old friend Randolph (August Schellenberg) and Drew (Annie Corley) an oceanographer. Jesse once used a harmonica to communicate with Willy and when he plays his mouth harp through the ship's underwater sound system he is able to find his old friend who is now raising a family of his own. As Jesse Randolph and Drew are out to study and assist the whales a ten-year-old boy named Max (Vincent Berry) is accompanying his father John Wesley (Patrick Kilpatrick) on the fishing boat that John helps to run. Max soon discovers that John and the crew are not fishing for salmon as he believed but killer whales which is illegal but very profitable as whale meat fetches $200 a pound on the black market. Jesse meets Max on shore and when Jesse learns what John and his crew are up to he tries to teach Max that while his father may not be a bad man he's doing a very bad thing in killing the whales who are intelligent compassionate and deserve the right to live; Jesse also acts to save Willy and his family from John and his fellow poachers. As in Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home Free Willy 3: The Rescue used mechanical and animated whales rather than flesh-and-blood aquatic mammals.
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In the third installment in the Free Willy series , Jesse ( Jason James Richter ), the once - troubled youth whose life was changed by his friendship with the killer whale Willy , is spending the summer on board a ship assisting a group a whale researchers , including his old friend Randolph ( August Schellenberg ), and Drew ( Annie Corley ), an oceanographer. Jesse once used a harmonica to communicate with Willy , and when he plays his mouth harp through the ship's underwater sound system , he is able to find his old friend , who is now raising a family of his own. As Jesse , Randolph , and Drew are out to study and assist the whales , a ten - year - old boy named Max ( Vincent Berry ) is accompanying his father John Wesley ( Patrick Kilpatrick ) on the fishing boat that John helps to run. Max soon discovers that John and the crew are not fishing for salmon , as he believed , but killer whales , which is illegal , but very profitable , as whale meat fetches $200 a pound on the black market. Jesse meets Max on shore , and when Jesse learns what John and his crew are up to , he tries to teach Max that while his father may not be a bad man , he's doing a very bad thing in killing the whales , who are intelligent , compassionate , and deserve the right to live ; Jesse also acts to save Willy and his family from John and his fellow poachers. As in Free Willy 2 : The Adventure Home , Free Willy 3 : The Rescue used mechanical and animated whales rather than flesh - and - blood aquatic mammals.
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The heartwarming story of a boy his dog and a basketball forms the basis of this family comedy from Disney. Snively (Michael Jeter) is an unfunny clown whose appearances at children's parties are usually upstaged by his dog Buddy who has learned how to shoot a basketball. Snively is tired of being upstaged by the pooch and he eventually abandons him. Buddy is taken in by Josh (Kevin Zegers) a shy boy whose father recently died. Josh's mother Jackie (Wendy Makkena) moves them to a small town in Washington where the naturally withdrawn Josh doesn't quite fit in. Too shy to try out for the basketball team he instead becomes team manager and he practices on his own after the team goes home. One night Josh discovers Buddy that can not only shoot hoops but he's a better shot than anyone on the team. Coach Barker (Stephen E. Miller) hungry for victory adds Buddy to the team and soon the dog with game is famous -- just famous enough in fact for Snively to return demanding the return of his pet. Buddy the Dog was spotted by the film's producers shooting baskets on the "Stupid Pet Tricks" segment of The Late Show with David Letterman.
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The heartwarming story of a boy , his dog and a basketball forms the basis of this family comedy from Disney. Snively ( Michael Jeter ) is an unfunny clown whose appearances at children's parties are usually upstaged by his dog Buddy , who has learned how to shoot a basketball. Snively is tired of being upstaged by the pooch , and he eventually abandons him. Buddy is taken in by Josh ( Kevin Zegers ), a shy boy whose father recently died. Josh's mother Jackie ( Wendy Makkena ) moves them to a small town in Washington , where the naturally withdrawn Josh doesn't quite fit in. Too shy to try out for the basketball team , he instead becomes team manager , and he practices on his own after the team goes home. One night , Josh discovers Buddy that can not only shoot hoops , but he's a better shot than anyone on the team. Coach Barker ( Stephen E. Miller ), hungry for victory , adds Buddy to the team and soon the dog with game is famous -- just famous enough , in fact , for Snively to return , demanding the return of his pet. Buddy the Dog was spotted by the film's producers shooting baskets on the "Stupid Pet Tricks" segment of The Late Show with David Letterman .
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Disney's animation team dipped into the rich well of ancient mythology for this musical comedy. The son of Greek gods Zeus (voice of Rip Torn) and Hera (Samantha Eggar) Hercules (voice of Josh Keaton) is stolen as a boy by the minions of Hades (voice of James Woods) lord of the underworld. Forced to live among humans Hercules is turned into a half-god and half-mortal after drinking a forbidden potion brewed by Hades' right hand men Pain (voice of Bob Goldthwait) and Panic (voice of Matt Frewer). Now Hercules has the remarkable strength of a god but is trapped in the body of a human and before he learns how to use his power properly he goes through a typically adolescent awkward period. In order to become a god and return to his home on Mount Olympus Hercules must prove himself a true hero on Earth. With the assistance of Philotes (voice of Danny De Vito) a plucky satyr known as "Phil" the grown-up Hercules (voice of Tate Donovan) learns to use his strength to his advantage and becomes a famous and benevolent protector of those around him successfully battling a variety of gods and monsters. However Hades wanting to cut Hercules down to size sends his secret weapon after him -- Megara (voice of Susan Egan) a seductively beautiful woman under Hades' control who is to win Hercules' heart and render him helpless against the forces of the underworld. Acclaimed British cartoonist Gerald Scarfe served as production designer for this project while Alan Menken wrote the musical score. Incidentally for the Spanish language version of the film Latin pop singer Ricky Martin provided the singing voice of Hercules two years before he became a chart-topping sensation in America with his hit single "Livin' la Vida Loca."
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Disney's animation team dipped into the rich well of ancient mythology for this musical comedy. The son of Greek gods Zeus ( voice of Rip Torn ) and Hera ( Samantha Eggar ), Hercules ( voice of Josh Keaton ) is stolen as a boy by the minions of Hades ( voice of James Woods ), lord of the underworld. Forced to live among humans , Hercules is turned into a half - god and half - mortal after drinking a forbidden potion brewed by Hades' right hand men , Pain ( voice of Bob Goldthwait ) and Panic ( voice of Matt Frewer ) . Now Hercules has the remarkable strength of a god , but is trapped in the body of a human , and before he learns how to use his power properly he goes through a typically adolescent awkward period. In order to become a god and return to his home on Mount Olympus , Hercules must prove himself a true hero on Earth. With the assistance of Philotes ( voice of Danny De Vito ), a plucky satyr known as "Phil , " the grown - up Hercules ( voice of Tate Donovan ) learns to use his strength to his advantage and becomes a famous and benevolent protector of those around him , successfully battling a variety of gods and monsters. However , Hades , wanting to cut Hercules down to size , sends his secret weapon after him -- Megara ( voice of Susan Egan ), a seductively beautiful woman under Hades' control , who is to win Hercules' heart and render him helpless against the forces of the underworld. Acclaimed British cartoonist Gerald Scarfe served as production designer for this project , while Alan Menken wrote the musical score. Incidentally , for the Spanish language version of the film , Latin pop singer Ricky Martin provided the singing voice of Hercules , two years before he became a chart - topping sensation in America with his hit single "Livin' la Vida Loca."
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ased on the Newberry Award-winning novel by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor this heartwarming tale of a boy and his dog reaches for greater significance and depth than the typical entry in the kids' movie genre. Blake Heron stars as Marty Preston a kid who lives in a rural town with his mom and mailman dad (Michael Moriarty). One day Marty finds an injured beagle that's run away from its abusive owner a hunter named Judd Travers (Scott Wilson). Kindly neighbor Doc Wallace (Rod Steiger) tends to the dog's wounds but Marty's father explains that they must return the beagle to its rightful owner. Travers continues to abuse the dog and it runs away again returning to Marty. The boy who has named the puppy "Shiloh" attempts to hide the animal from his family in the woods but a scrap with another stray dog leaves Shiloh hurt and in need of medical assistance once again. Now Marty's in deep trouble with his dad until he comes up with a plan to buy Shiloh from the nocuous Travers. Shiloh inspired a sequel Shiloh 2: Shiloh Season (1999).
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Based on the Newberry Award - winning novel by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor , this heartwarming tale of a boy and his dog reaches for greater significance and depth than the typical entry in the kids' movie genre. Blake Heron stars as Marty Preston , a kid who lives in a rural town with his mom and mailman dad ( Michael Moriarty ) . One day , Marty finds an injured beagle that's run away from its abusive owner , a hunter named Judd Travers ( Scott Wilson ) . Kindly neighbor Doc Wallace ( Rod Steiger ) tends to the dog's wounds , but Marty's father explains that they must return the beagle to its rightful owner. Travers continues to abuse the dog , and it runs away again , returning to Marty. The boy , who has named the puppy "Shiloh , " attempts to hide the animal from his family in the woods , but a scrap with another stray dog leaves Shiloh hurt and in need of medical assistance once again. Now Marty's in deep trouble with his dad , until he comes up with a plan to buy Shiloh from the nocuous Travers. Shiloh inspired a sequel , Shiloh 2 : Shiloh Season ( 1999 ) .
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Unlike the more familiar animated Pinocchio by Disney there are no song interludes here and characters added to the story by Disney (such as Jiminy Cricket) are not included. Producer Francis Ford Coppola and director Steve Barron (known for the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film) closely adhere to Carlo Collodi's 1883 novel and use the visually timeless setting of a Czechoslovakian village. Jim Henson's puppet studio skillfully brings this Pinocchio to life. Long ago in his youth Gepetto (Martin Landau) loved but did not court Leona (Genvieve Bujold) who married Gepetto's brother instead. In that earlier time he carved her initials with his onto a tree. Now his brother is dead and though he still feels for Leona he is still too shy to woo her. Instead the old puppet-maker goes into the forest and cuts down a tree in order to make a puppet just for himself. The tree is the same one he carved his initials into when he was younger and it has the magic of his love in it. Soon after the puppet Pinocchio is made he comes to life. Aside from being made of wood he begins to live the life of a perfectly normal little boy. He even goes to school. Lorenzini an evil magician who runs a children's puppet show hears of Pinocchio and wants to use him in his show. Lorenzini lures children to his show only to later turn them into donkeys. Donkeys are useful creatures and Lorenzini makes a lot of money selling them. Through many trials and tribulations the puppet-boy earns the right to become the human boy Pinocchio (Jonathan Taylor Thomas).
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Unlike the more familiar animated Pinocchio by Disney , there are no song interludes here , and characters added to the story by Disney ( such as Jiminy Cricket ) are not included. Producer Francis Ford Coppola and director Steve Barron , ( known for the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film ) closely adhere to Carlo Collodi's 1883 novel and use the visually timeless setting of a Czechoslovakian village. Jim Henson 's puppet studio skillfully brings this Pinocchio to life. Long ago , in his youth , Gepetto ( Martin Landau ) loved but did not court Leona ( Genvieve Bujold ), who married Gepetto's brother instead. In that earlier time , he carved her initials with his onto a tree. Now his brother is dead , and though he still feels for Leona , he is still too shy to woo her. Instead , the old puppet - maker goes into the forest and cuts down a tree in order to make a puppet just for himself. The tree is the same one he carved his initials into when he was younger , and it has the magic of his love in it. Soon after the puppet Pinocchio is made , he comes to life. Aside from being made of wood , he begins to live the life of a perfectly normal little boy. He even goes to school. Lorenzini , an evil magician who runs a children's puppet show , hears of Pinocchio and wants to use him in his show. Lorenzini lures children to his show , only to later turn them into donkeys. Donkeys are useful creatures , and Lorenzini makes a lot of money selling them. Through many trials and tribulations , the puppet - boy earns the right to become the human boy Pinocchio ( Jonathan Taylor Thomas ) .
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After the critical and commercial success of The Little Mermaid Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King the Walt Disney Pictures animation studio embarked on their most serious and ambitious animated feature to date with this adaptation of Victor Hugo's classic novel Notre Dame de Paris. Quasimodo (voice of Tom Hulce) is a grotesquely deformed but kind-hearted young man who was abandoned by his parents as an infant and thrown down a well; he was rescued by the priests of Notre Dame the massive cathedral in the heart of Paris and he lives there earning his keep as a bell ringer. Quasimodo has become the ward of Judge Frollo (voice of Tony Jay) an outwardly pious but deeply hateful man who treats Quasimodio with indifference and violently loathes the Gypsies who spend their days in the cathedral's courtyard. Frollo hopes to clear the Gypsies out of Paris with the help of Phoebus (voice of Kevin Kline) leader of the troops under Frollo's command. However Phoebus does not share Frollo's racist views and harbors no ill will against the Gypsies. When Quasimodo is crowned King of the Fools after leaving Notre Dame during the annual festival of Topsy Turvy Day the hunchback is ordered beaten by the guards as punishment but Esmerelda (voice of Demi Moore) a hot-blooded but compassionate gypsy beauty shows pity on him and helps free him from his chains. The lovely Esmerelda is the first woman to show kindness to the unfortunate Quasimodo and the hunchback soon falls in love with her. However the dashing Phoebus is also infatuated with her and Esmerelda is attracted to Phoebus as well though she feels a motherly affection for the hunchback. Judge Frollo finds that he also desires Esmerelda which only inflames his hatred for the Gypsies when she refuses his proposals. Darker and less outwardly comic than most of Disney's features The Hunchback of Notre Dame does feature comic relief in the form of Victor (voice of Charles Kimbrough) and Hugo (voice of Jason Alexander) a pair of gargoyles who befriend Quasimodo as well as several songs from Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz.
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After the critical and commercial success of The Little Mermaid , Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King , the Walt Disney Pictures animation studio embarked on their most serious and ambitious animated feature to date with this adaptation of Victor Hugo 's classic novel Notre Dame de Paris . Quasimodo ( voice of Tom Hulce ) is a grotesquely deformed but kind - hearted young man who was abandoned by his parents as an infant and thrown down a well ; he was rescued by the priests of Notre Dame , the massive cathedral in the heart of Paris , and he lives there , earning his keep as a bell ringer. Quasimodo has become the ward of Judge Frollo ( voice of Tony Jay ), an outwardly pious but deeply hateful man who treats Quasimodio with indifference and violently loathes the Gypsies who spend their days in the cathedral's courtyard. Frollo hopes to clear the Gypsies out of Paris with the help of Phoebus ( voice of Kevin Kline ), leader of the troops under Frollo's command. However , Phoebus does not share Frollo's racist views and harbors no ill will against the Gypsies. When Quasimodo is crowned King of the Fools after leaving Notre Dame during the annual festival of Topsy Turvy Day , the hunchback is ordered beaten by the guards as punishment , but Esmerelda ( voice of Demi Moore ), a hot - blooded but compassionate gypsy beauty , shows pity on him and helps free him from his chains. The lovely Esmerelda is the first woman to show kindness to the unfortunate Quasimodo , and the hunchback soon falls in love with her. However , the dashing Phoebus is also infatuated with her , and Esmerelda is attracted to Phoebus as well , though she feels a motherly affection for the hunchback. Judge Frollo finds that he also desires Esmerelda , which only inflames his hatred for the Gypsies when she refuses his proposals. Darker and less outwardly comic than most of Disney's features , The Hunchback of Notre Dame does feature comic relief in the form of Victor ( voice of Charles Kimbrough ) and Hugo ( voice of Jason Alexander ), a pair of gargoyles who befriend Quasimodo , as well as several songs from Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz .
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alto is an animated trifle based loosely on a true story from the 1920s that may offer some amusement for young children. A live-action intro and outro set the stage for the story of Balto (voiced by Kevin Bacon) a stray who's half dog and half wolf who is shunned as a half-breed outcast by both humans and his own kind. Balto does have some friends like the goose Boris (Bob Hoskins) and two polar bears named Muk and Luk (Phil Collins) but he is particularly resented by canine pack leader Steele (Jim Cummings) with whom he is competing for the affections of Jenna (Bridget Fonda). He eventually becomes a hero when he guides a medication-carrying sled to a townful of sick kids in the wilds of Alaska. The film features a number of positive messages (subtlety is not its strong point) but it may not feature enough humor or excitement to keep anyone but the very smallest viewers engrossed.
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Balto is an animated trifle , based loosely on a true story from the 1920s , that may offer some amusement for young children. A live - action intro and outro set the stage for the story of Balto ( voiced by Kevin Bacon ), a stray who's half dog and half wolf , who is shunned as a half - breed outcast by both humans and his own kind. Balto does have some friends , like the goose Boris ( Bob Hoskins ) and two polar bears named Muk and Luk ( Phil Collins ), but he is particularly resented by canine pack leader Steele ( Jim Cummings ), with whom he is competing for the affections of Jenna ( Bridget Fonda ) . He eventually becomes a hero when he guides a medication - carrying sled to a townful of sick kids in the wilds of Alaska. The film features a number of positive messages ( subtlety is not its strong point ), but it may not feature enough humor or excitement to keep anyone but the very smallest viewers engrossed.
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Jumanji is a visually elaborate fantasy about an enchanted board game that opens a magical portal to a jungle universe. Two young children Judy (Kirsten Dunst) and Peter (Bradley Pierce) discover the game in an abandoned home and suddenly are greeted by Alan (Robin Williams) an adult who has spent his life trapped inside the game since playing it at age 12. Alan's only hope for freedom involves finishing the game but this proves rather dangerous as Judy Peter and Alan find themselves running for their lives from huge rhinoceroses evil monkeys vicious lions and other terrifying jungle beasts. Director Joe Johnston whose special-effects background previously came to good use in Honey I Shrunk the Kids used groundbreaking computer imagery to simulate the thrills.
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Jumanji is a visually elaborate fantasy about an enchanted board game that opens a magical portal to a jungle universe. Two young children , Judy ( Kirsten Dunst ) and Peter ( Bradley Pierce ), discover the game in an abandoned home and suddenly are greeted by Alan ( Robin Williams ), an adult who has spent his life trapped inside the game since playing it at age 12. Alan's only hope for freedom involves finishing the game , but this proves rather dangerous , as Judy , Peter , and Alan find themselves running for their lives from huge rhinoceroses , evil monkeys , vicious lions , and other terrifying jungle beasts. Director Joe Johnston , whose special - effects background previously came to good use in Honey , I Shrunk the Kids , used groundbreaking computer imagery to simulate the thrills.
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ased on the popular cartoon character this family-oriented "ghost story" is about a not-so-scary spirit who bonds with a little girl (Christina Ricci). The eternally irritable Ms. Carrigan (Cathy Moriarty) discovers that the only thing she's been left in her recently departed father's will is a rickety old house in New England. Naturally the woman is furious about this until her "close personal friend" and assistant Dibbs (Eric Idle of Monty Python fame) discovers a secret message that a treasure may be concealed somewhere in the house. The two take off for Maine only to learn that the house is haunted by Casper "the friendly ghost" and his three ghostly uncles Stinky Stretch and Fatso. After futilely recruiting an exorcist (Don Novello more or less reviving his Father Guido Sarducci character from Saturday Night Live) and a "professional ghost exterminator" (Dan Aykroyd) she brings in a "ghost psychiatrist" (Bill Pullman) and his daughter Kat (Ricci). Innocently attracted to the young girl Casper befriends Kat as they try to save the ghosts' home from the evil Carrigan. Eye-popping special effects highlight this magical story that touches (albeit lightly) on the theme of what lies at the heart of human desires. Clint Eastwood Rodney Dangerfield Mel Gibson and The Crypt Keeper (of Tales from the Crypt) all make cameos as apparitions in the mirror Bill Pullman looks into in the house.
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Based on the popular cartoon character , this family - oriented "ghost story" is about a not - so - scary spirit who bonds with a little girl ( Christina Ricci ) . The eternally irritable Ms. Carrigan ( Cathy Moriarty ) discovers that the only thing she's been left in her recently departed father's will is a rickety old house in New England. Naturally , the woman is furious about this , until her "close personal friend" and assistant , Dibbs ( Eric Idle of Monty Python fame ), discovers a secret message that a treasure may be concealed somewhere in the house. The two take off for Maine , only to learn that the house is haunted by Casper "the friendly ghost" and his three ghostly uncles Stinky , Stretch , and Fatso. After futilely recruiting an exorcist ( Don Novello , more or less reviving his Father Guido Sarducci character from Saturday Night Live ) and a "professional ghost exterminator" ( Dan Aykroyd ), she brings in a "ghost psychiatrist" ( Bill Pullman ) and his daughter Kat ( Ricci ) . Innocently attracted to the young girl , Casper befriends Kat as they try to save the ghosts' home from the evil Carrigan. Eye - popping special effects highlight this magical story that touches ( albeit lightly ) on the theme of what lies at the heart of human desires. Clint Eastwood , Rodney Dangerfield , Mel Gibson and The Crypt Keeper ( of Tales from the Crypt ) all make cameos as apparitions in the mirror Bill Pullman looks into in the house.
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History gets the Disney kiddie treatment and a politically correct interpretation in the studio's 33rd feature-length animated movie the first to be based on actual events and people. Pocahontas (Irene Bedard) is the daughter of Algonquin chief Powhatan (Russell Means) who promises her in marriage to Kocoum a brave whom she doesn't love. Pocahontas would rather be paddling in her canoe or wandering in the forest communing with nature and her animal pals Meeko a raccoon and the hummingbird Flit. When European settlers arrive she becomes enamored of handsome John Smith (Mel Gibson). Their attraction is encouraged by Grandmother Willow (Linda Hunt) a talking tree. The situation between their peoples is tense however as the settlers led by Governor Ratcliffe (David Ogden Stiers) desperately want the gold that they're sure the natives are concealing. When a dutiful sentry Thomas (Christian Bale) follows Smith into the woods on one of his secret meetings with Pocahontas a tragic mistake leads both groups to the brink of war. Only the love of Pocahontas and Smith can prevent bloodshed. Pocahontas (1995) was awarded two Oscars for Best Original Musical or Comedy Score and Best Original Song for "Colors of the Wind."
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History gets the Disney kiddie treatment and a politically correct interpretation in the studio's 33rd feature - length animated movie , the first to be based on actual events and people. Pocahontas ( Irene Bedard ) is the daughter of Algonquin chief Powhatan ( Russell Means ), who promises her in marriage to Kocoum , a brave whom she doesn't love. Pocahontas would rather be paddling in her canoe or wandering in the forest , communing with nature and her animal pals , Meeko , a raccoon , and the hummingbird Flit. When European settlers arrive , she becomes enamored of handsome John Smith ( Mel Gibson ) . Their attraction is encouraged by Grandmother Willow ( Linda Hunt ), a talking tree. The situation between their peoples is tense , however , as the settlers , led by Governor Ratcliffe ( David Ogden Stiers ) desperately want the gold that they're sure the natives are concealing. When a dutiful sentry , Thomas ( Christian Bale ) follows Smith into the woods on one of his secret meetings with Pocahontas , a tragic mistake leads both groups to the brink of war. Only the love of Pocahontas and Smith can prevent bloodshed. Pocahontas ( 1995 ) was awarded two Oscars , for Best Original Musical or Comedy Score and Best Original Song for "Colors of the Wind."
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A young boy overcomes his obsessive fears by discovering a love for books in this animated fantasy adventure. In a live action wraparound Macaulay Culkin stars as Richard Tyler an easily bullied nervous wreck of a kid who's an expert on safety statistics. His mother and father (Mel Harris and Ed Begley Jr.) don't know how to inspire their son to embrace life boldly. Barely able to leave the house Richard ventures out one day but he gets lost in a storm and ends up at a mysterious library. Inside he slips knocks himself unconscious and finds himself in a cartoon realm where books come to life. Guided by Adventure (Patrick Stewart) Fantasy (Whoopi Goldberg) and Horror (Frank Welker) Tyler experiences the adventures of classic novels such as Moby Dick and Treasure Island and he even meets some famed fictional characters such as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Leonard Nimoy). Through his experiences in the pages of the legendary books Richard confronts his phobias and learns to face life more courageously. The Pagemaster was directed by Joe Johnston a former special effects supervisor and production designer who later directed Jumanji (1995) and October Sky (1999).
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A young boy overcomes his obsessive fears by discovering a love for books in this animated fantasy adventure. In a live action wraparound , Macaulay Culkin stars as Richard Tyler , an easily bullied , nervous wreck of a kid who's an expert on safety statistics. His mother and father ( Mel Harris and Ed Begley , Jr. ) don't know how to inspire their son to embrace life boldly. Barely able to leave the house , Richard ventures out one day , but he gets lost in a storm and ends up at a mysterious library. Inside , he slips , knocks himself unconscious and finds himself in a cartoon realm where books come to life. Guided by Adventure ( Patrick Stewart ), Fantasy ( Whoopi Goldberg ) and Horror ( Frank Welker ), Tyler experiences the adventures of classic novels such as Moby Dick and Treasure Island , and he even meets some famed fictional characters , such as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde ( Leonard Nimoy ) . Through his experiences in the pages of the legendary books , Richard confronts his phobias and learns to face life more courageously. The Pagemaster was directed by Joe Johnston , a former special effects supervisor and production designer who later directed Jumanji ( 1995 ) and October Sky ( 1999 ) .
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When Chris Carlyle's (Jay North) family leaves their farm for the city Chris must give his pet puma up to the local zoo. When Chris discovers the terrible conditions that the animals are being kept in he manages to find a way to set all of the creatures free much to the dismay of the local residents.
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When Chris Carlyle's ( Jay North ) family leaves their farm for the city , Chris must give his pet puma up to the local zoo. When Chris discovers the terrible conditions that the animals are being kept in , he manages to find a way to set all of the creatures free , much to the dismay of the local residents.
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Jill Murphy's children's story The Worst Witch is given satisfactory treatment in this amiable film fantasy. The scene is a school for witches where the head sorceresses offer a liberal black-arts curriculum. Problems occur when one of the students turns out to be too good for her own good. And as everybody knows the best people make the worst witches. Veterans Diana Rigg and Charlotte Rae generously share screen time with such engaging comparative newcomers as Fairuza Balk. The 70-minute Worst Witch is ideal TV fare for the Halloween season.
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Jill Murphy's children's story The Worst Witch is given satisfactory treatment in this amiable film fantasy. The scene is a school for witches , where the head sorceresses offer a liberal black - arts curriculum. Problems occur when one of the students turns out to be too good for her own good. And , as everybody knows , the best people make the worst witches. Veterans Diana Rigg and Charlotte Rae generously share screen time with such engaging comparative newcomers as Fairuza Balk. The 70 - minute Worst Witch is ideal TV fare for the Halloween season.
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The Trouble With Angels opens on the first day of school for a new batch of students at St. Francis Academy run by a very strong-willed Mother Superior (Rosalind Russell). She is used to having things her way but she may have met her match in the headstrong and independent Mary Clancy (Hayley Mills) and her newfound friend Rachel Devery (June Harding). Mary easily bored and ready to rebel at the drop of a hat comes up with an endless series of "scathingly brilliant" schemes designed either to amuse her and Rachel torture insufferable schoolmate Marvel-Ann or in some way help them get ahead. Rachel who would never come up with such ideas on her own is delighted to go along with them. The duo starts right away by convincing several of the girls to join them in giving fake names to the sisters that register them. Future escapades include guided tours of the nuns' living quarters illicit cigarette smoking that brings about the fire brigade replacing sugar with soap bubbles and many others. Several times the Mother Superior is on the brink of expelling the girls but she relents knowing something of their home lives and that they will benefit from the more nurturing environment of the school. By the end of the film the girls have indeed grown and Mary in particular has developed a special love for the Academy.
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The Trouble With Angels opens on the first day of school for a new batch of students at St. Francis Academy , run by a very strong - willed Mother Superior ( Rosalind Russell ) . She is used to having things her way , but she may have met her match in the headstrong and independent Mary Clancy ( Hayley Mills ) and her newfound friend , Rachel Devery ( June Harding ) . Mary , easily bored and ready to rebel at the drop of a hat , comes up with an endless series of "scathingly brilliant" schemes designed either to amuse her and Rachel , torture insufferable schoolmate Marvel - Ann , or in some way help them get ahead. Rachel , who would never come up with such ideas on her own , is delighted to go along with them. The duo starts right away by convincing several of the girls to join them in giving fake names to the sisters that register them. Future escapades include guided tours of the nuns' living quarters , illicit cigarette smoking that brings about the fire brigade , replacing sugar with soap bubbles , and many others. Several times the Mother Superior is on the brink of expelling the girls , but she relents , knowing something of their home lives and that they will benefit from the more nurturing environment of the school. By the end of the film , the girls have indeed grown , and Mary , in particular , has developed a special love for the Academy.
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This made-for-TV adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett's The Secret Garden stars Gennie James as spoiled-rotten Mary Lennox. When her parents die of cholera Mary is whisked from her home in India to live in the forbidding Victorian mansion of her flint-hearted uncle (Derek Jacobi). Thanks to the friendship--and vivid imagination--of gardener's son Jadrien Steele Mary learns that life is lived best when one cares for others. At the same time her uncle begins to act like a human being. The only false note in this otherwise flawless production was the decision to clumsily frame the story with the narration of the adult Mary Lennox. Blessed with a top-rank British cast including Michael Hordern Billie Whitelaw Lucy Gutteridge and Alison Doody (Harrison Ford's vis-a-vis in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade this 1987 Secret Garden was first telecast as a Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation.
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This made - for - TV adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett's The Secret Garden stars Gennie James as spoiled - rotten Mary Lennox. When her parents die of cholera , Mary is whisked from her home in India to live in the forbidding Victorian mansion of her flint - hearted uncle ( Derek Jacobi ) . Thanks to the friendship -- and vivid imagination -- of gardener's son Jadrien Steele , Mary learns that life is lived best when one cares for others. At the same time , her uncle begins to act like a human being. The only false note in this otherwise flawless production was the decision to clumsily frame the story with the narration of the adult Mary Lennox. Blessed with a top - rank British cast , including Michael Hordern , Billie Whitelaw , Lucy Gutteridge and Alison Doody ( Harrison Ford's vis - a - vis in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade , this 1987 Secret Garden was first telecast as a Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation.
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Robin Hood is one of the first animated films produced by the Walt Disney Company after Walt Disney's death in 1967. For the film the studio's animators took the Disney tradition of adding human-like animal sidekicks to established tales (Cinderella Pinnochio) a step further by making Robin Hood's legendary characters creatures themselves. Robin Hood (Brian Bedford) is a wily fox; Maid Marian (Monica Evans) is a beautiful vixen; Little John (Phil Harris) is a burly bear; Friar Tuck (Andy Devine) is a soft-spoken badger; the Sheriff of Nottingham (Pat Buttram) is a greedy wolf; and the scheming Prince John (Peter Ustinov) is a sniveling groveling thumb-sucking undersized lion with a serpent sidekick named Sir Hiss (Terry Thomas). The film begins after Prince John and Sir Hiss have tricked the true King into leaving the country on a phony crusade. With the help of the Sheriff of Nottingham they tax the life out of Nottingham's peasants leaving them all penniless but with the courageous Robin Hood as their only hope.
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Robin Hood is one of the first animated films produced by the Walt Disney Company after Walt Disney 's death in 1967. For the film , the studio's animators took the Disney tradition of adding human - like animal sidekicks to established tales ( Cinderella , Pinnochio ) a step further by making Robin Hood 's legendary characters creatures themselves. Robin Hood ( Brian Bedford ) is a wily fox ; Maid Marian ( Monica Evans ) is a beautiful vixen ; Little John ( Phil Harris ) is a burly bear ; Friar Tuck ( Andy Devine ) is a soft - spoken badger ; the Sheriff of Nottingham ( Pat Buttram ) is a greedy wolf ; and the scheming Prince John ( Peter Ustinov ) is a sniveling , groveling , thumb - sucking undersized lion with a serpent sidekick named Sir Hiss ( Terry Thomas ) . The film begins after Prince John and Sir Hiss have tricked the true King into leaving the country on a phony crusade. With the help of the Sheriff of Nottingham , they tax the life out of Nottingham's peasants , leaving them all penniless but with the courageous Robin Hood as their only hope.
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ernard (voice of Bob Newhart) and Miss Bianca (voice of Eva Gabor) the intrepid mouse squad from the International Rescue Society of The Rescuers return to help a little boy from the Australian outback named Cody (voice of Adam Ryen) who has been kidnapped by an evil poacher named McLeach (voice of George C. Scott). Enlisting the air services of Wilbur the Albatross (voice of John Candy) the two mice travel to the wasteland of Australia. McLeach is a dark complexioned exploiter who scours the Outback in a giant hovercraft intent on capturing endangered species and selling them for a hefty profit. Bernard and Miss Bianca befriend a Paul Hogan-type mouse named Jake (Tristan Rogers) but to battle against the evil McLeach Bernard's wisdom is required in order to save the day. Disney got its feet wet in computer animation with several impressive flight sequences which bracket the film.
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Bernard ( voice of Bob Newhart ) and Miss Bianca ( voice of Eva Gabor ), the intrepid mouse squad from the International Rescue Society of The Rescuers , return to help a little boy from the Australian outback named Cody ( voice of Adam Ryen ), who has been kidnapped by an evil poacher named McLeach ( voice of George C. Scott ) . Enlisting the air services of Wilbur the Albatross ( voice of John Candy ), the two mice travel to the wasteland of Australia. McLeach is a dark complexioned exploiter who scours the Outback in a giant hovercraft , intent on capturing endangered species and selling them for a hefty profit. Bernard and Miss Bianca befriend a Paul Hogan - type mouse named Jake ( Tristan Rogers ), but to battle against the evil McLeach , Bernard's wisdom is required in order to save the day. Disney got its feet wet in computer animation with several impressive flight sequences , which bracket the film.
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Two fantasy novels by Margery Sharp were combined for in the Disney animated feature The Rescuers. The title characters are a pair of mice Bernard and Miss Bianca. A little girl named Penny has been kidnapped by Miss Medusa. When the human law enforcement officials fail to locate the child Bernard and Miss Bianca take over with the help of several colorful animal companions. In classic Disney tradition the comedy element is offset by moments of genuine terror. Voices are provided by Bob Newhart (Bernard) Eva Gabor (Miss Bianca) Geraldine Page (Madame Medusa) Jim "Fibber McGee" Jordan John McIntire George "Goober" Lindsay Joe Flynn (who died in 1974 not long into the four-year production) and a host of others. It scored at the box office more than compensating for the $8 million investment and the half-decade of work it took to complete the film. In fact The Rescuers remains one of the most popular of the Disney cartoon films produced after the death of Uncle Walt. A heavily-computerized sequel The Rescuers Down Under appeared in 1990.
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Two fantasy novels by Margery Sharp were combined for in the Disney animated feature The Rescuers. The title characters are a pair of mice , Bernard and Miss Bianca. A little girl named Penny has been kidnapped by Miss Medusa. When the human law enforcement officials fail to locate the child , Bernard and Miss Bianca take over with the help of several colorful animal companions. In classic Disney tradition , the comedy element is offset by moments of genuine terror. Voices are provided by Bob Newhart ( Bernard ), Eva Gabor ( Miss Bianca ), Geraldine Page ( Madame Medusa ), Jim "Fibber McGee" Jordan , John McIntire , George "Goober" Lindsay , Joe Flynn ( who died in 1974 , not long into the four - year production ), and a host of others. It scored at the box office , more than compensating for the $8 million investment and the half - decade of work it took to complete the film. In fact , The Rescuers remains one of the most popular of the Disney cartoon films produced after the death of Uncle Walt. A heavily - computerized sequel , The Rescuers Down Under , appeared in 1990.
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George Lucas produced and Jim Henson directed this gothic fantasy which pits living and breathing actors Jennifer Connelly and David Bowie (who along with Trevor Jones provides the film's music) against a motley collection of Muppet monsters. The film centers upon teenage Sarah (Connelly) who lives in a fantasy world of myth and magic evil spells and wondrous enchantment. She is baby-sitting her little brother when she cavalierly wishes that goblins would take him away. She gets her wish and a coterie of goblins abduct him. She then encounters Jareth (David Bowie) the ruler of a mystical world one step removed from reality. He tells Sarah that the only way to get her brother back is to find her way through a M.C. Escher-like labyrinth and find the castle at the center. As she makes her way through the maze she faces a number of horrific challenges (like the Bog of Eternal Stench) before she finds her way to the gravity-defying castle where her brother is being held by the evil goblins.
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George Lucas produced and Jim Henson directed this gothic fantasy which pits living and breathing actors Jennifer Connelly and David Bowie ( who , along with Trevor Jones , provides the film's music ) against a motley collection of Muppet monsters. The film centers upon teenage Sarah ( Connelly ), who lives in a fantasy world of myth and magic , evil spells , and wondrous enchantment. She is baby - sitting her little brother when she cavalierly wishes that goblins would take him away. She gets her wish , and a coterie of goblins abduct him. She then encounters Jareth ( David Bowie ), the ruler of a mystical world one step removed from reality. He tells Sarah that the only way to get her brother back is to find her way through a M.C. Escher - like labyrinth and find the castle at the center. As she makes her way through the maze , she faces a number of horrific challenges ( like the Bog of Eternal Stench ) before she finds her way to the gravity - defying castle , where her brother is being held by the evil goblins.
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This sequel to the 1984 surprise hit The Karate Kid reunites Ralph Macchio as high-schooler Danny and Noriyuki \"Pat\" Morita as Danny's martial-arts mentor Miyagi. Picking up where the first film left off The Karate Kid Part II finds Danny and Miyagi making an emergency trip to Okinawa where Miyagi's father is dying. Here they revisit Miyagi's childhood sweetheart (Nobu McCarthy) who Miyagi believes had been wheedled into an arranged marriage with loose-cannon karate expert Sato (Danny Kamekona). Little does Miyagi realize that the woman is still single; Sato is still around as well however and intent on resuming the fight with his old nemesis. Morita agrees; meanwhile Danny is challenged by Kamekona's pugnacious nephew (Yuji Okumoto).
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This sequel to the 1984 surprise hit The Karate Kid reunites Ralph Macchio as high - schooler Danny and Noriyuki \ "Pat \ " Morita as Danny's martial - arts mentor , Miyagi. Picking up where the first film left off , The Karate Kid Part II finds Danny and Miyagi making an emergency trip to Okinawa , where Miyagi's father is dying. Here they revisit Miyagi's childhood sweetheart ( Nobu McCarthy ), who , Miyagi believes , had been wheedled into an arranged marriage with loose - cannon karate expert Sato ( Danny Kamekona ) . Little does Miyagi realize that the woman is still single ; Sato is still around as well , however , and intent on resuming the fight with his old nemesis. Morita agrees ; meanwhile , Danny is challenged by Kamekona's pugnacious nephew ( Yuji Okumoto ) .
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In 1952 the comedy team of Abbott and Costello entered into a joint agreement with producer Alex Gottlieb and Warner Brothers whereby two color musical comedies would be produced: Bud Abbott would serve as producer--owner of one of the films while Lou Costello would do same for the other. Costello's contribution to this agreement was Jack and the Beanstalk a kiddie-matinee adaptation of the famed fairy tale. Constructed along the lines of The Wizard of Oz the film begins in black and white. Jack (Costello) is a professional baby-sitter while Dink (Abbott) is Jack's "agent." After a run-in with a gargantuan cop (Buddy Baer) and a statuesque waitress (Dorothy Ford) Jack and Dink show up at the home of Eloise Larkin (Shaye Cogan) there to look after Eloise's troublesome nephew Donald (David Stollery) while the girl and her boyfriend Arthur Royal (James Alexander) rehearse at their community theatre. While reading the story of Jack and the Beanstalk to the bratty Donald Jack falls asleep and begins dreaming himself and his cohorts into the story as the impoverished boy sent out to sell the family cow. While en route to town with his cow he encounters a shady butcher (Abbott) who bilks him out of his broken-down bovine for the price of a few 'magic' beans. In keeping with the traditional tale Jack plants the beans and from them a magnificent vine grows and reaches into the clouds. Along with the butcher Jack climbs into a fantastic world inhabited by a terrifying giant (Baer) and other magical creatures including a gold egg-laying hen a singing harp and a distressed prince and princess.
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In 1952 , the comedy team of Abbott and Costello entered into a joint agreement with producer Alex Gottlieb and Warner Brothers , whereby two color musical comedies would be produced : Bud Abbott would serve as producer -- owner of one of the films , while Lou Costello would do same for the other. Costello 's contribution to this agreement was Jack and the Beanstalk , a kiddie - matinee adaptation of the famed fairy tale. Constructed along the lines of The Wizard of Oz , the film begins in black and white. Jack ( Costello ) is a professional baby - sitter , while Dink ( Abbott ) is Jack's "agent." After a run - in with a gargantuan cop ( Buddy Baer ) and a statuesque waitress ( Dorothy Ford ), Jack and Dink show up at the home of Eloise Larkin ( Shaye Cogan ), there to look after Eloise's troublesome nephew Donald ( David Stollery ) while the girl and her boyfriend Arthur Royal ( James Alexander ) rehearse at their community theatre. While reading the story of Jack and the Beanstalk to the bratty Donald , Jack falls asleep , and begins dreaming himself , and his cohorts , into the story as the impoverished boy sent out to sell the family cow. While en route to town with his cow , he encounters a shady butcher ( Abbott ) who bilks him out of his broken - down bovine for the price of a few 'magic' beans. In keeping with the traditional tale , Jack plants the beans and from them a magnificent vine grows and reaches into the clouds. Along with the butcher , Jack climbs into a fantastic world inhabited by a terrifying giant ( Baer ) and other magical creatures , including a gold egg - laying hen , a singing harp , and a distressed prince and princess.
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The first Disney animated feature to make extensive use of computer technology The Great Mouse Detective was based on the children's novel Basil of Baker Street by Eve Titus. The titular hero is Basil a Holmes-like rodent (complete with deerstalker) who solves crimes in the company of his friend and chronicler Dr. Dawson. Basil and Dawson are retained by the daughter of a mouse toymaker who has been kidnapped by the diabolical Ratigan. The villain hopes to force the toymaker to construct a fake version of the queen who will grant power to the bad guy--or at least for that part of the world behind the walls of London. Though nearly eliminated by Ratigan Basil and Dawson trap the villain in the fast-moving mechanisms of Big Ben. By relying on computer animation Disney was able to keep the budget of Great Mouse Detective down to a manageable size thus earning back the losses incurred by the studio's previous cartoon feature The Black Cauldron. Among the talented voice actors utilized in The Great Mouse Detective is Vincent Price who plays guess what part? (Hint: he ain't Basil).
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The first Disney animated feature to make extensive use of computer technology , The Great Mouse Detective was based on the children's novel Basil of Baker Street by Eve Titus . The titular hero is Basil , a Holmes - like rodent ( complete with deerstalker ) who solves crimes in the company of his friend and chronicler Dr. Dawson. Basil and Dawson are retained by the daughter of a mouse toymaker who has been kidnapped by the diabolical Ratigan. The villain hopes to force the toymaker to construct a fake version of the queen who will grant power to the bad guy -- or at least , for that part of the world behind the walls of London. Though nearly eliminated by Ratigan , Basil and Dawson trap the villain in the fast - moving mechanisms of Big Ben. By relying on computer animation , Disney was able to keep the budget of Great Mouse Detective down to a manageable size , thus earning back the losses incurred by the studio's previous cartoon feature , The Black Cauldron . Among the talented voice actors utilized in The Great Mouse Detective is Vincent Price , who plays guess what part? ( Hint : he ain't Basil ) .
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The touching story of a boy and his killer whale made this family drama a surprise box office hit. Jesse (Jason James Richter) is a kid without parents who has bounced from one foster home to another and is living on the streets. One night he's caught spraying graffiti with his friend Perry (Michael Bacall) in a theme park. Jesse and Perry are caught red handed by Dwight (Mykel T. Williamson) a policeman who thinks that Jesse needs a more stable and disciplined environment. Dwight arranges for Jesse to stay with a new foster family Glen and Annie Greenwood (Michael Madsen and Jayne Atkinson) with whom Jesse has an initially stormy relationship. Part of Jesse's punishment involves cleaning up the damage he caused at the park where the new attraction is Willy a killer whale who is being trained to do tricks. However Willy was traumatized when he was stolen from his family by mercenary fisherman and does not respond well to the genuine concern of his trainers Rae (Lori Petty) and Randolph (August Schellenberg). Jesse and Willy both stranded without families in a place where they don't fit in develop a close emotional bond and with Jesse's help Willy begins to display aptitude as a performer. Thanks to his friendship with Willy Jesse develops a new sense of responsibility and a healthier relationship with the Greenwoods. However Dial (Michael Ironside) the owner of the park doesn't much care for animals and isn't happy with the slower-than-expected progress of Willy's training; having insured the whale for $1 million dollars he figures that Willy is worth more dead than alive and Jesse Rae and Randolph have to rescue their aquatic friend and return him to the ocean when Dial seems ready to live up to his threats. Free Willy which featured a star performance by a killer whale named Keiko (who is doubled in some scenes by animatronic models) included the theme song "Will You Be There" a top-ten hit for Michael Jackson and spawned two sequels.
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The touching story of a boy and his killer whale made this family drama a surprise box office hit. Jesse ( Jason James Richter ) is a kid without parents who has bounced from one foster home to another and is living on the streets. One night , he's caught spraying graffiti with his friend Perry ( Michael Bacall ) in a theme park. Jesse and Perry are caught red handed by Dwight ( Mykel T. Williamson ), a policeman who thinks that Jesse needs a more stable and disciplined environment. Dwight arranges for Jesse to stay with a new foster family , Glen and Annie Greenwood ( Michael Madsen and Jayne Atkinson ), with whom Jesse has an initially stormy relationship. Part of Jesse's punishment involves cleaning up the damage he caused at the park , where the new attraction is Willy , a killer whale who is being trained to do tricks. However , Willy was traumatized when he was stolen from his family by mercenary fisherman and does not respond well to the genuine concern of his trainers , Rae ( Lori Petty ) and Randolph ( August Schellenberg ) . Jesse and Willy , both stranded without families in a place where they don't fit in , develop a close emotional bond , and with Jesse's help , Willy begins to display aptitude as a performer. Thanks to his friendship with Willy , Jesse develops a new sense of responsibility and a healthier relationship with the Greenwoods. However , Dial ( Michael Ironside ), the owner of the park , doesn't much care for animals and isn't happy with the slower - than - expected progress of Willy's training ; having insured the whale for $1 million dollars , he figures that Willy is worth more dead than alive , and Jesse , Rae , and Randolph have to rescue their aquatic friend and return him to the ocean when Dial seems ready to live up to his threats. Free Willy , which featured a star performance by a killer whale named Keiko ( who is doubled in some scenes by animatronic models ) included the theme song "Will You Be There , " a top - ten hit for Michael Jackson , and spawned two sequels.
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The surprise hit of the summer of 1963 Flipper is a thoroughly captivating outdoor adventure from the Ivan Tors factory. Sandy Ricks (Luke Halpin) the young son of Florida fisherman Porter Ricks (Chuck Connors) nurses a wounded dolphin back to health. His father would prefer that Sandy allow the dolphin to return to its natural habitat but Sandy has other ideas. After "Flipper" rescues Sandy from a shark however the boy grants the dolphin his freedom. Ideally suited for audiences of all ages Flipper was fully deserving of its success; within a year it had spawned a theatrical sequel and a long-running TV series which like the film cast Suzy the Dolphin as the "hero" Flipper.
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The surprise hit of the summer of 1963 , Flipper is a thoroughly captivating outdoor adventure from the Ivan Tors factory. Sandy Ricks ( Luke Halpin ), the young son of Florida fisherman Porter Ricks ( Chuck Connors ), nurses a wounded dolphin back to health. His father would prefer that Sandy allow the dolphin to return to its natural habitat , but Sandy has other ideas. After "Flipper" rescues Sandy from a shark , however , the boy grants the dolphin his freedom. Ideally suited for audiences of all ages , Flipper was fully deserving of its success ; within a year , it had spawned a theatrical sequel and a long - running TV series , which , like the film , cast Suzy the Dolphin as the "hero" Flipper.
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Explorers turns out to be much ado about nothing but it's so sublimely assembled we're willing to overlook the sappy climax. Young sci-fi geek Ben Crandall (Ethan Hawke) (could he possibly be based on director Joe Dante?) would give anything to travel in space. Thanks to his computer-happy pal Wolfgang Muller (River Phoenix) Ben gets his wish together with best bud Darren Woods (Jason Presson). In the Great Beyond the boys encounter an extraterrestrial (Robert Picardo) whose knowledge of earth is limited to what he's gleaned from 1960s TV sitcoms (this is unusual?) Lots of outer-space fun ensues before the film's inevitable downward spiral. Moderately successful in theatres Explorers had a healthy second life on video and cable TV especially after director Dante rethought the film and rearranged a few scenes for better dramatic (and comic) impact.
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Explorers turns out to be much ado about nothing , but it's so sublimely assembled we're willing to overlook the sappy climax. Young sci - fi geek Ben Crandall ( Ethan Hawke ) ( could he possibly be based on director Joe Dante ? ) would give anything to travel in space. Thanks to his computer - happy pal Wolfgang Muller ( River Phoenix ), Ben gets his wish , together with best bud Darren Woods ( Jason Presson ) . In the Great Beyond , the boys encounter an extraterrestrial ( Robert Picardo ), whose knowledge of earth is limited to what he's gleaned from 1960s TV sitcoms ( this is unusual? ) Lots of outer - space fun ensues before the film's inevitable downward spiral. Moderately successful in theatres , Explorers had a healthy second life on video and cable TV , especially after director Dante rethought the film and rearranged a few scenes for better dramatic ( and comic ) impact.
1347
aby boomers who may not remember the plot particulars of Walt Disney's Darby O'Gill and the Little People nonetheless retain fond memories of Disney's publicity campaign which included an episode of the producer's weekly TV series wherein the actor playing leprechaun king Brian (Jimmy O'Dea) was passed off as a genuine little person. One look at Darby O'Gill itself and one is willing to believe Disney's subterfuge. The story based on the writings of H.T. Kavanagh involves one Darby O'Gill (Albert Sharpe) an Irish tall-tale spinner who works as a caretaker. On the night that he is replaced by a younger man (Sean Connery) Darby heads home to tell his daughter Katie (Janet Munro) that he has lost his job. En route he stumbles into the underground leprechaun kingdom thanks to the intervention of King Brian who wants to save Darby the shame of telling his daughter about his job. Advised that he will never be able to leave the land of the leprechauns Darby escapes and Brian follows. Because he stays above ground until dawn Brian loses his powers and becomes the property of Darby who won't let the leprechaun go until he grants three wishes. Brian tricks Darby out of the first two wishes but is honor-bound to grant the third: that Darby's daughter Katie be wed to the handsome new caretaker. Before this can happen Katie is seriously injured. As she lies comatose the Death Coach descends from the sky to gather her to the heavens. Darby rapidly alters his third wish and begs that he be taken in Katie's place. Brian saves Darby's life by tricking him into making a fourth wish which immediately cancels the first three. The young caretaker wins Katie on his own merits and Darby has a whole new slew of stories with which to regale the villagers. The principal drawing card of Darby O'Gill and the Little People is its special effects the most famous of which finds a life-sized Darby O'Gill fiddling away as hundreds of tiny leprechauns dance about him. Even in this era of computerized "F/X" few films have been able to duplicate the sublimely convincing visual magic -- and the effortless charm -- of this 1959 Disney effort.
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Baby boomers who may not remember the plot particulars of Walt Disney's Darby O'Gill and the Little People nonetheless retain fond memories of Disney's publicity campaign , which included an episode of the producer's weekly TV series , wherein the actor playing leprechaun king Brian ( Jimmy O'Dea ) was passed off as a genuine little person. One look at Darby O'Gill itself and one is willing to believe Disney's subterfuge. The story , based on the writings of H.T. Kavanagh , involves one Darby O'Gill ( Albert Sharpe ) an Irish tall - tale spinner who works as a caretaker. On the night that he is replaced by a younger man ( Sean Connery ), Darby heads home to tell his daughter Katie ( Janet Munro ) that he has lost his job. En route , he stumbles into the underground leprechaun kingdom , thanks to the intervention of King Brian , who wants to save Darby the shame of telling his daughter about his job. Advised that he will never be able to leave the land of the leprechauns , Darby escapes , and Brian follows. Because he stays above ground until dawn , Brian loses his powers and becomes the property of Darby , who won't let the leprechaun go until he grants three wishes. Brian tricks Darby out of the first two wishes , but is honor - bound to grant the third : that Darby's daughter Katie be wed to the handsome new caretaker. Before this can happen , Katie is seriously injured. As she lies comatose , the Death Coach descends from the sky to gather her to the heavens. Darby rapidly alters his third wish and begs that he be taken in Katie's place. Brian saves Darby's life by tricking him into making a fourth wish , which immediately cancels the first three. The young caretaker wins Katie on his own merits , and Darby has a whole new slew of stories with which to regale the villagers. The principal drawing card of Darby O'Gill and the Little People is its special effects , the most famous of which finds a life - sized Darby O'Gill fiddling away as hundreds of tiny leprechauns dance about him. Even in this era of computerized "F / X , " few films have been able to duplicate the sublimely convincing visual magic -- and the effortless charm -- of this 1959 Disney effort.
1348
A fast-paced and funny twist on the Homeward Bound saga in which devoted pets traverse the wilderness in search of their owners Brave Little Toaster is an animated family treat that tells the delightful story of a gang of household appliances who set off for the big city to find their young master after he thoughtlessly leaves them in his summer cabin. Along the way they must face many dangers and obstacles including figuring out how to get juice in a wilderness containing no electrical outlets. The film is based on a children's tale by science-fiction author Thomas M. Disch and won a Parent's Choice Award.
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A fast - paced and funny twist on the Homeward Bound saga in which devoted pets traverse the wilderness in search of their owners , Brave Little Toaster is an animated family treat that tells the delightful story of a gang of household appliances who set off for the big city to find their young master after he thoughtlessly leaves them in his summer cabin. Along the way they must face many dangers and obstacles , including figuring out how to get juice in a wilderness containing no electrical outlets. The film is based on a children's tale by science - fiction author Thomas M. Disch and won a Parent's Choice Award.
1349
Children's book authors Jean and Laurent de Brunhoff's most beloved elephant comes to the big screen in this animated family tale. Elephant monarch King Babar tells the tale that unfolds via flashback of how a much-younger Barbar and his girlfriend Celeste save her village from the pugnacious rhinoceroses that have come to raid it. Though primarily aimed at younger audiences parents should note that some scenes of abandoned babies maybe upsetting for little viewers.
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Children's book authors Jean and Laurent de Brunhoff's most beloved elephant comes to the big screen in this animated family tale. Elephant monarch King Babar tells the tale , that unfolds via flashback , of how a much - younger Barbar and his girlfriend Celeste save her village from the pugnacious rhinoceroses that have come to raid it. Though primarily aimed at younger audiences , parents should note that some scenes of abandoned babies maybe upsetting for little viewers.
1350
Milo is a kitten Otis is a dog. When Milo gets into a small box with the intention of taking a trip down a river Otis follows. En route the stars encounter bad weather life-threatening situations and even potential mates. Original made for Japanese TV under the title Koneko Monogatari The Adventures of Milo and Otis contained some intense scenes that were edited out for Western audiences. For American consumption the film was pared down to a G-rated 75 minutes with a new comic narration added written by Mark Saltzman and delivered by Dudley Moore.
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Milo is a kitten , Otis is a dog. When Milo gets into a small box with the intention of taking a trip down a river , Otis follows. En route , the stars encounter bad weather , life - threatening situations , and even potential mates. Original made for Japanese TV under the title Koneko Monogatari , The Adventures of Milo and Otis contained some intense scenes that were edited out for Western audiences. For American consumption , the film was pared down to a G - rated 75 minutes , with a new comic narration added , written by Mark Saltzman and delivered by Dudley Moore .
1351
The first feature from the 20th Century-Fox animation unit in Phoenix Arizona this is the ninth film produced and directed by the Don Bluth/Gary Goldman duo (An American Tail) and the first animated feature to be made in CinemaScope since Disney's Sleeping Beauty (1959). This $50 million animated fantasy retells the story of Anastasia daughter of Czar Nicholas beginning with her childhood in 1916 Russia. After Rasputin's curse on the Romanovs little Anastasia is separated from her grandmother the Dowager Empress Maria. After growing up in an orphanage Anastasia emerges as a young woman called Anya. With no clear memory of her youth Anya encounters entrepreneurs who seek an Anastasia look-alike in hopes of collecting a reward in Paris from the aged Dowager Empress. Despite demonic interference from Rasputin the three travel to Paris where another problem awaits: the Dowager Empress is now skeptical of the parade of imposters.
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The first feature from the 20th Century - Fox animation unit in Phoenix , Arizona , this is the ninth film produced and directed by the Don Bluth / Gary Goldman duo ( An American Tail ) and the first animated feature to be made in CinemaScope since Disney 's Sleeping Beauty ( 1959 ) . This $50 million animated fantasy retells the story of Anastasia , daughter of Czar Nicholas , beginning with her childhood in 1916 Russia. After Rasputin's curse on the Romanovs , little Anastasia is separated from her grandmother , the Dowager Empress Maria. After growing up in an orphanage , Anastasia emerges as a young woman called Anya. With no clear memory of her youth , Anya encounters entrepreneurs who seek an Anastasia look - alike in hopes of collecting a reward in Paris from the aged Dowager Empress. Despite demonic interference from Rasputin , the three travel to Paris where another problem awaits : the Dowager Empress is now skeptical of the parade of imposters.
1352
Identical twin 9-year-old girls one a poor orphan the other a rich heiress cause confusion when they decide to meddle in their caretakers' love lives in this family-oriented comedy. Amanda (Mary Kate Olsen) is the orphan a scrappy young girl with no family relying on the support of her caring social worker Diane (Kirstie Alley). When Diane brings Amanda to a summer camp she first encounters Alyssa (Ashley Olsen) the wealthy daughter of the camp's sponsor Roger Callaway (Steve Guttenberg). The girls immediately bond and decide to switch places for the fun of it. They soon conclude that their lives would be improved if Roger and Diane were to get together and form a family and they set out to bring the adults together. More jaded older viewers may be put off by the film's saccharine tone and derivative Parent Trap-like narrative but the inoffensive humor and the presence of popular TV stars the Olsen Twins should appeal to family audiences.
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Identical twin 9 - year - old girls , one a poor orphan , the other a rich heiress , cause confusion when they decide to meddle in their caretakers' love lives in this family - oriented comedy. Amanda ( Mary Kate Olsen ) is the orphan , a scrappy young girl with no family , relying on the support of her caring social worker , Diane ( Kirstie Alley ) . When Diane brings Amanda to a summer camp , she first encounters Alyssa ( Ashley Olsen ), the wealthy daughter of the camp's sponsor , Roger Callaway ( Steve Guttenberg ) . The girls immediately bond and decide to switch places for the fun of it. They soon conclude that their lives would be improved if Roger and Diane were to get together and form a family , and they set out to bring the adults together. More jaded , older viewers may be put off by the film's saccharine tone and derivative , Parent Trap - like narrative , but the inoffensive humor and the presence of popular TV stars the Olsen Twins should appeal to family audiences.
1353
For Ever Mozart is an episodic film that follows a theater troupe from France attempting to put on a play in Sarajevo. Along their journey they are captured and held in a POW camp and they call for help from their friends and relations in France. Director Jean-Luc Godard presents stories about this troop to ask how one can make art while slaughters like the one in Bosnia are taking place and he throws in a strong critique of the European Union. For Ever Mozart is one of Godard's most disjointed and difficult films. Its stories sometimes seem to form a whole and at other times the links among them are unclear. One gets the impression that in each episode Godard attempts to start a film only to come to the conclusion that it is impossible to continue. It features some of the most beautiful shots of tanks in the cinema.
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For Ever Mozart is an episodic film that follows a theater troupe from France attempting to put on a play in Sarajevo. Along their journey they are captured and held in a POW camp , and they call for help from their friends and relations in France. Director Jean - Luc Godard presents stories about this troop to ask how one can make art while slaughters like the one in Bosnia are taking place , and he throws in a strong critique of the European Union. For Ever Mozart is one of Godard 's most disjointed and difficult films. Its stories sometimes seem to form a whole and at other times the links among them are unclear. One gets the impression that in each episode Godard attempts to start a film only to come to the conclusion that it is impossible to continue. It features some of the most beautiful shots of tanks in the cinema.
1354
Filmed in 1979 and released publicly one year later The Tempest is an abstract 16-millimeter feature film based loosely on the "magical" Shakespeare play. Director/writer Derek Jarman also throws in a few Shakespearean sonnets when the spirit moves him. Essentially Jarman uses the material as the basis for a homosexual metaphor most notably in the Prospero/Caliban relationship. He would further elaborate this concept in his next film The Angelic Conversation. Jarman's The Tempest by its very nature speaks to a small specialized audience.
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Filmed in 1979 and released publicly one year later , The Tempest is an abstract 16 - millimeter feature film based loosely on the "magical" Shakespeare play. Director / writer Derek Jarman also throws in a few Shakespearean sonnets when the spirit moves him. Essentially , Jarman uses the material as the basis for a homosexual metaphor , most notably in the Prospero / Caliban relationship. He would further elaborate this concept in his next film , The Angelic Conversation . Jarman's The Tempest by its very nature speaks to a small , specialized audience.
1355
Je vous salue Marie is Jean-Luc Godard's first sustained examination of modern spiritual life. This complex episodic film parallels the story of a contemporary Joseph (Theirry Rode) and Mary (Myriem Roussel) with that of a science class studying the origins of life on earth. Joseph is a cab driver and Mary plays on a woman's basketball team. A thuggish angel (Philippe Lacoste) tells Mary that she is with child. When she tells Joseph that she is pregnant he accuses Mary of having cheated on him. The professor of the science class (Johan Leysen) who is having an affair with one of his students (Anne Gauthier) presents the theory that life came to earth from somewhere else in the universe. Godard organizes scenes from these two narratives into an essay about the relationship between the spirit and the body and how being is born from nothingness. The film is filled with images of light cascading over the Swiss countryside. Godard often has his cinematographers Jean-Bernard Menoud and Jacques Firmann shoot directly into the sun and capture ravishing shots of pure luminosity. Je vous salue Marie is introduced by a short film by Godard's frequent directing partner Anne-Marie Miéville entitled Le Livre de Maire (The Book Of Mary) the story of a young girl named Marie whose parents separate. Miéville's film continues the philosophical reflection on children that she and Godard started in Numéro deux(Number Two).
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Je vous salue Marie is Jean - Luc Godard 's first sustained examination of modern spiritual life. This complex episodic film parallels the story of a contemporary Joseph ( Theirry Rode ) and Mary ( Myriem Roussel ) with that of a science class studying the origins of life on earth. Joseph is a cab driver and Mary plays on a woman's basketball team. A thuggish angel ( Philippe Lacoste ) tells Mary that she is with child. When she tells Joseph that she is pregnant , he accuses Mary of having cheated on him. The professor of the science class ( Johan Leysen ), who is having an affair with one of his students ( Anne Gauthier ), presents the theory that life came to earth from somewhere else in the universe. Godard organizes scenes from these two narratives into an essay about the relationship between the spirit and the body , and how being is born from nothingness. The film is filled with images of light cascading over the Swiss countryside. Godard often has his cinematographers Jean - Bernard Menoud and Jacques Firmann shoot directly into the sun and capture ravishing shots of pure luminosity. Je vous salue Marie is introduced by a short film by Godard 's frequent directing partner Anne - Marie Miéville entitled Le Livre de Maire ( The Book Of Mary ), the story of a young girl named Marie whose parents separate. Miéville 's film continues the philosophical reflection on children that she and Godard started in Numéro deux ( Number Two ) .
1356
This impressive work from acclaimed Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki represents a significant departure from traditional anime. Foregoing the gritty storylines extreme violence and adult content found throughout many anime Miyazaki's works borrow as much from fairy tales as they do from science fiction. Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind is no exception. Centuries after war has devastated the earth Princess Nausicaa leads the people of the Valley of the Wind. Feuding clans fight with planes and tanks as well as swords in a world that is both primitive and futuristic. In addition to her people's conflicts with other factions Nausicaa must also contend with the insects of the jungle including the Ohmu a race of giant intelligent bugs that poisons the surrounding atmosphere - and is spreading rapidly. The setting of this 1984 animation owes much to the post-apocalypse genre spawned by Mad Max and other films and the political subplot is often compared to Frank Herbert's Dune. However the heroine here has more in common with the female protagonists of the Disney musicals such as Pocohantas and Mulan; Nausicaa is more concerned with harmony and communication than with conquest and revenge. Sympathetic to the Ohmu she learns she must approach them with understanding to achieve peace and restore the dying world. This film is beautifully animated and written and the moral to this ecological fable is difficult to miss. The film was dubbed into English in the mid-2000s hence the presence of such actors as Shia LeBoeuf who wasn't born yet when the film was originally made.
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This impressive work from acclaimed Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki represents a significant departure from traditional anime. Foregoing the gritty storylines , extreme violence , and adult content found throughout many anime , Miyazaki's works borrow as much from fairy tales as they do from science fiction. Nausicaa of the Valley of Wind is no exception. Centuries after war has devastated the earth , Princess Nausicaa leads the people of the Valley of the Wind. Feuding clans fight with planes and tanks as well as swords in a world that is both primitive and futuristic. In addition to her people's conflicts with other factions , Nausicaa must also contend with the insects of the jungle including the Ohmu , a race of giant , intelligent bugs that poisons the surrounding atmosphere - and is spreading rapidly. The setting of this 1984 animation owes much to the post - apocalypse genre spawned by Mad Max and other films , and the political subplot is often compared to Frank Herbert 's Dune . However , the heroine here has more in common with the female protagonists of the Disney musicals such as Pocohantas and Mulan ; Nausicaa is more concerned with harmony and communication than with conquest and revenge. Sympathetic to the Ohmu , she learns she must approach them with understanding to achieve peace and restore the dying world. This film is beautifully animated and written , and the moral to this ecological fable is difficult to miss. The film was dubbed into English in the mid - 2000s , hence the presence of such actors as Shia LeBoeuf , who wasn't born yet when the film was originally made.
1357
A darkly comic and surreal contemporization of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol this effects-heavy Bill Murray holiday vehicle from 1988 sees the former SNL funnyman assuming the role of television executive Frank Cross the meanest and most depraved man on earth. Cross will stoop to unheard of levels to increase his network's ratings -- even if it means mounting outrageous programs to retain an audience such as "Robert Goulet's Cajun Christmas" and Lee Majors in "The Night the Reindeer Died" with an AK-47-toting Santa. Cross plots his foulest move however for the Christmas holiday when he will force his office staff to mount a live production of A Christmas Carol on national television -- and thus work through Christmas Eve. Cross's life is turned upside down with visits from three ghosts: a craggy-faced cabbie known as The Ghost of Christmas Past (David Johansen); the sugar-plum fairy Ghost of Christmas Present (Carol Kane) (who gets her jollies by bonking Frank across the face with a toaster oven); and eventually the caped headless Ghost of Christmas Future who will send Frank sliding into a crematory oven -- just before he gives the sleazoid one last chance to redeem himself. Along the way the spirits carry Frank to scenes from his past present and future (per Scrooge) and impart a glimpse of how he became so thoroughly rotten. The radiant Karen Allen co-stars as Frank's girlfriend Claire Phillips and the film packs in cameos from countless celebrities -- among them Mary Lou Retton John Houseman Jamie Farr and in a truly grisly and tasteless bit John Forsythe. Richard Donner directs from a script credited to the late Michael O'Donoghue and Mitch Glazer.
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A darkly comic and surreal contemporization of Charles Dickens 's A Christmas Carol , this effects - heavy Bill Murray holiday vehicle from 1988 sees the former SNL funnyman assuming the role of television executive Frank Cross , the meanest and most depraved man on earth. Cross will stoop to unheard of levels to increase his network's ratings -- even if it means mounting outrageous programs to retain an audience , such as " Robert Goulet 's Cajun Christmas" and Lee Majors in "The Night the Reindeer Died , " with an AK - 47 - toting Santa. Cross plots his foulest move , however , for the Christmas holiday , when he will force his office staff to mount a live production of A Christmas Carol on national television -- and thus work through Christmas Eve. Cross's life is turned upside down with visits from three ghosts : a craggy - faced cabbie known as The Ghost of Christmas Past ( David Johansen ); the sugar - plum fairy Ghost of Christmas Present ( Carol Kane ) ( who gets her jollies by bonking Frank across the face with a toaster oven ); and , eventually , the caped , headless Ghost of Christmas Future , who will send Frank sliding into a crematory oven -- just before he gives the sleazoid one last chance to redeem himself. Along the way , the spirits carry Frank to scenes from his past , present , and future ( per Scrooge ) and impart a glimpse of how he became so thoroughly rotten. The radiant Karen Allen co - stars as Frank's girlfriend , Claire Phillips , and the film packs in cameos from countless celebrities -- among them , Mary Lou Retton , John Houseman , Jamie Farr , and , in a truly grisly and tasteless bit , John Forsythe . Richard Donner directs , from a script credited to the late Michael O'Donoghue and Mitch Glazer .
1358
Thanks to the carelessness of a cute little dog newlyweds Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin are killed in a freak auto accident. Upon arriving in the outer offices of Heaven the couple finds that thanks to a century's worth of bureaucratic red tape they're on a long celestial waiting list. Before they can earn their wings Davis and Baldwin must occupy their old house as ghosts for the next fifty years. Alas the house is now owned by insufferable yuppies Catherine O'Hara and Jeffrey Jones. Horrified at the prospect of sharing space with these obnoxious interlopers Davis and Baldwin do their best to scare O'Hara and Jones away but their house-haunting skills are pathetic at best. In desperation the ghostly couple engage the services of a veteran scaremeister: a yellow-haired snaggle-toothed profane flatulent "gonzo" spirit named Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton). The problem: Beetlejuice cannot be trusted-especially when he falls in love with O'Hara and Jones' gloomy black-clad teenaged daughter Winona Ryder. Beetlejuice producer David Geffen director Tim Burton and composer Danny Elfman were also involved in an animated TV-series spin-off.
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Thanks to the carelessness of a cute little dog , newlyweds Geena Davis and Alec Baldwin are killed in a freak auto accident. Upon arriving in the outer offices of Heaven , the couple finds that , thanks to a century's worth of bureaucratic red tape , they're on a long celestial waiting list. Before they can earn their wings , Davis and Baldwin must occupy their old house as ghosts for the next fifty years. Alas , the house is now owned by insufferable yuppies Catherine O'Hara and Jeffrey Jones . Horrified at the prospect of sharing space with these obnoxious interlopers , Davis and Baldwin do their best to scare O'Hara and Jones away , but their house - haunting skills are pathetic at best. In desperation , the ghostly couple engage the services of a veteran scaremeister : a yellow - haired , snaggle - toothed , profane , flatulent "gonzo" spirit named Beetlejuice ( Michael Keaton ) . The problem : Beetlejuice cannot be trusted - especially when he falls in love with O'Hara and Jones ' gloomy , black - clad teenaged daughter Winona Ryder . Beetlejuice producer David Geffen , director Tim Burton , and composer Danny Elfman were also involved in an animated TV - series spin - off.
1359
In this first sequel to 1989's Batman the Caped Crusader (Michael Keaton) is up against the Penguin (Danny DeVito) the hideously deformed scion of a wealthy Gotham City family. The Penguin plots with evil businessman Max Schreck (Christopher Walken) to become mayor and then turn Gotham into a cathedral of crime. Upon overhearing these plans Schreck's mousy secretary Selena Kyle (Michelle Pfeiffer) is tossed from a high-rise window by her boss. Rescued by a covey of kittens Selena transforms into the leather-clad Catwoman. In this guise she teams with the Penguin and Schreck to divvy up their ill-gotten gains and help discredit Batman-but she also has her own scores to settle. Paul \"Pee-Wee Herman\" Reubens Vincent Schiavelli and Jan Hooks play significant bits while Pat Hingle and Michael Gough make returns as respectively Commissioner Gordon and Alfred the Butler.
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In this first sequel to 1989's Batman , the Caped Crusader ( Michael Keaton ) is up against the Penguin ( Danny DeVito ), the hideously deformed scion of a wealthy Gotham City family. The Penguin plots with evil businessman Max Schreck ( Christopher Walken ) to become mayor and then turn Gotham into a cathedral of crime. Upon overhearing these plans , Schreck's mousy secretary Selena Kyle ( Michelle Pfeiffer ) is tossed from a high - rise window by her boss. Rescued by a covey of kittens , Selena transforms into the leather - clad Catwoman. In this guise , she teams with the Penguin and Schreck to divvy up their ill - gotten gains and help discredit Batman - but she also has her own scores to settle. Paul \ "Pee - Wee Herman \ " Reubens , Vincent Schiavelli and Jan Hooks play significant bits , while Pat Hingle and Michael Gough make returns as , respectively , Commissioner Gordon and Alfred the Butler.
1360
Director Terry Gilliam adroitly applies his Monty Python sensibilities upon the "career" of famed German prevaricator Baron von Munchausen. Played herein by John Neville the baron is seen quelling a war that he himself started flying into the stratosphere on the back of a cannonball ballooning to the moon exploring the innards of a volcano being swallowed by a whale....In short all of Munchausen's fabulous lies are here presented as "truth" played out in full view of nonplussed witnesses Eric Idle Charles McKeown Jack Purvis and Sarah Polley. Fringe benefits include several loving medium shots of jaybird-naked Uma Thurman as Boticelli's Venus and an extended unbilled cameo by Robin Williams -- that is by the head of Robin Williams -- as the King of the Moon. Filmed under considerable duress on a budget eventually exceeding 45 million dollars The Adventures of Baron Munchausen never quite caught on with moviegoers though it has enjoyed a lucrative afterlife on videocassette.
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Director Terry Gilliam adroitly applies his Monty Python sensibilities upon the "career" of famed German prevaricator Baron von Munchausen. Played herein by John Neville , the baron is seen quelling a war that he himself started , flying into the stratosphere on the back of a cannonball , ballooning to the moon , exploring the innards of a volcano , being swallowed by a whale....In short , all of Munchausen's fabulous lies are here presented as "truth , " played out in full view of nonplussed witnesses Eric Idle , Charles McKeown , Jack Purvis , and Sarah Polley . Fringe benefits include several loving medium shots of jaybird - naked Uma Thurman as Boticelli's Venus and an extended unbilled cameo by Robin Williams -- that is , by the head of Robin Williams -- as the King of the Moon. Filmed under considerable duress on a budget eventually exceeding 45 million dollars , The Adventures of Baron Munchausen never quite caught on with moviegoers , though it has enjoyed a lucrative afterlife on videocassette.
1361
A modern farce about medieval life this is a time-travel comedy by French director Jean-Marie Poire. A 12th-century nobleman Godefroy (Jean Reno) and his squire Jacquouille (Christian Clavier) are the victims of a mistake by an aging wizard. While trying to work another spell the sorcerer accidentally transports the pair to the late 20th century. To his great dismay Godefroy finds that his family is now poor and has sold their estate to Jacquouille's rich descendants including Jacquart (also played by Clavier). The insensitive new owners plan to turn the castle into a modern hotel. Meanwhile the sorcerer asks his own descendant for help in trying to get his charges to return back to medieval times. The film which details with comic precision the differences in manners and technology between the two eras was a huge hit in France.
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A modern farce about medieval life , this is a time - travel comedy by French director Jean - Marie Poire . A 12th - century nobleman , Godefroy ( Jean Reno ), and his squire Jacquouille ( Christian Clavier ) are the victims of a mistake by an aging wizard. While trying to work another spell , the sorcerer accidentally transports the pair to the late 20th century. To his great dismay , Godefroy finds that his family is now poor and has sold their estate to Jacquouille's rich descendants , including Jacquart ( also played by Clavier ) . The insensitive new owners plan to turn the castle into a modern hotel. Meanwhile , the sorcerer asks his own descendant for help in trying to get his charges to return back to medieval times. The film , which details with comic precision the differences in manners and technology between the two eras , was a huge hit in France.
1362
Though Willow was one of director Ron Howard's few box-office disappointments it definitely deserves a second look. At once an epic celebration and a gentle spoof of the sword-and-sorcery genre the film concerns the efforts by little person Willow Ufgood (Warwick Davis) to protect a sacred infant from the machinations of a wicked queen (Jean Marsh). One source book has assessed the picture as a combination of The Ten Commandments and Snow White. This is true enough except that neither one of those properties offered such offbeat casting choices as Billy Barty and Jean Marsh. Executive producer George Lucas has (through the conduit of screenwriter Bob Dolman) added elements of his own Star Wars saga to the stew. The results are generally satisfactory though the film is sometimes weighed down by too much plot and the action sequences may not be suitable for very young children. Incidentally this is the film where co-star Val Kilmer met his future wife Joanne Whalley.
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Though Willow was one of director Ron Howard 's few box - office disappointments , it definitely deserves a second look. At once an epic celebration and a gentle spoof of the sword - and - sorcery genre , the film concerns the efforts by little person Willow Ufgood ( Warwick Davis ) to protect a sacred infant from the machinations of a wicked queen ( Jean Marsh ) . One source book has assessed the picture as a combination of The Ten Commandments and Snow White . This is true enough , except that neither one of those properties offered such offbeat casting choices as Billy Barty and Jean Marsh . Executive producer George Lucas has ( through the conduit of screenwriter Bob Dolman ) added elements of his own Star Wars saga to the stew. The results are generally satisfactory , though the film is sometimes weighed down by too much plot , and the action sequences may not be suitable for very young children. Incidentally , this is the film where co - star Val Kilmer met his future wife Joanne Whalley .
1363
Scrooge was designed as a follow-up to 1968's Oliver! the Oscar-winning musicalization of Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist. The umpteenth musical version of Dickens' 1843 novelette A Christmas Carol Scrooge features several sprightly Leslie Bricusse songs including the bona fide hit "Thank You Very Much." Buried under mounds of latex Albert Finney is Ebenezer Scrooge. The Three Ghosts who turn the miserly Scrooge's life around on Christmas Eve are portrayed by Edith Evans (Past) Kenneth More (Present) and Paddy Stone (Yet to Come). Sir Alec Guinness also appears as a fussy slightly effeminate Marley's Ghost. Intriguingly Finney performs his many songs live without post-production dubbing.
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Scrooge was designed as a follow - up to 1968's Oliver! , the Oscar - winning musicalization of Charles Dickens ' Oliver Twist . The umpteenth musical version of Dickens ' 1843 novelette A Christmas Carol , Scrooge features several sprightly Leslie Bricusse songs , including the bona fide hit "Thank You Very Much." Buried under mounds of latex , Albert Finney is Ebenezer Scrooge. The Three Ghosts who turn the miserly Scrooge's life around on Christmas Eve are portrayed by Edith Evans ( Past ), Kenneth More ( Present ) and Paddy Stone ( Yet to Come ) . Sir Alec Guinness also appears as a fussy , slightly effeminate Marley's Ghost. Intriguingly , Finney performs his many songs live , without post - production dubbing.
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If you know the Clement Clark Moore poem you'll know that Prancer is one of Santa Claus' "eight tiny reindeer." When 9-year-old Rebecca Harrell who still believes in Santa despite the remonstrations of her parents and the taunts of her peers stumbles across the selfsame Prancer in a remote part of the forest no one will believe the girl. Later on Harrell's no-nonsense father Sam Elliot comes across a wounded reindeer he feels it his duty to put the suffering animal out of his misery. The deer of course is Prancer and it magically vanishes before Elliot's startled eyes. Harrell nurses the deer back to health in secret with the help of kindly doctor Abe Vigoda and her troublesome older brother John Joseph Duda. Harrell is determined to contact Santa and let him know where Prancer is but her efforts only result in public humiliation for her father. But this is a Christmas film and the spirit of goodwill is contagious by fadeout time even transforming town-recluse Cloris Leachman into a warm-hearted social animal. Filmed in Indiana Prancer isn't quite a classic but it's perfect midwinter videocassette entertainment.
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If you know the Clement Clark Moore poem , you'll know that Prancer is one of Santa Claus' "eight tiny reindeer." When 9 - year - old Rebecca Harrell , who still believes in Santa despite the remonstrations of her parents and the taunts of her peers , stumbles across the selfsame Prancer in a remote part of the forest , no one will believe the girl. Later on , Harrell 's no - nonsense father Sam Elliot comes across a wounded reindeer , he feels it his duty to put the suffering animal out of his misery. The deer , of course , is Prancer , and it magically vanishes before Elliot 's startled eyes. Harrell nurses the deer back to health in secret , with the help of kindly doctor Abe Vigoda and her troublesome older brother John Joseph Duda . Harrell is determined to contact Santa and let him know where Prancer is , but her efforts only result in public humiliation for her father. But this is a Christmas film , and the spirit of goodwill is contagious by fadeout time , even transforming town - recluse Cloris Leachman into a warm - hearted social animal. Filmed in Indiana , Prancer isn't quite a classic , but it's perfect midwinter videocassette entertainment.
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usinessman Larry Burrows (James Belushi) has a wife who ignores him a screwball friend who won't leave him alone and a car that continually breaks down. All that and more is enough to give him a mid-life crisis. After his car stalls once more he enters a bar looking for help and encounters a bartender (Michael Caine) who shows him what his life would have been like if he hadn't struck out in a baseball game back in high school.
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Businessman Larry Burrows ( James Belushi ) has a wife who ignores him , a screwball friend who won't leave him alone , and a car that continually breaks down. All that and more is enough to give him a mid - life crisis. After his car stalls once more , he enters a bar looking for help and encounters a bartender ( Michael Caine ) who shows him what his life would have been like , if he hadn't struck out in a baseball game back in high school.
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This lavishly staged and costumed fantasy is about young Jack (Tom Cruise) and his lady love Princess Lili (Mia Sara) and how Jack battles Darkness (Tim Curry) to save both the Princess and the world. When the peasant Jack takes Princess Lili to see the unicorns the strongest animals around he does not know that Darkness with his cloven hooves yellow eyes and red skin plans on using Lili as bait to weaken the unicorns which he does -- and plunge the world into an ice age. Soon after that disaster Darkness captures Lili and Jack has to rally his elves and elvettes to rescue her and subdue Darkness at the same time.
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This lavishly staged and costumed fantasy is about young Jack ( Tom Cruise ) and his lady love Princess Lili ( Mia Sara ), and how Jack battles Darkness ( Tim Curry ) to save both the Princess and the world. When the peasant Jack takes Princess Lili to see the unicorns , the strongest animals around , he does not know that Darkness , with his cloven hooves , yellow eyes , and red skin plans on using Lili as bait to weaken the unicorns which he does -- and plunge the world into an ice age. Soon after that disaster , Darkness captures Lili and , Jack has to rally his elves and elvettes to rescue her and subdue Darkness at the same time.
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Only one of the mythological creatures escapes the evil King Haggard's (voice by Christopher Lee) plan to eliminate all unicorns from the land in Rankin-Bass's (Frosty the Snowman Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer) sophisticated production of The Last Unicorn. In hopes of rescuing her exiled breed the last unicorn (voice by Mia Farrow) teams up with the kindly if bumbling wizard Schmendrick the Magician (voice by Alan Arkin) who accompanies her on the far-reaching and treacherous quest to save her kind.
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Only one of the mythological creatures escapes the evil King Haggard's ( voice by Christopher Lee ) plan to eliminate all unicorns from the land in Rankin - Bass's ( Frosty the Snowman , Rudolph the Red - Nosed Reindeer ) sophisticated production of The Last Unicorn . In hopes of rescuing her exiled breed , the last unicorn ( voice by Mia Farrow ) teams up with the kindly , if bumbling wizard Schmendrick the Magician ( voice by Alan Arkin ), who accompanies her on the far - reaching and treacherous quest to save her kind.
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Heralding a decade of Italian-made sword-and-sandal films Hercules -- as it's been known in the United States since its 1959 release -- draws most of its plot from the legend of Jason and the Golden Fleece. Hercules the half-immortal son of Jupiter (or Zeus) rescues Iole the daughter of Pelias the king of Jolco when the horses pulling her chariot run wild. Returning her to the court he is engaged by Pelias to train his vain arrogant son in the use of arms that he may one day become a warrior king. Pelias' hold on power is very uncertain owing to the way he became king -- his brother the previous monarch was murdered by persons unknown in the palace -- and he looks to leave a dynasty. The prince is later killed through his own foolishness however and the blame falls on Hercules. In order to win back the grieving heart of Iole Hercules surrenders his immortality and manages to triumph in a savage test of his strength against the Cretan Bull. One day a stranger arrives in Jolco claiming to be Jason Pelias' nephew and son of the murdered king -- and the rightful king. To prove his claim he vows to sail to the ends of the Earth and reclaim the Golden Fleece the symbol of rightful rule in Jolco which was stolen on the night that his father was murdered. A crew is assembled that includes various legendary figures out of Greek mythology with Hercules at the head of the list. They survive encounters with sea storms and a predatory race of women the machinations of a traitor in their ranks and Pelias' treachery and Jason slays the dragon guarding the Golden Fleece. On their return however the Fleece is stolen and Hercules is imprisoned. Jason and his men are surrounded by Pelias' soldiers and a battle ensues. Iole frees Hercules who comes to the aid of Jason and restores him to the throne that's rightfully his. This battle features one of the best action sequences in the film as Hercules his wrists still in the shackles and chains that bound him in Pelias' dungeon first kills the man who murdered the old king and then faced with mounted cavalry charging him on the steps of the palace pulls down the pillars supporting the facade and wipes out the cavalry. Pelias unable to contain his own guilt commits suicide and Iole seeing the truth about her father goes to Hercules and accepts him as her husband. Ray Harryhausen's Jason and the Argonauts made six years later told the same story with far superior effects and a less conclusive ending but Hercules is a fun movie in its own right and Steve Reeves cuts a stunning figure even if his voice is dubbed. Curiously there are two different dubbed versions of Hercules in circulation one of which (the one that was on television in the early '60s and was on the VidAmerica videocassette) features a simpler range of English dialogue that works better. The other version occasionally uses more florrid language (and appeared on the Image Entertainment letterboxed laserdisc) which doesn't really resonate well. The giveaway comes in the scene where Hercules prays to Jupiter at the temple surrendering his powers. The simpler better track has the echoed voice come back "the Cretan Bull awaits."
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Heralding a decade of Italian - made sword - and - sandal films , Hercules -- as it's been known in the United States since its 1959 release -- draws most of its plot from the legend of Jason and the Golden Fleece. Hercules , the half - immortal son of Jupiter ( or Zeus ) rescues Iole , the daughter of Pelias , the king of Jolco , when the horses pulling her chariot run wild. Returning her to the court , he is engaged by Pelias to train his vain , arrogant son in the use of arms , that he may one day become a warrior king. Pelias' hold on power is very uncertain , owing to the way he became king -- his brother , the previous monarch , was murdered by persons unknown in the palace -- and he looks to leave a dynasty. The prince is later killed through his own foolishness , however , and the blame falls on Hercules. In order to win back the grieving heart of Iole , Hercules surrenders his immortality and manages to triumph in a savage test of his strength against the Cretan Bull. One day , a stranger arrives in Jolco claiming to be Jason , Pelias' nephew , and son of the murdered king -- and the rightful king. To prove his claim , he vows to sail to the ends of the Earth and reclaim the Golden Fleece , the symbol of rightful rule in Jolco , which was stolen on the night that his father was murdered. A crew is assembled that includes various legendary figures out of Greek mythology , with Hercules at the head of the list. They survive encounters with sea storms and a predatory race of women , the machinations of a traitor in their ranks , and Pelias' treachery , and Jason slays the dragon guarding the Golden Fleece. On their return , however , the Fleece is stolen and Hercules is imprisoned. Jason and his men are surrounded by Pelias' soldiers and a battle ensues. Iole frees Hercules , who comes to the aid of Jason and restores him to the throne that's rightfully his. This battle features one of the best action sequences in the film as Hercules , his wrists still in the shackles and chains that bound him in Pelias' dungeon , first kills the man who murdered the old king and then , faced with mounted cavalry charging him on the steps of the palace , pulls down the pillars supporting the facade and wipes out the cavalry. Pelias , unable to contain his own guilt , commits suicide and Iole , seeing the truth about her father , goes to Hercules and accepts him as her husband. Ray Harryhausen 's Jason and the Argonauts , made six years later , told the same story with far superior effects and a less conclusive ending , but Hercules is a fun movie in its own right , and Steve Reeves cuts a stunning figure , even if his voice is dubbed. Curiously , there are two different dubbed versions of Hercules in circulation , one of which ( the one that was on television in the early '60s , and was on the VidAmerica videocassette ) features a simpler range of English dialogue that works better. The other version occasionally uses more florrid language ( and appeared on the Image Entertainment letterboxed laserdisc ), which doesn't really resonate well. The giveaway comes in the scene where Hercules prays to Jupiter at the temple , surrendering his powers. The simpler , better track has the echoed voice come back "the Cretan Bull awaits."
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Director Ron Underwood follows up his crowd-pleasing hit City Slickers (1991) with this likable feel-good comedy drama about a selfish businessman who discovers that he's permanently being followed by a group of ghosts. In 1959 a bus accident links the spirits of four fatally injured passengers to a newborn baby whose birth is caused by the crash. For 25 years Milo (Tom Sizemore) Harrison (Charles Grodin) Penny (Alfre Woodard) and Julia (Kyra Sedgwick) remain bound to Thomas Reilly (Robert Downey Jr.) who believes the quartet to be imaginary childhood friends that have long since disappeared. When the four spooks suddenly realize that they are meant to use Thomas as a conduit to bring closure to their unfinished corporeal lives they reemerge causing Thomas to think that he's gone insane. As he becomes reattached to his supernatural companions however Thomas' innate decency asserts itself and he begins helping them to right the wrongs in their lives allowing them to possess his body to achieve their goal of settling accounts and moving on into the afterlife.
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Director Ron Underwood follows up his crowd - pleasing hit City Slickers ( 1991 ) with this likable , feel - good comedy drama about a selfish businessman who discovers that he's permanently being followed by a group of ghosts. In 1959 , a bus accident links the spirits of four fatally injured passengers to a newborn baby whose birth is caused by the crash. For 25 years , Milo ( Tom Sizemore ), Harrison ( Charles Grodin ), Penny ( Alfre Woodard ) and Julia ( Kyra Sedgwick ) remain bound to Thomas Reilly ( Robert Downey Jr. ), who believes the quartet to be imaginary childhood friends that have long since disappeared. When the four spooks suddenly realize that they are meant to use Thomas as a conduit to bring closure to their unfinished corporeal lives , they reemerge , causing Thomas to think that he's gone insane. As he becomes reattached to his supernatural companions , however , Thomas' innate decency asserts itself and he begins helping them to right the wrongs in their lives , allowing them to possess his body to achieve their goal of settling accounts and moving on into the afterlife.
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The second of special-effects wizard Ray Harryhausen's three Sinbad epics this film finds the titular hero played by John Philip Law while the principal villain Koura is portrayed by future Dr. Who Tom Baker. The plot sends Sinbad and his crew on a quest for a valuable and magical golden tablet. Harryhausen's "Dynamation" highlights include a six-armed statue a one-eyed centaur and a flying griffin. Caroline Munro also stars. Golden Voyage of Sinbad was followed by Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger (1979).
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The second of special - effects wizard Ray Harryhausen 's three Sinbad epics , this film finds the titular hero played by John Philip Law , while the principal villain , Koura , is portrayed by future Dr. Who Tom Baker . The plot sends Sinbad and his crew on a quest for a valuable and magical golden tablet. Harryhausen 's "Dynamation" highlights include a six - armed statue , a one - eyed centaur and a flying griffin. Caroline Munro also stars. Golden Voyage of Sinbad was followed by Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger ( 1979 ) .
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Handsome young Washington attorney Louie Jeffries (Chris McDonald) has it all: a promising career a beautiful wife and a baby on the way. But after discovering a local judge is in cahoots with the Mob Louie bites it in a car crash and finds himself in Heaven. Unsatisfied with the customer service he's receiving Louie jumps the gun and gets himself reincarnated -- before being administered the magic injection that will remove his memories of his former life. For the next quarter-century Louie's museum curator wife Corinne (Cybill Shepherd) remains true to her husband's memory ignoring the frustrated devotion of Louie's best friend Philip Train (Ryan O'Neal). Meanwhile Louie's soul grows up in the body of Alex Finch (Robert Downey Jr.) an aspiring journalist. Alex's memories of his life as Louie return after he becomes romantically involved with Miranda (Mary Stuart Masterson) -- the daughter he never got to meet. Soon Alex/Louie is romancing his wife spurning his daughter's advances and frustrating Philip's attempts finally to woo Corinne. Written by Mystic Pizza scribes Perry and Randy Howze and directed by Emile Ardolino of Dirty Dancing fame Chances Are didn't score as well at the box office as those earlier comedies. Its soundtrack however generated the hit Peter Cetera and Cher ballad "After All."
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Handsome young Washington attorney Louie Jeffries ( Chris McDonald ) has it all : a promising career , a beautiful wife , and a baby on the way. But after discovering a local judge is in cahoots with the Mob , Louie bites it in a car crash and finds himself in Heaven. Unsatisfied with the customer service he's receiving , Louie jumps the gun and gets himself reincarnated -- before being administered the magic injection that will remove his memories of his former life. For the next quarter - century , Louie's museum curator wife , Corinne ( Cybill Shepherd ), remains true to her husband's memory , ignoring the frustrated devotion of Louie's best friend , Philip Train ( Ryan O'Neal ) . Meanwhile , Louie's soul grows up in the body of Alex Finch ( Robert Downey Jr. ), an aspiring journalist. Alex's memories of his life as Louie return after he becomes romantically involved with Miranda ( Mary Stuart Masterson ) -- the daughter he never got to meet. Soon , Alex / Louie is romancing his wife , spurning his daughter's advances , and frustrating Philip's attempts finally to woo Corinne. Written by Mystic Pizza scribes Perry and Randy Howze and directed by Emile Ardolino of Dirty Dancing fame , Chances Are didn't score as well at the box office as those earlier comedies. Its soundtrack , however , generated the hit Peter Cetera and Cher ballad "After All."
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The acclaimed Trainspotting trio (director Danny Boyle producer Andrew Macdonald scripter John Hodge) reunited for this update of '30s screwball comedies and '40s fantasies such as Here Comes Mr. Jordan(1941) Angel on My Shoulder(1946) Down to Earth(1947) and the 1946 Stairway to Heaven (co-directed by Macdonald's grandfather Emeric Pressburger). Tossed together for $12 million the result is a combination salad a surreal salmagundi with an added animated sequence for lagniappe. In Heaven Gabriel (Dan Hedaya) sends angels O'Reilly (Holly Hunter) and Jackson (Delroy Lindo) down to Earth to make two people fall in love. If the angels fail they must remain on Earth. The target couple: well-to-do Celine (Cameron Diaz) and impoverished aspiring novelist Robert (Ewan McGregor) a janitor at the corporation owned by her wealthy father Naville (Ian Holm). Robert loses his job kidnaps Celine and the two retreat to a mountain hideout where they discuss splitting the ransom. O'Reilly and Jackson plan to make Robert and Celine love each other by putting them in jeopardy so the two angels get hired on by Naville as bounty hunters. Although Robert and Celine argue they also sing and dance together at a local karaoke bar a scene evocative of both Dennis Potter's Karaoke and the memorable karaoke performance by Cameron Diaz in My Best Friend's Wedding. The angels make few gains but when Jackson is on the brink of killing Robert Celine comes to his rescue. Naville cancels Celine's credit card so she robs a bank. Robert is shot during the robbery and Celine has dentist Elliot (Stanley Tucci) remove the bullet. Robert awakens finds the two together and knocks out Elliot prompting an argument that leads Celine and Robert to separate. Plagued by their own problems the angels kidnap Celine themselves and as complications mount Gabriel eventually has God intervene. Filmed in Utah although Hodge originally planned the story to take place in France and England.
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The acclaimed Trainspotting trio ( director Danny Boyle , producer Andrew Macdonald , scripter John Hodge ) reunited for this update of '30s screwball comedies and '40s fantasies , such as Here Comes Mr. Jordan ( 1941 ), Angel on My Shoulder ( 1946 ), Down to Earth ( 1947 ), and the 1946 Stairway to Heaven ( co - directed by Macdonald 's grandfather , Emeric Pressburger ) . Tossed together for $12 million , the result is a combination salad , a surreal salmagundi with an added animated sequence for lagniappe. In Heaven , Gabriel ( Dan Hedaya ) sends angels O'Reilly ( Holly Hunter ) and Jackson ( Delroy Lindo ) down to Earth to make two people fall in love. If the angels fail , they must remain on Earth. The target couple : well - to - do Celine ( Cameron Diaz ) and impoverished , aspiring novelist Robert ( Ewan McGregor ), a janitor at the corporation owned by her wealthy father , Naville ( Ian Holm ) . Robert loses his job , kidnaps Celine , and the two retreat to a mountain hideout where they discuss splitting the ransom. O'Reilly and Jackson plan to make Robert and Celine love each other by putting them in jeopardy , so the two angels get hired on by Naville as bounty hunters. Although Robert and Celine argue , they also sing and dance together at a local karaoke bar , a scene evocative of both Dennis Potter 's Karaoke and the memorable karaoke performance by Cameron Diaz in My Best Friend's Wedding. The angels make few gains , but when Jackson is on the brink of killing Robert , Celine comes to his rescue. Naville cancels Celine's credit card , so she robs a bank. Robert is shot during the robbery , and Celine has dentist Elliot ( Stanley Tucci ) remove the bullet. Robert awakens , finds the two together , and knocks out Elliot , prompting an argument that leads Celine and Robert to separate. Plagued by their own problems , the angels kidnap Celine themselves , and as complications mount , Gabriel eventually has God intervene. Filmed in Utah , although Hodge originally planned the story to take place in France and England.
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The Witches of Eastwick a memorable comedy with a dark edge is based upon a novel by John Updike. On Thursday nights three female friends -- Alex (Cher) Sukie (Michelle Pfeiffer) and Jane (Susan Sarandon) -- meet to chug martinis learn Chinese aphrodisiac cooking and lament the scarcity of eligible men. As they sit around they fantasize about and describe their idea of the ideal male. Arriving in town the following day is Satan disguised as mysterious stranger Darrell Van Horn (Jack Nicholson). One by one Van Horne seduces each of the women. Then strange things begin to happen. When the town matriarch Felicia (Veronica Cartwright) publicly denounces Van Horne she sustains a nasty compound fracture. When she forces her editor husband to publish a story about Van Horne's sexual antics Darrell gets his revenge with revoltingly large amounts of cherries. The women now see that they may be in danger and begin to plot their escape.
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The Witches of Eastwick , a memorable comedy with a dark edge , is based upon a novel by John Updike . On Thursday nights three female friends -- Alex ( Cher ), Sukie ( Michelle Pfeiffer ), and Jane ( Susan Sarandon ) -- meet to chug martinis , learn Chinese aphrodisiac cooking and lament the scarcity of eligible men. As they sit around , they fantasize about and describe their idea of the ideal male. Arriving in town the following day is Satan , disguised as mysterious stranger Darrell Van Horn ( Jack Nicholson ) . One by one , Van Horne seduces each of the women. Then , strange things begin to happen. When the town matriarch Felicia ( Veronica Cartwright ) publicly denounces Van Horne , she sustains a nasty compound fracture. When she forces her editor husband to publish a story about Van Horne's sexual antics , Darrell gets his revenge with revoltingly large amounts of cherries. The women now see that they may be in danger and begin to plot their escape.
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In a major departure from the tone of the preceding two Superman adventure films this mix of vile deeds and fantasy heroics drops the "S" out of cosmic and goes for comic instead. Right at the starting gate Gus Gorman (Richard Pryor) and a subsequent slapstick sequence upstage (Christopher Reeves again) who later develops an identity crisis. Gorman newly trained as a computer whiz starts working for a conglomerate run by the corporate nemesis Ross Webster (Robert Vaughn) intent on world domination. Gorman is sent to Superman's small town of Smallville to wipe out Columbia's coffee crop by fiddling with the computer side of a weather satellite. Clark Kent is in town for his class reunion leading Superman to clash with Gorman which in turn leads Gorman to develop a hybrid red Kryptonite. Unwittingly since Gorman's wits are always in doubt the Red Kryptonite causes Superman to split into a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde schizophrenia -- but in two separate bodies. As the evil Superman swaggers around town megalomaniac Ross Webster has other tricks in mind -- and in one of the more memorable action scenes (interspersed with a video game sequence) Superman is chased through the Grand Canyon by a fast-flying very determined missile. Lana Lang (Annette O'Toole) is on hand for romantic interest (Margot Kidder only appears briefly -- she was growing tired of Lois Lane).
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In a major departure from the tone of the preceding two Superman adventure films , this mix of vile deeds and fantasy heroics drops the "S" out of cosmic and goes for comic instead. Right at the starting gate , Gus Gorman ( Richard Pryor ) and a subsequent slapstick sequence upstage ( Christopher Reeves again ), who later develops an identity crisis. Gorman , newly trained as a computer whiz , starts working for a conglomerate run by the corporate nemesis Ross Webster ( Robert Vaughn ), intent on world domination. Gorman is sent to Superman's small town of Smallville to wipe out Columbia's coffee crop by fiddling with the computer side of a weather satellite. Clark Kent is in town for his class reunion , leading Superman to clash with Gorman , which in turn , leads Gorman to develop a hybrid red Kryptonite. Unwittingly , since Gorman's wits are always in doubt , the Red Kryptonite causes Superman to split into a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde schizophrenia -- but in two separate bodies. As the evil Superman swaggers around town , megalomaniac Ross Webster has other tricks in mind -- and in one of the more memorable action scenes ( interspersed with a video game sequence ), Superman is chased through the Grand Canyon by a fast - flying , very determined missile. Lana Lang ( Annette O'Toole ) is on hand for romantic interest ( Margot Kidder only appears briefly -- she was growing tired of Lois Lane ) .
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Ivan Reitman's sequel to the phenomenally successful Ghostbusters is looser and more self-assured than the original. The film opens with a title reading "Five Years Later" and finds the ghostbusters living in hard times. A restraining order has forbidden the boys to partake in paranormal warfare and as a result they have had to seek other lines of work. Ray (Dan Aykroyd) and Winston (Ernie Hudson) spend their time performing at children's' birthday parties and Egon (Harold Ramis) is busy conducting experiments investigating the effect of human emotions on the environment leaving ghostbusting behind. Venkman (Bill Murray) and Dana (Sigourney Weaver) have split up. Venkman now hosts a local cable show called "The World of the Psychic." Dana now divorced and the mother of a little baby named Oscar works as an art restorer in a museum -- and this is where the plot kicks in. While Dana is restoring a portrait of a 16th-century tyrant by the name of Vigo the Carpathian the portrait becomes hexed. The evil Vigo wants to return to life by taking over the body of Dana's little child. Vigo has enlisted Dana's boss Janosz Poha (Peter MacNicol) to compel Dana to cooperate. Soon dirty sludge and slime flow through the streets of Manhattan and the ghostbusters have to reunite to save the city from a funky paranormal evil.
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Ivan Reitman 's sequel to the phenomenally successful Ghostbusters is looser and more self - assured than the original. The film opens with a title reading "Five Years Later" and finds the ghostbusters living in hard times. A restraining order has forbidden the boys to partake in paranormal warfare , and as a result they have had to seek other lines of work. Ray ( Dan Aykroyd ) and Winston ( Ernie Hudson ) spend their time performing at children's' birthday parties , and Egon ( Harold Ramis ) is busy conducting experiments investigating the effect of human emotions on the environment , leaving ghostbusting behind. Venkman ( Bill Murray ) and Dana ( Sigourney Weaver ) have split up. Venkman now hosts a local cable show called "The World of the Psychic." Dana , now divorced and the mother of a little baby named Oscar , works as an art restorer in a museum -- and this is where the plot kicks in. While Dana is restoring a portrait of a 16th - century tyrant by the name of Vigo the Carpathian , the portrait becomes hexed. The evil Vigo wants to return to life by taking over the body of Dana's little child. Vigo has enlisted Dana's boss , Janosz Poha ( Peter MacNicol ), to compel Dana to cooperate. Soon dirty sludge and slime flow through the streets of Manhattan , and the ghostbusters have to reunite to save the city from a funky paranormal evil.
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John Milius's jingoistic direction and pulpy screenplay fit perfectly into this film version of the Robert E. Howard fantasy story of the sword and sorcery hero Conan the Barbarian. Complementing Mulius's heavy metal production is Arnold Schwarzenegger's leaden acting which in any other context would be deadly but here (as in The Terminator) corresponds nicely with the whole sonorous project. The story begins when a horde of rampaging warriors massacre the parents of young Conan and enslave the young child for years on The Wheel of Pain. The Wheel of Pain seems to have as its only purpose the building up of Conan's muscles so it's no surprise that one day Conan grows up to become Arnold Schwarzenegger. As the sole survivor of the childhood massacre Conan is released from slavery and taught the ancient arts of fighting. Transforming himself into a killing machine Conan travels into the wilderness to seek vengeance on Thulsa Doom (James Earl Jones) the man responsible for killing his family. In the wilderness Conan takes up with the thieves Valeria (Sandahl Bergman) and Subota (Gerry Lopez). The trio comes upon a weird snake cult linked to Doom and Conan wants to trek off to Doom's mountain retreat to kill him. But he is prevented from doing that by King Osrik (Max Von Sydow) who wants the trio of warriors to help rescue his daughter who has joined Doom in the hills.
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John Milius 's jingoistic direction and pulpy screenplay fit perfectly into this film version of the Robert E. Howard fantasy story of the sword and sorcery hero , Conan the Barbarian. Complementing Mulius 's heavy metal production is Arnold Schwarzenegger 's leaden acting , which in any other context would be deadly , but here ( as in The Terminator ) corresponds nicely with the whole sonorous project. The story begins when a horde of rampaging warriors massacre the parents of young Conan and enslave the young child for years on The Wheel of Pain. The Wheel of Pain seems to have as its only purpose the building up of Conan's muscles , so it's no surprise that one day Conan grows up to become Arnold Schwarzenegger . As the sole survivor of the childhood massacre , Conan is released from slavery and taught the ancient arts of fighting. Transforming himself into a killing machine , Conan travels into the wilderness to seek vengeance on Thulsa Doom ( James Earl Jones ), the man responsible for killing his family. In the wilderness , Conan takes up with the thieves Valeria ( Sandahl Bergman ) and Subota ( Gerry Lopez ) . The trio comes upon a weird snake cult , linked to Doom , and Conan wants to trek off to Doom's mountain retreat to kill him. But he is prevented from doing that by King Osrik ( Max Von Sydow ), who wants the trio of warriors to help rescue his daughter who has joined Doom in the hills.
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For all its state-of-the-art special effects Always is essentially a remake of the 1943 Spencer Tracy-Irene Dunne fantasy vehicle A Guy Named Joe--minus the wartime context. Richard Dreyfuss stars as a reckless fire-fighting pilot who is killed in what was to have been his final mission. Ascending to Heaven Dreyfuss is introduced to businesslike angel Audrey Hepburn (playing the equivalent of the Lionel Barrymore role in A Guy Named Joe). Hepburn instructs the spectral Dreyfuss to pass on his aviation knowhow to his young successor Brad Johnson. Our ghostly hero also smoothes the course of romance for his earthly girl friend Holly Hunter who after several months' worth of grieving has fallen in love with Johnson. John Goodman injects a dose of comedy relief as Dreyfuss' faithful buddy.
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For all its state - of - the - art special effects , Always is essentially a remake of the 1943 Spencer Tracy - Irene Dunne fantasy vehicle A Guy Named Joe -- minus the wartime context. Richard Dreyfuss stars as a reckless fire - fighting pilot who is killed in what was to have been his final mission. Ascending to Heaven , Dreyfuss is introduced to businesslike angel Audrey Hepburn ( playing the equivalent of the Lionel Barrymore role in A Guy Named Joe ) . Hepburn instructs the spectral Dreyfuss to pass on his aviation knowhow to his young successor , Brad Johnson . Our ghostly hero also smoothes the course of romance for his earthly girl friend Holly Hunter , who after several months' worth of grieving has fallen in love with Johnson . John Goodman injects a dose of comedy relief as Dreyfuss ' faithful buddy.
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Following up on his critically acclaimed blood-splattered epic Ran master director Akira Kurosawa looks inward with this collection of eight brightly colored dreams. The first section centers on a young boy (Mitsunori Izaki) who witnesses a forest wedding procession of fox spirits in spite of his mother's (Mitsuko Baisho) warning. The second section concerns the same lad who converses with peach-tree spirits after the trees have been cruelly cut down. This is followed by a party of mountain climbers struggling to make it back to base camp in the midst of a terrible blizzard. The fourth dream deals with a man (Akira Terao) -- a Kurosawa stand-in complete with the director's trademark floppy white hat -- who encounters ghosts of Japan's militaristic past in a forlorn tunnel. In the following dream the same man ventures into a Van Gogh painting called The Crows and meets the artist himself (Martin Scorsese). The sixth and seventh dreams venture into nightmare territory -- one deals with a nuclear meltdown that threatens Japan while the other concerns post-nuclear mutants. In the final dream Kurosawa meets a 103-year-old man (played by Ozu regular Chishu Ryu) in a utopian rural village.
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Following up on his critically acclaimed , blood - splattered epic Ran , master director Akira Kurosawa looks inward with this collection of eight brightly colored dreams. The first section centers on a young boy ( Mitsunori Izaki ), who witnesses a forest wedding procession of fox spirits in spite of his mother's ( Mitsuko Baisho ) warning. The second section concerns the same lad who converses with peach - tree spirits after the trees have been cruelly cut down. This is followed by a party of mountain climbers struggling to make it back to base camp in the midst of a terrible blizzard. The fourth dream deals with a man ( Akira Terao ) -- a Kurosawa stand - in complete with the director's trademark floppy white hat -- who encounters ghosts of Japan's militaristic past in a forlorn tunnel. In the following dream , the same man ventures into a Van Gogh painting called The Crows and meets the artist himself ( Martin Scorsese ) . The sixth and seventh dreams venture into nightmare territory -- one deals with a nuclear meltdown that threatens Japan while the other concerns post - nuclear mutants. In the final dream , Kurosawa meets a 103 - year - old man ( played by Ozu regular Chishu Ryu ) in a utopian rural village.
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Superman (Christopher Reeve) tries to save the world from nuclear destruction at the hands of Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman) in this action film featuring the man of steel. In a speech to the United Nations Superman declares he will rid the world of all nuclear weapons. Arch-villain Luthor emerges from prison obsessed with killing Superman and creates an adversary known as Nuclear Man (Mark Pillow). The two engage in a fight to the finish in various landmarks on Earth before taking their battle into outer space. When Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) invites both Superman and Clark Kent to a double-date dinner Superman's powers are tested so that both men can be present. Jackie Cooper plays the gruff veteran newspaper editor Perry White with Marc McClure as Jimmy Olsen. Sam Wanamaker plays tabloid tycoon David Warfield the millionaire who buys the Daily Planet. Mariel Hemmingway is Warfield's daughter Lacy Clark Kent's date at Lois' luxury apartment. This is the least interesting of the four Superman movies starring Christopher Reeve.
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Superman ( Christopher Reeve ) tries to save the world from nuclear destruction at the hands of Lex Luthor ( Gene Hackman ) in this action film featuring the man of steel. In a speech to the United Nations , Superman declares he will rid the world of all nuclear weapons. Arch - villain Luthor emerges from prison obsessed with killing Superman and creates an adversary known as Nuclear Man ( Mark Pillow ) . The two engage in a fight to the finish in various landmarks on Earth before taking their battle into outer space. When Lois Lane ( Margot Kidder ) invites both Superman and Clark Kent to a double - date dinner , Superman's powers are tested so that both men can be present. Jackie Cooper plays the gruff veteran newspaper editor Perry White , with Marc McClure as Jimmy Olsen. Sam Wanamaker plays tabloid tycoon David Warfield , the millionaire who buys the Daily Planet. Mariel Hemmingway is Warfield's daughter Lacy , Clark Kent's date at Lois' luxury apartment. This is the least interesting of the four Superman movies starring Christopher Reeve .
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Memorably described by Pauline Kael as "a beautiful pipe dream of a movie" Robert Altman's McCabe & Mrs. Miller reimagines the American West as a muddy frontier filled with hustlers opportunists and corporate sharks -- a turn-of-the-century model for a 1971 America mired in violence and lies. John McCabe (Warren Beatty) wanders into the turn-of-the-century wilderness village known as Presbyterian Church with vague plans of parlaying his gambling winnings into establishing a fancy casino-brothel-bathhouse. McCabe's business partner is prostitute Mrs. Miller (Julie Christie) who despite her apparent distaste for McCabe helps him achieve his goal. Once McCabe and Mrs. Miller become successful the town grows and prospers incurring the jealousy of a local mining company that wants to buy McCabe out. Filmed on location in Canada McCabe & Mrs. Miller makes use of such Altman "stock company" performers as Shelley Duvall René Auberjonois John Schuck and Keith Carradine. The seemingly improvised screenplay was based on a novel by Edmund Naughton and the movie features a soundtrack of songs by Leonard Cohen. McCabe & Mrs. Miller joined such other Altman efforts as M*A*S*H The Long Goodbye and Thieves Like Us in radically revising familiar movie genres for the disillusioned Vietnam era.
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Memorably described by Pauline Kael as "a beautiful pipe dream of a movie , " Robert Altman 's McCabe & Mrs. Miller reimagines the American West as a muddy frontier filled with hustlers , opportunists , and corporate sharks -- a turn - of - the - century model for a 1971 America mired in violence and lies. John McCabe ( Warren Beatty ) wanders into the turn - of - the - century wilderness village known as Presbyterian Church , with vague plans of parlaying his gambling winnings into establishing a fancy casino - brothel - bathhouse. McCabe's business partner is prostitute Mrs. Miller ( Julie Christie ), who despite her apparent distaste for McCabe helps him achieve his goal. Once McCabe and Mrs. Miller become successful , the town grows and prospers , incurring the jealousy of a local mining company that wants to buy McCabe out. Filmed on location in Canada , McCabe & Mrs. Miller makes use of such Altman "stock company" performers as Shelley Duvall , René Auberjonois , John Schuck , and Keith Carradine . The seemingly improvised screenplay was based on a novel by Edmund Naughton and the movie features a soundtrack of songs by Leonard Cohen . McCabe & Mrs. Miller joined such other Altman efforts as M*A*S*H , The Long Goodbye , and Thieves Like Us in radically revising familiar movie genres for the disillusioned Vietnam era.
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This Western classic stars Gary Cooper as Hadleyville marshal Will Kane about to retire from office and go on his honeymoon with his new Quaker bride Amy (Grace Kelly). But his happiness is short-lived when he is informed that the Miller gang whose leader (Ian McDonald) Will had arrested is due on the 12:00 train. Pacifist Amy urges Will to leave town and forget about the Millers but this isn't his style; protecting Hadleyburg has always been his duty and it remains so now. But when he asks for deputies to fend off the Millers virtually nobody will stand by him. Chief Deputy Harvey Pell (Lloyd Bridges) covets Will's job and ex-mistress (Katy Jurado); his mentor former lawman Martin Howe (Lon Chaney Jr.) is now arthritic and unable to wield a gun. Even Amy who doesn't want to be around for her husband's apparently certain demise deserts him. Meanwhile the clocks tick off the minutes to High Noon -- the film is shot in "real time" so that its 85-minute length corresponds to the story's actual timeframe. Utterly alone Kane walks into the center of town steeling himself for his showdown with the murderous Millers. Considered a landmark of the "adult western" High Noon won four Academy Awards (including Best Actor for Cooper) and Best Song for the hit "Do Not Forsake Me O My Darling" sung by Tex Ritter. The screenplay was written by Carl Foreman whose blacklisting was temporarily prevented by star Cooper one of Hollywood's most virulent anti-Communists. John Wayne another notable showbiz right-winger and Western hero was so appalled at the notion that a Western marshal would beg for help in a showdown that he and director Howard Hawks "answered" High Noon with Rio Bravo (1959).
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This Western classic stars Gary Cooper as Hadleyville marshal Will Kane , about to retire from office and go on his honeymoon with his new Quaker bride , Amy ( Grace Kelly ) . But his happiness is short - lived when he is informed that the Miller gang , whose leader ( Ian McDonald ) Will had arrested , is due on the 12 : 00 train. Pacifist Amy urges Will to leave town and forget about the Millers , but this isn't his style ; protecting Hadleyburg has always been his duty , and it remains so now. But when he asks for deputies to fend off the Millers , virtually nobody will stand by him. Chief Deputy Harvey Pell ( Lloyd Bridges ) covets Will's job and ex - mistress ( Katy Jurado ); his mentor , former lawman Martin Howe ( Lon Chaney Jr. ) is now arthritic and unable to wield a gun. Even Amy , who doesn't want to be around for her husband's apparently certain demise , deserts him. Meanwhile , the clocks tick off the minutes to High Noon -- the film is shot in "real time , " so that its 85 - minute length corresponds to the story's actual timeframe. Utterly alone , Kane walks into the center of town , steeling himself for his showdown with the murderous Millers. Considered a landmark of the "adult western , " High Noon won four Academy Awards ( including Best Actor for Cooper ) and Best Song for the hit , "Do Not Forsake Me , O My Darling" sung by Tex Ritter. The screenplay was written by Carl Foreman , whose blacklisting was temporarily prevented by star Cooper , one of Hollywood's most virulent anti - Communists. John Wayne , another notable showbiz right - winger and Western hero , was so appalled at the notion that a Western marshal would beg for help in a showdown that he and director Howard Hawks "answered" High Noon with Rio Bravo ( 1959 ) .
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Director Monte Hellman used his beloved "hunter as hunted" theme for his near-existential western The Shooting. Jack Nicholson and Warren Oates are starred in this bare-bones tale of an ex-bounty hunter (Oates) with a price on his head and the cocky young gun (Nicholson) who hopes to collect. The film seems to be exclusively populated by Life's Losers; but even with portents of doom throughout the ending is still a jaw-dropping experience. Demonstrating the parsimony he'd learned while working with Roger Corman director Hellman shot The Shooting in Utah simultaneously with another feature Ride in the Whirlwind for a combined budget of $150000. Completed in 1967 The Shooting did not receive widespread release until after Jack Nicholson achieved stardom in the early 1970s.
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Director Monte Hellman used his beloved "hunter as hunted" theme for his near - existential western The Shooting . Jack Nicholson and Warren Oates are starred in this bare - bones tale of an ex - bounty hunter ( Oates ) with a price on his head and the cocky young gun ( Nicholson ) who hopes to collect. The film seems to be exclusively populated by Life's Losers ; but even with portents of doom throughout , the ending is still a jaw - dropping experience. Demonstrating the parsimony he'd learned while working with Roger Corman , director Hellman shot The Shooting in Utah simultaneously with another feature , Ride in the Whirlwind , for a combined budget of $150 , 000. Completed in 1967 , The Shooting did not receive widespread release until after Jack Nicholson achieved stardom in the early 1970s.
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Rambling along at its own measured pace Will Penny is a vivid western character study completely dominated by the rapport between stars (Charlton Heston) and (Joan Hackett). Heston plays Will Penny an aging and impoverished cowboy. With his cohorts Blue (Lee Majors) and Dutchy (Anthony Zerbe) the trio sets out to find employment before winter sets in. Their job search is interrupted by the sudden appearance of Preacher Quint a vicious Bible-thumping bandit (Donald Pleasance) and his moronic sadistic sons. Dutchy gets wounded in the fight and Blue stays with him in a small town nearby to nurse him back to health. Will gets a job on a ranch and though he is supposed to keep squatters off the land he can't kick out Catherine (Joan Hackett) and her little son (Jon Gries). She herself is en route to join her husband an Oregon farmer. Despite her wedding vows Catherine finds herself drawn to Penny -- who makes no unwarranted move towards the woman but is equally attracted to her. Then the murderous Quint and his sons reappear to exact their revenge.
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Rambling along at its own measured pace , Will Penny is a vivid western character study , completely dominated by the rapport between stars ( Charlton Heston ) and ( Joan Hackett ) . Heston plays Will Penny , an aging and impoverished cowboy. With his cohorts Blue ( Lee Majors ) and Dutchy ( Anthony Zerbe ), the trio sets out to find employment before winter sets in. Their job search is interrupted by the sudden appearance of Preacher Quint , a vicious Bible - thumping bandit ( Donald Pleasance ) and his moronic , sadistic sons. Dutchy gets wounded in the fight and Blue stays with him in a small town nearby to nurse him back to health. Will gets a job on a ranch , and though he is supposed to keep squatters off the land , he can't kick out Catherine ( Joan Hackett ) and her little son ( Jon Gries ) . She herself is en route to join her husband , an Oregon farmer. Despite her wedding vows , Catherine finds herself drawn to Penny -- who makes no unwarranted move towards the woman , but is equally attracted to her. Then the murderous Quint and his sons reappear to exact their revenge.
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In fine Hollywood tradition John Wayne had to play a "one-eyed fat man" before the Motion Picture Academy considered him worthy of an Oscar. In True Grit Wayne plays grumpy pot-bellied U.S. marshal "Rooster" Cogburn hired by 14-year-old Mattie Ross (Kim Darby) to find Tom Chaney (Jeff Corey) who killed her father. The headstrong Mattie could have had her pick of lawmen but selects the aging Cogburn because she believes he has "true grit" (she talks this way all through the picture so be prepared). Also heading into Indian territory in search of Chaney is Texas Ranger La Boeuf (Glen Campbell) who wants to collect the reward placed on the fugitive's head for his earlier crimes. Complicating matters are Chaney's scurrilous cronies Ned Pepper (Robert Duvall) Quincy (Jeremy Slate) and Moon (Dennis Hopper) who have no qualms about killing a troublesome teenaged girl like Mattie. While the plot of True Grit adapted (and streamlined) by Marguerite Roberts from the novel by Charles Portis maintains audience interest throughout the glue that truly holds this Western together is John Wayne delivering one of his finest performances (though some believe he was better in She Wore a Yellow Ribbon). Wayne's casual charisma is infinitely more effective than the mannered method acting of Kim Darby and the floundering non-acting of poor Glen Campbell. And who could not love the climatic face-off between Duvall and company and John Wayne whose "Fill your hand you son of a bitch!" is not only a classic bit of dialogue but the apotheosis of the Wayne mystique. In 1975 Wayne repeated his True Grit characterization opposite Katharine Hepburn in Rooster Cogburn but the film failed to match its predecessor and the overall effect was blunted.
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In fine Hollywood tradition , John Wayne had to play a "one - eyed fat man" before the Motion Picture Academy considered him worthy of an Oscar. In True Grit , Wayne plays grumpy , pot - bellied U.S. marshal "Rooster" Cogburn , hired by 14 - year - old Mattie Ross ( Kim Darby ) to find Tom Chaney ( Jeff Corey ), who killed her father. The headstrong Mattie could have had her pick of lawmen , but selects the aging Cogburn because she believes he has "true grit" ( she talks this way all through the picture , so be prepared ) . Also heading into Indian territory in search of Chaney is Texas Ranger La Boeuf ( Glen Campbell ), who wants to collect the reward placed on the fugitive's head for his earlier crimes. Complicating matters are Chaney's scurrilous cronies Ned Pepper ( Robert Duvall ), Quincy ( Jeremy Slate ), and Moon ( Dennis Hopper ), who have no qualms about killing a troublesome teenaged girl like Mattie. While the plot of True Grit , adapted ( and streamlined ) by Marguerite Roberts from the novel by Charles Portis , maintains audience interest throughout , the glue that truly holds this Western together is John Wayne , delivering one of his finest performances ( though some believe he was better in She Wore a Yellow Ribbon ) . Wayne 's casual charisma is infinitely more effective than the mannered method acting of Kim Darby and the floundering non - acting of poor Glen Campbell . And who could not love the climatic face - off between Duvall and company and John Wayne , whose "Fill your hand , you son of a bitch!" is not only a classic bit of dialogue , but the apotheosis of the Wayne mystique. In 1975 , Wayne repeated his True Grit characterization opposite Katharine Hepburn in Rooster Cogburn , but the film failed to match its predecessor and the overall effect was blunted.
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Henry Hathaway directs the 1965 psychological Western The Sons of Katie Elder. Four sons reunite in their Texas hometown to attend their mother's funeral. John (John Wayne) is the gunfighter Tom (Dean Martin) is the gambler Matt (Earl Holliman) is the quiet one and Bud (Michael Anderson Jr.) is the youngest. They soon learn that their father gambled away the family ranch leading to his own murder. The brothers decide to find their father's killer and get back the ranch even though they are discouraged to do so by local Sheriff Billy Wilson (Paul Fix). When the sheriff turns up dead the Elder boys are blamed for the murder. Deputy Sheriff Ben Latta (Jeremy Slate) joins forces with the only witnesses of the murder: Morgan Hastings (James Gregory) and his son Dave (Dennis Hopper). A gunfight breaks out between the Hastings gang and the Elder gang. After his brother Matt is killed John decides to settle the ranch dispute in a court of law with a judge (Sheldon Allman). However Tom decides to take matters into his own hands by kidnapping Dave. After the final climactic gunfight John and the wounded Bud retreat to a rooming house owned by Mary Gordon (Martha Hyer).
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Henry Hathaway directs the 1965 psychological Western The Sons of Katie Elder . Four sons reunite in their Texas hometown to attend their mother's funeral. John ( John Wayne ) is the gunfighter , Tom ( Dean Martin ) is the gambler , Matt ( Earl Holliman ) is the quiet one , and Bud ( Michael Anderson Jr. ) is the youngest. They soon learn that their father gambled away the family ranch , leading to his own murder. The brothers decide to find their father's killer and get back the ranch , even though they are discouraged to do so by local Sheriff Billy Wilson ( Paul Fix ) . When the sheriff turns up dead , the Elder boys are blamed for the murder. Deputy Sheriff Ben Latta ( Jeremy Slate ) joins forces with the only witnesses of the murder : Morgan Hastings ( James Gregory ) and his son Dave ( Dennis Hopper ) . A gunfight breaks out between the Hastings gang and the Elder gang. After his brother Matt is killed , John decides to settle the ranch dispute in a court of law with a judge ( Sheldon Allman ) . However , Tom decides to take matters into his own hands by kidnapping Dave. After the final climactic gunfight , John and the wounded Bud retreat to a rooming house owned by Mary Gordon ( Martha Hyer ) .
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About ten minutes into The Shootist Doctor Hostetler (James Stewart) tells aging Western gunfighter John Bernard Books (John Wayne) "You have a cancer." Knowing that his death will be painful and lingering Books is determined to be shot in the line of "duty." In his remaining two months Books settles scores with old enemies including gambler Pulford (Hugh O'Brian) and Marshall Thibido (Harry Morgan) and reaches out to new friends including a feisty widow (Lauren Bacall) and her hero-worshipping son (Ron Howard). Throughout the film Books' imminent demise is compared with the decline of the West as represented by the automobiles and streetcars that have begun to blight the main street of Books' hometown.
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About ten minutes into The Shootist , Doctor Hostetler ( James Stewart ) tells aging Western gunfighter John Bernard Books ( John Wayne ), "You have a cancer." Knowing that his death will be painful and lingering , Books is determined to be shot in the line of "duty." In his remaining two months , Books settles scores with old enemies , including gambler Pulford ( Hugh O'Brian ) and Marshall Thibido ( Harry Morgan ) and reaches out to new friends , including a feisty widow ( Lauren Bacall ) and her hero - worshipping son ( Ron Howard ) . Throughout the film , Books' imminent demise is compared with the decline of the West , as represented by the automobiles and streetcars that have begun to blight the main street of Books' hometown.
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Clint Eastwood's fifth film as a director and eighth Western as a star (ninth if you count Paint Your Wagon) The Outlaw Josey Wales chronicles the hero's violent journey westward after the Civil War. With fresh memoris of his family's slaughter by Red Leg soldier Terrill (Bill McKinney) Confederate Josey Wales (Eastwood) refuses to join his captain Fletcher (John Vernon) and the rest of his comrades in surrender to a U.S. Army regiment. Deemed a dangerous outlaw after a bloody one-man battle with that regiment Josey is pursued by U.S. cavalry soldiers led by the unwilling Fletcher and the murderous Terrill as well as by bounty hunters who eventually learn how coolly lethal Wales can be. Despite his desire to remain a lone fugitive Josey soon has a crew of travelling companions that includes Cherokee Lone Watie (Chief Dan George) and the pretty Laura Lee (Sondra Locke) and her vigorous Grandma Sarah (Paula Trueman) settlers on their way to a ranch near ghost town Santa Rio. The few Santa Rio residents welcome the group but their peace and Josey's burgeoning romance with Laura Lee are soon interrupted by Terrill's arrival. A skillfully violent man of few well-chosen words Josey Wales resembles Eastwood's previous Western heroes in Sergio Leone's trilogy A Fistful of Dollars (1964) For a Few Dollars More (1965) and The Good the Bad and the Ugly (1966). However the emphasis on friends and family served notice that in the words of one critic "the Man With No Name doesn't live here anymore." Indeed Josey Wales would be Eastwood's last western before 1985's Pale Rider. Although it did not garner similar critical praise when it was released Eastwood considers The Outlaw Josey Wales to be the equal of the Oscar-winning Unforgiven (1992).
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Clint Eastwood 's fifth film as a director and eighth Western as a star ( ninth if you count Paint Your Wagon ), The Outlaw Josey Wales chronicles the hero's violent journey westward after the Civil War. With fresh memoris of his family's slaughter by Red Leg soldier Terrill ( Bill McKinney ), Confederate Josey Wales ( Eastwood ) refuses to join his captain Fletcher ( John Vernon ) and the rest of his comrades in surrender to a U.S. Army regiment. Deemed a dangerous outlaw after a bloody one - man battle with that regiment , Josey is pursued by U.S. cavalry soldiers led by the unwilling Fletcher and the murderous Terrill , as well as by bounty hunters who eventually learn how coolly lethal Wales can be. Despite his desire to remain a lone fugitive , Josey soon has a crew of travelling companions that includes Cherokee Lone Watie ( Chief Dan George ) and the pretty Laura Lee ( Sondra Locke ) and her vigorous Grandma Sarah ( Paula Trueman ), settlers on their way to a ranch near ghost town Santa Rio. The few Santa Rio residents welcome the group , but their peace and Josey's burgeoning romance with Laura Lee are soon interrupted by Terrill's arrival. A skillfully violent man of few , well - chosen words , Josey Wales resembles Eastwood 's previous Western heroes in Sergio Leone 's trilogy , A Fistful of Dollars ( 1964 ), For a Few Dollars More ( 1965 ), and The Good , the Bad , and the Ugly ( 1966 ) . However , the emphasis on friends and family served notice that , in the words of one critic , "the Man With No Name doesn't live here anymore." Indeed , Josey Wales would be Eastwood 's last western before 1985's Pale Rider . Although it did not garner similar critical praise when it was released , Eastwood considers The Outlaw Josey Wales to be the equal of the Oscar - winning Unforgiven ( 1992 ) .
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Anthony Mann directed this brilliant psychological Western reminiscent of Shakespeare's King Lear. James Stewart plays Will Lockhart who is obsessed with finding the man who sold automatic rifles to the Apaches resulting in the death of his brother. Will enters the town of Coronado NM ruled by the blind and aging patriarch Alec Waggoman (Donald Crisp). Unaware that he is trespassing on Waggoman's land he finds himself accosted by Alec's sociopathic son Dave (Alex Nicol) who brutally beats Will and is ready to kill him. But Will is rescued at the last minute by Waggoman's adopted son Vic Hansbro (Arthur Kennedy). Will finds that Waggoman has become increasingly concerned over who will inherit his vast empire.
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Anthony Mann directed this brilliant psychological Western reminiscent of Shakespeare 's King Lear . James Stewart plays Will Lockhart , who is obsessed with finding the man who sold automatic rifles to the Apaches , resulting in the death of his brother. Will enters the town of Coronado , NM , ruled by the blind and aging patriarch Alec Waggoman ( Donald Crisp ) . Unaware that he is trespassing on Waggoman's land , he finds himself accosted by Alec's sociopathic son , Dave ( Alex Nicol ), who brutally beats Will and is ready to kill him. But Will is rescued at the last minute by Waggoman's adopted son , Vic Hansbro ( Arthur Kennedy ) . Will finds that Waggoman has become increasingly concerned over who will inherit his vast empire.
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Recounting how the West was won through the eyes of a white man raised as a Native American Arthur Penn's 1970 adaptation of Thomas Berger's satirical novel was a comic yet stinging allegory about the bloody results of American imperialism. As a misguided 20th-century historian listens 121-year-old Jack Crabb (Dustin Hoffman) narrates the story of being the only white survivor of Custer's Last Stand. White orphan Crabb was adopted by the Cheyenne renamed "Little Big Man" and raised in the ways of the "Human Beings" by paternal mentor Old Lodge Skins (Chief Dan George) accepting non-conformity and living peacefully with nature. Violently thrust into the white world Jack meets a righteous preacher (Thayer David) and his wife (Faye Dunaway) tries to be a gunfighter under the tutelage of Wild Bill Hickock (Jeff Corey) and gets married. Returned to the Cheyenne by chance Jack prefers life as a Human Being. The carnage wreaked by the white man in the Washita massacre and the lethal fallout from the egomania of General George A. Custer (Richard Mulligan) at Little Big Horn however show Crabb the horrific implications of Old Lodge Skins' sage observation "There is an endless supply of White Men but there has always been a limited number of Human Beings."
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Recounting how the West was won through the eyes of a white man raised as a Native American , Arthur Penn 's 1970 adaptation of Thomas Berger 's satirical novel was a comic yet stinging allegory about the bloody results of American imperialism. As a misguided 20th - century historian listens , 121 - year - old Jack Crabb ( Dustin Hoffman ) narrates the story of being the only white survivor of Custer's Last Stand. White orphan Crabb was adopted by the Cheyenne , renamed "Little Big Man , " and raised in the ways of the "Human Beings" by paternal mentor Old Lodge Skins ( Chief Dan George ), accepting non - conformity and living peacefully with nature. Violently thrust into the white world , Jack meets a righteous preacher ( Thayer David ) and his wife ( Faye Dunaway ), tries to be a gunfighter under the tutelage of Wild Bill Hickock ( Jeff Corey ), and gets married. Returned to the Cheyenne by chance , Jack prefers life as a Human Being. The carnage wreaked by the white man in the Washita massacre and the lethal fallout from the egomania of General George A. Custer ( Richard Mulligan ) at Little Big Horn , however , show Crabb the horrific implications of Old Lodge Skins' sage observation , "There is an endless supply of White Men , but there has always been a limited number of Human Beings."
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Years before Kevin Costner danced with wolves Robert Redford headed to the mountains to escape civilization in Sydney Pollack's wilderness western. Around 1850 ex-soldier Johnson (Redford) decides that he would rather live alone as a mountain man in Colorado than deal with society's constraints. After a series of setbacks he meets grizzled mountain veteran Bear Claws (Will Geer) who teaches him how to survive. Jeremiah strives to live as peaceably as possible in the rugged environment trading with the native Crow tribe adopting a boy (Josh Albee) after his family is massacred and even marrying the daughter (Delle Bolton) of a Flathead chief in order to avoid confrontation. He settles into a mountain home with his family but the U.S. cavalry complete with a puritanical Reverend interrupt the idyll to compel Jeremiah to lead them over the mountains and through a Crow burial ground to rescue white settlers. After the Crow kill his family in retaliation Jeremiah's frenzied moment of payback precipitates a long-running vendetta turning him into a legendary Indian killer at the expense of his original ideals on the way to a final moment of grace. Spectacularly shot on location in Utah the film captures both the appeal and the challenge of the landscape that Jeremiah chooses over civilization. With an unglamorous performance by Redford and a story that questioned white colonialism while mythologizing the man of nature Jeremiah Johnson appealed to its 1972 audience and became one of the biggest hits of the year. Wavering between heroicizing Jeremiah for surviving and damning him for killing Jeremiah Johnson took its place among the Vietnam-era cycle of critical westerns like Arthur Penn's Little Big Man (1970) and Robert Altman's McCabe and Mrs. Miller (1971) that condemned civilization for corrupting the wilderness and preventing individuals from going pacifistically native.
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Years before Kevin Costner danced with wolves , Robert Redford headed to the mountains to escape civilization in Sydney Pollack 's wilderness western. Around 1850 , ex - soldier Johnson ( Redford ) decides that he would rather live alone as a mountain man in Colorado than deal with society's constraints. After a series of setbacks , he meets grizzled mountain veteran Bear Claws ( Will Geer ), who teaches him how to survive. Jeremiah strives to live as peaceably as possible in the rugged environment , trading with the native Crow tribe , adopting a boy ( Josh Albee ) after his family is massacred , and even marrying the daughter ( Delle Bolton ) of a Flathead chief in order to avoid confrontation. He settles into a mountain home with his family , but the U.S. cavalry , complete with a puritanical Reverend , interrupt the idyll to compel Jeremiah to lead them over the mountains and through a Crow burial ground to rescue white settlers. After the Crow kill his family in retaliation , Jeremiah's frenzied moment of payback precipitates a long - running vendetta , turning him into a legendary Indian killer at the expense of his original ideals , on the way to a final moment of grace. Spectacularly shot on location in Utah , the film captures both the appeal and the challenge of the landscape that Jeremiah chooses over civilization. With an unglamorous performance by Redford and a story that questioned white colonialism while mythologizing the man of nature , Jeremiah Johnson appealed to its 1972 audience and became one of the biggest hits of the year. Wavering between heroicizing Jeremiah for surviving and damning him for killing , Jeremiah Johnson took its place among the Vietnam - era cycle of critical westerns , like Arthur Penn 's Little Big Man ( 1970 ) and Robert Altman 's McCabe and Mrs. Miller ( 1971 ), that condemned civilization for corrupting the wilderness and preventing individuals from going pacifistically native.
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Filmed in panoramic Cinerama this star-studded epic Western adventure is a true cinematic classic. Three legendary directors (Henry Hathaway John Ford and George Marshall) combine their skills to tell the story of three families and their travels from the Erie Canal to California between 1839 and 1889. Spencer Tracy narrates the film which cost an estimated 15 million dollars to complete. In the first segment "The Rivers" pioneer Zebulon Prescott (Karl Malden) sets out to settle in the West with his wife (Agnes Moorehead) and their four children. Along with other settlers and river pirates they run into mountain man Linus Rawlings (James Stewart) who sells animal hides. The Prescotts try to raft down the Ohio River in a raft but only daughters Lilith (Debbie Reynolds) and Eve (Carroll Baker) survive. Eve and Linus get married while Lilith continues on. In the second segment "The Plains" Lilith ends up singing in a saloon in St. Louis but she really wants to head west in a wagon train led by Roger Morgan (Robert Preston). Along the way she's accompanied by the roguish gambler Cleve Van Valen (Gregory Peck) who claims he can protect her. After he saves her life during an Indian attack they get married and move to San Francisco. In the third segment "The Civil War" Eve and Linus' son Zeb (George Peppard) fights for the Union. After he's forced to kill his Confederate friend he returns home and gives the family farm to his brother. In the fourth segment "The Railroads" Zeb fights with his railroad boss (Richard Widmark) who wants to cut straight through Indian territory. Zeb's co-worker Jethro (Henry Fonda) refuses to cut through the land so he quits and moves to the mountains. After the railway camp is destroyed Zeb heads for the mountains to visit him. In the fifth segment "The Outlaws" Lilith is an old widow traveling from California to Arizona to stay with her nephew Zeb on his ranch. However he has to fight a gang of desperadoes first. How the West Was Won garnered three Oscars for screenplay film editing and sound production.
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Filmed in panoramic Cinerama , this star - studded , epic Western adventure is a true cinematic classic. Three legendary directors ( Henry Hathaway , John Ford , and George Marshall ) combine their skills to tell the story of three families and their travels from the Erie Canal to California between 1839 and 1889. Spencer Tracy narrates the film , which cost an estimated 15 million dollars to complete. In the first segment , "The Rivers , " pioneer Zebulon Prescott ( Karl Malden ) sets out to settle in the West with his wife ( Agnes Moorehead ) and their four children. Along with other settlers and river pirates , they run into mountain man Linus Rawlings ( James Stewart ), who sells animal hides. The Prescotts try to raft down the Ohio River in a raft , but only daughters Lilith ( Debbie Reynolds ) and Eve ( Carroll Baker ) survive. Eve and Linus get married , while Lilith continues on. In the second segment , "The Plains , " Lilith ends up singing in a saloon in St. Louis , but she really wants to head west in a wagon train led by Roger Morgan ( Robert Preston ) . Along the way , she's accompanied by the roguish gambler Cleve Van Valen ( Gregory Peck ), who claims he can protect her. After he saves her life during an Indian attack , they get married and move to San Francisco. In the third segment , "The Civil War , " Eve and Linus' son , Zeb ( George Peppard ), fights for the Union. After he's forced to kill his Confederate friend , he returns home and gives the family farm to his brother. In the fourth segment , "The Railroads , " Zeb fights with his railroad boss ( Richard Widmark ), who wants to cut straight through Indian territory. Zeb's co - worker Jethro ( Henry Fonda ) refuses to cut through the land , so he quits and moves to the mountains. After the railway camp is destroyed , Zeb heads for the mountains to visit him. In the fifth segment , "The Outlaws , " Lilith is an old widow traveling from California to Arizona to stay with her nephew Zeb on his ranch. However , he has to fight a gang of desperadoes first. How the West Was Won garnered three Oscars , for screenplay , film editing , and sound production.
1392
A historical drama about the relationship between a Civil War soldier and a band of Sioux Indians Kevin Costner's directorial debut was also a surprisingly popular hit considering its length period setting and often somber tone. The film opens on a particularly dark note as melancholy Union lieutenant John W. Dunbar attempts to kill himself on a suicide mission but instead becomes an unintentional hero. His actions lead to his reassignment to a remote post in remote South Dakota where he encounters the Sioux. Attracted by the natural simplicity of their lifestyle he chooses to leave his former life behind to join them taking on the name Dances with Wolves. Soon Dances with Wolves has become a welcome member of the tribe and fallen in love with a white woman who has been raised amongst the tribe. His peaceful existence is threatened however when Union soldiers arrive with designs on the Sioux land. Some detractors have criticized the film's depiction of the tribes as simplistic; such objections did not dissuade audiences or the Hollywood establishment however which awarded the film seven Academy Awards including Best Picture.
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A historical drama about the relationship between a Civil War soldier and a band of Sioux Indians , Kevin Costner 's directorial debut was also a surprisingly popular hit , considering its length , period setting , and often somber tone. The film opens on a particularly dark note , as melancholy Union lieutenant John W. Dunbar attempts to kill himself on a suicide mission , but instead becomes an unintentional hero. His actions lead to his reassignment to a remote post in remote South Dakota , where he encounters the Sioux. Attracted by the natural simplicity of their lifestyle , he chooses to leave his former life behind to join them , taking on the name Dances with Wolves. Soon , Dances with Wolves has become a welcome member of the tribe and fallen in love with a white woman who has been raised amongst the tribe. His peaceful existence is threatened , however , when Union soldiers arrive with designs on the Sioux land. Some detractors have criticized the film's depiction of the tribes as simplistic ; such objections did not dissuade audiences or the Hollywood establishment , however , which awarded the film seven Academy Awards , including Best Picture.
1393
John Wayne toplines this biography of the cattle owner John Simpson Chisum a controversial figure who was the most powerful man in New Mexico during the Wild West era. A founder and prominent citizen in the town of Lincoln Chisum is slow to act when ruthless land baron Lawrence Murphy (Forrest Tucker) moves in on several local businesses and takes them over. By the time Chisum and his ally fellow rancher Henry Tunstall (Patrick Knowles) decide to go to the law Murphy's already bought and paid for influence there as well. The only recourse left to the cattlemen is to take Murphy on in all-out range war that embroils everyone in the county including Tunstall's hand Billy the Kid Bonney (Geoffrey Deuel) and his comrade Pat Garrett (Glenn Corbett). Screenwriter and producer Andrew J. Fenady based the script for Chisum (1970) on his own short story a very loosely fact-based account of Chisum Billy the Kid and their involvement in the Lincoln County wars.
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John Wayne toplines this biography of the cattle owner John Simpson Chisum , a controversial figure who was the most powerful man in New Mexico during the Wild West era. A founder and prominent citizen in the town of Lincoln , Chisum is slow to act when ruthless land baron Lawrence Murphy ( Forrest Tucker ) moves in on several local businesses and takes them over. By the time Chisum and his ally , fellow rancher Henry Tunstall ( Patrick Knowles ), decide to go to the law , Murphy's already bought and paid for influence there , as well. The only recourse left to the cattlemen is to take Murphy on in all - out range war that embroils everyone in the county , including Tunstall's hand Billy the Kid Bonney ( Geoffrey Deuel ) and his comrade Pat Garrett ( Glenn Corbett ) . Screenwriter and producer Andrew J. Fenady based the script for Chisum ( 1970 ) on his own short story , a very loosely fact - based account of Chisum , Billy the Kid and their involvement in the Lincoln County wars.
1394
This musical spoof of Westerns featured Lee Marvin in dual roles that won him a Best Actor Oscar. Jane Fonda stars as the title character a prim schoolmarm returning to her hometown of Wolf City Wyoming after receiving an Eastern education. On the train ride Cat meets up with a pair of friendly charming crooks Clay Boone (Michael Callan) and his uncle Jed (Dwayne Hickman) the former becoming hopelessly smitten with the naive but tough Cat. Upon arriving home Cat discovers that her eccentric father Frankie (John Marley) is being threatened with bodily harm by a development company that desperately wants his land. When Frankie is murdered by ruthless noseless killer Tim Strawn (Marvin) Cat straps on a pair of six-shooters and persuades Clay Jed and her father's loyal Native American hand Jackson Two-Bears (Tom Nardini) to sign on as her posse. In her quest for revenge Cat also recruits Kid Shelleen (also played by Marvin) a one-time fearsome gunslinger who's now a hopeless alcoholic. Cat Ballou (1965) is interspersed throughout the narrative with appearances by Stubby Kaye and Nat King Cole as a pair of balladeers who comment on the action musically in Greek chorus style.
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This musical spoof of Westerns featured Lee Marvin in dual roles that won him a Best Actor Oscar. Jane Fonda stars as the title character , a prim schoolmarm returning to her hometown of Wolf City , Wyoming , after receiving an Eastern education. On the train ride , Cat meets up with a pair of friendly , charming crooks , Clay Boone ( Michael Callan ) and his uncle , Jed ( Dwayne Hickman ), the former becoming hopelessly smitten with the naive but tough Cat. Upon arriving home , Cat discovers that her eccentric father , Frankie ( John Marley ), is being threatened with bodily harm by a development company that desperately wants his land. When Frankie is murdered by ruthless , noseless killer Tim Strawn ( Marvin ), Cat straps on a pair of six - shooters and persuades Clay , Jed , and her father's loyal Native American hand Jackson Two - Bears ( Tom Nardini ) to sign on as her posse. In her quest for revenge , Cat also recruits Kid Shelleen ( also played by Marvin ), a one - time fearsome gunslinger who's now a hopeless alcoholic. Cat Ballou ( 1965 ) is interspersed throughout the narrative with appearances by Stubby Kaye and Nat King Cole as a pair of balladeers who comment on the action musically in Greek chorus style.
1395
After the intense bloodshed of The Wild Bunch (1969) this comic western fable took the opposite approach to director Sam Peckinpah's continuing examination of the end of the West. Left for dead by a couple of lizard-slaughtering desperados in the middle of the desert prospector Cable Hogue (Jason Robards) is saved by his unexpected discovery of water "where there wasn't any." Hogue turns the water hole felicitously located near a stagecoach route into a thriving business creating a rest stop for a never-ending series of parched travelers. On his occasional trips to the closest town he meets chipper prostitute Hildy (Stella Stevens) who joins him in his oasis completing Hogue's little paradise. But even though Hogue may be able to succeed and avenge himself against his original attackers there is one thing that he cannot stop: progress. Completed before The Wild Bunch was released and replete with comical and even musical interludes Peckinpah's gently picaresque telling of Hogue's rise and fall stands in distinct contrast to the visual violence of its predecessor. The underlying message about the cost of modernity however equals The Wild Bunch in seriousness. The callous randomness of Hogue's fate is as shocking as the Bunch's final blaze of glory; as in Robert Altman's McCabe and Mrs. Miller from the same period a tool of "civilization" provokes a most uncivilized end for an Old West dreamer. Although the film was as light-hearted in approach as the 1969 smash hit revisionist western Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid Warner Bros. mishandled the release and it did barely any business; Peckinpah returned to his trademark gore in his next film the controversial Straw Dogs (1971). Still The Ballad of Cable Hogue is less an anomaly for a master of violence than an ironically charming chapter in Peckinpah's career-long elegy to the western.
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After the intense bloodshed of The Wild Bunch ( 1969 ), this comic western fable took the opposite approach to director Sam Peckinpah 's continuing examination of the end of the West. Left for dead by a couple of lizard - slaughtering desperados in the middle of the desert , prospector Cable Hogue ( Jason Robards ) is saved by his unexpected discovery of water "where there wasn't any." Hogue turns the water hole , felicitously located near a stagecoach route , into a thriving business , creating a rest stop for a never - ending series of parched travelers. On his occasional trips to the closest town , he meets chipper prostitute Hildy ( Stella Stevens ), who joins him in his oasis , completing Hogue's little paradise. But even though Hogue may be able to succeed and avenge himself against his original attackers , there is one thing that he cannot stop : progress. Completed before The Wild Bunch was released , and replete with comical and even musical interludes , Peckinpah 's gently picaresque telling of Hogue's rise and fall stands in distinct contrast to the visual violence of its predecessor. The underlying message about the cost of modernity , however , equals The Wild Bunch in seriousness. The callous randomness of Hogue's fate is as shocking as the Bunch's final blaze of glory ; as in Robert Altman 's McCabe and Mrs. Miller from the same period , a tool of "civilization" provokes a most uncivilized end for an Old West dreamer. Although the film was as light - hearted in approach as the 1969 smash hit revisionist western Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid , Warner Bros. mishandled the release and it did barely any business ; Peckinpah returned to his trademark gore in his next film , the controversial Straw Dogs ( 1971 ) . Still , The Ballad of Cable Hogue is less an anomaly for a master of violence than an ironically charming chapter in Peckinpah 's career - long elegy to the western.
1396
Set during the Civil War Bad Company stars Barry Brown as a Northern boy Drew Dixon who heads West to avoid getting drafted. He falls under the spell of Jake Rumsey (Jeff Bridges) an easygoing young con artist. Drew joins Jake's gang of boy bandits who live by their wits and try to avoid confrontation with adult criminals like Big Joe (David Huddleston). It is Drew who must eventually save Jake from hanging even though he realizes that his intervention could lead to his own execution.
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Set during the Civil War , Bad Company stars Barry Brown as a Northern boy , Drew Dixon , who heads West to avoid getting drafted. He falls under the spell of Jake Rumsey ( Jeff Bridges ), an easygoing young con artist. Drew joins Jake's gang of boy bandits , who live by their wits and try to avoid confrontation with adult criminals like Big Joe ( David Huddleston ) . It is Drew who must eventually save Jake from hanging , even though he realizes that his intervention could lead to his own execution.
1397
Desperate for money frontier rancher Van Heflin holds outlaw Glenn Ford at gunpoint intending to collect the $200 reward. While both men await the train to Yuma that will escort Ford to prison the cagey outlaw offers Heflin $10000 if he'll set Ford free. The rest of the film is a sweat-inducing cat-and-mouse game between captive and captor interrupted with bursts of violence from both Ford's gang (commandeered by Richard Jaeckel) and the vacillating townsfolk. 3:10 to Yuma is one of the best of the character-driven "psychological" westerns of the 1950s. Its only flaw is Ford's unconvincing character turnaround towards the end.
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Desperate for money , frontier rancher Van Heflin holds outlaw Glenn Ford at gunpoint , intending to collect the $200 reward. While both men await the train to Yuma that will escort Ford to prison , the cagey outlaw offers Heflin $10 , 000 if he'll set Ford free. The rest of the film is a sweat - inducing cat - and - mouse game between captive and captor , interrupted with bursts of violence from both Ford's gang ( commandeered by Richard Jaeckel ) and the vacillating townsfolk. 3 : 10 to Yuma is one of the best of the character - driven "psychological" westerns of the 1950s. Its only flaw is Ford's unconvincing character turnaround towards the end.
1398
The Ballad of Little Jo is based on a true story -- several true stories in fact. Suzy Amis plays demure young Josephine Monagan who in 1866 is run out of her home town after bearing an illegitimate child. Fleeing westward Josephine is terrified by stories of how treacherous the frontier can be for a woman alone. As a result upon arriving in the muddy burg of Ruby City she disguises herself as a man going so far as to scar her face to suggest that she's been in a few scrapes. In this guise "Little Jo" does just fine by herself for nearly 30 years! Almost as good as Suzy Amis is Bo Hopkins as gunslinger Frank Badger Little Jo's best buddy (if only he knew....) Written and directed by Maggie Greenwald The Ballad of Little Jo does a marvelous job conveying the people and places of its period; and unlike Bad Girls (which was released around the same time) we aren't bludgeoned to death by feminist revisionism. Unfortunately ignored when it went out to theatres in the fall of 1993 The Ballad of Little Jo has fared rather better on video.
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The Ballad of Little Jo is based on a true story -- several true stories , in fact. Suzy Amis plays demure young Josephine Monagan , who in 1866 is run out of her home town after bearing an illegitimate child. Fleeing westward , Josephine is terrified by stories of how treacherous the frontier can be for a woman alone. As a result , upon arriving in the muddy burg of Ruby City , she disguises herself as a man , going so far as to scar her face to suggest that she's been in a few scrapes. In this guise , "Little Jo" does just fine by herself for nearly 30 years! Almost as good as Suzy Amis is Bo Hopkins as gunslinger Frank Badger , Little Jo's best buddy ( if only he knew.... ) Written and directed by Maggie Greenwald , The Ballad of Little Jo does a marvelous job conveying the people and places of its period ; and , unlike Bad Girls ( which was released around the same time ), we aren't bludgeoned to death by feminist revisionism. Unfortunately ignored when it went out to theatres in the fall of 1993 , The Ballad of Little Jo has fared rather better on video.
1399
The McKenzie Break is an unusual POW escape drama in that the would-be escapees are German prisoners held in a Scottish camp. When a Luftwaffe pilot is murdered in the compound British major Ian Hendrey investigates. He suspects that the killing is tied in with a complex escape plan engineered by German commander Helmut Griem. Before the inevitable break the prisoners form into the sort of separate factions and pressure groups that fomented the Nazi upheaval in Germany in the first place. Based on a novel by Sidney Shelley The McKenzie Break was actually filmed in Ireland rather than Scotland.
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The McKenzie Break is an unusual POW escape drama in that the would - be escapees are German prisoners , held in a Scottish camp. When a Luftwaffe pilot is murdered in the compound , British major Ian Hendrey investigates. He suspects that the killing is tied in with a complex escape plan , engineered by German commander Helmut Griem . Before the inevitable break , the prisoners form into the sort of separate factions and pressure groups that fomented the Nazi upheaval in Germany in the first place. Based on a novel by Sidney Shelley , The McKenzie Break was actually filmed in Ireland rather than Scotland.
1400
The Hill was unfairly subjected to ridicule by the more obtuse "critics" of 1965 who harped on the fact that it starred Sean Connery and unlike Connery's Bond pictures had no women in it. Bypassing these cretinous comments it must be noted that The Hill is an above-the-norm entry in the "military prison" genre. The film takes place during World War II in a Libyan stockade for incorrigible British soldiers. The camp's brutal Sergeant Major (Harry Andrews) puts his charges to work on grueling monotonous and pointless projects to break their spirits. When one rebellious inmate dies due to this treatment the Sergeant Major is reprimanded by Joe Roberts (Connery) who has been appointed as the prisoners' spokesman. The result is that Roberts is likewise subjected to the most demeaning and humiliating of prison chores -- but his spirit and that of his comrades is not so easily crushed. Based on a TV play by Ray Rigby The Hill should never be seen in any form other than its dusty parched original black-and-white; the currently available colorized version is a crime against humanity. One problem: The British dialects in the first 20 minutes are so thick that an American viewer practically needs subtitles (British critics chalked this problem up not to elocution but to poor sound recording).
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The Hill was unfairly subjected to ridicule by the more obtuse "critics" of 1965 who harped on the fact that it starred Sean Connery and , unlike Connery's Bond pictures , had no women in it. Bypassing these cretinous comments , it must be noted that The Hill is an above - the - norm entry in the "military prison" genre. The film takes place during World War II , in a Libyan stockade for incorrigible British soldiers. The camp's brutal Sergeant Major ( Harry Andrews ) puts his charges to work on grueling , monotonous and pointless projects to break their spirits. When one rebellious inmate dies due to this treatment , the Sergeant Major is reprimanded by Joe Roberts ( Connery ), who has been appointed as the prisoners' spokesman. The result is that Roberts is likewise subjected to the most demeaning and humiliating of prison chores -- but his spirit , and that of his comrades , is not so easily crushed. Based on a TV play by Ray Rigby , The Hill should never be seen in any form other than its dusty , parched original black - and - white ; the currently available colorized version is a crime against humanity. One problem : The British dialects in the first 20 minutes are so thick that an American viewer practically needs subtitles ( British critics chalked this problem up not to elocution but to poor sound recording ) .
1401
The German "home front" of World War 2 is witnessed through 12-year-old eyes in the US-Canadian coproduction War Boy. Jason Hopely plays the young protagonist attempting to grow up and cope while the world around him descends into hell. Denied the huge budget of Spielberg's similarly themed Empire of the Sun the film is more successful on an intimate personal level in depicting a child's eye view of the horrors of war. The film's PG rating is due to a brief scene involving Hopely's sexual awakening. Helen Shaver and Kenneth Welsh costar in this unjustly underrated film.
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The German "home front" of World War 2 is witnessed through 12 - year - old eyes in the US - Canadian coproduction War Boy . Jason Hopely plays the young protagonist , attempting to grow up and cope while the world around him descends into hell. Denied the huge budget of Spielberg's similarly themed Empire of the Sun , the film is more successful on an intimate , personal level in depicting a child's eye view of the horrors of war. The film's PG rating is due to a brief scene involving Hopely's sexual awakening. Helen Shaver and Kenneth Welsh costar in this unjustly underrated film.
1402
An expensive war epic Midway emulates The Longest Day and Tora! Tora! Tora! in attempting to re-create a famous World War II battle from both the American and Japanese viewpoints. The 1942 battle of Midway was the turning point of the War in the Pacific; the Japanese invasion fleet was destroyed and America's string of humiliating defeats was finally broken. Though the battle itself was sufficiently dramatic to fill two films Midway also has plotline involving the mixed-race relationship between Ensign Garth (Edward Albert) son of Navy Captain Matt Garth (Charlton Heston) and Haruko Sakura (Christina Kokubo) a Hawaiian girl of Japanese descent. The real-life personages depicted herein include American Admirals Nimitz (Henry Fonda) Halsey (Robert Mitchum) and Spruance (Glenn Ford) and Japanese Admiral Yamamoto (Toshiro Mifune his voice once again dubbed by Paul Frees whom Mifune personally selected for the job). For its original road show release Midway was offered in the "Sensurround" process which electronically shook and vibrated the audience's chairs during the battle sequences.
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An expensive war epic , Midway emulates The Longest Day and Tora! Tora! Tora! in attempting to re - create a famous World War II battle from both the American and Japanese viewpoints. The 1942 battle of Midway was the turning point of the War in the Pacific ; the Japanese invasion fleet was destroyed , and America's string of humiliating defeats was finally broken. Though the battle itself was sufficiently dramatic to fill two films , Midway also has plotline involving the mixed - race relationship between Ensign Garth ( Edward Albert ), son of Navy Captain Matt Garth ( Charlton Heston ), and Haruko Sakura ( Christina Kokubo ), a Hawaiian girl of Japanese descent. The real - life personages depicted herein include American Admirals Nimitz ( Henry Fonda ), Halsey ( Robert Mitchum ) and Spruance ( Glenn Ford ), and Japanese Admiral Yamamoto ( Toshiro Mifune , his voice once again dubbed by Paul Frees , whom Mifune personally selected for the job ) . For its original road show release , Midway was offered in the "Sensurround" process , which electronically shook and vibrated the audience's chairs during the battle sequences.
1403
Unabashedly sentimental this war film was produced by David Putnam in partnership with Catherine Wyler whose father William Wyler directed an acclaimed documentary about the real-life events depicted in the film. The ensemble cast is composed of ten young actors portraying the crew of the World War II B-17 bomber "Memphis Belle" anticipating their 25th and last mission before they will be able to go home. Having won fame with their exemplary war record and amazing lack of casualties they expect their final assignment to be a cakewalk but instead they are ordered to bomb Bremen a heavily defended German city that will mean almost certain loss of life. Led by their experienced captain Dennis Dearborn (Matthew Modine) the crew shoulders its responsibility despite mounting fears while their commanding officer (David Strathairn) and a public relations specialist (John Lithgow) wait anxiously for their return. Aboard the bomber there's friction between Dearborn and his disgruntled co-pilot Luke Sinclair (Tate Donovan) and between medical officer Val Kozlowski (Billy Zane) and the rest of the crew when it's learned that Val lied about his qualifications. Despite impressive technical credits and a popular Generation-X cast Memphis Belle (1990) was a box-office disappointment its enthusiastic patriotism considered a throwback to a bygone era of filmmaking.
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Unabashedly sentimental , this war film was produced by David Putnam in partnership with Catherine Wyler , whose father William Wyler directed an acclaimed documentary about the real - life events depicted in the film. The ensemble cast is composed of ten young actors portraying the crew of the World War II B - 17 bomber "Memphis Belle , " anticipating their 25th and last mission before they will be able to go home. Having won fame with their exemplary war record and amazing lack of casualties , they expect their final assignment to be a cakewalk , but instead they are ordered to bomb Bremen , a heavily defended German city that will mean almost certain loss of life. Led by their experienced captain , Dennis Dearborn ( Matthew Modine ), the crew shoulders its responsibility despite mounting fears , while their commanding officer ( David Strathairn ) and a public relations specialist ( John Lithgow ) wait anxiously for their return. Aboard the bomber , there's friction between Dearborn and his disgruntled co - pilot Luke Sinclair ( Tate Donovan ), and between medical officer Val Kozlowski ( Billy Zane ) and the rest of the crew when it's learned that Val lied about his qualifications. Despite impressive technical credits and a popular Generation - X cast , Memphis Belle ( 1990 ) was a box - office disappointment , its enthusiastic patriotism considered a throwback to a bygone era of filmmaking.
1404
The entire cast of Hell in the Pacific consists of two high-powered international stars: Lee Marvin and Toshiro Mifune. The time is World War II. A downed American marine pilot (Marvin) is stalked on a remote Pacific island by a Japanese navy officer (Mifune). The Japanese officer captures the American but this situation is reversed when he manages to wriggle free. The two enemies finally decide to live and let live each moving to their own separate portion of the island. By and by the adversaries come to rely upon one another to survive; they set up living quarters in a deserted camp get drunk together and almost -- but not quite -- become friends. The present ending of Hell in the Pacific is greatly at odds with director John Boorman's original vision in which the Japanese officer angrily kills two Japanese soldiers who have come across the American and decapitated him. As it now stands viewers are left with an explosive "lady or the tiger" denouement.
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The entire cast of Hell in the Pacific consists of two high - powered international stars : Lee Marvin and Toshiro Mifune . The time is World War II. A downed American marine pilot ( Marvin ), is stalked on a remote Pacific island by a Japanese navy officer ( Mifune ) . The Japanese officer captures the American , but this situation is reversed when he manages to wriggle free. The two enemies finally decide to live and let live , each moving to their own separate portion of the island. By and by the adversaries come to rely upon one another to survive ; they set up living quarters in a deserted camp , get drunk together , and almost -- but not quite -- become friends. The present ending of Hell in the Pacific is greatly at odds with director John Boorman 's original vision , in which the Japanese officer angrily kills two Japanese soldiers who have come across the American and decapitated him. As it now stands , viewers are left with an explosive "lady or the tiger" denouement.
1405
The Green Berets is an exciting war film that was lambasted by critics who at the time of its release opposed the war in Vietnam. Wayne's role is similar to his part in The Longest Day (1963) but it was evident to the worldwide public that the same bravado that flew well in World War II crash-landed in 1968 in the wake of a very different war and political time. Wayne plays the hard-nosed rough-and-ready Colonel Mike Kirby who heads a courageous bunch of tough-as-nails Green Berets determined to capture an important enemy general. They are accompanied by a skeptical reporter who soon becomes a gung-ho red-white-and-blue patriot as the Colonel and the others lecture and show him why they must defeat the "commies." Interestingly despite the massive anti-war sentiments of the times the film grossed over $11 million at the box-office and is especially notable for the fine battle scenes. The film also features the hit song "Ballad of the Green Berets" sung by Sgt. Barry Sadler.
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The Green Berets is an exciting war film that was lambasted by critics who at the time of its release opposed the war in Vietnam. Wayne's role is similar to his part in The Longest Day ( 1963 ), but it was evident to the worldwide public that the same bravado that flew well in World War II crash - landed in 1968 in the wake of a very different war and political time. Wayne plays the hard - nosed rough - and - ready Colonel Mike Kirby who heads a courageous bunch of tough - as - nails Green Berets determined to capture an important enemy general. They are accompanied by a skeptical reporter who soon becomes a gung - ho red - white - and - blue patriot as the Colonel and the others lecture and show him why they must defeat the "commies." Interestingly , despite the massive anti - war sentiments of the times , the film grossed over $11 million at the box - office and is especially notable for the fine battle scenes. The film also features the hit song "Ballad of the Green Berets , " sung by Sgt. Barry Sadler .
1406
Go Tell the Spartans is set in Vietnam during that period in which American troops were euphemistically termed "advisors". Reluctantly dispensing much of that advice is veteran American major Asa Barker (Burt Lancaster). Though he knows what works and what doesn't on the battlefield Barker is obliged to carry out the go-nowhere policies of the American military brass. His current objective is a woebegone barely crucial outpost which he must defend with a handful of green soldiers and end-of-tether Vietnamese militiamen. True to his predictions the outpost is overwhelmed by the Vietcong who have something to fight about and are ruthless in their tactics. Before the relief troops can arrive virtually everyone is senselessly killed including Barker. The only survivor is Corporal Stephen Courcey (Craig Wasson) a willing draftee whose initial idealism dies along with his comrades. Wendell Mayes adapted Go Tell the Spartans from the novel Incident at Muc Wa by Daniel Ford.
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Go Tell the Spartans is set in Vietnam during that period in which American troops were euphemistically termed "advisors". Reluctantly dispensing much of that advice is veteran American major Asa Barker ( Burt Lancaster ) . Though he knows what works and what doesn't on the battlefield , Barker is obliged to carry out the go - nowhere policies of the American military brass. His current objective is a woebegone , barely crucial outpost , which he must defend with a handful of green soldiers and end - of - tether Vietnamese militiamen. True to his predictions , the outpost is overwhelmed by the Vietcong , who have something to fight about and are ruthless in their tactics. Before the relief troops can arrive , virtually everyone is senselessly killed , including Barker. The only survivor is Corporal Stephen Courcey ( Craig Wasson ), a willing draftee whose initial idealism dies along with his comrades. Wendell Mayes adapted Go Tell the Spartans from the novel Incident at Muc Wa by Daniel Ford .
1407
A quote from Bertolt Brecht ends this bitter and angry war film by Sam Peckinpah: "Do not rejoice in his defeat you men. For though the world has stood up and stopped the bastard the bitch that bore him is in heat again." Peckinpah's intense and belligerently non-commercial work (based on the book by Willi Heinrich) is a World War II tale told from the German perspective following a platoon of German soldiers in the Russia of 1943 when the German Wehrmacht forces had been decimated and the Germans were retreating along the Russian front. James Coburn is Steiner a German corporal and recipient of the Iron Cross who feels that he owes his loyalty to his family and fellow soldiers and not to Hitler and the German war machine. But when a new commander Captain Stransky (Maximillian Schell) takes over the platoon Steiner and Stransky come into immediate conflict. Stransky is a career soldier the complete opposite of Steiner and a man who pledges himself heart and soul to Hitler and the war. But he envies Steiner for having been awarded an Iron Cross and deeply desires one himself. The problem is Stransky is a complete coward and recognizes that the only way he can be awarded an Iron Cross would be to get the bitter Steiner on his side.
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A quote from Bertolt Brecht ends this bitter and angry war film by Sam Peckinpah : "Do not rejoice in his defeat , you men. For though the world has stood up and stopped the bastard , the bitch that bore him is in heat again." Peckinpah 's intense and belligerently non - commercial work , ( based on the book by Willi Heinrich ), is a World War II tale told from the German perspective , following a platoon of German soldiers in the Russia of 1943 , when the German Wehrmacht forces had been decimated and the Germans were retreating along the Russian front. James Coburn is Steiner , a German corporal and recipient of the Iron Cross who feels that he owes his loyalty to his family and fellow soldiers and not to Hitler and the German war machine. But when a new commander , Captain Stransky ( Maximillian Schell ), takes over the platoon , Steiner and Stransky come into immediate conflict. Stransky is a career soldier , the complete opposite of Steiner , and a man who pledges himself heart and soul to Hitler and the war. But he envies Steiner for having been awarded an Iron Cross and deeply desires one himself. The problem is Stransky is a complete coward and recognizes that the only way he can be awarded an Iron Cross would be to get the bitter Steiner on his side.
1408
This bleak World War II action drama directed by John Guillermin concerns the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen -- the last remaining span across the Rhine into Germany during the final days of the war in 1945. German General von Brock (Peter Van Eyck) is ordered to blow up the bridge rather than let it fall into American hands. Von Brock is reluctant to carry out the orders however because that would mean abandoning 50000 soldiers to the on-coming Americans. Putting Major Paul Kreuger (Robert Vaughn) in charge he tells him to try to hold the bridge as long as possible. Meanwhile U.S. Brigadier General Skinner (E.G. Marshall) is trying to trap the retreating Germans by making a push to the Rhine. Leading the offensive is Major Barnes (Bradford Dillman) an officer held in contempt by most of the men. Platoon leader Lieutenant Phil Hartman (George Segal) takes a particular dislike to him. Hartman is also at odds with Sergeant Angela (Ben Gazzara) a scavenger who likes to steal from the corpses of dead German soldiers. As the Americans push onward to Remagen the Germans step up their resistance. When the Americans reach Remagen Krueger unsuccessfully attempts to blow up the bridge and throws all his soldiers into a full-assault on the Americans. Skinner orders that the American soldiers must push forward and take the bridge intact. In the face of heavy German opposition Hartman and Angelo find that they must put aside their differences and fight for a common cause -- to take the bridge at all costs.
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This bleak World War II action drama , directed by John Guillermin , concerns the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen -- the last remaining span across the Rhine into Germany during the final days of the war in 1945. German General von Brock ( Peter Van Eyck ) is ordered to blow up the bridge rather than let it fall into American hands. Von Brock is reluctant to carry out the orders , however , because that would mean abandoning 50 , 000 soldiers to the on - coming Americans. Putting Major Paul Kreuger ( Robert Vaughn ) in charge , he tells him to try to hold the bridge as long as possible. Meanwhile , U.S. Brigadier General Skinner ( E.G. Marshall ) is trying to trap the retreating Germans by making a push to the Rhine. Leading the offensive is Major Barnes ( Bradford Dillman ), an officer held in contempt by most of the men. Platoon leader Lieutenant Phil Hartman ( George Segal ) takes a particular dislike to him. Hartman is also at odds with Sergeant Angela ( Ben Gazzara ), a scavenger who likes to steal from the corpses of dead German soldiers. As the Americans push onward to Remagen , the Germans step up their resistance. When the Americans reach Remagen , Krueger unsuccessfully attempts to blow up the bridge and throws all his soldiers into a full - assault on the Americans. Skinner orders that the American soldiers must push forward and take the bridge intact. In the face of heavy German opposition , Hartman and Angelo find that they must put aside their differences and fight for a common cause -- to take the bridge at all costs.
1409
The lively but somehow slightly distasteful The Americanization of Emily stars James Garner as a WWII naval officer who happens to be a craven coward. While his comrades sail off to their deaths Garner makes himself scarce generally hiding out in the London flat of his lothario navy buddy James Coburn. Garner falls in love with virtuous war widow Julie Andrews (the "Emily" of the title) but she can't abide his yellow streak. Meanwhile crack-brained admiral Melvyn Douglas decides that he needs a hero--the first man to die on Omaha Beach during the D-Day Invasion. Coburn is at first elected for this sacrifice but it is the quivering Garner who ends up hitting the beach. He survives to become a hero in spite of himself winning Andrews in the process. Paddy Chayefsky's script based on the novel by William Bradford Huie attempts to extract humor out of the horrors of war by using broad vulgar comedy instead of the light satirical touch that would seem to be called for. Americanization of Emily was Julie Andrews' second film; it should have led to a steady stream of adult-oriented roles but the box-office clout of Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music consigned her to "wholesome family entertainment".
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The lively but somehow slightly distasteful The Americanization of Emily stars James Garner as a WWII naval officer who happens to be a craven coward. While his comrades sail off to their deaths , Garner makes himself scarce , generally hiding out in the London flat of his lothario navy buddy James Coburn . Garner falls in love with virtuous war widow Julie Andrews ( the "Emily" of the title ), but she can't abide his yellow streak. Meanwhile , crack - brained admiral Melvyn Douglas decides that he needs a hero -- the first man to die on Omaha Beach during the D - Day Invasion. Coburn is at first elected for this sacrifice , but it is the quivering Garner who ends up hitting the beach. He survives to become a hero in spite of himself , winning Andrews in the process. Paddy Chayefsky 's script , based on the novel by William Bradford Huie , attempts to extract humor out of the horrors of war by using broad , vulgar comedy instead of the light satirical touch that would seem to be called for. Americanization of Emily was Julie Andrews ' second film ; it should have led to a steady stream of adult - oriented roles , but the box - office clout of Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music consigned her to "wholesome family entertainment".
1410
An elite Australian cavalry unit attacks the Turkish-held stronghold of Beersheba in this World War I adventure drama. Four friends goes through the trials of battle in this epic $10 million production. The Australians resent being led by the British who continually misuse the cavalry. They conspire to strike out on their own to prove their effectiveness and drive the Turkish hordes from the desert town.
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An elite Australian cavalry unit attacks the Turkish - held stronghold of Beersheba in this World War I adventure drama. Four friends goes through the trials of battle in this epic $10 million production. The Australians resent being led by the British who continually misuse the cavalry. They conspire to strike out on their own to prove their effectiveness and drive the Turkish hordes from the desert town.
1411
John Schlesinger directs the war romance Yanks based on the story by Colin Welland. Set in England at the end of WWII the story concerns three American GIs and their affairs with British women of varying social status. The central romance concerns Sgt. Matt Dyson (Richard Gere) and Jean Moreton (Lisa Eichhorn making her film debut) who is the daughter of shopkeepers (Rachel Roberts and Tony Melody). He falls in love with her but she is still infatuated with her boyfriend Ken (Derek Thompson). Higher up on the class scale the officer John (William Devane) has a brief extramarital affair with socialite Helen (Vanessa Redgrave). The third pairing involves Sgt. Danny Ruffelo (Chick Vennera) in a fling with Mollie (Wendy Morgan). Eventually the Americans and the Britains find themselves surrounded by racism at a New Year's Eve dance. Annie Ross from the vocal jazz group Lambert Hendricks & Ross appears briefly as a Red Cross nurse. Yanks won two BAFTA awards in 1980: to Shirley Russell for Best Costume Design and to Rachel Roberts for Best Supporting Actress.
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John Schlesinger directs the war romance Yanks , based on the story by Colin Welland . Set in England at the end of WWII , the story concerns three American GIs and their affairs with British women of varying social status. The central romance concerns Sgt. Matt Dyson ( Richard Gere ) and Jean Moreton ( Lisa Eichhorn making her film debut ), who is the daughter of shopkeepers ( Rachel Roberts and Tony Melody ) . He falls in love with her but she is still infatuated with her boyfriend Ken ( Derek Thompson ) . Higher up on the class scale , the officer John ( William Devane ) has a brief extramarital affair with socialite Helen ( Vanessa Redgrave ) . The third pairing involves Sgt. Danny Ruffelo ( Chick Vennera ) in a fling with Mollie ( Wendy Morgan ) . Eventually , the Americans and the Britains find themselves surrounded by racism at a New Year's Eve dance. Annie Ross from the vocal jazz group Lambert , Hendricks , & Ross appears briefly as a Red Cross nurse. Yanks won two BAFTA awards in 1980 : to Shirley Russell for Best Costume Design and to Rachel Roberts for Best Supporting Actress.
1412
Loosely based on a novel by John Hersey this standard wartime drama stars Steve McQueen as Buzz Rickson command pilot of a B17 bomber and Robert Wagner as Ed Bolland his co-pilot. When Buzz first comes on the scene Ed admires him for his daring and skill in executing the bombing raids over Germany. But as time goes by Buzz starts to fall for Ed's girlfriend Daphne (Shirley Ann Field) and at the same time Ed begins to see that Buzz is only good at piloting bombers -- in civilian life he is a total washout. The contrasts between the men Buzz's internal problems and the love triangle provide the dramatic fodder throughout the 105-minute running time.
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Loosely based on a novel by John Hersey , this standard wartime drama stars Steve McQueen as Buzz Rickson , command pilot of a B17 bomber , and Robert Wagner as Ed Bolland , his co - pilot. When Buzz first comes on the scene , Ed admires him for his daring and skill in executing the bombing raids over Germany. But as time goes by , Buzz starts to fall for Ed's girlfriend Daphne ( Shirley Ann Field ) and at the same time , Ed begins to see that Buzz is only good at piloting bombers -- in civilian life he is a total washout. The contrasts between the men , Buzz's internal problems , and the love triangle provide the dramatic fodder throughout the 105 - minute running time.
1413
Gary Cooper stars in one of his final roles in They Came To Cordura Robert Rossen's moody study of the thin dividing line between heroism and cowardice. Cooper plays Major Thomas Thorn a U.S. Army officer in the expedition into Mexico against Pancho Villa. Because he hesitated during a moment of decision in a battle he has been labeled a coward. His commanding officer Colonel Rogers (Robert Keith) orders Thorn to recommend five men for nomination for the Congressional Medal of Honor for bravery in the battle against Villa. Angered that Thorn did not nominate him for the Medal of Honor Rogers charges Thorn with transporting the men through a broiling and dangerous desert to the rear area of Cordura. They begin the trek accompanied by Adelaide Geary (Rita Hayworth) the daughter of a dishonored U.S. Senator who is accused of treason since she owned the hacienda where Villa's men stayed. As they travel across the desert expanse Thorn ponders why these men are considered heroes while he is labeled a coward. As their journey continues the heroes turn into a mutinous rabble with Thorn reduced to holding the group at bay with a loaded gun.
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Gary Cooper stars in one of his final roles in They Came To Cordura , Robert Rossen 's moody study of the thin dividing line between heroism and cowardice. Cooper plays Major Thomas Thorn , a U.S. Army officer in the expedition into Mexico against Pancho Villa. Because he hesitated during a moment of decision in a battle , he has been labeled a coward. His commanding officer , Colonel Rogers ( Robert Keith ), orders Thorn to recommend five men for nomination for the Congressional Medal of Honor for bravery in the battle against Villa. Angered that Thorn did not nominate him for the Medal of Honor , Rogers charges Thorn with transporting the men through a broiling and dangerous desert to the rear area of Cordura. They begin the trek accompanied by Adelaide Geary ( Rita Hayworth ), the daughter of a dishonored U.S. Senator , who is accused of treason since she owned the hacienda where Villa's men stayed. As they travel across the desert expanse , Thorn ponders why these men are considered heroes while he is labeled a coward. As their journey continues , the heroes turn into a mutinous rabble , with Thorn reduced to holding the group at bay with a loaded gun.
1414
Like M*A*S*H and Catch-22 both released the same year this military comedy takes place in an earlier war but is really a thinly disguised treatise on the modern-day insanity and avariciousness then unfolding in Vietnam. Clint Eastwood stars as Kelly a former lieutenant whose illusions about the glory of war if he has any are lost when he is busted in rank for following some poorly considered orders in World War II France. After capturing a friendly German officer Kelly learns the whereabouts of millions of dollars in gold bars earmarked to finance a military payroll. Taking advantage of a three-day liberty Kelly assembles a motley trio of fellow soldiers to help him sneak behind enemy lines and retrieve the booty. They include Big Joe (Telly Savalas) a gruff sergeant; Crapgame (Don Rickles) a supply sergeant already enriching himself as a black marketer and con man; and the hippie-like tank commander Oddball (Donald Sutherland). Since crossing into enemy-held territory means heading in the opposite direction of the retreating Allies Kelly and his men encounter armed resistance. Receiving word of their campaign the vain General Colt (Carroll O'Connor) mistakes the quartet of freelancing scam artists for all-American heroes.
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Like M*A*S*H and Catch - 22 , both released the same year , this military comedy takes place in an earlier war but is really a thinly disguised treatise on the modern - day insanity and avariciousness then unfolding in Vietnam. Clint Eastwood stars as Kelly , a former lieutenant whose illusions about the glory of war , if he has any , are lost when he is busted in rank for following some poorly considered orders in World War II France. After capturing a friendly German officer , Kelly learns the whereabouts of millions of dollars in gold bars , earmarked to finance a military payroll. Taking advantage of a three - day liberty , Kelly assembles a motley trio of fellow soldiers to help him sneak behind enemy lines and retrieve the booty. They include Big Joe ( Telly Savalas ), a gruff sergeant ; Crapgame ( Don Rickles ), a supply sergeant already enriching himself as a black marketer and con man ; and the hippie - like tank commander Oddball ( Donald Sutherland ) . Since crossing into enemy - held territory means heading in the opposite direction of the retreating Allies , Kelly and his men encounter armed resistance. Receiving word of their campaign , the vain General Colt ( Carroll O'Connor ) mistakes the quartet of freelancing scam artists for all - American heroes.
1415
Set in Washington D.C. during the Vietnam War era Gardens of Stone concentrates on the trials and tribulations of the Arlington National Cemetery home guard. James Caan plays career soldier Sgt. Clell Hazard who has come to the sad conclusion that Vietnam is unwinnable and that America should withdraw as soon as possible. His attitude is contrasted to that held by Private Jackie Willow (D.B. Sweeney) who wants nothing more in life than to go into battle for his country. Though Hazard cannot officially dissuade Willow from this yearning he pulls a few surreptitious strings to change the lad's mind including encouraging a renewed romance between Jackie and his former girlfriend Rachel (Mary Stuart Masterton). After so many big-budgeters Coppola determined that Gardens would be a deliberately "small" picture concentrating on personalities rather than opulence; the director's father Carmine Coppola supplied the music while Peter Masterton and Carlyn Glynn the real-life parents of Mary Stuart Masterton play Mary's on-screen dad and mom. Gardens of Stone was adapted by Ronald Bass from the novel by Nicholas Proffitt.
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Set in Washington D.C. during the Vietnam War era , Gardens of Stone concentrates on the trials and tribulations of the Arlington National Cemetery home guard. James Caan plays career soldier Sgt. Clell Hazard , who has come to the sad conclusion that Vietnam is unwinnable and that America should withdraw as soon as possible. His attitude is contrasted to that held by Private Jackie Willow ( D.B. Sweeney ), who wants nothing more in life than to go into battle for his country. Though Hazard cannot officially dissuade Willow from this yearning , he pulls a few surreptitious strings to change the lad's mind , including encouraging a renewed romance between Jackie and his former girlfriend Rachel ( Mary Stuart Masterton ) . After so many big - budgeters , Coppola determined that Gardens would be a deliberately "small" picture , concentrating on personalities rather than opulence ; the director's father , Carmine Coppola , supplied the music , while Peter Masterton and Carlyn Glynn , the real - life parents of Mary Stuart Masterton , play Mary's on - screen dad and mom. Gardens of Stone was adapted by Ronald Bass from the novel by Nicholas Proffitt.
1416
Though officially based on Pierre Schoendoerffer's novel L'Adieu au Roi Farewell to the King also bears echoes of Conrad's Heart of Darkness and Lord Jim--with a lot of filmmaker John Milius' own Hemingwayesque slant thrown in. During World War II American POW Learoyd (Nick Nolte) escapes a Japanese firing squad. Hiding himself in the wilds of Borneo Learoyd is adopted by a head-hunting tribe of Nyak Indians who consider him "divine" because of his elaborate tattoos. Before long Learoyd is the reigning king of the Nyaks. When British soldiers approach him to rejoin the war against the Japanese Learoyd resists (in language so flowery that it could have been written by Sir Walter Scott). But when his own tribe is threatened by the invaders the "king" deigns to fight for their rights. Farewell to the King is breathtakingly photographed and quite exciting at times.
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Though officially based on Pierre Schoendoerffer 's novel L'Adieu au Roi , Farewell to the King also bears echoes of Conrad's Heart of Darkness and Lord Jim -- with a lot of filmmaker John Milius ' own Hemingwayesque slant thrown in. During World War II , American POW Learoyd ( Nick Nolte ) escapes a Japanese firing squad. Hiding himself in the wilds of Borneo , Learoyd is adopted by a head - hunting tribe of Nyak Indians , who consider him "divine" because of his elaborate tattoos. Before long , Learoyd is the reigning king of the Nyaks. When British soldiers approach him to rejoin the war against the Japanese , Learoyd resists ( in language so flowery that it could have been written by Sir Walter Scott ) . But when his own tribe is threatened by the invaders , the "king" deigns to fight for their rights. Farewell to the King is breathtakingly photographed and quite exciting at times.
1417
James Bond-flick director Guy Hamilton helmed this episodic all-star World War II film. With Sir Laurence Olivier heading up an ensemble cast as flight commander Sir Hugh Dowdling The Battle of Britain pays tribute to other nationalities instrumental in fending off the waves of Luftwaffe planes notably the expatriate Polish and Czech pilots. Trevor Howard Michael Caine and Michael Redgrave also populate the cast.
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James Bond - flick director Guy Hamilton helmed this episodic , all - star World War II film. With Sir Laurence Olivier heading up an ensemble cast as flight commander Sir Hugh Dowdling , The Battle of Britain pays tribute to other nationalities instrumental in fending off the waves of Luftwaffe planes , notably the expatriate Polish and Czech pilots. Trevor Howard , Michael Caine , and Michael Redgrave also populate the cast.
1418
In this wartime melodrama Lieutenant Colonel Raspeguy (Anthony Quinn) is a French peasant who has worked his way up the military ladder during the French involvement in Indochina. Sent to Algeria Raspeguy must mold a group of raw recruits into a competent fighting unit. He calls on Esclavier (Alain Delon) his sensitive assistant who eventually deserts the military out of frustration over the pointlessness of war. Raspeguy's other assistant is Boisfeuras (Maurice Ronet) the affable officer whose outside demeanor hides the heart of a vicious killer who loves the bloodlust of battle. Raspeguy takes up with Countess De Clairefons (Michele Morgan) the widow of a respected general. She promises Raspeguy she will marry him if he comes back from the conflict as a general.
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In this wartime melodrama , Lieutenant Colonel Raspeguy ( Anthony Quinn ) is a French peasant who has worked his way up the military ladder during the French involvement in Indochina. Sent to Algeria , Raspeguy must mold a group of raw recruits into a competent fighting unit. He calls on Esclavier ( Alain Delon ), his sensitive assistant who eventually deserts the military out of frustration over the pointlessness of war. Raspeguy's other assistant is Boisfeuras ( Maurice Ronet ), the affable officer whose outside demeanor hides the heart of a vicious killer who loves the bloodlust of battle. Raspeguy takes up with Countess De Clairefons ( Michele Morgan ), the widow of a respected general. She promises Raspeguy she will marry him if he comes back from the conflict as a general.
1419
What if General George S. Patton didn't die in a car accident as history tells us but at the hands of a paid assassin? That's the premise of Brass Target another in a series of espionage thrillers like The Eagle Has Landed that speculates on the fates of real-life figures from World War II. Robert Vaughn Ed Bishop and Edward Herrmann are three Allied officers in occupied Germany who steal Nazi gold with the help of OSS officer Patrick McGoohan. Patton (George Kennedy) personally supervises the investigation of the theft assisted by Major Joe DeLuca (John Cassavetes). Soon however a professional assassin (Max Von Sydow) is on their trail Patton is killed on the orders of his own staff and only DeLuca and his lover (Sophia Loren) who is also involved with the assassin are left alive for the finale.
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What if General George S. Patton didn't die in a car accident , as history tells us , but at the hands of a paid assassin? That's the premise of Brass Target , another in a series of espionage thrillers , like The Eagle Has Landed , that speculates on the fates of real - life figures from World War II. Robert Vaughn , Ed Bishop , and Edward Herrmann are three Allied officers in occupied Germany who steal Nazi gold with the help of OSS officer Patrick McGoohan . Patton ( George Kennedy ) personally supervises the investigation of the theft , assisted by Major Joe DeLuca ( John Cassavetes ) . Soon , however , a professional assassin ( Max Von Sydow ) is on their trail , Patton is killed on the orders of his own staff , and only DeLuca and his lover ( Sophia Loren ), who is also involved with the assassin , are left alive for the finale.
1420
This Dino De Laurentiis-produced re-creation of the decisive Italian military operation top-bills Robert Mitchum as a battle-weary war correspondent. Robert Ryan and Arthur Kennedy play generals Peter Falk is the lovable Brooklynese corporal and Earl Holliman is the country-boy sergeant. Anzio was based on the book by Wynford Vaughan Thomas.
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This Dino De Laurentiis - produced re - creation of the decisive Italian military operation top - bills Robert Mitchum as a battle - weary war correspondent. Robert Ryan and Arthur Kennedy play generals , Peter Falk is the lovable Brooklynese corporal , and Earl Holliman is the country - boy sergeant. Anzio was based on the book by Wynford Vaughan Thomas .
1421
This decidedly different war movie follows Maj. Abraham Falconer (Burt Lancaster) a tired one-eyed Army officer as he leads eight men into Belgium where they hope to take a much-needed rest at a 10th century castle. The master of the house Henri Tixier (Jean-Pierre Aumont) welcomes them with a surprising degree of enthusiasm. Tixier is married to his young niece Therese (Astrid Heeren) and the couple would like to have a child but since Tixier is impotent he has been unable to father one. He encourages Falconer to see if he can have better luck with Therese. The men under Falconer's command have more than a few escapades of their own as Sgt. Rossi (Peter Falk) seduces the wife of a local baker an art historian among them tries to protect the treasures of the castle and a car buff becomes fascinated by his first encounter with a Volkswagen. Amidst the surreal fun and games at the castle the soldiers make the most of their well-deserved vacation until an invasion of German troops puts them back on the firing line. Directed by Sydney Pollack Castle Keep was based on a novel by William Eastlake.
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This decidedly different war movie follows Maj. Abraham Falconer ( Burt Lancaster ), a tired , one - eyed Army officer , as he leads eight men into Belgium where they hope to take a much - needed rest at a 10th century castle. The master of the house , Henri Tixier ( Jean - Pierre Aumont ), welcomes them with a surprising degree of enthusiasm. Tixier is married to his young niece , Therese ( Astrid Heeren ), and the couple would like to have a child , but since Tixier is impotent , he has been unable to father one. He encourages Falconer to see if he can have better luck with Therese. The men under Falconer's command have more than a few escapades of their own , as Sgt. Rossi ( Peter Falk ) seduces the wife of a local baker , an art historian among them tries to protect the treasures of the castle , and a car buff becomes fascinated by his first encounter with a Volkswagen. Amidst the surreal fun and games at the castle , the soldiers make the most of their well - deserved vacation until an invasion of German troops puts them back on the firing line. Directed by Sydney Pollack , Castle Keep was based on a novel by William Eastlake .
1422
ernard Rose followed his moody fantasy-thriller Paperhouse (1988) with this modern horror tale based on Clive Barker's short story "The Forbidden". Compiling a thesis on urban legends University of Illinois in Chicago graduate student Helen Lyle (Virginia Madsen) becomes aware of the prevalent superstition surrounding the legend of "Candyman" (Tony Todd)--a hook-wielding phantom who will appear if his name is recited five times into a mirror--among the tenants of Chicago's Cabrini Green project. A senior professor hearing of Helen's research explains the historical basis for the legend detailing how Candyman is believed to be the vengeful spirit of a former slave who though initially respected in academia was set upon and mutilated by an angry mob when accused of taking a white mistress. When the clinically-detached Helen flaunts her intellectual confidence by reciting Candyman's name five times she sets in motion an inevitable series of supernatural events -- culminating in a series of grisly killings after which Helen is invariably found holding the bloody murder weapon. Though she is captured by the police it becomes evident to Helen that Candyman is guiding her fate every step of the way.
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Bernard Rose followed his moody fantasy - thriller Paperhouse ( 1988 ) with this modern horror tale , based on Clive Barker 's short story " The Forbidden ". Compiling a thesis on urban legends , University of Illinois in Chicago graduate student Helen Lyle ( Virginia Madsen ) becomes aware of the prevalent superstition surrounding the legend of "Candyman" ( Tony Todd )-- a hook - wielding phantom who will appear if his name is recited five times into a mirror -- among the tenants of Chicago's Cabrini Green project. A senior professor , hearing of Helen's research , explains the historical basis for the legend , detailing how Candyman is believed to be the vengeful spirit of a former slave who , though initially respected in academia , was set upon and mutilated by an angry mob when accused of taking a white mistress. When the clinically - detached Helen flaunts her intellectual confidence by reciting Candyman's name five times , she sets in motion an inevitable series of supernatural events -- culminating in a series of grisly killings , after which Helen is invariably found holding the bloody murder weapon. Though she is captured by the police , it becomes evident to Helen that Candyman is guiding her fate every step of the way.
1423
ased on Bram Stoker's classic 1897 novel this film from Francis Ford Coppola and screenwriter James Victor Hart offers a full-blooded portrait of the immortal Transylvanian vampire. The major departure from Stoker is one of motivation as Count Dracula (Gary Oldman) is motivated more by romance than by bloodlust. He punctures the necks as a means of avenging the death of his wife in the 15th century and when he comes to London it is specifically to meet heroine Mina Harker (Winona Ryder) the living image of his late wife (Ryder plays a dual role as do several of her costars). Anthony Hopkins is obsessed vampire hunter Van Helsing while Keanu Reeves takes on the role of Jonathan Harker and Tom Waits plays bug-eating Renfield. Bram Stoker's Dracula was the winner of three Academy Awards.
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Based on Bram Stoker's classic 1897 novel , this film from Francis Ford Coppola and screenwriter James Victor Hart offers a full - blooded portrait of the immortal Transylvanian vampire. The major departure from Stoker is one of motivation as Count Dracula ( Gary Oldman ) is motivated more by romance than by bloodlust. He punctures the necks as a means of avenging the death of his wife in the 15th century , and when he comes to London , it is specifically to meet heroine Mina Harker ( Winona Ryder ), the living image of his late wife ( Ryder plays a dual role , as do several of her costars ) . Anthony Hopkins is obsessed vampire hunter Van Helsing , while Keanu Reeves takes on the role of Jonathan Harker , and Tom Waits plays bug - eating Renfield. Bram Stoker's Dracula was the winner of three Academy Awards.
1424
French legend has it that a creature known as the Beast of Gevaudan -- a huge wolf-like monster -- was responsible for the violent deaths of over 100 persons in the mid-18th century and this horror fantasy blends the lore of this fabled beast with a story of two men who set out to capture it. After a number of mutilated corpses begin appearing across the French countryside naturalist Chevalier Gregoire de Fronsac (Samuel Le Bihan) is dispatched by the King to find and capture the animal responsible for the killings. Mani (Mark Dacascos) an Indian from Canada and an experienced hand in the wilds is hired to assist de Fronsac in his work. Gregoire's assignment earns him the acquaintance of Marianne de Morangias (Emilie Dequenne) the lovely daughter of the idly wealthy Count de Morangias (Jean Yanne) but Gregoire receives a much chillier welcome from her brother Jean-Francois (Vincent Cassel) who despite having lost an arm to a lion in Africa is quite the huntsman himself. As Gregoire and Mani arrive in the village of Gevaudan they're drawn to a local house of prostitution where the animalistic allure and supernatural powers of Sylvia (Monica Bellucci) prove to have a profound effect on the naive Gregoire. Jim Henson's Creature Shop provided the special-effects expertise for the creation of the Beast of Gevaudan.
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French legend has it that a creature known as the Beast of Gevaudan -- a huge , wolf - like monster -- was responsible for the violent deaths of over 100 persons in the mid - 18th century , and this horror fantasy blends the lore of this fabled beast with a story of two men who set out to capture it. After a number of mutilated corpses begin appearing across the French countryside , naturalist Chevalier Gregoire de Fronsac ( Samuel Le Bihan ) is dispatched by the King to find and capture the animal responsible for the killings. Mani ( Mark Dacascos ), an Indian from Canada and an experienced hand in the wilds , is hired to assist de Fronsac in his work. Gregoire's assignment earns him the acquaintance of Marianne de Morangias ( Emilie Dequenne ), the lovely daughter of the idly wealthy Count de Morangias ( Jean Yanne ), but Gregoire receives a much chillier welcome from her brother Jean - Francois ( Vincent Cassel ), who , despite having lost an arm to a lion in Africa , is quite the huntsman himself. As Gregoire and Mani arrive in the village of Gevaudan , they're drawn to a local house of prostitution , where the animalistic allure and supernatural powers of Sylvia ( Monica Bellucci ) prove to have a profound effect on the naive Gregoire. Jim Henson's Creature Shop provided the special - effects expertise for the creation of the Beast of Gevaudan.
1425
Anne Rice's best-selling romantic horror tale about the origins of a centuries-old vampire inspired this popular atmospheric chiller. One of director Neil Jordan's major Hollywood productions the film stays close to its source material retaining the frame of a young reporter (Christian Slater) interviewing a man who claims to be a 200-year-old vampire. The man Louis (Brad Pitt) shares his story beginning in 18th-century New Orleans with his first encounters with the charismatic and decadent vampire Lestat (Tom Cruise). Lestat converts Louis to blood-sucking and immortality but Louis fails to adopt Lestat's cavalier attitude instead tormenting himself with guilt over his new nature. The two vampires remain deeply if reluctantly connected over the years while becoming intimately involved with others of their kind including Claudia (Kirsten Dunst) a mature immortal in a young child's body. Fans of the novel raised numerous objections particularly after Rice initially spoke out against the casting of Cruise as Lestat; further casting difficulties followed the death of River Phoenix whose role as the interviewer was assumed by Christian Slater. Rice later recanted her objections and the combination of thrills and gothic romance proved popular with audiences.
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Anne Rice 's best - selling romantic horror tale about the origins of a centuries - old vampire inspired this popular , atmospheric chiller. One of director Neil Jordan 's major Hollywood productions , the film stays close to its source material , retaining the frame of a young reporter ( Christian Slater ) interviewing a man who claims to be a 200 - year - old vampire. The man , Louis ( Brad Pitt ), shares his story , beginning in 18th - century New Orleans with his first encounters with the charismatic and decadent vampire Lestat ( Tom Cruise ) . Lestat converts Louis to blood - sucking and immortality , but Louis fails to adopt Lestat's cavalier attitude , instead tormenting himself with guilt over his new nature. The two vampires remain deeply , if reluctantly , connected over the years , while becoming intimately involved with others of their kind , including Claudia ( Kirsten Dunst ), a mature immortal in a young child's body. Fans of the novel raised numerous objections , particularly after Rice initially spoke out against the casting of Cruise as Lestat ; further casting difficulties followed the death of River Phoenix , whose role as the interviewer was assumed by Christian Slater . Rice later recanted her objections , and the combination of thrills and gothic romance proved popular with audiences.
1426
Shanks is not so much a movie as an hallucinatory experience. World-renowned mime Marcel Marceau plays a dual role as a mute puppeteer and an eccentric inventor. The inventor dies passing along his secrets for reviving corpses to the puppeteer. With the help of an enigmatic little girl Marceau activates several dead bodies and goes on a robbery spree. Costarring with Marceau are fellow mime artists Tsilla Chelton and Phillipe Clay. Shanks had cult potential but was released with a surprisingly lackluster ad campaign--all the more surprising in that the film was directed by that master huckster William Castle (whose last film this was).
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Shanks is not so much a movie as an hallucinatory experience. World - renowned mime Marcel Marceau plays a dual role as a mute puppeteer and an eccentric inventor. The inventor dies , passing along his secrets for reviving corpses to the puppeteer. With the help of an enigmatic little girl , Marceau activates several dead bodies and goes on a robbery spree. Costarring with Marceau are fellow mime artists Tsilla Chelton and Phillipe Clay . Shanks had cult potential , but was released with a surprisingly lackluster ad campaign -- all the more surprising in that the film was directed by that master huckster William Castle ( whose last film this was ) .
1427
Genre pioneer Larry Cohen who broke new horror ground with the killer-baby hit It's Alive! takes a stab at the giant-monster scenario with this enjoyable low-budget exercise. The title refers to the winged Aztec god Quetzalcoatl represented here as a dragon-like flying lizard (thanks to some quaint but amusing stop-motion animation from David Allen) who decides to take up residence in the art-deco spire of the Chrysler Building taking frequent jaunts in the midday sun to nip the heads off various hapless New Yorkers. The resulting bloody mess confounds detectives Shepard (David Carradine) and Powell (Richard Roundtree) who are already scratching their heads over a series of bizarre ritual murders linked to a secret Aztec cult. Into the picture comes the film's protagonist -- neurotic sweaty paranoid crook Jimmy Quinn (Michael Moriarty in a tour-de-force performance) a two-bit wheel-man with aspirations of becoming a jazz pianist. After a botched diamond heist leads Quinn to Q's lair his attempts to go straight take a side-turn as he decides to extort from the city an enormous sum in exchange for directions to the monster's nest. A few sneaky deals later the location falls into Shepard's hands and he leads a paramilitary assault on the Chrysler Building where the creature's humongous egg is about to hatch. Rude edgy fast-paced and peppered with witty dialogue (most of which can't be repeated here) Cohen's script retains the spirit of classic monster movies like The Beast from 20000 Fathoms injecting it with tough gangster-movie moxie. Moriarty's unbelievable performance -- one of three collaborations with Cohen -- finds him chewing acres of scenery as a contemptible loud-mouthed goon who's too funny to hate; Moriarty also composed and performed two schizophrenic piano numbers for the film.
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Genre pioneer Larry Cohen , who broke new horror ground with the killer - baby hit It's Alive! , takes a stab at the giant - monster scenario with this enjoyable low - budget exercise. The title refers to the winged Aztec god Quetzalcoatl , represented here as a dragon - like flying lizard ( thanks to some quaint but amusing stop - motion animation from David Allen ), who decides to take up residence in the art - deco spire of the Chrysler Building , taking frequent jaunts in the midday sun to nip the heads off various hapless New Yorkers. The resulting bloody mess confounds detectives Shepard ( David Carradine ) and Powell ( Richard Roundtree ), who are already scratching their heads over a series of bizarre ritual murders linked to a secret Aztec cult. Into the picture comes the film's protagonist -- neurotic , sweaty , paranoid crook Jimmy Quinn ( Michael Moriarty , in a tour - de - force performance ), a two - bit wheel - man with aspirations of becoming a jazz pianist. After a botched diamond heist leads Quinn to Q's lair , his attempts to go straight take a side - turn as he decides to extort from the city an enormous sum in exchange for directions to the monster's nest. A few sneaky deals later , the location falls into Shepard's hands , and he leads a paramilitary assault on the Chrysler Building , where the creature's humongous egg is about to hatch. Rude , edgy , fast - paced , and peppered with witty dialogue ( most of which can't be repeated here ), Cohen 's script retains the spirit of classic monster movies like The Beast from 20 , 000 Fathoms , injecting it with tough , gangster - movie moxie. Moriarty's unbelievable performance -- one of three collaborations with Cohen -- finds him chewing acres of scenery as a contemptible , loud - mouthed goon who's too funny to hate ; Moriarty also composed and performed two schizophrenic piano numbers for the film.
1428
The key image of this film occurs early on as a hideous monster removes its face only to reveal itself as Baron Frankenstein in a mask. Hammer's fifth installment in the series sees the transformation of doctor into monster complete. Peter Cushing's portrayal of the Baron here is all insanity and hatred rather than the misunderstood (if unethical) genius of previous entries. Frankenstein transplants the brain of an insane doctor into Freddie Jones' body creating a pathetic misshapen beast while using blackmail and rape to control the people around him. This was director Terence Fisher's favorite film and his pacing and composition have rarely been better. Jones (the nasty showman in The Elephant Man) is great at communicating the disorientation and helpless agony of his condition and while Cushing's character is more one-dimensional than usual he does his normal excellent job as the Baron. Hammer's next installment was the silly Horror of Frankenstein before Fisher returned to end the series with Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell.
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The key image of this film occurs early on , as a hideous monster removes its face , only to reveal itself as Baron Frankenstein in a mask. Hammer's fifth installment in the series sees the transformation of doctor into monster complete. Peter Cushing 's portrayal of the Baron here is all insanity and hatred , rather than the misunderstood ( if unethical ) genius of previous entries. Frankenstein transplants the brain of an insane doctor into Freddie Jones ' body , creating a pathetic , misshapen beast , while using blackmail and rape to control the people around him. This was director Terence Fisher 's favorite film , and his pacing and composition have rarely been better. Jones ( the nasty showman in The Elephant Man ) is great at communicating the disorientation and helpless agony of his condition , and while Cushing's character is more one - dimensional than usual , he does his normal excellent job as the Baron. Hammer's next installment was the silly Horror of Frankenstein before Fisher returned to end the series with Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell .
1429
Gimmick-loving producer William Castle strikes again with this fun haunted-house thriller which invited audiences to find the hidden ghosts roaming about a haunted house through a special process called "Illusion-O" by which patrons could employ a special pair of red-and-blue-colored glasses to detect ghosts on the screen during the film's color-tinted sequences. The story is set in the mansion of the deceased occult scientist Dr. Zorba whose nephew Cyrus and his family occupy the creepy estate and discover that they are not the only tenants. It seems the Doctor has been harboring 12 elusive specters on the premises the appearance of which can only be detected through his final invention: a special pair of ghost-viewing goggles. To further complicate matters it is learned that Zorba has stashed a small fortune somewhere in the house and someone -- or something -- is determined to stop Cyrus and family from finding it. This film's original release featured an introduction from Castle describing the "Illusion-O" process and demonstrating the proper use of the tinted glasses; he also appears in an epilogue stating that the glasses can be used to detect ghosts outside the theater!
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Gimmick - loving producer William Castle strikes again with this fun haunted - house thriller which invited audiences to find the hidden ghosts roaming about a haunted house through a special process called "Illusion - O" by which patrons could employ a special pair of red - and - blue - colored glasses to detect ghosts on the screen during the film's color - tinted sequences. The story is set in the mansion of the deceased occult scientist Dr. Zorba , whose nephew Cyrus and his family occupy the creepy estate and discover that they are not the only tenants. It seems the Doctor has been harboring 12 elusive specters on the premises , the appearance of which can only be detected through his final invention : a special pair of ghost - viewing goggles. To further complicate matters , it is learned that Zorba has stashed a small fortune somewhere in the house , and someone -- or something -- is determined to stop Cyrus and family from finding it. This film's original release featured an introduction from Castle , describing the "Illusion - O" process and demonstrating the proper use of the tinted glasses ; he also appears in an epilogue stating that the glasses can be used to detect ghosts outside the theater!
1430
A suspenseful and chilling exercise in supernatural horror this film opens with some speedy exposition during a mood-setting opening credits sequence inter-cut with radio news reports of a violent paramilitary-style robbery on the Camp Pendleton payroll carried off by a thuggish team of commandos. Making their escape by hijacking a cargo plane -- along with its pilot and his teenage daughter -- the robbers are betrayed by one of their own number Bert (B.J. Turner) who parachutes with the crate of stolen loot over a Florida cornfield. The team makes a landing in the same field filled with eerie scarecrow effigies and begins to sweep the area in search of their defector working their way toward an abandoned farmhouse. Once there the team members find themselves cut off from their means of escape by a band of living scarecrows who stalk and kill the commandos one by one gutting them and stuffing their bodies with straw; the victims then return to life as scarecrows themselves joining their undead comrades and closing in on the rapidly dwindling group of survivors. Tightly paced and consistently tense this low-budget film has slick production values (making it appear more expensive than it probably was) and only falters in some laughably overwrought performances. Taking a cue from Night of the Living Dead director William Wesley eschews any definite explanation for the supernatural goings-on instead relying on a nightmare logic that adds to the paranoid atmosphere.
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A suspenseful and chilling exercise in supernatural horror , this film opens with some speedy exposition during a mood - setting opening credits sequence , inter - cut with radio news reports of a violent paramilitary - style robbery on the Camp Pendleton payroll carried off by a thuggish team of commandos. Making their escape by hijacking a cargo plane -- along with its pilot and his teenage daughter -- the robbers are betrayed by one of their own number , Bert ( B.J. Turner ), who parachutes with the crate of stolen loot over a Florida cornfield. The team makes a landing in the same field , filled with eerie scarecrow effigies , and begins to sweep the area in search of their defector , working their way toward an abandoned farmhouse. Once there , the team members find themselves cut off from their means of escape by a band of living scarecrows , who stalk and kill the commandos one by one , gutting them and stuffing their bodies with straw ; the victims then return to life as scarecrows themselves , joining their undead comrades and closing in on the rapidly dwindling group of survivors. Tightly paced and consistently tense , this low - budget film has slick production values ( making it appear more expensive than it probably was ) and only falters in some laughably overwrought performances. Taking a cue from Night of the Living Dead , director William Wesley eschews any definite explanation for the supernatural goings - on , instead relying on a nightmare logic that adds to the paranoid atmosphere.
1431
John Carpenter wrote and directed this science fiction thriller about a group of aliens who try to take over the world by disguising themselves as Young Republicans. Wrestler Roddy Piper stars as John Nada a drifted who makes his way into an immense encampment for the homeless. There he stumbles upon a conspiracy concerning aliens who have hypnotized the populace through subliminal messages transmitted through television magazines posters and movies. When Nada looks through special Ray-Bans developed by the resistance leaders the aliens lose their clean-cut "Dan Quayle" looks and resemble crusty-looking reptiles. Nada joins the underground teaming up with rebel-leader Frank (Keith David) to eradicate the lizard-like aliens from the body politic.
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John Carpenter wrote and directed this science fiction thriller about a group of aliens who try to take over the world by disguising themselves as Young Republicans. Wrestler Roddy Piper stars as John Nada , a drifted who makes his way into an immense encampment for the homeless. There he stumbles upon a conspiracy concerning aliens who have hypnotized the populace through subliminal messages transmitted through television , magazines , posters , and movies. When Nada looks through special Ray - Bans developed by the resistance leaders , the aliens lose their clean - cut "Dan Quayle" looks and resemble crusty - looking reptiles. Nada joins the underground , teaming up with rebel - leader Frank ( Keith David ) to eradicate the lizard - like aliens from the body politic.
1432
Over ten years after making the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre Tobe Hooper returns to his deranged family of reclusive cannibals for another round of chainsaw chases and non-stop screaming. Hooper brings a real budget this time (having recently directed Poltergeist for Steven Spielberg) and the talents of veteran make-up artist Tom Savini. This means he can make things bigger louder and gorier than ever before -- and they are. He also brings a wacky self-deprecating sense of humor as if deliberately flaunting Texas Chainsaw Massacre's status as one of the first and still greatest "splatter" movies. The result is an impish take-off on the original film (and contemporary horror movies in general) that elevates its own clichés -- buckets of blood and gore droll dialogue the screaming female lead -- to the level of high camp. The movie is loosely concerned with a small-town disc jockey named "Stretch" (Caroline Williams who does most of the screaming) and an embittered Texas Ranger named "Lefty" (Dennis Hopper). They team up and decide to put an end to the murderous activities of the Sawyer family once and for all (that is of course until Texas Chainsaw Massacre III). The real highlight of the film is when Stretch and Lefty find their way into the Sawyer family hideout -- a ruinous winding abattoir underneath an abandoned amusement park -- and engage in a chainsaw-battle-to-the-death with Leatherface (Bill Johnson) and the rest of the clan. Jim Siedow is back from the first film as the acerbic Drayton Sawyer the family cook and owner of the Last Roundup Rolling Grill. Chop-Top (Bill Moseley) and Leatherface do most of the movie's dirty work.
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Over ten years after making the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre , Tobe Hooper returns to his deranged family of reclusive cannibals for another round of chainsaw chases and non - stop screaming. Hooper brings a real budget this time ( having recently directed Poltergeist for Steven Spielberg ) and the talents of veteran make - up artist Tom Savini . This means he can make things bigger , louder , and gorier than ever before -- and they are. He also brings a wacky , self - deprecating sense of humor , as if deliberately flaunting Texas Chainsaw Massacre 's status as one of the first and still greatest "splatter" movies. The result is an impish take - off on the original film ( and contemporary horror movies in general ) that elevates its own clichés -- buckets of blood and gore , droll dialogue , the screaming female lead -- to the level of high camp. The movie is loosely concerned with a small - town disc jockey named "Stretch" ( Caroline Williams , who does most of the screaming ) and an embittered Texas Ranger named "Lefty" ( Dennis Hopper ) . They team up and decide to put an end to the murderous activities of the Sawyer family once and for all ( that is , of course , until Texas Chainsaw Massacre III ) . The real highlight of the film is when Stretch and Lefty find their way into the Sawyer family hideout -- a ruinous , winding abattoir underneath an abandoned amusement park -- and engage in a chainsaw - battle - to - the - death with Leatherface ( Bill Johnson ) and the rest of the clan. Jim Siedow is back from the first film as the acerbic Drayton Sawyer , the family cook and owner of the Last Roundup Rolling Grill. Chop - Top ( Bill Moseley ) and Leatherface do most of the movie's dirty work.
1433
A reporter gets more than she bargained for when she tries to prove that a murder has occurred in Brian De Palma's disturbing thriller. Danielle (Margot Kidder) meets Phillip (Lisle Wilson) on a "Peeping Tom"-themed game show and dodging her ex-husband Emil (William Finley) takes him back to her apartment. But Danielle has a separated Siamese twin sister Dominique who is not pleased about the overnight guest. Journalist neighbor Grace (Jennifer Salt) sees Phillip slaughtered by one of them through her window; the body vanishes before she can convince a skeptical detective (Dolph Sweet) to take a look. Determined to prove that she's right (and get a career-advancing story) Grace investigates assisted by a private eye (Charles Durning) and becomes more involved in the relationships among Danielle Dominique and Emil than she ever expected.
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A reporter gets more than she bargained for when she tries to prove that a murder has occurred in Brian De Palma 's disturbing thriller. Danielle ( Margot Kidder ) meets Phillip ( Lisle Wilson ) on a "Peeping Tom" - themed game show and , dodging her ex - husband Emil ( William Finley ), takes him back to her apartment. But Danielle has a separated Siamese twin sister , Dominique , who is not pleased about the overnight guest. Journalist neighbor Grace ( Jennifer Salt ) sees Phillip slaughtered by one of them through her window ; the body vanishes before she can convince a skeptical detective ( Dolph Sweet ) to take a look. Determined to prove that she's right ( and get a career - advancing story ), Grace investigates , assisted by a private eye ( Charles Durning ), and becomes more involved in the relationships among Danielle , Dominique , and Emil than she ever expected.
1434
Phantasm is a surprisingly artful and imaginative horror film an impressive film for 23-year-old director Don Coscarelli who worked with a miniscule budget to create a small masterpiece. When Mike (Michael Baldwin) spies some sinister Jawa-like creatures stealing corpses from the local cemetery he and his older brother Jody (Bill Thornbury) explore the mausoleum where they find that the mortician (Angus Scrimm) a towering emaciated figure with superhuman strength has somehow bridged the gap between Earth and the afterworld and needs fresh corpses. Among the tools of his trade is a flying Swiss army pinball that bores into the skulls of its hapless victims then extracts their brains. Their allies die off one by one until only the brothers are left to defend humankind against the nefarious "Tall Man" and his army of shrouded dwarves. While the film does contain a fair amount of graphic violence the gore is never gratuitous and relative to other movies of its day is used rather sparingly. The effects are fantastic as is the highly stylized direction; the result is a memorable chiller with more than its share of genuine shocks.
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Phantasm is a surprisingly artful and imaginative horror film , an impressive film for 23 - year - old director Don Coscarelli who worked with a miniscule budget to create a small masterpiece. When Mike ( Michael Baldwin ) spies some sinister Jawa - like creatures stealing corpses from the local cemetery , he and his older brother Jody ( Bill Thornbury ) explore the mausoleum , where they find that the mortician ( Angus Scrimm ), a towering , emaciated figure with superhuman strength , has somehow bridged the gap between Earth and the afterworld and needs fresh corpses. Among the tools of his trade is a flying Swiss army pinball that bores into the skulls of its hapless victims then extracts their brains. Their allies die off one by one , until only the brothers are left to defend humankind against the nefarious "Tall Man" and his army of shrouded dwarves. While the film does contain a fair amount of graphic violence , the gore is never gratuitous and , relative to other movies of its day , is used rather sparingly. The effects are fantastic as is the highly stylized direction ; the result is a memorable chiller with more than its share of genuine shocks.
1435
A quadriplegic former athlete finds his darkest urges being acted out by an animal familiar in this psychological horror film. When Allan Mann (Jason Beghe) loses the use of his legs and arms in an accident he becomes bitter -- no surprise given that his girlfriend dumps him for his surgeon his new nurse (Christine Forrest) is a shrew and his smothering mother (Joyce Van Patten) keeps threatening to move in and take care of him. Enter Kate McNeil (Melanie Parker) a scientist who is working to provide handicapped people with highly trained animal helpers. Soon Allan is bonding with Ella an adorable Capuchin monkey who unbeknownst to him has been injected with human brain tissue by drug-addicted scientist Geoffrey Fisher (John Pankow). At first Allan loves little Ella but the monkey seems to grow jealous as Allan slowly develops a romance with the beautiful Kate. Meanwhile Allan begins having strange dreams in which he experiences the world from a monkey's-eye point of view. These visions culminate in a fiery nightmare -- the same night Allan's ex-girlfriend and her new lover die in a house fire. Realizing the growing link between his own inner demons and the violence occurring around him Allan tries to sever the connection with Ella. But the limitations of even his high-tech wheelchair give the psychic primate the upper hand. Written and directed by horror veteran George Romero Monkey Shines re-teams the filmmaker with his frequent collaborator Christine Forrest.
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A quadriplegic former athlete finds his darkest urges being acted out by an animal familiar in this psychological horror film. When Allan Mann ( Jason Beghe ) loses the use of his legs and arms in an accident , he becomes bitter -- no surprise given that his girlfriend dumps him for his surgeon , his new nurse ( Christine Forrest ) is a shrew , and his smothering mother ( Joyce Van Patten ) keeps threatening to move in and take care of him. Enter Kate McNeil ( Melanie Parker ), a scientist who is working to provide handicapped people with highly trained animal helpers. Soon Allan is bonding with Ella , an adorable Capuchin monkey , who , unbeknownst to him , has been injected with human brain tissue by drug - addicted scientist Geoffrey Fisher ( John Pankow ) . At first Allan loves little Ella , but the monkey seems to grow jealous as Allan slowly develops a romance with the beautiful Kate. Meanwhile , Allan begins having strange dreams in which he experiences the world from a monkey's - eye point of view. These visions culminate in a fiery nightmare -- the same night Allan's ex - girlfriend and her new lover die in a house fire. Realizing the growing link between his own inner demons and the violence occurring around him , Allan tries to sever the connection with Ella. But the limitations of even his high - tech wheelchair give the psychic primate the upper hand. Written and directed by horror veteran George Romero , Monkey Shines re - teams the filmmaker with his frequent collaborator , Christine Forrest .
1436
Adapted from a Fred Mustard Stewart novel this offbeat occult thriller stars Alan Alda (just prior to his eleven-year stint on M*A*S*H) as journalist and burgeoning musician Myles Clarkson whose long-sought interview with ailing concert pianist (and closet Satanist) Duncan Ely (Curt Jurgens) leads to a mysterious ritual in which Ely's soul is transferred into Clarkson's body at the moment of the elder man's death. Further complications ensue when Myles' wife Paula (Jacqueline Bisset) discovers the none-too-subtle change in her husband's behavior and she is pulled deeper into Ely's twisted circle. The plot thickens as further soul-swapping dark family secrets and demonic possession come into play. A heavy sense of doom pervades this bizarre film thanks to some offbeat cinematography and eerie music as well as some truly shocking setpieces courtesy of prolific TV director Paul Wendkos who helmed the excellent Legend of Lizzie Borden. The prosaic Alda lacks the dangerous edge his character demands but Bisset's performance is chillingly effective.
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Adapted from a Fred Mustard Stewart novel , this offbeat occult thriller stars Alan Alda ( just prior to his eleven - year stint on M*A*S*H ) as journalist and burgeoning musician Myles Clarkson , whose long - sought interview with ailing concert pianist ( and closet Satanist ) Duncan Ely ( Curt Jurgens ) leads to a mysterious ritual in which Ely's soul is transferred into Clarkson's body at the moment of the elder man's death. Further complications ensue when Myles' wife Paula ( Jacqueline Bisset ) discovers the none - too - subtle change in her husband's behavior , and she is pulled deeper into Ely's twisted circle. The plot thickens as further soul - swapping , dark family secrets , and demonic possession come into play. A heavy sense of doom pervades this bizarre film , thanks to some offbeat cinematography and eerie music , as well as some truly shocking setpieces courtesy of prolific TV director Paul Wendkos , who helmed the excellent Legend of Lizzie Borden . The prosaic Alda lacks the dangerous edge his character demands , but Bisset's performance is chillingly effective.
1437
Nearly a decade after George A. Romero changed the face of modern horror films with Night of the Living Dead -- and following the less successful projects Season of the Witch and The Crazies -- the Pittsburgh-based auteur returned to top form with this superb vampire tale. Set in a rapidly crumbling steeltown suburb the story focuses on shy moody Martin (John Amplas) a teenager of East European descent who may or may not be a vampire. Though he possesses no fangs or supernatural powers and has no aversions to either crucifixes or garlic Martin is nevertheless compelled to drug pretty young women slash them with razor blades and consume their blood. His motivations seem purely psychological -- as revealed to a call-in radio talk show where Martin has become an anonymous celebrity -- but the notion of a family vampire curse is fostered by Martin's stoic uncle Cuda Lincoln Maazel who is convinced that he must destroy the boy by hammering a stake through his heart. Romero's superb script keeps the film's supernatural questions ambiguous focusing instead on the characters' inner turmoil as modern-day attitudes and values clash with vanishing Old World traditions. Filmed on an extremely low budget Martin benefits from its gritty kitchen-sink realism making the outbursts of graphic horror even more surreal and disturbing and creating a sense of doom that builds to a tragically ironic climax.
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Nearly a decade after George A. Romero changed the face of modern horror films with Night of the Living Dead -- and following the less successful projects Season of the Witch and The Crazies -- the Pittsburgh - based auteur returned to top form with this superb vampire tale. Set in a rapidly crumbling steeltown suburb , the story focuses on shy , moody Martin ( John Amplas ), a teenager of East European descent who may or may not be a vampire. Though he possesses no fangs or supernatural powers and has no aversions to either crucifixes or garlic , Martin is nevertheless compelled to drug pretty young women , slash them with razor blades , and consume their blood. His motivations seem purely psychological -- as revealed to a call - in radio talk show where Martin has become an anonymous celebrity -- but the notion of a family vampire curse is fostered by Martin's stoic uncle Cuda Lincoln Maazel , who is convinced that he must destroy the boy by hammering a stake through his heart. Romero's superb script keeps the film's supernatural questions ambiguous , focusing instead on the characters' inner turmoil as modern - day attitudes and values clash with vanishing Old World traditions. Filmed on an extremely low budget , Martin benefits from its gritty , kitchen - sink realism , making the outbursts of graphic horror even more surreal and disturbing and creating a sense of doom that builds to a tragically ironic climax.
1438
In this hit '80s hybrid of the horror movie and the teen flick a single mom and her two sons become involved with a pack of vampires when they move into an offbeat Northern California town. Lucy (Dianne Wiest) and her sons Michael (Jason Patric) and Sam (Corey Haim) move to Santa Carla to live with Lucy's lovable but curmudgeonly father (Barnard Hughes). Lucy gets a job from video-store owner Max (Edward Herrmann) then begins dating him while Sam hangs out with Edward and Alan Frog (Corey Feldman and Jamison Newlander) a pair of vampire-obsessed comic-shop clerks. Soon Michael falls in with some actual vampires after becoming enamored of one of their victims: Star (Jami Gertz) a gypsy-like vixen who is trying to hold on to her humanity even though vampire leader David (Kiefer Sutherland) wants to play Peter Pan to her Wendy. When Michael visits the cavernous hangout of David and his cronies and unwittingly drinks from a wine bottle full of vampiric blood he becomes an unwilling member of the bloodsucker biker gang. Soon it's up to Sam and the Frog brothers to destroy David and his ilk without killing Michael and Star. Shot on location in the coastal California town of Santa Cruz and directed by Hollywood pro Joel Schumacher The Lost Boys became a pop-culture phenomenon thanks to its attractive young stars offbeat soundtrack and hip clever marketing campaign. The film's tagline -- "Sleep all day. Party all night. Never grow old. Never die. It's fun to be a vampire." -- perfectly captured its knowing mixture of attitude and gore. The effects team who transformed Sutherland and company into snarling bloodsuckers would go on to provide equally gruesome effects for Blade another revisionist vampire flick more than a decade later.
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In this hit '80s hybrid of the horror movie and the teen flick , a single mom and her two sons become involved with a pack of vampires when they move into an offbeat Northern California town. Lucy ( Dianne Wiest ) and her sons , Michael ( Jason Patric ) and Sam ( Corey Haim ), move to Santa Carla to live with Lucy's lovable but curmudgeonly father ( Barnard Hughes ) . Lucy gets a job from video - store owner Max ( Edward Herrmann ), then begins dating him , while Sam hangs out with Edward and Alan Frog ( Corey Feldman and Jamison Newlander ), a pair of vampire - obsessed comic - shop clerks. Soon Michael falls in with some actual vampires after becoming enamored of one of their victims : Star ( Jami Gertz ), a gypsy - like vixen who is trying to hold on to her humanity even though vampire leader David ( Kiefer Sutherland ) wants to play Peter Pan to her Wendy. When Michael visits the cavernous hangout of David and his cronies and unwittingly drinks from a wine bottle full of vampiric blood , he becomes an unwilling member of the bloodsucker biker gang. Soon , it's up to Sam and the Frog brothers to destroy David and his ilk without killing Michael and Star. Shot on location in the coastal California town of Santa Cruz and directed by Hollywood pro Joel Schumacher , The Lost Boys became a pop - culture phenomenon thanks to its attractive young stars , offbeat soundtrack , and hip , clever marketing campaign. The film's tagline -- "Sleep all day. Party all night. Never grow old. Never die. It's fun to be a vampire." -- perfectly captured its knowing mixture of attitude and gore. The effects team who transformed Sutherland and company into snarling bloodsuckers would go on to provide equally gruesome effects for Blade , another revisionist vampire flick , more than a decade later.
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Director Tobe Hooper adapts Colin Wilson's edgy novel The Space Vampires in this in this horror/sci-fi epic with a cult following. The story concerns a joint British-American space probe of Hailey's Comet. Inside the comet the astronauts headed by Carlsen (Steve Railsback) find a spaceship that contains the dead bodies of several aliens along with the naked bodies of three human-like creatures in suspended animation. They bring the aliens aboard the ship for examination but the specimens are sloppily guarded and soon the trio spread contagion among the population of the ship. Returning to earth the beautiful space vampire (Mathilda May) escapes into London and begins to feed of the bodies of the unwary Britons turning the city into a zombie-populated wasteland. It is now left for Carlsen to stop the vampire invaders.
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Director Tobe Hooper adapts Colin Wilson 's edgy novel The Space Vampires in this in this horror / sci - fi epic with a cult following. The story concerns a joint British - American space probe of Hailey's Comet. Inside the comet , the astronauts , headed by Carlsen ( Steve Railsback ), find a spaceship that contains the dead bodies of several aliens , along with the naked bodies of three human - like creatures in suspended animation. They bring the aliens aboard the ship for examination , but the specimens are sloppily guarded and soon the trio spread contagion among the population of the ship. Returning to earth , the beautiful space vampire ( Mathilda May ) escapes into London and begins to feed of the bodies of the unwary Britons , turning the city into a zombie - populated wasteland. It is now left for Carlsen to stop the vampire invaders.
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Richard Matheson adapted the screenplay of The Legend of Hell House from his own novel. In the tradition of Shirley Jackson's Haunting of Hill House four people with alleged extrasensory powers are called upon to spend a weekend in a supposedly haunted house to either prove or disprove the presence of ghosts. Roddy McDowall has been in the house before and refuses to treat the possibility of paranormal activity lightly; scientist Clive Revill believes that he can trace the happenings to rational explanations involving electric current; Pamela Franklin is convinced that if spirits exists she will be able to communicate with them; and Gayle Hunnicutt plays Revill's young wife ripe for "possession."
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Richard Matheson adapted the screenplay of The Legend of Hell House from his own novel. In the tradition of Shirley Jackson 's Haunting of Hill House , four people with alleged extrasensory powers are called upon to spend a weekend in a supposedly haunted house , to either prove or disprove the presence of ghosts. Roddy McDowall has been in the house before , and refuses to treat the possibility of paranormal activity lightly ; scientist Clive Revill believes that he can trace the happenings to rational explanations involving electric current ; Pamela Franklin is convinced that , if spirits exists , she will be able to communicate with them ; and Gayle Hunnicutt plays Revill 's young wife , ripe for "possession."
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Horror journeyman Larry Cohen writer and director of numerous quirky horror projects made his first foray into the genre with this low-budget cult favorite about a murderous mutant baby on a suburban rampage. The story opens with a delivery-room massacre as the newborn child of Frank and Lenore Davies (John P. Ryan and Sharon Farrell) answers the doctor's slap by tearing him to pieces -- along with a few other medical personnel -- before fleeing the hospital for whereabouts unknown. The subsequent hunt for the killer baby creates a rift between Frank who wants the child destroyed and Lenore whose maternal instincts convince her that her child is not deliberately homicidal but merely frightened and defending itself. The baby's bloody rampage continues with several murders (including the creepy scene in which the terrible tyke savages the neighborhood milkman) until it is cornered by Frank and a police task-force. At the crucial moment Frank has a sudden change of heart and tries to defend the infant from the police. Despite painfully low production values that render the monster scenes a bit silly (Rick Baker's creepy-looking but inarticulate baby model was simply pulled along on a string) Cohen's concept shines through presenting a skewed but sincere interpretation of family values that could only be pulled off in the horror genre (see also Wes Craven's The Hills Have Eyes for another example). The script makes passing suggestions that the mutation was a result of an inadequately tested fertility drug a concept explored more fully in the sequel It Lives Again and quite extensively in the third installment Island of the Alive.
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Horror journeyman Larry Cohen , writer and director of numerous quirky horror projects , made his first foray into the genre with this low - budget cult favorite about a murderous mutant baby on a suburban rampage. The story opens with a delivery - room massacre as the newborn child of Frank and Lenore Davies ( John P. Ryan and Sharon Farrell ) answers the doctor's slap by tearing him to pieces -- along with a few other medical personnel -- before fleeing the hospital for whereabouts unknown. The subsequent hunt for the killer baby creates a rift between Frank , who wants the child destroyed , and Lenore , whose maternal instincts convince her that her child is not deliberately homicidal but merely frightened and defending itself. The baby's bloody rampage continues with several murders ( including the creepy scene in which the terrible tyke savages the neighborhood milkman ), until it is cornered by Frank and a police task - force. At the crucial moment , Frank has a sudden change of heart and tries to defend the infant from the police. Despite painfully low production values that render the monster scenes a bit silly ( Rick Baker 's creepy - looking but inarticulate baby model was simply pulled along on a string ), Cohen 's concept shines through , presenting a skewed but sincere interpretation of family values that could only be pulled off in the horror genre ( see also Wes Craven 's The Hills Have Eyes for another example ) . The script makes passing suggestions that the mutation was a result of an inadequately tested fertility drug , a concept explored more fully in the sequel It Lives Again and quite extensively in the third installment , Island of the Alive .
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The exquisitely beautiful Catherine Deneuve plays Miriam a centuries-old vampire capable of bestowing the gift of immortality on her lovers -- namely her current partner John (David Bowie). To sustain their sanguinary requirements the pair cruises New York nightclubs in search of victims (as illustrated in a stunning opening sequence to the accompaniment of "Bela Lugosi's Dead" performed by seminal Goth band Bauhaus). When John awakens one morning to discover telltale signs of aging it is revealed that his own sustained youth is not permanent and his physical decrepitude begins to increase at an incredible rate. In a panic John visits the clinic of scientist Sarah Roberts (Susan Sarandon) who has recently published a book on reversing the aging process but she initially dismisses him as a crank leaving him to sit in the lobby for several hours... during which his body ages several decades. After learning of his condition Sarah traces John to his uptown flat. John is nowhere to be found having been consigned by Miriam to a box in the attic with her legions of undead loves leaving Miriam to deal with Sarah -- which she does quite effectively seducing her into a steamy lesbian tryst. Their passion is consummated by a mingling of Miriam's blood with Sarah's which later manifests itself as a psychic link between the two women and leaves Sarah with a rapidly-increasing appetite for blood.
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The exquisitely beautiful Catherine Deneuve plays Miriam , a centuries - old vampire capable of bestowing the gift of immortality on her lovers -- namely her current partner John ( David Bowie ) . To sustain their sanguinary requirements , the pair cruises New York nightclubs in search of victims ( as illustrated in a stunning opening sequence to the accompaniment of "Bela Lugosi's Dead" performed by seminal Goth band Bauhaus ) . When John awakens one morning to discover telltale signs of aging , it is revealed that his own sustained youth is not permanent , and his physical decrepitude begins to increase at an incredible rate. In a panic , John visits the clinic of scientist Sarah Roberts ( Susan Sarandon ), who has recently published a book on reversing the aging process , but she initially dismisses him as a crank , leaving him to sit in the lobby for several hours... during which his body ages several decades. After learning of his condition , Sarah traces John to his uptown flat. John is nowhere to be found , having been consigned by Miriam to a box in the attic with her legions of undead loves , leaving Miriam to deal with Sarah -- which she does quite effectively , seducing her into a steamy lesbian tryst. Their passion is consummated by a mingling of Miriam's blood with Sarah's , which later manifests itself as a psychic link between the two women and leaves Sarah with a rapidly - increasing appetite for blood.
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A teenage horror film addict is shocked to discover that his new next-door neighbor is a vampire in this delightful mix of horror and comedy. The problems only grow for young Charley Brewster (William Ragsdale) when he expresses his thoughts about fanged new neighbor Jerry Dandridge (Chris Sarandon). His girlfriend Amy (Amanda Bearse) thinks Charley is avoiding their relationship issues his single mom thinks Dandridge (Chris Sarandon) could be a potential boyfriend and his buddy "Evil" (Stephen Geoffreys) just thinks Charley's losing it. Worst of all Dandridge and his nasty assistant Billy Cole (Jonathan Stark) are on to Charley's wild notions -- and have plans to pay him a late-night visit to silence him. With no one to help him Charley turns to the one man he knows has faced the wrath of the undead and lived the fearless vampire killer Peter Vincent (Roddy McDowall). A washed-up actor who has just been fired from his job as the host of a late-night horror show Vincent is not about to believe in the rantings of an impressionable teen. However lured by Amy's cash offer he agrees to help her convince Charley that Dandridge isn't a vampire. There is just one problem: Dandridge is a vampire and when Amy falls under his evil spell its up Charley and Peter to drive a stake through their potential romance.
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A teenage horror film addict is shocked to discover that his new next - door neighbor is a vampire in this delightful mix of horror and comedy. The problems only grow for young Charley Brewster ( William Ragsdale ) when he expresses his thoughts about fanged new neighbor Jerry Dandridge ( Chris Sarandon ) . His girlfriend , Amy ( Amanda Bearse ), thinks Charley is avoiding their relationship issues , his single mom thinks Dandridge ( Chris Sarandon ) could be a potential boyfriend , and his buddy "Evil" ( Stephen Geoffreys ) just thinks Charley's losing it. Worst of all , Dandridge and his nasty assistant , Billy Cole ( Jonathan Stark ), are on to Charley's wild notions -- and have plans to pay him a late - night visit to silence him. With no one to help him , Charley turns to the one man he knows has faced the wrath of the undead and lived , the fearless vampire killer Peter Vincent ( Roddy McDowall ) . A washed - up actor who has just been fired from his job as the host of a late - night horror show , Vincent is not about to believe in the rantings of an impressionable teen. However , lured by Amy's cash offer , he agrees to help her convince Charley that Dandridge isn't a vampire. There is just one problem : Dandridge is a vampire and when Amy falls under his evil spell , its up Charley and Peter to drive a stake through their potential romance.
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This auspicious feature debut from Sam Raimi -- shot on 16mm in the woods of Tennesse for around $350000 -- secured the young director's cult status as a creative force to be reckoned with. The nominal plot involves five vacationing college kids -- Ash (Bruce Campbell) his girlfriend Linda (Betsy Baker) and their classmates Cheryl (Ellen Sandweiss) Scott (Hal Delrich) and Shelly (Sarah York) -- making an unplanned stopover in an abandoned mountain cabin surrounded by impenetrable woods. Before settling in for the night they come across an ancient-looking occult tome filled with dense hieroglyphics and macabre illustrations a dagger fashioned from human bones and a reel-to-reel tape recorder. The taped message dictated by a professor of archaeology describes the contents of the Sumerian "Book of the Dead" filled with incantations used to bring otherworldly demons to life giving them license to possess the living. The message goes on to explain that those possessed by these demons can only be stopped by total bodily dismemberment. When played among the group later that evening the professor's recorded translations of the ritual chants traumatize the strangely prescient Shelly ... and simultaneously release an ominous presence from the depths of the forest. The evil spirits take to their dirty work with gusto first assuming control of Shelly and transforming her into a cackling murderous hag with superhuman strength; the others imprison her in the fruit cellar and chain the trapdoor shut. The spirits then begin to possess the other women including Linda -- who immediately turns on Ash with a barrage of punches and sadistic taunts. Unable to bring himself to chop up his lover's corpse Ash gives her a more customary burial in the woods -- which proves to be a big mistake. As the others succumb to demonic influence Ash's horrific predicament becomes increasingly grim until when all hope seems lost he stumbles upon a final desperate solution to the ghoulish onslaught ... well maybe not. Despite the shoestring production values Raimi has fashioned a tight lightning-paced fever dream of a movie filled with operatic overacting and outrageously gory effects that give the project a comic-book feel. Based on an earlier 8mm short titled Within the Woods this feature version was fraught with distribution difficulties before finding its first audience overseas. After considerable word of mouth (and a glowing endorsement from horror author Stephen King) the film became a hit on home video where it achieved further notoriety thanks to its highly-publicized banning in Britain amid the notorious "Video Nasties" censorship campaign. Raimi along with producer Robert Tapert writer Scott Spiegel and much of the same crew cranked up the story's comic aspects several dozen notches for the rollicking semi-remake Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn.
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This auspicious feature debut from Sam Raimi -- shot on 16mm in the woods of Tennesse for around $350 , 000 -- secured the young director's cult status as a creative force to be reckoned with. The nominal plot involves five vacationing college kids -- Ash ( Bruce Campbell ), his girlfriend Linda ( Betsy Baker ), and their classmates Cheryl ( Ellen Sandweiss ), Scott ( Hal Delrich ) and Shelly ( Sarah York ) -- making an unplanned stopover in an abandoned mountain cabin surrounded by impenetrable woods. Before settling in for the night , they come across an ancient - looking occult tome filled with dense hieroglyphics and macabre illustrations , a dagger fashioned from human bones , and a reel - to - reel tape recorder. The taped message , dictated by a professor of archaeology , describes the contents of the Sumerian "Book of the Dead , " filled with incantations used to bring otherworldly demons to life , giving them license to possess the living. The message goes on to explain that those possessed by these demons can only be stopped by total bodily dismemberment. When played among the group later that evening , the professor's recorded translations of the ritual chants traumatize the strangely prescient Shelly ... and simultaneously release an ominous presence from the depths of the forest. The evil spirits take to their dirty work with gusto , first assuming control of Shelly and transforming her into a cackling , murderous hag with superhuman strength ; the others imprison her in the fruit cellar and chain the trapdoor shut. The spirits then begin to possess the other women , including Linda -- who immediately turns on Ash with a barrage of punches and sadistic taunts. Unable to bring himself to chop up his lover's corpse , Ash gives her a more customary burial in the woods -- which proves to be a big mistake. As the others succumb to demonic influence , Ash's horrific predicament becomes increasingly grim until , when all hope seems lost , he stumbles upon a final , desperate solution to the ghoulish onslaught ... well , maybe not. Despite the shoestring production values , Raimi has fashioned a tight , lightning - paced fever dream of a movie , filled with operatic overacting and outrageously gory effects that give the project a comic - book feel. Based on an earlier 8mm short titled Within the Woods , this feature version was fraught with distribution difficulties before finding its first audience overseas. After considerable word of mouth ( and a glowing endorsement from horror author Stephen King ), the film became a hit on home video , where it achieved further notoriety thanks to its highly - publicized banning in Britain amid the notorious "Video Nasties" censorship campaign. Raimi , along with producer Robert Tapert , writer Scott Spiegel and much of the same crew , cranked up the story's comic aspects several dozen notches for the rollicking semi - remake , Evil Dead 2 : Dead by Dawn .
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Declared "my most personal film" by Italy's premier horror director Dario Argento this production marked the director's return to the eerie thematic territory he pioneered in 1977 with the horror classic Suspiria. Much like that film Phenomena conforms to the logic of nightmares. Jennifer Connelly stars as Jennifer Corvino the daughter of an American film star who enrolls in a prestigious Swiss boarding school under the tutelage of the prudish Mrs. Bruckner (played by frequent Argento collaborator and former beau Daria Nicolodi). Possessing a unique telepathic gift Jennifer is capable of communicating with insects on an instinctive level often while sleepwalking. This trait soon brands her a "freak" among her snooty classmates but makes her a valuable asset to entomologist Dr. MacGregor (Donald Pleasence) who is currently employing the innate forensic skills of insects to aid police in tracking a serial killer targeting the boarders at Jennifer's school. As Jennifer's tiny friends (including the corpse-hunting Sarcophagus Fly) guide her closer to the murderer's lair everything from MacGregor's revenge-driven pet chimpanzee to Bruckner's monstrously disfigured son figure into the mix providing not one but three shocking endings. Shot in English and re-dubbed for various European markets this graphic thriller was released in drastically edited form as Creepers in the U.S. and England; Argento's original cut runs 110 minutes.
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Declared "my most personal film" by Italy's premier horror director Dario Argento , this production marked the director's return to the eerie thematic territory he pioneered in 1977 with the horror classic Suspiria . Much like that film , Phenomena conforms to the logic of nightmares. Jennifer Connelly stars as Jennifer Corvino , the daughter of an American film star , who enrolls in a prestigious Swiss boarding school under the tutelage of the prudish Mrs. Bruckner ( played by frequent Argento collaborator and former beau Daria Nicolodi ) . Possessing a unique telepathic gift , Jennifer is capable of communicating with insects on an instinctive level , often while sleepwalking. This trait soon brands her a "freak" among her snooty classmates but makes her a valuable asset to entomologist Dr. MacGregor ( Donald Pleasence ), who is currently employing the innate forensic skills of insects to aid police in tracking a serial killer targeting the boarders at Jennifer's school. As Jennifer's tiny friends ( including the corpse - hunting Sarcophagus Fly ) guide her closer to the murderer's lair , everything from MacGregor's revenge - driven pet chimpanzee to Bruckner's monstrously disfigured son figure into the mix , providing not one but three shocking endings. Shot in English and re - dubbed for various European markets , this graphic thriller was released in drastically edited form as Creepers in the U.S. and England ; Argento 's original cut runs 110 minutes.
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Director John Carpenter returns to the suburban landscape he explored so chillingly in Halloween (1978) with this lean stripped-down adaptation of the Stephen King best-seller about a haunted car with a devilishly bad attitude and the teen underdog who falls head-over-heels for her chrome-accented charms. Shortly after geeky horn-rim-sporting Arnie Cunningham (Keith Gordon) narrowly escapes a beating at the hands of shop-class bully Buddy Repperton (William Ostrander) on the first day of his senior year he soon falls prey to a far more duplicitous villain in the form of a rusted-out 1958 Plymouth Fury nicknamed "Christine" by its crusty owner George LeBay (Roberts Blossom) -- who sells wide-eyed Arnie the old hulk despite the protests of best friend Dennis (John Stockwell) and the admonition of his domineering parents. As Arnie sets to the task of restoring Christine his hobby grows into an obsession -- and the real power that hums beneath her hood begins to emerge seemingly granting newfound coolness and sex appeal to the once-nerdy outcast while simultaneously drawing away his very soul. A vengeful spirit Christine lashes out violently at those who dare to stand between her and Arnie -- starting with Repperton and his gang who completely trash the car but are soon hunted down one by one and pulverized beneath the whitewalls of the miraculously-restored Fury. When Arnie's pretty popular girlfriend Leigh (Alexandra Paul) begins to suspect she may soon be on the receiving end of automotive vengeance she calls on Dennis for help... but a frightening midnight ride in Christine convinces Dennis that Arnie's only hope lies in destroying the demonic vehicle.
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Director John Carpenter returns to the suburban landscape he explored so chillingly in Halloween ( 1978 ) with this lean , stripped - down adaptation of the Stephen King best - seller about a haunted car with a devilishly bad attitude and the teen underdog who falls head - over - heels for her chrome - accented charms. Shortly after geeky , horn - rim - sporting Arnie Cunningham ( Keith Gordon ) narrowly escapes a beating at the hands of shop - class bully Buddy Repperton ( William Ostrander ) on the first day of his senior year , he soon falls prey to a far more duplicitous villain in the form of a rusted - out 1958 Plymouth Fury nicknamed "Christine" by its crusty owner George LeBay ( Roberts Blossom ) -- who sells wide - eyed Arnie the old hulk despite the protests of best friend Dennis ( John Stockwell ) and the admonition of his domineering parents. As Arnie sets to the task of restoring Christine , his hobby grows into an obsession -- and the real power that hums beneath her hood begins to emerge , seemingly granting newfound coolness and sex appeal to the once - nerdy outcast , while simultaneously drawing away his very soul. A vengeful spirit , Christine lashes out violently at those who dare to stand between her and Arnie -- starting with Repperton and his gang , who completely trash the car , but are soon hunted down one by one and pulverized beneath the whitewalls of the miraculously - restored Fury. When Arnie's pretty , popular girlfriend Leigh ( Alexandra Paul ) begins to suspect she may soon be on the receiving end of automotive vengeance , she calls on Dennis for help... but a frightening midnight ride in Christine convinces Dennis that Arnie's only hope lies in destroying the demonic vehicle.
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Child's Play seems to have been concocted by a parent who went berserk after standing in line for hours on end to purchase a Cabbage Patch doll in the early 1980s. The film opens with serial killer Brad Dourif taking refuge in a doll factory. Dourif is killed by the cops but not before he has invoked a voodoo curse which transfers his soul into one of the dolls. That particular doll nicknamed Chuckie is unwittingly purchased by Catherine Hicks for her son Alex Vincent. Several murders occur shortly thereafter; all evidence points to Alex who insists that his cherub-faced doll is responsible. Detective Chris Sarandon the man responsible for Dourif's death doesn't swallow Alex's story but he agrees to investigate because he's sweet on Alex's mom. The slasher-flick ending of Child's Play would seem to have settled Chuckie's hash for good and all but guess again--the film spawned numerous sequels.
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Child's Play seems to have been concocted by a parent who went berserk after standing in line for hours on end to purchase a Cabbage Patch doll in the early 1980s. The film opens with serial killer Brad Dourif taking refuge in a doll factory. Dourif is killed by the cops , but not before he has invoked a voodoo curse which transfers his soul into one of the dolls. That particular doll , nicknamed Chuckie , is unwittingly purchased by Catherine Hicks for her son Alex Vincent . Several murders occur shortly thereafter ; all evidence points to Alex , who insists that his cherub - faced doll is responsible. Detective Chris Sarandon , the man responsible for Dourif 's death , doesn't swallow Alex's story , but he agrees to investigate because he's sweet on Alex's mom. The slasher - flick ending of Child's Play would seem to have settled Chuckie's hash for good and all , but guess again -- the film spawned numerous sequels.
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The poor social skills of a young yokel turn out to have a horrifying explanation in this low-budget splatterfest which marks the debut of Frankenhooker director Frank Henenlotter. The film begins with a bloody prologue and the arrival of young Duane Bradley (Kevin Van Hentenryck) at a broken-down New York hotel full of drunks hookers and assorted weirdos. An upstate native with few big-city survival skills the earnest Duane seems slightly off. He flashes lots of bills at the hotel manager carries a large wicker basket with him and seems bewildered at the variety of characters on display. Once he's alone Duane's own behavior becomes bewildering as he talks incessantly to some unseen presence and drops prodigious quantities of fast food into his basket. After Duane visits a surgeon's office and the doctor gets rendered into a mangled corpse all becomes clear; Duane is half of a pair of Siamese twins who were separated against their will in a brutal operation a decade earlier. Belial his lumpen beachball-sized brother secretly survived the procedure and now wants to exact revenge on those who separated him from Duane. Things go according to plan except for one thing: Duane falls hard for coy busty Sharon (Terri Susan Smith) the receptionist of one of the nefarious doctors. That doesn't sit well with the malformed Belial who's as attracted to Sharon as he is jealous of Duane's romance with her. Although no sequel appeared for several years Basket Case was eventually followed by Basket Case 2 and Basket Case 3: The Progeny; Hentenryck and Belial also make a cameo in the director's Brain Damage.
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The poor social skills of a young yokel turn out to have a horrifying explanation in this low - budget splatterfest , which marks the debut of Frankenhooker director Frank Henenlotter . The film begins with a bloody prologue and the arrival of young Duane Bradley ( Kevin Van Hentenryck ) at a broken - down New York hotel full of drunks , hookers , and assorted weirdos. An upstate native with few big - city survival skills , the earnest Duane seems slightly off. He flashes lots of bills at the hotel manager , carries a large wicker basket with him , and seems bewildered at the variety of characters on display. Once he's alone , Duane's own behavior becomes bewildering as he talks incessantly to some unseen presence and drops prodigious quantities of fast food into his basket. After Duane visits a surgeon's office and the doctor gets rendered into a mangled corpse , all becomes clear ; Duane is half of a pair of Siamese twins who were separated against their will in a brutal operation a decade earlier. Belial , his lumpen , beachball - sized brother , secretly survived the procedure and now wants to exact revenge on those who separated him from Duane. Things go according to plan except for one thing : Duane falls hard for coy , busty Sharon ( Terri Susan Smith ), the receptionist of one of the nefarious doctors. That doesn't sit well with the malformed Belial , who's as attracted to Sharon as he is jealous of Duane's romance with her. Although no sequel appeared for several years , Basket Case was eventually followed by Basket Case 2 and Basket Case 3 : The Progeny ; Hentenryck and Belial also make a cameo in the director's Brain Damage .
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Referring to the fear of spiders Arachnophobia features a particularly deadly species of spider that manages to make its way from the Venezuelan rain forest to a small California town thanks to the many oversights of entomologist Julian Sands. Yuppie doctor Jeff Daniels fed up with the dangers inherent in big-city living has resettled in this town on the assumption that nothing untoward could ever happen here to himself and his family. Before long however Daniels is trying to make sense of a series of sudden deaths-and to figure out why each of the corpses has been drained of blood. The audience of course knows that the culprits are those pesky South American spiders which grow larger with each kill. To make matters worse Jeff Daniels suffers from a profound case of arachnophobia. John Goodman supports the cast as a slovenly exterminator and Frank Marshall longtime producer of Steven Spielberg's films makes his directorial debut in Arachnophobia.
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Referring to the fear of spiders , Arachnophobia features a particularly deadly species of spider that manages to make its way from the Venezuelan rain forest to a small California town , thanks to the many oversights of entomologist Julian Sands . Yuppie doctor Jeff Daniels , fed up with the dangers inherent in big - city living , has resettled in this town on the assumption that nothing untoward could ever happen here to himself and his family. Before long , however , Daniels is trying to make sense of a series of sudden deaths - and to figure out why each of the corpses has been drained of blood. The audience , of course , knows that the culprits are those pesky South American spiders , which grow larger with each kill. To make matters worse , Jeff Daniels suffers from a profound case of arachnophobia. John Goodman supports the cast as a slovenly exterminator , and Frank Marshall , longtime producer of Steven Spielberg 's films , makes his directorial debut in Arachnophobia .
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The second of two horror films shot in a single production term and bearing the name of pop-art icon Andy Warhol (whose participation pretty much ended with the use of his name) this film is slightly superior to its higher-profile predecessor Andy Warhol's Frankenstein. Direction is credited to Warhol factory filmmaker Paul Morrissey though there still exists a very vocal camp who insist that the real credit should go to Italian director Antonio Margheriti. Euro-horror leading man Udo Kier assays the title role playing the count as a pale anemic-looking blood junkie with an overwrought accent. Finding the supply of "weer-gin" blood diminishing rapidly in Romania Dracula is forced to seek a fix in a predominantly Catholic Italian province where he is certain a few virgins still exist. He travels with his assistant (Arno Juerging) and his coffin-sealed sister to the decrepit crumbling mansion of the financially-strapped Marquis DiFore (a tour-de-force performance from Bicycle Thief director Vittorio de Sica) who welcomes the affluent Count with open arms hoping to marry off any one of his four daughters. Dracula clearly has other intentions for the girls... but his plans are rudely thwarted by beefy socialist handyman Mario (Joe Dallesandro) who has been dutifully divesting the young maidens of their -- ahem -- virtue thus tainting their blood and making it unsafe for vampiric consumption. Very unsafe it turns out -- as we are treated to protracted scenes of the death-pale Count vomiting up gallons of blood. Rated "X" at the time of its release (and subsequently re-rated "R" ten years later) this outrageous catalogue of depravity features wildly campy performances inane dialogue and an outrageous climax.
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The second of two horror films shot in a single production term and bearing the name of pop - art icon Andy Warhol ( whose participation pretty much ended with the use of his name ), this film is slightly superior to its higher - profile predecessor , Andy Warhol's Frankenstein . Direction is credited to Warhol factory filmmaker Paul Morrissey , though there still exists a very vocal camp who insist that the real credit should go to Italian director Antonio Margheriti . Euro - horror leading man Udo Kier assays the title role , playing the count as a pale , anemic - looking blood junkie with an overwrought accent. Finding the supply of "weer - gin" blood diminishing rapidly in Romania , Dracula is forced to seek a fix in a predominantly Catholic Italian province , where he is certain a few virgins still exist. He travels with his assistant ( Arno Juerging ) and his coffin - sealed sister to the decrepit , crumbling mansion of the financially - strapped Marquis DiFore ( a tour - de - force performance from Bicycle Thief director Vittorio de Sica ) who welcomes the affluent Count with open arms , hoping to marry off any one of his four daughters. Dracula clearly has other intentions for the girls... but his plans are rudely thwarted by beefy , socialist handyman Mario ( Joe Dallesandro ), who has been dutifully divesting the young maidens of their -- ahem -- virtue , thus tainting their blood and making it unsafe for vampiric consumption. Very unsafe , it turns out -- as we are treated to protracted scenes of the death - pale Count vomiting up gallons of blood. Rated "X" at the time of its release ( and subsequently re - rated "R" ten years later ), this outrageous catalogue of depravity features wildly campy performances , inane dialogue and an outrageous climax.
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Wes Craven's Scream (1996) was a half-parody/half-tribute to the first wave of slasher films of the 1970s and 1980s and since most of them spawned a large number of sequels it's only appropriate that Craven and screenwriter Kevin Williamson produced a third installment of their Scream franchise. Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) traumatized by the brutal murders of her friends has left her hometown of Woodsboro and is working in California as a crisis intervention counselor. Meanwhile "Stab" the novel by Gale Weathers (Courtney Cox Arquette) is spawning a series of successful horror films and as Stab 3: Return to Woodsboro is being filmed in Los Angeles a lunatic has gotten his hands on a copy of the script and is murdering the characters in the same order that they die in the movie. But predicting who will die next is not as simple as it might seem since the producers have circulated three different screenplays with different endings. In addition to Campbell and Cox-Arquette David Arquette returns from the first two films as less-than-bright "Dewey" Riley; new members of the cast include Parker Posey Patrick Dempsey Scott Foley and Jenny McCarthy. Kevin Williamson wrote the original story but the screenplay was penned by Ehren Kruger.
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Wes Craven 's Scream ( 1996 ) was a half - parody / half - tribute to the first wave of slasher films of the 1970s and 1980s , and since most of them spawned a large number of sequels , it's only appropriate that Craven and screenwriter Kevin Williamson produced a third installment of their Scream franchise. Sidney Prescott ( Neve Campbell ), traumatized by the brutal murders of her friends , has left her hometown of Woodsboro and is working in California as a crisis intervention counselor. Meanwhile , "Stab , " the novel by Gale Weathers ( Courtney Cox Arquette ), is spawning a series of successful horror films , and as Stab 3 : Return to Woodsboro is being filmed in Los Angeles , a lunatic has gotten his hands on a copy of the script , and is murdering the characters in the same order that they die in the movie. But predicting who will die next is not as simple as it might seem , since the producers have circulated three different screenplays , with different endings. In addition to Campbell and Cox - Arquette , David Arquette returns from the first two films as less - than - bright "Dewey" Riley ; new members of the cast include Parker Posey , Patrick Dempsey , Scott Foley , and Jenny McCarthy . Kevin Williamson wrote the original story , but the screenplay was penned by Ehren Kruger .
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This is the seventh movie in this horror series and a 20th anniversary follow-up to John Carpenter's Halloween (1978) arguably the most influential horror film of the '70s a film that set the standard of horror for the next two decades and catapulted the career of Jamie Lee Curtis. Newspaper clippings review the murders 20 years earlier by Michael Myers including one stating that Laurie Strode (Curtis) died in a car accident. Actually she faked her death to hide from Michael changed her name and became headmistress at a Southern California boarding school attended by her son teen John (Josh Hartnett). On Halloween with most of the school staff and students away on a Yosemite camping trip John plans a "romantic" evening with several of his classmates -- his girlfriend Molly (Michelle Williams); Charlie (Adam Hann-Byrd); and Sarah (Jodi Lyn O'Keefe). Laurie meanwhile has her own date with school counselor Will (Adam Arkin); on their date she reveals some of the secrets of her past life to Will. Meanwhile masked Michael (Chris Durand) evades security guard Ronny (LL Cool J) -- and the nightmares begin anew. Curtis' mother Janet Leigh appears in a cameo role as the school secretary. The music score by John Ottman features orchestral variations on the 1978 score composed by Carpenter.
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This is the seventh movie in this horror series and a 20th anniversary follow - up to John Carpenter 's Halloween ( 1978 ), arguably the most influential horror film of the '70s , a film that set the standard of horror for the next two decades and catapulted the career of Jamie Lee Curtis . Newspaper clippings review the murders 20 years earlier by Michael Myers , including one stating that Laurie Strode ( Curtis ) died in a car accident. Actually , she faked her death to hide from Michael , changed her name , and became headmistress at a Southern California boarding school attended by her son , teen John ( Josh Hartnett ) . On Halloween , with most of the school staff and students away on a Yosemite camping trip , John plans a "romantic" evening with several of his classmates -- his girlfriend , Molly ( Michelle Williams ); Charlie ( Adam Hann - Byrd ); and Sarah ( Jodi Lyn O'Keefe ) . Laurie , meanwhile , has her own date with school counselor Will ( Adam Arkin ); on their date , she reveals some of the secrets of her past life to Will. Meanwhile , masked Michael ( Chris Durand ) evades security guard Ronny ( LL Cool J ) -- and the nightmares begin anew. Curtis ' mother , Janet Leigh , appears in a cameo role as the school secretary. The music score by John Ottman features orchestral variations on the 1978 score composed by Carpenter .
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Like The Vanishing (1988 and 1993) Nightwatch is an English-language version of a foreign-made film with the original director hired to remake his own movie. Ole Bornedal was the writer-director of the suspenseful 1994 thriller Nattevagten which had no U.S. release immediately on the heels of its success in Denmark. For the second time around Bornedal directed but Steven Soderbergh wrote a new script based on Bornedal's original film. Both were produced by Michael Obel. Nattevagten was Bornedal's directorial debut and reviews praised the film for the claustrophobic atmospherics and suspense generated from the very first establishing scene. For the 1998 English-language remake the artistic elements of the original gave way to name actors slicker production values and the more conventional grindhouse genre approach opening with a brutal prostitute murder in a pre-credit sequence. University student Martin (Ewan McGregor) ignores warnings to take a city-morgue night watchman job for extra cash. Odd happenings at the morgue are linked to a serial killer and Inspector Thomas Cray (Nick Nolte) investigates. Soon Martin's girlfriend Katherine (Patricia Arquette) learns that Martin has become a key suspect. However some might suspect Martin's edgy friend James (Josh Brolin). Brad Dourif fills the role of a doctor and young Alix Koromzay portrays vulnerable teen hooker Joyce.
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Like The Vanishing ( 1988 and 1993 ), Nightwatch is an English - language version of a foreign - made film with the original director hired to remake his own movie. Ole Bornedal was the writer - director of the suspenseful 1994 thriller , Nattevagten , which had no U.S. release immediately on the heels of its success in Denmark. For the second time around , Bornedal directed , but Steven Soderbergh wrote a new script based on Bornedal's original film. Both were produced by Michael Obel . Nattevagten was Bornedal's directorial debut , and reviews praised the film for the claustrophobic atmospherics and suspense generated from the very first establishing scene. For the 1998 English - language remake , the artistic elements of the original gave way to name actors , slicker production values , and the more conventional grindhouse genre approach , opening with a brutal prostitute murder in a pre - credit sequence. University student Martin ( Ewan McGregor ) ignores warnings to take a city - morgue night watchman job for extra cash. Odd happenings at the morgue are linked to a serial killer , and Inspector Thomas Cray ( Nick Nolte ) investigates. Soon Martin's girlfriend Katherine ( Patricia Arquette ) learns that Martin has become a key suspect. However , some might suspect Martin's edgy friend James ( Josh Brolin ) . Brad Dourif fills the role of a doctor , and young Alix Koromzay portrays vulnerable teen hooker Joyce.
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This above-average horror film concerns a young couple (Antonio Cantafora Elke Sommer) who manage to revive a cruel sorceror-Baron (Joseph Cotten) from the 1500s. Posing as a cripple the Baron assimilates back into society and buys back his old castle where he begins torturing and murdering innocent locals in his dungeon. Veteran filmmaker Mario Bava's direction is assured and Euro-horror buffs will enjoy the cast which includes Massimo Girotti ("Terence Hill" of spaghetti western fame) Luciano Pigozzi Umberto Raho and young Nicoletta Elmi (Profondo Rosso).
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This above - average horror film concerns a young couple ( Antonio Cantafora , Elke Sommer ) who manage to revive a cruel sorceror - Baron ( Joseph Cotten ) from the 1500s. Posing as a cripple , the Baron assimilates back into society and buys back his old castle , where he begins torturing and murdering innocent locals in his dungeon. Veteran filmmaker Mario Bava 's direction is assured , and Euro - horror buffs will enjoy the cast , which includes Massimo Girotti ( " Terence Hill " of spaghetti western fame ), Luciano Pigozzi , Umberto Raho , and young Nicoletta Elmi ( Profondo Rosso ) .
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Charlatan Frank Bannister (Michael J. Fox) has genuine psychic powers but he doesn't use them to help people. Rather he generates cases for his supernatural private-eye firm by harassing a group of hapless ghosts (including a dearly departed Wild West outlaw and an undead judge played by John Astin) into staging hauntings and poltergeists in the homes of likely marks. Bannister's world turns on its head when he starts noticing real hauntings around town -- ghostly assassinations that seem to be tied to the execution 20 years earlier of a brutal serial killer. Lucy Lunskey (Trini Alvarado) the wife of one unlucky victim teams up with Bannister to get to the bottom of the killings and find out what shut-in Patricia Bradley (Dee Wallace Stone) and her witchy mother (Julia McCarthy) have to do with the sinister spree.
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Charlatan Frank Bannister ( Michael J. Fox ) has genuine psychic powers , but he doesn't use them to help people. Rather , he generates cases for his supernatural private - eye firm by harassing a group of hapless ghosts ( including a dearly departed Wild West outlaw and an undead judge played by John Astin ) into staging hauntings and poltergeists in the homes of likely marks. Bannister's world turns on its head when he starts noticing real hauntings around town -- ghostly assassinations that seem to be tied to the execution 20 years earlier of a brutal serial killer. Lucy Lunskey ( Trini Alvarado ), the wife of one unlucky victim , teams up with Bannister to get to the bottom of the killings and find out what shut - in Patricia Bradley ( Dee Wallace Stone ) and her witchy mother ( Julia McCarthy ) have to do with the sinister spree.
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In this action-horror flick from director Robert Rodriguez and screenwriter Quentin Tarantino Tarantino stars with George Clooney as a pair of bad-to-the-bone brothers named Seth and Richie Gecko. After a string of robberies that left a river of blood in the Geckos' wake the sadistic siblings head to Mexico to live the good life. To get over the border they kidnap Jacob Fuller a widowed preacher played by Harvey Keitel and his two children Kate (Juliette Lewis) and Scott (Ernest Liu). Once south of the border the quintet park their RV at a rough-and-tumble trucker bar called The Titty Twister where Seth and Richie are supposed to meet a local thug. After a couple of drinks they realize that they're not in a typical bar as the entire place begins to teem with vicious blood-sucking vampires. With the odds stacked greatly against them the Fullers and Geckos team together in hopes of defeating the creatures of the night. Makeup artist Tom Savini and blaxploitation star Fred Williamson appear as allies against the vampires and Cheech Marin fills three different roles.
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In this action - horror flick from director Robert Rodriguez and screenwriter Quentin Tarantino , Tarantino stars with George Clooney as a pair of bad - to - the - bone brothers named Seth and Richie Gecko. After a string of robberies that left a river of blood in the Geckos' wake , the sadistic siblings head to Mexico to live the good life. To get over the border , they kidnap Jacob Fuller , a widowed preacher played by Harvey Keitel , and his two children , Kate ( Juliette Lewis ) and Scott ( Ernest Liu ) . Once south of the border , the quintet park their RV at a rough - and - tumble trucker bar called The Titty Twister , where Seth and Richie are supposed to meet a local thug. After a couple of drinks , they realize that they're not in a typical bar , as the entire place begins to teem with vicious , blood - sucking vampires. With the odds stacked greatly against them , the Fullers and Geckos team together in hopes of defeating the creatures of the night. Makeup artist Tom Savini and blaxploitation star Fred Williamson appear as allies against the vampires , and Cheech Marin fills three different roles.
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oyz N the Hood meets Tales from the Crypt in this alternately horrific funny and socially conscious anthology film. The four grim vignettes are framed by the tale of three street hoods who break into Mr. Simm's inner-city funeral home to find a stash of drugs. The mortician puts them off by telling them a few eerie stories about his "patrons."
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Boyz N the Hood meets Tales from the Crypt in this alternately horrific , funny , and socially conscious anthology film. The four grim vignettes are framed by the tale of three street hoods who break into Mr. Simm's inner - city funeral home to find a stash of drugs. The mortician puts them off , by telling them a few eerie stories about his "patrons."
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Veteran horror director Wes Craven was responsible for the hit 1984 film A Nightmare on Elm Street which introduced the character of Freddy Krueger. After Craven sold the rights to his character Krueger became filmdom's top grossing monster with five sequels by 1991. In this post-modernist horror film Craven plays himself a filmmaker working on a script for a movie that seems to be spinning out of control. Also playing himself as well as playing his customary character Krueger is Robert Englund. The original teenage hero of the first Nightmare film Heather Langenkamp also plays herself. She is still haunted by Freddy dreams but Craven convinces her to make another Krueger film to exorcise her demons. Unfortunately her son Dylan (Miko Hughes) is being taken over by Freddy himself who materializes and kills Dylan's beloved nanny Julie (Tracy Middendorf). Dylan possessed by the evil spirit escapes from the hospital and tries to cross a freeway with his mother in pursuit. Craven finds that his character has literally become a creation out of his control.
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Veteran horror director Wes Craven was responsible for the hit 1984 film A Nightmare on Elm Street , which introduced the character of Freddy Krueger. After Craven sold the rights to his character , Krueger became filmdom's top grossing monster , with five sequels by 1991. In this post - modernist horror film , Craven plays himself , a filmmaker working on a script for a movie that seems to be spinning out of control. Also playing himself , as well as playing his customary character Krueger , is Robert Englund . The original teenage hero of the first Nightmare film , Heather Langenkamp , also plays herself. She is still haunted by Freddy dreams , but Craven convinces her to make another Krueger film to exorcise her demons. Unfortunately , her son Dylan ( Miko Hughes ) is being taken over by Freddy himself , who materializes and kills Dylan's beloved nanny , Julie ( Tracy Middendorf ) . Dylan , possessed by the evil spirit , escapes from the hospital and tries to cross a freeway with his mother in pursuit. Craven finds that his character has literally become a creation out of his control.
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Jack Nicholson becomes a werewolf in this bizarre comedy-horror film directed by Mike Nichols. Nicholson plays Will Randall a book editor with a testosterone deficit who has just been sacked at his publishing firm by a new boss Raymond Alden (Christopher Plummer). A colleague Stewart Swinton (James Spader) whom Randall thought was his friend betrays him. Randall's personality changes after he hits a wolf with his car and gets bitten by the creature. He immediately feels more powerful has heightened hearing and vision and sets about to right the wrongs in his life. He visits Alden at the publisher's mansion to protest his dismissal and he is asked to leave -- but Alden's daughter Laura (Michelle Pfeiffer) asks him to stay for lunch. Laura loves to defy her father. Will tells her about the wolf bite and she becomes attracted to him. But because werewolves usually kill the ones they love Laura is in danger. Will reasserts his place in the publishing world supported by his loyal secretary Mary (Eileen Atkins) and his relationship with Laura deepens.
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Jack Nicholson becomes a werewolf in this bizarre comedy - horror film directed by Mike Nichols . Nicholson plays Will Randall , a book editor with a testosterone deficit who has just been sacked at his publishing firm by a new boss , Raymond Alden ( Christopher Plummer ) . A colleague , Stewart Swinton ( James Spader ), whom Randall thought was his friend , betrays him. Randall's personality changes after he hits a wolf with his car and gets bitten by the creature. He immediately feels more powerful , has heightened hearing and vision , and sets about to right the wrongs in his life. He visits Alden at the publisher's mansion to protest his dismissal , and he is asked to leave -- but Alden's daughter Laura ( Michelle Pfeiffer ) asks him to stay for lunch. Laura loves to defy her father. Will tells her about the wolf bite , and she becomes attracted to him. But because werewolves usually kill the ones they love , Laura is in danger. Will reasserts his place in the publishing world , supported by his loyal secretary Mary ( Eileen Atkins ), and his relationship with Laura deepens.
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Released theatrically as God Told Me To this inventive film from "B"-movie auteur Larry Cohen was later re-named Demon after television distributors refused to air it under the original title. The convoluted tabloid-flavored storyline (predating the kind of stories frequently featured on The X-Files) involves a series of motiveless murders committed by various New York residents: a sniper picks off targets from a water tower; a mild-mannered father murders his entire family; and a cop (Andy Kaufman of all people) opens fire during a St. Patrick's Day parade. The only consistent pattern to the crimes involves the perpetrators' calm admissions of guilt explaining "God told me to." While investigating the murders devoutly-Catholic police detective Peter Nicholas (Tony Lo Bianco) is increasingly troubled by evidence of a Christ-like figure named Bernard Phillips (Richard Lynch) who appeared to each of the killers and can't seem to shake the feeling that his own fate is inexplicably linked to this mysterious being. As he comes closer to the truth his worst fears are confirmed -- particularly after a telling conversation with Bernard's tormented mother (Sylvia Sidney) who reveals the horrifying secret of her son's unnatural birth. Cohen has often used the "B"-movie format to address rather lofty concepts and this is certainly no exception -- tackling no less than the existence of God and the nature of human beliefs -- but clumsy editing and an outrageous FX-heavy finale tend to obscure this film's unique vision.
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Released theatrically as God Told Me To , this inventive film from "B" - movie auteur Larry Cohen was later re - named Demon after television distributors refused to air it under the original title. The convoluted , tabloid - flavored storyline ( predating the kind of stories frequently featured on The X - Files ) involves a series of motiveless murders committed by various New York residents : a sniper picks off targets from a water tower ; a mild - mannered father murders his entire family ; and a cop ( Andy Kaufman , of all people ) opens fire during a St. Patrick's Day parade. The only consistent pattern to the crimes involves the perpetrators' calm admissions of guilt , explaining , "God told me to." While investigating the murders , devoutly - Catholic police detective Peter Nicholas ( Tony Lo Bianco ) is increasingly troubled by evidence of a Christ - like figure named Bernard Phillips ( Richard Lynch ) who appeared to each of the killers and can't seem to shake the feeling that his own fate is inexplicably linked to this mysterious being. As he comes closer to the truth , his worst fears are confirmed -- particularly after a telling conversation with Bernard's tormented mother ( Sylvia Sidney ), who reveals the horrifying secret of her son's unnatural birth. Cohen has often used the "B" - movie format to address rather lofty concepts , and this is certainly no exception -- tackling no less than the existence of God and the nature of human beliefs -- but clumsy editing and an outrageous FX - heavy finale tend to obscure this film's unique vision.
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In this spooky horror movie a crazed doctor is able to transform a man into a giant cobra.
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In this spooky horror movie , a crazed doctor is able to transform a man into a giant cobra.
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He may be calling himself "Dr. Stein" but the audience isn't fooled: that popular general practitioner (Peter Cushing) in the mittel-European village of Carlsbruck is none other than our old friend Victor Frankenstein. No one seems unduly concerned when the patients in a charity clinic begin losing their arms and legs during Dr. Stein's emergency operations -- no one except his young rival Dr. Kleve (Kerwin Mathews). Threatening to expose Dr. Stein as the fugitive from justice he really is Kleve is instead persuaded to be Stein's partner. Things really begin heating up when Stine and Kleve use the brain of vengeful village hunchback Karl (Oscar Quitak) for their new synthetic monster. Adding to the climactic melee is another monster built in the image of Dr. Frankenstein himself! Full of clever (if gory) touches Revenge of Frankenstein is among the best of Hammer Studio's late-1950s output.
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He may be calling himself "Dr. Stein , " but the audience isn't fooled : that popular general practitioner ( Peter Cushing ) in the mittel - European village of Carlsbruck is none other than our old friend , Victor Frankenstein. No one seems unduly concerned when the patients in a charity clinic begin losing their arms and legs during Dr. Stein's emergency operations -- no one except his young rival , Dr. Kleve ( Kerwin Mathews ) . Threatening to expose Dr. Stein as the fugitive from justice he really is , Kleve is instead persuaded to be Stein's partner. Things really begin heating up when Stine and Kleve use the brain of vengeful village hunchback Karl ( Oscar Quitak ) for their new synthetic monster. Adding to the climactic melee is another monster , built in the image of Dr. Frankenstein himself! Full of clever ( if gory ) touches , Revenge of Frankenstein is among the best of Hammer Studio's late - 1950s output.
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Gary Sherman's Death Line is one of those little-seen long-forgotten 1970s horror films that's still championed by its core of fans. When the film was shown as part of a horror series at Lincoln Center in 2002 director Guillermo Del Toro (The Devil's Backbone) pronounced it one of his all-time favorites. In the film Patricia (Sharon Gurney) and her American boyfriend Alex (David Ladd son of actor/producer Alan Ladd) find an important government official apparently unconscious on the stairs of a London Underground station. By the time they locate a cop to investigate the body is gone. The sarcastically cynical Inspector Calhoun (Donald Pleasence) and his right-hand man Rogers (Norman Rossington) take on the case. The culprit turns out to be a deranged man (Hugh Armstrong) the descendent of tunnel workers who were trapped in a cave-in and abandoned by the government at the turn of the century. "The Man" lives in the abandoned tunnel with his mate "the Woman" (June Turner) and ventures into the Underground proper only to find hapless human victims and bring them back to their decrepit lair for food. When his mate dies the Man goes in search of another. Put-off by Alex's lack of compassion Patricia splits up with him venturing into a train station alone and before long she finds herself in the underground hellhole. Christopher Lee makes a cameo appearance as an officious meddlesome MI5. Much to Sherman's chagrin his film was re-edited by the producers and released to American grind houses under the title Raw Meat. It was shown in Britain in its original form under its original title.
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Gary Sherman 's Death Line is one of those little - seen , long - forgotten 1970s horror films that's still championed by its core of fans. When the film was shown as part of a horror series at Lincoln Center in 2002 , director Guillermo Del Toro ( The Devil's Backbone ) pronounced it one of his all - time favorites. In the film , Patricia ( Sharon Gurney ) and her American boyfriend , Alex ( David Ladd , son of actor / producer Alan Ladd ), find an important government official apparently unconscious on the stairs of a London Underground station. By the time they locate a cop to investigate , the body is gone. The sarcastically cynical Inspector Calhoun ( Donald Pleasence ) and his right - hand man , Rogers ( Norman Rossington ), take on the case. The culprit turns out to be a deranged man ( Hugh Armstrong ), the descendent of tunnel workers who were trapped in a cave - in and abandoned by the government at the turn of the century. "The Man" lives in the abandoned tunnel with his mate , "the Woman" ( June Turner ), and ventures into the Underground proper only to find hapless human victims and bring them back to their decrepit lair for food. When his mate dies , the Man goes in search of another. Put - off by Alex's lack of compassion , Patricia splits up with him , venturing into a train station alone , and before long , she finds herself in the underground hellhole. Christopher Lee makes a cameo appearance as an officious , meddlesome MI5. Much to Sherman 's chagrin , his film was re - edited by the producers and released to American grind houses under the title Raw Meat . It was shown in Britain in its original form , under its original title.
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For his second commercial feature following a pair of experimental films and 1977's Shivers Canadian horror auteur David Cronenberg continued to mine the themes of disease and mutation that were already becoming his perennial concerns. Marilyn Chambers stars as Rose an attractive young woman who becomes horribly injured in a motorcycle accident. Spirited away to the clinic of Drs. Dan and Roxanne Keloid (Howard Ryshpan and Patricia Gage) a pair of experimental plastic surgeons Rose becomes an unwitting guinea pig in an operation that grafts genetically modified tissue into her body. Waking from her coma to find she is unable to ingest normal food Rose unwittingly feeds on human blood by means of a phallic organ that emerges from a vulval orifice in her armpit. Within hours of providing Rose with sustenance her victims fall prey to an incurable highly contagious disease that turns them into raving lunatics who foam at the mouth and attack others indiscriminately. Soon Montreal is under martial law but nobody can find the Typhoid Mary whose vampiric urges are driving the epidemic -- not even Hart (Frank Moore) Rose's befuddled boyfriend. Although she is best-known for her starring role in the crossover porn epic Behind the Green Door Chambers actually received her start in features with 1970's The Owl and the Pussycat. Rabid also stars TV and stage veteran Joe Silver as Murray Cypher a mutual friend of Hart and the Keloids.
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For his second commercial feature , following a pair of experimental films and 1977's Shivers , Canadian horror auteur David Cronenberg continued to mine the themes of disease and mutation that were already becoming his perennial concerns. Marilyn Chambers stars as Rose , an attractive young woman who becomes horribly injured in a motorcycle accident. Spirited away to the clinic of Drs. Dan and Roxanne Keloid ( Howard Ryshpan and Patricia Gage ), a pair of experimental plastic surgeons , Rose becomes an unwitting guinea pig in an operation that grafts genetically modified tissue into her body. Waking from her coma to find she is unable to ingest normal food , Rose unwittingly feeds on human blood by means of a phallic organ that emerges from a vulval orifice in her armpit. Within hours of providing Rose with sustenance , her victims fall prey to an incurable , highly contagious disease that turns them into raving lunatics who foam at the mouth and attack others indiscriminately. Soon , Montreal is under martial law , but nobody can find the Typhoid Mary whose vampiric urges are driving the epidemic -- not even Hart ( Frank Moore ), Rose's befuddled boyfriend. Although she is best - known for her starring role in the crossover porn epic Behind the Green Door , Chambers actually received her start in features with 1970's The Owl and the Pussycat . Rabid also stars TV and stage veteran Joe Silver as Murray Cypher , a mutual friend of Hart and the Keloids.
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George Romero's The Crazies involves a biochemical warfare virus code-named "Trixie" that gets into the water supply of Evans City PA. It has two equally unpleasant effects either killing its victims outright or driving them hopelessly insane. The military descends on the town like a plague of locusts quarantining the area and dragging the frightened citizens from their homes to be corralled at the local high school while the "powers that be" figure out what to do. Human interest revolves around firefighting Nam vet David and his pregnant wife Judy who try to escape the quarantine the virus and the militant redneck locals whom Romero portrays as even more fearsome than the soldiers. There's also an infected father and daughter played by Richard Liberty (Day of the Dead) and pretty Lynn Lowry (Shivers) who gives the film's best performance as an innocent waif who mourns the passing of her own sanity.
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George Romero 's The Crazies involves a biochemical warfare virus code - named "Trixie" that gets into the water supply of Evans City , PA. It has two equally unpleasant effects , either killing its victims outright or driving them hopelessly insane. The military descends on the town like a plague of locusts , quarantining the area and dragging the frightened citizens from their homes to be corralled at the local high school while the "powers that be" figure out what to do. Human interest revolves around firefighting Nam vet David and his pregnant wife , Judy , who try to escape the quarantine , the virus , and the militant redneck locals whom Romero portrays as even more fearsome than the soldiers. There's also an infected father and daughter , played by Richard Liberty ( Day of the Dead ) and pretty Lynn Lowry ( Shivers ), who gives the film's best performance as an innocent waif who mourns the passing of her own sanity.
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Rosso Segno Della Folia an Italian horror film written directed and photographed by Mario Bava is the bloody story of an impotent man who turns to murder to vent his frustrations. The designer and owner of a fashion design business (Stephen Forsyth) frustrated with his own sexual failure murders the new brides who have modelled his fashions. When he decides to murder his wife she becomes the ghost who will not leave him alone. Director Bava who began his career as a cinematographer while directing mostly low-budget horror films has become a cult figure among some fans and critics who admire his unique and beautiful visual style and his often very amusing exaggeration of the cliches of the genre. Rosso Segno Della Folia released in the United States as Hatchet for a Honeymoon is not the best of Mario Bava's work but this above-average horror film is a must see for those who love the genre and admire stylish horror films.
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Rosso Segno Della Folia , an Italian horror film written , directed and photographed by Mario Bava , is the bloody story of an impotent man who turns to murder to vent his frustrations. The designer and owner of a fashion design business ( Stephen Forsyth ), frustrated with his own sexual failure , murders the new brides who have modelled his fashions. When he decides to murder his wife , she becomes the ghost who will not leave him alone. Director Bava , who began his career as a cinematographer , while directing mostly low - budget horror films , has become a cult figure among some fans and critics who admire his unique and beautiful visual style and his often very amusing exaggeration of the cliches of the genre. Rosso Segno Della Folia , released in the United States as Hatchet for a Honeymoon is not the best of Mario Bava 's work , but this above - average horror film is a must see for those who love the genre and admire stylish horror films.
1467
This sequel to the stylish 1971 melodrama The Abominable Dr. Phibes once more stars Vincent Price in the title role. Long believed dead Phibes arises from a state of suspended animation in search of the means to bring his deceased wife back to the land of the living. Phibes also wears a rubber mask to disguise his own horribly disfigured countenance. (The giveaway: he never moves his mouth when speaking and eats by applying his fork to his neck!) With the aid of the enigmatic never-speaking Vulnavia (Valli Kemp) Phibes follows an Egyptian expedition seeking out an ancient elixir of life and killing everyone who gets in his way. In the original film all of the doctor's grisly but ingenious murders were motivated and all were linked by a Seven Deadly Plagues throughline. In the sequel Phibes kills whenever he feels like it and utilizes an impressive array of death-dealing contraptions (one victim literally has his skin blown off his body by a high-powered electric fan). This marks one of the only films ever made to wrap with Vincent Price singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."
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This sequel to the stylish 1971 melodrama The Abominable Dr. Phibes once more stars Vincent Price in the title role. Long believed dead , Phibes arises from a state of suspended animation , in search of the means to bring his deceased wife back to the land of the living. Phibes also wears a rubber mask to disguise his own horribly disfigured countenance. ( The giveaway : he never moves his mouth when speaking , and eats by applying his fork to his neck! ) With the aid of the enigmatic , never - speaking Vulnavia ( Valli Kemp ), Phibes follows an Egyptian expedition , seeking out an ancient elixir of life and killing everyone who gets in his way. In the original film , all of the doctor's grisly but ingenious murders were motivated , and all were linked by a Seven Deadly Plagues throughline. In the sequel , Phibes kills whenever he feels like it , and utilizes an impressive array of death - dealing contraptions ( one victim literally has his skin blown off his body by a high - powered electric fan ) . This marks one of the only films ever made to wrap with Vincent Price singing "Somewhere , Over the Rainbow."
1468
Wolfen a frightening horror movie based upon a novel by Whitley Strieber is an absorbing update on the werewolf legend. Detective Dewey Wilson (Albert Finney) is assigned to investigate the strange murder of a millionaire and his wife in a downtown park. Wilson and his friend city coroner Whittington (Gregory Hines) aided by criminal psychologist Rebecca Neff (Diane Venora) connect the killing to those of several others primarily winos drug addicts and derelicts all of whom seem to have been mutilated by wild animals. Their search leads them to a group of Native Americans led by Edward James Olmos who tell them of a legend of a superior species that once roamed the area but now are living and hunting in the slums of New York. The film is engrossing frightening and intelligent with sensational special effects. Director Michael Wadleigh uses these effects to great advantage frequently showing the movements of the characters through the eyes of the "Wolfen." This film is also the screen debut of Gregory Hines.
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Wolfen , a frightening horror movie based upon a novel by Whitley Strieber , is an absorbing update on the werewolf legend. Detective Dewey Wilson ( Albert Finney ) is assigned to investigate the strange murder of a millionaire and his wife in a downtown park. Wilson and his friend , city coroner Whittington ( Gregory Hines ), aided by criminal psychologist Rebecca Neff ( Diane Venora ) connect the killing to those of several others , primarily winos , drug addicts and derelicts , all of whom seem to have been mutilated by wild animals. Their search leads them to a group of Native Americans led by Edward James Olmos who tell them of a legend of a superior species that once roamed the area , but now are living and hunting in the slums of New York. The film is engrossing , frightening and intelligent , with sensational special effects. Director Michael Wadleigh uses these effects to great advantage , frequently showing the movements of the characters through the eyes of the "Wolfen." This film is also the screen debut of Gregory Hines .
1469
This film is based on the novel Ratman's Notebooks by Stephen Gilbert. Bruce Davison is Willard Stiles a 27-year-old mama's boy whose repressions are bottled up inside and come to the fore in his nervous nail-biting. As one character describes Willard "Willard is basically an extrovert but it's all inside." Willard and his possessive invalid mother Henrietta (Elsa Lanchester) live in thrall to Al Martin (Ernest Borgnine) the man who took over a foundry business after the death of Willard's father. Willard inwardly seethes but mostly stays in his run-down mansion with his mother making friends with the rats that infest the place -- he even names them Ben and Socrates. However when Henrietta dies things change. Al in a rage kills one of Willard's pet rats. Not only that but Al also fires Willard from his job at the foundry. Losing his patience Willard meets with his rat friends to exact his revenge for a lifetime of humiliation and neurosis.
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This film is based on the novel Ratman's Notebooks , by Stephen Gilbert . Bruce Davison is Willard Stiles , a 27 - year - old mama's boy whose repressions are bottled up inside and come to the fore in his nervous nail - biting. As one character describes Willard , "Willard is basically an extrovert , but it's all inside." Willard and his possessive invalid mother , Henrietta ( Elsa Lanchester ), live in thrall to Al Martin ( Ernest Borgnine ), the man who took over a foundry business after the death of Willard's father. Willard inwardly seethes but mostly stays in his run - down mansion with his mother , making friends with the rats that infest the place -- he even names them , Ben and Socrates. However , when Henrietta dies , things change. Al , in a rage , kills one of Willard's pet rats. Not only that , but Al also fires Willard from his job at the foundry. Losing his patience , Willard meets with his rat friends to exact his revenge for a lifetime of humiliation and neurosis.
1470
Middle-aged family man Frank (Jim Karen) trains teenaged Freddy (Thom Matthews) for his new job at a medical supply warehouse. In an effort to impress and frighten his young charge practical joker Frank reveals that the warehouse basement contains a cannister full of a mysterious chemical capable of bringing the dead back to life. It seems that the cannister fell off the back of an army truck during an accidental outbreak of zombiedom. Frank and Freddy unwittingly inhale the chemical and release it into the warehouse. Turning to the operator of a nearby crematorium for help in destroying the suddenly undead specimens that surround them they unwittingly awaken the residents of a nearby cemetary just as Freddy's pals arrive to party amidst the headstones and wait for their friend's shift to end. Meanwhile Col. Glover (Jonathan Terry) waits for the call that his missing chemical weapon has been unleashed.
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Middle - aged family man Frank ( Jim Karen ) trains teenaged Freddy ( Thom Matthews ) for his new job at a medical supply warehouse. In an effort to impress and frighten his young charge , practical joker Frank reveals that the warehouse basement contains a cannister full of a mysterious chemical capable of bringing the dead back to life. It seems that the cannister fell off the back of an army truck during an accidental outbreak of zombiedom. Frank and Freddy unwittingly inhale the chemical and release it into the warehouse. Turning to the operator of a nearby crematorium for help in destroying the suddenly undead specimens that surround them , they unwittingly awaken the residents of a nearby cemetary just as Freddy's pals arrive to party amidst the headstones and wait for their friend's shift to end. Meanwhile , Col. Glover ( Jonathan Terry ) waits for the call that his missing chemical weapon has been unleashed.
1471
The sophomore effort for director Joe Dante a future protégé of Steven Spielberg this low-budget high-camp horror spoof of Jaws (1977) features several chiller stars of yesteryear. Insurance investigator Maggie McKeown (Heather Menzies) is dispatched to find two missing teenage hikers near Lost River Lake. She hires surly backwoods drunkard Paul Grogan (Bradford Dillman) to serve as her guide. Searching the area they find an abandoned military facility. The only resident is Dr. Robert Hoak (Kevin McCarthy) former head of a top-secret project to breed piranha for use in the Vietnam War. The project was closed down years ago but Hoak has continued raising a deadly strain of the flesh-eating fish. When Hoak is knocked unconscious Maggie and Paul accidentally release the piranha into a local river which leads to the lake where a children's summer camp and a newly opened tourist resort will provide plenty of fish food for the hungry predators. Maggie and Paul race to warn the locals but their pleas fall on skeptical ears such as those of resort owner Buck Gardner (Dick Miller) -- until the piranha reach the swimmers. Piranha (1978) was co-written by John Sayles making his motion picture debut.
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The sophomore effort for director Joe Dante , a future protégé of Steven Spielberg , this low - budget , high - camp horror spoof of Jaws ( 1977 ) features several chiller stars of yesteryear. Insurance investigator Maggie McKeown ( Heather Menzies ) is dispatched to find two missing teenage hikers near Lost River Lake. She hires surly backwoods drunkard Paul Grogan ( Bradford Dillman ) to serve as her guide. Searching the area , they find an abandoned military facility. The only resident is Dr. Robert Hoak ( Kevin McCarthy ), former head of a top - secret project to breed piranha for use in the Vietnam War. The project was closed down years ago , but Hoak has continued raising a deadly strain of the flesh - eating fish. When Hoak is knocked unconscious , Maggie and Paul accidentally release the piranha into a local river , which leads to the lake where a children's summer camp and a newly opened tourist resort will provide plenty of fish food for the hungry predators. Maggie and Paul race to warn the locals , but their pleas fall on skeptical ears , such as those of resort owner Buck Gardner ( Dick Miller ) -- until the piranha reach the swimmers. Piranha ( 1978 ) was co - written by John Sayles , making his motion picture debut.
1472
Horror auteur Wes Craven followed his threadbare but horrifically compelling cult classic Last House on the Left with this wonderfully demented morality fable about a bloody war of attrition between two extremely different families. The story opens on the journey of the Carters a mildly dysfunctional extended family led by patriarch "Big Bob" Carter (Russ Grieve) as they travel across the California desert in search of an inherited silver mine. When a broken axle leaves them stranded in the middle of a former nuclear testing site their attempts to find help lead them unwittingly into the territory of a savage family of cave-dwelling cannibals the apparent progeny of the bearlike Jupiter (James Whitworth) and an abducted prostitute. Jupiter's eldest son Pluto (professional movie weirdo Michael Berryman) leads the first brutal attack on the defenseless Carters who through necessity are driven to equally extreme measures in order to survive. Though the film is not overtly bloody the scenes depicting this confrontation are rendered with an unflinching directness and the violations visited on the Carters are so brutal as to make the survivors' regression into savagery all the more convincing. No one is spared from the nightmare: Jupiter's boys have even kidnapped the youngest member of the Carter family -- a mere infant -- to serve as fodder for their next barbecue and the baby becomes the main point of contention between the rival clans. Craven nevertheless refuses to take the easy way out by depicting his "monsters" as soullessly evil; parallels between either family's "values" are clearly drawn as the differences between the two clans begin to blur.
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Horror auteur Wes Craven followed his threadbare but horrifically compelling cult classic Last House on the Left with this wonderfully demented morality fable about a bloody war of attrition between two extremely different families. The story opens on the journey of the Carters , a mildly dysfunctional extended family led by patriarch "Big Bob" Carter ( Russ Grieve ), as they travel across the California desert in search of an inherited silver mine. When a broken axle leaves them stranded in the middle of a former nuclear testing site , their attempts to find help lead them unwittingly into the territory of a savage family of cave - dwelling cannibals , the apparent progeny of the bearlike Jupiter ( James Whitworth ) and an abducted prostitute. Jupiter's eldest son Pluto ( professional movie weirdo Michael Berryman ) leads the first brutal attack on the defenseless Carters who , through necessity , are driven to equally extreme measures in order to survive. Though the film is not overtly bloody , the scenes depicting this confrontation are rendered with an unflinching directness , and the violations visited on the Carters are so brutal as to make the survivors' regression into savagery all the more convincing. No one is spared from the nightmare : Jupiter's boys have even kidnapped the youngest member of the Carter family -- a mere infant -- to serve as fodder for their next barbecue , and the baby becomes the main point of contention between the rival clans. Craven nevertheless refuses to take the easy way out by depicting his "monsters" as soullessly evil ; parallels between either family's "values" are clearly drawn as the differences between the two clans begin to blur.
1473
Where the original Gremlins was a horror film spiked with comedy Gremlins 2: The New Batch is essentially a black comedy with a couple of horrifying touches. As the film starts the fantastical trinket shop in Chinatown which sold the Mogwai in the first film is demolished by a crazed multi-media businessman called Daniel Clamp (John Glover). The heroes from the first movie Billy (Zach Galligan) and Kate (Phoebe Cates) happen to work for Clamp in his huge high-rise. They find the Mogwai within Clamp's building but not before he has accidentally spawned legions of mischievous lizard-like Gremlins. Soon the Gremlins are wreaking havoc throughout the building. In the original film their misdeeds were violent but here they're also goofy and satirical. Director Joe Dante has filled the film with quick verbal and visual jokes which for many makes Gremlins 2: The New Batch a satire and inversion of the typical horror film.
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Where the original Gremlins was a horror film spiked with comedy , Gremlins 2 : The New Batch is essentially a black comedy , with a couple of horrifying touches. As the film starts , the fantastical trinket shop in Chinatown , which sold the Mogwai in the first film , is demolished by a crazed multi - media businessman called Daniel Clamp ( John Glover ) . The heroes from the first movie , Billy ( Zach Galligan ) and Kate ( Phoebe Cates ), happen to work for Clamp in his huge high - rise. They find the Mogwai within Clamp's building , but not before he has accidentally spawned legions of mischievous , lizard - like Gremlins. Soon , the Gremlins are wreaking havoc throughout the building. In the original film , their misdeeds were violent , but here they're also goofy and satirical. Director Joe Dante has filled the film with quick verbal and visual jokes , which , for many , makes Gremlins 2 : The New Batch a satire and inversion of the typical horror film.
1474
Adapted from a lesser-known novel from SF/Horror author Dean R. Koontz this claustrophobic thriller presents a computerized nemesis incorporating the murderous elements of 2001's HAL with the world-domination goal of the title villain in Colossus: The Forbin Project. Brilliant cybernetics expert Dr. Alex Harris (Fritz Weaver) develops a revolutionary new supercomputer dubbed Proteus IV (voice of Robert Vaughn uncredited) which is capable of almost human self-awareness and capacity for intellectual growth. Unfortunately for Alex and his wife Susan (Julie Christie) Proteus is also imbued with a very human desire to grow beyond the limitations of his own knowledge -- as well as to escape the isolation of the laboratory -- and taps into the home terminals of the Harris' high-tech dream house in which he makes Susan a virtual prisoner. As she is put through a tortuous series of physical and mental tests the Proteus mainframe takes severe steps to prevent any interference -- even resorting to the murder of Harris' assistant (Gerrit Graham). Susan's confusion eventually turns to dread when she begins to realize Proteus' true intentions... to evolve beyond mere circuitry and assume a human form by impregnating her with his "seed." Despite the lurid premise this is probably the most conventional effort from controversial director Donald Cammell (Performance Wild Side) and the film's theme of the computer's ominously pervasive role in human affairs -- in this case forcing its way into our bodies as well as our lives -- seems oddly prescient today. Christie's convincing performance makes the most of a role which has her shouting at the walls and ceiling for two-thirds of the movie.
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Adapted from a lesser - known novel from SF / Horror author Dean R. Koontz , this claustrophobic thriller presents a computerized nemesis incorporating the murderous elements of 2001 's HAL with the world - domination goal of the title villain in Colossus : The Forbin Project . Brilliant cybernetics expert Dr. Alex Harris ( Fritz Weaver ) develops a revolutionary new supercomputer dubbed Proteus IV ( voice of Robert Vaughn , uncredited ) which is capable of almost human self - awareness and capacity for intellectual growth. Unfortunately for Alex and his wife Susan ( Julie Christie ), Proteus is also imbued with a very human desire to grow beyond the limitations of his own knowledge -- as well as to escape the isolation of the laboratory -- and taps into the home terminals of the Harris' high - tech dream house , in which he makes Susan a virtual prisoner. As she is put through a tortuous series of physical and mental tests , the Proteus mainframe takes severe steps to prevent any interference -- even resorting to the murder of Harris' assistant ( Gerrit Graham ) . Susan's confusion eventually turns to dread when she begins to realize Proteus' true intentions... to evolve beyond mere circuitry and assume a human form by impregnating her with his "seed." Despite the lurid premise , this is probably the most conventional effort from controversial director Donald Cammell ( Performance , Wild Side ), and the film's theme of the computer's ominously pervasive role in human affairs -- in this case forcing its way into our bodies as well as our lives -- seems oddly prescient today. Christie's convincing performance makes the most of a role which has her shouting at the walls and ceiling for two - thirds of the movie.
1475
Centuries old Count Yorga (Robert Quarry) is a vampire that is given a ride to his gloomy mansion in the woods by Paul (Michael Murphy) and Donna (Judith Lang) in their Volkswagon van. On the way out of the woods the vehicle becomes stuck in the mud but the duo refuses to return to the creepy house. After the two make love Donna is bitten by the Count. Paul becomes suspicious when she starts to devour cats and a seance reveals some uneasy feelings about the Count. Donna is examined by Dr. Hayes (Roger Perry) and the dedicated physician brings wooden stakes to the Volkswagon. While the demented demon looks on and shrieks with delight a bevy of vampire beauties eats the doctor alive after he falls into the Count's trap. Unnecessary narration is employed to explain the action.
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Centuries old Count Yorga ( Robert Quarry ) is a vampire that is given a ride to his gloomy mansion in the woods by Paul ( Michael Murphy ) and Donna ( Judith Lang ) in their Volkswagon van. On the way out of the woods , the vehicle becomes stuck in the mud , but the duo refuses to return to the creepy house. After the two make love , Donna is bitten by the Count. Paul becomes suspicious when she starts to devour cats and a seance reveals some uneasy feelings about the Count. Donna is examined by Dr. Hayes ( Roger Perry ), and the dedicated physician brings wooden stakes to the Volkswagon. While the demented demon looks on and shrieks with delight , a bevy of vampire beauties eats the doctor alive after he falls into the Count's trap. Unnecessary narration is employed to explain the action.
1476
A late entry from the foundering Hammer Studios this intriguing and highly original twist on the vampire motif -- featuring for once a hero more charismatic than the vampires with which he does battle -- was the first in a planned series of Kronos films but poor planning on behalf of its overseas distributors killed the franchise's great potential in the American market. Kronos (Horst Janson) -- a kind of swashbuckling Sherlock Holmes of the occult sciences -- and his hunchbacked companion Professor Grost (John Cater) arrive in the village of Durward where the local young wenches are being victimized by a family of vampires that drain youth not blood from their victims turning them into withered old hags. Kronos' mystical intuition and powers of deduction lead him to the elderly Lady Durward (Wanda Ventham) and her pompous children Paul (Shane Briant) and Sara (Lois Daine) and he soon squares off against his vampiric foes with a lethal sword (fashioned from a sacred cross) and a bag of occult tricks (including an interesting use of dead frogs). Well-photographed and cleverly directed by Brian Clemens (Dr. Jekyll & Sister Hyde) this is one of Hammer's few attempts to broaden its audience in the 1970's -- a trend which reached its zenith of zaniness with everybody kung fu fighting in the Hammer/Shaw Brothers collaboration Legend of the Seven Golden Vampires.
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A late entry from the foundering Hammer Studios , this intriguing and highly original twist on the vampire motif -- featuring for once a hero more charismatic than the vampires with which he does battle -- was the first in a planned series of Kronos films , but poor planning on behalf of its overseas distributors killed the franchise's great potential in the American market. Kronos ( Horst Janson ) -- a kind of swashbuckling Sherlock Holmes of the occult sciences -- and his hunchbacked companion Professor Grost ( John Cater ), arrive in the village of Durward where the local young wenches are being victimized by a family of vampires that drain youth , not blood , from their victims , turning them into withered old hags. Kronos' mystical intuition and powers of deduction lead him to the elderly Lady Durward ( Wanda Ventham ) and her pompous children Paul ( Shane Briant ) and Sara ( Lois Daine ), and he soon squares off against his vampiric foes with a lethal sword ( fashioned from a sacred cross ) and a bag of occult tricks ( including an interesting use of dead frogs ) . Well - photographed and cleverly directed by Brian Clemens ( Dr. Jekyll & Sister Hyde ), this is one of Hammer's few attempts to broaden its audience in the 1970's -- a trend which reached its zenith of zaniness with everybody kung fu fighting in the Hammer / Shaw Brothers collaboration Legend of the Seven Golden Vampires .
1477
Advertised as the 100th production of American International studios Blacula stars actor/singer William Marshall in the title role. An 18th century African prince Blacula is transmogrified into a vampire while visiting Transylvania. Two centuries later he rises from his coffin to wreak havoc in the Watts district of Los Angeles. Blacula's particular target is Tina (Vonetta McGee) whom he thinks is the reincarnation of his long-ago lady love. Thalmus Rasulala assumes the "Van Helsing" role as the vampire hunter who can't convince the authorities to cooperate. Yes that is the same William Marshall who later played "The King of Cartoons" on TV's Pee-wee's Playhouse. A sequel Scream Blacula Scream! appeared not long after.
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Advertised as the 100th production of American International studios , Blacula stars actor / singer William Marshall in the title role. An 18th century African prince , Blacula is transmogrified into a vampire while visiting Transylvania. Two centuries later , he rises from his coffin to wreak havoc in the Watts district of Los Angeles. Blacula's particular target is Tina ( Vonetta McGee ), whom he thinks is the reincarnation of his long - ago lady love. Thalmus Rasulala assumes the "Van Helsing" role as the vampire hunter who can't convince the authorities to cooperate. Yes , that is the same William Marshall who later played "The King of Cartoons" on TV's Pee - wee's Playhouse . A sequel , Scream , Blacula , Scream! , appeared not long after.
1478
The third in director Sam Raimi's stylish comic book-like horror trilogy that began with The Evil Dead (1982) this tongue-in-cheek sequel offers equal parts sword-and-sorcery-style action gore and comedy. Bruce Campbell returns as the one-armed Ash now a supermarket employee ("Shop Smart...Shop S-Mart") who is transported by the powers of a mysterious book back in time with his Oldsmobile '88 to the 14th century medieval era. Armed only with a shotgun his high school chemistry textbook and a chainsaw that mounts where his missing appendage once resided the square-jawed brutally competent Ash quickly establishes himself as a besieged kingdom's best hope against an "army of darkness" currently plaguing the land. Since the skeleton warriors have been resurrected with the aid of the Necronomicon (the same tome that can send Ash back to his own time) he agrees to face the enemy in battle. Ash also finds romance of a sort along the way with a beautiful damsel in distress Sheila (Embeth Davidtz) and contends with his own doppelganger after mangling an important incantation.
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The third in director Sam Raimi 's stylish , comic book - like horror trilogy that began with The Evil Dead ( 1982 ), this tongue - in - cheek sequel offers equal parts sword - and - sorcery - style action , gore , and comedy. Bruce Campbell returns as the one - armed Ash , now a supermarket employee ( "Shop Smart...Shop S - Mart" ) who is transported by the powers of a mysterious book back in time with his Oldsmobile '88 to the 14th century medieval era. Armed only with a shotgun , his high school chemistry textbook , and a chainsaw that mounts where his missing appendage once resided , the square - jawed , brutally competent Ash quickly establishes himself as a besieged kingdom's best hope against an "army of darkness" currently plaguing the land. Since the skeleton warriors have been resurrected with the aid of the Necronomicon ( the same tome that can send Ash back to his own time ) he agrees to face the enemy in battle. Ash also finds romance of a sort along the way with a beautiful damsel in distress , Sheila ( Embeth Davidtz ), and contends with his own doppelganger after mangling an important incantation.
1479
Director Abel Ferrara applies his eccentric vision to the vampire genre with this cerebral "Art" film about graduate philosophy student Kathleen Conklin (Lili Taylor) who is bitten by an aggressive female vampire (Annabella Sciorra) and soon spirals into a nightmarish world of blood addiction and existential angst. Driven by her merciless condition she attacks several of her pretentious friends and classmates (even her professor) and mainlines their blood like heroin. Just as she becomes more bold in seeking prey on the streets of New York she is waylaid by a potential victim -- actually a sophisticated vampire himself named Peina (Christopher Walken) who chooses to control his own blood addiction through fasting and meditation. Seeming to regain her self-control she eventually completes her graduate thesis (helped by a bit of vampire nepotism) and holds a party to celebrate inviting the entire faculty as well as members of her new "family" to join in the festivities. Although the parallels to heroin addiction are in plain view this is also a study in the essential evil of humankind -- a theme evident in much of Ferrara's work.
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Director Abel Ferrara applies his eccentric vision to the vampire genre with this cerebral "Art" film about graduate philosophy student Kathleen Conklin ( Lili Taylor ), who is bitten by an aggressive female vampire ( Annabella Sciorra ) and soon spirals into a nightmarish world of blood addiction and existential angst. Driven by her merciless condition , she attacks several of her pretentious friends and classmates ( even her professor ) and mainlines their blood like heroin. Just as she becomes more bold in seeking prey on the streets of New York , she is waylaid by a potential victim -- actually a sophisticated vampire himself named Peina ( Christopher Walken ), who chooses to control his own blood addiction through fasting and meditation. Seeming to regain her self - control , she eventually completes her graduate thesis ( helped by a bit of vampire nepotism ) and holds a party to celebrate , inviting the entire faculty as well as members of her new "family" to join in the festivities. Although the parallels to heroin addiction are in plain view , this is also a study in the essential evil of humankind -- a theme evident in much of Ferrara 's work.
1480
This sexy horror story from Britain's Hammer Films finds Ingrid Pitt playing three roles the most notable being a lesbian vampire who will resort to biting a man only when it is absolutely necessary. A doctor and a manservant are victims but only after she has exhausted all attempts to sink her fangs into the bosoms of young women. The General (Peter Cushing) finds his daughter Laura (Pippa Steel) is victimized by the bite of the vampiress. With the help of Baron Hartog (Douglas Wilmer) they try to end the horror brought by the blood-sucking beauty. Blood gore and a few decapitations are depicted before the wooden stakes and crosses are brought out.
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This sexy horror story from Britain's Hammer Films finds Ingrid Pitt playing three roles , the most notable being a lesbian vampire who will resort to biting a man only when it is absolutely necessary. A doctor and a manservant are victims , but only after she has exhausted all attempts to sink her fangs into the bosoms of young women. The General ( Peter Cushing ) finds his daughter Laura ( Pippa Steel ) is victimized by the bite of the vampiress. With the help of Baron Hartog ( Douglas Wilmer ), they try to end the horror brought by the blood - sucking beauty. Blood , gore and a few decapitations are depicted before the wooden stakes and crosses are brought out.
1481
A humorous and skilful parody of the cliches and plot contrivances of 50's horror films this monster movie is set in California where closets can be large and quite important. The monster (Kevin Peter Hall) is straight out of Alien if not quite as gruesome. It hides out in closets and wait for victims to unsuspectingly grab a shirt or slacks. After several closet deaths a San Francisco obituary writer (Donald Grant) is sent to cover the story. He soon teams up with a science teacher (Denise DuBarry) and her son a super-smart child prodigy and they set out to solve the murders. The plot thickens when the gruff brash Gen. Turnbull (Donald Moffat) enters the picture. It seems the monster is bullet-proof laser-proof and bomb-proof -- a challenge to capture kill or subdue.
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A humorous and skilful parody of the cliches and plot contrivances of 50's horror films , this monster movie is set in California , where closets can be large and quite important. The monster ( Kevin Peter Hall ) is straight out of Alien , if not quite as gruesome. It hides out in closets and wait for victims to unsuspectingly grab a shirt or slacks. After several closet deaths , a San Francisco obituary writer ( Donald Grant ) is sent to cover the story. He soon teams up with a science teacher ( Denise DuBarry ) and her son , a super - smart child prodigy , and they set out to solve the murders. The plot thickens when the gruff , brash Gen. Turnbull ( Donald Moffat ) enters the picture. It seems the monster is bullet - proof , laser - proof and bomb - proof -- a challenge to capture , kill , or subdue.
1482
One of the longest-running horror film series began with this gory shocker from director Sean S. Cunningham who had previously produced Wes Craven's classic Last House on the Left. Entrepreneur Steve Christie (Peter Brouwer) re-opens Camp Crystal Lake after many years during which it has been cursed by murders and bad luck. The young and nubile counselors all begin to die extremely bloody deaths at the hands of an unseen killer during a rainstorm which isolates the camp. A woman is chopped in the face with an axe another has her throat sliced in amazingly gruesome fashion a male counselor (Harry Crosby) is pinned to a door with arrows and a young Kevin Bacon has an arrow shoved through his throat from below a bed. Victor Miller's script is not particularly impressive but Cunningham's tense direction and some remarkable special-effects by acclaimed makeup artist Tom Savini are enough to make it worthwhile. 1950s quiz show regular Betsy Palmer appears as the cook whose son Jason (Ari Lehman) drowned 25 years earlier while neglected by romancing counselors. Palmer was reportedly cast because she was willing to drive her own car to and from the set. Trivia buffs should note the decapitation scene near the end in which the female killer exhibits rather hirsute hands clutching at the air. The hands belong to Savini's assistant Taso N. Stavrakis. Friday the 13th made over 20 million dollars at the box office and spawned numerous sequels.
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One of the longest - running horror film series began with this gory shocker from director Sean S. Cunningham , who had previously produced Wes Craven 's classic Last House on the Left . Entrepreneur Steve Christie ( Peter Brouwer ) re - opens Camp Crystal Lake after many years during which it has been cursed by murders and bad luck. The young and nubile counselors all begin to die extremely bloody deaths at the hands of an unseen killer during a rainstorm which isolates the camp. A woman is chopped in the face with an axe , another has her throat sliced in amazingly gruesome fashion , a male counselor ( Harry Crosby ) is pinned to a door with arrows , and a young Kevin Bacon has an arrow shoved through his throat from below a bed. Victor Miller 's script is not particularly impressive , but Cunningham 's tense direction , and some remarkable special - effects by acclaimed makeup artist Tom Savini are enough to make it worthwhile. 1950s quiz show regular Betsy Palmer appears as the cook whose son , Jason ( Ari Lehman ), drowned 25 years earlier while neglected by romancing counselors. Palmer was reportedly cast because she was willing to drive her own car to and from the set. Trivia buffs should note the decapitation scene near the end , in which the female killer exhibits rather hirsute hands clutching at the air. The hands belong to Savini 's assistant , Taso N. Stavrakis . Friday the 13th made over 20 million dollars at the box office and spawned numerous sequels.
1483
This colorful no-holds-barred clash of the titans -- directed by Inoshiro Honda (one of monsterdom's foremost experts) -- features nearly all of Japan's ground-pounding superstars including Godzilla (and son) Mothra Rodan and Ghidorah... and even tosses in Anzilla Baragon Goro Wendra Spiga and Varan for the explosive climax. The setup involves a race of evil aliens known as Kilaaks who release the world's population of giant monsters from their quarantine on Monster Island employing powerful mind-control devices on the monsters as part of their master plan for subjugating humanity. When the secret equipment used for this purpose is discovered beneath Mount Fuji and destroyed the aliens make a last-ditch attempt at reclaiming their foothold by summoning three-headed Ghidorah from space -- but by then Godzilla and the other city-stompers have rallied together to defend the Earth from the alien menace. Released in Japan as Kaiju Soshingeki this is one of Honda's more colorful monster extravaganzas and a must-see for fans of the genre.
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This colorful , no - holds - barred clash of the titans -- directed by Inoshiro Honda ( one of monsterdom's foremost experts ) -- features nearly all of Japan's ground - pounding superstars , including Godzilla ( and son ), Mothra , Rodan and Ghidorah... and even tosses in Anzilla , Baragon , Goro , Wendra , Spiga and Varan for the explosive climax. The setup involves a race of evil aliens known as Kilaaks , who release the world's population of giant monsters from their quarantine on Monster Island , employing powerful mind - control devices on the monsters as part of their master plan for subjugating humanity. When the secret equipment used for this purpose is discovered beneath Mount Fuji and destroyed , the aliens make a last - ditch attempt at reclaiming their foothold by summoning three - headed Ghidorah from space -- but by then , Godzilla and the other city - stompers have rallied together to defend the Earth from the alien menace. Released in Japan as Kaiju Soshingeki , this is one of Honda's more colorful monster extravaganzas , and a must - see for fans of the genre.
1484
In this loose adaptation of the 1942 horror classic of the same name a 2001-style opening montage establishes some sort of sacrificial mystical union between panthers and an ancient tribe of humans. Flash forward to 1980's New Orleans where waifish Irina (Natassja Kinski) meets her older brother Paul (Malcolm McDowell) a minister for the first time since their animal trainer parents died and she was sent to a series of foster homes. Paul's Creole housekeeper Female (Ruby Dee) helps Irina settle into her brother's home but Paul himself disappears. Cut to a fleabag motel where a blasé prostitute finds an angry panther instead of a client; after mauling her the cat is captured by police and a team of zoologists: Oliver (John Heard) Alice (Annette O'Toole) and Joe (Ed Begley Jr.). The next day Irina finds herself in the zoo where these scientists work; drawn to the newly captured panther she befriends Oliver and takes a job in the gift shop. Shortly after the panther's violence turns deadly it escapes and soon Paul turns up spouting an unbelievable story about his family's were-cat heritage and his inevitable sexual union with little Irina. On the run from her dangerous brother Irina takes refuge in a sexually frustrated romance with Oliver afraid of what might happen if she consummates their passion. Astute viewers will notice that the zoologist characters refer to the film's panthers as leopards; "panther" is actually a generic term for any large cat especially a black one but Cat People's panthers are in fact leopards whose black color comes from a recessive trait known as melanism.
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In this loose adaptation of the 1942 horror classic of the same name , a 2001 - style opening montage establishes some sort of sacrificial , mystical union between panthers and an ancient tribe of humans. Flash forward to 1980's New Orleans , where waifish Irina ( Natassja Kinski ) meets her older brother , Paul ( Malcolm McDowell ), a minister , for the first time since their animal trainer parents died and she was sent to a series of foster homes. Paul's Creole housekeeper , Female ( Ruby Dee ), helps Irina settle into her brother's home , but Paul himself disappears. Cut to a fleabag motel where a blasé prostitute finds an angry panther instead of a client ; after mauling her , the cat is captured by police and a team of zoologists : Oliver ( John Heard ), Alice ( Annette O'Toole ), and Joe ( Ed Begley Jr. ) . The next day Irina finds herself in the zoo where these scientists work ; drawn to the newly captured panther , she befriends Oliver and takes a job in the gift shop. Shortly after the panther's violence turns deadly , it escapes , and soon Paul turns up spouting an unbelievable story about his family's were - cat heritage and his inevitable sexual union with little Irina. On the run from her dangerous brother , Irina takes refuge in a sexually frustrated romance with Oliver , afraid of what might happen if she consummates their passion. Astute viewers will notice that the zoologist characters refer to the film's panthers as leopards ; "panther" is actually a generic term for any large cat , especially a black one , but Cat People 's panthers are in fact leopards whose black color comes from a recessive trait known as melanism.
1485
asket Case director Frank Henenlotter explores another bizarre symbiotic human-monster relationship in this surreal horror comedy about a young man named Brian (Rick Herbst) who emerges from a night of bizarre hallucinations to find a jovial talking slug attached to his body. The creature a brain-eating parasite called an "Aylmer" (but who prefers the simpler handle "Elmer") came calling after abandoning his former companions -- a European couple who tried to wean him from human brains by supplying him with sheep brains from the local butcher. Preferring prey of the bipedal variety (and a younger more mobile host) Elmer hitches a ride with Brian administering doses of a highly addictive psychedelic drug to keep him under control and sends him out in search of human gray matter. Understandably this drives a wedge in the relationship between Brian and his girlfriend Barbara (Jennifer Lowry) who doesn't buy the monster story but nevertheless begins to recognize Brian's junkie behavior patterns. Fighting a losing battle against Elmer's magic juice (and trying to keep Elmer from munching down on Barbara's skull) Brian is forced into a hideous showdown for possession of his own mind. Clever highlights include horror host John Zacherle as the Bing Crosby-esque voice of Elmer and a cute cameo from Basket boy Kevin Van Hentenryck.
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Basket Case director Frank Henenlotter explores another bizarre symbiotic human - monster relationship in this surreal horror comedy about a young man named Brian ( Rick Herbst ) who emerges from a night of bizarre hallucinations to find a jovial talking slug attached to his body. The creature , a brain - eating parasite called an "Aylmer" ( but who prefers the simpler handle "Elmer" ) came calling after abandoning his former companions -- a European couple who tried to wean him from human brains by supplying him with sheep brains from the local butcher. Preferring prey of the bipedal variety ( and a younger , more mobile host ), Elmer hitches a ride with Brian , administering doses of a highly addictive psychedelic drug to keep him under control , and sends him out in search of human gray matter. Understandably , this drives a wedge in the relationship between Brian and his girlfriend , Barbara ( Jennifer Lowry ), who doesn't buy the monster story but nevertheless begins to recognize Brian's junkie behavior patterns. Fighting a losing battle against Elmer's magic juice ( and trying to keep Elmer from munching down on Barbara's skull ), Brian is forced into a hideous showdown for possession of his own mind. Clever highlights include horror host John Zacherle as the Bing Crosby - esque voice of Elmer and a cute cameo from Basket boy Kevin Van Hentenryck .
1486
A sinister illusionist gets away with ghastly murders on-stage in this unique horror story. Though Montag the Magnificent (Ray Sager) appears to be eviscerating beautiful volunteers from the audience with railroad spikes chainsaws and punch presses the girls always smile afterward and walk away unscathed leading the adoring crowd to admire the magician's handiwork. However each evening those same women are found horribly murdered in similar fashions leading a young couple to take interest in the case. Sherry Carson (Judy Cler) is fascinated with Montag's show and wants to feature his magic on her afternoon television program. Her boyfriend Jack (Wayne Ratay) is a sports writer but he decides to investigate the weird homicides that have plagued the city since Montag appeared. Eventually it becomes clear that the magician is planning to commit mass murder by hypnotizing the audience of Sherry's TV show and Jack has to act fast. But the evil Montag's magic has already warped the fabric of reality and no outcome is certain.
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A sinister illusionist gets away with ghastly murders on - stage in this unique horror story. Though Montag the Magnificent ( Ray Sager ) appears to be eviscerating beautiful volunteers from the audience with railroad spikes , chainsaws , and punch presses , the girls always smile afterward and walk away unscathed , leading the adoring crowd to admire the magician's handiwork. However , each evening , those same women are found horribly murdered in similar fashions , leading a young couple to take interest in the case. Sherry Carson ( Judy Cler ) is fascinated with Montag's show and wants to feature his magic on her afternoon television program. Her boyfriend , Jack ( Wayne Ratay ), is a sports writer , but he decides to investigate the weird homicides that have plagued the city since Montag appeared. Eventually , it becomes clear that the magician is planning to commit mass murder by hypnotizing the audience of Sherry's TV show , and Jack has to act fast. But the evil Montag's magic has already warped the fabric of reality , and no outcome is certain.
1487
The top half of a legendary drive-in double bill paired by distributor Jerry Gross with the re-titled 1964 clunker I Eat Your Skin (formerly Voodoo Blood Bath) this outrageously gory film involves the escapades of a group of devil-worshipping hippies looking for kicks in a small rural town. To this end they manage to slip a few tabs of LSD to an elderly man -- triggering a fatal freak-out -- and the man's teenage grandson exacts a vicious revenge by selling the hippies meat pies injected with the blood of a rabid dog. Before long the infected kids are leaping at each other's throats in a cannibal feeding frenzy spreading the disease like wildfire through the small community. Blood and body parts fly in all directions until nearly the entire cast has been devoured -- with the exception of one young woman who carries the contagion to the rest of the world beginning with a pair of unsuspecting construction workers. Aside from the aforementioned double-billing this intense well-made exploitation item is also notorious for being one of the first to receive an "X" from the MPAA solely for its graphic violence.
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The top half of a legendary drive - in double bill , paired by distributor Jerry Gross with the re - titled 1964 clunker I Eat Your Skin ( formerly Voodoo Blood Bath ), this outrageously gory film involves the escapades of a group of devil - worshipping hippies looking for kicks in a small rural town. To this end , they manage to slip a few tabs of LSD to an elderly man -- triggering a fatal freak - out -- and the man's teenage grandson exacts a vicious revenge by selling the hippies meat pies injected with the blood of a rabid dog. Before long , the infected kids are leaping at each other's throats in a cannibal feeding frenzy , spreading the disease like wildfire through the small community. Blood and body parts fly in all directions until nearly the entire cast has been devoured -- with the exception of one young woman who carries the contagion to the rest of the world , beginning with a pair of unsuspecting construction workers. Aside from the aforementioned double - billing , this intense , well - made exploitation item is also notorious for being one of the first to receive an "X" from the MPAA solely for its graphic violence.
1488
Incest necrophilia and Joe Dallesandro? It must be Andy Warhol. Warhol did indeed co-produce this 1973 schlock spectacular -- originally presented in 3D -- that was directed by Factory fave Paul Morrissey. Starring Udo Kier in the role of "Ze Baron" Flesh for Frankenstein is a horror story for a new 'n' lewd generation. This time around the mad scientist has created the nymphomaniacally-inclined Adam and Eve whose mission it is to spawn a new race. Along for the ride --somewhat literally -- is a lusty stable boy (Dallesandro) who main duty it is to entertain the Baron's equally lusty wife/sister. Sex gore unconvincing bat attacks and the highest camp this side of the Appalachian Trail combine for a dizzyingly outrageous midnight movie. Flesh for Frankenstein got a second chance at life when it was screened at the 2002 Philadelphia Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival.
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Incest , necrophilia , and Joe Dallesandro ? It must be Andy Warhol . Warhol did indeed co - produce this 1973 schlock spectacular -- originally presented in 3D -- that was directed by Factory fave Paul Morrissey . Starring Udo Kier in the role of "Ze Baron , " Flesh for Frankenstein is a horror story for a new 'n' lewd generation. This time around , the mad scientist has created the nymphomaniacally - inclined Adam and Eve , whose mission it is to spawn a new race. Along for the ride -- somewhat literally -- is a lusty stable boy ( Dallesandro ) who main duty it is to entertain the Baron's equally lusty wife / sister. Sex , gore , unconvincing bat attacks , and the highest camp this side of the Appalachian Trail combine for a dizzyingly outrageous midnight movie. Flesh for Frankenstein got a second chance at life when it was screened at the 2002 Philadelphia Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival.
1489
After forays into film noir thrillers dramas and even documentaries director John Dahl tries the teen horror genre on for size. Paul Walker stars as Lewis Thomas a college freshman embarking on a cross-country road trip during summer break to pick up his girlfriend Venna (Leelee Sobieski). Along for the ride is Lewis' brother Fuller (Steve Zahn) a practical joker who uses the car's CB radio to play a cruel prank on a lonely trucker known only by the handle Rusty Nail. The victim of Fuller's gag turns out to be a psychotic murderer and soon the brothers are being pursued by the relentless stalker who gets his revenge in gruesome fashion. Joy Ride which co-stars Matthew Kimbrough was produced under the working title "Squelch."
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After forays into film noir , thrillers , dramas , and even documentaries , director John Dahl tries the teen horror genre on for size. Paul Walker stars as Lewis Thomas , a college freshman embarking on a cross - country road trip during summer break to pick up his girlfriend Venna ( Leelee Sobieski ) . Along for the ride is Lewis' brother Fuller ( Steve Zahn ), a practical joker who uses the car's CB radio to play a cruel prank on a lonely trucker known only by the handle Rusty Nail. The victim of Fuller's gag turns out to be a psychotic murderer and soon the brothers are being pursued by the relentless stalker , who gets his revenge in gruesome fashion. Joy Ride , which co - stars Matthew Kimbrough , was produced under the working title "Squelch."
1490
Claude Chabrol directed this well-crafted thriller which recalls the style and themes of his best-known work of the 1960s. Marie-Claire "Mika" Muller (Isabelle Huppert) who has inherited control of a large and successful Swiss chocolate company remarries well-known musician André Polonski (Jacques Dutronc) to whom she was briefly wed 18 years ago. After their divorce André married a woman named Lisabeth and they had a son Guillaume (Rodolphe Pauly) whom André was left to raise alone after Lisabeth's death in an auto accident. One of André's favorite stories is how Guillaume was almost exchanged for another baby at the hospital shortly after he was born; one day André receives a visit from a young woman named Jeanne (Anna Mouglalis) who claims to be the other child. Jeanne and André soon find they have a remarkable amount in common and that Jeanne bears a striking resemblance to the late Lisabeth. Jeanne is beginning to wonder if there's something no one has ever told her when Mika gives her a thermos of special hot chocolate as a nightcap which she then spills all over Jeanne. Jeanne's boyfriend Axel (Mathieu Simonet) facetiously suggests that the cocoa might be poisoned and out of curiosity he tests it finding that it has indeed been laced with a sedative notorious for its use in cases of date rape. Merci Pour le Chocolat is based on a novel by American crime novelist Charlotte Armstrong.
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Claude Chabrol directed this well - crafted thriller , which recalls the style and themes of his best - known work of the 1960s. Marie - Claire "Mika" Muller ( Isabelle Huppert ), who has inherited control of a large and successful Swiss chocolate company , remarries well - known musician André Polonski ( Jacques Dutronc ), to whom she was briefly wed 18 years ago. After their divorce , André married a woman named Lisabeth and they had a son , Guillaume ( Rodolphe Pauly ), whom André was left to raise alone after Lisabeth's death in an auto accident. One of André's favorite stories is how Guillaume was almost exchanged for another baby at the hospital shortly after he was born ; one day André receives a visit from a young woman named Jeanne ( Anna Mouglalis ), who claims to be the other child. Jeanne and André soon find they have a remarkable amount in common , and that Jeanne bears a striking resemblance to the late Lisabeth. Jeanne is beginning to wonder if there's something no one has ever told her when Mika gives her a thermos of special hot chocolate as a nightcap , which she then spills all over Jeanne. Jeanne's boyfriend , Axel ( Mathieu Simonet ), facetiously suggests that the cocoa might be poisoned , and out of curiosity , he tests it , finding that it has indeed been laced with a sedative notorious for its use in cases of date rape. Merci Pour le Chocolat is based on a novel by American crime novelist Charlotte Armstrong .
1491
Dominik Moll directs this black comedy about a family outing gone to hell. The film opens with Michel (Laurent Lucas) and Claire (Mathilde Seigner) on the edge of a nervous breakdown in a cramped hot car with three screaming children. At a roadside rest stop Michel meets Harry (Sergi Lopez) who after some encouragement recalls that they went to high school together. Harry and his girlfriend Plum (Sophie Guillemin) weasel their way into Michel and Claire's life and soon the two are following the haggard family to their tumbledown summer cottage. Though he seems friendly enough Michel and Claire start to notice that something is not quite right with their newfound friend -- he recites from memory a poem Michel wrote 20 years ago he suddenly buys them an expensive new Jeep when their old car dies and he has a tendency to kill people who get on his nerves. This film was screened in competition at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival.
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Dominik Moll directs this black comedy about a family outing gone to hell. The film opens with Michel ( Laurent Lucas ) and Claire ( Mathilde Seigner ) on the edge of a nervous breakdown in a cramped hot car with three screaming children. At a roadside rest stop , Michel meets Harry ( Sergi Lopez ) who , after some encouragement , recalls that they went to high school together. Harry and his girlfriend Plum ( Sophie Guillemin ) weasel their way into Michel and Claire's life , and soon the two are following the haggard family to their tumbledown summer cottage. Though he seems friendly enough , Michel and Claire start to notice that something is not quite right with their newfound friend -- he recites from memory a poem Michel wrote 20 years ago , he suddenly buys them an expensive new Jeep when their old car dies , and he has a tendency to kill people who get on his nerves. This film was screened in competition at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival.
1492
F. Gary Gray directed this suspenseful action thriller based on a real case experienced by police in St. Louis. The James DeMonaco/Kevin Fox screenplay follows an accused man who is forced to commit crimes in order to prove himself innocent of murder. After Chicago police hostage negotiator Danny Roman (Samuel L. Jackson) succeeds in rescuing a little girl menaced by her gun-wielding dad he's praised by both the police department and the media and he returns to his usual cop routines with his longtime partner promising his new wife Karen (Regina Taylor) he'll make it home for dinner every night. Then his partner who had evidence of embezzlement within the police department is killed. Since Danny arrives at the crime scene only seconds later he's the main suspect and Chief Al Travis (John Spencer) asks him to turn in his gun and badge. Danny invades the Chicago Internal Affairs Division headquarters and tries to get the truth from Inspector Terence Niebaum (J.T. Walsh) while holding two assistants and Commander Frost (Ron Rifkin) as hostages. He then calls for an outsider from another precinct hostage negotiator Chris Sabian (Kevin Spacey). When Sabian arrives the two compete for control while Danny attempts to prove to him that he's been falsely accused. The film is dedicated to J.T. Walsh who died not long after the production wrapped.
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F. Gary Gray directed this suspenseful action thriller based on a real case experienced by police in St. Louis. The James DeMonaco / Kevin Fox screenplay follows an accused man who is forced to commit crimes in order to prove himself innocent of murder. After Chicago police hostage negotiator Danny Roman ( Samuel L. Jackson ) succeeds in rescuing a little girl menaced by her gun - wielding dad , he's praised by both the police department and the media , and he returns to his usual cop routines with his longtime partner , promising his new wife Karen ( Regina Taylor ) he'll make it home for dinner every night. Then his partner , who had evidence of embezzlement within the police department , is killed. Since Danny arrives at the crime scene only seconds later , he's the main suspect , and Chief Al Travis ( John Spencer ) asks him to turn in his gun and badge. Danny invades the Chicago Internal Affairs Division headquarters and tries to get the truth from Inspector Terence Niebaum ( J.T. Walsh ) while holding two assistants and Commander Frost ( Ron Rifkin ) as hostages. He then calls for an outsider from another precinct , hostage negotiator Chris Sabian ( Kevin Spacey ) . When Sabian arrives , the two compete for control , while Danny attempts to prove to him that he's been falsely accused. The film is dedicated to J.T. Walsh , who died not long after the production wrapped.
1493
This thriller takes place in Blue Bay Florida where social-climbing guidance counselor Sam Lombardo (Matt Dillon) is indifferent to teen-socialite Kelly Van Ryan (Denise Richards) who retaliates by accusing him of rape an accusation that leads to his suspension by the school and a rejection from the country club. He can't afford a big attorney so he hires shrewd Ken Bowden (Bill Murray) while Kelly's mom Sandra Van Ryan (Theresa Russell) Sam's former lover gets a platoon of top lawyers. Trailer-trash Suzie Toller (Neve Campbell) backs up Kelly's claim and additional plot twists and turns develop. The seldom-seen Carrie Snodgrass (Diary of a Mad Housewife) has a supporting role in this film.
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This thriller takes place in Blue Bay , Florida , where social - climbing guidance counselor Sam Lombardo ( Matt Dillon ) is indifferent to teen - socialite Kelly Van Ryan ( Denise Richards ), who retaliates by accusing him of rape , an accusation that leads to his suspension by the school and a rejection from the country club. He can't afford a big attorney , so he hires shrewd Ken Bowden ( Bill Murray ), while Kelly's mom , Sandra Van Ryan ( Theresa Russell ), Sam's former lover , gets a platoon of top lawyers. Trailer - trash Suzie Toller ( Neve Campbell ) backs up Kelly's claim and additional plot twists and turns develop. The seldom - seen Carrie Snodgrass ( Diary of a Mad Housewife ) has a supporting role in this film.
1494
Writer-director David Mamet crafted this unusual Hitchcockian thriller in which no one is who they appear to be. Campbell Scott is Joe Ross who has just created a "process" that stands to make his company and his boss Klein (Ben Gazzara) millions of dollars. At a clandestine meeting in the Caribbean Ross discusses the details of the process with company executives. There purely by chance or so he believes he meets the wealthy enigmatic Jimmy Dell (Steve Martin) and the two strike up an unusual friendship. Dell informs Ross that he's naïve to believe that his company will fairly compensate him for his valuable work. Upon returning home Ross becomes paranoid that Dell is right and he takes steps to protect his invention becoming unsure if he can trust Klein or even his own love-struck assistant (Rebecca Pidgeon). When Ross discovers that Dell has lied to him about his identity he contacts the FBI -- he then finds himself set up as a murder suspect who learns almost too late to trust no one. The title of the film refers not to any of the characters but to a classic con artist's scam.
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Writer - director David Mamet crafted this unusual , Hitchcockian thriller in which no one is who they appear to be. Campbell Scott is Joe Ross , who has just created a "process" that stands to make his company and his boss , Klein ( Ben Gazzara ), millions of dollars. At a clandestine meeting in the Caribbean , Ross discusses the details of the process with company executives. There , purely by chance , or so he believes , he meets the wealthy , enigmatic Jimmy Dell ( Steve Martin ), and the two strike up an unusual friendship. Dell informs Ross that he's naïve to believe that his company will fairly compensate him for his valuable work. Upon returning home , Ross becomes paranoid that Dell is right , and he takes steps to protect his invention , becoming unsure if he can trust Klein or even his own love - struck assistant ( Rebecca Pidgeon ) . When Ross discovers that Dell has lied to him about his identity , he contacts the FBI -- he then finds himself set up as a murder suspect who learns , almost too late , to trust no one. The title of the film refers not to any of the characters but to a classic con artist's scam.
1495
In this suspense thriller a man discovers the unexpected danger of trusting a good Samaritan. Jeff Taylor (Kurt Russell) and his wife Amy (Kathleen Quinlan) are driving through the New Mexico desert en route to California when an incident with a lunatic driver causes their jeep to break down in the middle of nowhere. Jeff is trying to fix the vehicle when an apparently friendly truck driver Red Barr (J.T. Walsh) stops by to offer help. Red tells the couple that there's a diner a few miles down the road where they can call for help; Jeff decides to stay with the car while Amy hops a ride with Red to see if she can find a mechanic to help them. After a long wait Jeff is able to get the jeep running again and he discovers that the diner is indeed a few miles down the road. But everyone there claims they've seen no sign of Amy and Red claims to know nothing about picking her up. When Jeff attempts to file a missing person's report he discovers mysterious disappearances are disturbingly common in this stretch of the desert; he soon realizes that someone has kidnapped his wife but he's not sure who or for what purpose.
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In this suspense thriller , a man discovers the unexpected danger of trusting a good Samaritan. Jeff Taylor ( Kurt Russell ) and his wife Amy ( Kathleen Quinlan ) are driving through the New Mexico desert en route to California when an incident with a lunatic driver causes their jeep to break down in the middle of nowhere. Jeff is trying to fix the vehicle when an apparently friendly truck driver , Red Barr ( J.T. Walsh ), stops by to offer help. Red tells the couple that there's a diner a few miles down the road where they can call for help ; Jeff decides to stay with the car while Amy hops a ride with Red to see if she can find a mechanic to help them. After a long wait , Jeff is able to get the jeep running again , and he discovers that the diner is indeed a few miles down the road. But everyone there claims they've seen no sign of Amy , and Red claims to know nothing about picking her up. When Jeff attempts to file a missing person's report , he discovers mysterious disappearances are disturbingly common in this stretch of the desert ; he soon realizes that someone has kidnapped his wife , but he's not sure who , or for what purpose.
1496
Corey (Alain Delon) is the young gun in the French underworld who has just been released from prison. Escaped convict Vogel (Gian-Maria Volonté) hides in the trunk of Corey's car. The two enlist the help of an alcoholic former cop (Yves Montand) for an elaborate jewelry-store robbery. Police inspector Mattei (Bourvil) whom Vogel escaped in the beginning of the film is on the case trying to recapture the criminals. He is not opposed to using blackmail techniques to get answers out of the unwilling witnesses and criminals brought in for questioning.
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Corey ( Alain Delon ) is the young gun in the French underworld who has just been released from prison. Escaped convict Vogel ( Gian - Maria Volonté ) hides in the trunk of Corey's car. The two enlist the help of an alcoholic former cop ( Yves Montand ) for an elaborate jewelry - store robbery. Police inspector Mattei ( Bourvil ) whom Vogel escaped in the beginning of the film is on the case trying to recapture the criminals. He is not opposed to using blackmail techniques to get answers out of the unwilling witnesses and criminals brought in for questioning.
1497
A mute American working on a low-budget movie runs afoul of the Russian mafia in this internationally produced thriller. Billy (Marina Zudina) a special-effects makeup artist who is unable to speak is in Moscow working on a cheapie slasher flick directed by Andy (Evan Richards) her sister's boyfriend. Late one night Billy returns to the set to pick up some equipment and stumbles on what appears to be the filming of an actual snuff film. Watching unseen as an "actress" (Olga Tolstetskaya) is bludgeoned to death before her very eyes Billy flees the set pursued by the snuff film's crew. Eventually she escapes and tells her story to her sister Karen (Fay Ripley) and Andy. The film crew convinces the police that it was simply some special effects that Billy witnessed then they start a deadly cat-and-mouse game with the hapless Americans. The intrigue soon leads Billy and her friends to "The Reaper" (Alec Guinness) the shadowy financier of an entire snuff-film underground. Director Anthony Waller's screenplay for Mute Witness began as a tale of gangsters in 1930s Chicago but he rewrote it to take advantage of Russia's analogous present-day climate -- and the country's cheap sets and labor. Unexpected problems from a diptheria epidemic to unexpected fines at the customs gate nearly sank the production. The director convinced Guinness to appear in the film several years before principal photography began; the veteran thespian was paid nothing for his scenes which were shot in a single morning in Germany.
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A mute American working on a low - budget movie runs afoul of the Russian mafia in this internationally produced thriller. Billy ( Marina Zudina ), a special - effects makeup artist who is unable to speak , is in Moscow working on a cheapie slasher flick directed by Andy ( Evan Richards ), her sister's boyfriend. Late one night , Billy returns to the set to pick up some equipment and stumbles on what appears to be the filming of an actual snuff film. Watching , unseen , as an "actress" ( Olga Tolstetskaya ) is bludgeoned to death before her very eyes , Billy flees the set , pursued by the snuff film's crew. Eventually , she escapes and tells her story to her sister , Karen ( Fay Ripley ), and Andy. The film crew convinces the police that it was simply some special effects that Billy witnessed , then they start a deadly cat - and - mouse game with the hapless Americans. The intrigue soon leads Billy and her friends to "The Reaper" ( Alec Guinness ), the shadowy financier of an entire snuff - film underground. Director Anthony Waller 's screenplay for Mute Witness began as a tale of gangsters in 1930s Chicago , but he rewrote it to take advantage of Russia's analogous present - day climate -- and the country's cheap sets and labor. Unexpected problems , from a diptheria epidemic to unexpected fines at the customs gate , nearly sank the production. The director convinced Guinness to appear in the film several years before principal photography began ; the veteran thespian was paid nothing for his scenes , which were shot in a single morning in Germany.
1498
In Blink a woman regaining her eyesight after a double cornea transplant operation glimpses the killer of her upstairs neighbor and then must fight for her life as the killer stalks her. Emma Brody (Madeline Stowe) a musician in an Irish folk-rock band was blinded as a result of childhood abuse by her mother. Her doctor Ryan Pierce (Peter Friedman) performs an operation to restore her vision but soon Emma is suffering from retroactive hallucinations in which she sees things that have happened hours or even days before. As she was the only witness to the murder her credibility soon comes into question but she is believed by Detective Hallstrom (Aidan Quinn) who has been tracking what he believes to be a serial killer. Hallstrom also believes that Emma may hold the key to the murderer's motives.
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In Blink , a woman regaining her eyesight after a double cornea transplant operation glimpses the killer of her upstairs neighbor and then must fight for her life as the killer stalks her. Emma Brody ( Madeline Stowe ), a musician in an Irish folk - rock band was blinded as a result of childhood abuse by her mother. Her doctor , Ryan Pierce ( Peter Friedman ) performs an operation to restore her vision , but soon Emma is suffering from retroactive hallucinations in which she sees things that have happened hours , or even days , before. As she was the only witness to the murder , her credibility soon comes into question , but she is believed by Detective Hallstrom ( Aidan Quinn ) who has been tracking what he believes to be a serial killer. Hallstrom also believes that Emma may hold the key to the murderer's motives.
1499
The film that has become the master work in Italian horror maestro Dario Argento's canon Deep Red holds up brilliantly despite the plethora of copycat slasher films it inspired in the years to follow. The film opens with a flashback murder shown from the perspective of a child while an eerie nursery rhyme plays. Cut to the present pianist Marc Daly (David Hemmings) witnesses the murder of a psychic while chatting with his drunken pal Carlo (Gabriele Lavia). While the police investigate Marc joins forces with attractive reporter Gianna (Daria Nicolodi). Once Marc realizes that he is a target for the killer he seeks help from Giordani (Glauco Mauri) a professor of the paranormal who soon becomes one of the killer's victims. Marc's research leads him to an abandoned house where he discovers a secret room that hides a corpse. Before he can call the cops he is knocked out and awakens to find the place in flames while Gianna holds him. Racing to the neighbors to call for help Marc discovers an important clue that leads him to a nearby school where he finally finds the killer's identity. The madman attacks him but the police arrive to save Marc. Though the case appears to be solved Marc comes to the disturbing realization that one piece of the puzzle remains.
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The film that has become the master work in Italian horror maestro Dario Argento 's canon , Deep Red holds up brilliantly despite the plethora of copycat slasher films it inspired in the years to follow. The film opens with a flashback murder shown from the perspective of a child while an eerie nursery rhyme plays. Cut to the present , pianist Marc Daly ( David Hemmings ) witnesses the murder of a psychic while chatting with his drunken pal , Carlo ( Gabriele Lavia ) . While the police investigate , Marc joins forces with attractive reporter Gianna ( Daria Nicolodi ) . Once Marc realizes that he is a target for the killer , he seeks help from Giordani ( Glauco Mauri ), a professor of the paranormal , who soon becomes one of the killer's victims. Marc's research leads him to an abandoned house where he discovers a secret room that hides a corpse. Before he can call the cops , he is knocked out and awakens to find the place in flames while Gianna holds him. Racing to the neighbors to call for help , Marc discovers an important clue that leads him to a nearby school where he finally finds the killer's identity. The madman attacks him , but the police arrive to save Marc. Though the case appears to be solved , Marc comes to the disturbing realization that one piece of the puzzle remains.
1500
On a quiet midday in New York along the Lexington Avenue subway line the train designated "Pelham One Two Three" -- so named for its station of origin and time of departure -- makes its way down the East Side of Manhattan. One by one three men board the train and at 28th Street a fourth man approaches the motorman (James Broderick) and points a pistol at him ordering him to unlock the door to his cab and admit the man waiting there; meanwhile another man points a gun at the conductor and threatens to kill him unless he holds the doors open and then closes them when the man talking to the motorman is aboard. Once on board "Mr. Blue" (Robert Shaw) and "Mr. Green" (Martin Balsam) halt the train between stations while "Mr. Brown" (Earl Hindeman) and "Mr. Gray" (Hector Elizondo) seal off the lead car. With Mr. Green at the controls the front car is separated and isolated in the tunnel with 17 passengers aboard and then Mr. Blue presents their demands over the radio: one million dollars in cash within one hour or they will start shooting one passenger each minute. On the other end Transit Police Lieutenant Zachary Garber (Walter Matthau) must overcome his initial disbelief to deal with this threat amid the confusion of a subway system that's chaotic even when it's running normally. With the mayor reluctantly aboard to pay the ransom Garber must keep the hijackers from carrying out their threat while the money is transported and keep the hotheads around him and on the police force under control -- and figure out how they intend to get away with a million dollars from inside a subway tunnel with police on all sides.
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On a quiet midday in New York , along the Lexington Avenue subway line , the train designated "Pelham One Two Three" -- so named for its station of origin and time of departure -- makes its way down the East Side of Manhattan. One by one , three men board the train , and at 28th Street , a fourth man approaches the motorman ( James Broderick ) and points a pistol at him , ordering him to unlock the door to his cab and admit the man waiting there ; meanwhile , another man points a gun at the conductor and threatens to kill him unless he holds the doors open and then closes them when the man talking to the motorman is aboard. Once on board , "Mr. Blue" ( Robert Shaw ) and "Mr. Green" ( Martin Balsam ) halt the train between stations , while "Mr. Brown" ( Earl Hindeman ) and "Mr. Gray" ( Hector Elizondo ) seal off the lead car. With Mr. Green at the controls , the front car is separated and isolated in the tunnel with 17 passengers aboard , and then Mr. Blue presents their demands over the radio : one million dollars in cash , within one hour , or they will start shooting one passenger each minute. On the other end , Transit Police Lieutenant Zachary Garber ( Walter Matthau ) must overcome his initial disbelief to deal with this threat , amid the confusion of a subway system that's chaotic even when it's running normally. With the mayor reluctantly aboard to pay the ransom , Garber must keep the hijackers from carrying out their threat while the money is transported , and keep the hotheads around him and on the police force under control -- and figure out how they intend to get away with a million dollars from inside a subway tunnel with police on all sides.
1501
Stormy Monday is a four-person character study in which style is all that matters. This tautly constructed deftly executed crime thriller is set in economically depressed Newcastle England. Sting plays Finney a relatively honest Newcastle jazz-club owner who crosses the path of crass American gangster Cosmo (Tommy Lee Jones). Flaunting his wealth at every opportunity Cosmo wants to involve Finney in a land development deal -- if only he'll give up his club. Both men are enamored of Kate (Melanie Griffith) who becomes a pawn in their ongoing one-upsmanship. Kate and her lover (Sean Bean) try to prevent Finney from corrupting his own sense of values by wallowing in the gutter with Cosmo. Stormy Monday the first feature-length directorial effort of former jazz musician Mike Figgis who also wrote the script and composed the score tells its story using subtle shadings of character and a vivid evocation of its Newcastle setting rather than through violent action. Figgis's moody direction of his excellent screenplay is quietly effective and brimming with visual nuance and irony -- particularly in its perceptive take on love money jazz and economic necessity.
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Stormy Monday is a four - person character study in which style is all that matters. This tautly constructed , deftly executed crime thriller is set in economically depressed Newcastle England. Sting plays Finney , a relatively honest Newcastle jazz - club owner who crosses the path of crass American gangster Cosmo ( Tommy Lee Jones ) . Flaunting his wealth at every opportunity , Cosmo wants to involve Finney in a land development deal -- if only he'll give up his club. Both men are enamored of Kate ( Melanie Griffith ), who becomes a pawn in their ongoing one - upsmanship. Kate and her lover ( Sean Bean ) try to prevent Finney from corrupting his own sense of values by wallowing in the gutter with Cosmo. Stormy Monday , the first feature - length directorial effort of former jazz musician Mike Figgis , who also wrote the script and composed the score , tells its story using subtle shadings of character and a vivid evocation of its Newcastle setting rather than through violent action. Figgis's moody direction of his excellent screenplay is quietly effective and brimming with visual nuance and irony -- particularly in its perceptive take on love , money , jazz , and economic necessity.
1502
In this psychological thriller a needy young woman finds fulfillment by trying to literally become her successful roommate. Attractive Manhattanite Allison Jones (Bridget Fonda) has it all: a handsome beau a rent-controlled apartment and a promising career as a fashion designer. When boyfriend Sam (Steven Weber) proves unfaithful Allison strikes out on her own but must use the classifieds to seek out a roommate in order to keep her spacious digs. In steps Hedra Carlson (Jennifer Jason Leigh) who's timid and frumpy but puppy-dog sweet. The self-centered Allison finds Hedra's eager friendship flattering but soon she grows annoyed as Hedra begins emulating everything about her. After Allison gets back with Sam and asks Hedra to please vacate the premises the pert beauty really gets to see her weird new roomie's bad side -- Hedra it seems is downright homicidal. Directed by Barbet Schroeder who wowed Hollywood with Barfly and Reversal of Fortune. Single White Female was the second screenplay from future Opposite of Sex director Don Roos.
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In this psychological thriller , a needy young woman finds fulfillment by trying to literally become her successful roommate. Attractive Manhattanite Allison Jones ( Bridget Fonda ) has it all : a handsome beau , a rent - controlled apartment , and a promising career as a fashion designer. When boyfriend Sam ( Steven Weber ) proves unfaithful , Allison strikes out on her own but must use the classifieds to seek out a roommate in order to keep her spacious digs. In steps Hedra Carlson ( Jennifer Jason Leigh ), who's timid and frumpy but puppy - dog sweet. The self - centered Allison finds Hedra's eager friendship flattering , but soon she grows annoyed as Hedra begins emulating everything about her. After Allison gets back with Sam and asks Hedra to please vacate the premises , the pert beauty really gets to see her weird new roomie's bad side -- Hedra , it seems , is downright homicidal. Directed by Barbet Schroeder , who wowed Hollywood with Barfly and Reversal of Fortune . Single White Female was the second screenplay from future Opposite of Sex director Don Roos .
1503
Miracle Mile starts conventionally enough with bashful musician Anthony Edwards going ga-ga over waitress Mare Winningham. After a pleasant if somewhat quirky day together Edwards and Winningham plan a tete-a-tete at the all-night restaurant where the girl works. While preparing to call her on a pay phone Edwards intercepts a frantic call from a soldier stationed at a Midwestern missile silo. The message: nuclear warheads have been launched and it's only 70 minutes to Armageddon! This unsettling news casts severe doubts over the future of Edwards' and Winningham's relationship.
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Miracle Mile starts conventionally enough , with bashful musician Anthony Edwards going ga - ga over waitress Mare Winningham . After a pleasant if somewhat quirky day together , Edwards and Winningham plan a tete - a - tete at the all - night restaurant where the girl works. While preparing to call her on a pay phone , Edwards intercepts a frantic call from a soldier stationed at a Midwestern missile silo. The message : nuclear warheads have been launched , and it's only 70 minutes to Armageddon! This unsettling news casts severe doubts over the future of Edwards ' and Winningham 's relationship.
1504
In this Canadian thriller Jodie Foster plays the title character a reclusive fiercely self-reliant teenager who lives alone in her father's house. When visitors call Foster explains that her father is away on business. He's away all right...far far away. And Foster determined not to lose her independence will go to any lengths to protect her secret a fact that nosy neighbor Alexis Smith learns to her regret. A new danger to Foster's well-being looms in the form of pedophile Martin Sheen who schemes to place the girl in a compromising position. Offering a helping hand to Foster is misfit teenager Mario (Scott Jacoby). Laird Koenig adapted his own novel to the screen.
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In this Canadian thriller , Jodie Foster plays the title character , a reclusive , fiercely self - reliant teenager who lives alone in her father's house. When visitors call , Foster explains that her father is away on business. He's away , all right...far , far , away. And Foster , determined not to lose her independence , will go to any lengths to protect her secret , a fact that nosy neighbor Alexis Smith learns to her regret. A new danger to Foster 's well - being looms in the form of pedophile Martin Sheen , who schemes to place the girl in a compromising position. Offering a helping hand to Foster is misfit teenager Mario ( Scott Jacoby ) . Laird Koenig adapted his own novel to the screen.
1505
In his film debut novice director John Dahl (who would later make The Last Seduction) weaves a quirky tale of love murder and deception. Jack Andrews (Val Kilmer) a seedy private detective is hired by Fay Forrester (Joanne Whalley-Kilmer) to help her fake her own death in a clever scheme to escape from her mob pursuers whom she double-crossed stealing money she had been sent to pick up and are now intent on killing her. There then ensues a series of complicated plot-twists double-crosses and surprises as Fay and Jack race each other to escape the mobsters who have found them and to get the money before the other does.
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In his film debut , novice director John Dahl ( who would later make The Last Seduction ), weaves a quirky tale of love , murder and deception. Jack Andrews ( Val Kilmer ), a seedy private detective is hired by Fay Forrester ( Joanne Whalley - Kilmer ), to help her fake her own death in a clever scheme to escape from her mob pursuers , whom she double - crossed stealing money she had been sent to pick up , and are now intent on killing her. There then ensues a series of complicated plot - twists , double - crosses and surprises as Fay and Jack race each other to escape the mobsters , who have found them , and to get the money before the other does.
1506
The Hand That Rocks the Cradle is director Curtis Hanson's suburban horror story of a demented nanny bent on revenge for past wrongs. Peyton (Rebecca De Mornay) was once a happily married woman but when her doctor husband is accused of assaulting a patient and he commits suicide her world falls apart and she plots revenge. Claire (Annabella Sciorra) the woman who made the accusation hires Peyton as a nanny not knowing of their past involvement. Peyton then proceeds to terrorize the family attempts to seduce the husband and generally destroy Claire as she feels she has been destroyed. The film while somewhat implausible is saved by the strong performances of Sciorra and De Mornay. Rebecca De Mornay has not given such a good performance since Risky Business and she manages to make Peyton both believable frightening and sympathetic. De Mornay has many great moments but the scene where she slowly destroys a bathroom in her impotent rage is unbelievably powerful. Hanson a superb director of thrillers manages to bring all the elements together to make The Hand that Rocks the Cradle a frightening psychological thriller and an interesting look at a woman's obsessive hatred and envy.
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The Hand That Rocks the Cradle is director Curtis Hanson 's suburban horror story of a demented nanny bent on revenge for past wrongs. Peyton ( Rebecca De Mornay ) was once a happily married woman , but when her doctor husband is accused of assaulting a patient and he commits suicide , her world falls apart and she plots revenge. Claire ( Annabella Sciorra ), the woman who made the accusation , hires Peyton as a nanny , not knowing of their past involvement. Peyton then proceeds to terrorize the family , attempts to seduce the husband and generally destroy Claire as she feels she has been destroyed. The film , while somewhat implausible , is saved by the strong performances of Sciorra and De Mornay. Rebecca De Mornay has not given such a good performance since Risky Business , and she manages to make Peyton both believable , frightening and sympathetic. De Mornay has many great moments , but the scene , where she slowly destroys a bathroom in her impotent rage is unbelievably powerful. Hanson , a superb director of thrillers , manages to bring all the elements together to make The Hand that Rocks the Cradle a frightening psychological thriller and an interesting look at a woman's obsessive hatred and envy.
1507
Alfred Hitchcock entered the 1970s with his commercial reputation virtually in tatters a far cry from his stature at the start of the 1960s. Then he'd been in the middle of the massively successful trio of movies North by Northwest Psycho and The Birds and was a ubiquitous presence on television thanks to his anthology series Alfred Hitchcock Presents -- but the series ended and he'd suffered three expensive box-office failures in a row Marnie Torn Curtain and Topaz in the second half of the 1960s. He redeemed himself with Frenzy however which marked his return not only to England for the first time in 20 years but also to the subject matter with which he'd started his career in thrillers back in 1926 -- murder and a hunt for a serial killer in London. As the latest female victim of the "Necktie Murderer" is found in the Thames raped and strangled we meet Richard Blaney (Jon Finch) a bitter belligerent ex-Royal Air Force officer who can't seem to find his way in life. He drinks too much and holds grudges too easily and has an explosive temper which is very near the surface as he's just lost his job. We also meet his girlfriend a barmaid (Anna Massey); his ex-wife a professional matchmaker (Barbara Leigh-Hunt); and his best friend Covent Garden fruit seller Bob Rusk (Barry Foster). Their connection to the necktie murders will be clear to us in the first 30 minutes of the movie and not coincidentally completely misinterpreted by the police as Chief Inspector Oxford (Alec McCowan) and his men tighten a circle around the wrong man who rapidly runs out of options and allies. The chase and suspense are classic Hitchcock favorably recalling a dozen of his earlier movies from The Lodger and The 39 Steps through Saboteur and Spellbound to Dial M for Murder and North by Northwest with some new twists and the added energy afforded by the extensive use of actual London locations. There's also a good deal more sex and nudity here than Hitchcock was ever allowed to use in his earlier movies owing to the relaxation of "decency" standards that had taken place in the years leading up to this production. The suspense derives from multiple interlocking and overlapping layers of uncertainty -- when will each of the two men suspect and murderer slip? (And which will slip first?) When and how will the police realize their mistake and will it be in time to save the innocent man? Amid the straightforward storytelling and thriller elements Hitchcock manages to slip in a few bravura cinematic moments the best of them a pullback shot down a flight of stairs into a busy street as the killer invites his next victim into his home as well as a scene aboard a truck with a murderer desperately wrestling with a corpse hidden in a sack of potatoes. Frenzy was adapted from Arthur La Bern's novel Goodbye Picadilly Farewell Leicester Square by mystery aficionado Anthony Shaffer but for all of that and its decidedly modern trappings of sex and violence it bears the indelible stylistic stamp of Alfred Hitchcock.
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Alfred Hitchcock entered the 1970s with his commercial reputation virtually in tatters , a far cry from his stature at the start of the 1960s. Then , he'd been in the middle of the massively successful trio of movies , North by Northwest , Psycho , and The Birds , and was a ubiquitous presence on television thanks to his anthology series Alfred Hitchcock Presents -- but the series ended , and he'd suffered three expensive box - office failures in a row , Marnie , Torn Curtain , and Topaz , in the second half of the 1960s. He redeemed himself with Frenzy , however , which marked his return not only to England for the first time in 20 years but also to the subject matter with which he'd started his career in thrillers back in 1926 -- murder , and a hunt for a serial killer in London. As the latest female victim of the "Necktie Murderer" is found in the Thames , raped and strangled , we meet Richard Blaney ( Jon Finch ), a bitter , belligerent ex - Royal Air Force officer who can't seem to find his way in life. He drinks too much and holds grudges too easily , and has an explosive temper , which is very near the surface as he's just lost his job. We also meet his girlfriend , a barmaid ( Anna Massey ); his ex - wife , a professional matchmaker ( Barbara Leigh - Hunt ); and his best friend , Covent Garden fruit seller Bob Rusk ( Barry Foster ) . Their connection to the necktie murders will be clear to us in the first 30 minutes of the movie and , not coincidentally , completely misinterpreted by the police , as Chief Inspector Oxford ( Alec McCowan ) and his men tighten a circle around the wrong man , who rapidly runs out of options and allies. The chase and suspense are classic Hitchcock , favorably recalling a dozen of his earlier movies , from The Lodger and The 39 Steps through Saboteur and Spellbound to Dial M for Murder and North by Northwest , with some new twists and the added energy afforded by the extensive use of actual London locations. There's also a good deal more sex and nudity here than Hitchcock was ever allowed to use in his earlier movies , owing to the relaxation of "decency" standards that had taken place in the years leading up to this production. The suspense derives from multiple interlocking and overlapping layers of uncertainty -- when will each of the two men , suspect and murderer , slip? ( And which will slip first? ) When and how will the police realize their mistake , and will it be in time to save the innocent man? Amid the straightforward storytelling and thriller elements , Hitchcock manages to slip in a few bravura cinematic moments , the best of them a pullback shot down a flight of stairs into a busy street as the killer invites his next victim into his home , as well as a scene aboard a truck , with a murderer desperately wrestling with a corpse hidden in a sack of potatoes. Frenzy was adapted from Arthur La Bern 's novel Goodbye Picadilly , Farewell Leicester Square by mystery aficionado Anthony Shaffer , but for all of that and its decidedly modern trappings of sex and violence , it bears the indelible stylistic stamp of Alfred Hitchcock .
1508
Following the disastrous Pirates (1986) director Roman Polanski got back on creative track with this finely-wrought thriller that while failing to impress at the box office was nevertheless his most critically well-received film of the decade. Harrison Ford stars as Richard Walker an American doctor who has come to Paris where he's scheduled to deliver a paper to a medical conference. Richard has brought along his wife Sondra (Betty Buckley) because Paris was the site of their honeymoon 20 years earlier. Sondra picks up the wrong suitcase at the airport which leads to her kidnapping and an ever-more complicated quest that takes Richard into the seedy and dangerous underworld of European drug smuggling and terrorist arms sales. Along the way he is rebuffed by skeptical officials at the American Embassy and meets Michelle (Emmanuelle Seigner) a sexy courier who agrees to help him in exchange for the money she's owed for trafficking in narcotics. Playing cleverly on American fears about Europe's Byzantine politics and "decadent" society Frantic received from many observers perhaps the greatest compliment possible for a thriller comparison to the work of Alfred Hitchcock.
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Following the disastrous Pirates ( 1986 ), director Roman Polanski got back on creative track with this finely - wrought thriller that , while failing to impress at the box office , was nevertheless his most critically well - received film of the decade. Harrison Ford stars as Richard Walker , an American doctor who has come to Paris , where he's scheduled to deliver a paper to a medical conference. Richard has brought along his wife Sondra ( Betty Buckley ), because Paris was the site of their honeymoon 20 years earlier. Sondra picks up the wrong suitcase at the airport , which leads to her kidnapping and an ever - more complicated quest that takes Richard into the seedy and dangerous underworld of European drug smuggling and terrorist arms sales. Along the way , he is rebuffed by skeptical officials at the American Embassy and meets Michelle ( Emmanuelle Seigner ), a sexy courier who agrees to help him in exchange for the money she's owed for trafficking in narcotics. Playing cleverly on American fears about Europe's Byzantine politics and "decadent" society , Frantic received , from many observers , perhaps the greatest compliment possible for a thriller , comparison to the work of Alfred Hitchcock .
1509
As he did in his screenplay for Silver Streak (1974) writer/director Colin Higgins mixes life-and-death melodrama with broad slapstick in Foul Play. Goldie Hawn stars as Gloria Mundy a recent divorcée whose attempts to start life anew in San Francisco are bollixed up when she is inadvertently swept up in an assassination plot against the Pope. Offering sometimes dubious aid and comfort to Gloria is bumbling federal agent Tony Carlson (Chevy Chase). The film's comedy ranges from the farcical seduction efforts by musician Stanley Tibbets (Dudley Moore) to the zany gag-filled car-chase finale. Foul Play features character actors Rachel Roberts and Eugene Roche as villains Burgess Meredith as a martial arts-happy landlord and Billy Barty as a long-suffering religious bookseller. It also packs in a memorable "throwaway" gag involving a profane Scrabble game played by sweet little old ladies Queenie Smith and Hope Summers.
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As he did in his screenplay for Silver Streak ( 1974 ), writer / director Colin Higgins mixes life - and - death melodrama with broad slapstick in Foul Play . Goldie Hawn stars as Gloria Mundy , a recent divorcée whose attempts to start life anew in San Francisco are bollixed up when she is inadvertently swept up in an assassination plot against the Pope. Offering sometimes dubious aid and comfort to Gloria is bumbling federal agent Tony Carlson ( Chevy Chase ) . The film's comedy ranges from the farcical seduction efforts by musician Stanley Tibbets ( Dudley Moore ) to the zany , gag - filled car - chase finale. Foul Play features character actors Rachel Roberts and Eugene Roche as villains , Burgess Meredith as a martial arts - happy landlord , and Billy Barty as a long - suffering religious bookseller. It also packs in a memorable "throwaway" gag involving a profane Scrabble game played by sweet little old ladies Queenie Smith and Hope Summers .
1510
A man who simulates death for a living finds himself unwittingly tied into the real thing in this New York-based suspense drama. Special-effects man Rollie Tyler (Bryan Brown) makes his living simulating gory mayhem and photogenic violence for movies such as "I Dismember Mama." Tyler is given a chance to expand his professional horizons when he's approached by Lipton (Cliff De Young) who introduces himself as an FBI agent and makes an unusual proposal. Mob kingpin Nicholas DeFranco (Jerry Orbach) is willing to testify against his fellow gangsters but the investigators are worried about his safety. Lipton wants Tyler to help him and his staff fake DeFranco's assassination; if everyone is convinced DeFranco is dead people will be a lot less likely to look for him. Tyler grudgingly takes the assignment and while he's able to realistically simulate DeFranco being shot in a crowded restaurant after the "gag" he discovers that he's been double-crossed and he's wanted for the murder of the man he just "shot." Tyler hides out with his girlfriend Ellen (Diane Venora) but he realizes that whoever set him up wants him dead after she's killed by a bullet meant for him. With the help of fellow effects artist Andy (Martha Gehman) Tyler goes underground and tries to unravel the truth behind the Lipton murder. Meanwhile police detective Leo McCarthy (Brian Dennehy) is convinced that something is not right when he's called to the scene of DeFranco's murder and is certain that the dead body is not the gangster. F/X was followed by a sequel and later a short-lived TV series.
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A man who simulates death for a living finds himself unwittingly tied into the real thing in this New York - based suspense drama. Special - effects man Rollie Tyler ( Bryan Brown ) makes his living simulating gory mayhem and photogenic violence for movies such as "I Dismember Mama." Tyler is given a chance to expand his professional horizons when he's approached by Lipton ( Cliff De Young ), who introduces himself as an FBI agent and makes an unusual proposal. Mob kingpin Nicholas DeFranco ( Jerry Orbach ) is willing to testify against his fellow gangsters , but the investigators are worried about his safety. Lipton wants Tyler to help him and his staff fake DeFranco's assassination ; if everyone is convinced DeFranco is dead , people will be a lot less likely to look for him. Tyler grudgingly takes the assignment , and while he's able to realistically simulate DeFranco being shot in a crowded restaurant , after the "gag , " he discovers that he's been double - crossed , and he's wanted for the murder of the man he just "shot." Tyler hides out with his girlfriend , Ellen ( Diane Venora ), but he realizes that whoever set him up wants him dead after she's killed by a bullet meant for him. With the help of fellow effects artist Andy ( Martha Gehman ), Tyler goes underground and tries to unravel the truth behind the Lipton murder. Meanwhile , police detective Leo McCarthy ( Brian Dennehy ) is convinced that something is not right when he's called to the scene of DeFranco's murder and is certain that the dead body is not the gangster. F / X was followed by a sequel , and later a short - lived TV series.
1511
Fresh off the success of Breaking Away(1979) writer Steve Tesich and director Peter Yates re-team on a thriller starring a young William Hurt as a janitor infatuated with television reporter Sigourney Weaver. When she arrives at his building to interview the tenants about a murder that's occurred on the premises the janitor having discovered the body implies that he knows more than he's saying in order to keep the newswoman interested. Although he reveals nothing more she does become interested in him and when her nefarious aristocratic boyfriend (Christopher Plummer) learns from the unwitting woman that there's someone with knowledge of the murder he's more concerned about what Hurt might know than about her relationship with him. Meanwhile his paranoid loose cannon of a friend James Woods has managed to get himself incriminated although he had no involvement in the case. Hurt and Weaver continue to investigate the murder together and as they become more closely entwined both of their lives are put in jeopardy.
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Fresh off the success of Breaking Away ( 1979 ), writer Steve Tesich and director Peter Yates re - team on a thriller starring a young William Hurt as a janitor infatuated with television reporter Sigourney Weaver . When she arrives at his building to interview the tenants about a murder that's occurred on the premises , the janitor , having discovered the body , implies that he knows more than he's saying in order to keep the newswoman interested. Although he reveals nothing more , she does become interested in him , and when her nefarious aristocratic boyfriend ( Christopher Plummer ) learns from the unwitting woman that there's someone with knowledge of the murder , he's more concerned about what Hurt might know than about her relationship with him. Meanwhile , his paranoid , loose cannon of a friend James Woods has managed to get himself incriminated , although he had no involvement in the case. Hurt and Weaver continue to investigate the murder together , and as they become more closely entwined , both of their lives are put in jeopardy.
1512
The true-life horror story of Jack the Ripper gets a new spin in this screen adaptation of the acclaimed graphic novel by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell. In 1888 a ruthless and cold-blooded killer begins hunting prostitutes in East London and while the murderer's work is savage the mutilation of his victims suggests the fiend has an extensive medical background. Amidst a background of political unrest and barely contained scandal among the royal family the murderer's grisly exploits shock and frighten all of England and one of Scotland Yard's top inspectors Fred Abberline (Johnny Depp) is put on the case along with his partner Peter Godley (Robbie Coltrane). Abberline depending on one's viewpoint is either blessed or cursed with second sight and while he blurs his ability to see future events with opium and other drugs he still has an uncanny ability to ferret out dangerous criminals which is put to the test as he and Godley search for the Ripper. As Abberline and Godley investigate the neighborhood where the crimes occur they become acquainted with the prostitutes and street people who were friends and compatriots of the victims and Abberline finds himself falling in love with Mary Kelly (Heather Graham) a beautiful Irish streetwalker. As Abberline tries to identify the killer before Mary Kelly can become the next victim he and Godley have to contend with Sir Charles Warren (Ian Richardson) their superior who is keen to pin the murders on a culprit who isn't British and Sir William Gull (Ian Holm) a respected physician who has his own ideas about the murders and the benefits of psychosurgery. From Hell marked a change of pace for Albert Hughes and Allen Hughes the sibling directorial team best known for their gritty depictions of America's urban underground in such films as Menace II Society and Dead Presidents.
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The true - life horror story of Jack the Ripper gets a new spin in this screen adaptation of the acclaimed graphic novel by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell . In 1888 , a ruthless and cold - blooded killer begins hunting prostitutes in East London , and while the murderer's work is savage , the mutilation of his victims suggests the fiend has an extensive medical background. Amidst a background of political unrest and barely contained scandal among the royal family , the murderer's grisly exploits shock and frighten all of England , and one of Scotland Yard's top inspectors , Fred Abberline ( Johnny Depp ), is put on the case , along with his partner , Peter Godley ( Robbie Coltrane ) . Abberline , depending on one's viewpoint , is either blessed or cursed with second sight , and while he blurs his ability to see future events with opium and other drugs , he still has an uncanny ability to ferret out dangerous criminals , which is put to the test as he and Godley search for the Ripper. As Abberline and Godley investigate the neighborhood where the crimes occur , they become acquainted with the prostitutes and street people who were friends and compatriots of the victims , and Abberline finds himself falling in love with Mary Kelly ( Heather Graham ), a beautiful Irish streetwalker. As Abberline tries to identify the killer before Mary Kelly can become the next victim , he and Godley have to contend with Sir Charles Warren ( Ian Richardson ), their superior who is keen to pin the murders on a culprit who isn't British , and Sir William Gull ( Ian Holm ), a respected physician who has his own ideas about the murders and the benefits of psychosurgery. From Hell marked a change of pace for Albert Hughes and Allen Hughes , the sibling directorial team best known for their gritty depictions of America's urban underground in such films as Menace II Society and Dead Presidents .
1513
Two very different policemen seeking the truth about separate crimes find a terrible common link in this thriller from France. Pierre Niemans (Jean Reno) is a noted French detective assigned to investigate a brutal murder at a prestigious college located high in the Alps; the victim was first disfigured and dismembered then strangled to death. Niemans soon realizes the murder was not an isolated incident when several similarly mangled corpses are discovered. Meanwhile in a town 150 miles away a young police investigator Max Kerkerian (Vincent Cassel) is called in to investigate when the grave of a ten-year-old girl is dug up and ransacked. While interviewing the mother (Dominique Sanda) of the young girl he crosses paths with Niemans whose investigation has led him to the same town and the two men begin to realize a surprising and troubling link between the crimes.
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Two very different policemen seeking the truth about separate crimes find a terrible common link in this thriller from France. Pierre Niemans ( Jean Reno ) is a noted French detective assigned to investigate a brutal murder at a prestigious college located high in the Alps ; the victim was first disfigured and dismembered , then strangled to death. Niemans soon realizes the murder was not an isolated incident when several similarly mangled corpses are discovered. Meanwhile , in a town 150 miles away , a young police investigator , Max Kerkerian ( Vincent Cassel ), is called in to investigate when the grave of a ten - year - old girl is dug up and ransacked. While interviewing the mother ( Dominique Sanda ) of the young girl , he crosses paths with Niemans , whose investigation has led him to the same town , and the two men begin to realize a surprising and troubling link between the crimes.
1514
Actor Bruce Willis and writer/director M. Night Shyamalan reunite after the surprise success of The Sixth Sense for this supernatural thriller. David Dunne (Willis) is taking a train from New York City back home to Philadelphia after a job interview that didn't go well when his car jumps the tracks and collides with an oncoming engine with David the only survivor among the 131 passengers on board. Astoundingly David is not only alive he hardly seems to have been touched. As David wonders what has happened to him and why he was able to walk away he encounters a mysterious stranger Elijah Prince (Samuel L. Jackson) who explains to David that there are a certain number of people who are "unbreakable" -- they have remarkable endurance and courage a predisposition toward dangerous behavior and feel invincible but also have strange premonitions of terrible events. Is David "unbreakable"? And if he is what are the physical and psychological ramifications of this knowledge? Unbreakable also stars Robin Wright-Penn as Audrey David's wife; the supporting cast includes Spencer Treat Clark and Joey Perillo.
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Actor Bruce Willis and writer / director M. Night Shyamalan reunite after the surprise success of The Sixth Sense for this supernatural thriller. David Dunne ( Willis ) is taking a train from New York City back home to Philadelphia after a job interview that didn't go well when his car jumps the tracks and collides with an oncoming engine , with David the only survivor among the 131 passengers on board. Astoundingly , David is not only alive , he hardly seems to have been touched. As David wonders what has happened to him and why he was able to walk away , he encounters a mysterious stranger , Elijah Prince ( Samuel L. Jackson ), who explains to David that there are a certain number of people who are "unbreakable" -- they have remarkable endurance and courage , a predisposition toward dangerous behavior , and feel invincible but also have strange premonitions of terrible events. Is David "unbreakable"? And if he is , what are the physical and psychological ramifications of this knowledge? Unbreakable also stars Robin Wright - Penn as Audrey , David's wife ; the supporting cast includes Spencer Treat Clark and Joey Perillo .
1515
illed as Full Metal Jacket meets Heat meets Nikita Kang Je Gyu directs this wildly popular action-thriller about tensions between North and South Korea. The film opens with agents in North Korean spy school T19 engaged in an unbelievably difficult rigorous training regime. The school's fanatically committed leader Park Mu Young (Choi Min Sik) singles out the beautiful and sinewy Lee Bang Hee (Kim Yun Jin) an ace student and a deadeye shot for a top-secret mission. A couple of years later South Korean intelligence agents are baffled by a spate of murders of scientists working on a top-secret defense project. Agents Yu Jong Won (Han Suk Kyu) and Lee Jang Gil (Song Kang Ho) suspect the North Korean Lee but cannot locate her. One day Yu finally spots Lee Bang Hee icing an arms dealer with a sniper rifle. At the same time North Korean spy Park Mu Young and his fellow commandos take out a military convoy and swipe a top-secret substance called CTX an explosive that is completely undetectable. Park and Lee's plan slowly becomes horribly apparent: to blow up a North and South Korean friendship soccer game launching a war that will bring South Korea under the North's hegemony. At the same time South Korean intelligence is starting to suspect a mole in their midst and evidence seems to point to Yu's girlfriend. This film was screened at the 1999 Pusan Film Festival.
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Billed as Full Metal Jacket meets Heat meets Nikita , Kang Je Gyu directs this wildly popular action - thriller about tensions between North and South Korea. The film opens with agents in North Korean spy school T19 engaged in an unbelievably difficult rigorous training regime. The school's fanatically committed leader , Park Mu Young ( Choi Min Sik ) singles out the beautiful and sinewy Lee Bang Hee ( Kim Yun Jin ), an ace student and a deadeye shot , for a top - secret mission. A couple of years later , South Korean intelligence agents are baffled by a spate of murders of scientists working on a top - secret defense project. Agents Yu Jong Won ( Han Suk Kyu ) and Lee Jang Gil ( Song Kang Ho ) suspect the North Korean Lee but cannot locate her. One day , Yu finally spots Lee Bang Hee icing an arms dealer with a sniper rifle. At the same time , North Korean spy Park Mu Young and his fellow commandos take out a military convoy and swipe a top - secret substance called CTX , an explosive that is completely undetectable. Park and Lee's plan slowly becomes horribly apparent : to blow up a North and South Korean friendship soccer game , launching a war that will bring South Korea under the North's hegemony. At the same time , South Korean intelligence is starting to suspect a mole in their midst and evidence seems to point to Yu's girlfriend. This film was screened at the 1999 Pusan Film Festival .
1516
After she is lured to help the Irish Republican Army an American girl is forced to spend two hellish weeks in Northern Ireland.
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After she is lured to help the Irish Republican Army , an American girl is forced to spend two hellish weeks in Northern Ireland.
1517
Television director Peter O'Fallon made his feature film debut with this independent film that pays obvious homage to the style of Quentin Tarantino with plenty of violence and funny talkative hit men. Suave gangster Charlie Barrett (Christopher Walken) meets four young men who have taken over his regular booth at a popular bistro. Charmed by the swaggering kids he agrees to take a ride with them but they give him a sedative and he awakens in a deserted mansion taped to a chair with one of his fingers missing. One of his abductors Avery (Henry Thomas) says that he has a sister who has been kidnapped and they need two million dollars to get her back as well as a finger to exchange for her severed digit. Charlie phones his lawyer Marty (Cliff De Young) who calls a henchman Lono (Denis Leary) who investigates the kidnappings and gives Charlie enough information to start playing each of his inexperienced abductors against the others.
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Television director Peter O'Fallon made his feature film debut with this independent film that pays obvious homage to the style of Quentin Tarantino , with plenty of violence and funny , talkative hit men. Suave gangster Charlie Barrett ( Christopher Walken ) meets four young men who have taken over his regular booth at a popular bistro. Charmed by the swaggering kids , he agrees to take a ride with them , but they give him a sedative and he awakens in a deserted mansion , taped to a chair with one of his fingers missing. One of his abductors , Avery ( Henry Thomas ), says that he has a sister who has been kidnapped and they need two million dollars to get her back , as well as a finger to exchange for her severed digit. Charlie phones his lawyer Marty ( Cliff De Young ), who calls a henchman , Lono ( Denis Leary ), who investigates the kidnappings and gives Charlie enough information to start playing each of his inexperienced abductors against the others.
1518
Director David Fincher followed the success of his dark and atmospheric crime thriller Seven (1995) with another exercise in stylish film noir this time lifting the pallid atmosphere a notch to indulge in a fast-paced trip through the cinematic funhouse. Michael Douglas plays Nicholas Van Orton a Scrooge-like San Francisco investment banker following in his father's Scrooge-like footsteps. On Nicholas's 48th birthday (the age at which his father committed suicide) his younger free-spirited brother Conrad (Sean Penn) blows into town and gives Nicholas a special gift for "the man who has everything" -- a ticket to CRS (Consumer Recreation Services) a company that constructs games custom-fit for each participant to provide as CRS salesman Jim Feingold (James Rebhorn) cryptically puts it "whatever is lacking." Nicholas's secure life begins a downhill slide as CRS masterminds a series of elaborate pranks harmless at first that quickly become malicious and life-threatening. Stripped of financial resources and convinced that he can trust no one Nicholas begins to wonder if CRS is a front for a more covert operation and if the game is in fact an attempt to steal his fortune and leave him for dead. Determined to fight back alone Nicholas infiltrates CRS in order to "pull back the curtain and meet the wizard."
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Director David Fincher followed the success of his dark and atmospheric crime thriller Seven ( 1995 ) with another exercise in stylish film noir , this time lifting the pallid atmosphere a notch to indulge in a fast - paced trip through the cinematic funhouse. Michael Douglas plays Nicholas Van Orton , a Scrooge - like San Francisco investment banker following in his father's Scrooge - like footsteps. On Nicholas's 48th birthday ( the age at which his father committed suicide ), his younger , free - spirited brother Conrad ( Sean Penn ) blows into town and gives Nicholas a special gift for "the man who has everything" -- a ticket to CRS ( Consumer Recreation Services ), a company that constructs games custom - fit for each participant to provide , as CRS salesman Jim Feingold ( James Rebhorn ) cryptically puts it , "whatever is lacking." Nicholas's secure life begins a downhill slide as CRS masterminds a series of elaborate pranks , harmless at first , that quickly become malicious and life - threatening. Stripped of financial resources and convinced that he can trust no one , Nicholas begins to wonder if CRS is a front for a more covert operation , and if the game is in fact an attempt to steal his fortune and leave him for dead. Determined to fight back alone , Nicholas infiltrates CRS in order to "pull back the curtain and meet the wizard."
1519
A tense hostage situation erupts when three escaped convicts commandeer a school bus full of deaf children and take them and their courageous teacher (Marlee Matlin) to an abandoned slaughterhouse to negotiate with the cops. No sooner are the crooks and their captives inside the plant than it is surrounded by policemen. An FBI unit led by John Potter (James Garner) arrives. Though a veteran agent Potter has been laid off since he was accused of botching a bombing situation in Texas. He and the leader of the police force Budd (Kenneth Welsh) are immediately at loggerheads as to how to handle things. The situation is worsened when a publicity hungry assistant D.A. (Charles Martin Smith) shows up with a camera crew. Meanwhile the clever and determined Melanie devises her own imperfect solution to the problem. Though basically a routine thriller it does feature a couple of surprising twists at the end.
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A tense hostage situation erupts when three escaped convicts commandeer a school bus full of deaf children and take them and their courageous teacher ( Marlee Matlin ) to an abandoned slaughterhouse to negotiate with the cops. No sooner are the crooks and their captives inside the plant than it is surrounded by policemen. An FBI unit led by John Potter ( James Garner ) arrives. Though a veteran agent , Potter has been laid off since he was accused of botching a bombing situation in Texas. He and the leader of the police force Budd ( Kenneth Welsh ) are immediately at loggerheads as to how to handle things. The situation is worsened when a publicity hungry assistant D.A. ( Charles Martin Smith ) shows up with a camera crew. Meanwhile , the clever and determined Melanie devises her own imperfect solution to the problem. Though basically a routine thriller , it does feature a couple of surprising twists at the end.
1520
Lethal Weapon director Richard Donner helms this action-adventure yarn in which Robert Rath (Sylvester Stallone) a veteran burned-out hit man for hire who's looking to leave his profession meets a younger crazier more ambitious competitor Miguel Bain (Antonio Banderas) who is out to best Rath and make him a target in the process. Rath signs on for one last hit but complications ensue when he falls in love with the mark a beautiful mysterious woman named Electra (Julianne Moore). Bain sets out to murder Electra as well and the chase leads the two assassins into a deadly game of wits that takes them from Seattle to Puerto Rico. Critics and audiences both turned away from this thriller which was co-scripted by Bound writer/directors Larry and Andy Wachowski and L.A. Confidential screenwriter Brian Helgeland.
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Lethal Weapon director Richard Donner helms this action - adventure yarn in which Robert Rath ( Sylvester Stallone ), a veteran , burned - out hit man for hire who's looking to leave his profession , meets a younger , crazier , more ambitious competitor , Miguel Bain ( Antonio Banderas ), who is out to best Rath and make him a target in the process. Rath signs on for one last hit , but complications ensue when he falls in love with the mark , a beautiful , mysterious woman named Electra ( Julianne Moore ) . Bain sets out to murder Electra as well , and the chase leads the two assassins into a deadly game of wits that takes them from Seattle to Puerto Rico. Critics and audiences both turned away from this thriller , which was co - scripted by Bound writer / directors Larry and Andy Wachowski and L.A. Confidential screenwriter Brian Helgeland .
1521
This Korean horror movie offers a feminist twist in that it centers on two female protagonists living next door to each other in a high-rise apartment building. The title refers to their respective apartment numbers. The story opens as one of the women a compulsive cook is being questioned about the mysterious disappearance of her neighbor the other woman a traumatized writer suffering from anorexia nervosa. The two meet when the friendly cook tries to give the writer some of her newest creation. The writer later throws the food away. Still a friendship is born and as they converse the tragic reasons for the writer's condition come to light. Dark secrets from the cook's past are also revealed. It is she who offers up the grisly final solution to the writer's guilt and continual pain.
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This Korean horror movie offers a feminist twist in that it centers on two female protagonists living next door to each other in a high - rise apartment building. The title refers to their respective apartment numbers. The story opens as one of the women , a compulsive cook , is being questioned about the mysterious disappearance of her neighbor , the other woman , a traumatized writer suffering from anorexia nervosa. The two meet when the friendly cook tries to give the writer some of her newest creation. The writer later throws the food away. Still , a friendship is born , and as they converse , the tragic reasons for the writer's condition come to light. Dark secrets from the cook's past are also revealed. It is she who offers up the grisly final solution to the writer's guilt and continual pain.
1522
A serial killer stalks the streets of San Francisco; unlike his many predecessors does not choose a distinctive identifying pattern. No this killer prides himself on his unoriginality: he is a copycat recreating the violent murders of some of the country's most notorious serial killers his heroes. On the case is criminal psychologist Helen Hudson who is the reigning expert on serial killers; she has also become agoraphobic after having too close of a brush with killer Daryll Lee Cullum. Though he has finally been locked up she is unable to function outside her apartment. It is homicide detective M.J. Monahan and her partner Ruben who involve Hudson after they begin suspecting that the recent rash of bizarre murders they investigate is the work of a new mass murderer. Using her career and her vast knowledge she figures out the killer's game. She knows he is well-versed in history and that the killings are tributes to the old masters. Unfortunately she cannot predict his next style of killing who he will kill or when.
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A serial killer stalks the streets of San Francisco ; unlike his many predecessors does not choose a distinctive , identifying pattern. No , this killer prides himself on his unoriginality : he is a copycat , recreating the violent murders of some of the country's most notorious serial killers , his heroes. On the case , is criminal psychologist Helen Hudson who is the reigning expert on serial killers ; she has also become agoraphobic after having too close of a brush with killer , Daryll Lee Cullum. Though he has finally been locked up , she is unable to function outside her apartment. It is homicide detective M.J. Monahan and her partner Ruben who involve Hudson after they begin suspecting that the recent rash of bizarre murders they investigate is the work of a new mass murderer. Using her career and her vast knowledge , she figures out the killer's game. She knows he is well - versed in history and that the killings are tributes to the old masters. Unfortunately , she cannot predict his next style of killing , who he will kill , or when.
1523
A convict agrees to go undercover and gather evidence on a notorious crime lord in order to win an early release from prison in this tough gritty crime drama. Much of the tension develops from the inner conflict of Jimmy Kilmartin (David Caruso) who feels torn between his desire to win freedom for the sake of his family and his belief in a code of honor that sees ratting on others as an unforgivable sin. His misgivings are compounded by fear when he learns that his target is to be the notorious Little Junior (Nicolas Cage) a violent eccentric with a hair-trigger temper. Luckily for the ex-con Junior takes a shine to Jimmy welcoming him into his inner circle. While this pleases the investigators it means further trouble for Jimmy who would undoubtedly be killed were his deception ever discovered.
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A convict agrees to go undercover and gather evidence on a notorious crime lord in order to win an early release from prison in this tough , gritty crime drama. Much of the tension develops from the inner conflict of Jimmy Kilmartin ( David Caruso ), who feels torn between his desire to win freedom for the sake of his family and his belief in a code of honor that sees ratting on others as an unforgivable sin. His misgivings are compounded by fear when he learns that his target is to be the notorious Little Junior ( Nicolas Cage ), a violent eccentric with a hair - trigger temper. Luckily for the ex - con , Junior takes a shine to Jimmy , welcoming him into his inner circle. While this pleases the investigators , it means further trouble for Jimmy , who would undoubtedly be killed were his deception ever discovered.
1524
This is the third film based on Tom Clancy's high-tech espionage potboilers starring CIA deputy director Jack Ryan. Harrison Ford returning to the Ryan role after his first go-round in 1992's Patriot Games is assigned to a delicate anti-drug investigation after a close friend of the President (a Reaganesque Donald Moffat) is murdered by a Colombian drug cartel. When Ryan discovers that the President's wealthy friend was in league with the cartel the President's devious national security adviser (Harris Yulin) and an ambitious CIA deputy director (Henry Czerny) send a secret paramilitary force into Colombia to wipe out the drug lords. The force is captured and then abandoned by the President's lackeys. It falls to Ryan to enter Colombia and rescue them aided only by a renegade operative named Clark (Willem Dafoe) with both his life and career on the line.
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This is the third film based on Tom Clancy 's high - tech espionage potboilers starring CIA deputy director Jack Ryan. Harrison Ford , returning to the Ryan role after his first go - round in 1992's Patriot Games , is assigned to a delicate anti - drug investigation after a close friend of the President ( a Reaganesque Donald Moffat ) is murdered by a Colombian drug cartel. When Ryan discovers that the President's wealthy friend was in league with the cartel , the President's devious national security adviser ( Harris Yulin ) and an ambitious CIA deputy director ( Henry Czerny ) send a secret paramilitary force into Colombia to wipe out the drug lords. The force is captured and then abandoned by the President's lackeys. It falls to Ryan to enter Colombia and rescue them , aided only by a renegade operative named Clark ( Willem Dafoe ), with both his life and career on the line.
1525
A sterling cast headed by Oscar-nominated Susan Sarandon makes this slick thriller one of the better adaptations of a John Grisham bestseller. Mark Sway (Brad Renfro) witnesses the suicide of a Mafia lawyer who confesses that the Mob was behind the murder of a U.S. senator. Mark's brother is traumatized into a coma by the incident; gangster Barry Muldano (Anthony LaPaglia) is soon on Mark's trail and in desperation he arrives at the office of recovering alcoholic lawyer Reggie Love (Sarandon). With the Mob after them and a ruthless federal attorney (Tommy Lee Jones) trying to force Mark to reveal what he knows Love battles to guarantee the safety of her client and his family. The relationship between Reggie Love and Mark Sway is the center of the film adding considerable character development to plot's routine elements. Director Joel Schumacher helmed another Grisham adaptation A Time To Kill in 1996.
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A sterling cast headed by Oscar - nominated Susan Sarandon makes this slick thriller one of the better adaptations of a John Grisham bestseller. Mark Sway ( Brad Renfro ) witnesses the suicide of a Mafia lawyer , who confesses that the Mob was behind the murder of a U.S. senator. Mark's brother is traumatized into a coma by the incident ; gangster Barry Muldano ( Anthony LaPaglia ) is soon on Mark's trail , and in desperation , he arrives at the office of recovering alcoholic lawyer Reggie Love ( Sarandon ) . With the Mob after them , and a ruthless federal attorney ( Tommy Lee Jones ) trying to force Mark to reveal what he knows , Love battles to guarantee the safety of her client and his family. The relationship between Reggie Love and Mark Sway is the center of the film , adding considerable character development to plot's routine elements. Director Joel Schumacher helmed another Grisham adaptation , A Time To Kill , in 1996.
1526
When a married couple retreats to an isolated island to attempt to salvage their failing relationship they find that they are the targets of a psychotic Vietnam vet and have to join forces to combat him. Way ahead of its time for addressing the problems of soldiers returning from combat. Adapted from the short story Master of the Hounds by Algis Budrys.
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When a married couple retreats to an isolated island to attempt to salvage their failing relationship , they find that they are the targets of a psychotic Vietnam vet and have to join forces to combat him. Way ahead of its time for addressing the problems of soldiers returning from combat. Adapted from the short story Master of the Hounds by Algis Budrys.
1527
In Still of the Night a mystery thriller written and directed by Robert Benton a psychiatrist falls in love with a woman who is suspected of the murder of one of his patients. Dr. Sam Rice (Roy Scheider) is treating a married museum curator. When the man is killed Sam is visited by his dead patient's mistress and co-worker Brooke Reynolds (Meryl Streep) who wants him to return a watch -- that was left at her home -- to the patient's wife. Sam is immediately attracted to the cool aloof Brooke who has been discussed during numerous therapy sessions. When he hears about the mysterious death of Brook's father and he himself is stalked by a woman who resembles Brook he begins to both desire and fear her. Despite its rather leisurely pace and some dream sequences which distract from the suspense Still of the Night is an effective thriller despite a contrived surprise ending when the killer is revealed. Scheider is believable as the doctor in love but Streep is rather strained in a role that demands a sexual allure and eroticism which she seems uncomfortable portraying. Benton's cinematography is moody and frightening particularly when Scheider is followed through Central Park. Despite its flaws Still of the Night should please fans of psychological thrillers.
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In Still of the Night , a mystery thriller written and directed by Robert Benton , a psychiatrist falls in love with a woman who is suspected of the murder of one of his patients. Dr. Sam Rice ( Roy Scheider ) is treating a married museum curator. When the man is killed , Sam is visited by his dead patient's mistress and co - worker Brooke Reynolds ( Meryl Streep ) who wants him to return a watch -- that was left at her home -- to the patient's wife. Sam is immediately attracted to the cool , aloof Brooke , who has been discussed during numerous therapy sessions. When he hears about the mysterious death of Brook's father , and he himself is stalked by a woman who resembles Brook , he begins to both desire and fear her. Despite its rather leisurely pace , and some dream sequences which distract from the suspense , Still of the Night is an effective thriller despite a contrived surprise ending when the killer is revealed. Scheider is believable as the doctor in love , but Streep is rather strained in a role that demands a sexual allure and eroticism which she seems uncomfortable portraying. Benton 's cinematography is moody and frightening , particularly when Scheider is followed through Central Park. Despite its flaws , Still of the Night should please fans of psychological thrillers.
1528
This riff on Wait Until Dark is a mixed bag but still manages to offer a few surprises. Brian Clemens' script starts off with a clever premise and offers some solid moments of suspense. Unfortunately See No Evil begins to drift in its final third when it introduces one too many plot complications to keep the identity of the killer a mystery. As a result it loses track of its heroine (the viewer will lose track of how many scenes Mia Farrow spends stumbling around and shouting for help during the latter part of the film). That said Farrow makes a likeable heroine and is surrounded by a professional cast turning in solid performances. Better yet director Richard Fleischer gets plenty of opportunities to show off his directorial skills during the many setpieces and he's definitely up to the task: the scenes where Farrow faces off with the killer in her deserted house are staged effectively and make great use of sound as a tool for suspense. Ultimately See No Evil is second-tier thriller material but it is made with enough skill to make a decent time-killer for anyone in the mood for a few thrills.
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This riff on Wait Until Dark is a mixed bag but still manages to offer a few surprises. Brian Clemens ' script starts off with a clever premise and offers some solid moments of suspense. Unfortunately , See No Evil begins to drift in its final third , when it introduces one too many plot complications to keep the identity of the killer a mystery. As a result , it loses track of its heroine ( the viewer will lose track of how many scenes Mia Farrow spends stumbling around and shouting for help during the latter part of the film ) . That said , Farrow makes a likeable heroine and is surrounded by a professional cast turning in solid performances. Better yet , director Richard Fleischer gets plenty of opportunities to show off his directorial skills during the many setpieces and he's definitely up to the task : the scenes where Farrow faces off with the killer in her deserted house are staged effectively and make great use of sound as a tool for suspense. Ultimately , See No Evil is second - tier thriller material but it is made with enough skill to make a decent time - killer for anyone in the mood for a few thrills.
1529
Hollywood's Stacy Keach stars in Australia's Road Games. Keach is a truck driver who takes the law in his own hands to capture a serial killer. When the police fail to nab the murderer of hitchhikers Keach takes to the road conducting his own search. En route he picks up hitcher Jamie Lee Curtis--and it is her presence that brings the killer out of hiding and into the bloody finale. Director Richard Franklin's fondness for Hitchcock which would come to full fruition in Psycho II (1982) is very much in evidence throughout Road Games.
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Hollywood's Stacy Keach stars in Australia's Road Games . Keach is a truck driver who takes the law in his own hands to capture a serial killer. When the police fail to nab the murderer of hitchhikers , Keach takes to the road , conducting his own search. En route , he picks up hitcher Jamie Lee Curtis -- and it is her presence that brings the killer out of hiding and into the bloody finale. Director Richard Franklin 's fondness for Hitchcock , which would come to full fruition in Psycho II ( 1982 ), is very much in evidence throughout Road Games .
1530
A sequel to one of the most popular horror films of all time this psychological thriller received a pleasantly surprised positive critical reception. Anthony Perkins returns as Norman Bates who has just been released from an insane asylum after 22 years having been judged clinically sane by the State of California over the objections of Lila Crane Loomis (Vera Miles) sister to one of Norman's murder victims. Norman returns home to the hotel and hilltop mansion he once inhabited with his mother. As a parole condition Norman is hired at a local diner where he struggles to join mainstream society despite the stares of patrons aware of his past. At the diner Norman befriends Mary (Meg Tilly) a waitress and it seems that he may be putting some semblance of a life back together. But then Norman begins to experience hallucinatory encounters with his long-dead mother including a handwritten note a phone call and a sighting of her standing at her favorite window. Is Norman's psychosis manifesting itself again or are old enemies attempting to drive him back into an institution? As the pressure mounts bodies pile up and Norman's fragile hold on normality becomes more and more tenuous.
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A sequel to one of the most popular horror films of all time , this psychological thriller received a pleasantly surprised , positive critical reception. Anthony Perkins returns as Norman Bates , who has just been released from an insane asylum after 22 years , having been judged clinically sane by the State of California over the objections of Lila Crane Loomis ( Vera Miles ), sister to one of Norman's murder victims. Norman returns home to the hotel and hilltop mansion he once inhabited with his mother. As a parole condition , Norman is hired at a local diner , where he struggles to join mainstream society , despite the stares of patrons aware of his past. At the diner , Norman befriends Mary ( Meg Tilly ), a waitress , and it seems that he may be putting some semblance of a life back together. But then Norman begins to experience hallucinatory encounters with his long - dead mother , including a handwritten note , a phone call , and a sighting of her standing at her favorite window. Is Norman's psychosis manifesting itself again , or are old enemies attempting to drive him back into an institution? As the pressure mounts , bodies pile up , and Norman's fragile hold on normality becomes more and more tenuous.
1531
Narrow Margin directed by Peter Hyams and loosely based on the classic film noir of the same title tells the story of a resourceful District Attorney who must return a witness to San Francisco alive so she can testify in a trial. Carol (Anne Archer) is in the bathroom of the hotel room of her blind date when he is murdered by mobsters for stealing money. Knowing she is the only witness Carol flees to an isolated Canadian mountain home to hide out. She is followed by Caulfield (Gene Hackman) who knows that she is a witness and wants to make her testify. When the mobsters track Caulfield to the cabin Carol must join him in a run for her life on a Canadian train. This film while it is somewhat uneven is a tour de force for director/writer/cinematographer Peter Hyams who delivers a fast-paced action-packed chase through the Canadian mountains stunningly photographed and well acted by both Hackman and Archer.
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Narrow Margin directed by Peter Hyams and loosely based on the classic film noir of the same title , tells the story of a resourceful District Attorney who must return a witness to San Francisco alive so she can testify in a trial. Carol ( Anne Archer ) is in the bathroom of the hotel room of her blind date when he is murdered by mobsters for stealing money. Knowing she is the only witness , Carol flees to an isolated Canadian mountain home to hide out. She is followed by Caulfield ( Gene Hackman ) who knows that she is a witness and wants to make her testify. When the mobsters track Caulfield to the cabin , Carol must join him in a run for her life on a Canadian train. This film , while it is somewhat uneven , is a tour de force for director / writer / cinematographer Peter Hyams , who delivers a fast - paced , action - packed chase through the Canadian mountains , stunningly photographed and well acted by both Hackman and Archer.
1532
American-born French film director Bob Swaim directed this sordid tale of greed deception machinations and murder. The darkly beautiful Meg Tilly stars as Olivia Lawrence member of the Hamptons social elite and heiress to a vast fortune who becomes attracted to dangerous newcomer Tim Whalen (Rob Lowe). She unwittingly falls into his web of deceit as he and her stepfather (John Glover) plot her murder in order to gain the $3000000 in her trust fund. Inspired in plot by the film noir classics of the '40s Masquerade lacks the style and originality of the originals. The film noticeably lacks suspense; there is no sustained tension and many of the characters seem included simply for the sake of bizarreness. However Tilly manages to carry the film all on her own with her considerable talent and natural screen presence.
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American - born French film director Bob Swaim directed this sordid tale of greed , deception , machinations and murder. The darkly beautiful Meg Tilly stars as Olivia Lawrence , member of the Hamptons social elite and heiress to a vast fortune , who becomes attracted to dangerous newcomer Tim Whalen ( Rob Lowe ) . She unwittingly falls into his web of deceit , as he and her stepfather ( John Glover ) plot her murder in order to gain the $3 , 000 , 000 in her trust fund. Inspired in plot by the film noir classics of the '40s , Masquerade lacks the style and originality of the originals. The film noticeably lacks suspense ; there is no sustained tension , and many of the characters seem included simply for the sake of bizarreness. However , Tilly manages to carry the film all on her own with her considerable talent and natural screen presence.
1533
The "Jack" who's "back" in this contemporary chiller is none other than Jack the Ripper. The scene is Los Angeles: the time is August of 1988 exactly 100 years after the Ripper's original reign of terror in Whitechapel. When several LA prostitutes turn up murdered and disemboweled young physician James Spader is accused of emulating Spring Heel'd Jack. Before the film is half over Spader is killed and so far as the police are concerned the case is closed. But then Spader's twin brother appears on the scene determined to track down the genuine culprit (if it doesn't turn out to be him that is!). Handled with restraint Jack's Back covers much of the same ground as the classic Robert Bloch tale Yours Truly Jack the Ripper" though its crucial plot twist is a tad more clever (if a bit silly out of context).
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The "Jack" who's "back" in this contemporary chiller is none other than Jack the Ripper. The scene is Los Angeles : the time is August of 1988 , exactly 100 years after the Ripper's original reign of terror in Whitechapel. When several LA prostitutes turn up murdered and disemboweled , young physician James Spader is accused of emulating Spring Heel'd Jack. Before the film is half over , Spader is killed , and so far as the police are concerned , the case is closed. But then , Spader 's twin brother appears on the scene , determined to track down the genuine culprit ( if it doesn't turn out to be him , that is! ) . Handled with restraint , Jack's Back covers much of the same ground as the classic Robert Bloch tale Yours Truly , Jack the Ripper , " though its crucial plot twist is a tad more clever ( if a bit silly out of context ) .
1534
Daniel Mainwaring took this story right out of the headlines of the day penning this true story of a mass murderer who was eventually executed in San Quentin's gas chamber. Released during McCarthy's witch-hunt Mainwaring was not given credit because Howard R. Hughes who produced it under RKO refused to give credit to any "radicals." The story is that of two men on a fishing trip who pick up a hitchhiker. He turns out to be a sadistic psychopath who has committed multiple murders a sociopath who hates humanity because of his own abuse as a child. He also has an affliction which terrifies these two men: an eye which is permanently open thereby never allowing them to know if he is really asleep or just faking it--something which he does with regularity to scare them...letting them take off and then meeting up with them just as they feel they have escaped from him. A tense thriller skillfully directed by the only female director of the time Ida Lupino it is a suspenseful tale of terror on the highways.
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Daniel Mainwaring took this story right out of the headlines of the day , penning this true story of a mass murderer who was eventually executed in San Quentin's gas chamber. Released during McCarthy's witch - hunt , Mainwaring was not given credit because Howard R. Hughes , who produced it under RKO , refused to give credit to any "radicals." The story is that of two men on a fishing trip who pick up a hitchhiker. He turns out to be a sadistic psychopath who has committed multiple murders , a sociopath who hates humanity because of his own abuse as a child. He also has an affliction which terrifies these two men : an eye which is permanently open , thereby never allowing them to know if he is really asleep or just faking it -- something which he does with regularity to scare them...letting them take off and then meeting up with them just as they feel they have escaped from him. A tense thriller skillfully directed by the only female director of the time , Ida Lupino , it is a suspenseful tale of terror on the highways.
1535
Alfred Hitchcock's final film was adapted from Victor Canning's novel The Rainbird Pattern by Ernest Lehman who previously wrote the screenplay for Hitchcock's North by Northwest. Barbara Harris plays Blanche a phony psychic hired by wealthy Julia Rainbird (Cathleen Nesbitt) to trace the whereabouts of her nephew who'd been given up for adoption years earlier and who is now heir to a fortune. Blanche's cohort is "investigator" Lumley (Bruce Dern) who is fully prepared to milk the last dollar out of Julia before locating the long-lost nephew. Meanwhile we are introduced to elegant kidnappers Adamson and Fran (William Devane and Karen Black). The fates of the two couples are inextricably intertwined by the search for the missing heir.
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Alfred Hitchcock 's final film was adapted from Victor Canning 's novel The Rainbird Pattern by Ernest Lehman , who previously wrote the screenplay for Hitchcock 's North by Northwest . Barbara Harris plays Blanche , a phony psychic , hired by wealthy Julia Rainbird ( Cathleen Nesbitt ) to trace the whereabouts of her nephew , who'd been given up for adoption years earlier and who is now heir to a fortune. Blanche's cohort is "investigator" Lumley ( Bruce Dern ), who is fully prepared to milk the last dollar out of Julia before locating the long - lost nephew. Meanwhile , we are introduced to elegant kidnappers Adamson and Fran ( William Devane and Karen Black ) . The fates of the two couples are inextricably intertwined by the search for the missing heir.
1536
It's just not William Foster's (Michael Douglas) day. Laid off from his defense job Foster gets stuck in the middle of the mother of all traffic jams. Desirous of attending his daughter's birthday party at the home of his ex-wife (Barbara Hershey) Foster abandons his car and begins walking encountering one urban humiliation after another (the Korean shopkeeper who obstinately refuses to give change is the worst of the batch). He also slowly unravels mentally finally snapping at a fast-food restaurant that refuses to serve him breakfast because it's "too late." Running amok with an arsenal of weapons at the ready Foster -- also known as "D-FENS" because of his vanity license plate -- rapidly becomes a source of terror to some a folk hero to others. It's up to reluctant cop Prendergast (Robert Duvall) on the eve of his retirement to bring D-FENS down.
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It's just not William Foster's ( Michael Douglas ) day. Laid off from his defense job , Foster gets stuck in the middle of the mother of all traffic jams. Desirous of attending his daughter's birthday party at the home of his ex - wife ( Barbara Hershey ), Foster abandons his car and begins walking , encountering one urban humiliation after another ( the Korean shopkeeper who obstinately refuses to give change is the worst of the batch ) . He also slowly unravels mentally , finally snapping at a fast - food restaurant that refuses to serve him breakfast because it's "too late." Running amok with an arsenal of weapons at the ready , Foster -- also known as "D - FENS" because of his vanity license plate -- rapidly becomes a source of terror to some , a folk hero to others. It's up to reluctant cop Prendergast ( Robert Duvall ), on the eve of his retirement , to bring D - FENS down.
1537
This fast-paced thriller examines the amorality of a nation's secret services and the responsibility of journalistic investigations in an era of nuclear tensions and bureaucratic deceit. The film examines an unspooling series of events occurring after a near crash of a nuclear bomber at an American Air Force base in the English countryside. When Dennis Markham (Ian Bannen) a well-respected member of Parliament is reported by a London paper to have been seen leaving a woman's home and the woman is found to also be familiar with a dignitary from East Germany his loyalty to his country is questioned and he is forced to resign. The author of the newspaper exposé Nick Mullen (Gabriel Byrne) continues his investigation with his colleague Vernon Bayliss (Denholm Elliott). But when Vernon dies from a mysterious heart attack Mullen suspects something deeper at work and finds evidence of a complex web of deceit concerning a secret Air Force base. With the help of Vernon's secretary Nina Beckman (Greta Scacchi) Nick fights the dark forces in order to bring the truth to light.
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This fast - paced thriller examines the amorality of a nation's secret services and the responsibility of journalistic investigations in an era of nuclear tensions and bureaucratic deceit. The film examines an unspooling series of events occurring after a near crash of a nuclear bomber at an American Air Force base in the English countryside. When Dennis Markham ( Ian Bannen ), a well - respected member of Parliament , is reported by a London paper to have been seen leaving a woman's home , and the woman is found to also be familiar with a dignitary from East Germany , his loyalty to his country is questioned , and he is forced to resign. The author of the newspaper exposé , Nick Mullen ( Gabriel Byrne ), continues his investigation with his colleague Vernon Bayliss ( Denholm Elliott ) . But when Vernon dies from a mysterious heart attack , Mullen suspects something deeper at work and finds evidence of a complex web of deceit concerning a secret Air Force base. With the help of Vernon's secretary , Nina Beckman ( Greta Scacchi ), Nick fights the dark forces in order to bring the truth to light.
1538
Despite its relative failure at the box office this is a worthwhile thriller from the director of Bonnie and Clyde. Mary Steenburgen stars as an actress Katie McGovern lured to the upstate New York cabin of crazy Dr. Joseph Lewis (Jan Rubes) a diabolical crippled shrink playing a blackmail game with the ruthless sister of a recently murdered woman who happened to be a dead ringer for Katie. Lewis and his creepy assistant (Roddy McDowall) keep Katie captive videotaping her and cutting off her finger to further their sordid plot while she tries desperately to get away. As the title implies Arthur Penn gets a lot of atmosphere out of the remote cabin and a raging blizzard and the cast is terrific. It all falls apart eventually but is quite gripping until the required histrionics in the silly final reel.
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Despite its relative failure at the box office , this is a worthwhile thriller from the director of Bonnie and Clyde . Mary Steenburgen stars as an actress , Katie McGovern , lured to the upstate New York cabin of crazy Dr. Joseph Lewis ( Jan Rubes ), a diabolical crippled shrink playing a blackmail game with the ruthless sister of a recently murdered woman , who happened to be a dead ringer for Katie. Lewis and his creepy assistant ( Roddy McDowall ) keep Katie captive , videotaping her and cutting off her finger to further their sordid plot , while she tries desperately to get away. As the title implies , Arthur Penn gets a lot of atmosphere out of the remote cabin and a raging blizzard , and the cast is terrific. It all falls apart eventually , but is quite gripping until the required histrionics in the silly final reel.
1539
ased on James Ellroy's novel Blood on the Moon Cop is a grim brutally violent darkly humorous modern-day film noir. Lloyd Hopkins (James Woods) is an obsessive amoral LAPD police detective investigating a murder he believes to have been the work of a serial killer. Hopkins is cynical and obsessed with the way society fills women's heads with fairy-tale promises of romance. "Innocence kills" he sneers. "I see it every day." His investigation leads him to the bookstore of a writer of feminist poetry (Lesley Ann Warren) who has for some time been receiving gifts of poems and flowers from an unknown admirer. Hopkins looking through her diaries realizes that the dates of the gifts correspond to the dates of the murders and he begins a hunt for the killer which leads to a violent and exciting conclusion. Cop is completely absorbing because of Woods' chillingly effective performance. Few actors can make an amoral clever sardonic and vicious character as appealing as Hopkins. As Hopkins Woods combines complex contradictions with ease showing the various sides of his character's personality. Cop while singularly unpleasant is always insightful and fascinating.
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Based on James Ellroy 's novel Blood on the Moon , Cop is a grim , brutally violent , darkly humorous modern - day film noir. Lloyd Hopkins ( James Woods ), is an obsessive , amoral LAPD police detective investigating a murder he believes to have been the work of a serial killer. Hopkins is cynical and obsessed with the way society fills women's heads with fairy - tale promises of romance. "Innocence kills , " he sneers. "I see it every day." His investigation leads him to the bookstore of a writer of feminist poetry ( Lesley Ann Warren ) who has for some time been receiving gifts of poems and flowers from an unknown admirer. Hopkins , looking through her diaries , realizes that the dates of the gifts correspond to the dates of the murders , and he begins a hunt for the killer which leads to a violent and exciting conclusion. Cop is completely absorbing because of Woods ' chillingly effective performance. Few actors can make an amoral , clever , sardonic , and vicious character as appealing as Hopkins. As Hopkins , Woods combines complex contradictions with ease , showing the various sides of his character's personality. Cop , while singularly unpleasant is always insightful and fascinating.
1540
In this erotic thriller a young English couple on vacation in Venice find themselves seduced by a mysterious older couple. Mary (Natasha Richardson) and Colin (Rupert Everett) have come to Italy to chart the future of their troubled relationship. They soon meet Robert (Christopher Walken) the enigmatic owner of a picturesque watering hole. He entertains them with copious vino and colorful stories of a childhood spent with a brutal domineering father. Later drunk and lost in the maze-like city the couple once again encounter Robert who puts them up at his gorgeous villa. They also meet his wife Caroline (Helen Mirren) who suffers from crippling back pain and obvious emotional instability. Fascinated by the glamorous older couple but disturbed by their dysfunctions Colin and Mary find themselves slowly drawn into sexual and emotional games that culminate in sudden violence. Directed by Paul Schrader The Comfort of Strangers was adapted by playwright Harold Pinter from the novel by Ian McEwan. Richardson previously starred in Patty Hearst Schrader's portrait of the newspaper heiress-turned-terrorist.
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In this erotic thriller , a young English couple on vacation in Venice find themselves seduced by a mysterious older couple. Mary ( Natasha Richardson ) and Colin ( Rupert Everett ) have come to Italy to chart the future of their troubled relationship. They soon meet Robert ( Christopher Walken ), the enigmatic owner of a picturesque watering hole. He entertains them with copious vino and colorful stories of a childhood spent with a brutal , domineering father. Later , drunk and lost in the maze - like city , the couple once again encounter Robert , who puts them up at his gorgeous villa. They also meet his wife , Caroline ( Helen Mirren ), who suffers from crippling back pain and obvious emotional instability. Fascinated by the glamorous older couple but disturbed by their dysfunctions , Colin and Mary find themselves slowly drawn into sexual and emotional games that culminate in sudden violence. Directed by Paul Schrader , The Comfort of Strangers was adapted by playwright Harold Pinter from the novel by Ian McEwan . Richardson previously starred in Patty Hearst , Schrader 's portrait of the newspaper heiress - turned - terrorist.
1541
This trend-setting thriller put its director Dario Argento on the international map and began a flood of imitative mystery-horror hybrids which dominated Italian genre output in the early 1970s. Tony Musante best known for the television series Toma portrays an American who witnesses the murder of a woman at a trendy Rome art gallery. Before long Musante finds himself targeted by a mysterious killer. Based on a story by Byron Edgar Wallace Bird and hints at the flamboyance which would become Argento's trademark. This and Argento's subsequent two films Il Gatto a Nove Code and Quattro Mosche di Velluto Grigio were much less horror-oriented than his later work.
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This trend - setting thriller put its director , Dario Argento , on the international map and began a flood of imitative mystery - horror hybrids which dominated Italian genre output in the early 1970s. Tony Musante , best known for the television series Toma , portrays an American who witnesses the murder of a woman at a trendy Rome art gallery. Before long , Musante finds himself targeted by a mysterious killer. Based on a story by Byron Edgar Wallace , Bird and hints at the flamboyance which would become Argento's trademark. This and Argento's subsequent two films Il Gatto a Nove Code and Quattro Mosche di Velluto Grigio were much less horror - oriented than his later work.
1542
In director/writer Curtis Hanson's 1987 chiller The Bedroom Window architect Terry Lambert (Steve Guttenberg) experiences a most disorienting turn of events when his French lover Sylvia (Isabelle Huppert) - the wife of his boss - walks over to the titular window in-between lovemaking sessions and witnesses a mysterious man strangling a helpless victim (Elizabeth McGovern). By the time Guttenberg comes to the window he can see only a crowd of spectators. Because Sylvia wants to avoid a messy involvement in the case (which would soil her reputation ruin her marriage and cost Lambert his job) Guttenberg agrees to pretend that he witnessed the attack. The ruse of course leads to a myriad of complications. And meanwhile with the psycho still on the loose Lambert sets out to find him.
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In director / writer Curtis Hanson 's 1987 chiller The Bedroom Window , architect Terry Lambert ( Steve Guttenberg ) experiences a most disorienting turn of events when his French lover , Sylvia ( Isabelle Huppert ) - the wife of his boss - walks over to the titular window in - between lovemaking sessions and witnesses a mysterious man strangling a helpless victim ( Elizabeth McGovern ) . By the time Guttenberg comes to the window , he can see only a crowd of spectators. Because Sylvia wants to avoid a messy involvement in the case ( which would soil her reputation , ruin her marriage and cost Lambert his job ), Guttenberg agrees to pretend that he witnessed the attack. The ruse , of course , leads to a myriad of complications. And meanwhile , with the psycho still on the loose , Lambert sets out to find him.
1543
Filmed on location in Montreal and New York The Bone Collector is a suspense thriller that combines Rear Window and Seven. Two cops on the trail of a brutal serial killer must see as one act as one and think as one before the next victim falls. Lincoln Rhyme (Denzel Washington) is an intelligent forensics detective who was paralyzed in the line of duty. The author of several books he has a keen eye for detail and nose for clues that have made him a legend in the law enforcement community. Amelia Donaghy (Angelina Jolie) is a street-smart policewoman in her twenties. On her last day as a street cop before being transferred to a desk job Amelia discovers a badly mutilated corpse. Rhyme is asked to investigate the case but he declines. To him it is an open-and-shut case not worth his time. But when he takes a close look at the evidence he is intrigued as the photos reveal complex messages in their details. The lunatic who might be a taxi driver (a Scorsese allusion) amuses himself by paying homage to legendary murders in his own gruesome acts. Amelia is assigned to assist Rhyme and she must be the eyes and ears of the quadriplegic detective. And they must capture the killer before he strikes again. Written by Jeremy Iacone and based on a book of the same title by Jeffrey Deaver The Bone Collector was directed by the Australian thriller specialist Phillip Noyce who directed such films as Clear and Present Danger and Dead Calm.
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Filmed on location in Montreal and New York , The Bone Collector is a suspense thriller that combines Rear Window and Seven . Two cops on the trail of a brutal serial killer must see as one , act as one , and think as one before the next victim falls. Lincoln Rhyme ( Denzel Washington ) is an intelligent forensics detective who was paralyzed in the line of duty. The author of several books , he has a keen eye for detail and nose for clues that have made him a legend in the law enforcement community. Amelia Donaghy ( Angelina Jolie ) is a street - smart policewoman in her twenties. On her last day as a street cop , before being transferred to a desk job , Amelia discovers a badly mutilated corpse. Rhyme is asked to investigate the case , but he declines. To him , it is an open - and - shut case not worth his time. But when he takes a close look at the evidence , he is intrigued , as the photos reveal complex messages in their details. The lunatic , who might be a taxi driver ( a Scorsese allusion ), amuses himself by paying homage to legendary murders in his own gruesome acts. Amelia is assigned to assist Rhyme , and she must be the eyes and ears of the quadriplegic detective. And they must capture the killer before he strikes again. Written by Jeremy Iacone and based on a book of the same title by Jeffrey Deaver , The Bone Collector was directed by the Australian thriller specialist Phillip Noyce , who directed such films as Clear and Present Danger and Dead Calm .
1544
In this tense thriller a man begins to suspect his neighbors are not what they appear to be -- and their secrets could be deadly. Michael Faraday (played by Jeff Bridges) is a college professor whose wife an FBI agent was killed in the line of duty by members of an extremist right-wing terrorist group leaving him to raise their nine-year-old son by himself. One day he saves the life of a boy he sees on the street. The child turns out to be the son of his new neighbors Oliver and Cheryl Lang (Tim Robbins and Joan Cusack). Michael soon becomes friendly with the grateful Langs who seem as cheerfully bland as anyone could hope from denizens of suburbia. But the better Michael gets to know Oliver the more he becomes convinced that something isn't quite right; Oliver seems almost too clean and perfect and Michael begins to notice that small details in Oliver's stories don't quite add up. The question is whether Michael's well-founded paranoia about the radical right is getting the better of him or are the Langs up to something a lot more sinister than their cheerful smiles and manicured lawn would suggest? Ehren Kruger's screenplay for Arlington Road won the Motion Picture Academy's Nicholl Fellowship prize in 1996; the film was the second directorial effort for Mark Pellington who debuted with Going All the Way.
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In this tense thriller , a man begins to suspect his neighbors are not what they appear to be -- and their secrets could be deadly. Michael Faraday ( played by Jeff Bridges ) is a college professor whose wife , an FBI agent , was killed in the line of duty by members of an extremist right - wing terrorist group , leaving him to raise their nine - year - old son by himself. One day , he saves the life of a boy he sees on the street. The child turns out to be the son of his new neighbors , Oliver and Cheryl Lang ( Tim Robbins and Joan Cusack ) . Michael soon becomes friendly with the grateful Langs , who seem as cheerfully bland as anyone could hope from denizens of suburbia. But the better Michael gets to know Oliver , the more he becomes convinced that something isn't quite right ; Oliver seems almost too clean and perfect , and Michael begins to notice that small details in Oliver's stories don't quite add up. The question is whether Michael's well - founded paranoia about the radical right is getting the better of him , or are the Langs up to something a lot more sinister than their cheerful smiles and manicured lawn would suggest? Ehren Kruger 's screenplay for Arlington Road won the Motion Picture Academy's Nicholl Fellowship prize in 1996 ; the film was the second directorial effort for Mark Pellington , who debuted with Going All the Way .
1545
This thriller is adapted from the 1995 novel by James Patterson about a serial killer prowling a Southern university. Washington D.C. forensic psychologist Dr. Alex Cross (Morgan Freeman) is also a best-selling author. After his niece Naomi (Gina Ravera) is reported missing he heads his Porsche for Durham North Carolina where eight young women have been reported missing. Bodies are found by local policemen (Cary Elwes and Alex McArthur) along with the killer's signature "Casanova." Casanova is a "collector" of strong-willed women who are forced to submit to his demands. Soon local doctor Kate McTiernan (Ashley Judd) is abducted from her home and taken to a dungeon -- where other women are imprisoned in underground chambers. After McTiernan succeeds in escaping she joins Cross and other detectives in the search for Casanova -- a trail that leads to Los Angeles where similar crimes are being committed by someone known as "The Gentleman Caller." Are these two criminals in competition with each other or are they working together?
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This thriller is adapted from the 1995 novel by James Patterson about a serial killer prowling a Southern university. Washington , D.C. , forensic psychologist Dr. Alex Cross ( Morgan Freeman ) is also a best - selling author. After his niece Naomi ( Gina Ravera ) is reported missing , he heads his Porsche for Durham , North Carolina , where eight young women have been reported missing. Bodies are found by local policemen ( Cary Elwes and Alex McArthur ), along with the killer's signature , "Casanova." Casanova is a "collector" of strong - willed women who are forced to submit to his demands. Soon , local doctor Kate McTiernan ( Ashley Judd ) is abducted from her home and taken to a dungeon -- where other women are imprisoned in underground chambers. After McTiernan succeeds in escaping , she joins Cross and other detectives in the search for Casanova -- a trail that leads to Los Angeles , where similar crimes are being committed by someone known as "The Gentleman Caller." Are these two criminals in competition with each other or are they working together?
1546
Jerry Fletcher (Mel Gibson) is a New York City cab driver who seems to have absorbed every bit of crackpot information passed along as "suppressed news" that's surfaced on talk radio or the Internet in the past 20 years. Anti-United Nations militia men who are actually U.N. operatives? NASA scientists engineering earthquakes? Oliver Stone's secret life as a government agent discrediting conspiracy theorists? Jerry's heard 'em all and believes most of them and even publishes his own journal of forbidden information with a subscription list that now totals five people. In short Jerry seems like just another New York City lunatic and while he spends a fair amount of his spare time following Alice Sutton (Julia Roberts) a government attorney Alice regards him as harmless; he once intervened while she was being mugged and he's been acting like her benign if whacked-out protector ever since. However one day Jerry is kidnapped and worked over by CIA operatives; he is convinced that one of the theories he uncovered must be for real -- but he has no idea which one. He tries to get Alice to help him and before long both are drawn into a dangerous web that leads to a startling revelation of just how Jerry got this way. Mel Gibson gives a fine comic performance and those with a taste for alternative media will have fun dissecting which of the theories Jerry spouts are "real" (or at least appeared before this film was made) and which were the invention of the screenwriters.
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Jerry Fletcher ( Mel Gibson ) is a New York City cab driver who seems to have absorbed every bit of crackpot information passed along as "suppressed news" that's surfaced on talk radio or the Internet in the past 20 years. Anti - United Nations militia men who are actually U.N. operatives? NASA scientists engineering earthquakes? Oliver Stone 's secret life as a government agent discrediting conspiracy theorists? Jerry's heard 'em all and believes most of them , and even publishes his own journal of forbidden information , with a subscription list that now totals five people. In short , Jerry seems like just another New York City lunatic , and while he spends a fair amount of his spare time following Alice Sutton ( Julia Roberts ), a government attorney , Alice regards him as harmless ; he once intervened while she was being mugged , and he's been acting like her benign if whacked - out protector ever since. However , one day Jerry is kidnapped and worked over by CIA operatives ; he is convinced that one of the theories he uncovered must be for real -- but he has no idea which one. He tries to get Alice to help him , and before long both are drawn into a dangerous web that leads to a startling revelation of just how Jerry got this way. Mel Gibson gives a fine comic performance , and those with a taste for alternative media will have fun dissecting which of the theories Jerry spouts are "real" ( or at least appeared before this film was made ) and which were the invention of the screenwriters.
1547
In this thriller an aging cat burglar becomes a crusader embroiled in a deadly cat-and-mouse game involving murder and a government cover-up. Adapted by distinguished scenarist William Goldman from a novel by David Baldacci and featuring a powerful all-star cast the story works at different levels not only as a straight-forward thriller but also as an insightful look at the love between the old thief and his estranged daughter a highly successful prosecuting attorney. The trouble begins when ex-con Luther Whitney (Clint Eastwood who also directed) decides to pull off one last heist before retiring. Just as he finishes looting the vault of a well-fortified mansion a drunken couple enters the adjoining bedroom apparently eager to start making love. But something goes awry and a violent tussle ensues that abruptly ends when gun-wielding men bust in and shoot down the woman. During the ensuing chaos Luther slips out. Only later does the audience learn that the would-be lovers were U.S.-President Alan Richmond (Gene Hackman) and Christy Sullivan (Melora Hardin) the young wife of the President's biggest supporter Walter Sullivan (E.G. Marshall). As the investigation and cover-up begins Luther who has already been contacted by hard-boiled and suspicious detective Seth Frank (Ed Harris) begins to fear that he will be blamed for the killing and prepares to leave the country. He tries to see his daughter Kate (Laura Linney) to make peace with her for having been absent in prison during most of her life but she rejects him. Luther goes to the airport but just before he flies he sees a press conference in which President Richmond without so much as a twitch goes on a tirade concerning his stand against violence. Something inside him snaps and he abruptly decides to stay and fight for justice.
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In this thriller , an aging cat burglar becomes a crusader embroiled in a deadly cat - and - mouse game involving murder and a government cover - up. Adapted by distinguished scenarist William Goldman from a novel by David Baldacci and featuring a powerful all - star cast , the story works at different levels , not only as a straight - forward thriller but also as an insightful look at the love between the old thief and his estranged daughter , a highly successful prosecuting attorney. The trouble begins when ex - con Luther Whitney ( Clint Eastwood , who also directed ) decides to pull off one last heist before retiring. Just as he finishes looting the vault of a well - fortified mansion , a drunken couple enters the adjoining bedroom apparently eager to start making love. But something goes awry and a violent tussle ensues that abruptly ends when gun - wielding men bust in and shoot down the woman. During the ensuing chaos , Luther slips out. Only later does the audience learn that the would - be lovers were U.S. - President Alan Richmond ( Gene Hackman ) and Christy Sullivan ( Melora Hardin ), the young wife of the President's biggest supporter Walter Sullivan ( E.G. Marshall ) . As the investigation and cover - up begins , Luther , who has already been contacted by hard - boiled and suspicious detective Seth Frank ( Ed Harris ) begins to fear that he will be blamed for the killing and prepares to leave the country. He tries to see his daughter Kate ( Laura Linney ) to make peace with her for having been absent in prison during most of her life , but she rejects him. Luther goes to the airport , but just before he flies , he sees a press conference in which President Richmond , without so much as a twitch , goes on a tirade concerning his stand against violence. Something inside him snaps and he abruptly decides to stay and fight for justice.
1548
Embroiled in an affair with Thomas Callahan (Sam Shephard) her alcoholic professor precocious 24-year-old Tulane University law student Darby Shaw (Julia Roberts) writes up an insightful theory about the recent murder of two Supreme Court justices one of whom Abraham Rosenberg (Hume Cronyn) served as Callahan's mentor. When Callahan shares this so-called "Pelican Brief" with buddy Gavin Verheek (John Heard) an FBI lawyer the document makes its way to White House flack Fletcher Coal (Tony Goldwyn) who believes it could topple the current administration. When Callahan is murdered and the President (Robert Culp) convinces the FBI to hold off on investigating Darby's theory the resourceful student must go into hiding stalked by relentless assassin Khamel (Stanley Tucci). Her only hope of escaping Callahan's fate and proving her theory lies in Washington investigative reporter Gray Grantham (Denzel Washington) who's already had one confidential source back out of sharing information about the assassinations. This John Grisham adaptation is generally faithful to the best-selling novel. Fans of HBO's Sex and the City will notice one of its future stars Cynthia Nixon in a small role as one of Darby's New Orleans classmates.
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Embroiled in an affair with Thomas Callahan ( Sam Shephard ), her alcoholic professor , precocious 24 - year - old Tulane University law student Darby Shaw ( Julia Roberts ) writes up an insightful theory about the recent murder of two Supreme Court justices , one of whom , Abraham Rosenberg ( Hume Cronyn ), served as Callahan's mentor. When Callahan shares this so - called "Pelican Brief" with buddy Gavin Verheek ( John Heard ), an FBI lawyer , the document makes its way to White House flack Fletcher Coal ( Tony Goldwyn ), who believes it could topple the current administration. When Callahan is murdered and the President ( Robert Culp ) convinces the FBI to hold off on investigating Darby's theory , the resourceful student must go into hiding , stalked by relentless assassin Khamel ( Stanley Tucci ) . Her only hope of escaping Callahan's fate and proving her theory lies in Washington investigative reporter Gray Grantham ( Denzel Washington ), who's already had one confidential source back out of sharing information about the assassinations. This John Grisham adaptation is generally faithful to the best - selling novel. Fans of HBO's Sex and the City will notice one of its future stars , Cynthia Nixon , in a small role as one of Darby's New Orleans classmates.
1549
Alec Baldwin stars in this thriller as Dr. Jed Hill a brilliant young trauma specialist who begins to believe he can do no wrong after he saves the life of a patient given up for dead by another doctor. Jed runs into an old classmate Andy Safian (Bill Pullman) who is now a college dean. Andy invites Jed to stay with him in the attic bedroom of a house he is renovating with his wife Tracy (Nicole Kidman). Tracy takes a dislike to Jed whom she thinks is a psychotic egomaniac. In the mean time Andy has to deal with a serial killer on the loose among the campus dorms. While Andy is helping belligerent law enforcement officials with the murder investigation and Jed is drinking straight shots at the local saloon Tracy begins to have abdominal pains and is rushed to the emergency room. Jed comes directly from the bar and slices her open removing more from her body cavity than he should. The allegations fly fast and furious between Tracy Andy and Jed.
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Alec Baldwin stars in this thriller as Dr. Jed Hill , a brilliant young trauma specialist who begins to believe he can do no wrong after he saves the life of a patient given up for dead by another doctor. Jed runs into an old classmate , Andy Safian ( Bill Pullman ), who is now a college dean. Andy invites Jed to stay with him in the attic bedroom of a house he is renovating with his wife Tracy ( Nicole Kidman ) . Tracy takes a dislike to Jed , whom she thinks is a psychotic egomaniac. In the mean time , Andy has to deal with a serial killer on the loose among the campus dorms. While Andy is helping belligerent law enforcement officials with the murder investigation and Jed is drinking straight shots at the local saloon , Tracy begins to have abdominal pains and is rushed to the emergency room. Jed comes directly from the bar and slices her open , removing more from her body cavity than he should. The allegations fly fast and furious between Tracy , Andy , and Jed.
1550
The polar-opposite worlds of opera and horror collide in this gory giallo film from director Dario Argento. Christina Marsillach (Tom Hanks' romantic interest in Every Time We Say Goodbye) stars as Betty a beautiful understudy who gets an unlikely break to play the female lead in a contemporary opera of Verdi's Macbeth. Her fear of Macbeth's notorious curse proves to have foundation when a psychopath with a strange connection to Betty murders a stage hand in the midst of her debut and later kills several ravens being used in the opera. Characters introduced at this point who could be the killer include: the show's director Marco (Ian Charleson); Betty's publicist Mira (Daria Nicolodi); and the police inspector Alan Santini (Urbano Barberini). The middle third of the film is devoted to the killer's bloody work which serves to torment Betty. The madman binds her and tapes a row of tiny needles beneath her eyes so that she is forced to watch him butcher a young stage manager and a costume designer among others. With the police investigation going nowhere and the killer zeroing in on Betty's death Marco decides to enact his own plan to stop the madman; he releases the ravens (apparently they always remember their enemies) during a performance. The birds circle wildly before attacking the killer and plucking one of his eyeballs out. He absconds with Betty but dies in a fire after revealing his demented motivation and his connection to the young singer. A final scene set in the Swiss mountains provides a couple of final shocks.
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The polar - opposite worlds of opera and horror collide in this gory giallo film from director Dario Argento . Christina Marsillach ( Tom Hanks ' romantic interest in Every Time We Say Goodbye ) stars as Betty , a beautiful understudy who gets an unlikely break to play the female lead in a contemporary opera of Verdi 's Macbeth . Her fear of Macbeth's notorious curse proves to have foundation when a psychopath with a strange connection to Betty murders a stage hand in the midst of her debut and later kills several ravens being used in the opera. Characters introduced at this point who could be the killer include : the show's director , Marco ( Ian Charleson ); Betty's publicist , Mira ( Daria Nicolodi ); and the police inspector , Alan Santini ( Urbano Barberini ) . The middle third of the film is devoted to the killer's bloody work which serves to torment Betty. The madman binds her and tapes a row of tiny needles beneath her eyes so that she is forced to watch him butcher a young stage manager and a costume designer , among others. With the police investigation going nowhere and the killer zeroing in on Betty's death , Marco decides to enact his own plan to stop the madman ; he releases the ravens ( apparently , they always remember their enemies ) during a performance. The birds circle wildly before attacking the killer and plucking one of his eyeballs out. He absconds with Betty , but dies in a fire after revealing his demented motivation and his connection to the young singer. A final scene set in the Swiss mountains provides a couple of final shocks.
1551
Mark Frost the writer and director best known for his work with David Lynch on the TV series Twin Peaks made his feature film directorial debut with this convoluted thriller. Cray Fowler (James Spader) is running for congress partly to satisfy his own political aspirations and partly to resolve certain controversies in his life; he divorced his wife after discovering that she was unfaithful and his father committed suicide after he became involved in a scandal regarding valuable oil rights. While on the campaign trail Fowler is persuaded to visit Lee Tran (Charlotte Lewis) a waitress he meets at a fund raiser. Fowler and Lee Tran have sex which is caught on videotape; as if this isn't strong enough blackmail material Lee Tran's father turns up dead in the room where Fowler wakes up. But Lee not Fowler is charged with the murder and Fowler a lawyer agrees to defend her in court. Fowler wins the case against beautiful District Attorney Natalie Tate (Joanne Whalley-Kilmer) Fowler's former girlfriend but now he needs to find out who is trying to set him up and for what reason; he hopes he can get some help from his uncle Clifford Fowler (Jason Robards) a political kingmaker of the old school who knows all the family's secrets. The supporting cast includes Piper Laurie Michael Parks Chuck McCann and Woody Strode.
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Mark Frost , the writer and director best known for his work with David Lynch on the TV series Twin Peaks , made his feature film directorial debut with this convoluted thriller. Cray Fowler ( James Spader ) is running for congress , partly to satisfy his own political aspirations and partly to resolve certain controversies in his life ; he divorced his wife after discovering that she was unfaithful , and his father committed suicide after he became involved in a scandal regarding valuable oil rights. While on the campaign trail , Fowler is persuaded to visit Lee Tran ( Charlotte Lewis ), a waitress he meets at a fund raiser. Fowler and Lee Tran have sex , which is caught on videotape ; as if this isn't strong enough blackmail material , Lee Tran's father turns up dead in the room where Fowler wakes up. But Lee , not Fowler , is charged with the murder , and Fowler , a lawyer , agrees to defend her in court. Fowler wins the case against beautiful District Attorney Natalie Tate ( Joanne Whalley - Kilmer ), Fowler's former girlfriend , but now he needs to find out who is trying to set him up and for what reason ; he hopes he can get some help from his uncle , Clifford Fowler ( Jason Robards ), a political kingmaker of the old school who knows all the family's secrets. The supporting cast includes Piper Laurie , Michael Parks , Chuck McCann , and Woody Strode .
1552
Someone to Watch Over Me a mystery thriller directed by Ridley Scott is the story of a police officer who falls in love with the woman he is hired to protect and the effect of this affair on his marriage and his life. Claire (Mimi Rogers) an extremely wealthy socialite is the sole witness to a mob murder and is in great danger. Mike (Tom Berenger) a happily married NYC police officer is assigned to protect her and takes up residence in her foyer while she waits to testify. A romance develops between the unlikely couple which threatens Mike's marriage to Ellie (Lorraine Bracco). All of this sounds more exciting than it is and while the film fails to generate much suspense the love story and Mike's dilemma are interesting. All the performances are excellent particularly that of Bracco as the no-nonsense wife. The score is exceptional and the photography and set decoration are all fine. Someone to Watch Over Me is a fine police thriller and love story.
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Someone to Watch Over Me , a mystery thriller directed by Ridley Scott is the story of a police officer who falls in love with the woman he is hired to protect and the effect of this affair on his marriage and his life. Claire ( Mimi Rogers ) an extremely wealthy socialite is the sole witness to a mob murder and is in great danger. Mike ( Tom Berenger ), a happily married NYC police officer is assigned to protect her and takes up residence in her foyer while she waits to testify. A romance develops between the unlikely couple which threatens Mike's marriage to Ellie ( Lorraine Bracco ) . All of this sounds more exciting than it is , and while the film fails to generate much suspense , the love story and Mike's dilemma are interesting. All the performances are excellent , particularly that of Bracco as the no - nonsense wife. The score is exceptional and the photography and set decoration are all fine. Someone to Watch Over Me is a fine police thriller and love story.
1553
A tortured man finds himself caught in a middle-ground between hallucination and reality in this supernatural thriller scripted by Bruce Joel Rubin of Ghost (1990) and My Life (1993). Jacob Singer (Tim Robbins) is a soldier stationed in Vietnam who undergoes a traumatic experience on the battlefield - the nature of which is initially unclear. The film then moves into his post-Vietnam experience in 1970s New York where he feels consistently traumatized but can never quite remember exactly what happened to him in Southeast Asia or to free himself from his anxieties over the recent tragic death of his young son (Macaulay Culkin). Though well educated Jacob works as a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service and has become romantically involved with one of his co-workers Jezzie (Elizabeth Pena) after divorcing his wife. Soon Jacob's tenuous hold on reality starts to slip as horrifying events befall him; he is nearly run over by a subway train pursued by faceless demons in cars and spots reptilian tails and horns protruding from the bodies of those he encounters. Jacob also suffers severe panic attacks related to the chaos that may be reality or may exist only in his mind. He seeks counsel from Louis (Danny Aiello) a kindly chiropractor as his ex-wife Sarah (Patricia Kalember) fellow Vietnam vet Paul (Pruitt Taylor Vince) and enigmatic stranger Michael (Matt Craven) all try to help the tortured soul. Jason Alexander Ving Rhames and Eriq LaSalle highlight the supporting cast.
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A tortured man finds himself caught in a middle - ground between hallucination and reality in this supernatural thriller , scripted by Bruce Joel Rubin of Ghost ( 1990 ) and My Life ( 1993 ) . Jacob Singer ( Tim Robbins ) is a soldier stationed in Vietnam who undergoes a traumatic experience on the battlefield - the nature of which is initially unclear. The film then moves into his post - Vietnam experience in 1970s New York , where he feels consistently traumatized , but can never quite remember exactly what happened to him in Southeast Asia or to free himself from his anxieties over the recent tragic death of his young son ( Macaulay Culkin ) . Though well educated , Jacob works as a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service and has become romantically involved with one of his co - workers , Jezzie ( Elizabeth Pena ), after divorcing his wife. Soon , Jacob's tenuous hold on reality starts to slip as horrifying events befall him ; he is nearly run over by a subway train , pursued by faceless demons in cars , and spots reptilian tails and horns protruding from the bodies of those he encounters. Jacob also suffers severe panic attacks related to the chaos that may be reality , or may exist only in his mind. He seeks counsel from Louis ( Danny Aiello ), a kindly chiropractor , as his ex - wife Sarah ( Patricia Kalember ), fellow Vietnam vet Paul ( Pruitt Taylor Vince ), and enigmatic stranger Michael ( Matt Craven ) all try to help the tortured soul. Jason Alexander , Ving Rhames and Eriq LaSalle highlight the supporting cast.
1554
In Final Analysis Richard Gere stars as Isaac Barr a San Francisco psychiatrist whose alluring patient Diana Baylor (Uma Thurman) is being treated for traumatic memories. In order to find out more about her trauma Diana suggests that Isaac speak to her sister and question her about what went on between them in the past. But when Isaac sets eyes on Diana's sister Heather (Kim Basinger) they become involved in a torrid and steamy sex affair. Unfortunately Heather is married to psychotic sadist Jimmy Evans (Eric Roberts).
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In Final Analysis , Richard Gere stars as Isaac Barr , a San Francisco psychiatrist whose alluring patient Diana Baylor ( Uma Thurman ) is being treated for traumatic memories. In order to find out more about her trauma , Diana suggests that Isaac speak to her sister and question her about what went on between them in the past. But when Isaac sets eyes on Diana's sister Heather ( Kim Basinger ), they become involved in a torrid and steamy sex affair. Unfortunately , Heather is married to psychotic sadist Jimmy Evans ( Eric Roberts ) .
1555
In this flawed mystery-thriller from flamboyant horror director Dario Argento Karl Malden portrays a blind man who joins forces with a reporter (James Franciscus) to catch a killer with an extra chromosome. Much of the action occurs at a research hospital where the killer seeks to conceal the original crime with still more murders. Easily the least interesting of Argento's early thrillers (which include the superior L'Uccello dalle Piume di Cristallo and Quattro Mosche di Velluto Grigio) this film seems almost a parody of the genre at times with preposterous coincidences and bogus Freudian analysis substituting for genuine mystery. Those familiar with the director's work may find it difficult to believe that Argento was responsible but some undeniable stylistic touches -- such as one victim's wallpaper resembling a blood-splattered wall -- reveal that even a genius can make bad films. Ennio Morricone's soundtrack and a cast including Catherine Spaak and Pier Paolo Capponi offer little relief. The American version is missing approximately twenty minutes.
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In this flawed mystery - thriller from flamboyant horror director Dario Argento , Karl Malden portrays a blind man who joins forces with a reporter ( James Franciscus ) to catch a killer with an extra chromosome. Much of the action occurs at a research hospital , where the killer seeks to conceal the original crime with still more murders. Easily the least interesting of Argento's early thrillers ( which include the superior L'Uccello dalle Piume di Cristallo and Quattro Mosche di Velluto Grigio ), this film seems almost a parody of the genre at times , with preposterous coincidences and bogus Freudian analysis substituting for genuine mystery. Those familiar with the director's work may find it difficult to believe that Argento was responsible , but some undeniable stylistic touches -- such as one victim's wallpaper resembling a blood - splattered wall -- reveal that even a genius can make bad films. Ennio Morricone's soundtrack and a cast including Catherine Spaak and Pier Paolo Capponi offer little relief. The American version is missing approximately twenty minutes.
1556
Martin Scorsese's remake of Cape Fear provided the director with a box-office success to follow up the critical success of the previous year's Goodfellas. After serving a lengthy prison sentence for a sexual assault Max Cady (Robert De Niro) comes calling on the man who served as his public defender Sam Bowden (Nick Nolte). Max begins a campaign of harassment against the man and his family because Bowden buried a report that would have in all likelihood acquitted Cady of the charges against him. Bowden's shaky ethics continue in his personal life as he is considering beginning an extramarital affair with colleague Lori Davis (Illeana Douglas) since he and his wife Leigh (Jessica Lange) have had a difficult time coming back together since he has admitted to previous indiscretions. Cady infiltrates the family most insidiously by cultivating a relationship with the Bowden's troubled teenage daughte Danielle (Juliette Lewis) who is all the more susceptible to Cady's advances because of her parents' problems. Robert Mitchum and Gregory Peck the stars of the original film have cameo appearances in this version of Cape Fear. De Niro and Lewis were both nominated for Academy Awards for their work in the film.
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Martin Scorsese 's remake of Cape Fear provided the director with a box - office success to follow up the critical success of the previous year's Goodfellas . After serving a lengthy prison sentence for a sexual assault , Max Cady ( Robert De Niro ) comes calling on the man who served as his public defender , Sam Bowden ( Nick Nolte ) . Max begins a campaign of harassment against the man and his family because Bowden buried a report that would have in all likelihood acquitted Cady of the charges against him. Bowden's shaky ethics continue in his personal life as he is considering beginning an extramarital affair with colleague Lori Davis ( Illeana Douglas ), since he and his wife , Leigh ( Jessica Lange ) have had a difficult time coming back together since he has admitted to previous indiscretions. Cady infiltrates the family most insidiously by cultivating a relationship with the Bowden's troubled teenage daughte , Danielle ( Juliette Lewis ), who is all the more susceptible to Cady's advances because of her parents' problems. Robert Mitchum and Gregory Peck , the stars of the original film , have cameo appearances in this version of Cape Fear . De Niro and Lewis were both nominated for Academy Awards for their work in the film.
1557
ased on the controversial sequel novel of the same name Hannibal is the much-anticipated follow-up to the Oscar-winning The Silence of the Lambs (1991). Anthony Hopkins returns as Dr. Hannibal Lecter one of the world's most cunning and feared serial killers who resurfaces after a decade in hiding to toy with FBI agent Clarice Starling (Julianne Moore). As Starling's career flounders thanks to a drug bust gone wrong Lecter attempts to elude a greedy Italian police detective (Giancarlo Giannini) who's willing to alert the authorities to his presence in Florence for a price. In the meantime a maimed but wealthy former victim of Lecter's named Mason Verger (Gary Oldman) plots to get his revenge on the doctor in a most unusual and grisly fashion. The novel by Thomas Harris was adapted for director Ridley Scott by David Mamet and Steven Zaillian.
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Based on the controversial sequel novel of the same name , Hannibal is the much - anticipated follow - up to the Oscar - winning The Silence of the Lambs ( 1991 ) . Anthony Hopkins returns as Dr. Hannibal Lecter , one of the world's most cunning and feared serial killers , who resurfaces after a decade in hiding to toy with FBI agent Clarice Starling ( Julianne Moore ) . As Starling's career flounders thanks to a drug bust gone wrong , Lecter attempts to elude a greedy Italian police detective ( Giancarlo Giannini ) who's willing to alert the authorities to his presence in Florence for a price. In the meantime , a maimed but wealthy former victim of Lecter's named Mason Verger ( Gary Oldman ) plots to get his revenge on the doctor in a most unusual and grisly fashion. The novel by Thomas Harris was adapted for director Ridley Scott by David Mamet and Steven Zaillian .
1558
In this crime thriller L.L. Cool J is a underworld boss so powerful that his nickname is "God." He has his fingers in 80% of the drug traffic in Cincinnati has won over nearly every adversary through bribery or intimidation and seems practically untouchable. New police detective Jeffrey Cole (Omar Epps) convinced that he's the man who can bring down "God" and his empire assumes a criminal identity that allows him to infiltrate "God"'s organization. However the longer Cole remains inside the underworld the more he finds himself caught up in it and getting out of "God"'s empire becomes more difficult than getting in. The supporting cast includes Stanley Tucci as Cole's superior Nia Long as Cole's girlfriend and Pam Grier as an undercover detective as well as hip-hop artists Nas and Mya.
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In this crime thriller , L.L. Cool J is a underworld boss so powerful that his nickname is "God." He has his fingers in 80% of the drug traffic in Cincinnati , has won over nearly every adversary through bribery or intimidation , and seems practically untouchable. New police detective Jeffrey Cole ( Omar Epps ), convinced that he's the man who can bring down "God" and his empire , assumes a criminal identity that allows him to infiltrate "God"'s organization. However , the longer Cole remains inside the underworld , the more he finds himself caught up in it , and getting out of "God"'s empire becomes more difficult than getting in. The supporting cast includes Stanley Tucci as Cole's superior , Nia Long as Cole's girlfriend , and Pam Grier as an undercover detective , as well as hip - hop artists Nas and Mya .
1559
Independent film director Gus Van Sant attempts a first in American film history: a shot-by-shot remake of the classic 1960 Alfred Hitchcock film Psycho. With a few minor modern-day changes (including filming it in color) his version is essentially the same film with a different cast and the same Bernard Hermann music. Psycho was and still is the story of Marion Crane (previously played by Janet Leigh and now by Anne Heche) an adulterous woman who steals a stack of money from her boss and hits the road hoping for financial freedom. Pulling over in an old motel for the night she meets the creepy owner of the Bates Motel Norman Bates (Vince Vaughn doing his best Anthony Perkins) who lives with his jealous nagging mother. Most people know the film Psycho for what happens next -- the shower scene where Marion is brutally stabbed in the most over-analyzed scene in movie history. The money the car and Marion's remains are quickly sunk in a nearby swamp. As a detective (William H. Macy) and Marion's sister Lila (Julianne Moore) come looking for her they begin to uncover the dark mysterious secret lurking in Norman Bates' life.
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Independent film director Gus Van Sant attempts a first in American film history : a shot - by - shot remake of the classic 1960 Alfred Hitchcock film Psycho . With a few minor , modern - day changes ( including filming it in color ), his version is essentially the same film with a different cast and the same Bernard Hermann music. Psycho was and still is the story of Marion Crane ( previously played by Janet Leigh and now by Anne Heche ), an adulterous woman who steals a stack of money from her boss and hits the road hoping for financial freedom. Pulling over in an old motel for the night , she meets the creepy owner of the Bates Motel , Norman Bates ( Vince Vaughn doing his best Anthony Perkins ), who lives with his jealous nagging mother. Most people know the film Psycho for what happens next -- the shower scene , where Marion is brutally stabbed in the most over - analyzed scene in movie history. The money , the car , and Marion's remains are quickly sunk in a nearby swamp. As a detective ( William H. Macy ) and Marion's sister Lila ( Julianne Moore ) come looking for her , they begin to uncover the dark mysterious secret lurking in Norman Bates' life.
1560
A Perfect Murder is based on Frederick Knott's play Dial M for Murder filmed by Alfred Hitchcock in 1954. Married to commodities trader Stephen Taylor (Michael Douglas) Emily Bradford (Gwyneth Paltrow) is romantically involved with artist David Shaw (Viggo Mortensen). Aware of this affair Stephen researches David's past visits his loft studio and informs David that he knows about his aliases jail sentences and various cons and scams directed at rich women. Then Stephen offers David $500000 to murder Emily and David agrees. The plan is calculated to make the murder look like an accident but events soon go on an unscheduled course. Enter Detective Mohamed Karaman (David Suchet). Knott's original play opened June 1952 in London followed by a New York run that began October 1952. Several books and sources describe how Hitchcock's film was made in 3-D but neglect to mention that despite trade screenings in 3-D Dial M for Murder was originally released in 1954 with ordinary flat 2-D prints. It was finally shown to audiences in 3-D during the mid-'80s.
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A Perfect Murder is based on Frederick Knott 's play Dial M for Murder , filmed by Alfred Hitchcock in 1954. Married to commodities trader Stephen Taylor ( Michael Douglas ), Emily Bradford ( Gwyneth Paltrow ) is romantically involved with artist David Shaw ( Viggo Mortensen ) . Aware of this affair , Stephen researches David's past , visits his loft studio , and informs David that he knows about his aliases , jail sentences , and various cons and scams directed at rich women. Then Stephen offers David $500 , 000 to murder Emily , and David agrees. The plan is calculated to make the murder look like an accident , but events soon go on an unscheduled course. Enter Detective Mohamed Karaman ( David Suchet ) . Knott 's original play opened June 1952 in London , followed by a New York run that began October 1952. Several books and sources describe how Hitchcock 's film was made in 3 - D but neglect to mention that , despite trade screenings in 3 - D , Dial M for Murder was originally released in 1954 with ordinary , flat 2 - D prints. It was finally shown to audiences in 3 - D during the mid - '80s.
1561
In Moscow after FBI deputy director Carter Preston (Sidney Poitier) and scarred Russian intelligence officer Valentina Koslova (Diane Venora) bring down a key figure in the Russian Mafia they are threatened by the criminal's powerful brother who swears vengeance on the FBI and immediately hires a professional assassin the Jackal (Bruce Willis) to kill a leading American political figure. A master of disguises the Jackal believes in total perfectionism and demands $70 million for the job. The FBI suspects the Jackal is aiming for the FBI director so they consult with former Basque terrorist Isabella (Mathilda May) in Virginia and Isabella's former lover IRA operative Declan Mulqueen (Richard Gere) serving a prison sentence. Promised leniency Mulqueen agrees to help. Meanwhile the Jackal prepares false passports secures a customized computer system to run his Gatling gun and heads toward his target in Washington D.C.
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In Moscow , after FBI deputy director Carter Preston ( Sidney Poitier ) and scarred Russian intelligence officer Valentina Koslova ( Diane Venora ) bring down a key figure in the Russian Mafia , they are threatened by the criminal's powerful brother who swears vengeance on the FBI and immediately hires a professional assassin , the Jackal ( Bruce Willis ) to kill a leading American political figure. A master of disguises , the Jackal believes in total perfectionism and demands $70 million for the job. The FBI suspects the Jackal is aiming for the FBI director , so they consult with former Basque terrorist Isabella ( Mathilda May ), in Virginia , and Isabella's former lover , IRA operative Declan Mulqueen ( Richard Gere ), serving a prison sentence. Promised leniency , Mulqueen agrees to help. Meanwhile , the Jackal prepares false passports , secures a customized computer system to run his Gatling gun , and heads toward his target in Washington , D.C.
1562
Robert Altman directed this John Grisham tale that begins at a party where Savannah attorney Rick Magruder (Kenneth Branagh) celebrates his successful defense of a man who shot a local cop. The partygoers include his ex-wife Leeanne (Famke Janssen) the mother of his two children; his law partner Lois Harlan (Daryl Hannah); and caterer Mallory Doss (Embeth Davidtz). After Mallory finds her car stolen Rick gives her a ride home where things turn sexual. Attracted to Mallory he learns that her crazed father Dixon Doss (Robert Duvall) has been threatening her. Getting too closely involved with this woman he hardly knows Rick has the police round up her unstable father and he next subpoenas her ex-husband Pete (Tom Berenger) to testify against Dixon who is institutionalized. The crazed Dixon manages to escape from the asylum intent on revenge against all his betrayers and enemies. As a potent hurricane blows into Savannah Mallory's car is torched and Rick receives threats. Believing his children are in danger Rick removes them from school prompting a warrant for his arrest. When his children disappear Rich goes on the counterattack against Dixon. Chinese cinematographer Changwei Gu (of Chen Kaige's Farewell My Concubine and Zhang Yimou's Ju Dou) captured the soaked Savannah sites. The script is not an adaptation from a John Grisham novel; Grisham wrote it as an original screenplay just before the success of The Firm (1993) and it was acquired by producer Jeremy Tannenbaum. After Island Pictures came into the project at $1.4 million Grisham returned for rewrites. Altman did even more drafts so the pseudonym Al Hayes was created as the scripting credit. When Polygram suggested to Altman that the electronic score could be replaced with a traditional score Altman had friends call reporters to say he had been dismissed. Polygram began re-editing the $25 million movie but their edit didn't test much better than Altman's version so they handed the reins back to Altman.
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Robert Altman directed this John Grisham tale that begins at a party where Savannah attorney Rick Magruder ( Kenneth Branagh ) celebrates his successful defense of a man who shot a local cop. The partygoers include his ex - wife Leeanne ( Famke Janssen ), the mother of his two children ; his law partner Lois Harlan ( Daryl Hannah ); and caterer Mallory Doss ( Embeth Davidtz ) . After Mallory finds her car stolen , Rick gives her a ride home where things turn sexual. Attracted to Mallory , he learns that her crazed father Dixon Doss ( Robert Duvall ) has been threatening her. Getting too closely involved with this woman he hardly knows , Rick has the police round up her unstable father , and he next subpoenas her ex - husband Pete ( Tom Berenger ) to testify against Dixon , who is institutionalized. The crazed Dixon manages to escape from the asylum , intent on revenge against all his betrayers and enemies. As a potent hurricane blows into Savannah , Mallory's car is torched , and Rick receives threats. Believing his children are in danger , Rick removes them from school , prompting a warrant for his arrest. When his children disappear , Rich goes on the counterattack against Dixon. Chinese cinematographer Changwei Gu ( of Chen Kaige 's Farewell My Concubine and Zhang Yimou 's Ju Dou ) captured the soaked Savannah sites. The script is not an adaptation from a John Grisham novel ; Grisham wrote it as an original screenplay just before the success of The Firm ( 1993 ), and it was acquired by producer Jeremy Tannenbaum . After Island Pictures came into the project at $1.4 million , Grisham returned for rewrites. Altman did even more drafts , so the pseudonym Al Hayes was created as the scripting credit. When Polygram suggested to Altman that the electronic score could be replaced with a traditional score , Altman had friends call reporters to say he had been dismissed. Polygram began re - editing the $25 million movie , but their edit didn't test much better than Altman's version , so they handed the reins back to Altman.
1563
Julia Ormond stars as Copenhagen resident Smilla Jasperson a reclusive half-Inuit scientist who befriends a neglected Inuit boy who lives in her building. Arriving home from work one day Smilla is mortified to learn that the boy has died in a fall from the building's roof. Suspicious because she knows that her young friend was afraid of heights Smilla probes into the "accident." Her only ally is an enigmatic man known as the Mechanic (Gabriel Byrne) who also lives in the building and seems sympathetic. Smilla discovers that the boy's family is connected to a mining company conducting top-secret research in her ancestral home of Greenland. Then she spies the Mechanic and the company's president (Richard Harris) dining together. Is she a paranoid conspiracy theorist or a sleuth uncovering a bizarre murder mystery? When a retired secretary (Vanessa Redgrave) helps her make a critical discovery Smilla sets off for Greenland where the otherworldly prehistoric answer to her questions awaits. Danish director Bille August's previous film Pelle the Conqueror (1987) also concerned the bond between an adult Denmark émigré and a child.
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Julia Ormond stars as Copenhagen resident Smilla Jasperson , a reclusive , half - Inuit scientist who befriends a neglected Inuit boy who lives in her building. Arriving home from work one day , Smilla is mortified to learn that the boy has died in a fall from the building's roof. Suspicious because she knows that her young friend was afraid of heights , Smilla probes into the "accident." Her only ally is an enigmatic man known as the Mechanic ( Gabriel Byrne ), who also lives in the building and seems sympathetic. Smilla discovers that the boy's family is connected to a mining company conducting top - secret research in her ancestral home of Greenland. Then she spies the Mechanic and the company's president ( Richard Harris ) dining together. Is she a paranoid conspiracy theorist or a sleuth uncovering a bizarre murder mystery? When a retired secretary ( Vanessa Redgrave ) helps her make a critical discovery , Smilla sets off for Greenland , where the otherworldly , prehistoric answer to her questions awaits. Danish director Bille August 's previous film Pelle the Conqueror ( 1987 ) also concerned the bond between an adult Denmark émigré and a child.
1564
Comic leading man Hugh Grant gets serious in this drama about a physician who uncovers a truly disturbing secret. Guy Luthan (Hugh Grant) a British doctor serving a residence in a hospital in New York City is very puzzled by a patient brought to the emergency room one night. Naked disoriented and bearing a hospital bracelet and a fresh surgical scar the mystery man is suffering from a baffling variety of symptoms and though he dies not long after he's admitted Luthan can't get the patient out of his mind. When he asks to see the records on the patient a few days later he's told they no longer exist and the more he digs the more he's convinced that someone knows something they're not telling. Against the advice of his friend Jodie Trammel (Sarah Jessica Parker) a nurse and colleague and the instructions of his superiors Luthan keeps digging into this and other strange cases that have come through the hospital lately. Luthan's sleuthing eventually brings him to the door of Dr. Lawrence Myrick (Gene Hackman) a well-known surgeon who is doing research in experimental surgery that could allow patients with severe spinal injuries to walk again. While Myrick's work is done with the most noble of intentions there turns out to be a sinister undercurrent to his research techniques. Actress Elizabeth Hurley Grant's offscreen significant other was co-producer for this picture the first from their joint production company.
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Comic leading man Hugh Grant gets serious in this drama about a physician who uncovers a truly disturbing secret. Guy Luthan ( Hugh Grant ), a British doctor serving a residence in a hospital in New York City , is very puzzled by a patient brought to the emergency room one night. Naked , disoriented , and bearing a hospital bracelet and a fresh surgical scar , the mystery man is suffering from a baffling variety of symptoms , and though he dies not long after he's admitted , Luthan can't get the patient out of his mind. When he asks to see the records on the patient a few days later , he's told they no longer exist , and the more he digs , the more he's convinced that someone knows something they're not telling. Against the advice of his friend Jodie Trammel ( Sarah Jessica Parker ), a nurse and colleague , and the instructions of his superiors , Luthan keeps digging into this and other strange cases that have come through the hospital lately. Luthan's sleuthing eventually brings him to the door of Dr. Lawrence Myrick ( Gene Hackman ), a well - known surgeon who is doing research in experimental surgery that could allow patients with severe spinal injuries to walk again. While Myrick's work is done with the most noble of intentions , there turns out to be a sinister undercurrent to his research techniques. Actress Elizabeth Hurley , Grant's offscreen significant other , was co - producer for this picture , the first from their joint production company.
1565
In the mode of Quentin Tarantino this film directed by Gary Fleder from a script by Scott Rosenberg concerns itself with hip smart gangsters. The film is set in Denver and the title comes from a Warren Zevon song. A retired good-hearted gangster named Jimmy the Saint (Andy Garcia) runs a company that videotapes dying people giving life advice to their children and grandchildren to be delivered when they come of age. Jimmy's former crime boss The Man with the Plan (Christopher Walken) summons him. The Man is wheelchair-bound and doesn't have long to live; he explains that Jimmy owes him a favor and must perform one final job. It involves frightening the boyfriend of the ex-girlfriend of Bernard (Michael Nicolosi) the son of The Man who has been so shaken by the girl's rejection of him that he has been fondling schoolyard children. Jimmy rounds up his old gang -- including Pieces (Christopher Lloyd) a porno theater projectionist; Franchise (William Forsythe) an ex-biker with a trailer-trash family to support; Critical Bill (Treat Williams) a psychotic trigger-happy ex-con; and Easy Wind (Bill Nunn) an exterminator. Pieces and Bill pose as cops as part of the needlessly elaborate plan which misfires badly. The Man enraged gives Jimmy 48 hours to leave town and he orders his comrades wiped out hiring the notorious hitman Mr. Shhh (Steve Buscemi) to track them down. But Jimmy can't seem to get the others to leave town and despite The Man's decree Jimmy is also reluctant to leave because he's become romantically entangled with Dagney (Gabrielle Anwar). Jack Warden's character serves as a kind of Greek chorus who comments from time to time on the unfolding action.
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In the mode of Quentin Tarantino , this film , directed by Gary Fleder from a script by Scott Rosenberg , concerns itself with hip , smart gangsters. The film is set in Denver , and the title comes from a Warren Zevon song. A retired , good - hearted gangster named Jimmy the Saint ( Andy Garcia ) runs a company that videotapes dying people giving life advice to their children and grandchildren , to be delivered when they come of age. Jimmy's former crime boss , The Man with the Plan ( Christopher Walken ), summons him. The Man is wheelchair - bound and doesn't have long to live ; he explains that Jimmy owes him a favor and must perform one final job. It involves frightening the boyfriend of the ex - girlfriend of Bernard ( Michael Nicolosi ), the son of The Man , who has been so shaken by the girl's rejection of him that he has been fondling schoolyard children. Jimmy rounds up his old gang -- including Pieces ( Christopher Lloyd ), a porno theater projectionist ; Franchise ( William Forsythe ), an ex - biker with a trailer - trash family to support ; Critical Bill ( Treat Williams ), a psychotic , trigger - happy ex - con ; and Easy Wind ( Bill Nunn ), an exterminator. Pieces and Bill pose as cops as part of the needlessly elaborate plan , which misfires badly. The Man , enraged , gives Jimmy 48 hours to leave town , and he orders his comrades wiped out , hiring the notorious hitman Mr. Shhh ( Steve Buscemi ) to track them down. But Jimmy can't seem to get the others to leave town , and despite The Man's decree , Jimmy is also reluctant to leave , because he's become romantically entangled with Dagney ( Gabrielle Anwar ) . Jack Warden 's character serves as a kind of Greek chorus who comments from time to time on the unfolding action.
1566
An American ex-con gets caught up in a Parisian bank heist that goes wrong in this ultra-violent thriller. Zed (Eric Stoltz) a safe-cracking expert fresh out of prison travels to France to participate in a robbery planned by his friend Eric (Jean-Hughes Anglade). But first Zed decides to indulge in some relaxation with a gorgeous kind-hearted prostitute by the name of Zoe (Julie Delpy). This idyll however is interrupted by Eric who leads Zed and the other criminals on a long night of drinking drugging and debauchery. The next day the thieves find themselves hung over and exhausted and the plan soon goes disastrously wrong turning into a hostage situation. Even worse for Zed he discovers that the lovely Zoe also works as a teller at the bank forcing him into a tricky moral dilemma. Writer and director Roger Avary best known as the co-screenwriter of Pulp Fiction creates a similar combination of black comedy extreme violence and hip attitude. Critics of Quentin Tarantino's films raised similar objections to Avary's reliance on bloody violence and a detached sensibility while the film's fans acclaimed its fast-paced action.
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An American ex - con gets caught up in a Parisian bank heist that goes wrong in this ultra - violent thriller. Zed ( Eric Stoltz ), a safe - cracking expert fresh out of prison , travels to France to participate in a robbery planned by his friend Eric ( Jean - Hughes Anglade ) . But first , Zed decides to indulge in some relaxation with a gorgeous , kind - hearted prostitute by the name of Zoe ( Julie Delpy ) . This idyll , however , is interrupted by Eric , who leads Zed and the other criminals on a long night of drinking , drugging , and debauchery. The next day , the thieves find themselves hung over and exhausted , and the plan soon goes disastrously wrong , turning into a hostage situation. Even worse for Zed , he discovers that the lovely Zoe also works as a teller at the bank , forcing him into a tricky moral dilemma. Writer and director Roger Avary , best known as the co - screenwriter of Pulp Fiction , creates a similar combination of black comedy , extreme violence , and hip attitude. Critics of Quentin Tarantino 's films raised similar objections to Avary 's reliance on bloody violence and a detached sensibility , while the film's fans acclaimed its fast - paced action.
1567
This German-produced film was made by American B-movie director Sam Fuller especially for his European fans who have far more respect for his films than their Yankee counterparts. The story centers on the attempts of a hard-boiled private dick to bust open a ring of international smugglers. He is assisted by his lovely sidekick.
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This German - produced film was made by American B - movie director Sam Fuller especially for his European fans who have far more respect for his films than their Yankee counterparts. The story centers on the attempts of a hard - boiled private dick to bust open a ring of international smugglers. He is assisted by his lovely sidekick.
1568
Fed up with watching vicious criminals walk on technicalities and loopholes judge Michael Douglas accepts his older colleague Hal Holbrook's invitation to join "The Star Chamber." This sub-rosa organization consists of nine like-minded judges who endeavor to take the law into their own hands. Essentially these are robed vigilantes but Douglas joins them determining that the end justifies the means. Before long however Douglas finds himself balking at sanctioning the murder of freed criminals -- and as a result becomes the target of the Star Chamber himself. Worth noting in the supporting cast of The Star Chamber are Diana Douglas Michael Douglas' real-life mother and Frances Bergen widow of Edgar Bergen and mother of Candice Bergen.
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Fed up with watching vicious criminals walk on technicalities and loopholes , judge Michael Douglas accepts his older colleague Hal Holbrook 's invitation to join "The Star Chamber." This sub - rosa organization consists of nine like - minded judges who endeavor to take the law into their own hands. Essentially , these are robed vigilantes , but Douglas joins them , determining that the end justifies the means. Before long , however , Douglas finds himself balking at sanctioning the murder of freed criminals -- and as a result becomes the target of the Star Chamber himself. Worth noting in the supporting cast of The Star Chamber are Diana Douglas , Michael Douglas ' real - life mother , and Frances Bergen , widow of Edgar Bergen and mother of Candice Bergen .
1569
Hot off her success in Pretty Woman Julia Roberts starred in this thriller about a battered wife stalked by her abusive husband. Roberts plays Laura Burney the wife of a rich investment counselor Martin (Patrick Bergin). Martin appreciates his wife as a trophy but at home he abuses her for not keeping the house as clean as he would like it. The verbal abuse descends into physical violence --so much so that Laura decides to disappear rather than live a life under Martin as a brutalized slave. Laura fakes her own death by drowning and relocates to Cedar Falls Iowa where she changes her name to Sara Waters. She starts a relationship with her friendly Iowa neighbor Ben Woodward (Kevin Anderson) but her happiness is short-lived. Martin has discovered that Laura has staged her drowning and is coming to Iowa to reclaim his possession.
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Hot off her success in Pretty Woman , Julia Roberts starred in this thriller about a battered wife stalked by her abusive husband. Roberts plays Laura Burney , the wife of a rich investment counselor , Martin ( Patrick Bergin ) . Martin appreciates his wife as a trophy , but at home he abuses her for not keeping the house as clean as he would like it. The verbal abuse descends into physical violence -- so much so that Laura decides to disappear rather than live a life under Martin as a brutalized slave. Laura fakes her own death by drowning , and relocates to Cedar Falls , Iowa , where she changes her name to Sara Waters. She starts a relationship with her friendly Iowa neighbor Ben Woodward ( Kevin Anderson ), but her happiness is short - lived. Martin has discovered that Laura has staged her drowning and is coming to Iowa to reclaim his possession.
1570
Wolfgang Petersen directed this intricate suspense thriller based on the novel by Richard Neely and starring Tom Berenger as Tom Merrick who begins to suspect the auto accident that caused his memory loss may not have been accidental. The film begins with a car crash over a seaside cliff in San Francisco. Judith Merrick (Greta Scacchi) is thrown clear of the crash and escapes without injury. Her husband Tom on the other hand is trapped inside and when he is finally rescued he is disfigured and in a coma. Judith helps him through his ensuing recovery and plastic surgery and the couple returns to their home in San Francisco. Tom now suffering from selective amnesia meets his old friends Jeb (Corbin Bernsen) and Jenny Scott (Joanne Whalley-Kilmer). After meeting them he gathers hints that before the accident he wasn't well liked by many people. The next day when he returns to work he begins to pick up more clues on his past life -- clues that indicate his marriage wasn't as idyllic as he presumed. To make matter worse he keeps having flashbacks of shattered glass ocean waves and a gun. To help him solve the mystery of his past Dan hires retired private eye Gus Klein (Bob Hoskins) who works with Dan to unravel his past.
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Wolfgang Petersen directed this intricate suspense thriller , based on the novel by Richard Neely and starring Tom Berenger as Tom Merrick , who begins to suspect the auto accident that caused his memory loss may not have been accidental. The film begins with a car crash over a seaside cliff in San Francisco. Judith Merrick ( Greta Scacchi ) is thrown clear of the crash and escapes without injury. Her husband , Tom , on the other hand , is trapped inside and when he is finally rescued , he is disfigured and in a coma. Judith helps him through his ensuing recovery and plastic surgery and the couple returns to their home in San Francisco. Tom , now suffering from selective amnesia , meets his old friends Jeb ( Corbin Bernsen ) and Jenny Scott ( Joanne Whalley - Kilmer ) . After meeting them , he gathers hints that before the accident , he wasn't well liked by many people. The next day , when he returns to work , he begins to pick up more clues on his past life -- clues that indicate his marriage wasn't as idyllic as he presumed. To make matter worse , he keeps having flashbacks of shattered glass , ocean waves , and a gun. To help him solve the mystery of his past , Dan hires retired private eye Gus Klein ( Bob Hoskins ), who works with Dan to unravel his past.
1571
Director John Frankenheimer and writers Edward Anhalt and George Axelrod try to inject some life into this adaptation of Robert Ludlum's best-selling espionage novel. Michael Caine stars as Noel Holcroft who was adopted in Germany by an American family in the waning days of World War II. Now middle-aged Noel learns that his biological father who had been one of Hitler's key economic advisors left him more than $4 billion at his death. Noel is supposed to dispense the money to specific individuals who had suffered under the oppression of Hitler. But Noel comes to realize the money is in fact being used by fascists starting a new Nazi regime. When the neo-Nazis find out Noel is wise to their plans they chase him through Europe trying to assassinate him and make way for a Fourth Reich.
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Director John Frankenheimer and writers Edward Anhalt and George Axelrod try to inject some life into this adaptation of Robert Ludlum's best - selling espionage novel. Michael Caine stars as Noel Holcroft , who was adopted in Germany by an American family in the waning days of World War II. Now middle - aged , Noel learns that his biological father , who had been one of Hitler's key economic advisors , left him more than $4 billion at his death. Noel is supposed to dispense the money to specific individuals who had suffered under the oppression of Hitler. But Noel comes to realize the money is , in fact , being used by fascists starting a new Nazi regime. When the neo - Nazis find out Noel is wise to their plans , they chase him through Europe , trying to assassinate him and make way for a Fourth Reich.
1572
In Body Double director Brian DePalma pays homage to the Alfred Hitchcock movies Vertigo and Rear Window adding a few grotesque touches all his own. Craig Wasson plays Jake a struggling actor who keeps losing jobs because of his claustrophobia. To make matters worse his girlfriend has walked out on him so he has no place to sleep. His pal offers him the use of his apartment for the evening. The apartment happens to be equipped with a huge picture window and telescope enabling him to spy on his beautiful neighbor Gloria (Deborah Shelton) while she undresses. He also bears witness to her brutal murder. And then he meets a porn star (Melanie Griffith) who has just taken a job posing as the late Gloria.
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In Body Double , director Brian DePalma pays homage to the Alfred Hitchcock movies Vertigo and Rear Window , adding a few grotesque touches all his own. Craig Wasson plays Jake , a struggling actor who keeps losing jobs because of his claustrophobia. To make matters worse , his girlfriend has walked out on him , so he has no place to sleep. His pal offers him the use of his apartment for the evening. The apartment happens to be equipped with a huge picture window and telescope , enabling him to spy on his beautiful neighbor Gloria ( Deborah Shelton ) while she undresses. He also bears witness to her brutal murder. And then he meets a porn star ( Melanie Griffith ), who has just taken a job posing as the late Gloria.
1573
A French road movie with an unlikely and mystifying title Western is actually a romantic comedy-drama from writer-director Manuel Poirier. A charming Spanish shoe salesman Paco (Sergi Lopez) picks up a Russian hitchhiker Nino (Sacha Bourdo). Nino steals Paco's flashy car because Nino thinks that it will help him find a woman. Paco is befriended by Marinette (Elisabeth Vitali) and they fall in love but he loses his job. Paco attacks Nino but the two later become friends. Marinette tells Paco that she wants to have a trial separation before making a commitment so Paco and Nino take a trip across the French countryside. At a hotel two women reject the awkward Nino and sleep with Paco. Paco tries to help Nino by canvassing the town's women in a fake poll on their ideal man but this scheme also backfires. As they continue their romantic misadventures luck begins to shift from Nino to Paco.
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A French road movie with an unlikely and mystifying title , Western is actually a romantic comedy - drama from writer - director Manuel Poirier . A charming Spanish shoe salesman , Paco ( Sergi Lopez ), picks up a Russian hitchhiker , Nino ( Sacha Bourdo ) . Nino steals Paco's flashy car because Nino thinks that it will help him find a woman. Paco is befriended by Marinette ( Elisabeth Vitali ), and they fall in love , but he loses his job. Paco attacks Nino , but the two later become friends. Marinette tells Paco that she wants to have a trial separation before making a commitment , so Paco and Nino take a trip across the French countryside. At a hotel , two women reject the awkward Nino and sleep with Paco. Paco tries to help Nino by canvassing the town's women in a fake poll on their ideal man , but this scheme also backfires. As they continue their romantic misadventures , luck begins to shift from Nino to Paco.
1574
Featuring some of the most haunting personal images of Polish filmmaker Walerian Borowczyk's career this experimental short film continues to exert its influence upon such directors as Terry Gilliam and David Lynch. Les Jeux des Anges focuses in on the experience of being taken to a concentration camp using at first a succession of shots taken from a train then images of slate walls various torture devices and writhing bodies. Through his intricate sound design Borowczyk is able to contrast his horrifying tableaux with the flapping of wings thus introducing the "angels" of his film's title.
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Featuring some of the most haunting , personal images of Polish filmmaker Walerian Borowczyk 's career , this experimental short film continues to exert its influence upon such directors as Terry Gilliam and David Lynch . Les Jeux des Anges focuses in on the experience of being taken to a concentration camp , using at first a succession of shots taken from a train , then images of slate walls , various torture devices , and writhing bodies. Through his intricate sound design , Borowczyk is able to contrast his horrifying tableaux with the flapping of wings , thus introducing the "angels" of his film's title.
1575
In this black comedy from France a family gathers in a tavern ostensibly to celebrate a birthday but poking each other's sore spots turns out to be the main order of business. Henri (Jean-Pierre Bacri) runs a saloon that he inherited from his father called "The Sleepy Dad" and in the near-empty bar he plays host to several members of the family as they mark the 35th birthday of his sister-in-law Yolande (Catherine Frot). Henri's sister Betty (Agnès Jaoui) is 30 single and not very happy about it; his brother (and Yolande's husband) Phillipe (Vladimir Yordanoff) runs a growing software company; Mother (Claire Maurier) is the siblings' strong-willed matriarch; and Henri's dog is on hand whom someone describes as "like a rug but alive." It's not been a good day for most of them: Phillipe is convinced that his business will go out the window as a result of the ugly tie that he wore on television; Betty is depressed about the sad state of her current relationship; Henri has just learned that his wife is leaving him; and Mother is tossing caustic barbs at everyone left and right. Henri's bartender Denis (Jean-Pierre Darroussin) is the one neutral party on hand and he provides the voice of reason in the midst of the bickering.
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In this black comedy from France , a family gathers in a tavern , ostensibly to celebrate a birthday , but poking each other's sore spots turns out to be the main order of business. Henri ( Jean - Pierre Bacri ) runs a saloon that he inherited from his father called "The Sleepy Dad , " and in the near - empty bar , he plays host to several members of the family as they mark the 35th birthday of his sister - in - law , Yolande ( Catherine Frot ) . Henri's sister , Betty ( Agnès Jaoui ), is 30 , single , and not very happy about it ; his brother ( and Yolande's husband ), Phillipe ( Vladimir Yordanoff ), runs a growing software company ; Mother ( Claire Maurier ) is the siblings' strong - willed matriarch ; and Henri's dog is on hand , whom someone describes as "like a rug , but alive." It's not been a good day for most of them : Phillipe is convinced that his business will go out the window as a result of the ugly tie that he wore on television ; Betty is depressed about the sad state of her current relationship ; Henri has just learned that his wife is leaving him ; and Mother is tossing caustic barbs at everyone left and right. Henri's bartender Denis ( Jean - Pierre Darroussin ) is the one neutral party on hand , and he provides the voice of reason in the midst of the bickering.
1576
This is a French costume drama from director Patrice Leconte that recalls both Dangerous Liaisons (1988) and Restoration (1995). Gregoire Ponceludon de Malavoy (Charles Berling) is a baron of the 18th century French countryside wealthy in property and high in social position but poor in cash. Local peasants -- dependent upon his largesse for their income -- are in poor health the result of a festering marsh that if drained could solve the villagers' illnesses and create valuable farmland. Ponceludon travels to Versailles to plead his case before King Louis XVI. There he is informed that he has no chance of success unless he can impress the court with his verbal prowess for the king and his minions value banter preferably of the ironic cruel and insulting variety above all else. Under the tutelage of the Marquis de Bellegarde (Jean Rochefort) Ponceludon discovers that his sober blunt honesty can be mistaken for a skewering wit. Though the baron falls for his mentor's science-minded daughter Mathilde (Judith Godreche) he's forced to woo the politically powerful Madame de Blayac (Fanny Ardant). Ridicule (1996) opened the 1996 Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
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This is a French costume drama from director Patrice Leconte that recalls both Dangerous Liaisons ( 1988 ) and Restoration ( 1995 ) . Gregoire Ponceludon de Malavoy ( Charles Berling ) is a baron of the 18th century French countryside , wealthy in property and high in social position but poor in cash. Local peasants -- dependent upon his largesse for their income -- are in poor health , the result of a festering marsh that , if drained , could solve the villagers' illnesses and create valuable farmland. Ponceludon travels to Versailles to plead his case before King Louis XVI. There , he is informed that he has no chance of success unless he can impress the court with his verbal prowess , for the king and his minions value banter , preferably of the ironic , cruel , and insulting variety , above all else. Under the tutelage of the Marquis de Bellegarde ( Jean Rochefort ), Ponceludon discovers that his sober , blunt honesty can be mistaken for a skewering wit. Though the baron falls for his mentor's science - minded daughter Mathilde ( Judith Godreche ), he's forced to woo the politically powerful Madame de Blayac ( Fanny Ardant ) . Ridicule ( 1996 ) opened the 1996 Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
1577
A year after the untimely death of her husband and fellow filmmaker Jacques Demy director Agnès Varda produced this film based on Demy's memoirs. Focusing on Demy's childhood Jacquot de Nantes explores the Les Parapluies de Cherbourg director's burgeoning fascination with film as a boy and introduces viewers to his mother and father a hairdresser and garage owner respectively. At different stages of his life Jacquot is portrayed by young actors Philippe Maron Edouard Joubeaud and Laurent Monnier. Jacquot de Nantes was also released as simply Jacquot.
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A year after the untimely death of her husband and fellow filmmaker Jacques Demy , director Agnès Varda produced this film based on Demy 's memoirs. Focusing on Demy 's childhood , Jacquot de Nantes explores the Les Parapluies de Cherbourg director's burgeoning fascination with film as a boy and introduces viewers to his mother and father , a hairdresser and garage owner , respectively. At different stages of his life , Jacquot is portrayed by young actors Philippe Maron , Edouard Joubeaud , and Laurent Monnier . Jacquot de Nantes was also released as simply Jacquot .
1578
Directed by French filmmaker Jean-Loup Hubert Grand Chemin stars the director's young son Antoine Hubert. The lad plays a sickly eight-year-old who is shipped off to visit his country relatives while his mother has her baby. The boy's subsequent adventures run the gamut from delightful to terrifying with a little "coming of age" (via a few glimpses of nudity) thrown in. Veteran French character actor Richard Bohringer best known for his star turn in The Cook The Thief His Wife and Her Lover plays a pivotal role. Grand Chemin was released in the U.S. as Grand Highway.
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Directed by French filmmaker Jean - Loup Hubert , Grand Chemin stars the director's young son Antoine Hubert . The lad plays a sickly eight - year - old who is shipped off to visit his country relatives while his mother has her baby. The boy's subsequent adventures run the gamut from delightful to terrifying , with a little "coming of age" ( via a few glimpses of nudity ) thrown in. Veteran French character actor Richard Bohringer , best known for his star turn in The Cook , The Thief , His Wife and Her Lover , plays a pivotal role. Grand Chemin was released in the U.S. as Grand Highway.
1579
Director Chris Marker interviews and films Akira Kurosawa at work on one of his international blockbusters Ran in this interesting documentary that says as much about the process of filming as it does about the famed Japanese director himself. Clips from Ran are included and comments from Kurosawa on everything from handling horses in a film to the nature of fear reveal his approach to his art and the people (and horses!) that are essential to an effective final cut. Soft-spoken and modestly dressed in jeans and tennis shoes the 72-year-old director's style is as individual as his cinematic statements.
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Director Chris Marker interviews and films Akira Kurosawa at work on one of his international blockbusters , Ran , in this interesting documentary that says as much about the process of filming as it does about the famed Japanese director himself. Clips from Ran are included , and comments from Kurosawa , on everything from handling horses in a film to the nature of fear , reveal his approach to his art and the people ( and horses! ) that are essential to an effective final cut. Soft - spoken and modestly dressed in jeans and tennis shoes , the 72 - year - old director's style is as individual as his cinematic statements.
1580
With Life is a Bed of Roses filmmaker Alain Resnais wanted to create a lighthearted tribute to three important French directors each of whom defined a particular era in his country's cinema Melies (the first French filmmaker to use narrative--his most famous film is A Trip to the Moon) the impressionist L'Herbier (most famous for his inspirational avant garde work during the '20s) and Rohmer (most famed for his sextet of "Moral Tales" during the '60s). To present his chronicle of the human quest for a utopia of personal happiness and fulfillment Resnais created two distinct narratives representing the past and present and then interspliced them with a third more fantastical tale to provide contrast. Representing the past the first tale centers on a monied eccentric who creates a "temple of happiness' in his chateau. There guests are given a special potion laid inside enormous cribs and surrounded by pleasant sensations to help them return to the blissful state of infancy. The second story takes place in the same chateau where a symposium on the techniques and philosophies of the eccentric are hotly debated and elaborated upon. Weaving its way between the two tales is the third which represents the medieval fantasies of children in a forest who imagine the struggle between a wicked king and a brave good-hearted warrior.
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With Life is a Bed of Roses , filmmaker Alain Resnais wanted to create a lighthearted tribute to three important French directors , each of whom defined a particular era in his country's cinema Melies ( the first French filmmaker to use narrative -- his most famous film is A Trip to the Moon ), the impressionist L'Herbier ( most famous for his inspirational avant garde work during the '20s ) and Rohmer ( most famed for his sextet of "Moral Tales" during the '60s ) . To present his chronicle of the human quest for a utopia of personal happiness and fulfillment , Resnais created two distinct narratives representing the past and present , and then interspliced them with a third more fantastical tale to provide contrast. Representing the past , the first tale centers on a monied eccentric who creates a "temple of happiness' in his chateau. There , guests are given a special potion , laid inside enormous cribs and surrounded by pleasant sensations to help them return to the blissful state of infancy. The second story takes place in the same chateau where a symposium on the techniques and philosophies of the eccentric are hotly debated and elaborated upon. Weaving its way between the two tales is the third , which represents the medieval fantasies of children in a forest who imagine the struggle between a wicked king and a brave good - hearted warrior.
1581
ased on a real-life case study recorded in Jean-Marc Gaspard Itard's 1806 volume Memoire et Rapport sur Victor de L'Aveyron The Wild Child is spiritually in line with François Truffaut's other films about the pains of adolescence. Truffaut himself plays Dr. Jean Itard a doctor working at Paris' Institute for the Deaf and Dumb. Itard takes on the challenge of Victor (Jean-Pierre Cargol) a nonverbal "wild boy" found abandoned in the woods. Realizing that the Institute's rather cruel methods may drive Victor further into himself Dr. Itard brings the boy to his own home hoping to establish a communication base with kindness and compassion. Once he has taught Victor how to listen and respond Itard takes it upon himself to imbue the boy with a sense of morality. Adopting an austere cinematic technique (at times reminiscent of silent films) Truffaut unfolds his story with directness and simplicity.
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Based on a real - life case study , recorded in Jean - Marc Gaspard Itard 's 1806 volume Memoire et Rapport sur Victor de L'Aveyron , The Wild Child is spiritually in line with François Truffaut 's other films about the pains of adolescence. Truffaut himself plays Dr. Jean Itard , a doctor working at Paris' Institute for the Deaf and Dumb. Itard takes on the challenge of Victor ( Jean - Pierre Cargol ), a nonverbal "wild boy" found abandoned in the woods. Realizing that the Institute's rather cruel methods may drive Victor further into himself , Dr. Itard brings the boy to his own home , hoping to establish a communication base with kindness and compassion. Once he has taught Victor how to listen and respond , Itard takes it upon himself to imbue the boy with a sense of morality. Adopting an austere cinematic technique ( at times reminiscent of silent films ), Truffaut unfolds his story with directness and simplicity.
1582
ased on the real-life diaries of Adèle Hugo The Story of Adele H. is a psychological drama opening in Halifax Nova Scotia in the 1860s. The daughter of famous French writer Victor Hugo Adèle (Isabelle Adjani) has left her father's home to seek out her fiancé the English soldier Lt. Albert Pinson (Bruce Robinson). She conceals her identity and rents a room in a boarding house from Mrs. Saunders (Sylvia Marriott). Pinson wants nothing to do with her but she still obsessively follows him and spies on his affairs. Spending her time writing madly in journals and letters she eventually meets the bookseller (Joseph Blatchley) who develops an interest in her. Her madness grows when Mrs. Saunders discovers her true identity and even more so when the bookseller gives her a copy of her father's latest work Les Miserables. When Pinson is transferred to Barbados Adèle follows him again and sinks into insanity living on the street. With the help of a local woman Madame Baa (Madame Louise) Adèle returns home to her father and spends the rest of her days writing in her diary in Paris.
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Based on the real - life diaries of Adèle Hugo , The Story of Adele H. is a psychological drama opening in Halifax , Nova Scotia , in the 1860s. The daughter of famous French writer Victor Hugo , Adèle ( Isabelle Adjani ) has left her father's home to seek out her fiancé , the English soldier Lt. Albert Pinson ( Bruce Robinson ) . She conceals her identity and rents a room in a boarding house from Mrs. Saunders ( Sylvia Marriott ) . Pinson wants nothing to do with her , but she still obsessively follows him and spies on his affairs. Spending her time writing madly in journals and letters , she eventually meets the bookseller ( Joseph Blatchley ), who develops an interest in her. Her madness grows when Mrs. Saunders discovers her true identity , and even more so when the bookseller gives her a copy of her father's latest work , Les Miserables . When Pinson is transferred to Barbados , Adèle follows him again and sinks into insanity , living on the street. With the help of a local woman , Madame Baa ( Madame Louise ), Adèle returns home to her father and spends the rest of her days writing in her diary in Paris.
1583
The episodic romantic comedy Stolen Kisses is the third installment in François Truffaut's Antoine Doinel series which started with The 400 Blows in 1959. In 1968 Antoine (Jean-Pierre Léaud) is discharged from the military and comes home to Paris getting an apartment in Montmartre with an excellent view of the Sacré-Coeur. He meets up with his sweetheart Christine Darbon (Claude Jade making her film debut) and joins her and her parents for dinner (Daniel Ceccaldi and Claire Duhamel). With the help of Christine's father he gets a job as a hotel clerk but quickly gets fired after he unwittingly aids a private detective (Harry Max). After running into the detective at a coffee shop Antonie then falls into a job at the Blady Detective Agency assisting with the investigation of a magician. He is then assigned to the case of neurotic Georges Tabard (Michel Lonsdale) and ends up working in the stock room of his shoe store. After Antoine has coffee with Tabard's beautiful and intelligent wife Fabienne (Delphine Seyrig) she inevitably tries to seduce him. He later meets Christine in a park and proposes to her taking the pair into the next film: Bed and Board. One of the lightest entries in the series Stolen Kisses was ironically filmed during a turbulent political time in France.
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The episodic romantic comedy Stolen Kisses is the third installment in François Truffaut 's Antoine Doinel series , which started with The 400 Blows in 1959. In 1968 , Antoine ( Jean - Pierre Léaud ) is discharged from the military and comes home to Paris , getting an apartment in Montmartre with an excellent view of the Sacré - Coeur. He meets up with his sweetheart , Christine Darbon ( Claude Jade , making her film debut ), and joins her and her parents for dinner ( Daniel Ceccaldi and Claire Duhamel ) . With the help of Christine's father , he gets a job as a hotel clerk but quickly gets fired after he unwittingly aids a private detective ( Harry Max ) . After running into the detective at a coffee shop , Antonie then falls into a job at the Blady Detective Agency , assisting with the investigation of a magician. He is then assigned to the case of neurotic Georges Tabard ( Michel Lonsdale ), and ends up working in the stock room of his shoe store. After Antoine has coffee with Tabard's beautiful and intelligent wife , Fabienne ( Delphine Seyrig ), she inevitably tries to seduce him. He later meets Christine in a park and proposes to her , taking the pair into the next film : Bed and Board . One of the lightest entries in the series , Stolen Kisses was ironically filmed during a turbulent political time in France.
1584
Ramparts of Clay stars Leila Schenna as a Tunisian woman torn between traditionalism and modernism. The citizens in her village have long considered themselves beholden to the absentee owners of the salt mines which serve as the community's chief source of income. When the owners refuse to raise salaries the mine workers defy tradition by going on strike. While the woman is sympathetic with the workers' plight she is also hesitant about standing up to her so-called benefactors. Filmed in semi-documentary fashion in the Algerian village of Tehouda Ramparts of Clay was adapted from a book by Jean Duvignaud.
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Ramparts of Clay stars Leila Schenna as a Tunisian woman torn between traditionalism and modernism. The citizens in her village have long considered themselves beholden to the absentee owners of the salt mines which serve as the community's chief source of income. When the owners refuse to raise salaries , the mine workers defy tradition by going on strike. While the woman is sympathetic with the workers' plight , she is also hesitant about standing up to her so - called benefactors. Filmed in semi - documentary fashion in the Algerian village of Tehouda , Ramparts of Clay was adapted from a book by Jean Duvignaud .
1585
Pauline a la Plage is the third of French filmmaker Eric Rohmer's "Comedies et Proverbes." Pauline (Amanda Langlet) is the teen-aged cousin of the seemingly more worldly and sensible Marion (Arielle Dombasle). Both girls become entwined in amorous escapades while vacationing at the beach. It gradually develops that Marion is the one least capable of handling herself while Pauline grows in maturity from her summertime experiences. It is nothing short of amazing how Eric Rohmer can take the most conventional and obvious of material and weave something as charming and profound as Pauline at the Beach.
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Pauline a la Plage is the third of French filmmaker Eric Rohmer's "Comedies et Proverbes." Pauline ( Amanda Langlet ) is the teen - aged cousin of the seemingly more worldly and sensible Marion ( Arielle Dombasle ) . Both girls become entwined in amorous escapades while vacationing at the beach. It gradually develops that Marion is the one least capable of handling herself , while Pauline grows in maturity from her summertime experiences. It is nothing short of amazing how Eric Rohmer can take the most conventional and obvious of material and weave something as charming and profound as Pauline at the Beach.
1586
In this tragic tale of misunderstanding obsession and increasing madness "she" a beautiful young woman (Isabelle Adjani) settles into a small town in the south of France with her introverted mother (Maria Machado) and physically handicapped father and soon becomes the subject of wild speculation because of her aloofness and at the same time her obvious sexuality. The young woman is actually caught up in the desire to avenge the long-ago rape of her mother a rape committed by three Italian immigrants one of whom is associated with a player piano. An attractive car mechanic (Alain Souchon) is enamored of her and the woman suddenly sees him in a different light when she learns that his father now dead was an Italian immigrant who owned a player piano. Intent on taking action against the mechanic's family to right the wrong suffered by her mother the daughter begins to lose her grip on sanity when she finds out that the men she suspects of the rape are actually innocent. In fact her father long ago exacted his own vengeance on the three rapists. This knowledge pushes her over the edge and she has to be institutionalized. Meanwhile the young mechanic misunderstands what has happened and sets in motion events that cannot but lead to tragedy. L'Été Meurtier garnered four different Cesars in the 1983 competition: "Best Actress" (Isabelle Adjani) "Best Supporting Actress" (Suzanne Flon) "Best Original Screenplay" and "Best Editing."
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In this tragic tale of misunderstanding , obsession , and increasing madness , "she , " a beautiful young woman ( Isabelle Adjani ) settles into a small town in the south of France with her introverted mother ( Maria Machado ) and physically handicapped father and soon becomes the subject of wild speculation because of her aloofness and at the same time , her obvious sexuality. The young woman is actually caught up in the desire to avenge the long - ago rape of her mother , a rape committed by three Italian immigrants , one of whom is associated with a player piano. An attractive car mechanic ( Alain Souchon ) is enamored of her , and the woman suddenly sees him in a different light when she learns that his father , now dead , was an Italian immigrant who owned a player piano. Intent on taking action against the mechanic's family to right the wrong suffered by her mother , the daughter begins to lose her grip on sanity when she finds out that the men she suspects of the rape are actually innocent. In fact , her father long ago exacted his own vengeance on the three rapists. This knowledge pushes her over the edge , and she has to be institutionalized. Meanwhile , the young mechanic misunderstands what has happened and sets in motion events that cannot but lead to tragedy. L'Été Meurtier garnered four different Cesars in the 1983 competition : "Best Actress" ( Isabelle Adjani ), "Best Supporting Actress" ( Suzanne Flon ), "Best Original Screenplay , " and "Best Editing."
1587
Alain Resnais's Mon Oncle D'Amerique is presented in the form of a "case history" replete with a pedantic narrator played by real-life behavioral scientist Henri Laborit. Gerald Depardieu plays a plant manager whose behavior is inspired by the films of "macho" French film star Jean Gabin. Nicole Garcia portrays an actress who has patterned her conduct after stage and film luminary Jean Marais. And Roger-Pierre is a TV executive whose main influence in life is lovely cinema actress Danielle Darrieux. Though it may sound like a Woody Allen comedy Mon Oncle D'Amerique eschews satire for the most part treating both its subject matter and its subjects with intense seriousness. The film scored a hit with moviegoers and critics alike and was honored with six French Cesar Awards.
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Alain Resnais 's Mon Oncle D'Amerique is presented in the form of a "case history , " replete with a pedantic narrator , played by real - life behavioral scientist Henri Laborit . Gerald Depardieu plays a plant manager whose behavior is inspired by the films of "macho" French film star Jean Gabin . Nicole Garcia portrays an actress who has patterned her conduct after stage and film luminary Jean Marais . And Roger - Pierre is a TV executive whose main influence in life is lovely cinema actress Danielle Darrieux . Though it may sound like a Woody Allen comedy , Mon Oncle D'Amerique eschews satire for the most part , treating both its subject matter and its subjects with intense seriousness. The film scored a hit with moviegoers and critics alike , and was honored with six French Cesar Awards.
1588
Manon of the Spring (Manon des Sources) has also been released as Jean de Florette II in the US as it is a sequel to Claude Berri's Jean de Florette. Both films are drawn from the same source: Filmmaker/novelist Marcel Pagnol's 1952 rural romance also titled Jean de Florette. Manon (Emmanuelle Beart) now fully grown is a shepherdess who prefers to keep her distance from the local villagers. She is determined to uncover the truth behind the death of her father (played by Gerard Depardieu in Jean de Florette) and to wreak vengeance on the men she holds responsible. The more sympathetic of the two men Ugolin (Daniel Auteil) is in love with Manon but this does not weaken her resolve. She causes the village's water supply to diminish blaming this action upon Ugolin and his duplicitous co-conspirator Cesar (Yves Montand). The upshot of this vengeful behavior ends in tragedy for all concerned. The joint winners of eight French Cesar awards Jean de Florette and Manon of the Spring were released to the U.S. in tandem in 1987.
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Manon of the Spring ( Manon des Sources ) has also been released as Jean de Florette II in the US , as it is a sequel to Claude Berri 's Jean de Florette . Both films are drawn from the same source : Filmmaker / novelist Marcel Pagnol 's 1952 rural romance , also titled Jean de Florette . Manon ( Emmanuelle Beart ), now fully grown , is a shepherdess who prefers to keep her distance from the local villagers. She is determined to uncover the truth behind the death of her father ( played by Gerard Depardieu in Jean de Florette ) and to wreak vengeance on the men she holds responsible. The more sympathetic of the two men , Ugolin ( Daniel Auteil ), is in love with Manon , but this does not weaken her resolve. She causes the village's water supply to diminish , blaming this action upon Ugolin and his duplicitous co - conspirator Cesar ( Yves Montand ) . The upshot of this vengeful behavior ends in tragedy for all concerned. The joint winners of eight French Cesar awards , Jean de Florette and Manon of the Spring were released to the U.S. in tandem in 1987.
1589
Erotic funny and very French this film relies heavily on the critically-acclaimed performance of Jean Rochefort. As a child Antoine (Rochefort) was obsessed with the ample beautician who cut his hair and since then his single ambition in life has been to marry a hairdresser. As an adult Antoine meets a woman (Anna Galiena) who seems to be the perfect incarnation of his childhood fantasies. He promptly marries her then spends most of his daylight hours sitting in her shop watching her every move. They are so crazy in love that some days they close up early to be alone. As time passes the shop becomes their entire world.
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Erotic , funny , and very French , this film relies heavily on the critically - acclaimed performance of Jean Rochefort . As a child , Antoine ( Rochefort ) was obsessed with the ample beautician who cut his hair , and since then , his single ambition in life has been to marry a hairdresser. As an adult , Antoine meets a woman ( Anna Galiena ) who seems to be the perfect incarnation of his childhood fantasies. He promptly marries her , then spends most of his daylight hours sitting in her shop , watching her every move. They are so crazy in love that some days they close up early to be alone. As time passes the shop becomes their entire world.
1590
A French/Czech co-production the dream-like La Planete Sauvage concerns the degradation of the Oms human-like creatures on the futuristic planet Yagam. The Oms are kept as pets and beasts of burden by the Draggs 39-foot beings who comprise Yagam's ruling class. The status quo is upset when Terr one of the Oms accidentally receives an education whereupon he organizes the other Oms to demand equality with the Draggs. Based on Stefen Wul's novel Ems En Serie Fantastic Planet was the winner of a 1973 Cannes Film Festival grand prize.
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A French / Czech co - production , the dream - like La Planete Sauvage concerns the degradation of the Oms , human - like creatures on the futuristic planet Yagam. The Oms are kept as pets and beasts of burden by the Draggs , 39 - foot beings who comprise Yagam's ruling class. The status quo is upset when Terr , one of the Oms , accidentally receives an education , whereupon he organizes the other Oms to demand equality with the Draggs. Based on Stefen Wul's novel Ems En Serie , Fantastic Planet was the winner of a 1973 Cannes Film Festival grand prize.
1591
The fifth of Eric Rohmer's "Six Moral Tales" Claire's Knee is a deliciously Rohmeresque story of sexual obsession. French diplomat Jerome (Jean-Claude Brialy) on a resort vacation meets Claire (Laurence De Monaghan) the teen-aged daughter of a friend. Though engaged to be married Jerome falls hopelessly in love -- not with Claire but with Claire's knee. Realizing that to be revealed as a fetishist would be ruinous for him Jerome does not act upon his obsession. Eventually he gets to fulfill his yearnings by placing his hand upon Claire's knee a gesture which she assumes is out of sympathy for a personal crisis she is going through. Originally released as Le Genou de Claire this film was the recipient of the Prix Louis Delluc and the Prix Melies.
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The fifth of Eric Rohmer 's "Six Moral Tales , " Claire's Knee is a deliciously Rohmeresque story of sexual obsession. French diplomat Jerome ( Jean - Claude Brialy ), on a resort vacation , meets Claire ( Laurence De Monaghan ), the teen - aged daughter of a friend. Though engaged to be married , Jerome falls hopelessly in love -- not with Claire , but with Claire's knee. Realizing that to be revealed as a fetishist would be ruinous for him , Jerome does not act upon his obsession. Eventually he gets to fulfill his yearnings by placing his hand upon Claire's knee , a gesture which she assumes is out of sympathy for a personal crisis she is going through. Originally released as Le Genou de Claire , this film was the recipient of the Prix Louis Delluc and the Prix Melies.
1592
Charles is a middle-aged junk dealer beset by several imagined illnesses. Lucie is his lady friend a washed-up singer. Vulnerable and easily led Charles and Lucie fall victim to a confidence scheme. Left penniless in the south of France our hero and heroine find themselves the targets of pursuit not only from the authorities but from the underworld. The curious result is that they regain their join in living. Charles and Lucie is one of a handful of amiable character studies (and the last one to date) directed by Abel Gance protegee Nelly Kaplan.
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Charles is a middle - aged junk dealer , beset by several imagined illnesses. Lucie is his lady friend , a washed - up singer. Vulnerable and easily led , Charles and Lucie fall victim to a confidence scheme. Left penniless in the south of France , our hero and heroine find themselves the targets of pursuit , not only from the authorities but from the underworld. The curious result is that they regain their join in living. Charles and Lucie is one of a handful of amiable character studies ( and the last one to date ) directed by Abel Gance protegee Nelly Kaplan .
1593
Director co-writer and star Maurice Pialat brought his typically unblinking New Wave style and interest in socially aberrant behavior to this psychological drama winner of two Cesars (the French equivalent of the Oscar) for Best Film and Most Promising Young Actress (Sondrine Bonnaire). Bonnaire plays Suzanne a 15-year-old girl who has become sexually promiscuous with anyone who will have her despite her lack of affection for any of her lovers. The only boy she refuses is Luc (Cyr Boitard) whose feelings for Suzanne are sincere. When Suzanne's beloved father (Pialat) abandons his increasingly neurotic wife (Evelyne Ker) Suzanne's depression and lack of direction deepen. While her mother becomes a screeching mental case her brother Robert (Dominique Besnehard) begins beating her although he also harbors a disturbing attraction to Suzanne. In the denouement Pialat depicts the devastating long-term results of Suzanne's abusive upbringing. Pialat draws powerful performances from his cast with no finer example than the riveting acting Bonnaire -- in only her second film.
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Director , co - writer , and star Maurice Pialat brought his typically unblinking New Wave style and interest in socially aberrant behavior to this psychological drama , winner of two Cesars ( the French equivalent of the Oscar ) for Best Film and Most Promising Young Actress ( Sondrine Bonnaire ) . Bonnaire plays Suzanne , a 15 - year - old girl who has become sexually promiscuous with anyone who will have her , despite her lack of affection for any of her lovers. The only boy she refuses is Luc ( Cyr Boitard ), whose feelings for Suzanne are sincere. When Suzanne's beloved father ( Pialat ) abandons his increasingly neurotic wife ( Evelyne Ker ), Suzanne's depression and lack of direction deepen. While her mother becomes a screeching mental case , her brother Robert ( Dominique Besnehard ) begins beating her , although he also harbors a disturbing attraction to Suzanne. In the denouement , Pialat depicts the devastating long - term results of Suzanne's abusive upbringing. Pialat draws powerful performances from his cast , with no finer example than the riveting acting Bonnaire -- in only her second film.
1594
Long-established director Emir Kusturica makes his acting debut in Patrice Leconte's 19th century tale of a loyal strong-willed woman who follows her soldier husband to a desolate French territory off the coast of Newfoundland. Madame La (Juliette Binoche) lives in marital bliss on the island of Saint-Pierre with her loving oddball husband (Daniel Auteuil) simply called "the Captain" by his charges. Their world is upset one night however when two visiting sailors on a bender murder a local citizen. Neel (Kusturica) is sentenced to death but the other one dies in a carriage accident before reaching prison. As the island waits for a guillotine (or "widow") to be shipped from the French government Madame La does her best to convince the townspeople that Neel is genuinely good of heart and doesn't deserve a bloody fate. La Veuve de Saint-Pierre marks the second time that Auteuil has worked with director Leconte: their first effort La Fille Sur la Pont earned him a Best Actor award at the Cesars France's equivalent to the Academy Awards. La Veuve screened at the 2000 Cannes and Toronto film festivals.
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Long - established director Emir Kusturica makes his acting debut in Patrice Leconte 's 19th century tale of a loyal , strong - willed woman who follows her soldier husband to a desolate French territory off the coast of Newfoundland. Madame La ( Juliette Binoche ) lives in marital bliss on the island of Saint - Pierre with her loving , oddball husband ( Daniel Auteuil ), simply called "the Captain" by his charges. Their world is upset one night , however , when two visiting sailors on a bender murder a local citizen. Neel ( Kusturica ) is sentenced to death , but the other one dies in a carriage accident before reaching prison. As the island waits for a guillotine ( or "widow" ) to be shipped from the French government , Madame La does her best to convince the townspeople that Neel is genuinely good of heart and doesn't deserve a bloody fate. La Veuve de Saint - Pierre marks the second time that Auteuil has worked with director Leconte : their first effort , La Fille Sur la Pont , earned him a Best Actor award at the Cesars , France's equivalent to the Academy Awards. La Veuve screened at the 2000 Cannes and Toronto film festivals.
1595
French filmmaker Eric Rohmer begins his Tales of the Four Seasons series with A Tale of Springtime. Parisian philosophy teacher Jeanne (Anne Teyssedre) is temporarily without a place to stay as her cousin occupies her own home and she refuses to stay in her boyfriend's messy apartment while he is away. A young pianist Natasha (Florence Darel) offers the use of her house and she accepts. After the two become friends it is apparent there is a rivalry between Natasha and her father Igor's girlfriend Eve. As Natasha's father drifts away from Eve Natasha unwittingly finds herself embroiled in the mess. A Winter's Tale is the following installment.
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French filmmaker Eric Rohmer begins his Tales of the Four Seasons series with A Tale of Springtime . Parisian philosophy teacher Jeanne ( Anne Teyssedre ) is temporarily without a place to stay as her cousin occupies her own home and she refuses to stay in her boyfriend's messy apartment while he is away. A young pianist , Natasha ( Florence Darel ), offers the use of her house and she accepts. After the two become friends , it is apparent there is a rivalry between Natasha and her father Igor's girlfriend , Eve. As Natasha's father drifts away from Eve , Natasha unwittingly finds herself embroiled in the mess. A Winter's Tale is the following installment.
1596
L'Argent de Poche (Small Change) is an episodic comedy drama composed of several sequences that explore childhood in director François Truffaut's signature humanistic style. Filmed in Thiers in South Central France each vignette is seen from the point of view of a kid from two weeks to 14 years old. There is no real plot just little scenes flowing together dealing with personal joys and pains of the children in a small town. While most of the issues are simple and lighthearted some of the kids have a harder time growing up. A few choice moments involve a double date at the movies brothers who give a friend a haircut and a toddler who falls from a window. Patrick (Georges Desmouceaux) discovers girls and helps care for his father Sylvie (Sylvie Grizel) rebels against her parents and Julien (Philippe Goldmann) comes from a painful home life. While mostly focusing on developing the personal perspectives of children adults get some screen time to share their wisdom. The conclusion consists of a monologue from the schoolteacher played by Jean-François Stévenin.
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L'Argent de Poche ( Small Change ) is an episodic comedy drama composed of several sequences that explore childhood in director François Truffaut 's signature humanistic style. Filmed in Thiers in South Central France , each vignette is seen from the point of view of a kid from two weeks to 14 years old. There is no real plot , just little scenes flowing together dealing with personal joys and pains of the children in a small town. While most of the issues are simple and lighthearted , some of the kids have a harder time growing up. A few choice moments involve a double date at the movies , brothers who give a friend a haircut , and a toddler who falls from a window. Patrick ( Georges Desmouceaux ) discovers girls and helps care for his father , Sylvie ( Sylvie Grizel ) rebels against her parents , and Julien ( Philippe Goldmann ) comes from a painful home life. While mostly focusing on developing the personal perspectives of children , adults get some screen time to share their wisdom. The conclusion consists of a monologue from the schoolteacher , played by Jean - François Stévenin .
1597
The grim post-World War I era in Europe is grist for director Bertrand Tavernier's mill in Life and Nothing But. Philipe Noiret portrays a French major who is supervising the gruesome task of counting and identifying the corpses still strewn over the battlefield. Noiret is obsessed with the notion that by doing his job above and beyond the call of duty he can somehow make up for the carnage in which he participated a few years earlier. The major's mission is intercut with short vignettes involving the families and loved ones of the dead and with the efforts by another officer to find a suitable candidate for an Unknown Soldier testimonial.
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The grim post - World War I era in Europe is grist for director Bertrand Tavernier 's mill in Life and Nothing But . Philipe Noiret portrays a French major who is supervising the gruesome task of counting and identifying the corpses still strewn over the battlefield. Noiret is obsessed with the notion that , by doing his job above and beyond the call of duty , he can somehow make up for the carnage in which he participated a few years earlier. The major's mission is intercut with short vignettes involving the families and loved ones of the dead , and with the efforts by another officer to find a suitable candidate for an Unknown Soldier testimonial.
1598
Director Bertrand Blier's Les Valseuses features Gerard Depardieu and Patrick Dewaere as a pair of sociopaths wending their way across France. Though Depardieu is the more dominant of the two both men are equally culpable in their disregard for common decency. They are particularly rough on women even the like-minded Miou-Miou whom they both love in their own way. Jeanne Moreau has a brief bit as an ex-convict who sleeps with both Depardieu and Dewaere.
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Director Bertrand Blier 's Les Valseuses features Gerard Depardieu and Patrick Dewaere as a pair of sociopaths wending their way across France. Though Depardieu is the more dominant of the two , both men are equally culpable in their disregard for common decency. They are particularly rough on women , even the like - minded Miou - Miou , whom they both love in their own way. Jeanne Moreau has a brief bit as an ex - convict who sleeps with both Depardieu and Dewaere.
1599
A young woman looks for the true meaning of love and learns the truth of the old saw "You don't know what you've got until it's gone" in this fourth installment in Eric Rohmer's Comedies and Proverbs series. The story opens with the proverb "He who has two women loses his soul. He who has two houses loses his mind" and centers on Louise (Pascale Ogier) and her live-in lover Remi (Tchéky Karyo) a Paris architect and noted tennis player. Their relationship hits an important juncture when Remi decides he wants to get married while Louise wants to continue living the life of a party girl. Eventually Louise decides to escape her lover's oppression and become intimate with loneliness so she moves to Paris where she makes complex plans to have her cake and eat it too. Unfortunately things don't go exactly as planned as she finds herself the object of an amiable writer's affections.
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A young woman looks for the true meaning of love and learns the truth of the old saw , "You don't know what you've got until it's gone , " in this fourth installment in Eric Rohmer 's Comedies and Proverbs series. The story opens with the proverb , "He who has two women loses his soul. He who has two houses loses his mind , " and centers on Louise ( Pascale Ogier ) and her live - in lover , Remi ( Tchéky Karyo ), a Paris architect and noted tennis player. Their relationship hits an important juncture when Remi decides he wants to get married , while Louise wants to continue living the life of a party girl. Eventually , Louise decides to escape her lover's oppression and become intimate with loneliness , so she moves to Paris where she makes complex plans to have her cake and eat it too. Unfortunately , things don't go exactly as planned as she finds herself the object of an amiable writer's affections.
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Eric Rohmer ends his cycle of Six Moral Tales with this delightful film starring Bernard Verley as Frédéric a happily married man who discovers that he can't stop looking at beautiful women. As he says in a voice-over "I feel marriage closes me in cloisters me and I want to escape." His escape comes to him in the form of Chloé (Zouzou) a woman from his past. Chloé had left for America as a successful model but has now returned to Paris bored with her life and saddled with a man she doesn't love. Although Frédéric is reluctant to see her at first they agree to meet in the afternoons -- just to talk. He feels a freedom with her that he doesn't experience with anyone else because they have he thinks no commitments to each other. So they talk of their problems and their relationships and before long Frédéric finds that he is becoming increasingly attracted to her.
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Eric Rohmer ends his cycle of Six Moral Tales with this delightful film starring Bernard Verley as Frédéric , a happily married man who discovers that he can't stop looking at beautiful women. As he says in a voice - over , "I feel marriage closes me in , cloisters me , and I want to escape." His escape comes to him in the form of Chloé ( Zouzou ), a woman from his past. Chloé had left for America as a successful model but has now returned to Paris , bored with her life and saddled with a man she doesn't love. Although Frédéric is reluctant to see her at first , they agree to meet in the afternoons -- just to talk. He feels a freedom with her that he doesn't experience with anyone else because they have , he thinks , no commitments to each other. So , they talk of their problems and their relationships and , before long , Frédéric finds that he is becoming increasingly attracted to her.
1601
In the style of an operetta like director Jacques Demy's more famous film the Umbrellas of Cherbourg this melodramatic story is set in Nantes in 1955 and centers around the tragedies of three or four intertwined lives. First there is the young steel worker (Richard Berry) who is out on strike and has rented a room from an upper-class widow (Danielle Darrieux) a woman in sympathy with the strikers. The blue-collar worker has a girlfriend he finds less and less interesting just as she is more and more pregnant and their relationship seems fated to end one way or another. Then there is Edith (Dominique Sanda) the daughter of the widow married to a wealthy impotent skinflint of a merchant caught up in his own neuroses and whether for that reason or several others Edith is a part-time hooker. One evening she shows up in the worker's rented room wearing a fur coat and nothing else -- and the two share a night of passion. Now mother daughter the worker and the daughter's husband have formed a very unstable chain of relationships due to snap because at least one link is exceedingly weak. Enhanced by excellent choreography this film still did poorly at the box office when it was first released. In order to save it and encourage audiences to see it for its own merits 76 French critics took out an ad in Le Monde to promote the film and some critics said that if this movie failed so would all of French cinema. Perhaps it is not surprising then that Chambre En Ville won the French Critics' Prix Méliès in 1982.
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In the style of an operetta , like director Jacques Demy 's more famous film the Umbrellas of Cherbourg , this melodramatic story is set in Nantes in 1955 and centers around the tragedies of three or four intertwined lives. First , there is the young steel worker ( Richard Berry ) who is out on strike and has rented a room from an upper - class widow ( Danielle Darrieux ), a woman in sympathy with the strikers. The blue - collar worker has a girlfriend he finds less and less interesting just as she is more and more pregnant , and their relationship seems fated to end , one way or another. Then there is Edith ( Dominique Sanda ), the daughter of the widow , married to a wealthy , impotent , skinflint of a merchant caught up in his own neuroses , and , whether for that reason or several others , Edith is a part - time hooker. One evening she shows up in the worker's rented room , wearing a fur coat and nothing else -- and the two share a night of passion. Now mother , daughter , the worker , and the daughter's husband have formed a very unstable chain of relationships , due to snap because at least one link is exceedingly weak. Enhanced by excellent choreography , this film still did poorly at the box office when it was first released. In order to save it and encourage audiences to see it for its own merits , 76 French critics took out an ad in Le Monde to promote the film , and some critics said that if this movie failed , so would all of French cinema. Perhaps it is not surprising then that Chambre En Ville won the French Critics' Prix Méliès in 1982.
1602
ertrand Tavernier directed this hard-hitting anti-war drama. In November of 1918 just as World War I had come to a close Capt. Conan (Phillippe Torreton) and his men await new assignments in Bucharest. Conan regards himself as a warrior not a soldier: while a soldier will fight in a war it takes a warrior -- unafraid to take risks confront death and spill blood -- to win one. Conan is convinced that it was the bloodthirsty valor of himself and those under his command that won the war against Germany. However while Conan's dark nature was a boon to the Army during the war it's a distinct disadvantage in peacetime as Conan and his friends Norbert (Samuel LeBihan) and De Sceve (Bernard LeCoq) are instructed to patrol the now peaceful border. Conan and his compatriots have become too acclimated to battle to leave it behind and begin staging raids in the mountains of the Balkans. The situation comes to a head when two women are killed in a combination robbery and attack on a nightclub; Conan and his men are to be court martialed for their actions driving a wedge between him and his close friend Norbert who respects Conan but lacks his reckless enthusiasm for battle. Capitaine Conan earned Cesar awards for Torreton's performance and Tavernier's direction.
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Bertrand Tavernier directed this hard - hitting anti - war drama. In November of 1918 , just as World War I had come to a close , Capt. Conan ( Phillippe Torreton ) and his men await new assignments in Bucharest. Conan regards himself as a warrior , not a soldier : while a soldier will fight in a war , it takes a warrior -- unafraid to take risks , confront death , and spill blood -- to win one. Conan is convinced that it was the bloodthirsty valor of himself and those under his command that won the war against Germany. However , while Conan's dark nature was a boon to the Army during the war , it's a distinct disadvantage in peacetime , as Conan and his friends Norbert ( Samuel LeBihan ) and De Sceve ( Bernard LeCoq ) are instructed to patrol the now peaceful border. Conan and his compatriots have become too acclimated to battle to leave it behind and begin staging raids in the mountains of the Balkans. The situation comes to a head when two women are killed in a combination robbery and attack on a nightclub ; Conan and his men are to be court martialed for their actions , driving a wedge between him and his close friend Norbert , who respects Conan but lacks his reckless enthusiasm for battle. Capitaine Conan earned Cesar awards for Torreton 's performance and Tavernier 's direction.
1603
Passion a major film in Jean-Luc Godard's ongoing investigation of the relations between painting and cinema uses innovative forms to explore political and economic questions. Jerzy Radziwilowicz plays a director shooting a film whose scenes are all reproductions of paintings by Goya Valasquez and other European masters. Production comes to a halt when his producers refuse to increase his budget until he explains the film's story to them. Meanwhile the director is ending an affair with Hanna (Hanna Schygulla) the wife of Michel (Michel Piccoli) who is the manager of the hotel where the film's cast and crew are staying. In a sub-plot Isabelle Huppert plays a factory worker who attempts to unionize her fellow employees. The story of Passion is elliptical and incomplete. It is a means of presenting a collection of scenes and images on related themes. This kind of story will become the hallmark of Godard's later career. The links among the episodes become even looser in such films as Germany: Year Nine Zero and For Ever Mozart. Passion marks the reunion of Godard with director of photography Raoul Coutard who shot many of Godard's films of the 1960s. The cinematography is key to understanding this difficult film in which how an image is shot is as important as what it depicts. Godard and Coutard favor shots that begin as open disorganized framings and become painterly compositions as the people and things in them move.
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Passion , a major film in Jean - Luc Godard 's ongoing investigation of the relations between painting and cinema , uses innovative forms to explore political and economic questions. Jerzy Radziwilowicz plays a director shooting a film whose scenes are all reproductions of paintings by Goya , Valasquez , and other European masters. Production comes to a halt when his producers refuse to increase his budget until he explains the film's story to them. Meanwhile , the director is ending an affair with Hanna ( Hanna Schygulla ), the wife of Michel ( Michel Piccoli ), who is the manager of the hotel where the film's cast and crew are staying. In a sub - plot , Isabelle Huppert plays a factory worker who attempts to unionize her fellow employees. The story of Passion is elliptical and incomplete. It is a means of presenting a collection of scenes and images on related themes. This kind of story will become the hallmark of Godard 's later career. The links among the episodes become even looser in such films as Germany : Year Nine Zero and For Ever Mozart . Passion marks the reunion of Godard with director of photography Raoul Coutard , who shot many of Godard 's films of the 1960s. The cinematography is key to understanding this difficult film in which how an image is shot is as important as what it depicts. Godard and Coutard favor shots that begin as open , disorganized framings and become painterly compositions as the people and things in them move.
1604
The Cow and I is purportedly based on the wartime experiences of its star French farceur Fernandel. The horse-faced comedian plays a French farmer stuck in Germany strong-armed into working for the Nazis. Deciding to escape Fernandel and his faithful cow walk across Deutschland to his home in France. After a series of picaresque adventures the farmer and his bovine buddy make it to French soil only to run afoul of collaborators. The Cow and I was originally released as La Vache et le Prisonnier.
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The Cow and I is purportedly based on the wartime experiences of its star , French farceur Fernandel . The horse - faced comedian plays a French farmer stuck in Germany strong - armed into working for the Nazis. Deciding to escape , Fernandel and his faithful cow walk across Deutschland to his home in France. After a series of picaresque adventures , the farmer and his bovine buddy make it to French soil , only to run afoul of collaborators. The Cow and I was originally released as La Vache et le Prisonnier .
1605
In this first film in Eric Rohmer's cycle of "Comédies et proverbes" François (Philippe Marlaud) a young student working nights as a postman is in love with a slightly older woman Anne (Marie Rivière). One day he sees Anne's former lover a pilot named Christian (Mathieu Carrière) leaving Anne's apartment in the morning. Despite Anne's explanation that Christian is now married to another woman and simply dropped by to talk François becomes jealous. He starts spying on Christian in order to find out if his rival secretly sees Anne. Though François sees Christian meeting a different woman he keeps following the pair. His pursuit leads him to a park where he meets up with a vivacious teenage girl named Lucie (Anne-Laure Meury) who becomes curious about his motives and agrees to help him in his detection.
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In this first film in Eric Rohmer 's cycle of "Comédies et proverbes , " François ( Philippe Marlaud ), a young student working nights as a postman , is in love with a slightly older woman , Anne ( Marie Rivière ) . One day , he sees Anne's former lover , a pilot named Christian ( Mathieu Carrière ), leaving Anne's apartment in the morning. Despite Anne's explanation that Christian is now married to another woman and simply dropped by to talk , François becomes jealous. He starts spying on Christian in order to find out if his rival secretly sees Anne. Though François sees Christian meeting a different woman , he keeps following the pair. His pursuit leads him to a park where he meets up with a vivacious teenage girl named Lucie ( Anne - Laure Meury ), who becomes curious about his motives and agrees to help him in his detection.
1606
This talky French costume drama chronicles the adventures of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette as they attempt to flee Paris during the 1791 revolution. While en route to Varennes the couple encounter and have philosophical debates with a number of fascinating historical figures including Thomas Paine and Restif de la Bretonne.
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This talky French costume drama chronicles the adventures of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette as they attempt to flee Paris during the 1791 revolution. While en route to Varennes , the couple encounter and have philosophical debates with a number of fascinating historical figures including Thomas Paine and Restif de la Bretonne.
1607
Alain Delon plays Mr. Klein a French-Catholic art dealer during the Nazi occupation. Strapped for cash Klein takes financial advantage of his Jewish neighbors knowing that they have no legal recourse. Ironically Klein is himself mistaken for a missing Jew a man who has been using Mr. Klein's name as a cover for his secret operations. As he desperately seeks out that man he learns a bitter lesson about life in the other man's shoes. Star Delon is one of the four producers of this French feature.
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Alain Delon plays Mr. Klein , a French - Catholic art dealer during the Nazi occupation. Strapped for cash , Klein takes financial advantage of his Jewish neighbors , knowing that they have no legal recourse. Ironically , Klein is himself mistaken for a missing Jew , a man who has been using Mr. Klein's name as a cover for his secret operations. As he desperately seeks out that man , he learns a bitter lesson about life in the other man's shoes. Star Delon is one of the four producers of this French feature.
1608
When her teen-aged son (Stephane Bierry) runs away and the police are noncommittal a woman (Anne Duperey) convinces two old flames -- a crusading journalist (Gerard Depardieu) and a hypochondriac (Pierre Richard) -- that each is the father of her son in order to spur someone into action. Both eventually decide to search for the boy meet up and tell each other their stories without realizing they are looking for the same kid. This French comedy was remade in the U.S. as Fathers' Day in 1997.
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When her teen - aged son ( Stephane Bierry ) runs away and the police are noncommittal , a woman ( Anne Duperey ) convinces two old flames -- a crusading journalist ( Gerard Depardieu ) and a hypochondriac ( Pierre Richard ) -- that each is the father of her son in order to spur someone into action. Both eventually decide to search for the boy , meet up , and tell each other their stories without realizing they are looking for the same kid. This French comedy was remade in the U.S. as Fathers' Day in 1997.
1609
Two men answer the call of the ocean in this romantic fantasy-adventure. Jacques (Jean-Marc Barr) and Enzo (Jean Reno) are a pair of friends who have been close since childhood and who share a passion for the dangerous sport of free diving. Professional diver Jacques opted to follow in the footsteps of his father who died at sea when Jacques was a boy; to the bewilderment of scientists Jacques harbors a remarkable ability to adjust his heart rate and breathing pattern in the water so that his vital signs more closely resemble that of dolphins than men (he even considers a school of dolphins as his extended family). As Enzo persuades a reluctant Jacques to compete against him in a free diving contest -- determining who can dive deeper and longer without scuba gear -- Jacques meets Johanna (Rosanna Arquette) a beautiful insurance investigator from America and he finds that he must choose between his love for her and his love of the sea. Le Grand Bleu ran 132 minutes in its original French version but it was trimmed to 118 for American release with the original score by Eric Serra replaced by music from Bill Conti. While the film did middling business in the U.S. it was a huge success in Europe and director Luc Besson released an expanded 168-minute version in 1998.
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Two men answer the call of the ocean in this romantic fantasy - adventure. Jacques ( Jean - Marc Barr ) and Enzo ( Jean Reno ) are a pair of friends who have been close since childhood , and who share a passion for the dangerous sport of free diving. Professional diver Jacques opted to follow in the footsteps of his father , who died at sea when Jacques was a boy ; to the bewilderment of scientists , Jacques harbors a remarkable ability to adjust his heart rate and breathing pattern in the water , so that his vital signs more closely resemble that of dolphins than men ( he even considers a school of dolphins as his extended family ) . As Enzo persuades a reluctant Jacques to compete against him in a free diving contest -- determining who can dive deeper and longer without scuba gear -- Jacques meets Johanna ( Rosanna Arquette ), a beautiful insurance investigator from America , and he finds that he must choose between his love for her and his love of the sea. Le Grand Bleu ran 132 minutes in its original French version , but it was trimmed to 118 for American release , with the original score by Eric Serra replaced by music from Bill Conti . While the film did middling business in the U.S. , it was a huge success in Europe , and director Luc Besson released an expanded 168 - minute version in 1998.
1610
Maurice Pialat's character study eschews traditional plot development in its examination of the power of sex and passion to overturn class restrictions and social conventions. Isabelle Huppert is Nelly a middle-class Parisian housewife married to possessive husband Andre (Guy Marchand). When she meets street thug Loulou (Gerard Depardieu) her middle-class respectability is thrown out the window and she leaves Andre for Loulou. Loulou who has no job and resorts to robbery to survive is more than willing to live off Nelly's money. But Andre won't give her up and in the mind-set of a middle-class bourgeois tries to convince her to return.
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Maurice Pialat 's character study eschews traditional plot development in its examination of the power of sex and passion to overturn class restrictions and social conventions. Isabelle Huppert is Nelly , a middle - class Parisian housewife , married to possessive husband Andre ( Guy Marchand ) . When she meets street thug Loulou ( Gerard Depardieu ), her middle - class respectability is thrown out the window and she leaves Andre for Loulou. Loulou , who has no job and resorts to robbery to survive , is more than willing to live off Nelly's money. But Andre won't give her up and , in the mind - set of a middle - class bourgeois , tries to convince her to return.
1611
Taiwanese filmmaker Ang Lee took a break from making Western period dramas to fashion this wild and woolly martial arts spectacular featuring special effects and action sequences courtesy of the choreographer of The Matrix (1999) Yuen Woo Ping. In the early 19th century martial arts master Li Mu Bai (Chow Yun-Fat) is about to retire and enter a life of meditation though he quietly longs to avenge the death of his master who was killed by Jade Fox (Cheng Pei-pei). He gives his sword a fabled 400-year-old weapon known as Green Destiny to his friend fellow martial arts wizard and secret love Yu Shu Lien (Michelle Yeoh) so that she may deliver it to Sir Te (Sihung Lung). Upon arrival in Peking Yu happens upon Jen (Zhang Ziyi) a vivacious willful politician's daughter. That night a mysterious masked thief swipes Green Destiny with Yu in hot pursuit -- resulting in the first of several martial arts action set pieces during the film. Li arrives in Beijing and eventually discovers that Jen is not only the masked thief but is also in cahoots with the evil Jade. In spite of this Li sees great talent in Jen as a fighter and offers to school her in the finer points of martial arts and selflessness an offer that Jen promptly rebukes. This film was first screened to much acclaim at the 2000 Cannes Toronto and New York film festivals and became a favorite when Academy Awards nominations were announced in 2001: Tiger snagged ten nods and later secured four wins for Best Cinematography Score Art Direction and Foreign Language Film.
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Taiwanese filmmaker Ang Lee took a break from making Western period dramas to fashion this wild and woolly martial arts spectacular featuring special effects and action sequences courtesy of the choreographer of The Matrix ( 1999 ), Yuen Woo Ping . In the early 19th century , martial arts master Li Mu Bai ( Chow Yun - Fat ) is about to retire and enter a life of meditation , though he quietly longs to avenge the death of his master , who was killed by Jade Fox ( Cheng Pei - pei ) . He gives his sword , a fabled 400 - year - old weapon known as Green Destiny , to his friend , fellow martial arts wizard and secret love Yu Shu Lien ( Michelle Yeoh ), so that she may deliver it to Sir Te ( Sihung Lung ) . Upon arrival in Peking , Yu happens upon Jen ( Zhang Ziyi ), a vivacious , willful politician's daughter. That night , a mysterious masked thief swipes Green Destiny , with Yu in hot pursuit -- resulting in the first of several martial arts action set pieces during the film. Li arrives in Beijing and eventually discovers that Jen is not only the masked thief but is also in cahoots with the evil Jade. In spite of this , Li sees great talent in Jen as a fighter and offers to school her in the finer points of martial arts and selflessness , an offer that Jen promptly rebukes. This film was first screened to much acclaim at the 2000 Cannes , Toronto , and New York film festivals and became a favorite when Academy Awards nominations were announced in 2001 : Tiger snagged ten nods and later secured four wins for Best Cinematography , Score , Art Direction , and Foreign Language Film.
1612
The third film from pop-music-obsessed director Baz Luhrmann tweaks the conventions of the musical genre by mixing a period romance with anachronistic dialogue and songs in the style of his previous Romeo+Juliet (1996). Ewan McGregor stars as Christian who leaves behind his bourgeois father during the French belle époque of the late 1890s to seek his fortunes in the bohemian underworld of Montmartre Paris. Christian meets the absinthe- and alcohol-addicted artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (John Leguizamo) who introduces him to a world of sex drugs music theater and the scandalous dance known as the cancan all at the Moulin Rouge a decadent dance hall brothel and theater that's the brainchild of Harold Zidler (Jim Broadbent). Christian also meets and falls into a tragically doomed romance with the courtesan Satine (Nicole Kidman) who becomes the star of the play he's writing which parallels the couple's romance and utilizes rock music from a century later including songs by Nirvana Madonna the Beatles and Queen among others. Loosely based on the opera Orpheus in the Underworld Moulin Rouge was shown in competition at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival.
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The third film from pop - music - obsessed director Baz Luhrmann tweaks the conventions of the musical genre by mixing a period romance with anachronistic dialogue and songs in the style of his previous Romeo+Juliet ( 1996 ) . Ewan McGregor stars as Christian , who leaves behind his bourgeois father during the French belle époque of the late 1890s to seek his fortunes in the bohemian underworld of Montmartre , Paris. Christian meets the absinthe - and alcohol - addicted artist Henri de Toulouse - Lautrec ( John Leguizamo ), who introduces him to a world of sex , drugs , music , theater , and the scandalous dance known as the cancan , all at the Moulin Rouge , a decadent dance hall , brothel , and theater that's the brainchild of Harold Zidler ( Jim Broadbent ) . Christian also meets and falls into a tragically doomed romance with the courtesan Satine ( Nicole Kidman ), who becomes the star of the play he's writing , which parallels the couple's romance and utilizes rock music from a century later , including songs by Nirvana , Madonna , the Beatles , and Queen , among others. Loosely based on the opera Orpheus in the Underworld , Moulin Rouge was shown in competition at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival .
1613
A blend of comedy drama and romance Bull Durham follows the intertwining of three lives brought together by the great American pastime. Crash Davis (Kevin Costner showcasing his Midwestern charm) is a perennial Minor Leaguer assigned to the Durham Bulls a hapless team with a long tradition of mediocrity. There he tutors a young dim-witted pitching prodigy Nuke LaLoosh (Tim Robbins) in the ways of baseball life and love. Each strikes up a romance with Annie (Susan Sarandon) the team's "mascot" who takes it upon herself to sleep with a new player every season. Each has his/her own conflict: Crash struggles to end his career with some measure of dignity; Nuke struggles to make it to the "big show"; and Annie struggles to find something more than a roll in the hay -- and of course Crash and Nuke come into conflict over Annie's affections to further complicate matters. The film treats the sport of baseball with a sort of casual reverence highlighting both the drama and the humor inherent in the game illustrated by Annie's numerous references to baseball as "her religion."
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A blend of comedy , drama and romance , Bull Durham follows the intertwining of three lives brought together by the great American pastime. Crash Davis ( Kevin Costner , showcasing his Midwestern charm ) is a perennial Minor Leaguer assigned to the Durham Bulls , a hapless team with a long tradition of mediocrity. There he tutors a young , dim - witted pitching prodigy , Nuke LaLoosh ( Tim Robbins ) in the ways of baseball , life , and love. Each strikes up a romance with Annie ( Susan Sarandon ), the team's "mascot" who takes it upon herself to sleep with a new player every season. Each has his / her own conflict : Crash struggles to end his career with some measure of dignity ; Nuke struggles to make it to the "big show" ; and Annie struggles to find something more than a roll in the hay -- and of course , Crash and Nuke come into conflict over Annie's affections to further complicate matters. The film treats the sport of baseball with a sort of casual reverence , highlighting both the drama and the humor inherent in the game , illustrated by Annie's numerous references to baseball as "her religion."
1614
The ads for Arthur suggested that this was an obnoxious film about an obnoxious man an eternally drunken millionaire indulging his every whim. Instead Arthur (Dudley Moore) is a sweet somewhat pathetic character whose millions have left him lonely and with no motivation in life. When the film opens Arthur is on the threshold of an arranged marriage with simpering socialite Susan (Jill Eikenberry) whom he does not love. Everyone expects Arthur to behave himself but nobody truly cares for his well-being with the exception of father-figure butler Mr. Hobson (John Gielgud who won an Oscar for his performance) and blue-collar shoplifter Linda (Liza Minnelli). Arthur would prefer to marry the lowly Linda but his iron-willed grandmother (Geraldine Fitzgerald) threatens to pull the plug on his huge inheritance if he doesn't honor his position in life and go through with his marriage to Susan. A sequel Arthur 2: On the Rocks followed in 1988.
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The ads for Arthur suggested that this was an obnoxious film about an obnoxious man , an eternally drunken millionaire indulging his every whim. Instead , Arthur ( Dudley Moore ) is a sweet , somewhat pathetic character whose millions have left him lonely and with no motivation in life. When the film opens , Arthur is on the threshold of an arranged marriage with simpering socialite Susan ( Jill Eikenberry ), whom he does not love. Everyone expects Arthur to behave himself , but nobody truly cares for his well - being , with the exception of father - figure butler Mr. Hobson ( John Gielgud , who won an Oscar for his performance ) and blue - collar shoplifter Linda ( Liza Minnelli ) . Arthur would prefer to marry the lowly Linda , but his iron - willed grandmother ( Geraldine Fitzgerald ) threatens to pull the plug on his huge inheritance if he doesn't honor his position in life and go through with his marriage to Susan. A sequel , Arthur 2 : On the Rocks , followed in 1988.
1615
One woman decides to change the world by changing the lives of the people she knows in this charming and romantic comic fantasy from director Jean-Pierre Jeunet. Amelie (Audrey Tautou) is a young woman who had a decidedly unusual childhood; misdiagnosed with an unusual heart condition Amelie didn't attend school with other children but spent most of her time in her room where she developed a keen imagination and an active fantasy life. Her mother Amandine (Lorella Cravotta) died in a freak accident when Amelie was eight and her father Raphael (Rufus) had limited contact with her since his presence seemed to throw her heart into high gear. Despite all this Amelie has grown into a healthy and beautiful young woman who works in a cafe and has a whimsical romantic nature. When Princess Diana dies in a car wreck in the summer of 1997 Amelie is reminded that life can be fleeting and she decides it's time for her to intervene in the lives of those around her hoping to bring a bit of happiness to her neighbors and the regulars at the cafe. Amelie starts by bringing together two lonely people -- Georgette (Isabelle Nanty) a tobacconist with a severe case of hypochondria and Joseph (Dominique Pinon) an especially ill-tempered customer. When Amelie finds a box of old toys in her apartment she returns them to their former owner Mr. Bretodeau (Maurice Benichou) sending him on a reverie of childhood. Amelie befriends Dufayel (Serge Merlin) an elderly artist living nearby whose bones are so brittle thanks to a rare disease that everything in his flat must be padded for his protection. And Amelie decides someone has to step into the life of Nino (Mathieu Kassovitz) a lonely adult video store clerk and part-time carnival spook-show ghost who collects pictures left behind at photo booths around Paris. Le Fabuleux Destin D'Amelie Poulain received unusually enthusiastic advance reviews prior to its French premiere in the spring of 2001 and was well received at a special free screening at that year's Cannes Film Festival.
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One woman decides to change the world by changing the lives of the people she knows in this charming and romantic comic fantasy from director Jean - Pierre Jeunet . Amelie ( Audrey Tautou ) is a young woman who had a decidedly unusual childhood ; misdiagnosed with an unusual heart condition , Amelie didn't attend school with other children , but spent most of her time in her room , where she developed a keen imagination and an active fantasy life. Her mother Amandine ( Lorella Cravotta ) died in a freak accident when Amelie was eight , and her father Raphael ( Rufus ) had limited contact with her , since his presence seemed to throw her heart into high gear. Despite all this , Amelie has grown into a healthy and beautiful young woman who works in a cafe and has a whimsical , romantic nature. When Princess Diana dies in a car wreck in the summer of 1997 , Amelie is reminded that life can be fleeting and she decides it's time for her to intervene in the lives of those around her , hoping to bring a bit of happiness to her neighbors and the regulars at the cafe. Amelie starts by bringing together two lonely people -- Georgette ( Isabelle Nanty ), a tobacconist with a severe case of hypochondria , and Joseph ( Dominique Pinon ), an especially ill - tempered customer. When Amelie finds a box of old toys in her apartment , she returns them to their former owner , Mr. Bretodeau ( Maurice Benichou ), sending him on a reverie of childhood. Amelie befriends Dufayel ( Serge Merlin ), an elderly artist living nearby whose bones are so brittle , thanks to a rare disease , that everything in his flat must be padded for his protection. And Amelie decides someone has to step into the life of Nino ( Mathieu Kassovitz ), a lonely adult video store clerk and part - time carnival spook - show ghost who collects pictures left behind at photo booths around Paris. Le Fabuleux Destin D'Amelie Poulain received unusually enthusiastic advance reviews prior to its French premiere in the spring of 2001 , and was well received at a special free screening at that year's Cannes Film Festival .
1616
James L. Brooks (Terms of Endearment Broadcast News) directed this $50 million-plus romantic comedy set in Manhattan. Dysfunctional acid-tongued romance novelist Melvin Udall (Jack Nicholson) who suffers from an obsessive-compulsive disorder takes pride in his ability to offend. At a nearby cafe the only waitress willing to stand up to his sarcastic tirades is Carol Connelly (Helen Hunt) a single mother struggling to raise her chronically asthmatic son. In Melvin's West Village apartment building talented contemporary artist Simon Nye (Greg Kinnear) lives across the hall from Melvin. Simon is the current darling of the New York art world reason enough to draw Melvin's verbal fire but Simon's gay lifestyle is further grist for the novelist's malicious mill. These three New Yorkers none of whom appears to have a chance in hell at finding true happiness discover their fates intertwined because of the fourth complicated character in the piece Verdell a tiny Brussels Griffon dog (played by newcomer Jill after a 15-week training program). Melvin seems to have no friends or family and he lives alone working on his 62nd book. When Simon goes into the hospital after a brutal mugging Melvin has to take care of Verdell and the dog actually warms Melvin's cold heart -- to the degree that he sets up unsolicited medical care for Carol's son. Eventually Melvin is cornered into driving Simon and Carol to Baltimore and during a hotel stopover Melvin confesses to Carol "You make me want to be a better man." The trip becomes an odyssey of self-realization for all three. Locations included Brooklyn's Prospect Park (Carol's neighborhood) and Greenwich Village (where Melvin's building is on 12th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues). Other exteriors were shot in downtown Los Angeles where a dilapidated transient hotel at the corner of 4th Street and Main was transformed into the chic cafe where Carol works. Sets for the Simon/Melvin apartment interiors were erected on a soundstage at the Sony Pictures lot. Simon's paintings were created for the film by New York artist Billy Sullivan whose work is part of the modern art collection at NYC's Metropolitan Museum of Art and the New Orleans Museum of Art.
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James L. Brooks ( Terms of Endearment , Broadcast News ) directed this $50 million - plus romantic comedy , set in Manhattan. Dysfunctional , acid - tongued romance novelist Melvin Udall ( Jack Nicholson ), who suffers from an obsessive - compulsive disorder , takes pride in his ability to offend. At a nearby cafe , the only waitress willing to stand up to his sarcastic tirades is Carol Connelly ( Helen Hunt ), a single mother struggling to raise her chronically asthmatic son. In Melvin's West Village apartment building , talented contemporary artist Simon Nye ( Greg Kinnear ) lives across the hall from Melvin. Simon is the current darling of the New York art world , reason enough to draw Melvin's verbal fire , but Simon's gay lifestyle is further grist for the novelist's malicious mill. These three New Yorkers , none of whom appears to have a chance in hell at finding true happiness , discover their fates intertwined because of the fourth complicated character in the piece , Verdell , a tiny Brussels Griffon dog ( played by newcomer Jill , after a 15 - week training program ) . Melvin seems to have no friends or family , and he lives alone , working on his 62nd book. When Simon goes into the hospital after a brutal mugging , Melvin has to take care of Verdell , and the dog actually warms Melvin's cold heart -- to the degree that he sets up unsolicited medical care for Carol's son. Eventually , Melvin is cornered into driving Simon and Carol to Baltimore , and during a hotel stopover , Melvin confesses to Carol , "You make me want to be a better man." The trip becomes an odyssey of self - realization for all three. Locations included Brooklyn's Prospect Park ( Carol's neighborhood ) and Greenwich Village ( where Melvin's building is on 12th Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues ) . Other exteriors were shot in downtown Los Angeles , where a dilapidated transient hotel at the corner of 4th Street and Main was transformed into the chic cafe where Carol works. Sets for the Simon / Melvin apartment interiors were erected on a soundstage at the Sony Pictures lot. Simon's paintings were created for the film by New York artist Billy Sullivan , whose work is part of the modern art collection at NYC's Metropolitan Museum of Art and the New Orleans Museum of Art.
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Combining drama comedy and romance Jerry Maguire was a critical and commercial success built on an original script by writer/director Cameron Crowe and an Oscar-nominated performance by Tom Cruise. Jerry Maguire (Tom Cruise) is an agent with a major sports management firm. He's enthusiastic successful a great negotiator and people like him. But it begins to dawn on Jerry that there's something wrong with what he's doing and not long after a troubling encounter with the son of an injured athlete he represents Jerry has a serious crisis of conscience. In the midst of a sleepless night Jerry writes a memo calling on himself and his colleagues to think more about the long-term welfare of the clients they represent and less about immediate profits. While everyone around him applauds the sentiment Jerry's superiors think his ideas are bad for business; Jerry is fired and rather than standing in solidarity with him his "friends" in the firm scramble like sharks to claim Jerry's clients. At the end of his last day the only people willing to join Jerry as he strikes out on his own are staff accountant Dorothy (Renee Zellweger) a single mother secretly in love with him and Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding Jr.) a football player whose pride and arrogance have gotten in the way of his reaching his potential. Jerry Maguire earned an Academy Award for Cuba Gooding Jr.'s performance as Tidwell and provided a breakthrough role for Renee Zellweger; it also made "Show me the money!" an unavoidable catchphrase for several months.
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Combining drama , comedy , and romance , Jerry Maguire was a critical and commercial success built on an original script by writer / director Cameron Crowe and an Oscar - nominated performance by Tom Cruise . Jerry Maguire ( Tom Cruise ) is an agent with a major sports management firm. He's enthusiastic , successful , a great negotiator and people like him. But it begins to dawn on Jerry that there's something wrong with what he's doing , and not long after a troubling encounter with the son of an injured athlete he represents , Jerry has a serious crisis of conscience. In the midst of a sleepless night , Jerry writes a memo calling on himself and his colleagues to think more about the long - term welfare of the clients they represent and less about immediate profits. While everyone around him applauds the sentiment , Jerry's superiors think his ideas are bad for business ; Jerry is fired , and , rather than standing in solidarity with him , his "friends" in the firm scramble like sharks to claim Jerry's clients. At the end of his last day , the only people willing to join Jerry as he strikes out on his own are staff accountant Dorothy ( Renee Zellweger ), a single mother secretly in love with him , and Rod Tidwell ( Cuba Gooding Jr. ), a football player whose pride and arrogance have gotten in the way of his reaching his potential. Jerry Maguire earned an Academy Award for Cuba Gooding Jr. 's performance as Tidwell and provided a breakthrough role for Renee Zellweger ; it also made "Show me the money!" an unavoidable catchphrase for several months.
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This earnest intelligent and well-written romantic comedy is enjoyable and optimistic in classic Hollywood style even if its idealism doesn't seem quite so credible against the cynical political backdrop of the Nineties. President Andrew Shepherd (Michael Douglas) an unabashedly liberal Democrat is just gearing up for re-election when he meets an attractive and sharp environmental lobbyist named Sydney Wade (Annette Bening). The two fall in love and the President must soon deal with the political repercussions (Sydney is trying to get legislation through Congress) as well as the cynical machinations of Republican opponent Senator Bob Rumson (Richard Dreyfuss) who attempts to paint Sydney as a radical and use "family values" rhetoric to smear Shepherd. With the attacks affecting his standings in the all-important polls and his love's legislation causing him headaches in the Capitol Shepherd must decide whether he can risk continuing his relationship. A rich supporting cast solid characterizations by Douglas and Bening and an articulate approach make this an appealing if not particularly weighty study of the tensions between public and private life.
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This earnest , intelligent , and well - written romantic comedy is enjoyable and optimistic in classic Hollywood style , even if its idealism doesn't seem quite so credible against the cynical political backdrop of the Nineties. President Andrew Shepherd ( Michael Douglas ), an unabashedly liberal Democrat , is just gearing up for re - election when he meets an attractive and sharp environmental lobbyist named Sydney Wade ( Annette Bening ) . The two fall in love and the President must soon deal with the political repercussions ( Sydney is trying to get legislation through Congress ), as well as the cynical machinations of Republican opponent Senator Bob Rumson ( Richard Dreyfuss ), who attempts to paint Sydney as a radical and use "family values" rhetoric to smear Shepherd. With the attacks affecting his standings in the all - important polls , and his love's legislation causing him headaches in the Capitol , Shepherd must decide whether he can risk continuing his relationship. A rich supporting cast , solid characterizations by Douglas and Bening , and an articulate approach make this an appealing , if not particularly weighty , study of the tensions between public and private life.
1619
Director Shunji Iwai who has gained wild popularity in his native Japan creates this gorgeously rendered tale of love remembrance and loss. Though her fiancé Itsuki Fujii died in a mountain climbing accident over two years ago Hiroko Watanabe (Miho Nakayama) is unable to move on. After a ceremony marking Itsuki's death Hiroko pays an emotional visit to his mother. There she discovers his boyhood address in an old high school yearbook and on a whim she writes a letter addressed to her old lover. Needless to say she is more than a little surprised when she actually gets a response from Itsuki Fujii. This Itsuki Fujii however is a young woman (also played by Nakayama) working at a library and suffering through a particularly tenacious cold in the snowy expanses of Hokkaido. She also endured three years of classroom taunts at having the same name as her male classmate as junior high student-the same male Itsuki Fujii that Hiroko eventually fell for. Though the female Fujii initially worries that she has somehow been targeted by a lunatic she and Hiroko begins to develop an odd sort of correspondence. The two begin to piece together their respective memories about the male Itsuki revealing a love lost and a love rediscovered. Though Miho Nakayama gives a nuanced performance as the film's two lead characters pop star Ranran Suzuki almost walks away with the film in her hilarious cameo as Sanae Oikawa the deeply weird teenaged rival suitor to the male Fujii's attention. Iwai's deft touch fashions a narrative that could have been jumbled and maudlin into an elegant work that like Wong Kar-wai's brilliant Chungking Express (1994) artfully fuses humor with melancholy.
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Director Shunji Iwai , who has gained wild popularity in his native Japan , creates this gorgeously rendered tale of love , remembrance , and loss. Though her fiancé Itsuki Fujii died in a mountain climbing accident over two years ago , Hiroko Watanabe ( Miho Nakayama ) is unable to move on. After a ceremony marking Itsuki's death , Hiroko pays an emotional visit to his mother. There she discovers his boyhood address in an old high school yearbook , and , on a whim , she writes a letter addressed to her old lover. Needless to say , she is more than a little surprised when she actually gets a response from Itsuki Fujii. This Itsuki Fujii , however , is a young woman ( also played by Nakayama ) working at a library and suffering through a particularly tenacious cold in the snowy expanses of Hokkaido. She also endured three years of classroom taunts at having the same name as her male classmate as junior high student - the same male Itsuki Fujii that Hiroko eventually fell for. Though the female Fujii initially worries that she has somehow been targeted by a lunatic , she and Hiroko begins to develop an odd sort of correspondence. The two begin to piece together their respective memories about the male Itsuki , revealing a love lost and a love rediscovered. Though Miho Nakayama gives a nuanced performance as the film's two lead characters , pop star Ranran Suzuki almost walks away with the film in her hilarious cameo as Sanae Oikawa , the deeply weird teenaged rival suitor to the male Fujii's attention. Iwai's deft touch fashions a narrative that could have been jumbled and maudlin into an elegant work , that , like Wong Kar - wai 's brilliant Chungking Express ( 1994 ), artfully fuses humor with melancholy.
1620
The brief illicit love affair between an Iowa housewife and a post-middle-age free-lance photographer is chronicled in this powerful romance based on the best-selling novella by Robert James Waller. The story begins as globetrotting National Geographic photographer Robert Kincaid journeys to Madison County in 1965 to film its lovely covered bridges. Upon his arrival he stops by an old farmhouse to ask directions. There he encounters housewife Francesca Johnson whose spouse and two children are out of town. Thus begins their four-day affair a liaison that fundamentally changes them both. Later Francesca chronicles the affair in a diary which her flabbergasted grown children read; never would they have expected their mother to be capable of the passion she experienced with Kincaid.
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The brief , illicit love affair between an Iowa housewife and a post - middle - age free - lance photographer is chronicled in this powerful romance based on the best - selling novella by Robert James Waller . The story begins as globetrotting National Geographic photographer Robert Kincaid journeys to Madison County in 1965 to film its lovely covered bridges. Upon his arrival , he stops by an old farmhouse to ask directions. There he encounters housewife , Francesca Johnson , whose spouse and two children are out of town. Thus begins their four - day affair , a liaison that fundamentally changes them both. Later Francesca chronicles the affair in a diary which her flabbergasted grown children read ; never would they have expected their mother to be capable of the passion she experienced with Kincaid.
1621
Louisa May Alcott's classic novel about a family of women in Civil War-era New England is again brought to the screen in this adaptation. The focus is on the March sisters four young girls raised by their mother (Susan Sarandon) after their father leaves for battle as part of the Union Army. At the center is Jo March (Winona Ryder) an idiosyncratic would-be writer said to be based on Alcott herself but the film also focuses on the stories of her sisters -- the more conventional Meg (Trini Alvarado) the innocent Beth (Claire Danes) and the precocious Amy (Kirsten Dunst and Samantha Mathis who represent Amy at different ages.) The film spans years following the girls' struggles with life's challenges and illustrating how their family connection remains strong in the face of tragedies large and small. Australian director Gillian Armstrong emphasizes the story's feminist elements particularly in Jo's journey to independence.
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Louisa May Alcott 's classic novel about a family of women in Civil War - era New England is again brought to the screen in this adaptation. The focus is on the March sisters , four young girls raised by their mother ( Susan Sarandon ) after their father leaves for battle as part of the Union Army. At the center is Jo March ( Winona Ryder ), an idiosyncratic would - be writer said to be based on Alcott herself , but the film also focuses on the stories of her sisters -- the more conventional Meg ( Trini Alvarado ), the innocent Beth ( Claire Danes ), and the precocious Amy ( Kirsten Dunst and Samantha Mathis , who represent Amy at different ages. ) The film spans years , following the girls' struggles with life's challenges and illustrating how their family connection remains strong in the face of tragedies large and small. Australian director Gillian Armstrong emphasizes the story's feminist elements , particularly in Jo's journey to independence.
1622
This lavishly mounted adaptation of the play by William Nicholson tells the true story of the doomed love affair between novelist and noted Christian scholar C.S. Lewis and a Jewish-American poet. Anthony Hopkins stars as C.S. "Jack" Lewis an Oxford professor and successful author of the Chronicles of Narnia series of children's fantasy novels. A confirmed bachelor Jack's existence is an inward life of the mind. Somewhat detached from the world his only social outlet is evenings out at a local pub discussing philosophy and religion with his fellow lecturers. Jack has been corresponding with a bluntly intelligent American woman Joy Gresham (Debra Winger) who arrives to visit him with her young son Douglas (Joseph Mazzello) in tow. She tells Jack that she has actually fled from an abusive marriage and plans to divorce and Jack astonishes friends and family by agreeing to a platonic marriage with Joy so that she can obtain British citizenship. As their friendship deepens and Joy discovers that she has a terminal illness the relationship between Joy and Jack becomes a genuine romance and their marriage turns into a real commitment. Shadowlands (1993) had previously been filmed as a well-regarded British television movie in 1985 starring Joss Ackland as Lewis.
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This lavishly mounted adaptation of the play by William Nicholson tells the true story of the doomed love affair between novelist and noted Christian scholar C.S. Lewis and a Jewish - American poet. Anthony Hopkins stars as C.S. "Jack" Lewis , an Oxford professor and successful author of the Chronicles of Narnia series of children's fantasy novels. A confirmed bachelor , Jack's existence is an inward life of the mind. Somewhat detached from the world , his only social outlet is evenings out at a local pub discussing philosophy and religion with his fellow lecturers. Jack has been corresponding with a bluntly intelligent American woman , Joy Gresham ( Debra Winger ), who arrives to visit him , with her young son Douglas ( Joseph Mazzello ) in tow. She tells Jack that she has actually fled from an abusive marriage and plans to divorce , and Jack astonishes friends and family by agreeing to a platonic marriage with Joy so that she can obtain British citizenship. As their friendship deepens and Joy discovers that she has a terminal illness , the relationship between Joy and Jack becomes a genuine romance , and their marriage turns into a real commitment. Shadowlands ( 1993 ) had previously been filmed as a well - regarded British television movie in 1985 starring Joss Ackland as Lewis.
1623
In Martin Scorsese's adaptation of Edith Wharton's 1920 novel romance between an upper-class gentleman and an ostracized lady is doomed by 19th century New York society. Shortly after his engagement to blandly genteel May Welland (Winona Ryder) Newland Archer (Daniel Day-Lewis) is reacquainted with May's scandalous cousin Ellen Olenska (Michelle Pfeiffer). As the head of an esteemed family Archer initially uses his standing to try to rehabilitate Ellen's reputation but he finds himself increasingly drawn to her disregard for the codes of New York manners. Bound by ingrained society mores and his peers' insinuations Newland tries to dodge his growing passion by rushing his marriage to May but he cannot keep himself from confessing his love to Ellen. Recognizing that Newland could never abandon his sense of honor and be happy Ellen pushes Newland to May and leaves town. The marriage proceeds as dictated but when Newland unexpectedly sees Ellen again he yearns for the affair to come to fruition. However he underestimates not only what May knows but also her ability to uphold the rules of propriety. Sumptuously shot by Michael Ballhaus the film offers meticulously designed costumes and settings that evoke a culture as seductively beautiful in its surfaces as it is stifling in its rituals. Unspoken emotions are expressed through such details as yellow roses or a clipped cigar a fade to red or a single camera move. Using Wharton's original prose to comment on the setting's hypocrisies Joanne Woodward's voiceover narration suggests how much decisive power is buried beneath dainty femininity. The Age of Innocence received five Oscar nominations including Best Supporting Actress for Ryder and Best Screenplay for Scorsese and Jay Cocks and a win for Best Costumes. Although The Age of Innocence seemed like a departure from Scorsese's prior work Newland is as much at the mercy of his circle's Byzantine structure (and his own conscience) as are Scorsese's more familiar mobsters; Newland's persecutors just wear white tie and tails.
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In Martin Scorsese 's adaptation of Edith Wharton 's 1920 novel , romance between an upper - class gentleman and an ostracized lady is doomed by 19th century New York society. Shortly after his engagement to blandly genteel May Welland ( Winona Ryder ), Newland Archer ( Daniel Day - Lewis ) is reacquainted with May's scandalous cousin Ellen Olenska ( Michelle Pfeiffer ) . As the head of an esteemed family , Archer initially uses his standing to try to rehabilitate Ellen's reputation , but he finds himself increasingly drawn to her disregard for the codes of New York manners. Bound by ingrained society mores and his peers' insinuations , Newland tries to dodge his growing passion by rushing his marriage to May , but he cannot keep himself from confessing his love to Ellen. Recognizing that Newland could never abandon his sense of honor and be happy , Ellen pushes Newland to May and leaves town. The marriage proceeds as dictated , but when Newland unexpectedly sees Ellen again , he yearns for the affair to come to fruition. However , he underestimates not only what May knows but also her ability to uphold the rules of propriety. Sumptuously shot by Michael Ballhaus , the film offers meticulously designed costumes and settings that evoke a culture as seductively beautiful in its surfaces as it is stifling in its rituals. Unspoken emotions are expressed through such details as yellow roses or a clipped cigar , a fade to red or a single camera move. Using Wharton 's original prose to comment on the setting's hypocrisies , Joanne Woodward 's voiceover narration suggests how much decisive power is buried beneath dainty femininity. The Age of Innocence received five Oscar nominations , including Best Supporting Actress for Ryder and Best Screenplay for Scorsese and Jay Cocks , and a win for Best Costumes. Although The Age of Innocence seemed like a departure from Scorsese's prior work , Newland is as much at the mercy of his circle's Byzantine structure ( and his own conscience ) as are Scorsese's more familiar mobsters ; Newland's persecutors just wear white tie and tails.
1624
The life of a teen in an isolated small town is the subject of Australian writer/director John Duigan's film set in 1962 in New South Wales. Duigan's coming-of-age story has many familiar elements -- Danny Embling (Noah Taylor) discovers his sexual attraction to a childhood playmate (Leone Carmen as Freya) he undergoes the taunts of bullies at his school rages against the narrow-minded views of his parents and many of the townspeople and comes under the influence of a sympathetic adult (Bruce Spence as Jonah a would-be writer who lives in an abandoned railroad car). The twist is that Danny's rival for Freya's affections Trevor (Ben Mendelsohn) is a Jewish jock who becomes Danny's friend by standing up to the bullies and treating Freya with more respect than the other boys do. Duigan who had been making films in Australia since the mid-'70s broke through to U.S. audiences with this film and its sequel Flirting in which Noah Taylor reprises the lead role.
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The life of a teen in an isolated small town is the subject of Australian writer / director John Duigan 's film , set in 1962 in New South Wales. Duigan 's coming - of - age story has many familiar elements -- Danny Embling ( Noah Taylor ) discovers his sexual attraction to a childhood playmate ( Leone Carmen as Freya ), he undergoes the taunts of bullies at his school , rages against the narrow - minded views of his parents and many of the townspeople , and comes under the influence of a sympathetic adult ( Bruce Spence as Jonah , a would - be writer who lives in an abandoned railroad car ) . The twist is that Danny's rival for Freya's affections , Trevor ( Ben Mendelsohn ), is a Jewish jock who becomes Danny's friend by standing up to the bullies and treating Freya with more respect than the other boys do. Duigan , who had been making films in Australia since the mid - '70s , broke through to U.S. audiences with this film and its sequel , Flirting , in which Noah Taylor reprises the lead role.
1625
Adapted by Harold Pinter from the novel by Russell Hoban Turtle Diary stars Glenda Jackson as Neaera Duncan a famed author/illustrator of children's books. In the midst of her success Duncan suffers from writer's block. While casting about for new ideas she makes several visits to the turtle tank at the local aquarium where she becomes acquainted with shy bookstore clerk William Snow (Ben Kingsley). From this point on nothing is in the least predictable. What can one say that's sensible about a plotline that climaxes with a turtle hijacking? Screenwriter Pinter has a cameo role as "Man in Bookshop." Turtle Diary was the maiden effort of United British Artists a consortium consisting of Glenda Jackson Harold Pinter and producer Richard Johnson (who also appears in the film).
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Adapted by Harold Pinter from the novel by Russell Hoban , Turtle Diary stars Glenda Jackson as Neaera Duncan , a famed author / illustrator of children's books. In the midst of her success , Duncan suffers from writer's block. While casting about for new ideas , she makes several visits to the turtle tank at the local aquarium , where she becomes acquainted with shy bookstore clerk William Snow ( Ben Kingsley ) . From this point on , nothing is in the least predictable. What can one say that's sensible about a plotline that climaxes with a turtle hijacking? Screenwriter Pinter has a cameo role as "Man in Bookshop." Turtle Diary was the maiden effort of United British Artists , a consortium consisting of Glenda Jackson , Harold Pinter , and producer Richard Johnson ( who also appears in the film ) .
1626
A group of intrepid humans attempts to save the Earth from vicious extraterrestrials in this extremely popular science-fiction adventure. Borrowing liberally from War of the Worlds Aliens and every sci-fi invasion film inbetween director Roland Emmerich and producer and co-writer Dean Devlin present a visually slick fast-paced adventure filled with expensive special effects and large-scale action sequences. The story begins with the approach of a series of massive spaceships which many on Earth greet with open arms looking forward to the first contact with alien life. Unfortunately these extraterrestrials have not come in peace and they unleash powerful weapons that destroy most of the world's major cities. Thrown into chaos the survivors struggle to band together and put up a last-ditch resistance in order to save the human race. As this is a Hollywood film this effort is led by a group of scrappy Americans including a computer genius who had foreseen the alien's evil intent (Jeff Goldblum) a hot-shot jet pilot (Will Smith) and the President of the United States (Bill Pullman). While some critics objected to the film's lack of originality and lapses in logic the combination of grand visual spectacle and crowd-pleasing storytelling proved irresistible to audiences resulting in an international smash hit.
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A group of intrepid humans attempts to save the Earth from vicious extraterrestrials in this extremely popular science - fiction adventure. Borrowing liberally from War of the Worlds , Aliens , and every sci - fi invasion film inbetween , director Roland Emmerich and producer and co - writer Dean Devlin present a visually slick , fast - paced adventure filled with expensive special effects and large - scale action sequences. The story begins with the approach of a series of massive spaceships , which many on Earth greet with open arms , looking forward to the first contact with alien life. Unfortunately , these extraterrestrials have not come in peace , and they unleash powerful weapons that destroy most of the world's major cities. Thrown into chaos , the survivors struggle to band together and put up a last - ditch resistance in order to save the human race. As this is a Hollywood film , this effort is led by a group of scrappy Americans , including a computer genius who had foreseen the alien's evil intent ( Jeff Goldblum ), a hot - shot jet pilot ( Will Smith ), and the President of the United States ( Bill Pullman ) . While some critics objected to the film's lack of originality and lapses in logic , the combination of grand visual spectacle and crowd - pleasing storytelling proved irresistible to audiences , resulting in an international smash hit.
1627
The cult television series Mystery Science Theatre 3000 transfers its brand of science-fiction wisecracking to the big screen with relatively few changes. The concept is the same in series and film: an innocent man (Michael J. Nelson playing Mike Nelson) is stranded in outer space by a mad scientist who subjects the poor slob to "experiments" that involve watching the worst movies ever made. In order to survive this cinematic torture Mike and his two companions sarcastic robots Tom Servo and Crow T. Robot mercilessly heckle the film in self-defense. In this case the target is This Island Earth a 1950s sci-fi opus that despite its silly makeup effects and stilted dialogue actually stands slightly above the usual Mystery Science Theatre fare. Otherwise despite the larger budget the film plays as a shorter version of the television show with the robots and sets purposefully maintaining their ingenious homemade look. Despite its loyalty to the original concept many long-time fans found the film less sharp than the series and the cinematic version failed to attract many viewers beyond the original audience. Nevertheless it serves as a good introduction for the uninitiated demonstrating the show's combination of pop culture deconstruction and intelligent playful humor.
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The cult television series Mystery Science Theatre 3000 transfers its brand of science - fiction wisecracking to the big screen with relatively few changes. The concept is the same in series and film : an innocent man ( Michael J. Nelson , playing Mike Nelson ) is stranded in outer space by a mad scientist , who subjects the poor slob to "experiments" that involve watching the worst movies ever made. In order to survive this cinematic torture , Mike and his two companions , sarcastic robots Tom Servo and Crow T. Robot , mercilessly heckle the film in self - defense. In this case , the target is This Island Earth , a 1950s sci - fi opus that , despite its silly makeup effects and stilted dialogue , actually stands slightly above the usual Mystery Science Theatre fare. Otherwise , despite the larger budget , the film plays as a shorter version of the television show , with the robots and sets purposefully maintaining their ingenious , homemade look. Despite its loyalty to the original concept , many long - time fans found the film less sharp than the series , and the cinematic version failed to attract many viewers beyond the original audience. Nevertheless , it serves as a good introduction for the uninitiated , demonstrating the show's combination of pop culture deconstruction and intelligent , playful humor.
1628
A resident of 23rd-century Earth becomes involved in a revolution after discovering the hidden truth about society's rulers in director John Boorman's sci-fi drama. Sean Connery plays Zed the central rebel who begins the film as a member of the Exterminators a band of skilled assassins who exact a reign of terror over the lesser Brutals. The Exterminators answer only to their god a gigantic stone image known as Zardoz. Haunted by doubt about Zardoz's true divinity Zed chooses to investigate. His disbelief is confirmed when the god proves to be a fraudulent tool of the Eternals a secret society of brilliant immortals who pretend to divinity in order to exploit the masses. Knowing the truth Zed sets out to reveal the hoax and destroy the Eternals' unjust rule.
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A resident of 23rd - century Earth becomes involved in a revolution after discovering the hidden truth about society's rulers in director John Boorman 's sci - fi drama. Sean Connery plays Zed , the central rebel , who begins the film as a member of the Exterminators , a band of skilled assassins who exact a reign of terror over the lesser Brutals. The Exterminators answer only to their god , a gigantic stone image known as Zardoz. Haunted by doubt about Zardoz's true divinity , Zed chooses to investigate. His disbelief is confirmed when the god proves to be a fraudulent tool of the Eternals , a secret society of brilliant immortals who pretend to divinity in order to exploit the masses. Knowing the truth , Zed sets out to reveal the hoax and destroy the Eternals' unjust rule.
1629
Walter Pidgeon is the nominal star of Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea portraying Admiral Harriman Nelson the designer of the submarine Seaview a glass-nosed research submarine. The sub embarks on her shakedown cruise under the polar ice cap as the movie begins. Upon surfacing however the crew discovers that the entire sky is on fire -- the Van Allen radiation belt has been ignited by a freak meteor shower and the Earth is being slowly burnt to a cinder. Nelson and his colleague Commodore Lucius Emery (Peter Lorre) devise a plan to extinguish the belt using one of the Seaview's nuclear missiles but they are denounced at an emergency meeting of the United Nations. Disregarding the UN vote against him Nelson decides to go forward with his plan before the Earth is destroyed hoping to get the approval of the president of the United States while his ship races from New York to the Marianas in the Pacific to launch its missile on time and target with the world's navies hunting her down and communication with Washington impossible because of the fire in the sky. Nelson must combat not only the threats from other ships but also the doubts of his own protégé Commander Lee Crane (Robert Sterling) the captain of the Seaview about his plan and his methods and the growing suspicion -- being spread by Dr. Susan Hiller (Joan Fontaine) a psychiatrist who was visiting the vessel -- about his sanity as well as the growing discontent of the crew who would like to see their families before the end of the world and the presence of one religious fanatic (Michael Ansara) who thinks the fire in the sky is God's will. Worse still there appears to be a saboteur -- and possibly more than one -- aboard. The plot is episodic in pacing and features elements that were clearly derived in inspiration from Disney's 1954 production of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea such as Nelson's eccentricity and the "outlaw" status of his ship; but the undersea maneuvers to tap the trans-Atlantic telephone cable (in order to reach Washington) the battle with a giant squid a duel with an attack submarine and a harrowing tangle with a WWII mine field would become standard elements of the series of the same name that followed this movie two years later. Pidgeon brings dignity if not a huge amount of energy to the role of the admiral and Lorre Fontaine Ansara and Henry Daniell (playing Nelson's scientific nemesis) add some colorful performances and Barbara Eden as Nelson's secretary is pretty to look at; and there are some excellent supporting performances by Delbert Monroe (aka Del Monroe who appeared later in the series as Kowalsky) Mark Slade John Litel Howard McNear and Robert Easton. The real "star" of the movie however is the submarine Seaview and the special effects by L.B. Abbott which to be fully appreciated should be seen in a letterboxed presentation of the movie.
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Walter Pidgeon is the nominal star of Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea , portraying Admiral Harriman Nelson , the designer of the submarine Seaview , a glass - nosed research submarine. The sub embarks on her shakedown cruise under the polar ice cap as the movie begins. Upon surfacing , however , the crew discovers that the entire sky is on fire -- the Van Allen radiation belt has been ignited by a freak meteor shower , and the Earth is being slowly burnt to a cinder. Nelson and his colleague , Commodore Lucius Emery ( Peter Lorre ), devise a plan to extinguish the belt using one of the Seaview's nuclear missiles , but they are denounced at an emergency meeting of the United Nations. Disregarding the UN vote against him , Nelson decides to go forward with his plan before the Earth is destroyed , hoping to get the approval of the president of the United States while his ship races from New York to the Marianas in the Pacific to launch its missile on time and target , with the world's navies hunting her down and communication with Washington impossible because of the fire in the sky. Nelson must combat not only the threats from other ships but also the doubts of his own protégé , Commander Lee Crane ( Robert Sterling ), the captain of the Seaview , about his plan and his methods , and the growing suspicion -- being spread by Dr. Susan Hiller ( Joan Fontaine ), a psychiatrist who was visiting the vessel -- about his sanity , as well as the growing discontent of the crew , who would like to see their families before the end of the world , and the presence of one religious fanatic ( Michael Ansara ) who thinks the fire in the sky is God's will. Worse still , there appears to be a saboteur -- and possibly more than one -- aboard. The plot is episodic in pacing and features elements that were clearly derived in inspiration from Disney's 1954 production of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea , such as Nelson's eccentricity and the "outlaw" status of his ship ; but the undersea maneuvers to tap the trans - Atlantic telephone cable ( in order to reach Washington ), the battle with a giant squid , a duel with an attack submarine , and a harrowing tangle with a WWII mine field would become standard elements of the series of the same name that followed this movie two years later. Pidgeon brings dignity if not a huge amount of energy to the role of the admiral , and Lorre , Fontaine , Ansara , and Henry Daniell ( playing Nelson's scientific nemesis ) add some colorful performances , and Barbara Eden , as Nelson's secretary , is pretty to look at ; and there are some excellent supporting performances by Delbert Monroe ( aka Del Monroe , who appeared later in the series , as Kowalsky ), Mark Slade , John Litel , Howard McNear , and Robert Easton . The real "star" of the movie , however , is the submarine Seaview and the special effects by L.B. Abbott , which , to be fully appreciated , should be seen in a letterboxed presentation of the movie.
1630
Wim Wenders' sprawling cyberpunk noir epic -- shot in no less than nine different countries -- is set in 1999 and stars Solveig Dommartin as Claire a young Frenchwoman who comes into contact with a large sum of money stolen during a bank heist; in her travels she picks up a mysterious American hitchhiker (William Hurt) who himself steals some of the money before parting from her company. Upon discovering the theft Claire sets out on his trail with both a Hammett-styled German private eye (Rudiger Vogler) as well as her former lover a novelist portrayed by Sam Neill in tow. The hitchhiker is really Sam Farber the son of an underground scientist (Max Von Sydow) and his mission is to travel the globe in order to acquire the funding necessary to develop the technology which will allow his blind mother (Jeanne Moreau) to "see" visual recordings of her family members; the second half of the film takes place largely in the Farbers' compound in the Australian Outback where Sam Claire and the others take refuge while attempting to bring the sight project to its fruition in the meantime pondering earth's future in the wake of a nuclear disaster in outer space. Wenders' most ambitious film to date budgeted at $23 million Until the End Of the World is also among his most seriously flawed efforts -- despite a keen sense of cultural perception a fascinating sci-fi take on life in the near-future and stunning Robby Muller cinematography the picture never quite gels. Much of the blame seems to fall upon its distributors -- upon its wide release in 1991 the movie was drastically cut to a running time of 2 1/2 hours resulting in a disjointed narrative that doesn't shift gears so much as grind them as the action moves from country to country. Still while a three-hour version issued on laserdisc in Japan comes closer to realizing the full scope of Wenders' epic vision rumors of a five-hour director's cut -- said to have been screened to thunderous applause at a handful of film festivals -- continue to persist suggesting that a masterpiece may well exist here after all.
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Wim Wenders ' sprawling cyberpunk noir epic -- shot in no less than nine different countries -- is set in 1999 and stars Solveig Dommartin as Claire , a young Frenchwoman who comes into contact with a large sum of money stolen during a bank heist ; in her travels she picks up a mysterious American hitchhiker ( William Hurt ), who himself steals some of the money before parting from her company. Upon discovering the theft , Claire sets out on his trail , with both a Hammett - styled German private eye ( Rudiger Vogler ) as well as her former lover , a novelist portrayed by Sam Neill , in tow. The hitchhiker is really Sam Farber , the son of an underground scientist ( Max Von Sydow ), and his mission is to travel the globe in order to acquire the funding necessary to develop the technology which will allow his blind mother ( Jeanne Moreau ) to "see" visual recordings of her family members ; the second half of the film takes place largely in the Farbers' compound in the Australian Outback , where Sam , Claire and the others take refuge while attempting to bring the sight project to its fruition , in the meantime pondering earth's future in the wake of a nuclear disaster in outer space. Wenders ' most ambitious film to date , budgeted at $23 million , Until the End Of the World is also among his most seriously flawed efforts -- despite a keen sense of cultural perception , a fascinating sci - fi take on life in the near - future and stunning Robby Muller cinematography , the picture never quite gels. Much of the blame seems to fall upon its distributors -- upon its wide release in 1991 , the movie was drastically cut to a running time of 2 1 / 2 hours , resulting in a disjointed narrative that doesn't shift gears so much as grind them as the action moves from country to country. Still , while a three - hour version , issued on laserdisc in Japan , comes closer to realizing the full scope of Wenders ' epic vision , rumors of a five - hour director's cut -- said to have been screened to thunderous applause at a handful of film festivals -- continue to persist , suggesting that a masterpiece may well exist here after all.
1631
ased on his award-winning student short George Lucas's debut feature cerebrally celebrates the possibility for individual freedom against all odds. In a 1984-esque white-washed future underground dystopia where sexuality is banned all humans sport shaved heads and the same shapeless outfits as they go about their work in a mandated state of sedation listening to exhortations to "Buy and Be Happy." Black-clad robot cops chant a mantra to their victims that "everything will be all right" and automated confessional booths emit soothing therapeutic bromides. But unbeknownst to THX 1138 (Robert Duvall) his roommate LUH 3417 (Maggie McOmie) has been reducing their meds resulting in their mutual discovery of love and THX's subsequent imprisonment for drug evasion and sexual misconduct. Determined to find the pregnant LUH THX breaks out of prison with the help of his cellmate SEN 5241 (Donald Pleasence) and an escaped TV hologram (Don Pedro Colley). With fugitive pursuits strictly budgeted THX only has to evade the robocops until the funds run out but surveillance is omnipresent and THX's vehicle keeps overheating. Making the only film produced through the first incarnation of Francis Ford Coppola's independent studio American Zoetrope Lucas and his small crew including co-writer and sound editor Walter Murch shot THX 1138 in northern California with no interference from distributor Warner Bros. When Warners saw the austere result however they recut the film before its release. Neither the studio's nor Lucas's cut was a popular success but THX 1138's coolly minimalist style and story-telling gained fans on the college screening circuit just as Stanley Kubrick's poetic 2001: A Space Odyssey had attracted a large youth audience in 1968. When Lucas returned to sci-fi after American Graffiti he traded restraint for nostalgic fun in the film that guaranteed his creative freedom in Hollywood: Star Wars.
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Based on his award - winning student short , George Lucas 's debut feature cerebrally celebrates the possibility for individual freedom against all odds. In a 1984 - esque white - washed future underground dystopia where sexuality is banned , all humans sport shaved heads and the same shapeless outfits as they go about their work in a mandated state of sedation , listening to exhortations to "Buy and Be Happy." Black - clad robot cops chant a mantra to their victims that "everything will be all right" and automated confessional booths emit soothing therapeutic bromides. But unbeknownst to THX 1138 ( Robert Duvall ), his roommate LUH 3417 ( Maggie McOmie ) has been reducing their meds , resulting in their mutual discovery of love and THX's subsequent imprisonment for drug evasion and sexual misconduct. Determined to find the pregnant LUH , THX breaks out of prison with the help of his cellmate SEN 5241 ( Donald Pleasence ) and an escaped TV hologram ( Don Pedro Colley ) . With fugitive pursuits strictly budgeted , THX only has to evade the robocops until the funds run out , but surveillance is omnipresent and THX's vehicle keeps overheating. Making the only film produced through the first incarnation of Francis Ford Coppola 's independent studio American Zoetrope , Lucas and his small crew , including co - writer and sound editor Walter Murch , shot THX 1138 in northern California with no interference from distributor Warner Bros. When Warners saw the austere result , however , they recut the film before its release. Neither the studio's nor Lucas's cut was a popular success , but THX 1138 's coolly minimalist style and story - telling gained fans on the college screening circuit , just as Stanley Kubrick 's poetic 2001 : A Space Odyssey had attracted a large youth audience in 1968. When Lucas returned to sci - fi after American Graffiti , he traded restraint for nostalgic fun in the film that guaranteed his creative freedom in Hollywood : Star Wars .
1632
About 15 years after the events of Mad Max 2 nuclear war has finally destroyed what little was left of civilization. Grizzled and older former cop Max (Mel Gibson) roams the Australian desert in a camel-drawn vehicle -- until father-and-son thieves Jebediah Sr. (Bruce Spence) and Jr. (Adam Cockburn) use their jury-rigged airplane to steal his possessions and means of transportation. Max soon winds up in Bartertown a cesspool of post-apocalyptic capitalism powered by methane-rich pig manure and overseen by two competing overlords Aunty Entity (Tina Turner) and Master (Angelo Rossitto) a crafty midget who rides around on the back of his hulking underling Blaster (Paul Larsson). Seeking to re-equip himself Max strikes a deal with the haughty Aunty to kill Blaster in ritualized combat inside Thunderdome a giant jungle gym where Bartertown's conflicts are played out in a postmodern update of blood and circuses. Although Max manages to fell the mighty Blaster he refuses to kill him after realizing the brute is actually a retarded boy. Aunty's henchmen murder Blaster nonetheless then punish Max for violating the law that "Two men enter one man leaves." Lashed to the back of a hapless pack animal and sent out into a sandstorm a near-death Max is rescued by a band of tribal children and teens. The descendants of the victims of an airplane crash the kids inhabit a lush valley and wait for the day when Captain Walker the plane's pilot will return to lead them back to civilization. Some of the children refusing to believe that Max isn't Walker and that the glorious cities of their mythology no longer exist set off in search of civilization on their own. Max and three tribe members must then rescue their friends from Bordertown and the clutches of Aunty Entity -- a quest that ends in a lengthy desert chase sequence that echoes the first two Mad Max films. Spence also appeared in Mad Max 2 in a different role that of the Gyro Captain.
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About 15 years after the events of Mad Max 2 , nuclear war has finally destroyed what little was left of civilization. Grizzled and older , former cop Max ( Mel Gibson ) roams the Australian desert in a camel - drawn vehicle -- until father - and - son thieves Jebediah Sr. ( Bruce Spence ) and Jr. ( Adam Cockburn ) use their jury - rigged airplane to steal his possessions and means of transportation. Max soon winds up in Bartertown , a cesspool of post - apocalyptic capitalism powered by methane - rich pig manure and overseen by two competing overlords , Aunty Entity ( Tina Turner ) and Master ( Angelo Rossitto ), a crafty midget who rides around on the back of his hulking underling , Blaster ( Paul Larsson ) . Seeking to re - equip himself , Max strikes a deal with the haughty Aunty to kill Blaster in ritualized combat inside Thunderdome , a giant jungle gym where Bartertown's conflicts are played out in a postmodern update of blood and circuses. Although Max manages to fell the mighty Blaster , he refuses to kill him after realizing the brute is actually a retarded boy. Aunty's henchmen murder Blaster nonetheless , then punish Max for violating the law that "Two men enter , one man leaves." Lashed to the back of a hapless pack animal and sent out into a sandstorm , a near - death Max is rescued by a band of tribal children and teens. The descendants of the victims of an airplane crash , the kids inhabit a lush valley and wait for the day when Captain Walker , the plane's pilot , will return to lead them back to civilization. Some of the children , refusing to believe that Max isn't Walker and that the glorious cities of their mythology no longer exist , set off in search of civilization on their own. Max and three tribe members must then rescue their friends from Bordertown and the clutches of Aunty Entity -- a quest that ends in a lengthy desert chase sequence that echoes the first two Mad Max films. Spence also appeared in Mad Max 2 in a different role , that of the Gyro Captain.
1633
In a hermetically sealed post-apocalyptic urban environment several centuries hence Logan 5 (Michael York) and his friend Francis 7 (Richard Jordan) lead unquestioning lives of hedonism. Entertainment comes in the form of casual sexual liaisons and gladiatorial games in which those who do not wish to undergo euthanasia at the age of 30 vie for the illusory chance of continued life. As "sandmen" Logan and Francis are charged with tracking down and killing "runners" -- those citizens who will submit to neither "renewal" (a peaceful death) nor "carousel" (a gladiatorial battle) when their time comes. When Logan grows intrigued by a beautiful young woman Jessica 6 (Jenny Agutter) who plans to become a runner he is forced to question the fundamental principles of his society. And when his superiors force him to pose as a runner himself to weed out Jessica's guerilla underground Logan finds himself fleeing the city in search of a mythical place called Sanctuary where people are allowed to live out their natural spans.
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In a hermetically sealed , post - apocalyptic urban environment several centuries hence , Logan 5 ( Michael York ) and his friend Francis 7 ( Richard Jordan ) lead unquestioning lives of hedonism. Entertainment comes in the form of casual sexual liaisons and gladiatorial games in which those who do not wish to undergo euthanasia at the age of 30 vie for the illusory chance of continued life. As "sandmen , " Logan and Francis are charged with tracking down and killing "runners" -- those citizens who will submit to neither "renewal" ( a peaceful death ) nor "carousel" ( a gladiatorial battle ) when their time comes. When Logan grows intrigued by a beautiful young woman , Jessica 6 ( Jenny Agutter ), who plans to become a runner , he is forced to question the fundamental principles of his society. And when his superiors force him to pose as a runner himself to weed out Jessica's guerilla underground , Logan finds himself fleeing the city in search of a mythical place called Sanctuary where people are allowed to live out their natural spans.
1634
A glitzy updating of Andy Warhol's Trash with aliens this campy stylish but ultimately depressing film is one of the most keenly observed portraits of New York's early '80s downtown new wave scene. Anne Carlisle who co-wrote the script is terrific in a dual role as the wan lesbian Margaret and her arrogant gay nemesis Jimmy. Tiny space aliens see Margaret shooting up and choose her to feed their heroin-like addiction to a substance produced in the human brain during sexual climax. Her partners end up vaporized but since most of them treat her like dirt Margaret doesn't mind. Meanwhile a German scientist (Otto von Wernherr) has been tracking the plate-sized alien craft and observes it from the apartment of a horny Jewish woman (Susan Doukas); all the while he is oblivious to her comic frustration and increasingly blatant sexual advances. Despite the sci-fi elements considerable humor cool music and a gorgeous production design this is really a film about desperation and ugliness. Other than Von Wernherr and Doukas -- who are outside the punk scene -- the characters all loathe themselves and treat each other horribly. Most of their sex involves rape and when they die each seems to be better off. Perhaps the bitter aftertaste of this film explains why it never really caught on as a midnight movie but it is a dark gem and well worth seeing.
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A glitzy updating of Andy Warhol's Trash with aliens , this campy , stylish , but ultimately depressing film is one of the most keenly observed portraits of New York's early '80s downtown new wave scene. Anne Carlisle , who co - wrote the script , is terrific in a dual role as the wan lesbian Margaret and her arrogant gay nemesis , Jimmy. Tiny space aliens see Margaret shooting up and choose her to feed their heroin - like addiction to a substance produced in the human brain during sexual climax. Her partners end up vaporized , but since most of them treat her like dirt , Margaret doesn't mind. Meanwhile , a German scientist ( Otto von Wernherr ) has been tracking the plate - sized alien craft and observes it from the apartment of a horny Jewish woman ( Susan Doukas ); all the while , he is oblivious to her comic frustration and increasingly blatant sexual advances. Despite the sci - fi elements , considerable humor , cool music , and a gorgeous production design , this is really a film about desperation and ugliness. Other than Von Wernherr and Doukas -- who are outside the punk scene -- the characters all loathe themselves and treat each other horribly. Most of their sex involves rape , and when they die , each seems to be better off. Perhaps the bitter aftertaste of this film explains why it never really caught on as a midnight movie , but it is a dark gem and well worth seeing.
1635
We first see Asian cave dweller John Lone as he wanders around what seems to be his natural habitat of some 10000 years ago. Soon we learn that Lone is in a controlled environment in a scientific lab--and that his frozen body was recently discovered during an expedition to the North Pole (hence the nickname "Iceman"). Scientists Lindsay Crouse and Timothy Hutton hope to learn to communicate with Lone and in so doing discover life was truly like for our neanderthal ancestors. The other less altruistic scientists want to dissect Lone and analyze his innards. With Hutton's help Lone escapes but soon both men realize that there's really no place for "the Iceman" in modern society. Though the settings are convincingly arctic Iceman was filmed in Manitoba.
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We first see Asian cave dweller John Lone as he wanders around what seems to be his natural habitat of some 10 , 000 years ago. Soon we learn that Lone is in a controlled environment in a scientific lab -- and that his frozen body was recently discovered during an expedition to the North Pole ( hence the nickname "Iceman" ) . Scientists Lindsay Crouse and Timothy Hutton hope to learn to communicate with Lone , and in so doing discover life was truly like for our neanderthal ancestors. The other , less altruistic scientists want to dissect Lone and analyze his innards. With Hutton 's help , Lone escapes , but soon both men realize that there's really no place for "the Iceman" in modern society. Though the settings are convincingly arctic , Iceman was filmed in Manitoba.
1636
David Lynch wades through dark waters in his adaptation of Frank Herbert's cult science fiction novel. In condensing Herbert's rambling and complex book by eliminating characters and compacting events Lynch succeeds in rendering the story incomprehensible to those unfamiliar with the novel and making the film look like a sketchy greatest hits collection of the book for Herbert fans. The story takes place in the year 10191. The universe is governed through a system of feudal rule presided over by Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV (José Ferrer) who appears to take his marching orders from something that resembles a talking vagina. In the kingdom are two rival houses -- the House of Atreides and the House of Harkonnen. Each house is trying to gain dominion over the universe but that dominion can only be gained by the house that controls the Spice a special substance that permits the folding of time. The Spice is only available on the desert world of Arrakis or Dune. Shaddam tired of the feuding between the two houses permits the Atreides to take over the Spice production on Dune while secretly working with the Harkonnens to launch a sneak attack on the Atreides and destroy them. The leader of the Atreides is Duke Leto (Jürgen Prochnow) who rules with the help of his concubine Jessica (Francesca Annis) and son Paul (Kyle MacLachlan). The rival Harkonnens are headed by the pus-oozing degenerate Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (Kenneth McMillan in a thoroughly through-the-roof performance) and his two unsavory nephews Rabban (Paul L. Smith) and Feyd (Sting). When his father is murdered by the Harkonnens Paul escapes to Dune where he is greeted by the Fremen (the desert dwellers on Dune who prepare the Spice) as the messiah foretold in Fremen legend. Paul assumes the mantle of messiah and leads the Fremen in a revolt that topples the balance of power in the universe.
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David Lynch wades through dark waters in his adaptation of Frank Herbert 's cult science fiction novel. In condensing Herbert 's rambling and complex book by eliminating characters and compacting events , Lynch succeeds in rendering the story incomprehensible to those unfamiliar with the novel and making the film look like a sketchy greatest hits collection of the book for Herbert fans. The story takes place in the year 10 , 191. The universe is governed through a system of feudal rule , presided over by Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV ( José Ferrer ), who appears to take his marching orders from something that resembles a talking vagina. In the kingdom are two rival houses -- the House of Atreides and the House of Harkonnen. Each house is trying to gain dominion over the universe , but that dominion can only be gained by the house that controls the Spice , a special substance that permits the folding of time. The Spice is only available on the desert world of Arrakis , or Dune. Shaddam , tired of the feuding between the two houses , permits the Atreides to take over the Spice production on Dune , while secretly working with the Harkonnens to launch a sneak attack on the Atreides and destroy them. The leader of the Atreides is Duke Leto ( Jürgen Prochnow ), who rules with the help of his concubine Jessica ( Francesca Annis ) and son Paul ( Kyle MacLachlan ) . The rival Harkonnens are headed by the pus - oozing degenerate Baron Vladimir Harkonnen ( Kenneth McMillan , in a thoroughly through - the - roof performance ) and his two unsavory nephews , Rabban ( Paul L. Smith ) and Feyd ( Sting ) . When his father is murdered by the Harkonnens , Paul escapes to Dune , where he is greeted by the Fremen ( the desert dwellers on Dune who prepare the Spice ) as the messiah foretold in Fremen legend. Paul assumes the mantle of messiah and leads the Fremen in a revolt that topples the balance of power in the universe.
1637
Tokyo is under attack again and this time only the Knight Sabres can save the city. Animation brings the story to life in three episodes. English subtitles dialogue in Japanese.
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Tokyo is under attack again , and this time only the Knight Sabres can save the city. Animation brings the story to life in three episodes. English subtitles , dialogue in Japanese.
1638
An ambitious sci-fier from the Disney folks The Black Hole takes place in the future. A quintet of space travelers stumble across a "black hole." Not wishing to be sucked into the void the crew prepares to flee but stops long enough to investigate a mysterious space vessel near the entrance of the hole. Manning this craft is mad scientist Dr. Hans Reinhardt (Maximillian Schell) who intends to explore the black hole in hopes of finding the universe's energy source. The cast includes Anthony Perkins Robert Forster Yvette Mimieux and others. The Black Hole marked one of the Disney company's first PG-rated films.
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An ambitious sci - fier from the Disney folks , The Black Hole takes place in the future. A quintet of space travelers stumble across a "black hole." Not wishing to be sucked into the void , the crew prepares to flee , but stops long enough to investigate a mysterious space vessel near the entrance of the hole. Manning this craft is mad scientist Dr. Hans Reinhardt ( Maximillian Schell ), who intends to explore the black hole in hopes of finding the universe's energy source. The cast includes Anthony Perkins , Robert Forster , Yvette Mimieux , and others. The Black Hole marked one of the Disney company's first PG - rated films.
1639
Sometime after the events of the first Planet of the Apes the climax of which is repeated frame for frame at the beginning of this sequel another set of astronauts arrives on the far-future Earth that is the titular planet. This time it's Brent (James Franciscus) who survives the crash landing and learns that evolved simians have taken over the world post-apocalypse. After hooking up with Nova (Linda Harrison) the mute fur bikini-clad beauty who spent the first film being squired by astronaut Taylor (Charlton Heston) Brent confers with Zira (Kim Hunter) and Cornelius (David Watson giving Roddy McDowall his only break during the five-film series) the ape scientists whose adherence to scientific principles makes them friendly to the possibility of intelligent human life. Something of a military coup has taken place among the apes who dispatch an army to the desolate "Forbidden Zone" where Taylor has coincidentally disappeared. With the apes and the humans both rooting about in the ruins of 20th century civilization it's only a matter of time before they all find out what happened to the other survivors of the nuclear holocaust.
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Sometime after the events of the first Planet of the Apes , the climax of which is repeated frame for frame at the beginning of this sequel , another set of astronauts arrives on the far - future Earth that is the titular planet. This time it's Brent ( James Franciscus ) who survives the crash landing and learns that evolved simians have taken over the world , post - apocalypse. After hooking up with Nova ( Linda Harrison ), the mute , fur bikini - clad beauty who spent the first film being squired by astronaut Taylor ( Charlton Heston ), Brent confers with Zira ( Kim Hunter ) and Cornelius ( David Watson , giving Roddy McDowall his only break during the five - film series ), the ape scientists whose adherence to scientific principles makes them friendly to the possibility of intelligent human life. Something of a military coup has taken place among the apes , who dispatch an army to the desolate "Forbidden Zone" where Taylor has coincidentally disappeared. With the apes and the humans both rooting about in the ruins of 20th century civilization , it's only a matter of time before they all find out what happened to the other survivors of the nuclear holocaust.
1640
Despite mixed reviews and a disastrous initial release that dumped the film into theaters for a week in the midst of the 1984 Summer Olympics The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eight Dimension went on to become one of the major cult films of the 1980s developing a rabid following after its release on videotape. Drifting between satire and improbable sci-fi adventure the film stars Peter Weller as Buckaroo Banzai the son of an American mother and Japanese father who is a combination physicist neurosurgeon martial arts master secret agent and rock star who travels with his band of assistants/backing musicians The Hong Kong Cavaliers. As the story opens Buckaroo is driving his car through a mountain to test his new invention the Oscillation Overthruster. However a race of boorish aliens called the Red Lectroids have been waiting for such an item to become a reality as they need it to return to the distant planet they call home. One of Buckaroo's arch-enemies Dr. Emilio Lizardo (John Lithgow) who has been possessed by the Red Lectroids attempted to created a similar device decades before; now escaped from an insane asylum he is back at work with the Lectroids on a plan to control the world. Throw in Rastafarian aliens unscheduled travel between dimensions and the odd inexplicable watermelon and you get a film that defies conventional synopsis. With its fast pace quotable dialogue ("No matter where you go there you are") and barrage of gags (subtle and otherwise) you won't be bored even when you're not sure what's going on. The supporting cast includes Jeff Goldblum as New Jersey a Cavalier with a snappy cowboy outfit and Ellen Barkin as Penny Priddy the twin sister of Buckaroo's late wife.
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Despite mixed reviews and a disastrous initial release that dumped the film into theaters for a week in the midst of the 1984 Summer Olympics , The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eight Dimension went on to become one of the major cult films of the 1980s , developing a rabid following after its release on videotape. Drifting between satire and improbable sci - fi adventure , the film stars Peter Weller as Buckaroo Banzai , the son of an American mother and Japanese father who is a combination physicist , neurosurgeon , martial arts master , secret agent , and rock star who travels with his band of assistants / backing musicians , The Hong Kong Cavaliers. As the story opens , Buckaroo is driving his car through a mountain to test his new invention , the Oscillation Overthruster. However , a race of boorish aliens called the Red Lectroids have been waiting for such an item to become a reality , as they need it to return to the distant planet they call home. One of Buckaroo's arch - enemies , Dr. Emilio Lizardo ( John Lithgow ), who has been possessed by the Red Lectroids , attempted to created a similar device decades before ; now escaped from an insane asylum , he is back at work with the Lectroids on a plan to control the world. Throw in Rastafarian aliens , unscheduled travel between dimensions , and the odd inexplicable watermelon , and you get a film that defies conventional synopsis. With its fast pace , quotable dialogue ( "No matter where you go , there you are" ), and barrage of gags ( subtle and otherwise ), you won't be bored even when you're not sure what's going on. The supporting cast includes Jeff Goldblum as New Jersey , a Cavalier with a snappy cowboy outfit , and Ellen Barkin as Penny Priddy , the twin sister of Buckaroo's late wife.
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In this sci-fi thriller a man and a woman must fend off a killer whom they cannot see. Scientist Sebastian Caine (Kevin Bacon) is working with a secret military research team headed by Dr. Kramer (William Devane) assigned to create new intelligence technology. With the help of his colleagues Linda McKay (Elisabeth Shue) and Matt Kensington (Josh Brolin) Sebastian has been developing a serum that makes people invisible. The formula is new and unstable but after a risky but successful test on an ape an impatient Sebastian under pressure from Kramer decides to try it on himself. It works but no one counted on the side effects; unable to reverse the serum's effects an invisible Sebastian goes insane and begins pursuing Linda (his former girlfriend) and Matt (Linda's current beau) in a fog of homicidal rage. Directed by Paul Verhoeven Hollow Man also features Kim Dickens Mary Randle Joey Slotnick and Greg Grunberg.
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In this sci - fi thriller , a man and a woman must fend off a killer whom they cannot see. Scientist Sebastian Caine ( Kevin Bacon ) is working with a secret military research team headed by Dr. Kramer ( William Devane ), assigned to create new intelligence technology. With the help of his colleagues Linda McKay ( Elisabeth Shue ) and Matt Kensington ( Josh Brolin ), Sebastian has been developing a serum that makes people invisible. The formula is new and unstable , but after a risky but successful test on an ape , an impatient Sebastian , under pressure from Kramer , decides to try it on himself. It works , but no one counted on the side effects ; unable to reverse the serum's effects , an invisible Sebastian goes insane , and begins pursuing Linda ( his former girlfriend ) and Matt ( Linda's current beau ) in a fog of homicidal rage. Directed by Paul Verhoeven , Hollow Man also features Kim Dickens , Mary Randle , Joey Slotnick , and Greg Grunberg .
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Titan A.E. combines cel and CG imagery in this science fiction saga. In 3028 after the Earth is destroyed by an invading alien race a tiny number of surviving humans roam the universe in ragtag spaceships trying to find each other and maintain some sense of community. Shortly before the final destruction of the planet Cale (voice of Matt Damon) was given a map that would guide him to a space station called Titan secretly constructed as a last hope in the event of alien Armageddon. Cale sets out in search of Titan and the fabled Ice Planet with the help of his friend Korso (voice of Bill Pullman) the beautiful Akima (voice of Drew Barrymore) and a crew of friendly aliens. Titan A.E. was directed by noted animators Don Bluth and Gary Goldman and scripted by Ben Edlund creator of the comic book series The Tick. Other members of the voice cast include Nathan Lane Janeane Garofalo John Leguizamo and Tone Loc.
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Titan A.E. combines cel and CG imagery in this science fiction saga. In 3028 , after the Earth is destroyed by an invading alien race , a tiny number of surviving humans roam the universe in ragtag spaceships , trying to find each other and maintain some sense of community. Shortly before the final destruction of the planet , Cale ( voice of Matt Damon ) was given a map that would guide him to a space station called Titan , secretly constructed as a last hope in the event of alien Armageddon. Cale sets out in search of Titan and the fabled Ice Planet with the help of his friend Korso ( voice of Bill Pullman ), the beautiful Akima ( voice of Drew Barrymore ), and a crew of friendly aliens. Titan A.E. was directed by noted animators Don Bluth and Gary Goldman and scripted by Ben Edlund , creator of the comic book series The Tick . Other members of the voice cast include Nathan Lane , Janeane Garofalo , John Leguizamo , and Tone Loc .
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The increasingly blurry lines between what is real and what is an artificial construct - both physically and philosophically - are the point of focus in the science fiction drama The Thirteenth Floor. In 1937 a man named Fuller (Armin Mueller-Stahl) gives a note to Ashton (Vincent D'Onofrio) the bartender at a swank hotel that's addressed to Douglas Hall (Craig Bierko). Fuller tells Ashton it's crucial that no one else sees the note and that the information enclosed is of great importance. Moments later Fuller transports himself to 1998. He's soon found murdered and a shirt stained with Fuller's blood is found in Hall's apartment. Fuller and Hall both work for Intergraph Computer Systems a cutting edge artificial intelligence firm and the "past" Fuller was visiting was actually a stunningly realistic recreation of Los Angeles 50 years ago complete with people you can meet and places you can visit that exists only in a microchip. The message he left with Ashton however is real. Some people including LAPD detective Larry McBain (Dennis Haysbert) believe Hall murdered Fuller to assume his position of leadership at Intergraph. Jane (Gretchen Mol) Fuller's daughter soon arrives on the scene and Hall finds himself infatuated; Hall is determined to clear his name so with the help of Whitney (also played by (Vincent D'Onofrio) he into the virtual 1937 in hopes of discovering just what happened. The Thirteenth Floor makes copious use of digital effects technology to allow its characters to travel between 1937 and 1998 - ironically using computer technology to create a world that exists inside a computer.
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The increasingly blurry lines between what is real and what is an artificial construct - both physically and philosophically - are the point of focus in the science fiction drama The Thirteenth Floor . In 1937 , a man named Fuller ( Armin Mueller - Stahl ) gives a note to Ashton ( Vincent D'Onofrio ), the bartender at a swank hotel , that's addressed to Douglas Hall ( Craig Bierko ) . Fuller tells Ashton it's crucial that no one else sees the note , and that the information enclosed is of great importance. Moments later , Fuller transports himself to 1998. He's soon found murdered , and a shirt stained with Fuller's blood is found in Hall's apartment. Fuller and Hall both work for Intergraph Computer Systems , a cutting edge artificial intelligence firm , and the "past" Fuller was visiting was actually a stunningly realistic recreation of Los Angeles 50 years ago , complete with people you can meet and places you can visit , that exists only in a microchip. The message he left with Ashton , however , is real. Some people , including LAPD detective Larry McBain ( Dennis Haysbert ) believe Hall murdered Fuller to assume his position of leadership at Intergraph. Jane ( Gretchen Mol ), Fuller's daughter , soon arrives on the scene , and Hall finds himself infatuated ; Hall is determined to clear his name , so with the help of Whitney ( also played by ( Vincent D'Onofrio ), he into the virtual 1937 in hopes of discovering just what happened. The Thirteenth Floor makes copious use of digital effects technology to allow its characters to travel between 1937 and 1998 - ironically using computer technology to create a world that exists inside a computer.
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This 60-million-dollar science fiction suspense drama (marketed with an additional 25 million dollars) was adapted from the popular TV series The X-Files -- arriving in theaters while the Emmy-winning series was still being aired continuing plot threads familiar to many of the series' 25 million viewers and featuring several familiar recurring characters introduced during the previous five TV seasons. In 15000 B.C. a strange creature attacks a caveman. Cut to present day when a boy at the same North Texas spot falls into a pit and is contaminated by a black substance. When a bomb threatens the Dallas Federal Building special FBI agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) locate the device but are unable to prevent the explosion. The agency blames Mulder and Scully for the disaster subjecting them to lengthy interrogations while trying to sever their partnership. In a bar conspiracy theorist Kurtzweil (Martin Landau) a friend of Mulder's father tells Mulder about the group behind the explosion the cover-up of the boy's death the bodies of four infected rescue workers removed from the Federal Building the secret government and the forthcoming plague. Mulder and Scully set out to find answers and their investigation becomes a foray into the fantastic.
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This 60 - million - dollar science fiction suspense drama ( marketed with an additional 25 million dollars ), was adapted from the popular TV series The X - Files -- arriving in theaters while the Emmy - winning series was still being aired , continuing plot threads familiar to many of the series' 25 million viewers , and featuring several familiar recurring characters introduced during the previous five TV seasons. In 15 , 000 B.C. , a strange creature attacks a caveman. Cut to present day , when a boy at the same North Texas spot falls into a pit and is contaminated by a black substance. When a bomb threatens the Dallas Federal Building , special FBI agents Fox Mulder ( David Duchovny ) and Dana Scully ( Gillian Anderson ) locate the device but are unable to prevent the explosion. The agency blames Mulder and Scully for the disaster , subjecting them to lengthy interrogations while trying to sever their partnership. In a bar , conspiracy theorist Kurtzweil ( Martin Landau ), a friend of Mulder's father , tells Mulder about the group behind the explosion , the cover - up of the boy's death , the bodies of four infected rescue workers removed from the Federal Building , the secret government , and the forthcoming plague. Mulder and Scully set out to find answers , and their investigation becomes a foray into the fantastic.
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Director Paul Verhoeven (Showgirls Total Recall) reunited many from his 1987 Robocop team for this $100-million science fiction adventure adapted from Robert A. Heinlein's 1959 novel originally serialized in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction (October-November 1959). After graduation Johnny Rico (Casper Van Dien) volunteers for the Mobile Infantry to do his Federal service -- but also to win over his girlfriend Carmen Ibanez (Denise Richards) who has signed with the Fleet Academy to become a starship pilot. Johnny joins other boot-camp recruits -- Dizzy Flores (Dina Meyer) who has had a crush on Johnny since school and Ace Levy (Jake Busey). Ace and Johnny become pals and Johnny's abilities earn him the squad leader position. A training accident occurs on Johnny's watch and he is about to resign when Earth is attacked by alien insects intent on eradicating all human life. Johnny's home Buenos Aires is no longer on the map. Horrified he chooses to stay on and fight to destroy the insect threat. The Mobile Infantry travels to the planet Klendathu to battle the warrior bugs a ruthless enemy with only one goal -- survival of their species no matter what. In the initial encounter some 100000 lives are lost. At a distant fort Johnny's unit discovers that the bugs drain brains to acquire knowledge. Soon they are overwhelmed by an advancing arthropod army of immense proportions attacking both in space and on the planet surface. The notion of human extinction becomes a possibility. For this $100-million production some 300 artists and technicians combined models and miniatures with CGI effects to fashion a variety of creatures -- from breeder bugs to armored tanker bugs. The film employed hundreds of extras and has over 500 visual effects shots. Filming began 4/29/96 in California (LA and Long Beach where Cal State's pyramid gym was used for the Jumpball game) New York South Dakota Wyoming (Casper Hell's Half Acre) and Utah (an abandoned Wendover airstrip where the Enola Gay WWII bomber crew trained). At an abandoned airfield in Fountain Valley California an elaborate set was constructed to resemble a military boot camp of the future -- complete with an array of pup tents gull-winged spaceships hurdle obstacle course and training facility buildings. Cinematography by Jost Vacano (Showgirls). Licensed products include Lewis Galoob Inc. toys.
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Director Paul Verhoeven ( Showgirls , Total Recall ) reunited many from his 1987 Robocop team for this $100 - million science fiction adventure , adapted from Robert A. Heinlein 's 1959 novel , originally serialized in The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction ( October - November , 1959 ) . After graduation , Johnny Rico ( Casper Van Dien ) volunteers for the Mobile Infantry to do his Federal service -- but also to win over his girlfriend , Carmen Ibanez ( Denise Richards ), who has signed with the Fleet Academy to become a starship pilot. Johnny joins other boot - camp recruits -- Dizzy Flores ( Dina Meyer ), who has had a crush on Johnny since school , and Ace Levy ( Jake Busey ) . Ace and Johnny become pals , and Johnny's abilities earn him the squad leader position. A training accident occurs on Johnny's watch , and he is about to resign when Earth is attacked by alien insects intent on eradicating all human life. Johnny's home , Buenos Aires , is no longer on the map. Horrified , he chooses to stay on and fight to destroy the insect threat. The Mobile Infantry travels to the planet Klendathu to battle the warrior bugs , a ruthless enemy with only one goal -- survival of their species no matter what. In the initial encounter , some 100 , 000 lives are lost. At a distant fort , Johnny's unit discovers that the bugs drain brains to acquire knowledge. Soon they are overwhelmed by an advancing arthropod army of immense proportions , attacking both in space and on the planet surface. The notion of human extinction becomes a possibility. For this $100 - million production , some 300 artists and technicians combined models and miniatures with CGI effects to fashion a variety of creatures -- from breeder bugs to armored tanker bugs. The film employed hundreds of extras and has over 500 visual effects shots. Filming began 4 / 29 / 96 in California ( LA and Long Beach , where Cal State's pyramid gym was used for the Jumpball game ), New York , South Dakota , Wyoming ( Casper , Hell's Half Acre ), and Utah ( an abandoned Wendover airstrip where the Enola Gay WWII bomber crew trained ) . At an abandoned airfield in Fountain Valley , California , an elaborate set was constructed to resemble a military boot camp of the future -- complete with an array of pup tents , gull - winged spaceships , hurdle obstacle course , and training facility buildings. Cinematography by Jost Vacano ( Showgirls ) . Licensed products include Lewis Galoob Inc. toys.
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In this sci-fi/horror scarefest Dr. William Weir (Sam Neill) is a scientist who has designed a spacecraft called Event Horizon which will explore the outer reaches of space past the planet Neptune; the ship employs a special transport mechanism that in effect creates a black hole that the ship can pass through allowing it to travel tremendous distances in a few seconds. The Event Horizon mysteriously disappears in the midst of a mission with no trace of either the ship or its crew but it reappears in Neptune's orbit after a seven year absence and it's sending out a distress signal. The spaceship Lewis and Clark and Dr. Weir are sent to investigate; the crew -- Captain Miller (Laurence Fishburne) pilot Smith (Sean Pertwee) engineer Justin (Jack Noseworthy) navigator Starck (Joely Richardson) physician D.J. (Jason Isaacs) and emergency technicians Peters (Kathleen Quinlan) and Cooper (Richard T. Jones) -- are already tired and unenthusiastic about this assignment and somewhat confused by Weir's reports. The crew of the Lewis and Clark are convinced that Weir is not telling them something and when they discover the Event Horizon they find that things are not what they seem and an evil presence has taken over the ship. Incidentally the term "event horizon" describes the outer boundaries of a black hole.
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In this sci - fi / horror scarefest , Dr. William Weir ( Sam Neill ) is a scientist who has designed a spacecraft called Event Horizon which will explore the outer reaches of space past the planet Neptune ; the ship employs a special transport mechanism that , in effect , creates a black hole that the ship can pass through , allowing it to travel tremendous distances in a few seconds. The Event Horizon mysteriously disappears in the midst of a mission with no trace of either the ship or its crew , but it reappears in Neptune's orbit after a seven year absence and it's sending out a distress signal. The spaceship Lewis and Clark , and Dr. Weir , are sent to investigate ; the crew -- Captain Miller ( Laurence Fishburne ), pilot Smith ( Sean Pertwee ), engineer Justin ( Jack Noseworthy ), navigator Starck ( Joely Richardson ), physician D.J. ( Jason Isaacs ), and emergency technicians Peters ( Kathleen Quinlan ) and Cooper ( Richard T. Jones ) -- are already tired and unenthusiastic about this assignment , and somewhat confused by Weir's reports. The crew of the Lewis and Clark are convinced that Weir is not telling them something , and when they discover the Event Horizon , they find that things are not what they seem , and an evil presence has taken over the ship. Incidentally , the term "event horizon" describes the outer boundaries of a black hole.
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Just when you'd think that scientists would realize dinosaurs and humans don't mix along comes The Lost World: Jurassic Park to prove you wrong. In this sequel John Hammond (Richard Attenborough) summons chaos theorist and onetime colleague Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) to his home with some startling information -- while nearly everything at his Jurassic Park had been destroyed engineers were also operating a second site where other dinosaurs resurrected through DNA cloning technology had been kept in hiding. Hammond has learned the dinosaurs on the second island are alive and well and even breeding; Hammond wants Malcolm to observe and document the reptiles before Hammond's financiers can get to them. Malcolm declares he had enough of the dinosaurs the first time out but decides to make the trip when he finds out that his girlfriend paleontologist Sarah Harding (Julianne Moore) is already there. However Ian and Sarah aren't the only visitors expected on the island; a camera crew led by ecological activist Nick Van Owen (Vince Vaughn) is on the way as is Roland Tembo (Pete Postlethwaite) a world-class wild game hunter who is supposed to round up the dinosaurs and who hopes to bag a prehistoric trophy for himself in the process. This sequel to Jurassic Park boasted even more impressive special effects than the first film though the acting and screenplay aren't always at the same level.
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Just when you'd think that scientists would realize dinosaurs and humans don't mix , along comes The Lost World : Jurassic Park to prove you wrong. In this sequel , John Hammond ( Richard Attenborough ) summons chaos theorist and onetime colleague Ian Malcolm ( Jeff Goldblum ) to his home with some startling information -- while nearly everything at his Jurassic Park had been destroyed , engineers were also operating a second site , where other dinosaurs , resurrected through DNA cloning technology , had been kept in hiding. Hammond has learned the dinosaurs on the second island are alive and well and even breeding ; Hammond wants Malcolm to observe and document the reptiles before Hammond's financiers can get to them. Malcolm declares he had enough of the dinosaurs the first time out , but decides to make the trip when he finds out that his girlfriend , paleontologist Sarah Harding ( Julianne Moore ), is already there. However , Ian and Sarah aren't the only visitors expected on the island ; a camera crew led by ecological activist Nick Van Owen ( Vince Vaughn ) is on the way , as is Roland Tembo ( Pete Postlethwaite ), a world - class wild game hunter who is supposed to round up the dinosaurs and who hopes to bag a prehistoric trophy for himself in the process. This sequel to Jurassic Park boasted even more impressive special effects than the first film , though the acting and screenplay aren't always at the same level.
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Katsuhiro Otomo garnered worldwide attention in 1988 for his cyberpunk classic Akira featuring a fully realized dystopian future that rivaled Blade Runner. In this animated triptych all written by Otomo he once again gazes darkly into the future. The first segment called "Magnetic Rose" and directed by Koji Morimoto is set in the year 2092 and centers on a quartet of futuristic losers on a orbiting garbage ship collecting junked satellites. While trolling about the heavens they encounter a massive rose-shaped structure. Venturing into one of its petals the two crew members suddenly find themselves in a European-style opera house adjoining a sun-dabbled garden. They hear the sound of a soprano diva in mid aria. As the section progresses the crew members learn that this idyllic though bizarre satellite was the refuge of an early 21st century opera singer whose ghost still haunts its metallic halls. The second segment titled "Stink Bomb" is directed by Tensai Okamura. A nerdy research assistant finds himself the unwitting center of a civic chaos and panic when he accidentally swallows a chemical that renders him a human stink bomb. Unable to smell the stench himself he is baffled as to why humans and animals alike keel over at the very sight of him. Trying to meet a deadline of delivering vital info to government organ he blithely causes a national incident when he hops and his scooter and heads to the downtown Tokyo. The final segment directed by Otomo is titled "Cannon Fodder." Set in a bleak Orwellian future in which a forest of massive cannons fire at an unseen enemy this section focuses on a man who crew of cannon number 17 and his son who worships his dad and his grim profession.
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Katsuhiro Otomo garnered worldwide attention in 1988 for his cyberpunk classic Akira , featuring a fully realized dystopian future that rivaled Blade Runner . In this animated triptych , all written by Otomo , he once again gazes darkly into the future. The first segment , called "Magnetic Rose" and directed by Koji Morimoto , is set in the year 2092 and centers on a quartet of futuristic losers on a orbiting garbage ship , collecting junked satellites. While trolling about the heavens , they encounter a massive rose - shaped structure. Venturing into one of its petals , the two crew members suddenly find themselves in a European - style opera house adjoining a sun - dabbled garden. They hear the sound of a soprano diva in mid aria. As the section progresses , the crew members learn that this idyllic though bizarre satellite was the refuge of an early 21st century opera singer whose ghost still haunts its metallic halls. The second segment , titled "Stink Bomb , " is directed by Tensai Okamura . A nerdy research assistant finds himself the unwitting center of a civic chaos and panic when he accidentally swallows a chemical that renders him a human stink bomb. Unable to smell the stench himself , he is baffled as to why humans and animals alike keel over at the very sight of him. Trying to meet a deadline of delivering vital info to government organ , he blithely causes a national incident when he hops and his scooter and heads to the downtown Tokyo. The final segment , directed by Otomo , is titled "Cannon Fodder." Set in a bleak Orwellian future in which a forest of massive cannons fire at an unseen enemy , this section focuses on a man who crew of cannon number 17 and his son who worships his dad and his grim profession.
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Fine special effects eclectic casting and the freeze-frame-worthy clothing-free debut of a blonde bombshell made this cheesy science fiction/horror hybrid a cut above its B-grade roots. At a top-secret Utah facility headed up by Dr. Xavier Fitch (Ben Kingsley) scientists have created "Sil" (Natasha Henstridge) a half-human half-alien product of experiments with DNA codes obtained from beyond the stars. Unfortunately Sil has escaped. Her primary objective is to mate and with the ability to transform herself into an incredibly powerful alien creature puny humans can't stop her. So Dr. Fitch calls in a quartet of specialists (Forest Whitaker Michael Madsen Marg Helgenberger and Alfred Molina) to attempt Sil's capture. At the same time Sil is leaving a trail of mostly male corpses in her hormonal wake. The organic-flavored alien designs for Species were provided by H.R. Giger the artist responsible for the memorable creatures and spaceships of Alien (1979). When MGM decided to cut the spectacular "train birth" sequence in the interest of budget-trimming Giger personally financed this $100000 showcase of his work. Those who look closely will notice that "Young Sil" is played by future Dawson's Creek star Michelle Williams.
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Fine special effects , eclectic casting , and the freeze - frame - worthy , clothing - free debut of a blonde bombshell made this cheesy science fiction / horror hybrid a cut above its B - grade roots. At a top - secret Utah facility headed up by Dr. Xavier Fitch ( Ben Kingsley ), scientists have created "Sil" ( Natasha Henstridge ), a half - human , half - alien product of experiments with DNA codes obtained from beyond the stars. Unfortunately , Sil has escaped. Her primary objective is to mate , and , with the ability to transform herself into an incredibly powerful alien creature , puny humans can't stop her. So Dr. Fitch calls in a quartet of specialists ( Forest Whitaker , Michael Madsen , Marg Helgenberger , and Alfred Molina ), to attempt Sil's capture. At the same time , Sil is leaving a trail of mostly male corpses in her hormonal wake. The organic - flavored alien designs for Species were provided by H.R. Giger , the artist responsible for the memorable creatures and spaceships of Alien ( 1979 ) . When MGM decided to cut the spectacular "train birth" sequence in the interest of budget - trimming , Giger personally financed this $100 , 000 showcase of his work. Those who look closely will notice that "Young Sil" is played by future Dawson's Creek star Michelle Williams .
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ased on the popular television series created by Rod Serling this film of horror and the supernatural tells four separate stories--each by a different director: John Landis Steven Spielberg Joe Dante and George Miller. In one a bigot is taught a lesson when he is transported to experience the lives of three different victims of prejudice and intolerance. Another takes a trip to an old-age home where the arrival of a special man turns some of the residents into youthful people once again. In the third a woman befriends a timid young child who turns out to be a maniacal brat with bizarre powers. The final segment shows how a man with an aversion to flying has a rough time when he panics and then sees a strange creature on the wing outside his window seat.
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Based on the popular television series created by Rod Serling , this film of horror and the supernatural tells four separate stories -- each by a different director : John Landis , Steven Spielberg , Joe Dante and George Miller . In one , a bigot is taught a lesson when he is transported to experience the lives of three different victims of prejudice and intolerance. Another takes a trip to an old - age home where the arrival of a special man turns some of the residents into youthful people once again. In the third , a woman befriends a timid young child who turns out to be a maniacal brat with bizarre powers. The final segment shows how a man with an aversion to flying has a rough time when he panics and then sees a strange creature on the wing outside his window seat.
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With the whimsical tagline "Jack Deth is back and he's never been here before" director Charles Band melds Blade Runner The Terminator and Jingle All the Way for this low-budget science fiction adventure. The story takes place in Angel City in the year 2247 when enforcer Jack Deth (Tim Thomerson) has just retired from the weekly grind after vanquishing villain Martin Whistler (Michael Stefani) and his roving cohorts called "trancers." But Whistler and his trancers have gone back to Christmas 1985 with the insidious plan of exterminating the ruling council by killing off all the council members' ancestors. So Deth agrees to go back in time to get Whistler and the trancers all over again. To do so he must transfer his memory into the body of one of his ancestors who in this case has just had an erotic interlude with the perky and attractive Leena (Helen Hunt) who works as a Santa's elf at a shopping mall and gets to wear a skimpy tight-fitting elf suit. Deth discovers that Whistler has taken over the body of the police inspector and has started transforming the Los Angeles population into trancers --including Santa Claus. With Leena's help Deth sets out to even the score.
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With the whimsical tagline "Jack Deth is back and he's never been here before , " director Charles Band melds Blade Runner , The Terminator , and Jingle All the Way for this low - budget science fiction adventure. The story takes place in Angel City in the year 2247 , when enforcer Jack Deth ( Tim Thomerson ) has just retired from the weekly grind after vanquishing villain Martin Whistler ( Michael Stefani ) and his roving cohorts , called "trancers." But Whistler and his trancers have gone back to Christmas 1985 , with the insidious plan of exterminating the ruling council by killing off all the council members' ancestors. So Deth agrees to go back in time to get Whistler and the trancers all over again. To do so , he must transfer his memory into the body of one of his ancestors , who in this case has just had an erotic interlude with the perky and attractive Leena ( Helen Hunt ), who works as a Santa's elf at a shopping mall and gets to wear a skimpy , tight - fitting elf suit. Deth discovers that Whistler has taken over the body of the police inspector and has started transforming the Los Angeles population into trancers -- including Santa Claus. With Leena's help , Deth sets out to even the score.
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When last we left the crew of the star ship Enterprise they were heading home following a skirmish with the despotic Khan. The unpleasant incident had cost the life of Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy)--or so it seemed. Admiral Kirk (William Shatner) is informed by Spock's father Sarek (Mark Lenard) that his son is being kept alive in the thoughts of one of the crew members. It now becomes necessary to search for Spock's body so that flesh and soul can be rejoined on Vulcan. It turns out that Spock's spirit is residing within the mind of the Vulcan's longtime shipmate "Bones" McCoy (DeForrest Kelley). Finding the body is another matter since the Enterprise has been consigned to the trash heap and thus is out of Kirk's jurisdiction.
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When last we left the crew of the star ship Enterprise , they were heading home following a skirmish with the despotic Khan. The unpleasant incident had cost the life of Mr. Spock ( Leonard Nimoy )-- or so it seemed. Admiral Kirk ( William Shatner ) is informed by Spock's father Sarek ( Mark Lenard ) that his son is being kept alive in the thoughts of one of the crew members. It now becomes necessary to search for Spock's body , so that flesh and soul can be rejoined on Vulcan. It turns out that Spock's spirit is residing within the mind of the Vulcan's longtime shipmate , "Bones" McCoy ( DeForrest Kelley ) . Finding the body is another matter , since the Enterprise has been consigned to the trash heap and thus is out of Kirk's jurisdiction.
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This science fiction thriller was inspired by a mythical real-life event the WWII era disappearance of an entire naval vessel during a radar-cloaking test. In 1943 David Herdeg Michael Pare and Jim Parker Bobby DiCicco are sailors stationed aboard a Virginia battleship. Their vessel is undergoing an experiment conducted by brilliant scientist Dr. Longstreeet (Eric Christmas) who is attempting to render Allied craft invisible to radar. The ship becomes briefly invisible but the test is a disaster and most of the crew are horribly killed. However two crewmen are missing. In 1984 Herdeg and Parker emerge in the Nevada desert having somehow traveled through time. Longstreet still trying to perfect the device after 40 years is running another experiment that pulls the missing sailors into the present. Realizing what's occurred Herdeg and Parker flee fearing for their lives. Fugitives they befriend a skeptical modern woman Alison Hayes (Nancy Allen). An effect of time pulls Parker back into 1943 leading to a bizarre reunion between Herdeg still trapped in the future and Parker now a senior citizen. The film was followed by a sequel nine years later.
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This science fiction thriller was inspired by a mythical real - life event , the WWII era disappearance of an entire naval vessel during a radar - cloaking test. In 1943 , David Herdeg Michael Pare and Jim Parker Bobby DiCicco are sailors stationed aboard a Virginia battleship. Their vessel is undergoing an experiment conducted by brilliant scientist Dr. Longstreeet ( Eric Christmas ), who is attempting to render Allied craft invisible to radar. The ship becomes briefly invisible , but the test is a disaster and most of the crew are horribly killed. However , two crewmen are missing. In 1984 , Herdeg and Parker emerge in the Nevada desert , having somehow traveled through time. Longstreet , still trying to perfect the device after 40 years , is running another experiment that pulls the missing sailors into the present. Realizing what's occurred , Herdeg and Parker flee , fearing for their lives. Fugitives , they befriend a skeptical modern woman , Alison Hayes ( Nancy Allen ) . An effect of time pulls Parker back into 1943 , leading to a bizarre reunion between Herdeg , still trapped in the future , and Parker , now a senior citizen. The film was followed by a sequel nine years later.
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Loosely based on a short story by Stephen King The Lawnmower Man was the first film to explore virtual reality technology and boasts a dazzling collection of computer-animated sequences. The story concerns the slightly-mad scientist Dr. Lawrence Angelo (Pierce Brosnan) who as part of a secret government agency called Cybertech has been experimenting with something termed "intelligence enhancement." By using drugs and virtual reality technology Angelo has managed to boost the IQ of experimental chimps. But he also makes them more aggressive and bit by bit they go insane. When one of his animal subjects goes on a rampage Angelo decides to go for a human guinea pig instead -- Jobe Smith (Jeff Fahey) a slightly retarded man who cuts his lawn. Not only do Jobe's intelligence and sex-drive improve thanks to Angelo's regimen but he also develops extrasensory perception. As Jobe's mental and emotional state keeps increasing so does his strength. As he gains more power Jobe becomes angrier and more vindictive until he vows to get even with all the town's people that patronized him and treated him badly.
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Loosely based on a short story by Stephen King , The Lawnmower Man was the first film to explore virtual reality technology and boasts a dazzling collection of computer - animated sequences. The story concerns the slightly - mad scientist Dr. Lawrence Angelo ( Pierce Brosnan ), who as part of a secret government agency called Cybertech has been experimenting with something termed "intelligence enhancement." By using drugs and virtual reality technology , Angelo has managed to boost the IQ of experimental chimps. But he also makes them more aggressive and , bit by bit , they go insane. When one of his animal subjects goes on a rampage , Angelo decides to go for a human guinea pig instead -- Jobe Smith ( Jeff Fahey ), a slightly retarded man who cuts his lawn. Not only do Jobe's intelligence and sex - drive improve thanks to Angelo's regimen , but he also develops extrasensory perception. As Jobe's mental and emotional state keeps increasing , so does his strength. As he gains more power , Jobe becomes angrier and more vindictive until he vows to get even with all the town's people that patronized him and treated him badly.
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Despite its occasional lapses into silly self-consciousness Flatliners is one of the most intriguing and well-constructed supernatural thrillers of the 1990s. A group of brilliant medical students decide to literally play with life and death. They put themselves in suspended animation electronically inducing a near-deathlike state and then pulling out of it at the last possible moment. Things get hairy when one of the students (Kiefer Sutherland) becomes obsessed with the notion of really dying the better to experience the Afterlife before being revived--if he can be revived. In her first dramatic starring role (playing a sensitive young lady on a misguided guilt trip) Julia Roberts is very very good--completely bereft of movie-star mannerisms. Audiences flocked to see Flatliners back in 1990 due to the highly publicized off-screen romance between Roberts and Sutherland. Oh yes: Kevin Bacon and William Baldwin are in the picture too.
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Despite its occasional lapses into silly self - consciousness , Flatliners is one of the most intriguing and well - constructed supernatural thrillers of the 1990s. A group of brilliant medical students decide to literally play with life and death. They put themselves in suspended animation , electronically inducing a near - deathlike state and then pulling out of it at the last possible moment. Things get hairy when one of the students ( Kiefer Sutherland ) becomes obsessed with the notion of really dying , the better to experience the Afterlife before being revived -- if he can be revived. In her first dramatic starring role ( playing a sensitive young lady on a misguided guilt trip ), Julia Roberts is very , very good -- completely bereft of movie - star mannerisms. Audiences flocked to see Flatliners back in 1990 due to the highly publicized off - screen romance between Roberts and Sutherland . Oh , yes : Kevin Bacon and William Baldwin are in the picture , too.
1656
One of the most famous real-life UFO abduction cases on record becomes this character-driven drama from sci-fi screenwriter Tracy Torme. D.B. Sweeney stars as Travis Walton a forestry worker who disappears one night during an encounter with a flying saucer. Authorities treat with skepticism the outrageous story related by the only witnesses to the event Travis' five co-workers who include his best friend and future brother-in-law Mike Rogers (Robert Patrick). A state lawman (James Garner) finds a tabloid newspaper in the crew's pickup truck and quickly ascertains that tensions had arisen between Walton and a surly fellow logger (Craig Sheffer) leading him to conclude that a murder cover-up is underway. However all of the men pass lie detector tests and the case becomes stalled until the shocking last-minute reappearance of Travis who tells a literally fantastic story involving his whereabouts for the past week.
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One of the most famous real - life UFO abduction cases on record becomes this character - driven drama from sci - fi screenwriter Tracy Torme . D.B. Sweeney stars as Travis Walton , a forestry worker who disappears one night during an encounter with a flying saucer. Authorities treat with skepticism the outrageous story related by the only witnesses to the event , Travis' five co - workers , who include his best friend and future brother - in - law , Mike Rogers ( Robert Patrick ) . A state lawman ( James Garner ) finds a tabloid newspaper in the crew's pickup truck and quickly ascertains that tensions had arisen between Walton and a surly fellow logger ( Craig Sheffer ), leading him to conclude that a murder cover - up is underway. However , all of the men pass lie detector tests and the case becomes stalled until the shocking last - minute reappearance of Travis , who tells a literally fantastic story involving his whereabouts for the past week.
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Great special effects do not always make for a great film but Dreamscape comes awfully close. Dr. Paul Novotny (Max Von Sydow) and Dr. Jane Devries (Kate Capshaw) run a clinic for the study of dreams. Hoping to alleviate the pain of those plagued with recurring nightmares Novotny hires a team of psychics to "inhabit" the subconsciouses of the patients. Alex Gardner (Dennis Quaid) a small-time hustler who uses his ESP gifts for financial gains is hired to work at the clinic. He helps to disperse the fears of a young nightmare-plagued boy then reverts to type by "raping" the thoughts of the lovely Dr. Devries. Things come to a head when one of the patients the American president (Eddie Albert) decides to purge himself of his apocalyptic dreams by making a lasting peace with the Soviets. Bob Blair (Christopher Plummer) the political reactionary who finances the clinic decides to assassinate the president by acting upon Dr. Novotny's pet theory: if a person dies in his or her dream he/she will die in real life. The finale pits Gardner against psychic assassin Tommy Ray Glatman (David Patrick Kelly).
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Great special effects do not always make for a great film , but Dreamscape comes awfully close. Dr. Paul Novotny ( Max Von Sydow ) and Dr. Jane Devries ( Kate Capshaw ) run a clinic for the study of dreams. Hoping to alleviate the pain of those plagued with recurring nightmares , Novotny hires a team of psychics to "inhabit" the subconsciouses of the patients. Alex Gardner ( Dennis Quaid ), a small - time hustler who uses his ESP gifts for financial gains , is hired to work at the clinic. He helps to disperse the fears of a young nightmare - plagued boy , then reverts to type by "raping" the thoughts of the lovely Dr. Devries. Things come to a head when one of the patients , the American president ( Eddie Albert ), decides to purge himself of his apocalyptic dreams by making a lasting peace with the Soviets. Bob Blair ( Christopher Plummer ), the political reactionary who finances the clinic , decides to assassinate the president by acting upon Dr. Novotny's pet theory : if a person dies in his or her dream , he / she will die in real life. The finale pits Gardner against psychic assassin Tommy Ray Glatman ( David Patrick Kelly ) .
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In this arch sci-fi sex comedy-cum-action extravaganza a hard-nosed female mercenary helps a hapless yuppie find a new body for his robot girlfriend in the post-industrial wasteland of the American Southwest. In the year 2017 what little remains of civilization feeds off the scrap heap of 20th century waste while even casual sex has become a matter of regulations and contracts. Like many other members of the L.A. white-collar elite Sam Treatwell (David Andrews) takes refuge in a quasi-marriage with his beloved sex robot Cherry (Pamela Gidley). After a soft-focus bubbly sexcapade short circuits Cherry's body Sam considers replacing her but the shoddy production values of modern robots make it obvious that the vintage appliance is irreplaceable. To put it simply the guy's in love. The wistful romantic therefore heads out to The Zone a forbidding no man's land where he hopes to find a new "chassis" in which to insert Cherry's unique personality chip. To do so he needs the help of a "tracker" and E. Johnson (Melanie Griffith) is just the woman for the job. The gun-toting red-headed road warrior leads Sam through a dystopian desert landscape full of psychopaths and opportunists toward their final destination: an abandoned warehouse full of antique androids. Along the way Sam learns what it's like to interact with a woman who has brains and a heart instead of a microchip. Filmed in 1986 Cherry 2000 didn't receive its limited theatrical release until 1988 the same year star Griffith received an Oscar nomination for her role in Working Girl. Griffith and director Steven de Jarnatt previously worked together on the pilot for the 1980s revival of Alfred Hitchcock Presents. Ben Johnson veteran of many a Hollywood Western appears as E. Johnson's mentor Six Finger Jake.
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In this arch sci - fi sex comedy - cum - action extravaganza , a hard - nosed female mercenary helps a hapless yuppie find a new body for his robot girlfriend in the post - industrial wasteland of the American Southwest. In the year 2017 , what little remains of civilization feeds off the scrap heap of 20th century waste , while even casual sex has become a matter of regulations and contracts. Like many other members of the L.A. white - collar elite , Sam Treatwell ( David Andrews ) takes refuge in a quasi - marriage with his beloved sex robot , Cherry ( Pamela Gidley ) . After a soft - focus , bubbly sexcapade short circuits Cherry's body , Sam considers replacing her , but the shoddy production values of modern robots make it obvious that the vintage appliance is irreplaceable. To put it simply , the guy's in love. The wistful romantic therefore heads out to The Zone , a forbidding no man's land , where he hopes to find a new "chassis" in which to insert Cherry's unique personality chip. To do so , he needs the help of a "tracker , " and E. Johnson ( Melanie Griffith ) is just the woman for the job. The gun - toting , red - headed road warrior leads Sam through a dystopian desert landscape full of psychopaths and opportunists toward their final destination : an abandoned warehouse full of antique androids. Along the way , Sam learns what it's like to interact with a woman who has brains and a heart instead of a microchip. Filmed in 1986 , Cherry 2000 didn't receive its limited theatrical release until 1988 , the same year star Griffith received an Oscar nomination for her role in Working Girl . Griffith and director Steven de Jarnatt previously worked together on the pilot for the 1980s revival of Alfred Hitchcock Presents . Ben Johnson , veteran of many a Hollywood Western , appears as E. Johnson's mentor , Six Finger Jake.
1659
This feature-length movie is a re-edited version of the first few episodes of the TV series. The story line concerns a spaceship full of survivors of a doomed planet who are headed to the Earth. Led by Commander Adama (Lorne Greene) they encounter villainous robots threatening their journey to find Earth.
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This feature - length movie is a re - edited version of the first few episodes of the TV series. The story line concerns a spaceship full of survivors of a doomed planet who are headed to the Earth. Led by Commander Adama ( Lorne Greene ), they encounter villainous robots , threatening their journey to find Earth.
1660
Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy are among the impoverished residents of a slum tenement threatened with demolition by evil land developers. Only a miracle can save Cronyn Tandy and their friends -- and that miracle manifests itself in the form of a "family" of extraterrestrial flying saucers who need the electricity provided by the tenement to survive. The grateful humanized spaceships repay their earthbound hosts by doing battle with the villains' henchmen. When the building is engulfed in flames all seems lost but the aliens have a few more tricks up their metallic sleeves.
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Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy are among the impoverished residents of a slum tenement threatened with demolition by evil land developers. Only a miracle can save Cronyn , Tandy , and their friends -- and that miracle manifests itself in the form of a "family" of extraterrestrial flying saucers , who need the electricity provided by the tenement to survive. The grateful humanized spaceships repay their earthbound hosts by doing battle with the villains' henchmen. When the building is engulfed in flames , all seems lost , but the aliens have a few more tricks up their metallic sleeves.
1661
Several movie genres collide head-on in Android. Klaus Kinski plays a slightly cracked scientist working in solitude on a remote space station. Kinski is hoping to develop a race of humanlike robots the prototype of which is Max. 404 (Don Opper). He is interrupted by a coed gang of space-hopping escaped convicts. One of the cons the lovely Brie Howard falls in love with Max. 404 and he with her. The android's less attractive traits are exhibited when he jealously attempts to destroy female robot Kendra Kirchner. Though there's no budget to speak of Android is one of the more likeable second-echelon sci-fiers of the 1980s.
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Several movie genres collide head - on in Android . Klaus Kinski plays a slightly cracked scientist , working in solitude on a remote space station. Kinski is hoping to develop a race of humanlike robots , the prototype of which is Max. 404 ( Don Opper ) . He is interrupted by a coed gang of space - hopping escaped convicts. One of the cons , the lovely Brie Howard , falls in love with Max. 404 , and he with her. The android's less attractive traits are exhibited when he jealously attempts to destroy female robot Kendra Kirchner . Though there's no budget to speak of , Android is one of the more likeable second - echelon sci - fiers of the 1980s.
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Crash landing on a barren penal-colony planet with an unwelcomed visitor in tow Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) contends with a group of hardened convicts while using nothing but her wits to battle a terrifying new breed of alien. The sole survivor of her crashed escape pod Ripley is rescued from the craft by the remaining inhabitants of Fiorina 161 a group of rapists and murders who chose to repent for their sins in deep space after the penal colony was officially decommissioned. When remaining warden Andrews (Brian Glover) announces Ripley's presence to the inmates their spiritual leader Dillon (Charles S. Dutton) begins to fear that her presence will stir up trouble. As a result Ripley is placed in the care of prison doctor Clemens (Charles Dance) and restricted to the infirmary until a rescue ship arrives. But Ripley isn't the only new visitor on Fiorina 161; an alien stowaway survived the crash as well and it has planted its seed in a feral dog. Before long a new breed of alien has burst from the dog's chest a stealthy hunter that moves on all fours and can navigate the darkened prison corridors virtually undetected. When the inmates start to disappear the remaining survivors must fight for their lives without weapons to defend themselves. The only person who knows the alien well enough to beat it is Ripley and while her plan to corner and kill the creature just might work a horrifying discovery reveals that her fight is far from over.
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Crash landing on a barren penal - colony planet with an unwelcomed visitor in tow , Ripley ( Sigourney Weaver ) contends with a group of hardened convicts while using nothing but her wits to battle a terrifying new breed of alien. The sole survivor of her crashed escape pod , Ripley is rescued from the craft by the remaining inhabitants of Fiorina 161 , a group of rapists and murders who chose to repent for their sins in deep space after the penal colony was officially decommissioned. When remaining warden Andrews ( Brian Glover ) announces Ripley's presence to the inmates , their spiritual leader , Dillon ( Charles S. Dutton ), begins to fear that her presence will stir up trouble. As a result , Ripley is placed in the care of prison doctor Clemens ( Charles Dance ), and restricted to the infirmary until a rescue ship arrives. But Ripley isn't the only new visitor on Fiorina 161 ; an alien stowaway survived the crash as well , and it has planted its seed in a feral dog. Before long , a new breed of alien has burst from the dog's chest , a stealthy hunter that moves on all fours and can navigate the darkened prison corridors virtually undetected. When the inmates start to disappear , the remaining survivors must fight for their lives without weapons to defend themselves. The only person who knows the alien well enough to beat it is Ripley , and while her plan to corner and kill the creature just might work , a horrifying discovery reveals that her fight is far from over.
1663
In this science-fiction thriller set in the very near future DNA cloning has been perfected and has become an accepted part of everyday life -- cattle and fish are cloned for sale at the market genetically engineered fruit and vegetables are found in most family's kitchens (nacho-flavored bananas anyone?) and if your pet dies you can even order a cloned replacement. But laws have been passed that strictly forbid the cloning of human beings. However helicopter pilot Adam Gibson (Arnold Schwarzenegger) who believes people should live and die the old-fashioned way discovers that someone has been violating these regulations. After Adam luckily avoids being on a copter that crashes he comes home to discover someone has duplicated him. Now Adam is on a mission to find out who cloned him and why as he struggles to take back his life from a scientifically created impostor his boss Michael Drucker (Tony Goldwyn) and a pair of thugs (Sarah Wynter and Rod Rowland) who have been cloned into near-indestructibility. The 6th Day also stars Robert Duvall as cloning expert Griffin Weir Michael Rooker as Drucker's right-hand man Robert Marshall and Michael Rapaport as Adam's partner Hank Morgan.
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In this science - fiction thriller set in the very near future , DNA cloning has been perfected and has become an accepted part of everyday life -- cattle and fish are cloned for sale at the market , genetically engineered fruit and vegetables are found in most family's kitchens ( nacho - flavored bananas , anyone? ), and if your pet dies , you can even order a cloned replacement. But laws have been passed that strictly forbid the cloning of human beings. However , helicopter pilot Adam Gibson ( Arnold Schwarzenegger ), who believes people should live and die the old - fashioned way , discovers that someone has been violating these regulations. After Adam luckily avoids being on a copter that crashes , he comes home to discover someone has duplicated him. Now Adam is on a mission to find out who cloned him and why , as he struggles to take back his life from a scientifically created impostor , his boss Michael Drucker ( Tony Goldwyn ), and a pair of thugs ( Sarah Wynter and Rod Rowland ) who have been cloned into near - indestructibility. The 6th Day also stars Robert Duvall as cloning expert Griffin Weir , Michael Rooker as Drucker's right - hand man Robert Marshall , and Michael Rapaport as Adam's partner , Hank Morgan.
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This belated sequel to Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) is directed by Peter Hyams. Roy Scheider plays the astronaut/skipper of a U.S.-Soviet space mission sent to find out what happened to the missing Discovery flight that carried Keir Dullea into the beyond in the original 2001. Scheider's polyglot crew includes Americans John Lithgow and Bob Balaban (the latter a computer whiz responsible for the notorious HAL 9000) and Russians Helen Mirren Elya Baskin and Natasha Schneider. The reason for this international mixture is that the world is on the brink of nuclear war and it is hoped that the space mission will assure east-west solidarity (in this respect 2010 dates far more than 2001 given the collapse of the Iron Curtain). When the astronauts catch up with Dullea still in orbit around Jupiter producer/director/writer Hyams attempts to demystify the enigmatic climax of 2001. Arthur C. Clarke author of the story upon which 2001 was based appears in 2010 as a man on a park bench. Incidentally the voice-over credited to Olga Mallsnerd is actually Candice Bergen. (The name Mallsnerd is a play on the name of one of the characters created by her ventriloquist father Edgar.)
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This belated sequel to Stanley Kubrick 's 2001 : A Space Odyssey ( 1968 ) is directed by Peter Hyams . Roy Scheider plays the astronaut / skipper of a U.S. - Soviet space mission , sent to find out what happened to the missing Discovery flight that carried Keir Dullea into the beyond in the original 2001 . Scheider 's polyglot crew includes Americans John Lithgow and Bob Balaban ( the latter a computer whiz , responsible for the notorious HAL 9000 ) and Russians Helen Mirren , Elya Baskin and Natasha Schneider . The reason for this international mixture is that the world is on the brink of nuclear war , and it is hoped that the space mission will assure east - west solidarity ( in this respect , 2010 dates far more than 2001 , given the collapse of the Iron Curtain ) . When the astronauts catch up with Dullea , still in orbit around Jupiter , producer / director / writer Hyams attempts to demystify the enigmatic climax of 2001 . Arthur C. Clarke , author of the story upon which 2001 was based , appears in 2010 as a man on a park bench. Incidentally , the voice - over credited to Olga Mallsnerd is actually Candice Bergen . ( The name Mallsnerd is a play on the name of one of the characters created by her ventriloquist father Edgar . )
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This quirky science fiction comedy is a characteristic feature by iconoclastic director Tim Burton known to moviegoers for Beetlejuice Edward Scissorhands and The Nightmare Before Christmas. The storyline affectionately harkens back to the deadpan sincerity of such '50s and '60s science-fiction films as The Day the Earth Stood Still and War of the Worlds. Flying saucers have been reliably seen over the capitals of the world and the whole world awaits with bated breath to see what will transpire. Among those waiting is the President of the United States (Jack Nicholson) who is assured by his science advisor (Pierce Brosnan) that the coming aliens are utterly peaceful. This advice is hotly contested by the military (led by Rod Steiger) who advices the President to annihilate them. When the aliens land they are seen to be green garish and very cheerful. But appearances prove deceiving when the "friendly" aliens abruptly disintegrate the entire U.S. Congress. Hollywood notables appear in vast quantities in roles (and sub-plots) of all sizes in this zany feature.
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This quirky science fiction comedy is a characteristic feature by iconoclastic director Tim Burton , known to moviegoers for Beetlejuice , Edward Scissorhands , and The Nightmare Before Christmas . The storyline affectionately harkens back to the deadpan sincerity of such '50s and '60s science - fiction films as The Day the Earth Stood Still and War of the Worlds . Flying saucers have been reliably seen over the capitals of the world , and the whole world awaits with bated breath to see what will transpire. Among those waiting is the President of the United States ( Jack Nicholson ), who is assured by his science advisor ( Pierce Brosnan ) that the coming aliens are utterly peaceful. This advice is hotly contested by the military ( led by Rod Steiger ), who advices the President to annihilate them. When the aliens land , they are seen to be green , garish , and very cheerful. But appearances prove deceiving when the "friendly" aliens abruptly disintegrate the entire U.S. Congress. Hollywood notables appear in vast quantities in roles ( and sub - plots ) of all sizes in this zany feature.
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Abel Ferrara's Body Snatchers is the third screen version of Jack Finney's cold war science fiction novel Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Marty Malone (Gabrielle Anwar) is moving with her father stepmother and stepbrother to a military base where her father will investigate possible environmental and ecological problems. Before they get to town Marty is warned in a gas station restroom by a crazed looking military man that "They get you when you sleep!" Marty adjusts to life on the base by flirting with a young officer and making friends with the rebellious daughter of the base commander. These friends help her when a plot by aliens to turn all humans into unemotional unfeeling "pod people" shifts into high gear. As her family and friends are attacked Marty doesn't know who to trust. Previous versions of his story were directed by Don Siegel (1956) and Phillip Kaufman (1978).
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Abel Ferrara 's Body Snatchers is the third screen version of Jack Finney's cold war science fiction novel Invasion of the Body Snatchers . Marty Malone ( Gabrielle Anwar ) is moving with her father , stepmother , and stepbrother to a military base where her father will investigate possible environmental and ecological problems. Before they get to town , Marty is warned in a gas station restroom by a crazed looking military man that , "They get you when you sleep!" Marty adjusts to life on the base by flirting with a young officer and making friends with the rebellious daughter of the base commander. These friends help her when a plot by aliens to turn all humans into unemotional , unfeeling "pod people" shifts into high gear. As her family and friends are attacked , Marty doesn't know who to trust. Previous versions of his story were directed by Don Siegel ( 1956 ) and Phillip Kaufman ( 1978 ) .
1667
Directed by former Starsky and Hutch TV star Paul Michael Glaser this post-apocalyptic science fiction yarn satirized American entertainment mocking pro wrestling game shows and law-and-order reality programming. Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as Ben Richards a cop in the totalitarian America of 2019 framed for massacring rioting civilians during a famine. After escaping from jail Richards tries to prove his innocence but his efforts are thwarted at every turn by a regime in need of a scapegoat. Richards is captured along with an innocent civilian Amber Mendez (Maria Conchita Alonso) and they are forced to participate in a violent game show called "The Running Man" hosted by the unctuous Damon Killian (Richard Dawson). The object of the game for Richards and Mendez: obtain freedom by staying alive against a gauntlet of skillful assassins like "Subzero" (Prof. Toru Tanaka) and "Captain Freedom" (Jesse Ventura) each armed with unique weapons like razor-sharp hockey sticks and chainsaws. With the help of some fellow "contestants" Richards is able to tap into government computers and prove his innocence. The Running Man was very loosely based on a short story by Stephen King who wrote it under the name Richard Bachman.
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Directed by former Starsky and Hutch TV star Paul Michael Glaser , this post - apocalyptic science fiction yarn satirized American entertainment , mocking pro wrestling , game shows , and law - and - order reality programming. Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as Ben Richards , a cop in the totalitarian America of 2019 , framed for massacring rioting civilians during a famine. After escaping from jail , Richards tries to prove his innocence , but his efforts are thwarted at every turn by a regime in need of a scapegoat. Richards is captured along with an innocent civilian , Amber Mendez ( Maria Conchita Alonso ), and they are forced to participate in a violent game show called "The Running Man , " hosted by the unctuous Damon Killian ( Richard Dawson ) . The object of the game for Richards and Mendez : obtain freedom by staying alive against a gauntlet of skillful assassins like "Subzero" ( Prof. Toru Tanaka ) and "Captain Freedom" ( Jesse Ventura ), each armed with unique weapons like razor - sharp hockey sticks and chainsaws. With the help of some fellow "contestants , " Richards is able to tap into government computers and prove his innocence. The Running Man was very loosely based on a short story by Stephen King , who wrote it under the name Richard Bachman .
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The serialized story structure and barbed social commentary from comic book creator and co-writer Frank Miller earned critical respect in this satirical science fiction sequel directed by Irvin Kershner. Peter Weller returns as RoboCop a futuristic cyborg fashioned from cutting-edge technology and the biological remains of slain Detroit police officer Alex Murphy. Still patrolling the city streets RoboCop is scheduled by his creator Omni Consumer Products to be replaced by a new "superior" model RoboCop 2 that according to designer Juliette Faxx (Belinda Bauer) will contain the human remains not of a cop but a criminal. In the meantime an instantly addictive drug called Nuke is sweeping through Detroit thanks to a kingpin named Cain (Tom Noonan). Taking Cain to task RoboCop is captured and dismantled. When he's put back together the cyborg is reprogrammed with a series of socially conscious commands (in a sly mocking of the then relatively new concept of "political correctness") that render him impotent as a law enforcer. Taking charge by rewiring himself with an electrical overload RoboCop arrests Cain who is injured in the process. Faxx secretly takes Cain's brain and inserts it into RoboCop 2 turning the robot immediately into a law-breaking murder machine and leading to a violent showdown between two generations of robotic crime-fighters.
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The serialized story structure and barbed social commentary from comic book creator and co - writer Frank Miller earned critical respect in this satirical science fiction sequel directed by Irvin Kershner . Peter Weller returns as RoboCop , a futuristic cyborg fashioned from cutting - edge technology and the biological remains of slain Detroit police officer , Alex Murphy. Still patrolling the city streets , RoboCop is scheduled by his creator , Omni Consumer Products , to be replaced by a new "superior" model , RoboCop 2 , that according to designer Juliette Faxx ( Belinda Bauer ), will contain the human remains not of a cop but a criminal. In the meantime , an instantly addictive drug called Nuke is sweeping through Detroit thanks to a kingpin named Cain ( Tom Noonan ) . Taking Cain to task , RoboCop is captured and dismantled. When he's put back together , the cyborg is reprogrammed with a series of socially conscious commands ( in a sly mocking of the then relatively new concept of "political correctness" ) that render him impotent as a law enforcer. Taking charge by rewiring himself with an electrical overload , RoboCop arrests Cain , who is injured in the process. Faxx secretly takes Cain's brain and inserts it into RoboCop 2 , turning the robot immediately into a law - breaking murder machine and leading to a violent showdown between two generations of robotic crime - fighters.
1669
Heroic earthling Flash Gordon saves the world from the nefarious Ming the Merciless in this lavish intentionally campy adaptation of the famous sci-fi comic strip. The story is as basic as space operas get: Ming (Max von Sydow) has developed a plan to destroy the Earth and Flash (Sam J. Jones) and his attractive companion Dale Arden (Melody Anderson) are called upon to stop him. Along the way Flash must battle Ming's goons and the temptations of a luscious space princess. Previously the basis for a more straight-faced 1930s adventure serial Flash's story is mined here for exaggerated cartoon humor by screenwriter Lorenzo Semple Jr. a central figure in the similarly campy '60s Batman television series. The simplistic plot mainly serves as an excuse for spectacular sets and cartoonish action sequences all set to an appropriately over-the-top rock score by Queen. Certainly not a film to turn to for serious excitement fine performances or character development Flash Gordon has nevertheless developed an appreciative cult of fans who admire the film's humorous approach and the detailed colorful production design.
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Heroic earthling Flash Gordon saves the world from the nefarious Ming the Merciless in this lavish , intentionally campy adaptation of the famous sci - fi comic strip. The story is as basic as space operas get : Ming ( Max von Sydow ) has developed a plan to destroy the Earth , and Flash ( Sam J. Jones ) and his attractive companion , Dale Arden ( Melody Anderson ), are called upon to stop him. Along the way , Flash must battle Ming's goons and the temptations of a luscious space princess. Previously the basis for a more straight - faced 1930s adventure serial , Flash's story is mined here for exaggerated , cartoon humor by screenwriter Lorenzo Semple Jr. , a central figure in the similarly campy '60s Batman television series. The simplistic plot mainly serves as an excuse for spectacular sets and cartoonish action sequences , all set to an appropriately over - the - top rock score by Queen . Certainly not a film to turn to for serious excitement , fine performances , or character development , Flash Gordon has nevertheless developed an appreciative cult of fans who admire the film's humorous approach and the detailed , colorful production design.
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Love means never having to say that you're ugly in the extravagant fantasy film Enemy Mine. Earthling Dennis Quaid is Davidge one of many space warriors engaged in a bloody extraterrestrial battle against the Draconians. Crash-landing on a faraway planet Davidge is forced into an "up close and personal" with the Drac (Lou Gossett Jr.) a repellant reptilian creature. Evidently a bivalve the Drac gives birth to a baby Drac just before expiring. Now a reluctant foster father Davidge tries to keep himself and the baby alive while the war continues to rage all around them. The special effects (courtesy Industrial Light and Magic) are serviceable if not brilliant and the acting is okay so far as it goes. What socks over Enemy Mine is Rolf Zehetbauer's awe-inspiring production design and Chris Walas' superb makeup work. Though a favorite on home video the film deserves to be seen on a wide theatre screen.
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Love means never having to say that you're ugly in the extravagant fantasy film Enemy Mine . Earthling Dennis Quaid is Davidge , one of many space warriors engaged in a bloody extraterrestrial battle against the Draconians. Crash - landing on a faraway planet , Davidge is forced into an "up close and personal" with the Drac ( Lou Gossett Jr. ), a repellant , reptilian creature. Evidently a bivalve , the Drac gives birth to a baby Drac just before expiring. Now a reluctant foster father , Davidge tries to keep himself and the baby alive while the war continues to rage all around them. The special effects ( courtesy Industrial Light and Magic ) are serviceable if not brilliant , and the acting is okay so far as it goes. What socks over Enemy Mine is Rolf Zehetbauer 's awe - inspiring production design and Chris Walas ' superb makeup work. Though a favorite on home video , the film deserves to be seen on a wide theatre screen.
1671
A voluptuous outer space agent travels to another galaxy in search of a missing inventor in this science fiction send-up. Barbarella (Jane Fonda) an interstellar representative of the united Earth government in the 41st century is dispatched to locate scientist Durand Durand whose positronic ray if not recovered could signal the end of humanity. Outfitted in an array of stunning Star Trek/Bond girl outfits and cruising around in a plush psychedelic spaceship Barbarella travels to the Tau Seti system and promptly crash-lands. She then spends the rest of the film discovering the joys of interstellar sex with a keeper of feral children (Ugo Tognazzi) a blind beatific angel (John Phillip Law) and an inept revolutionary named Dildano (David Hemmings). Slowly but surely she also finds her way to Durand Durand by moving from one exotic Wizard of Oz-style locale to another. Along the way she meets the kindly Professor Ping (a surprisingly verbal Marcel Marceau) a Eurotrash dominatrix named the Great Tyrant (Rolling Stones gal pal Anita Pallenberg) and the Concierge (Milo O'Shea) a strangely familiar lackey of the Great Tyrant who tries to destroy Barbarella with his great big organ of love. Jean-Claude Forest who created the character Barbarella in 1962 for V-Magazine served as visual advisor on the adaptation. The film's missing scientist character famously inspired the band name of '80s pop stars Duran Duran (who altered the spelling slightly). Almost two decades later the film also inspired electronic act Matmos which was named after the aqueous personification of evil unleashed by the Concierge at the movie's climax.
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A voluptuous outer space agent travels to another galaxy in search of a missing inventor in this science fiction send - up. Barbarella ( Jane Fonda ), an interstellar representative of the united Earth government in the 41st century , is dispatched to locate scientist Durand Durand , whose positronic ray , if not recovered , could signal the end of humanity. Outfitted in an array of stunning Star Trek / Bond girl outfits and cruising around in a plush , psychedelic spaceship , Barbarella travels to the Tau Seti system and promptly crash - lands. She then spends the rest of the film discovering the joys of interstellar sex with a keeper of feral children ( Ugo Tognazzi ), a blind , beatific angel ( John Phillip Law ), and an inept revolutionary named Dildano ( David Hemmings ) . Slowly but surely , she also finds her way to Durand Durand by moving from one exotic , Wizard of Oz - style locale to another. Along the way , she meets the kindly Professor Ping ( a surprisingly verbal Marcel Marceau ), a Eurotrash dominatrix named the Great Tyrant ( Rolling Stones gal pal Anita Pallenberg ), and the Concierge ( Milo O'Shea ), a strangely familiar lackey of the Great Tyrant who tries to destroy Barbarella with his great big organ of love. Jean - Claude Forest , who created the character Barbarella in 1962 for V - Magazine , served as visual advisor on the adaptation. The film's missing scientist character famously inspired the band name of '80s pop stars Duran Duran ( who altered the spelling slightly ) . Almost two decades later , the film also inspired electronic act Matmos , which was named after the aqueous personification of evil unleashed by the Concierge at the movie's climax.
1672
Writer/director/actor Nanni Moretti offers a three-part film diary which takes a sharply satiric look at Italian life.
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Writer / director / actor Nanni Moretti offers a three - part film diary which takes a sharply satiric look at Italian life.
1673
Lafayette (Gerard Depardieu) a young-ish misfit Frenchman and Nocello (Marcello Mastroianni) an older misfit Italian live in a run-down section of New York City and are friends. Lafayette works for Flaxman (James Coco) an excitable antiquarian who owns and runs something called the "Roman Museum" by means of which he upholds the standards of a former age. Lafayette also works for a women's lib group which one day decides to "rape" him to see how the shoe fits on the other foot. Rather than being much bothered Lafayette starts a liaison with the woman who actually had sex with him. In this rambling tale these men are shown to have great difficulty enduring intense emotions and the situations that arise force them to confront this difficulty repeatedly.
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Lafayette ( Gerard Depardieu ), a young - ish misfit Frenchman and Nocello ( Marcello Mastroianni ), an older misfit Italian , live in a run - down section of New York City and are friends. Lafayette works for Flaxman ( James Coco ), an excitable antiquarian who owns and runs something called the "Roman Museum , " by means of which he upholds the standards of a former age. Lafayette also works for a women's lib group , which one day decides to "rape" him to see how the shoe fits on the other foot. Rather than being much bothered , Lafayette starts a liaison with the woman who actually had sex with him. In this rambling tale , these men are shown to have great difficulty enduring intense emotions , and the situations that arise force them to confront this difficulty repeatedly.
1674
Originally titled La Corsa Dell'Innocente this Italian drama focuses on that country's ongoing wave of kidnappings. The early scenes focus on a large outwardly normal Italian family who happen to make their living by abducting wealthy children and holding them for ransom. When the family is wiped out by a rival gang only 10-year-old Vito (Manuel Coalo) survives. Any other child would go to the police at this point but Vito has been raised never to trust the police -- or anyone else for that matter. There is an abundance of dramatic irony in store for the audience when the fleeing Vito is sheltered by the affluent Rienzi family whose own child has recently been kidnapped. It soon becomes clear that Vito is simply not cut from his family's criminal cloth and the decisions he makes show a clear sense of ethics and a determination to set right the vicious actions of his family. This marvelously multitextured film represented the directorial debut of Carlo Carlei.
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Originally titled La Corsa Dell'Innocente , this Italian drama focuses on that country's ongoing wave of kidnappings. The early scenes focus on a large , outwardly normal Italian family who happen to make their living by abducting wealthy children and holding them for ransom. When the family is wiped out by a rival gang , only 10 - year - old Vito ( Manuel Coalo ) survives. Any other child would go to the police at this point , but Vito has been raised never to trust the police -- or anyone else , for that matter. There is an abundance of dramatic irony in store for the audience when the fleeing Vito is sheltered by the affluent Rienzi family , whose own child has recently been kidnapped. It soon becomes clear that Vito is simply not cut from his family's criminal cloth , and the decisions he makes show a clear sense of ethics and a determination to set right the vicious actions of his family. This marvelously multitextured film represented the directorial debut of Carlo Carlei .
1675
Leonardo (Franco Nero) is a painter who retreats to a house in the country to regain his lost inspiration. He is plagued by the presence of an erotic apparition. The gorgeous ghost soon moves the painter to the point he wishes to carry on a relationship with her. Leonardo is several bristles shy of a brush as he sinks deeper into insanity. When his fiancé arrives for a visit she is murdered and chopped into little pieces by the troubled artist. Vanessa Redgrave and Gabriella Grimaldi also star in this story of madness and horror.
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Leonardo ( Franco Nero ) is a painter who retreats to a house in the country to regain his lost inspiration. He is plagued by the presence of an erotic apparition. The gorgeous ghost soon moves the painter to the point he wishes to carry on a relationship with her. Leonardo is several bristles shy of a brush as he sinks deeper into insanity. When his fiancé arrives for a visit , she is murdered and chopped into little pieces by the troubled artist. Vanessa Redgrave and Gabriella Grimaldi also star in this story of madness and horror.
1676
Subversive Italian satirist Marco Ferreri directed and co-wrote (with Rafael Azcona) this grotesquely amusing French black comedy about four men who grow sick of life and so meet at a remote villa with the goal of literally eating themselves to death. The quartet comes from various walks of life -- a pilot (Marcello Mastroianni) a chef (Ugo Tognazzi) a television host (Michel Piccoli) and a judge (Philippe Noiret) -- but all are successful men with excessive appetites for life's pleasures (food is used as mere metaphor here as graphic as that metaphor becomes).
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Subversive Italian satirist Marco Ferreri directed and co - wrote ( with Rafael Azcona ) this grotesquely amusing French black comedy about four men who grow sick of life , and so meet at a remote villa with the goal of literally eating themselves to death. The quartet comes from various walks of life -- a pilot ( Marcello Mastroianni ), a chef ( Ugo Tognazzi ), a television host ( Michel Piccoli ), and a judge ( Philippe Noiret ) -- but all are successful men with excessive appetites for life's pleasures ( food is used as mere metaphor here , as graphic as that metaphor becomes ) .
1677
Fellini's Casanova is played by Donald Sutherland. The film takes great pains to debunk the myth of the Great Lover by presenting him as an ordinary human being swept up in extraordinary circumstances. This Casanova breezes through his various political and amorous adventures with an air of bored detachment allowing the audience to "fill in the blanks" regarding motivations and emotions. Though the film's plotline hop-scotches all over Europe Fellini lensed the picture entirely within the lavish confines of Rome's Cinecitta Studios. Danilo Donati won an Oscar for costume design while Nino Rota (of Godfather fame) should have won for his musical score. A sumptuous visual treat Fellini's Casanova is something of a chocolate Easter Bunny: delicious going down but hollow on the inside.
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Fellini's Casanova is played by Donald Sutherland . The film takes great pains to debunk the myth of the Great Lover by presenting him as an ordinary human being swept up in extraordinary circumstances. This Casanova breezes through his various political and amorous adventures with an air of bored detachment , allowing the audience to "fill in the blanks" regarding motivations and emotions. Though the film's plotline hop - scotches all over Europe , Fellini lensed the picture entirely within the lavish confines of Rome's Cinecitta Studios. Danilo Donati won an Oscar for costume design , while Nino Rota ( of Godfather fame ) should have won for his musical score. A sumptuous visual treat , Fellini's Casanova is something of a chocolate Easter Bunny : delicious going down , but hollow on the inside.
1678
In this combined live-action and cartoon feature Maurizio works with his brother at a movie-dubbing studio they own. His specialty is cartoon sound effects and he travels all over Milan to capture special sounds on his tape recorder. While out and about he encounters a delightfully kinky "social assistant" who is a kind of platonic love object for men with specialized sexual fixations. Maurizio is attracted to her but after spending some time with her he is shocked to see his hands turn into gloved cartoon hands that are outside his control. As the film continues he is gradually transformed until he is all cartoon and can consummate his odd relationship.
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In this combined live - action and cartoon feature , Maurizio works with his brother at a movie - dubbing studio they own. His specialty is cartoon sound effects , and he travels all over Milan to capture special sounds on his tape recorder. While out and about , he encounters a delightfully kinky "social assistant" who is a kind of platonic love object for men with specialized sexual fixations. Maurizio is attracted to her , but after spending some time with her , he is shocked to see his hands turn into gloved cartoon hands that are outside his control. As the film continues , he is gradually transformed until he is all cartoon and can consummate his odd relationship.
1679
The Mediterranean sea is the backdrop for this social drama from director Lina Wertmuller. While vacationing on a yacht the wealthy capitalist Raffaella (Mariangela Melato) shouts out orders in between spouting off political opinions amongst her friends. She is especially confrontational to the deck hand and servant Gennarino (frequent Wertmuller leading man Giancarlo Giannini) by demanding that he appear more presentable. Gennarino grows increasingly frustrated by her demands and develops contempt for her independence. When it is nearing dark Raffaella has Gennarino take her out in the dinghy for a swim. The two find themselves stranded after the motor seizes up and a current sends them drifting out to sea. Eventually finding land they end up on an uninhabited island and their small boat deflates. Removed from the trappings of society Gennarino and Rafaella engage in a passionate power struggle fueled by sexual tension and basic survival. Their desperation develops into a strange and cruel love affair that determines whether or not they want to be rescued.
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The Mediterranean sea is the backdrop for this social drama from director Lina Wertmuller . While vacationing on a yacht , the wealthy capitalist Raffaella ( Mariangela Melato ) shouts out orders in between spouting off political opinions amongst her friends. She is especially confrontational to the deck hand and servant Gennarino ( frequent Wertmuller leading man Giancarlo Giannini ), by demanding that he appear more presentable. Gennarino grows increasingly frustrated by her demands and develops contempt for her independence. When it is nearing dark , Raffaella has Gennarino take her out in the dinghy for a swim. The two find themselves stranded after the motor seizes up and a current sends them drifting out to sea. Eventually finding land , they end up on an uninhabited island and their small boat deflates. Removed from the trappings of society , Gennarino and Rafaella engage in a passionate power struggle fueled by sexual tension and basic survival. Their desperation develops into a strange and cruel love affair that determines whether or not they want to be rescued.
1680
The mutual admiration between actor Jack Nicholson and director Michelangelo Antonioni resulted in the psychological drama The Passenger. Nicholson plays David Locke a disillusioned American reporter who is sent on a grueling mission to North Africa. When he stumbles across the body of a dead man Locke long desirous of starting life over again assumes the corpse's identity. He soon discovers that the man he's pretending to be is involved in gun running on behalf of a terrorist group. Making the acquaintance of a mysterious woman (Maria Schneider) he finds a kindred spirit -- a woman as "lost" as he.
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The mutual admiration between actor Jack Nicholson and director Michelangelo Antonioni resulted in the psychological drama The Passenger . Nicholson plays David Locke , a disillusioned American reporter who is sent on a grueling mission to North Africa. When he stumbles across the body of a dead man , Locke , long desirous of starting life over again , assumes the corpse's identity. He soon discovers that the man he's pretending to be is involved in gun running on behalf of a terrorist group. Making the acquaintance of a mysterious woman ( Maria Schneider ), he finds a kindred spirit -- a woman as "lost" as he.
1681
Set during the Mussolini years Open Doors stars Gian Maria Volonte as an old-line judge. Volonte tries to remain faithful to the letter of the law despite the "improvements" made by the Fascists. His insistence upon justice over dogma results in government reprimands and ultimately poses a threat to Volonte's well-being. The honesty vs. corruption theme transcends the film's period settings resulting in an allegorical masterpiece that has significance in any country any time. Open Doors was a nominee for the "best foreign picture" Academy Award.
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Set during the Mussolini years , Open Doors stars Gian Maria Volonte as an old - line judge. Volonte tries to remain faithful to the letter of the law , despite the "improvements" made by the Fascists. His insistence upon justice over dogma results in government reprimands , and ultimately poses a threat to Volonte 's well - being. The honesty vs. corruption theme transcends the film's period settings , resulting in an allegorical masterpiece that has significance in any country , any time. Open Doors was a nominee for the "best foreign picture" Academy Award.
1682
The always innovative Taviani Brothers pay homage to another unique filmmaker D. W. Griffith in Good Morning Babylon. Vincent Spano and Joaquim de Almeida star as Nicola and Andrea Bonnano the latest in a long line of Tuscany-born cathedral builders. Emigrating to America the brothers settle in Los Angeles in 1915 even as director Griffith (Charles Dance) is preparing his epic production Intolerance. The boys are hired to help construct the massive sets for the film's Babylonian sequence (hence the title) for no other reason than the fact that Griffith is impressed by Italian craftsmanship. As the film progresses Nicola and Andrea assimilate to their new surroundings even launching a romance with a pair of pretty movie extras. On the verge of continuing the family tradition the boys' ambitions are cut short by events well beyond their control. Still their past artistic accomplishments like those of their forebears survive the ages -- but only on the ethereal silver screen.
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The always innovative Taviani Brothers pay homage to another unique filmmaker , D. W. Griffith , in Good Morning , Babylon . Vincent Spano and Joaquim de Almeida star as Nicola and Andrea Bonnano , the latest in a long line of Tuscany - born cathedral builders. Emigrating to America , the brothers settle in Los Angeles in 1915 , even as director Griffith ( Charles Dance ) is preparing his epic production Intolerance . The boys are hired to help construct the massive sets for the film's Babylonian sequence ( hence the title ), for no other reason than the fact that Griffith is impressed by Italian craftsmanship. As the film progresses , Nicola and Andrea assimilate to their new surroundings , even launching a romance with a pair of pretty movie extras. On the verge of continuing the family tradition , the boys' ambitions are cut short by events well beyond their control. Still , their past artistic accomplishments , like those of their forebears , survive the ages -- but only on the ethereal silver screen.
1683
Director Federico Fellini gently lampoons the world of small-time show business in Ginger and Fred. Giulietta Masina and Marcello Mastroianni star as Amelia Bonetti and Pippo Botticella a onetime celebrity song-and-dance team. Having risen to fame with a dancing act where they recreated the acts of Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire (hoping to become the Fred and Ginger of Italy) Amelia and Pippo parted company to pursue their separate lives. Neither one was particularly successful in other fields of endeavor so when after many years Amelia is offered a guest-star gig on a TV variety show she jumps at the chance. She also seeks out her former partner Pippo who may have looked like Astaire in his younger days but now....The overall good cheer of the film was dampened when the real Ginger Rogers sued the distributors of Ginger and Fred for "defamation of character."
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Director Federico Fellini gently lampoons the world of small - time show business in Ginger and Fred . Giulietta Masina and Marcello Mastroianni star as Amelia Bonetti and Pippo Botticella , a onetime celebrity song - and - dance team. Having risen to fame with a dancing act where they recreated the acts of Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire ( hoping to become the Fred and Ginger of Italy ), Amelia and Pippo parted company to pursue their separate lives. Neither one was particularly successful in other fields of endeavor , so when after many years Amelia is offered a guest - star gig on a TV variety show , she jumps at the chance. She also seeks out her former partner , Pippo , who may have looked like Astaire in his younger days , but now....The overall good cheer of the film was dampened when the real Ginger Rogers sued the distributors of Ginger and Fred for "defamation of character."
1684
A family history is recalled by the venerable patriarch Carlo (Vittorio Gassman) as he prepares to celebrate his 80th birthday. Young Carlo (Andrea Massimo) marries Beatrice (Stefania Sandrelli) in 1926 but later has an illicit affair with her bohemian artist sister Adriana (Fanny Ardant). Fascism World War II and the raising of children and grandchildren mark the passing of a lifetime. Old Carlo lives with his grandson where his recollections are interrupted by the gentle nagging of his beloved Beatrice. This feature received an Oscar nomination in 1987 for "Best Foreign Film."
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A family history is recalled by the venerable patriarch Carlo ( Vittorio Gassman ) as he prepares to celebrate his 80th birthday. Young Carlo ( Andrea Massimo ) marries Beatrice ( Stefania Sandrelli ) in 1926 but later has an illicit affair with her bohemian artist sister Adriana ( Fanny Ardant ) . Fascism , World War II , and the raising of children and grandchildren mark the passing of a lifetime. Old Carlo lives with his grandson where his recollections are interrupted by the gentle nagging of his beloved Beatrice. This feature received an Oscar nomination in 1987 for "Best Foreign Film."
1685
With fear and trepidation the military division encamped in a desert fort await the return of a Tartar army--which attacked the fort years ago. One young soldier (Jacques Perrin) however can't wait for the boredom to end and the fighting to begin. Ennio Morricone provided the musical score.
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With fear and trepidation , the military division encamped in a desert fort await the return of a Tartar army -- which attacked the fort years ago. One young soldier ( Jacques Perrin ), however , can't wait for the boredom to end and the fighting to begin. Ennio Morricone provided the musical score.
1686
The Decameron was the first of director Pier Paolo Pasolini's "trilogy of life." The film based on the sexually supercharged tales of Boccaccio is a patchwork of many of Pasolini's favorite themes. Pasolini himself plays the role of an aspiring fresco painter who is advised that his completed work will never be as satisfying as his dream of that work. The film is followed by Pasolini's The Canterbury Tales and The Arabian Nights.
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The Decameron was the first of director Pier Paolo Pasolini 's "trilogy of life." The film , based on the sexually supercharged tales of Boccaccio , is a patchwork of many of Pasolini 's favorite themes. Pasolini himself plays the role of an aspiring fresco painter who is advised that his completed work will never be as satisfying as his dream of that work. The film is followed by Pasolini 's The Canterbury Tales and The Arabian Nights .
1687
Grossly mistaken identity provides the impetus in this Italian farce. Loris is an anti-social fellow with a high sex drive. During a party he is pointed towards an "easy mark." Unfortunately he approaches the wrong woman. When he discovers his mistakes he nervously apologizes for the attempted liberties. A run-away chain-saw becomes involved and the frightened woman ends up filing a police report. Her report leads police boss Frustalupi that he has finally found the crazed sex killer the "Mozart of vice" whom Frustalupi has hunted for the last 12 years. Situations go from bad to worse as the police begin surveillance upon Loris whose every action becomes misconstrued by them. Things get even stickier when they put policewoman Jessica on the case as undercover bait.
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Grossly mistaken identity provides the impetus in this Italian farce. Loris is an anti - social fellow with a high sex drive. During a party he is pointed towards an "easy mark." Unfortunately he approaches the wrong woman. When he discovers his mistakes , he nervously apologizes for the attempted liberties. A run - away chain - saw becomes involved and the frightened woman ends up filing a police report. Her report leads police boss Frustalupi that he has finally found the crazed sex killer the "Mozart of vice" whom Frustalupi has hunted for the last 12 years. Situations go from bad to worse as the police begin surveillance upon Loris whose every action becomes misconstrued by them. Things get even stickier when they put policewoman Jessica on the case as undercover bait.
1688
Director Federico Fellini's Orchestra Rehearsal (Prova d'Orchestra) was originally made for Italian TV then given a limited theatrical release in the US. Using a symphony orchestra as a metaphor for Mankind Fellini explores the various joys sorrows frustrations and triumphs of the musicians. The orchestrations heard throughout are handled by Nino Rota.
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Director Federico Fellini 's Orchestra Rehearsal ( Prova d'Orchestra ) was originally made for Italian TV , then given a limited theatrical release in the US. Using a symphony orchestra as a metaphor for Mankind , Fellini explores the various joys , sorrows , frustrations and triumphs of the musicians. The orchestrations heard throughout are handled by Nino Rota .
1689
After his son disappears an Italian cheese manufacturer is threatened by political terrorists who will supposedly kill the son if he does not pay a large ransom. Unsure if they really have his son and if the son is still alive he has to decide if he should or should not sell his business to afford the sum.
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After his son disappears , an Italian cheese manufacturer is threatened by political terrorists who will supposedly kill the son if he does not pay a large ransom. Unsure if they really have his son and if the son is still alive , he has to decide if he should or should not sell his business to afford the sum.
1690
In this convoluted crime drama two incorruptible Italian policemen investigate Mafia-influenced corruption within their own department.
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In this convoluted crime drama , two incorruptible Italian policemen investigate Mafia - influenced corruption within their own department.
1691
Max (Dirk Bogarde) is a discreet unassuming night porter working in a posh hotel in Vienna in 1957 tending to the guests' needs from cold water to a bed-warming gigolo. Then Lucia (Charlotte Rampling) arrives at the hotel on the arm of her husband an American composer and Max's past comes flooding back to him. It turns out Max was an S.S. officer at a Nazi concentration camp where Lucia was a beautiful young prisoner. She became in effect Max's sexual slave. Now years later their reunion shatters both of their lives. Lucia stays in Vienna after her husband travels on in order to see Max and they find themselves caught up in a renewal of their former sadomasochistic relationship. Max has an upcoming show trial for his war crimes. His former S.S. comrades have been carefully destroying documents and "filing away" witnesses to clear all their names and while Max tries to keep Lucia's existence a secret from them they eventually find out about her. They consider her a threat and they urge Max to turn her over to them. He quits his job and he and Lucia hide out in his apartment while his former friends keep watch. Liliana Cavani (Ripley's Game) co-wrote and directed this controversial film Il Portiere di Notte which she reportedly based partly on her own interviews with a Holocaust survivor.
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Max ( Dirk Bogarde ) is a discreet , unassuming night porter working in a posh hotel in Vienna in 1957 , tending to the guests' needs , from cold water to a bed - warming gigolo. Then Lucia ( Charlotte Rampling ) arrives at the hotel , on the arm of her husband , an American composer , and Max's past comes flooding back to him. It turns out Max was an S.S. officer at a Nazi concentration camp where Lucia was a beautiful young prisoner. She became , in effect , Max's sexual slave. Now , years later , their reunion shatters both of their lives. Lucia stays in Vienna after her husband travels on , in order to see Max , and they find themselves caught up in a renewal of their former sadomasochistic relationship. Max has an upcoming show trial for his war crimes. His former S.S. comrades have been carefully destroying documents and "filing away" witnesses to clear all their names , and , while Max tries to keep Lucia's existence a secret from them , they eventually find out about her. They consider her a threat , and they urge Max to turn her over to them. He quits his job , and he and Lucia hide out in his apartment , while his former friends keep watch. Liliana Cavani ( Ripley's Game ) co - wrote and directed this controversial film , Il Portiere di Notte , which she reportedly based partly on her own interviews with a Holocaust survivor.
1692
Reminiscent of the Australian hit Strictly Ballroom (1992) this romantic comedy from Japan was a hit in its country of origin despite (or perhaps because of) its tacit criticisms of the restrictive aspects of Japanese culture. Shohei Sugiyama (Koji Yakusho) is a typically strait-laced Japanese businessmen who passing by in his commuter train one day glimpses a beautiful young woman Mai (real-life ballerina Tamiyo Kusakari) through the window of a dance school. Obsessed with her Shohei enrolls in the school and meets instructor Mai who at first mistakes Shohei for a philanderer. To her surprise however Shohei is a naturally gifted dancer interested in an artistic partnership only and Mai begins training with him for a competition. Meanwhile Shohei becomes familiar with his eccentric fellow students including one person that Shohei already knows a co-worker (Akira Emoto) who blooms in the dance sessions as a bewigged master of rumba. As dancing is frowned upon in Japan as a frivolous enterprise for a respectable businessman Shohei keeps his sideline hobby secret leading his wife to believe that he's being unfaithful and to hire a private investigator to follow him.
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Reminiscent of the Australian hit Strictly Ballroom ( 1992 ), this romantic comedy from Japan was a hit in its country of origin , despite ( or perhaps because of ) its tacit criticisms of the restrictive aspects of Japanese culture. Shohei Sugiyama ( Koji Yakusho ) is a typically strait - laced Japanese businessmen who , passing by in his commuter train one day , glimpses a beautiful young woman , Mai ( real - life ballerina Tamiyo Kusakari ) through the window of a dance school. Obsessed with her , Shohei enrolls in the school and meets instructor Mai , who at first mistakes Shohei for a philanderer. To her surprise , however , Shohei is a naturally gifted dancer interested in an artistic partnership only , and Mai begins training with him for a competition. Meanwhile , Shohei becomes familiar with his eccentric fellow students , including one person that Shohei already knows , a co - worker ( Akira Emoto ) who blooms in the dance sessions as a bewigged master of rumba. As dancing is frowned upon in Japan as a frivolous enterprise for a respectable businessman , Shohei keeps his sideline hobby secret , leading his wife to believe that he's being unfaithful and to hire a private investigator to follow him.
1693
This film is a shocking indictment of the hypocrisy and cruelty of the Japanese sex industry and the society that passively condones it. A young prostitute named Ai (Miho Nikaido) specializes in bondage and sadomasochism. Her clientele includes the rich and powerful a corrupt assortment that ranges from gangsters to corporate executives. As Ai's world of drugs and prostitution grows darker she begins a desperate search for a way out including a futile attempt to win the affections of one of her more civil clients. Although the film is intended to deliver a sharply critical message in doing so it depicts many graphic acts of sex and violence.
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This film is a shocking indictment of the hypocrisy and cruelty of the Japanese sex industry and the society that passively condones it. A young prostitute named Ai ( Miho Nikaido ) specializes in bondage and sadomasochism. Her clientele includes the rich and powerful , a corrupt assortment that ranges from gangsters to corporate executives. As Ai's world of drugs and prostitution grows darker , she begins a desperate search for a way out , including a futile attempt to win the affections of one of her more civil clients. Although the film is intended to deliver a sharply critical message , in doing so , it depicts many graphic acts of sex and violence.
1694
After the success of Hana-Bi (1997) Takeshi Kitano or 'Beat' Takeshi as he is often called made another film in which once again he is the director screenwriter editor the leading player and the talent behind the art work. Unlike many of his films about the violent lives of the yakuza Kikujiro is a bittersweet road movie about two characters who have very little in common. Masao (Yusuke Sekiguchi) is a sensitive nine-year-old boy who has to spend his summer vacation alone with his grandmother. Soccer practice is suspended and all his friends are away at the beach. In his boredom he decides to look for the mother he has never met; with only a photo an address and very little money this does not seem like a good idea. A friend of his grandmother's volunteers to send her husband along. The problem is that the irresponsible loudmouthed and greedy Kikujiro (Kitano) a low-level yakuza is hardly the ideal companion for a child. He does not even like children. Starting with the excursion to the cycle races this mismatched couple goes through a fanciful journey full of oddball characters and pleasant surprises. The best surprise of all is to discover how much they have in common. By the end of the journey sullen Masao gains the sense of magic that had been missing from his life. As for Kikujiro he now has a better understanding of who he is and what has been wrong with his life although it takes a child to make him realize this. Kitano has declared that his own father who passed away when he was a little boy was the inspiration for the character of Kikujiro. The man was a house painter carpenter and master of traditional Japanese dance but also a gambler who let his family down on many occasions. Another Japanese director Makoto Shinozaki of Okaeri fame has made Jam Session a feature-length documentary on the making of Kikujiro. In competition at the 52nd Cannes Film Festival 1999.
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After the success of Hana - Bi ( 1997 ), Takeshi Kitano , or 'Beat' Takeshi , as he is often called , made another film in which once again he is the director , screenwriter , editor , the leading player and the talent behind the art work. Unlike many of his films about the violent lives of the yakuza , Kikujiro is a bittersweet road movie about two characters who have very little in common. Masao ( Yusuke Sekiguchi ) is a sensitive nine - year - old boy who has to spend his summer vacation alone with his grandmother. Soccer practice is suspended and all his friends are away at the beach. In his boredom , he decides to look for the mother he has never met ; with only a photo , an address , and very little money , this does not seem like a good idea. A friend of his grandmother's volunteers to send her husband along. The problem is that the irresponsible , loudmouthed , and greedy Kikujiro ( Kitano ), a low - level yakuza , is hardly the ideal companion for a child. He does not even like children. Starting with the excursion to the cycle races , this mismatched couple goes through a fanciful journey full of oddball characters and pleasant surprises. The best surprise of all is to discover how much they have in common. By the end of the journey , sullen Masao gains the sense of magic that had been missing from his life. As for Kikujiro , he now has a better understanding of who he is and what has been wrong with his life , although it takes a child to make him realize this. Kitano has declared that his own father , who passed away when he was a little boy , was the inspiration for the character of Kikujiro. The man was a house painter , carpenter , and master of traditional Japanese dance , but also a gambler who let his family down on many occasions. Another Japanese director , Makoto Shinozaki of Okaeri fame , has made Jam Session , a feature - length documentary on the making of Kikujiro . In competition at the 52nd Cannes Film Festival , 1999.
1695
One of the best of Elvis Presley's pre-Army films Jailhouse Rock offers us the sensual "dangerous" Elvis that had won the hearts of the kids and earned the animosity of their elders. Presley plays a young buck who accidentally kills a man while protecting the honor of a woman. Thrown into prison Elvis strikes up a friendship with visionary fellow-con Mickey Shaughnessy. Shaughnessy suggests that Elvis perform in the upcoming prison show. Ol' swivel-hips scores a hit and decides to stay in showbiz after his release. Together with pretty Judy Tyler (the former Princess Summerfall Winterspring on Howdy Doody who would die in a horrible traffic accident shortly after completing this film) Elvis sets up his own record company. Alas success goes to his head and soon Elvis plans to ditch Tyler in favor of signing with a big-time label. Shaughnessy shows up long enough to punch out Elvis for his disloyalty; as a result Elvis' vocal chords are damaged and he is unable to sing. Deserted by his flunkeys and hangers-on Elvis learns the value of friendship and fidelity when Tyler and Shaughnessy stay by his side in his darkest hours. His voice restored Elvis climbs back up the charts--but this time he's a much nicer fellow and a lot more committed to Tyler. Usually the musical numbers in a Presley picture (this one has a doozy complete with chorus boys dressed as convicts!) are more compelling than the plot. Jailhouse Rock is a perfect balance of song and story from beginning to end; seldom would Elvis be so well showcased in the future.
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One of the best of Elvis Presley 's pre - Army films , Jailhouse Rock offers us the sensual , "dangerous" Elvis that had won the hearts of the kids and earned the animosity of their elders. Presley plays a young buck who accidentally kills a man while protecting the honor of a woman. Thrown into prison , Elvis strikes up a friendship with visionary fellow - con Mickey Shaughnessy . Shaughnessy suggests that Elvis perform in the upcoming prison show. Ol' swivel - hips scores a hit , and decides to stay in showbiz after his release. Together with pretty Judy Tyler ( the former Princess Summerfall Winterspring on Howdy Doody , who would die in a horrible traffic accident shortly after completing this film ), Elvis sets up his own record company. Alas , success goes to his head , and soon Elvis plans to ditch Tyler in favor of signing with a big - time label. Shaughnessy shows up long enough to punch out Elvis for his disloyalty ; as a result , Elvis ' vocal chords are damaged and he is unable to sing. Deserted by his flunkeys and hangers - on , Elvis learns the value of friendship and fidelity when Tyler and Shaughnessy stay by his side in his darkest hours. His voice restored , Elvis climbs back up the charts -- but this time , he's a much nicer fellow , and a lot more committed to Tyler . Usually the musical numbers in a Presley picture ( this one has a doozy , complete with chorus boys dressed as convicts! ) are more compelling than the plot. Jailhouse Rock is a perfect balance of song and story from beginning to end ; seldom would Elvis be so well showcased in the future.
1696
Here's the basic "shtick" of Bugsy Malone: it's a gangster picture enacted by children. Acted out before scaled-down sets the film details the career of Bugsy Malone (Scott Baio) who rises to the top of the criminal ladder in 1920s New York. Whenever gunfire is called for the kiddie crooks substitute whipped cream for bullets. Paul Williams contributes several songs which are performed by adult singers and lip-synched by the pint-sized actors. The cast includes John Cassisi as diminutive Capone clone Fat Sam and then-13-year-old Jodie Foster as the sultry nightclub thrush Tallulah.
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Here's the basic "shtick" of Bugsy Malone : it's a gangster picture enacted by children. Acted out before scaled - down sets , the film details the career of Bugsy Malone ( Scott Baio ), who rises to the top of the criminal ladder in 1920s New York. Whenever gunfire is called for , the kiddie crooks substitute whipped cream for bullets. Paul Williams contributes several songs , which are performed by adult singers and lip - synched by the pint - sized actors. The cast includes John Cassisi as diminutive Capone clone Fat Sam , and then - 13 - year - old Jodie Foster as the sultry nightclub thrush Tallulah.
1697
Puccini's classic opera of a trusting woman and how her love was tragically betrayed comes to the screen in this faithful film adaptation. In the 19th century an American sailor named Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton (Richard Troxell) arrives in Japan and meets a 15-year-old girl named Cio-Cio-San (Ying Huang) whom he calls Butterfly. Butterfly falls in love with Pinkerton but he regards their romance as a temporary fling and blithely asks for her hand even though he has no intention of bringing her with him when he returns to the States. Blinded by love Butterfly marries Pinkerton even though it means turning her back on her family and her faith and to the surprise of few aside from herself he soon leaves her behind. Three years later Butterfly has a child whom Pinkerton fathered shortly before his departure and the heart-broken woman lives for the day that he returns though her friends give her little hope that this will ever happen. One day Pinkerton does indeed return -- with his American wife Kate (Constance Hauman) in tow and with the intention of taking possession of his child and bringing him back to the United States leaving Butterfly entirely alone. Madame Butterfly was directed by Frederic Mitterrand the son of former French president Francois Mitterrand; the score was performed the Orchestre de Paris under the direction of James Conlon.
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Puccini's classic opera of a trusting woman and how her love was tragically betrayed comes to the screen in this faithful film adaptation. In the 19th century , an American sailor named Benjamin Franklin Pinkerton ( Richard Troxell ) arrives in Japan and meets a 15 - year - old girl named Cio - Cio - San ( Ying Huang ), whom he calls Butterfly. Butterfly falls in love with Pinkerton , but he regards their romance as a temporary fling and blithely asks for her hand even though he has no intention of bringing her with him when he returns to the States. Blinded by love , Butterfly marries Pinkerton , even though it means turning her back on her family and her faith , and to the surprise of few aside from herself , he soon leaves her behind. Three years later , Butterfly has a child whom Pinkerton fathered shortly before his departure , and the heart - broken woman lives for the day that he returns , though her friends give her little hope that this will ever happen. One day , Pinkerton does indeed return -- with his American wife Kate ( Constance Hauman ) in tow , and with the intention of taking possession of his child and bringing him back to the United States , leaving Butterfly entirely alone. Madame Butterfly was directed by Frederic Mitterrand , the son of former French president Francois Mitterrand ; the score was performed the Orchestre de Paris , under the direction of James Conlon .
1698
Directors David Greene and John-Michael Tebelak collaborate with composer Stephen Schwartz to bring his wildly successful Broadway musical Godspell to the big screen. Told almost entirely in song Godspell presents the gospel of St. Matthew updated to New York City of the late '60s/early '70s featuring Jesus Christ as a wandering minstrel dressed like a circus clown. By blowing on an instrument that reaches only the ears of a select few around the bustling city John the Baptist (David Haskell) summons nine simpatico hippies to a fountain in Central Park where they revel in the waters of their baptism. When Christ (Victor Garber) joins the group the free-flowing fraternal love solidifies into a desire to spread the word of God around the city. Outfitting themselves in a nearby junkyard that bursts with color the lively group makes its way around a sparsely populated fairy-tale version of the city re-enacting Biblical parables with great enthusiasm and flamboyance. Opting for a lighter yet more devout approach than its thematically similar Jesus Christ Superstar Godspell features an equivalent number of hummable hit songs notably "Prepare Ye (The Way of the Lord)" "By My Side" and "Day by Day."
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Directors David Greene and John - Michael Tebelak collaborate with composer Stephen Schwartz to bring his wildly successful Broadway musical , Godspell , to the big screen. Told almost entirely in song , Godspell presents the gospel of St. Matthew updated to New York City of the late '60s / early '70s , featuring Jesus Christ as a wandering minstrel dressed like a circus clown. By blowing on an instrument that reaches only the ears of a select few around the bustling city , John the Baptist ( David Haskell ) summons nine simpatico hippies to a fountain in Central Park , where they revel in the waters of their baptism. When Christ ( Victor Garber ) joins the group , the free - flowing fraternal love solidifies into a desire to spread the word of God around the city. Outfitting themselves in a nearby junkyard that bursts with color , the lively group makes its way around a sparsely populated fairy - tale version of the city , re - enacting Biblical parables with great enthusiasm and flamboyance. Opting for a lighter yet more devout approach than its thematically similar Jesus Christ Superstar , Godspell features an equivalent number of hummable hit songs , notably "Prepare Ye ( The Way of the Lord ), " "By My Side , " and "Day by Day."
1699
Shirley MacLaine plays Charity Hope Valentine who despite her job at a seedy dime-a-dance joint is an incurable optimist. Charity never stops looking for true love and never seems to look for it in the right places. We first see her in the company of Charlie (Dante DiPaolo) a slimeball who steals her purse and pushes her into the Central Park pond. Next she stumbles into a one-night stand with Vittorio Vidal (Ricardo Montalban) an egotistical movie star; this comes to nothing when Vittorio's contrite girlfriend Ursula (Barbara Bouchet) comes calling forcing Charity to spend the night hiding in the closet. Desperate to escape the dance hall Charity heads to an employment agency where a bureaucratic clerk (Alan Hewitt) informs her that she has no qualifications. Unhappily Charity heads for the elevator where she becomes trapped with the very shy -- and very claustrophobic -- Oscar Lindquist (John McMartin). Once they've gotten out of the stalled elevator Charity begins dating Oscar never telling him of her checkered past or her sordid dance-hall job. Oscar eventually finds out but assures her that it doesn't matter. However at the engagement party held at the dance hall Oscar's puritanical streak emerges. He walks out on Charity leaving her alone and heartbroken once more. With the help of a group of flower children (among them Bud Cort and Kristoffer Tabori) Charity is able to pick herself up and start living "Hopefully Ever After." Sweet Charity was adapted from the 1965 Broadway musical of the same name which in turn was inspired by the 1957 Fellini flick Nights of Cabiria.
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Shirley MacLaine plays Charity Hope Valentine who , despite her job at a seedy dime - a - dance joint , is an incurable optimist. Charity never stops looking for true love and never seems to look for it in the right places. We first see her in the company of Charlie ( Dante DiPaolo ), a slimeball who steals her purse and pushes her into the Central Park pond. Next she stumbles into a one - night stand with Vittorio Vidal ( Ricardo Montalban ), an egotistical movie star ; this comes to nothing when Vittorio's contrite girlfriend Ursula ( Barbara Bouchet ) comes calling , forcing Charity to spend the night hiding in the closet. Desperate to escape the dance hall , Charity heads to an employment agency , where a bureaucratic clerk ( Alan Hewitt ) informs her that she has no qualifications. Unhappily , Charity heads for the elevator , where she becomes trapped with the very shy -- and very claustrophobic -- Oscar Lindquist ( John McMartin ) . Once they've gotten out of the stalled elevator , Charity begins dating Oscar , never telling him of her checkered past or her sordid dance - hall job. Oscar eventually finds out but assures her that it doesn't matter. However , at the engagement party held at the dance hall , Oscar's puritanical streak emerges. He walks out on Charity , leaving her alone and heartbroken once more. With the help of a group of flower children ( among them Bud Cort and Kristoffer Tabori ), Charity is able to pick herself up and start living "Hopefully Ever After." Sweet Charity was adapted from the 1965 Broadway musical of the same name , which in turn was inspired by the 1957 Fellini flick Nights of Cabiria .
1700
Whoopi Goldberg stars in this musical take on the South African struggles against Apartheid in the mid-1970s during the imprisonment of Nelson Mandela. An adaptation of Mbongeni Ngema's popular musical which ran on Broadway from 1988 to 1989 Sarafina! recounts the political coming of age of the title character a high school girl involved in the Soweto student protests of 1976. At first just a petulant bundle of energy more interested in boys than civil rights Sarafina (Leleti Khumalo) learns of the Afrikaaner oppression through the underground lectures of her teacher Mary Masembuko (Goldberg). Sarafina's mother who works as a servant in a white household and never sees her children urges Sarafina to toe the line. But she can no longer turn a blind eye when the government imprisons her teacher and slaughters her would-be boyfriend during an arson protest. Incited to rebellion the students kill a crooked black constable leaving Sarafina to wrestle with their decision to use violence against the government's strictures. Ever tightening its grip the ruling regime would kill 575 blacks over eight months in an attempt to quell the civil unrest. The sober subject matter is leavened by Ngema's jubilant songs and Michael Peters' electric choreography.
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Whoopi Goldberg stars in this musical take on the South African struggles against Apartheid in the mid - 1970s , during the imprisonment of Nelson Mandela. An adaptation of Mbongeni Ngema 's popular musical , which ran on Broadway from 1988 to 1989 , Sarafina! recounts the political coming of age of the title character , a high school girl involved in the Soweto student protests of 1976. At first just a petulant bundle of energy , more interested in boys than civil rights , Sarafina ( Leleti Khumalo ) learns of the Afrikaaner oppression through the underground lectures of her teacher , Mary Masembuko ( Goldberg ) . Sarafina's mother , who works as a servant in a white household and never sees her children , urges Sarafina to toe the line. But she can no longer turn a blind eye when the government imprisons her teacher and slaughters her would - be boyfriend during an arson protest. Incited to rebellion , the students kill a crooked black constable , leaving Sarafina to wrestle with their decision to use violence against the government's strictures. Ever tightening its grip , the ruling regime would kill 575 blacks over eight months in an attempt to quell the civil unrest. The sober subject matter is leavened by Ngema 's jubilant songs and Michael Peters ' electric choreography.
1701
"He sold his soul for rock-n-roll" read the tagline for Brian De Palma's satirical Phantom of the Opera for the '70s rock scene. After hearing Winslow Leach (William Finley) perform a song from his Faust rock opera Phil Spector-ish impresario Swan (Paul Williams) decides that Winslow's opera would be the perfect debut attraction for his new rock palace the Paradise. Swan steals the music and has Winslow imprisoned -- but not before Winslow meets aspiring songbird Phoenix (Jessica Harper). Jumping prison Winslow breaks into Swan's Death Records factory to ruin the recordings but a record press accident grossly disfigures him. Winslow then sneaks into the Paradise to sabotage Swan's show disguising himself as the Phantom. Swan however cuts a deal with the Phantom to finish his cantata; he promises that Phoenix will sing it but then reneges hiring prissy glam rocker Beef (Gerritt Graham). Determined to have Phoenix sing the Phantom soon discovers just how far Swan will go to give the people what they want.
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"He sold his soul for rock - n - roll , " read the tagline for Brian De Palma 's satirical Phantom of the Opera for the '70s rock scene. After hearing Winslow Leach ( William Finley ) perform a song from his Faust rock opera , Phil Spector - ish impresario Swan ( Paul Williams ) decides that Winslow's opera would be the perfect debut attraction for his new rock palace , the Paradise. Swan steals the music and has Winslow imprisoned -- but not before Winslow meets aspiring songbird Phoenix ( Jessica Harper ) . Jumping prison , Winslow breaks into Swan's Death Records factory to ruin the recordings , but a record press accident grossly disfigures him. Winslow then sneaks into the Paradise to sabotage Swan's show , disguising himself as the Phantom. Swan , however , cuts a deal with the Phantom to finish his cantata ; he promises that Phoenix will sing it but then reneges , hiring prissy glam rocker Beef ( Gerritt Graham ) . Determined to have Phoenix sing , the Phantom soon discovers just how far Swan will go to give the people what they want.
1702
The second Biblical epic to be turned into a musical by composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice this box-office disappointment recounts the last week in the life of Jesus Christ in rock-opera format and from the surprising point of view of Christ's betrayer Judas Iscariot. Carl Anderson stars as Judas who has begun to believe that Jesus (Ted Neeley) has sold out and started buying into the mythology that's quickly springing up around him. Particularly disturbing to Judas is the relationship between Jesus and his friend Mary Magdalene (Yvonne Elliman) a prostitute. When Jesus throws a temper tantrum at the moneylenders in a temple Judas determines to work with the Pharisees who want to put Jesus on trial as a false prophet. Following his success with the adaptation of Fiddler on the Roof (1971) director Norman Jewison experimented with a hippie-influenced sensibility on Jesus Christ Superstar (1973). Among such touches are depictions of the cast arriving via bus to mount the show modern high-tech weaponry in the hands of the ancient Romans and on-location filming in Israel.
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The second Biblical epic to be turned into a musical by composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice , this box - office disappointment recounts the last week in the life of Jesus Christ in rock - opera format and from the surprising point of view of Christ's betrayer , Judas Iscariot. Carl Anderson stars as Judas , who has begun to believe that Jesus ( Ted Neeley ) has sold out and started buying into the mythology that's quickly springing up around him. Particularly disturbing to Judas is the relationship between Jesus and his friend Mary Magdalene ( Yvonne Elliman ), a prostitute. When Jesus throws a temper tantrum at the moneylenders in a temple , Judas determines to work with the Pharisees who want to put Jesus on trial as a false prophet. Following his success with the adaptation of Fiddler on the Roof ( 1971 ), director Norman Jewison experimented with a hippie - influenced sensibility on Jesus Christ Superstar ( 1973 ) . Among such touches are depictions of the cast arriving via bus to mount the show , modern high - tech weaponry in the hands of the ancient Romans , and on - location filming in Israel.
1703
Joshua Logan directs this lavish version of the Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe Broadway success with Richard Harris Vanessa Redgrave and Franco Nero in the lead roles originally portrayed on Broadway by Richard Burton Julie Andrews and Robert Goulet. The musical based on T.H. White's The Once and Future King chronicles the legend of King Arthur (Richard Harris) and his tortured love affair with his queen Guenevere (Vanessa Redgrave). Arthur first encounters Guenevere on the day of their wedding in the enchanted forest surrounding Camelot. After the wedding Arthur's bliss at his marriage to the lovely Guenevere prompts him to establish the Knights of the Round Table a lofty order of chivalry in which all the member knights are bound by a desire the help the oppressed keeping faith with trust and honor. Such is the fame of the Knights of the Round Table that a young French knight Lancelot Du Lac (Franco Nero) seeks to join the order. Lancelot quickly becomes the most celebrated of all the knights and Guenevere aloof at first falls in love with him. Although both have a deep love for Arthur their passion knows no bounds and they begin an illicit love affair behind Arthur's back. Arthur ignores the rumors circling around him but when his illegitimate son Mordred (David Hemmings) arrives at Camelot he exposes Lancelot and Guenevere during a tryst. Lancelot escapes but Guenevere is sentenced to be burned at the stake. Lancelot rescues her at the last minute and Arthur prepares for battle his dreams of an idealistic Camelot shattered.
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Joshua Logan directs this lavish version of the Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe Broadway success with Richard Harris , Vanessa Redgrave , and Franco Nero in the lead roles originally portrayed on Broadway by Richard Burton , Julie Andrews , and Robert Goulet . The musical , based on T.H. White 's The Once and Future King , chronicles the legend of King Arthur ( Richard Harris ) and his tortured love affair with his queen Guenevere ( Vanessa Redgrave ) . Arthur first encounters Guenevere , on the day of their wedding , in the enchanted forest surrounding Camelot. After the wedding , Arthur's bliss at his marriage to the lovely Guenevere prompts him to establish the Knights of the Round Table , a lofty order of chivalry in which all the member knights are bound by a desire the help the oppressed , keeping faith with trust and honor. Such is the fame of the Knights of the Round Table that a young French knight , Lancelot Du Lac ( Franco Nero ), seeks to join the order. Lancelot quickly becomes the most celebrated of all the knights , and Guenevere , aloof at first , falls in love with him. Although both have a deep love for Arthur , their passion knows no bounds , and they begin an illicit love affair behind Arthur's back. Arthur ignores the rumors circling around him , but when his illegitimate son , Mordred ( David Hemmings ) arrives at Camelot , he exposes Lancelot and Guenevere during a tryst. Lancelot escapes , but Guenevere is sentenced to be burned at the stake. Lancelot rescues her at the last minute , and Arthur prepares for battle , his dreams of an idealistic Camelot shattered.
1704
The Boy Friend began life as Sandy Wilson's small-scale pastiche of British musical comedies of the 1920s. When the play was brought to America in 1954 its star was the teenage Julie Andrews. Because The Boy Friend requires a minimum of sets props and costumes it has become a favorite of amateur theater groups throughout the world. But director Ken Russell notorious for his onscreen excesses abandoned the film's simplicity. He fashioned a humongous parody of the Busby Berkeley film musicals of the 1930s staged on a scale that made Berkeley seem stylistically modest. Fashion model Twiggy plays Polly Browne an aspiring musical comedy star working as stage manager of a production of The Boy Friend. She is transformed into a star when she replaces leading lady Rita Monroe (Glenda Jackson unbilled) who twists her ankle seconds before the curtain goes up. Before the evening is over Polly is scampering over outsized sets and ducking around seemingly thousands of chorus girls and boys. Christopher Gable who plays Polly's on-stage leading man also choreographed the lavish musical numbers.
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The Boy Friend began life as Sandy Wilson 's small - scale pastiche of British musical comedies of the 1920s. When the play was brought to America in 1954 , its star was the teenage Julie Andrews . Because The Boy Friend requires a minimum of sets , props , and costumes , it has become a favorite of amateur theater groups throughout the world. But director Ken Russell , notorious for his onscreen excesses , abandoned the film's simplicity. He fashioned a humongous parody of the Busby Berkeley film musicals of the 1930s , staged on a scale that made Berkeley seem stylistically modest. Fashion model Twiggy plays Polly Browne , an aspiring musical comedy star , working as stage manager of a production of The Boy Friend . She is transformed into a star when she replaces leading lady Rita Monroe ( Glenda Jackson , unbilled ), who twists her ankle seconds before the curtain goes up. Before the evening is over , Polly is scampering over outsized sets , and ducking around seemingly thousands of chorus girls and boys. Christopher Gable , who plays Polly's on - stage leading man , also choreographed the lavish musical numbers.
1705
George Roy Hill directed this original musical set the 1920s that mixes pop standards with new tunes written by Sammy Cahn and James Van Heusen. Julie Andrews in a role that recalls her Broadway triumph in The Boy Friend stars as Millie Dillmount who comes to New York is search of a secretarial job and an unattached boss. She moves into a hotel for women run by kindly Mrs. Meers (Beatrice Lillie) and she befriends the pretty petite orphan Dorothy Brown (Mary Tyler Moore). Millie finds work with the handsome bachelor Trevor Graydon (John Gavin) but Trevor has his eyes on Dorothy. So too does Mrs. Meers who despite her kindly exterior is actually an unscrupulous white slaver. Paper clip salesman Jimmy Smith (James Fox) on the other hand pledges his undying love to Millie. One day after attending a weekend party being given at the opulent Long Island mansion of Muzzy Van Hossmere (Carol Channing) Dorothy disappears. When Jimmy and Millie smell opium in Dorothy's room they realize the awful truth about Mrs. Meers. Trying to rescue Dorothy and find the location of Mrs. Meers' hideout Jimmy disguises himself as an orphaned woman and tries to get himself kidnapped. The scheme backfires however and Mrs. Meers drugs and kidnaps both Jimmy and Trevor. It is left to Millie to find the white slavers free her friends from bondage and save the day.
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George Roy Hill directed this original musical set the 1920s that mixes pop standards with new tunes written by Sammy Cahn and James Van Heusen . Julie Andrews , in a role that recalls her Broadway triumph in The Boy Friend , stars as Millie Dillmount , who comes to New York is search of a secretarial job and an unattached boss. She moves into a hotel for women , run by kindly Mrs. Meers ( Beatrice Lillie ), and she befriends the pretty , petite orphan Dorothy Brown ( Mary Tyler Moore ) . Millie finds work with the handsome bachelor Trevor Graydon ( John Gavin ), but Trevor has his eyes on Dorothy. So too does Mrs. Meers , who despite her kindly exterior is actually an unscrupulous white slaver. Paper clip salesman Jimmy Smith ( James Fox ), on the other hand , pledges his undying love to Millie. One day , after attending a weekend party being given at the opulent Long Island mansion of Muzzy Van Hossmere ( Carol Channing ), Dorothy disappears. When Jimmy and Millie smell opium in Dorothy's room , they realize the awful truth about Mrs. Meers. Trying to rescue Dorothy and find the location of Mrs. Meers' hideout , Jimmy disguises himself as an orphaned woman and tries to get himself kidnapped. The scheme backfires , however , and Mrs. Meers drugs and kidnaps both Jimmy and Trevor. It is left to Millie to find the white slavers , free her friends from bondage and save the day.
1706
A failed effort to revive the big-budget movie musical Newsies attempted to create toe-tapping song-and-dance excitement out of the true story of an 1899 strike by newspaper boys against publishing magnate Joseph Pulitzer. The "newsies" band together to protest a pay cut by Pulitzer (Robert Duvall) organizing a union to protect their rights and ensure fair wages. They are helped along the way by Medda (Ann-Margret) a local dance-hall performer who befriends the boys and provides an opportunity for an additional song or two. Director Kenny Ortega had previously choreographed Dirty Dancing and composer Alan Menken had provided the acclaimed scores for Beauty and the Beast and Little Shop of Horrors but their work here failed to capture the spark of their popular successes. Unable to connect with older or younger viewers Newsies gained a reputation as a major bomb that cut short an attempt to bring back the live-action musical though in the intervening years it has gained a small but appreciative cult.
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A failed effort to revive the big - budget movie musical , Newsies attempted to create toe - tapping , song - and - dance excitement out of the true story of an 1899 strike by newspaper boys against publishing magnate Joseph Pulitzer. The "newsies" band together to protest a pay cut by Pulitzer ( Robert Duvall ), organizing a union to protect their rights and ensure fair wages. They are helped along the way by Medda ( Ann - Margret ), a local dance - hall performer who befriends the boys and provides an opportunity for an additional song or two. Director Kenny Ortega had previously choreographed Dirty Dancing , and composer Alan Menken had provided the acclaimed scores for Beauty and the Beast and Little Shop of Horrors , but their work here failed to capture the spark of their popular successes. Unable to connect with older or younger viewers , Newsies gained a reputation as a major bomb that cut short an attempt to bring back the live - action musical , though in the intervening years it has gained a small but appreciative cult.
1707
Twenty-seven-year-old Barbra Streisand seemed an inappropriate choice for middle-aged match-making widow Dolly Levi but her energy carries her right through the role and dominates the lackluster movie around her. The plot drawn from Thornton Wilder's The Matchmaker (itself based on a 19th-century British farce) is set in motion when Yonkers feed store clerk Cornelius Hackl (Michael Crawford) celebrates his promotion by taking his pal Barnaby Tucker (Danny Lockin) to New York City for a "corking good time." But Cornelius and Barnaby can't avoid crossing paths with their boss Horace Vandergelder (Walter Matthau) who'd give them Holy Ned if he saw them in a fancy restaurant with two fancy girls instead of tending the store. Mr. Vandergelder himself is the object of Dolly's affections though she pretends to have only a professional interest in the widowed merchant going through the motions of finding him a new wife when in fact she'd like to be the lucky bride herself. The film's musical set pieces include a show-stopping rendition of the title number with Louis Armstrong more or less playing himself. The biggest number is "Before the Parade Passes By" in which thousands of costumed marchers and atmosphere extras cavort before a huge replica of a New York City thoroughfare in the 1890s (actually the main entrance of the 20th Century-Fox studio with period facades adorning the office buildings). An artifact of an era in which Broadway musicals were a significant part of popular culture Hello Dolly seemed bizarrely irrelevant in the social turmoil of the late 1960s and it became one of the late-1960s big-budget failures that led Hollywood studios toward a different kind of filmmaking in the 1970s.
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Twenty - seven - year - old Barbra Streisand seemed an inappropriate choice for middle - aged , match - making widow Dolly Levi , but her energy carries her right through the role and dominates the lackluster movie around her. The plot , drawn from Thornton Wilder's The Matchmaker ( itself based on a 19th - century British farce ), is set in motion when Yonkers feed store clerk Cornelius Hackl ( Michael Crawford ) celebrates his promotion by taking his pal Barnaby Tucker ( Danny Lockin ) to New York City for a "corking good time." But Cornelius and Barnaby can't avoid crossing paths with their boss Horace Vandergelder ( Walter Matthau ), who'd give them Holy Ned if he saw them in a fancy restaurant with two fancy girls instead of tending the store. Mr. Vandergelder himself is the object of Dolly's affections , though she pretends to have only a professional interest in the widowed merchant , going through the motions of finding him a new wife when in fact she'd like to be the lucky bride herself. The film's musical set pieces include a show - stopping rendition of the title number , with Louis Armstrong more or less playing himself. The biggest number is "Before the Parade Passes By , " in which thousands of costumed marchers and atmosphere extras cavort before a huge replica of a New York City thoroughfare in the 1890s ( actually the main entrance of the 20th Century - Fox studio , with period facades adorning the office buildings ) . An artifact of an era in which Broadway musicals were a significant part of popular culture , Hello Dolly seemed bizarrely irrelevant in the social turmoil of the late 1960s , and it became one of the late - 1960s big - budget failures that led Hollywood studios toward a different kind of filmmaking in the 1970s.
1708
roadway's celebratory musical about rejection makes it to the screen in a fizzless adaptation by Richard Attenborough that misses the whole point of the Broadway show -- i.e. the dancing and the dancers. Instead the dancers become a limp Greek chorus for the dead love affair between a choreographer Zach (a pre-Gordon Gekko Michael Douglas) and his old flame Cassie (Alyson Reed) the star dancer. Zach is holding try-outs for a new Broadway musical and as armies of dancers are brought on stage to audition for Zach he sits in the darkened recesses of the theater puffing on a cigarette as he winnows out hopeful dancers who want to become part of the chorus line for Zach's new show. Finally Zach has reduced the dancers to 16 men and women and he asks each of them to step to the footlights and tell him about their lives and their dreams. But backstage while the dancers are confessing their pasts to Zach Zach's past walks through the stage door. Cassie Zach's ex-lover whom Zach met courted and broke up with in the theatrical environs has returned. Once a big star Cassie has returned to the theater -- not to see Zach but to audition for Zach's musical. She needs the work.
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Broadway's celebratory musical about rejection makes it to the screen in a fizzless adaptation by Richard Attenborough that misses the whole point of the Broadway show -- i.e. the dancing and the dancers. Instead , the dancers become a limp Greek chorus for the dead love affair between a choreographer , Zach ( a pre - Gordon Gekko Michael Douglas ) and his old flame , Cassie ( Alyson Reed ) the star dancer. Zach is holding try - outs for a new Broadway musical and , as armies of dancers are brought on stage to audition for Zach , he sits in the darkened recesses of the theater , puffing on a cigarette , as he winnows out hopeful dancers who want to become part of the chorus line for Zach's new show. Finally , Zach has reduced the dancers to 16 men and women , and he asks each of them to step to the footlights and tell him about their lives and their dreams. But backstage , while the dancers are confessing their pasts to Zach , Zach's past walks through the stage door. Cassie , Zach's ex - lover , whom Zach met , courted and broke up with in the theatrical environs , has returned. Once a big star , Cassie has returned to the theater -- not to see Zach but to audition for Zach's musical. She needs the work.
1709
George Sidney's adaptation of the satiric Broadway musical smash by Michael Stewart Charles Strouse and Lee Adams -- about an Elvis Presley-inspired rock star who is drafted into the army and who creates a near-riot in a small Midwestern town when he stops there for one last publicity junket -- takes good-natured swipes at popular culture rock n' roll and American family life. Dick van Dyke re-creates his Broadway role of Albert Peterson a down-on-his-luck songwriter for the rock-n'-roll idol Conrad Birdie (Jesse Pearson). When Birdie is drafted into the army Peterson is worried about his future as a songwriter. His secretary Rosie (Janet Leigh in a brunette wig) with whom Albert has long been romantically attached convinces Albert to write a farewell song for Birdie that he will sing on The Ed Sullivan Show to a specially selected fan. The lucky fan turns out to be Kim McAfee (Ann-Margaret) of Sweet Apple Ohio. When Birdie arrives in this hick town the population goes crazy and in the ensuing madness Albert must deal with the celebrity-fawning population Kim's manic father (Paul Lynde also re-creating his Broadway role) and his own domineering mother (Maureen Stapleton) while he loses Rosie to the Shriners.
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George Sidney 's adaptation of the satiric Broadway musical smash by Michael Stewart , Charles Strouse , and Lee Adams -- about an Elvis Presley - inspired rock star , who is drafted into the army and who creates a near - riot in a small Midwestern town when he stops there for one last publicity junket -- takes good - natured swipes at popular culture , rock n' roll , and American family life. Dick van Dyke re - creates his Broadway role of Albert Peterson , a down - on - his - luck songwriter for the rock - n' - roll idol Conrad Birdie ( Jesse Pearson ) . When Birdie is drafted into the army , Peterson is worried about his future as a songwriter. His secretary , Rosie ( Janet Leigh in a brunette wig ), with whom Albert has long been romantically attached , convinces Albert to write a farewell song for Birdie that he will sing on The Ed Sullivan Show to a specially selected fan. The lucky fan turns out to be Kim McAfee ( Ann - Margaret ) of Sweet Apple , Ohio. When Birdie arrives in this hick town , the population goes crazy and in the ensuing madness , Albert must deal with the celebrity - fawning population , Kim's manic father ( Paul Lynde , also re - creating his Broadway role ), and his own domineering mother ( Maureen Stapleton ), while he loses Rosie to the Shriners.
1710
One of Elvis Presley's most successful post-Army vehicles Blue Hawaii casts Elvis as scion to a Hawaiian pineapple fortune. His snooty mother Angela Lansbury wants Presley to take over the management of the family business but he'd rather make his own way in the world. He lands a job at a tourist agency and incidentally finds time to dally with such lovelies as Joan Blackman and Nancy Walters. Steve Brodie as ever is on hand to inveigle Elvis into an outsized brawl. Among the songs featured in the film are the title number (originally written in 1937 for Bing Crosby) and "Can't Help Falling in Love."
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One of Elvis Presley 's most successful post - Army vehicles , Blue Hawaii casts Elvis as scion to a Hawaiian pineapple fortune. His snooty mother Angela Lansbury wants Presley to take over the management of the family business , but he'd rather make his own way in the world. He lands a job at a tourist agency , and incidentally finds time to dally with such lovelies as Joan Blackman and Nancy Walters . Steve Brodie , as ever , is on hand to inveigle Elvis into an outsized brawl. Among the songs featured in the film are the title number ( originally written in 1937 for Bing Crosby ) and "Can't Help Falling in Love."
1711
This second film adaptation of the Victor Herbert operetta Babes in Toyland was producer Walt Disney's Christmas offering for 1961. The 1903 Herbert original had very little in the way of a plot so screenwriters Joe Rinaldi Lowell S. Hawley and Ward Kimball lifted elements from the 1934 filmization of Toyland which starred Laurel and Hardy. Annette Funicello plays Mary Contrary about to wed Tom Piper (Tommy Sands) in the heart of Mother Goose Village. The villainous Barnaby (Ray Bolger) who covets Mary for himself orders his bumbling henchmen Gonzorgo (Henry Calvin) and Roderigo (Gene Sheldon) to do away with Tom. Hoping to turn a profit Gonzorgo and Roderigo sell Tom to a band of gypsies enabling Tom to make a surprise return-in old-lady drag to rescue Mary from Barnaby's clutches. Later Mary's younger siblings (including Disney regular Moochie Corcoran) wander into the Forest of No Return compelling Tom and Mary to go after them. Everyone winds up in Toyland where they try to help the Toymaker (Ed Wynn) and his invention-happy assistant Grumio (Tommy Kirk) meet their quota for Santa Claus despite the continued meddlings of Barnaby. Keep an eye peeled for 11-year-old Ann Jillian making her screen debut as Bo Peep.
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This second film adaptation of the Victor Herbert operetta Babes in Toyland was producer Walt Disney 's Christmas offering for 1961. The 1903 Herbert original had very little in the way of a plot , so screenwriters Joe Rinaldi , Lowell S. Hawley , and Ward Kimball lifted elements from the 1934 filmization of Toyland , which starred Laurel and Hardy . Annette Funicello plays Mary Contrary , about to wed Tom Piper ( Tommy Sands ) in the heart of Mother Goose Village. The villainous Barnaby ( Ray Bolger ), who covets Mary for himself , orders his bumbling henchmen Gonzorgo ( Henry Calvin ) and Roderigo ( Gene Sheldon ) to do away with Tom. Hoping to turn a profit , Gonzorgo and Roderigo sell Tom to a band of gypsies , enabling Tom to make a surprise return - in old - lady drag to rescue Mary from Barnaby's clutches. Later , Mary's younger siblings ( including Disney regular Moochie Corcoran ) wander into the Forest of No Return , compelling Tom and Mary to go after them. Everyone winds up in Toyland , where they try to help the Toymaker ( Ed Wynn ) and his invention - happy assistant Grumio ( Tommy Kirk ) meet their quota for Santa Claus despite the continued meddlings of Barnaby. Keep an eye peeled for 11 - year - old Ann Jillian , making her screen debut as Bo Peep.
1712
This family classic is adapted from the Broadway musical which was based on the comic strip Little Orphan Annie. During the Great Depression in New York City a plucky red-haired scrapper named Annie (Aileen Quinn) is the voice of hope for her fellow orphans who live under the supervision of drunken floozy Miss Hannigan (Carol Burnett). Annie's spirit is fueled by the belief that her real parents dropped her off at the orphanage with a half of a locket promising to return for her with the other half. One day the dingy orphanage is visited by the sophisticated Grace Farrell (Ann Reinking) personal secretary to conservative politician Oliver Warbucks (Albert Finney). In order to improve his image Grace brings Annie to the Warbucks estate for a weeklong visit. Annie quickly wins the hearts of servants and politicians alike eventually even bringing her song of hope "Tomorrow" to President Roosevelt in Washington. Warbucks and Grace even go so far as to perform a public search for Annie's parents creating an opportunity for Miss Hannigan Rooster (Tim Curry) and Lily (Bernadette Peters) to scam their way to the reward money.
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This family classic is adapted from the Broadway musical , which was based on the comic strip Little Orphan Annie . During the Great Depression in New York City , a plucky red - haired scrapper named Annie ( Aileen Quinn ) is the voice of hope for her fellow orphans who live under the supervision of drunken floozy Miss Hannigan ( Carol Burnett ) . Annie's spirit is fueled by the belief that her real parents dropped her off at the orphanage with a half of a locket , promising to return for her with the other half. One day , the dingy orphanage is visited by the sophisticated Grace Farrell ( Ann Reinking ), personal secretary to conservative politician Oliver Warbucks ( Albert Finney ) . In order to improve his image , Grace brings Annie to the Warbucks estate for a weeklong visit. Annie quickly wins the hearts of servants and politicians alike , eventually even bringing her song of hope , "Tomorrow , " to President Roosevelt in Washington. Warbucks and Grace even go so far as to perform a public search for Annie's parents , creating an opportunity for Miss Hannigan , Rooster ( Tim Curry ), and Lily ( Bernadette Peters ) to scam their way to the reward money.
1713
Terence Davies' blissful evocative and non-narrative follow-up to his Distant Voices Still Lives follows a few months in the life of 12-year-old Bud (Leigh McCormack) in impressionistic snatches of his everyday existence growing up in the Liverpool of 1956. Bud's world is influenced by his mother (Marjorie Yates) his older sister Helen (Ayse Owens) and his older brothers John (Nicholas Lamont) and Kevin (Anthony Watson). Bud is a lonely and quiet child whose moments of solace occur when he sits in rapture at the local cinema watching towering and iconic figures on the movie screen. The movies give Bud the strength to get through another day as he deals with his oppressive school environment and his burgeoning homosexuality.
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Terence Davies ' blissful , evocative and non - narrative follow - up to his Distant Voices , Still Lives follows a few months in the life of 12 - year - old Bud ( Leigh McCormack ), in impressionistic snatches of his everyday existence growing up in the Liverpool of 1956. Bud's world is influenced by his mother ( Marjorie Yates ), his older sister Helen ( Ayse Owens ), and his older brothers John ( Nicholas Lamont ) and Kevin ( Anthony Watson ) . Bud is a lonely and quiet child whose moments of solace occur when he sits in rapture at the local cinema , watching towering and iconic figures on the movie screen. The movies give Bud the strength to get through another day as he deals with his oppressive school environment and his burgeoning homosexuality.
1714
In this 1969 Ken Loach film a 15-year-old named Billy Casper (played by acting newcomer David Bradley) suffers abuse both at home and at school in Yorkshire England. At his home in the working-class section of Barnsley Billy's brother beats him and his family neglects him. At school most of his teachers ridicule and reject him especially sadistic Mr. Sugden (Brian Glover. Like other downtrodden children in an outmoded social system favoring the ruling class Billy appears headed for a menial job with no future. Consequently he has no motivation and nothing to look forward to until the day he finds a kestrel -- a European falcon with the ability to hover against strong wind. The bird a fledgling is akin to the boy who must withstand winds of his own. It is not surprising therefore that Billy finds meaning in befriending and caring for the baby kestrel. He raises nurtures and trains the falcon whom he calls "Kes." Its development gives him hope that he too will one day develop that he too will gain the skills to fly against the wind. Then Billy opts to spend his brother's track money on food for Kes which sets the stage for a grave disagreement betwen the young men and an unhappy outcome.
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In this 1969 Ken Loach film , a 15 - year - old named Billy Casper ( played by acting newcomer David Bradley ) suffers abuse both at home and at school in Yorkshire , England. At his home in the working - class section of Barnsley , Billy's brother beats him and his family neglects him. At school , most of his teachers ridicule and reject him , especially sadistic Mr. Sugden ( Brian Glover . Like other downtrodden children in an outmoded social system favoring the ruling class , Billy appears headed for a menial job with no future. Consequently , he has no motivation and nothing to look forward to , until the day he finds a kestrel -- a European falcon with the ability to hover against strong wind. The bird , a fledgling , is akin to the boy , who must withstand winds of his own. It is not surprising , therefore , that Billy finds meaning in befriending and caring for the baby kestrel. He raises , nurtures , and trains the falcon , whom he calls "Kes." Its development gives him hope that he too will one day develop , that he too will gain the skills to fly against the wind. Then Billy opts to spend his brother's track money on food for Kes , which sets the stage for a grave disagreement betwen the young men and an unhappy outcome.
1715
The British Wish You Were Here served as the auspicious film debut for 16-year-old Emily Lloyd. The scene is a British seaside community of the 1950s where the local adults are shocked and embarrassed by the libertine Lynda (Lloyd) who dresses provocatively behaves outrageously and swears like a sailor (her favorite epithet is "Up your bum"). Lynda's mother is dead and her father has given up trying to do anything with her. She attempts to hold down several jobs but messes them all up through insolence and carelessness. Excessively promiscuous Lynda has an affair with a middle-aged friend of her father's. She becomes pregnant only to use her "fallen" state to gleefully shock and annoy her elders even more. Despite her bravado there's an underlying sadness about Lynda: the title Wish You Were Here refers to her feelings concerning her late mother.
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The British Wish You Were Here served as the auspicious film debut for 16 - year - old Emily Lloyd . The scene is a British seaside community of the 1950s , where the local adults are shocked and embarrassed by the libertine Lynda ( Lloyd ), who dresses provocatively , behaves outrageously , and swears like a sailor ( her favorite epithet is "Up your bum" ) . Lynda's mother is dead , and her father has given up trying to do anything with her. She attempts to hold down several jobs , but messes them all up through insolence and carelessness. Excessively promiscuous , Lynda has an affair with a middle - aged friend of her father's. She becomes pregnant , only to use her "fallen" state to gleefully shock and annoy her elders even more. Despite her bravado , there's an underlying sadness about Lynda : the title Wish You Were Here refers to her feelings concerning her late mother.
1716
Punk rock's first great embodiment of the motto "live fast and die young" Sid Vicious joined The Sex Pistols when they were already established as the most controversial rock band in British history; and it soon became apparent that he couldn't play his instrument had a magnetic attraction to chaos and possessed a dangerous thirst for booze drugs and violence. Sid and Nancy opens shortly after Sid (Gary Oldman) joined the band when he meets an obnoxious American punk groupie named Nancy Spungen (Chloe Webb). Nancy claims that she can get drugs and Sid naively gives her his money. Nancy doesn't show up with the goods but when Sid runs into her a few days later she has a tall tale about getting ripped off - and Sid sympathizes with her. Before long Sid and Nancy have fallen in love and while they argue with uncommon vehemence they also depend completely on each other. When The Sex Pistols break up Sid has few prospects and an increasingly voracious appetite for heroin and Nancy's attempts to "manage" his career only hasten his downhill slide. Former Clash leader Joe Strummer wrote the film's theme song "Love Kills" and The Pogues The Circle Jerks and Pray for Rain contributed to the soundtrack.
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Punk rock's first great embodiment of the motto "live fast and die young , " Sid Vicious joined The Sex Pistols when they were already established as the most controversial rock band in British history ; and it soon became apparent that he couldn't play his instrument , had a magnetic attraction to chaos , and possessed a dangerous thirst for booze , drugs , and violence. Sid and Nancy opens shortly after Sid ( Gary Oldman ) joined the band , when he meets an obnoxious American punk groupie named Nancy Spungen ( Chloe Webb ) . Nancy claims that she can get drugs , and Sid naively gives her his money. Nancy doesn't show up with the goods , but when Sid runs into her a few days later , she has a tall tale about getting ripped off - and Sid sympathizes with her. Before long , Sid and Nancy have fallen in love , and while they argue with uncommon vehemence , they also depend completely on each other. When The Sex Pistols break up , Sid has few prospects and an increasingly voracious appetite for heroin , and Nancy's attempts to "manage" his career only hasten his downhill slide. Former Clash leader Joe Strummer wrote the film's theme song , "Love Kills , " and The Pogues , The Circle Jerks , and Pray for Rain contributed to the soundtrack.
1717
Director Ken Russell returns to the D.H. Lawrence territory that had earlier served him well in Women in Love. Sammi Davis plays Lawrence's Welsh heroine Ursula Brangwen daughter of a wealthy mine owner who is first seen as a child given to literally chasing rainbows. Disappointed that she can never have the real thing the older Davis seeks out figurative rainbows in the form of sexual fulfillment. Neither heterosexual nor homosexual affairs fully satisfy Davis because no one lover can match the "ideal" the girl has created in her imagination. Davis' disappointment in the world is paralleled with the sorry lot of the wives of the local coal miners who have adapted to their lives--something Davis can never do will never do. Stately despite its raw subject matter The Rainbow was filmed just before Russell's outrageous sword-and-sorcery fantasy Lair of the White Worm; since both films utilize many of the same cast members the two pictures might make an astonishing double feature.
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Director Ken Russell returns to the D.H. Lawrence territory that had earlier served him well in Women in Love. Sammi Davis plays Lawrence's Welsh heroine Ursula Brangwen , daughter of a wealthy mine owner , who is first seen as a child given to literally chasing rainbows. Disappointed that she can never have the real thing , the older Davis seeks out figurative rainbows in the form of sexual fulfillment. Neither heterosexual nor homosexual affairs fully satisfy Davis , because no one lover can match the "ideal" the girl has created in her imagination. Davis' disappointment in the world is paralleled with the sorry lot of the wives of the local coal miners , who have adapted to their lives -- something Davis can never do , will never do. Stately despite its raw subject matter , The Rainbow was filmed just before Russell 's outrageous sword - and - sorcery fantasy Lair of the White Worm ; since both films utilize many of the same cast members , the two pictures might make an astonishing double feature.
1718
ased on the novel by Muriel Spark The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie stars Maggie Smith in the title role. Smith won an Academy Award for her delicately textured portrayal of an eccentric teacher at an exclusive Scottish girl's school. Miss Jean exhorts her "gels" to follow their hearts and never lose their youthful idealism. Unfortunately for her she also stumps for her favorite political figures: Mussolini and Franco. In addition she can't keep the innermost details of her private life a secret and in fact boasts about her sex life to her students. Her prize pupil (Pamela Franklin) becomes so much a clone of Miss Jean that she ends up a threat to the teacher. Ultimately Miss Jean loses her position but not the hearts of her students. The box-office success of Prime of Miss Jean Brodie was due in great part to the popularity of the title song as recorded by Rod McKuen.
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Based on the novel by Muriel Spark , The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie stars Maggie Smith in the title role. Smith won an Academy Award for her delicately textured portrayal of an eccentric teacher at an exclusive Scottish girl's school. Miss Jean exhorts her "gels" to follow their hearts and never lose their youthful idealism. Unfortunately for her , she also stumps for her favorite political figures : Mussolini and Franco . In addition , she can't keep the innermost details of her private life a secret , and in fact boasts about her sex life to her students. Her prize pupil ( Pamela Franklin ) becomes so much a clone of Miss Jean that she ends up a threat to the teacher. Ultimately , Miss Jean loses her position , but not the hearts of her students. The box - office success of Prime of Miss Jean Brodie was due in great part to the popularity of the title song , as recorded by Rod McKuen .
1719
This unadorned biography of playwright Joe Orton (Gary Oldman) charts his bawdy dangerous relationships. Alfred Molina plays Orton's brutish lover Kenneth Halliwell a pathetic figure who becomes horrific and then tragic before the film is over. The hilarity of scenes from such Orton plays as Loot and What the Butler Saw is evenly balanced by the bleakness of the playwright's tormented (and tormenting) off-stage existence which ended suddenly at age 34 with half a dozen blows to the head from a hammer. Prick Up Your Ears is based on the book by theater critic John Lahr who is played in the film by Wallace Shawn.
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This unadorned biography of playwright Joe Orton ( Gary Oldman ) charts his bawdy , dangerous relationships. Alfred Molina plays Orton 's brutish lover , Kenneth Halliwell , a pathetic figure who becomes horrific and then tragic before the film is over. The hilarity of scenes from such Orton plays as Loot and What the Butler Saw is evenly balanced by the bleakness of the playwright's tormented ( and tormenting ) off - stage existence , which ended suddenly at age 34 with half a dozen blows to the head from a hammer. Prick Up Your Ears is based on the book by theater critic John Lahr , who is played in the film by Wallace Shawn .
1720
One man's dreams of success take him on a Byzantine journey through the various stations of the British class system in this politically charged black comedy from director Lindsay Anderson. Mick Travis (Malcolm McDowell) is an ambitious young man who is looking to get his foot on the first rung of the ladder of success by landing a job as a salesman. After the death of Imperial Coffee's leading drummer in the North Travis' charm and enthusiasm so impresses manager Mr. Duff (Arthur Lowe) that he's given the job and after some coaching from Gloria Rowe (Rachel Roberts) Travis sets out to find his fortune in the coffee trade. Travis' desire for success quickly sets him on a curious odyssey in which he happens upon a secret sex club for businessmen finds himself the subject of random seductions by lonely women is captured and tortured by military intelligence agents submits to medical experiments at a bizarre private clinic hitches a ride with a traveling rock band led by former Animals keyboardist Alan Price falls in love with a beautiful young bohemian named Patricia (Helen Mirren) goes to work for her father (Ralph Richardson) who happens to be a singularly corrupt political figure and eventually lands in prison after he's implicated in a deal to sell chemical weapons to the Third World. As Mick's strange tale progresses we periodically visit Price and his band in the recording studio or rehearsal hall as they work on songs which serve as both mirror and counterpoint for Travis' progress. O Lucky Man! was the second film in which Malcolm McDowell would portray Mick Travis for director Lindsay Anderson following If... and preceding Britannia Hospital; the film's surreal undercurrent was reinforced by the casting in which nearly all of the principal actors play two or three roles.
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One man's dreams of success take him on a Byzantine journey through the various stations of the British class system in this politically charged black comedy from director Lindsay Anderson . Mick Travis ( Malcolm McDowell ) is an ambitious young man who is looking to get his foot on the first rung of the ladder of success by landing a job as a salesman. After the death of Imperial Coffee's leading drummer in the North , Travis' charm and enthusiasm so impresses manager Mr. Duff ( Arthur Lowe ) that he's given the job , and after some coaching from Gloria Rowe ( Rachel Roberts ), Travis sets out to find his fortune in the coffee trade. Travis' desire for success quickly sets him on a curious odyssey in which he happens upon a secret sex club for businessmen , finds himself the subject of random seductions by lonely women , is captured and tortured by military intelligence agents , submits to medical experiments at a bizarre private clinic , hitches a ride with a traveling rock band led by former Animals keyboardist Alan Price , falls in love with a beautiful young bohemian named Patricia ( Helen Mirren ), goes to work for her father ( Ralph Richardson ), who happens to be a singularly corrupt political figure , and eventually lands in prison after he's implicated in a deal to sell chemical weapons to the Third World. As Mick's strange tale progresses , we periodically visit Price and his band in the recording studio or rehearsal hall , as they work on songs which serve as both mirror and counterpoint for Travis' progress. O Lucky Man! was the second film in which Malcolm McDowell would portray Mick Travis for director Lindsay Anderson , following If... , and preceding Britannia Hospital ; the film's surreal undercurrent was reinforced by the casting , in which nearly all of the principal actors play two or three roles.
1721
After the death of his wife and his subsequent descent into alcoholic near-agoraphobia a crotchety Pakistani intellectual convinces his shady entrepreneur brother to provide work for his son in this multi-layered portrait of the immigrant experience in Great Britain. Young Londoner Omar (Gordon Warnecke) isn't sure what he wants out of life but his uncle Nasser (Saeed Jaffrey) provides a corrupt capitalist role model as Omar graduates from washing cars for the old crook to running his run-down laundromat. After a chance meeting with Johnny (Daniel Day-Lewis) an old school chum whose flirtation with fascism deeply wounded Omar's principled Papa (Roshan Seth) Omar hires the young thug to work for him. Soon the pair begin a romantic relationship that remains as under wraps as the illicit drug-running and enforcement work they perform for Nasser's associate Salim (Derrick Branche). On the domestic front Omar must balance his knowledge of Nasser's long-running affair with posh Brit Rachel (Shirley Ann Field) with his own loyalty and attraction to Nasser's westernized daughter Tania (Rita Wolf). After successfully transforming his laundrette into a vision of resplendent pastel suds and providing a bright spot in his otherwise squalid London neighborhood Omar seems to have a bright future in Nasser's organization. The spectre of Johnny's past however combines with Omar's conflicted immigrant loyalties to threaten the sense of identity the young man has managed to stake out for himself. British-born half-Pakistani playwright and novelist Hanif Kureishi won an Oscar nomination for his screenplay for My Beautiful Laundrette which was originally filmed for BBC television. Kureishi collaborated again with director Stephen Frears on Sammy and Rosie Get Laid.
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After the death of his wife and his subsequent descent into alcoholic near - agoraphobia , a crotchety Pakistani intellectual convinces his shady entrepreneur brother to provide work for his son in this multi - layered portrait of the immigrant experience in Great Britain. Young Londoner Omar ( Gordon Warnecke ) isn't sure what he wants out of life , but his uncle Nasser ( Saeed Jaffrey ) provides a corrupt , capitalist role model as Omar graduates from washing cars for the old crook to running his run - down laundromat. After a chance meeting with Johnny ( Daniel Day - Lewis ), an old school chum whose flirtation with fascism deeply wounded Omar's principled Papa ( Roshan Seth ), Omar hires the young thug to work for him. Soon , the pair begin a romantic relationship that remains as under wraps as the illicit drug - running and enforcement work they perform for Nasser's associate , Salim ( Derrick Branche ) . On the domestic front , Omar must balance his knowledge of Nasser's long - running affair with posh Brit Rachel ( Shirley Ann Field ) with his own loyalty and attraction to Nasser's westernized daughter , Tania ( Rita Wolf ) . After successfully transforming his laundrette into a vision of resplendent pastel suds and providing a bright spot in his otherwise squalid London neighborhood , Omar seems to have a bright future in Nasser's organization. The spectre of Johnny's past , however , combines with Omar's conflicted immigrant loyalties to threaten the sense of identity the young man has managed to stake out for himself. British - born , half - Pakistani playwright and novelist Hanif Kureishi won an Oscar nomination for his screenplay for My Beautiful Laundrette , which was originally filmed for BBC television. Kureishi collaborated again with director Stephen Frears on Sammy and Rosie Get Laid .
1722
Like many of Agatha Christie's mysteries Murder on the Orient Express is predicated on an actual event in this case the Lindbergh kidnapping. In the movie everyone on board the Orient Express seems to have concluded that hateful financier Ratchett (Richard Widmark) was behind the abduction and murder of the infant daughter of a famed aviatrix. Thus when Ratchett is himself found murdered everyone is suspect. Normally the police would handle the investigation but the train has been stalled by a snowslide halfway between Istanbul and Paris. Thus it's up to the insufferable but brilliant Belgian detective Hercule Poirot (an unrecognizable Albert Finney) to activate his "little grey cells" and determine who's guilty. Among the suspects are colorful characters played by Lauren Bacall Martin Balsam Jacqueline Bisset Sean Connery Wendy Hiller John Gielgud Anthony Perkins Vanessa Redgrave and Ingrid Bergman whose performance won her a third Academy Award. (In her acceptance speech Bergman apologized for her win insisting that Day for Night's Valentina Cortese deserved the prize.) The first and best in a long line of contemporary Christie adaptations the film scores on atmosphere period detail and richness of characterization.
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Like many of Agatha Christie 's mysteries , Murder on the Orient Express is predicated on an actual event , in this case the Lindbergh kidnapping. In the movie , everyone on board the Orient Express seems to have concluded that hateful financier Ratchett ( Richard Widmark ) was behind the abduction and murder of the infant daughter of a famed aviatrix. Thus , when Ratchett is himself found murdered , everyone is suspect. Normally , the police would handle the investigation , but the train has been stalled by a snowslide halfway between Istanbul and Paris. Thus , it's up to the insufferable but brilliant Belgian detective Hercule Poirot ( an unrecognizable Albert Finney ) to activate his "little grey cells" and determine who's guilty. Among the suspects are colorful characters played by Lauren Bacall , Martin Balsam , Jacqueline Bisset , Sean Connery , Wendy Hiller , John Gielgud , Anthony Perkins , Vanessa Redgrave , and Ingrid Bergman , whose performance won her a third Academy Award. ( In her acceptance speech , Bergman apologized for her win , insisting that Day for Night 's Valentina Cortese deserved the prize. ) The first and best in a long line of contemporary Christie adaptations , the film scores on atmosphere , period detail , and richness of characterization.
1723
Actor Kenneth Branagh made his directorial debut with a rousing screen adaptation of William Shakespeare's Henry V. Four years later he returns to the bard's work with this lively version of one of Shakespeare's best comedies. Don Pedro (Denzel Washington) the Prince of Aragon returns victorious from battle to the praises of the Governor of Messina Leonato (Richard Briers). One of Don Pedro's bravest men Claudio (Robert Sean Leonard) falls in love with Hero (Kate Beckinsale) Leonato's daughter and they plan to marry. However Don Pedro's devious half-brother Don John (Keanu Reeves) opposes the match and he devises a plan to turn Hero against Claudio. Meanwhile Benedict (Branagh) Don Pedro's second-in-command detests Leonato's niece Beatrice (Emma Thompson) but Don Pedro cleverly brings them together by making each think that the other is secretly in love with them. Much Ado About Nothing also features Michael Keaton in a showy turn as Dogberry.
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Actor Kenneth Branagh made his directorial debut with a rousing screen adaptation of William Shakespeare 's Henry V . Four years later , he returns to the bard's work with this lively version of one of Shakespeare 's best comedies. Don Pedro ( Denzel Washington ), the Prince of Aragon , returns victorious from battle to the praises of the Governor of Messina , Leonato ( Richard Briers ) . One of Don Pedro's bravest men , Claudio ( Robert Sean Leonard ), falls in love with Hero ( Kate Beckinsale ), Leonato's daughter , and they plan to marry. However , Don Pedro's devious half - brother Don John ( Keanu Reeves ) opposes the match , and he devises a plan to turn Hero against Claudio. Meanwhile , Benedict ( Branagh ), Don Pedro's second - in - command , detests Leonato's niece Beatrice ( Emma Thompson ), but Don Pedro cleverly brings them together by making each think that the other is secretly in love with them. Much Ado About Nothing also features Michael Keaton in a showy turn as Dogberry.
1724
One of the more cinematic entries in the mid-1970s American Film Theatre series In Celebration is adapted from the play by David Storey. Lindsay Anderson who directed the original stage version reassembles his cast for this filmization. Alan Bates James Bolam and Brian Cox play Andrew Colin and Steven the well-educated sons of roughhewn coal miner "Mr. Shaw" (Bill Owen) and his wife (Constance Chapman). On the occasion of their parents' wedding anniversary the three sons return to their dank little home village. All three boys have become successful but only Bolam is comfortable with his success. To his parents' dismay Andrew announces that he has given up his law practice to become an artist; he also confesses to harboring homosexual inclinations. Prompted by the embittered Andrew the other sons churn up memories of their childhood that they--and their parents--had hoped to keep buried.
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One of the more cinematic entries in the mid - 1970s American Film Theatre series , In Celebration is adapted from the play by David Storey. Lindsay Anderson , who directed the original stage version , reassembles his cast for this filmization. Alan Bates , James Bolam and Brian Cox play Andrew , Colin and Steven , the well - educated sons of roughhewn coal miner "Mr. Shaw" ( Bill Owen ) and his wife ( Constance Chapman ) . On the occasion of their parents' wedding anniversary , the three sons return to their dank little home village. All three boys have become successful , but only Bolam is comfortable with his success. To his parents' dismay , Andrew announces that he has given up his law practice to become an artist ; he also confesses to harboring homosexual inclinations. Prompted by the embittered Andrew , the other sons churn up memories of their childhood that they -- and their parents -- had hoped to keep buried.
1725
ased on a novel by Evelyn Waugh Handful of Dust is set amongst Britain's aristocracy of the 1930s. At sumptuous Hetton Abbey tradition-bound country squire James Wilby and his wife Kristin Scott Thomas open their doors to well-connected but impoverished Rupert Graves. Graves returns Wilby's hospitality by having an affair with Scott Thomas while Wilby gamboles about his estate without a clue of what is going on. Wilby's cloistered world comes tumbling down when Scott Thomas coolly demands a divorce shortly after the accidental death of their young son. Wilby discovers that his divorce settlement will cost him Hetton Abbey; he faces this circumstance by not facing it at all preferring to escape to South America stiff upper lip intact in the company of a dotty explorer.
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Based on a novel by Evelyn Waugh , Handful of Dust is set amongst Britain's aristocracy of the 1930s. At sumptuous Hetton Abbey , tradition - bound country squire James Wilby and his wife Kristin Scott Thomas open their doors to well - connected but impoverished Rupert Graves . Graves returns Wilby 's hospitality by having an affair with Scott Thomas , while Wilby gamboles about his estate without a clue of what is going on. Wilby 's cloistered world comes tumbling down when Scott Thomas coolly demands a divorce , shortly after the accidental death of their young son. Wilby discovers that his divorce settlement will cost him Hetton Abbey ; he faces this circumstance by not facing it at all , preferring to escape to South America , stiff upper lip intact , in the company of a dotty explorer.
1726
The sophomore film of Scottish director Bill Forsyth was his first international hit a typically quirky comedy set amongst colorful Scottish teenagers. Gregory (John Gordon Sinclair) is a normal gangly hormonally-challenged student who like his pals has begun to discover the charms of the opposite sex particularly those of Dorothy (Dee Hepburn) the new girl in school and a talented soccer player. Dorothy joins the team and Gregory instantly becomes smitten with her. Gregory's affections are a given in spite of the fact that Dorothy is a better player than most of the boys on the hapless team and her presence inspires a great deal of angst and embarrassment. Gregory is prepared to go to humiliating lengths in order to win Dorothy's attention but it doesn't quite work out as he anticipates. The winner of a BAFTA Award for Best Screenplay Gregory's Girl was followed 18 years later by a sequel Gregory's Two Girls (1999).
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The sophomore film of Scottish director Bill Forsyth was his first international hit , a typically quirky comedy set amongst colorful Scottish teenagers. Gregory ( John Gordon Sinclair ) is a normal , gangly , hormonally - challenged student who , like his pals , has begun to discover the charms of the opposite sex , particularly those of Dorothy ( Dee Hepburn ), the new girl in school and a talented soccer player. Dorothy joins the team , and Gregory instantly becomes smitten with her. Gregory's affections are a given in spite of the fact that Dorothy is a better player than most of the boys on the hapless team , and her presence inspires a great deal of angst and embarrassment. Gregory is prepared to go to humiliating lengths in order to win Dorothy's attention , but it doesn't quite work out as he anticipates. The winner of a BAFTA Award for Best Screenplay , Gregory's Girl was followed 18 years later by a sequel , Gregory's Two Girls ( 1999 ) .
1727
John Fowles' original novel The French Lieutenant's Woman was distinguished by a literary technique that involved telling a story of Victorian sexual and social oppression within the bounds of a 1970s viewpoint. How does one convey this time-frame dichotomy on film? The decision made by director Karel Reisz and Harold Pinter was to frame Fowles' basic plot within a "modern" context of their own making. While we watch as Sarah (Meryl Streep) a 19th-century Englishwoman ruined by an affair with a French lieutenant enters into another disastrous relationship with principled young Charles (Jeremy Irons) we are constantly made aware that what we're seeing is only a film. This is done by surrounding the story with a modern narrative focusing on a movie production company which is on location--filming The French Lieutenant's Woman. Meryl Streep doubles in the role of Sara and the American actress who plays her while Jeremy Irons essays the dual role of Charles and the handsome Briton playing Charles. Likewise everyone else in the cast is seen as "themselves" and as their French Lieutenant's Woman characters. Not surprisingly the "real" Streep and Irons enter into an affair which closely parallels their characters' relationship. The commercial TV version of French Lieutenant's Woman eliminates 30 minutes' worth of "extraneous" scenes.
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John Fowles' original novel The French Lieutenant's Woman was distinguished by a literary technique that involved telling a story of Victorian sexual and social oppression within the bounds of a 1970s viewpoint. How does one convey this time - frame dichotomy on film? The decision made by director Karel Reisz and Harold Pinter was to frame Fowles' basic plot within a "modern" context of their own making. While we watch as Sarah ( Meryl Streep ), a 19th - century Englishwoman ruined by an affair with a French lieutenant , enters into another disastrous relationship with principled young Charles ( Jeremy Irons ), we are constantly made aware that what we're seeing is only a film. This is done by surrounding the story with a modern narrative , focusing on a movie production company which is on location -- filming The French Lieutenant's Woman . Meryl Streep doubles in the role of Sara and the American actress who plays her , while Jeremy Irons essays the dual role of Charles and the handsome Briton playing Charles. Likewise , everyone else in the cast is seen as "themselves" and as their French Lieutenant's Woman characters. Not surprisingly , the "real" Streep and Irons enter into an affair which closely parallels their characters' relationship. The commercial TV version of French Lieutenant's Woman eliminates 30 minutes' worth of "extraneous" scenes.
1728
A trio of Oscar nominations and a pair of Golden Globes went to this acclaimed romantic comedy-drama based on the play by Willy Russell. Julie Walters stars as Rita a witty 26-year-old working class British hairdresser who decides to seek an education at Open University. Rita needs a tutor and she selects Dr. Frank Bryant (Michael Caine) an alcoholic college literature professor whose life is a shambles. Divorced Bryant's new lover is now having an affair with his best friend and he's increasingly depressed seeking solace in whisky. Bryant's domestic turmoil is mirrored by Rita's as she has opted for college over motherhood a source of friction between her and her husband. As Rita blooms intellectually under the tutelage of Bryant she realizes that what she really lacks is self-confidence not education and a gentle romance blossoms between her and Bryant. At home however Rita's newfound self-respect and intelligence cause her even greater pain. Director Lewis Gilbert and writer Russell teamed again six years later on the similarly-themed Shirley Valentine (1989).
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A trio of Oscar nominations and a pair of Golden Globes went to this acclaimed romantic comedy - drama based on the play by Willy Russell . Julie Walters stars as Rita , a witty , 26 - year - old working class British hairdresser who decides to seek an education at Open University. Rita needs a tutor , and she selects Dr. Frank Bryant ( Michael Caine ), an alcoholic college literature professor whose life is a shambles. Divorced , Bryant's new lover is now having an affair with his best friend and he's increasingly depressed , seeking solace in whisky. Bryant's domestic turmoil is mirrored by Rita's , as she has opted for college over motherhood , a source of friction between her and her husband. As Rita blooms intellectually under the tutelage of Bryant , she realizes that what she really lacks is self - confidence , not education , and a gentle romance blossoms between her and Bryant. At home , however , Rita's newfound self - respect and intelligence cause her even greater pain. Director Lewis Gilbert and writer Russell teamed again six years later on the similarly - themed Shirley Valentine ( 1989 ) .
1729
Schoolteacher Ben du Toit (Donald Sutherland) has been insulated all his life from the horrors of apartheid in his native South Africa. Perhaps he really didn't want to know. When the son of his black gardener is arrested and beaten as a result of a schoolboy protest in Soweto at first he imagines the police must have had their reasons. However the boy is picked up again and this time he doesn't come back. Ben promises his servant that he will look into the incident and discovers that the boy was killed simply to gratify the violent urges of Captain Stolz (Jurgen Prochnow) a "special branch" policeman. At long last he has gotten a glimpse into the truly arbitrary and violent nature of the system he has so long benefitted from and he hires Ian Mackenzie (Marlon Brando) to prosecute the killer. It is a foregone conclusion that Stolz will not be punished but Mackenzie rises to new heights of withering sarcasm and irony in the courtroom. This situation turns Ben into a radical firebrand which alienates him from his white friends and neighbors as well as members of his family.
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Schoolteacher Ben du Toit ( Donald Sutherland ) has been insulated all his life from the horrors of apartheid in his native South Africa. Perhaps he really didn't want to know. When the son of his black gardener is arrested and beaten as a result of a schoolboy protest in Soweto , at first he imagines the police must have had their reasons. However , the boy is picked up again , and this time he doesn't come back. Ben promises his servant that he will look into the incident , and discovers that the boy was killed simply to gratify the violent urges of Captain Stolz ( Jurgen Prochnow ), a "special branch" policeman. At long last he has gotten a glimpse into the truly arbitrary and violent nature of the system he has so long benefitted from , and he hires Ian Mackenzie ( Marlon Brando ) to prosecute the killer. It is a foregone conclusion that Stolz will not be punished , but Mackenzie rises to new heights of withering sarcasm and irony in the courtroom. This situation turns Ben into a radical firebrand , which alienates him from his white friends and neighbors , as well as members of his family.
1730
Peter Greenaway wrote and directed this typically surreal and iconoclastic black comedy. Three generations of women who share the same name -- 63-year-old Cissie Colpitts (Joan Plowright) her daughter Cissie Colpitts II (Juliet Stevenson) and granddaughter Cissie Colpitts III (Joely Richardson) -- have all discovered the same way of dealing with their marital problems. The senior Cissie has drowned her husband Jake (Bryan Pringle) in the bathtub her daughter sent her spouse Hardy (Trevor Cooper) to a watery grave in the ocean and the youngest Cissie sent her husband Bellamy (David Morrissey) down in a swimming pool. Needless to say local coroner Henry Madgett (Barnard Hill) has some questions about this sudden rash of drownings among the Colpitts husbands and again all three women respond in the same way: they promise to sleep with Henry in exchange for recording the deaths as accidental (though none of the Cissies make good on this promise). When the local gossip mill begins working overtime about this sudden rash of water-related deaths Henry's teenage son Smut (Jason Edwards) comes to the aid of the Cissies and organizes a tug-of-war with he and the Colpitts women on one side and the doubting townspeople on the other (and of course a river in the middle). Along the way Greenaway often stops to contemplate his obsessions with literature astronomy and numbers. Drowning by Numbers was released in Europe in 1988 but didn't find its way to American screens until 1991 following the success of Greenaway's The Cook the Thief His Wife and Her Lover.
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Peter Greenaway wrote and directed this typically surreal and iconoclastic black comedy. Three generations of women who share the same name -- 63 - year - old Cissie Colpitts ( Joan Plowright ), her daughter Cissie Colpitts II ( Juliet Stevenson ), and granddaughter Cissie Colpitts III ( Joely Richardson ) -- have all discovered the same way of dealing with their marital problems. The senior Cissie has drowned her husband Jake ( Bryan Pringle ) in the bathtub , her daughter sent her spouse Hardy ( Trevor Cooper ) to a watery grave in the ocean , and the youngest Cissie sent her husband Bellamy ( David Morrissey ) down in a swimming pool. Needless to say , local coroner Henry Madgett ( Barnard Hill ) has some questions about this sudden rash of drownings among the Colpitts husbands , and again all three women respond in the same way : they promise to sleep with Henry in exchange for recording the deaths as accidental ( though none of the Cissies make good on this promise ) . When the local gossip mill begins working overtime about this sudden rash of water - related deaths , Henry's teenage son Smut ( Jason Edwards ) comes to the aid of the Cissies and organizes a tug - of - war , with he and the Colpitts women on one side and the doubting townspeople on the other ( and , of course , a river in the middle ) . Along the way , Greenaway often stops to contemplate his obsessions with literature , astronomy , and numbers. Drowning by Numbers was released in Europe in 1988 , but didn't find its way to American screens until 1991 , following the success of Greenaway 's The Cook , the Thief , His Wife and Her Lover .
1731
Set in 1940s England Distant Voices/Still Lives is a compassionate look at a radically dysfunctional family. The son and his mother must endure the casual and overt cruelties of the bull-necked father. The ongoing abuse takes its toll in the form of failed marriages and misguided attempts at seeking security outside the family unit. As was the case with his earlier short subject trilogy (The Children Madonna and Child Death and Transfiguration) director Terence Davies based much of the material on his own life combining rheumy-eyed cynicism with soft-edged nostalgia (the musical track drawn from popular wartime songs is particularly evocative).
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Set in 1940s England , Distant Voices / Still Lives is a compassionate look at a radically dysfunctional family. The son and his mother must endure the casual and overt cruelties of the bull - necked father. The ongoing abuse takes its toll in the form of failed marriages and misguided attempts at seeking security outside the family unit. As was the case with his earlier short subject trilogy ( The Children , Madonna and Child , Death and Transfiguration ), director Terence Davies based much of the material on his own life , combining rheumy - eyed cynicism with soft - edged nostalgia ( the musical track , drawn from popular wartime songs , is particularly evocative ) .
1732
Writer/director Derek Jarman injects his patented iconoclasm in this biography of Renaissance artist Michelangelo Merisa da Caravaggio. Nigel Terry plays the title role whom (according to Jarman) essentially told his own life story in his paintings. Caravaggio travelled among thieves and prostitutes many of whom were his models. He once killed a man kept a deaf/mute child as a virtual slave and squandered every penny he ever made. That we should care anything about so miserable and obscure a personality is a tribute to Jarman's filmmaking savvy--and the number of elements from his own well-publicized life that he injects into the film.
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Writer / director Derek Jarman injects his patented iconoclasm in this biography of Renaissance artist Michelangelo Merisa da Caravaggio. Nigel Terry plays the title role , whom ( according to Jarman ) essentially told his own life story in his paintings. Caravaggio travelled among thieves and prostitutes , many of whom were his models. He once killed a man , kept a deaf / mute child as a virtual slave , and squandered every penny he ever made. That we should care anything about so miserable and obscure a personality is a tribute to Jarman 's filmmaking savvy -- and the number of elements from his own well - publicized life that he injects into the film.
1733
In the opening scenes of this politically-oriented drama a killer enters the home of a policeman and in a shocking sequence murders him in cold blood -- an act that becomes the key to the rest of this film about the conflict between politics and life. Young Catholic Cal (John Lynch) works in a slaughterhouse during the day and has participated in terrorist activities but he wants out after he has been forced to drive a getaway car in the murder of the policeman. Meanwhile he is slowly enchanted by Marcella an older woman (Helen Mirren) who has just started working at the local library. Smitten but shy Cal manages to ease himself into a job on her land and when his father's home is burned to the ground by Protestants Cal moves into a cottage on the woman's estate. Eventually the two start a quiet liaison -- but Cal's inner turmoil disturbs the happiness he feels when he is with Marcella. Can he continue to hide his terrorist past from Marcella who knows nothing about what he has done? While this question and others raised by the film are reasonable director Pat O'Connor's treatment of the story may be too muted and John Lynch's Cal too innocuous and frail (especially in contrast to Helen Mirren's Marcella) to win over all viewers.
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In the opening scenes of this politically - oriented drama , a killer enters the home of a policeman and in a shocking sequence murders him in cold blood -- an act that becomes the key to the rest of this film about the conflict between politics and life. Young Catholic , Cal ( John Lynch ) works in a slaughterhouse during the day and has participated in terrorist activities , but he wants out after he has been forced to drive a getaway car in the murder of the policeman. Meanwhile , he is slowly enchanted by Marcella , an older woman ( Helen Mirren ) who has just started working at the local library. Smitten but shy , Cal manages to ease himself into a job on her land , and when his father's home is burned to the ground by Protestants , Cal moves into a cottage on the woman's estate. Eventually , the two start a quiet liaison -- but Cal's inner turmoil disturbs the happiness he feels when he is with Marcella. Can he continue to hide his terrorist past from Marcella , who knows nothing about what he has done? While this question and others raised by the film are reasonable , director Pat O'Connor 's treatment of the story may be too muted , and John Lynch 's Cal too innocuous and frail ( especially in contrast to Helen Mirren 's Marcella ) to win over all viewers.
1734
Falling somewhere between the Beyond the Fringe school and the Monty Python league Bedazzled is an irreverent Faust take-off written by and starring Peter Cook and Dudley Moore (Moore also composed the music). Moore plays a short-order cook at a London Wimpyburger restaurant who falls hopelessly in love with waitress Eleanor Bron. About to commit suicide the broken-hearted Moore is approached by Satan (Peter Cook). The Fallen Angel offers to purchase Moore's soul in exchange for seven wishes--the first of which is squandered when Satan buys Moore an ice cream bar (something over which the two stars quarrel throughout the film). Enticed by living personifications of the Deadly Sins--Raquel Welch wearing next to nothing is "Lillian Lust"--Moore allows Satan to grant him his heart's desire utilizing the magic words "Julie Andrews!" But with each wish Satan being Satan can't help but gum up the works with a double-cross. The desperate Moore ultimately wishes to be allowed to spend the rest of his life with Eleanor in an environment with no other men--whereupon Satan transforms both Eleanor and Moore into nuns! Finally Satan has a change of heart allowing Moore and Eleanor to fall in love in more orthodox surroundings and permitting Moore to regain his soul. Satan hopes that God will appreciate this good deed and allow him to re-enter Heaven. But God doesn't buy this; He's satisfied with Satan remaining mankind's "necessary evil".
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Falling somewhere between the Beyond the Fringe school and the Monty Python league , Bedazzled is an irreverent Faust take - off , written by and starring Peter Cook and Dudley Moore ( Moore also composed the music ) . Moore plays a short - order cook at a London Wimpyburger restaurant , who falls hopelessly in love with waitress Eleanor Bron . About to commit suicide , the broken - hearted Moore is approached by Satan ( Peter Cook ) . The Fallen Angel offers to purchase Moore 's soul in exchange for seven wishes -- the first of which is squandered when Satan buys Moore an ice cream bar ( something over which the two stars quarrel throughout the film ) . Enticed by living personifications of the Deadly Sins -- Raquel Welch , wearing next to nothing , is "Lillian Lust" -- Moore allows Satan to grant him his heart's desire , utilizing the magic words , " Julie Andrews !" But with each wish , Satan , being Satan , can't help but gum up the works with a double - cross. The desperate Moore ultimately wishes to be allowed to spend the rest of his life with Eleanor in an environment with no other men -- whereupon Satan transforms both Eleanor and Moore into nuns! Finally Satan has a change of heart , allowing Moore and Eleanor to fall in love in more orthodox surroundings and permitting Moore to regain his soul. Satan hopes that God will appreciate this good deed and allow him to re - enter Heaven. But God doesn't buy this ; He's satisfied with Satan remaining mankind's "necessary evil".
1735
Jasmin Dizdar's debut feature takes place in London on October 13 1993. England is to play against Holland in a critical World Cup qualifier. The Bosnian war is at its height Sebrenica is besieged and the UN is preparing relief airdrops. Serbian Dado Jehan and Croatian Faruk Pruti meet on a London bus. Recognizing each other as fellow refugees from the same village in Bosnia they try to beat each other up. The subsequent crazy chase through the streets of central London sets the scene for a highly charged dark comedy. Beautiful People draws a portrait of the multicultural life of London where lives of British families are inadvertently linked with the lives of the refugees.
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Jasmin Dizdar 's debut feature takes place in London on October 13 , 1993. England is to play against Holland in a critical World Cup qualifier. The Bosnian war is at its height , Sebrenica is besieged , and the UN is preparing relief airdrops. Serbian Dado Jehan and Croatian Faruk Pruti meet on a London bus. Recognizing each other as fellow refugees from the same village in Bosnia , they try to beat each other up. The subsequent crazy chase through the streets of central London sets the scene for a highly charged dark comedy. Beautiful People draws a portrait of the multicultural life of London where lives of British families are inadvertently linked with the lives of the refugees.
1736
A man finds his personal and professional loyalties divides by his new career at a casino in this crime drama. Jack Manfred (Clive Owen) is a cocky supremely confident man who wants to be a writer. Jack's long struggle to finish his first novel has landed him deep in debt and his father (Nicholas Ball) volunteers to get him a job in a casino in London. While Jack doesn't gamble himself he has the dexterity (and enough contempt for the game) to be a good dealer. He's soon making a tidy living as a dealer despite the objections of his girlfriend Marion (Gina McKee) who thinks his job is taking him away from his true calling as a writer. Against the orders of his boss Jack has a fling with Bella (Kate Hardie) another dealer at the casino and allows himself to be seduced by one of his customers Jani (Alex Kingston). However it turns out Jani wants more than sex from Jack; she and her compatriots have a plan to rob the casino and they want Jack to be their man on the inside. Croupier was directed by Mike Hodges whose first film was the classic British thriller Get Carter.
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A man finds his personal and professional loyalties divides by his new career at a casino in this crime drama. Jack Manfred ( Clive Owen ) is a cocky , supremely confident man who wants to be a writer. Jack's long struggle to finish his first novel has landed him deep in debt , and his father ( Nicholas Ball ) volunteers to get him a job in a casino in London. While Jack doesn't gamble himself , he has the dexterity ( and enough contempt for the game ) to be a good dealer. He's soon making a tidy living as a dealer , despite the objections of his girlfriend , Marion ( Gina McKee ), who thinks his job is taking him away from his true calling as a writer. Against the orders of his boss , Jack has a fling with Bella ( Kate Hardie ), another dealer at the casino , and allows himself to be seduced by one of his customers , Jani ( Alex Kingston ) . However , it turns out Jani wants more than sex from Jack ; she and her compatriots have a plan to rob the casino and they want Jack to be their man on the inside. Croupier was directed by Mike Hodges , whose first film was the classic British thriller Get Carter .
1737
ritish actor Peter Howitt wrote and directed this British romantic comedy-drama with a "road not taken" premise recalling the 1921 play If by Lord Dunsany (1878-1957) Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life (1946) and O.Henry's short story Roads of Destiny (1909). Howitt's storyline branches in two directions: Helen (Gwyneth Paltrow) loses her job at a classy London PR firm has a run-in with a purse-snatcher and just misses catching her boyfriend Gerry (John Lynch) in bed with his former girlfriend Lydia (Jeanne Tripplehorn). But what if it were one of those days when everything goes right? As the sliding doors close while she stands on a subway platform in the London underground Helen ponders the events in her alternate reality. The plot of Lord Dunsany's If also hinges on a future determined by catching or missing a train. Sliding Doors was shown at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival.
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British actor Peter Howitt wrote and directed this British romantic comedy - drama with a "road not taken" premise recalling the 1921 play If by Lord Dunsany ( 1878 - 1957 ), Frank Capra 's It's a Wonderful Life ( 1946 ), and O.Henry's short story Roads of Destiny ( 1909 ) . Howitt 's storyline branches in two directions : Helen ( Gwyneth Paltrow ) loses her job at a classy London PR firm , has a run - in with a purse - snatcher , and just misses catching her boyfriend Gerry ( John Lynch ) in bed with his former girlfriend Lydia ( Jeanne Tripplehorn ) . But what if it were one of those days when everything goes right? As the sliding doors close while she stands on a subway platform in the London underground , Helen ponders the events in her alternate reality. The plot of Lord Dunsany's If also hinges on a future determined by catching or missing a train. Sliding Doors was shown at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival .
1738
This adaptation of the novel by Virginia Woolf stars Vanessa Redgrave as Clarissa Dalloway a woman in her mid-'50s living in London five years after the end of WWI. As Mrs. Dalloway prepares an elaborate dinner party at the home she shares with her husband a prominent politician she finds herself looking back on her life 30 years before when as a young woman (played by (Natascha McElhone) she was in love with two different men -- the solid and safe Richard Dalloway (John Standing) and the exciting free-spirited Peter Walsh (Michael Kitchen). Clarissa also recalls her close friendship with Sally (Lena Headey) as she wonders if she made the right choice in marrying Richard -- especially when Peter makes an unexpected appearance at her party. Mrs. Dalloway also finds herself moved in a way she never anticipated by the plight of Septimus Smith (Rupert Graves) a young man severely injured during the war whom she has never met. Mrs. Dalloway was directed by Marleen Gorris whose previous credit was the international success Antonia's Line.
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This adaptation of the novel by Virginia Woolf stars Vanessa Redgrave as Clarissa Dalloway , a woman in her mid - '50s living in London five years after the end of WWI. As Mrs. Dalloway prepares an elaborate dinner party at the home she shares with her husband , a prominent politician , she finds herself looking back on her life 30 years before , when as a young woman ( played by ( Natascha McElhone ), she was in love with two different men -- the solid and safe Richard Dalloway ( John Standing ) and the exciting , free - spirited Peter Walsh ( Michael Kitchen ) . Clarissa also recalls her close friendship with Sally ( Lena Headey ) as she wonders if she made the right choice in marrying Richard -- especially when Peter makes an unexpected appearance at her party. Mrs. Dalloway also finds herself moved in a way she never anticipated by the plight of Septimus Smith ( Rupert Graves ), a young man severely injured during the war whom she has never met. Mrs. Dalloway was directed by Marleen Gorris , whose previous credit was the international success Antonia's Line .
1739
Literary genius legendary wit bon vivant and gay martyr Oscar Wilde was a man whose legend has grown to iconic proportions since his death at the beginning of the 20th century. Establishing Wilde (Stephen Fry) as a loving family man complete with a wife (Jennifer Ehle) and two adorable sons the film takes pains to portray him as a dignified genius who was as pained by what he considered his own sin -- his homosexuality -- as he was delighted by the sins of others. From his initial encounters with Robbie Ross (Michael Sheen) his first male lover through his tragic affair with the beautiful and bratty Alfred Lord Douglas (a perfectly cast Jude Law) Wilde is seen as a conflicted fellow warring with his own urges even as he dazzles everyone around him.
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Literary genius , legendary wit , bon vivant , and gay martyr , Oscar Wilde was a man whose legend has grown to iconic proportions since his death at the beginning of the 20th century. Establishing Wilde ( Stephen Fry ) as a loving family man , complete with a wife ( Jennifer Ehle ) and two adorable sons , the film takes pains to portray him as a dignified genius who was as pained by what he considered his own sin -- his homosexuality -- as he was delighted by the sins of others. From his initial encounters with Robbie Ross ( Michael Sheen ), his first male lover , through his tragic affair with the beautiful and bratty Alfred Lord Douglas ( a perfectly cast Jude Law ), Wilde is seen as a conflicted fellow , warring with his own urges even as he dazzles everyone around him.
1740
A football fan tries to reconcile his obsessive love of the game with his job his romantic relationships and his life in general in this comedy/drama. Since he was a child in North London Paul Ashworth (Colin Firth) has been a loyal fan of the Arsenal football team; he attended many a match with his father as a child especially after his parents divorced and Arsenal's annual season is one of the few emotional anchors in his life. Now in his mid-30s Paul teaches English at a state-run school and has become involved with Sarah (Ruth Gemmell) a fellow member of the school staff. While she's pretty bright and in nearly all ways a good catch Sarah doesn't care for football. This lack of interest unfortunately shows itself at a time when Arsenal seems poised to win their first championship in 18 years and Paul hopes to buy a house near their stadium to make it easier to attend home games. When Sarah becomes pregnant and the long-term stability of their relationship becomes a crucial issue she forces Paul to decide what he loves more: Sarah and their baby or Arsenal? For Paul the answer isn't as simple as one might imagine as he weighs the joys and responsibilities of adulthood against the passionate enthusiasm that sustained him through his youth. Fever Pitch was based on the semi-autobiographical book by Nick Hornby who has a cameo as a football coach.
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A football fan tries to reconcile his obsessive love of the game with his job , his romantic relationships , and his life in general in this comedy / drama. Since he was a child in North London , Paul Ashworth ( Colin Firth ) has been a loyal fan of the Arsenal football team ; he attended many a match with his father as a child , especially after his parents divorced , and Arsenal's annual season is one of the few emotional anchors in his life. Now in his mid - 30s , Paul teaches English at a state - run school and has become involved with Sarah ( Ruth Gemmell ), a fellow member of the school staff. While she's pretty , bright , and in nearly all ways a good catch , Sarah doesn't care for football. This lack of interest unfortunately shows itself at a time when Arsenal seems poised to win their first championship in 18 years , and Paul hopes to buy a house near their stadium to make it easier to attend home games. When Sarah becomes pregnant and the long - term stability of their relationship becomes a crucial issue , she forces Paul to decide what he loves more : Sarah and their baby , or Arsenal? For Paul , the answer isn't as simple as one might imagine , as he weighs the joys and responsibilities of adulthood against the passionate enthusiasm that sustained him through his youth. Fever Pitch was based on the semi - autobiographical book by Nick Hornby , who has a cameo as a football coach.
1741
Economics and music are the twin focal points of this comedy/drama about a community in crisis. The small British town of Grimley has long been dominated by the coal mine where most of the men work and the town's greatest source of pride is the Grimley Colliery Band a brass ensemble that's won a number of nationwide competitions. Danny (Pete Postlewaite) is a retired miner in poor health who directs the band; a national championship is coming up and Danny is determined that Grimley will walk away with a trophy. But many of his musicians have other things on their minds: word has it that the mine may soon close down and in a city already suffering an economic downturn this is just short of a death sentence. Adding to the intrigue is the return of Gloria (Tara Fitzgerald) who used to live in Grimley and is back in town for a while on an assignment. While the band has traditionally been all-male Danny considers bending the rules to allow Gloria in the band as she's a fine fluglehorn player but her presence is bad news for the town: she works for the government and is investigating the feasibility of closing down the mine. Ace trumpeter Andy (Ewan McGregor) also has mixed feelings about Gloria; they were once a couple and he still has feelings for her but he's not sure he wants to set himself up for another breakup. The real-life Grimethorpe Colliery Band performs on the soundtrack.
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Economics and music are the twin focal points of this comedy / drama about a community in crisis. The small British town of Grimley has long been dominated by the coal mine where most of the men work , and the town's greatest source of pride is the Grimley Colliery Band , a brass ensemble that's won a number of nationwide competitions. Danny ( Pete Postlewaite ) is a retired miner in poor health who directs the band ; a national championship is coming up , and Danny is determined that Grimley will walk away with a trophy. But many of his musicians have other things on their minds : word has it that the mine may soon close down , and , in a city already suffering an economic downturn , this is just short of a death sentence. Adding to the intrigue is the return of Gloria ( Tara Fitzgerald ), who used to live in Grimley and is back in town for a while on an assignment. While the band has traditionally been all - male , Danny considers bending the rules to allow Gloria in the band , as she's a fine fluglehorn player , but her presence is bad news for the town : she works for the government and is investigating the feasibility of closing down the mine. Ace trumpeter Andy ( Ewan McGregor ) also has mixed feelings about Gloria ; they were once a couple , and he still has feelings for her , but he's not sure he wants to set himself up for another breakup. The real - life Grimethorpe Colliery Band performs on the soundtrack.
1742
At least the 22nd time William Shakespeare's most famous tragedy has been brought to the screen Kenneth Branagh's film adaptation of Hamlet was the first to preserve Shakespeare's entire text uncut and unabridged. Moving the action into the 19th century Branagh cast himself in the title role and as in his adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing assembled an eclectic group of actors that mixed veteran Shakespearean performers (including John Mills Judi Dench John Gielgud and Derek Jacobi) with Hollywood stars not known for interpreting the Bard's work (among them Robin Williams Charlton Heston Billy Crystal and Jack Lemmon). However unlike most interpretations it's the women who really carry the show with the two best performances delivered by Kate Winslet as Ophelia and Julie Christie as Gertrude. As usual Hamlet finds himself torn over what to do after the death of his father and his mother's hasty remarriage. Branagh's version of Hamlet was also notable on a technical level as it was filmed in the 70-mm format for increased visual clarity and detail.
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At least the 22nd time William Shakespeare's most famous tragedy has been brought to the screen , Kenneth Branagh 's film adaptation of Hamlet was the first to preserve Shakespeare's entire text , uncut and unabridged. Moving the action into the 19th century , Branagh cast himself in the title role and , as in his adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing , assembled an eclectic group of actors that mixed veteran Shakespearean performers ( including John Mills , Judi Dench , John Gielgud , and Derek Jacobi ) with Hollywood stars not known for interpreting the Bard's work ( among them Robin Williams , Charlton Heston , Billy Crystal , and Jack Lemmon ) . However , unlike most interpretations , it's the women who really carry the show , with the two best performances delivered by Kate Winslet as Ophelia and Julie Christie as Gertrude. As usual , Hamlet finds himself torn over what to do after the death of his father and his mother's hasty remarriage. Branagh's version of Hamlet was also notable on a technical level , as it was filmed in the 70 - mm format for increased visual clarity and detail.
1743
A 1981 hunger strike in a Belfast prison is the historical inspiration for the drama Some Mother's Son which attempts to focus on the personal dimensions of the event through its portrayal of the families of the striking prisoners. Directed by Terry George co-author of In the Name of the Father the film is anchored by Helen Mirren's performance as Kathleen Quigley an educated thoughtful schoolteacher who feels the Irish-English conflict is remote from her life until her son is arrested for his involvement with the Irish Republican Army. Yet while she supports her son and works to save his life Kathleen nevertheless maintains her disdain for violence. This is in great contrast to Annie Higgins the mother of Gerard's collaborator who wholeheartedly embraces the IRA's mission. Despite their differing philosophies the women form an uneasy bond over the suffering of their imprisoned sons. Kathleen finds herself increasingly politicized but finds herself facing a moral dilemma when the prisoners begin a hunger strike. As Gerard's next of kin it is her right to agree to intravenous feeding should her son enter a coma; however many people including Annie would see such as an act as betrayal of the strike leaving Kathleen with a choice between saving her son's life and respecting his cause.
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A 1981 hunger strike in a Belfast prison is the historical inspiration for the drama Some Mother's Son , which attempts to focus on the personal dimensions of the event through its portrayal of the families of the striking prisoners. Directed by Terry George , co - author of In the Name of the Father , the film is anchored by Helen Mirren 's performance as Kathleen Quigley , an educated , thoughtful schoolteacher who feels the Irish - English conflict is remote from her life until her son is arrested for his involvement with the Irish Republican Army. Yet while she supports her son and works to save his life , Kathleen nevertheless maintains her disdain for violence. This is in great contrast to Annie Higgins , the mother of Gerard's collaborator , who wholeheartedly embraces the IRA's mission. Despite their differing philosophies , the women form an uneasy bond over the suffering of their imprisoned sons. Kathleen finds herself increasingly politicized but finds herself facing a moral dilemma when the prisoners begin a hunger strike. As Gerard's next of kin , it is her right to agree to intravenous feeding should her son enter a coma ; however , many people , including Annie , would see such as an act as betrayal of the strike , leaving Kathleen with a choice between saving her son's life and respecting his cause.
1744
Stella Gibbons' popular novel was published in 1932 and it has been adapted twice for British television first as a miniseries in 1971 then by director John Schlesinger in 1995. That version proved so popular that it was released to theaters in the U.S. The heroine of Gibbons' story Flora Poste (Kate Beckinsale) is an aspiring young writer with two needs: material for her first novel and a cheap place to live and work. A wealthy friend encourages her to take advantage of her country cousins and impose upon them for lodgings. Flora finds Cold Comfort Farm to be a ramshackle affair populated by eccentrics including the imperious Ada Doom (Sheila Burrell) her daughter Judith (Eileen Atkins) Judith's rough but handsome son Seth (Rufus Sewell) and Amos (Ian McKellen) an amateur preacher whose sermonizing seems to release some kind of demons within him. Undaunted by this menagerie Flora gets to work organizing the household and she comes to realize that the material for her book is right in front of her.
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Stella Gibbons ' popular novel was published in 1932 , and it has been adapted twice for British television , first as a miniseries in 1971 , then by director John Schlesinger in 1995. That version proved so popular that it was released to theaters in the U.S. The heroine of Gibbons ' story , Flora Poste ( Kate Beckinsale ), is an aspiring young writer with two needs : material for her first novel , and a cheap place to live and work. A wealthy friend encourages her to take advantage of her country cousins and impose upon them for lodgings. Flora finds Cold Comfort Farm to be a ramshackle affair populated by eccentrics including the imperious Ada Doom ( Sheila Burrell ), her daughter Judith ( Eileen Atkins ), Judith's rough but handsome son Seth ( Rufus Sewell ), and Amos ( Ian McKellen ), an amateur preacher whose sermonizing seems to release some kind of demons within him. Undaunted by this menagerie , Flora gets to work organizing the household , and she comes to realize that the material for her book is right in front of her.
1745
Adapted from what is arguably Jane Austen's most mature and subtlest novel Persuasion is somewhat more nuanced and restrained than the more frequently adapted Emma and Pride and Prejudice. The protagonist Anne (Amanda Root) is by the conventions of society considered an old maid when she remains unmarried at 27. However a second chance arrives when her former love Captain Wentworth (Ciaran Hinds) returns from the Napoleonic Wars. The pair who hardly speak throughout are surrounded by the usual assortment of family members friends acquaintances and distant relations many of them what pass for stock characters in Austen novels. There's the social-climbing parent the dour upper aristocrat the scatterbrained younger relatives and of course the apparently suitable suitor who turns out to be all wrong. Of course Austen's protagonists are never dumb but Anne being somewhat older is also a good deal wiser and the characters around her accordingly take on greater dimension and subtlety. Naturally this being an Austen story all ends well but the path is somewhat less straightforward than in other films adapted from her work.
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Adapted from what is arguably Jane Austen's most mature and subtlest novel , Persuasion is somewhat more nuanced and restrained than the more frequently adapted Emma and Pride and Prejudice . The protagonist , Anne ( Amanda Root ), is , by the conventions of society , considered an old maid when she remains unmarried at 27. However , a second chance arrives when her former love , Captain Wentworth ( Ciaran Hinds ), returns from the Napoleonic Wars. The pair , who hardly speak throughout , are surrounded by the usual assortment of family members , friends , acquaintances , and distant relations , many of them what pass for stock characters in Austen novels. There's the social - climbing parent , the dour upper aristocrat , the scatterbrained younger relatives , and , of course , the apparently suitable suitor who turns out to be all wrong. Of course , Austen's protagonists are never dumb , but Anne , being somewhat older , is also a good deal wiser , and the characters around her accordingly take on greater dimension and subtlety. Naturally , this being an Austen story , all ends well , but the path is somewhat less straightforward than in other films adapted from her work.
1746
A 19th-century British naturalist falls in love with the beautiful daughter of a wealthy aristocrat but he soon discovers that her family's perfect facade disguises unexpectedly grim secrets. Director and co-screenwriter Philip Haas's adaptation of A.S. Byatt's Morpho Eugenio eschews the usual gentility of Victorian period pieces in favor of subtle creepiness. The unsettling mood is emphasized by the film's detailed attention to its protagonist's scientific endeavors which center on the study of insects and their behavior. In fact it is his love of insects that brings William (Mark Rylance) to the well-heeled Reverend Alabaster (Jeremy Kemp) who takes a personal interest in William's welfare when a shipwreck leaves William practically penniless. William is welcomed into the Alabaster home and he resumes his entomological studies while courting the reverend's daughter Eugenia (Patsy Kensit). Close-up glimpses of insect society parallel this aristocratic world and hint at the dark secrets with which William soon becomes unexpectedly familiar. As in Haas's previous film The Music of Chance an unusual highly symbolic filmmaking approach creates an effective drama with the potentially detached intellectualism balanced by unusual characterizations and an absorbing attention to detail.
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A 19th - century British naturalist falls in love with the beautiful daughter of a wealthy aristocrat , but he soon discovers that her family's perfect facade disguises unexpectedly grim secrets. Director and co - screenwriter Philip Haas 's adaptation of A.S. Byatt 's Morpho Eugenio eschews the usual gentility of Victorian period pieces in favor of subtle creepiness. The unsettling mood is emphasized by the film's detailed attention to its protagonist's scientific endeavors , which center on the study of insects and their behavior. In fact , it is his love of insects that brings William ( Mark Rylance ) to the well - heeled Reverend Alabaster ( Jeremy Kemp ), who takes a personal interest in William's welfare when a shipwreck leaves William practically penniless. William is welcomed into the Alabaster home , and he resumes his entomological studies while courting the reverend's daughter , Eugenia ( Patsy Kensit ) . Close - up glimpses of insect society parallel this aristocratic world and hint at the dark secrets with which William soon becomes unexpectedly familiar. As in Haas 's previous film , The Music of Chance , an unusual , highly symbolic filmmaking approach creates an effective drama , with the potentially detached intellectualism balanced by unusual characterizations and an absorbing attention to detail.
1747
Set in 1957 this romantic coming-of-age story follows three childhood friends from a small town in Ireland as they head to Dublin to attend Trinity College. Nan (Saffron Burrows) a year older than her friends and already in her second year at Trinity is ambitious romantic and just a bit reckless. She hopes to win the hand of Simon (Colin Firth) an older Protestant land-owner who would help her rise up the social and economic ladder. Eve (Geraldine O'Rawe) a bit more pragmatic and cautious finds herself falling for a boy named Aidan (Aidan Gillen). Bernadette (Minnie Driver) called "Benny" by her friends and family comes from strict parents who won't allow her to live on campus forcing her to commute back and forth from classes every day. Bennie's father a haberdasher has always expected that his daughter a bit plainer and plumper than her friends will marry his shop's manager an odd duck named Sean (Alan Cumming). But at Trinity Bennie discovers that she fancies a tall good-looking rugby player named Jack (Chris O'Donnell) and to the surprise of Bennie and everyone else it turns out that Jack fancies her as well. Circle of Friends gave Minnie Driver her breakthrough film role after her initial success as a television actress in Britain.
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Set in 1957 , this romantic coming - of - age story follows three childhood friends from a small town in Ireland as they head to Dublin to attend Trinity College. Nan ( Saffron Burrows ), a year older than her friends and already in her second year at Trinity , is ambitious , romantic , and just a bit reckless. She hopes to win the hand of Simon ( Colin Firth ), an older Protestant land - owner who would help her rise up the social and economic ladder. Eve ( Geraldine O'Rawe ), a bit more pragmatic and cautious , finds herself falling for a boy named Aidan ( Aidan Gillen ) . Bernadette ( Minnie Driver ), called "Benny" by her friends and family , comes from strict parents who won't allow her to live on campus , forcing her to commute back and forth from classes every day. Bennie's father , a haberdasher , has always expected that his daughter , a bit plainer and plumper than her friends , will marry his shop's manager , an odd duck named Sean ( Alan Cumming ) . But at Trinity , Bennie discovers that she fancies a tall , good - looking rugby player named Jack ( Chris O'Donnell ), and to the surprise of Bennie and everyone else , it turns out that Jack fancies her as well. Circle of Friends gave Minnie Driver her breakthrough film role after her initial success as a television actress in Britain.
1748
A priest is torn between church dogma and his personal beliefs in this British drama. Father Greg (Linus Roache) is a Catholic priest who tends to a parish in Liverpool. Like his superior Father Matthew (Tom Wilkinson) Father Greg is not dealing well with his vow of celibacy. While Matthew has been discreetly having an affair with his housekeeper Greg is homosexual and he occasionally slips out to gay clubs for anonymous encounters with strangers. One night Father Greg meets a man named Graham (Robert Carlyle) at the bar; when he bumps into him on the street a few days later he realizes that he's falling in love with him. As Father Greg struggles with his sexual and spiritual identity he hears a confession from 14-year-old Lisa Unsworth (Christine Tremarco) who tells him that her father has been molesting her. Mr. Unsworth (Robert Pugh) confirms his daughter's allegation during confession and he tells the priest that he will not stop his incestuous behavior. Should Father Greg violate the seal of the confessional to save Lisa from further abuse? Priest which opened in America on Good Friday generated considerable controversy both with Catholic organizations (who denounced the picture) and the MPAA (the film had to be re-edited to gain an R rating for U.S. release).
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A priest is torn between church dogma and his personal beliefs in this British drama. Father Greg ( Linus Roache ) is a Catholic priest who tends to a parish in Liverpool. Like his superior , Father Matthew ( Tom Wilkinson ), Father Greg is not dealing well with his vow of celibacy. While Matthew has been discreetly having an affair with his housekeeper , Greg is homosexual , and he occasionally slips out to gay clubs for anonymous encounters with strangers. One night , Father Greg meets a man named Graham ( Robert Carlyle ) at the bar ; when he bumps into him on the street a few days later , he realizes that he's falling in love with him. As Father Greg struggles with his sexual and spiritual identity , he hears a confession from 14 - year - old Lisa Unsworth ( Christine Tremarco ), who tells him that her father has been molesting her. Mr. Unsworth ( Robert Pugh ) confirms his daughter's allegation during confession , and he tells the priest that he will not stop his incestuous behavior. Should Father Greg violate the seal of the confessional to save Lisa from further abuse? Priest , which opened in America on Good Friday , generated considerable controversy , both with Catholic organizations ( who denounced the picture ) and the MPAA ( the film had to be re - edited to gain an R rating for U.S. release ) .
1749
The Beatles' early days as a struggling bar band are depicted in this fact-based drama which tells the little-known story of original member Stuart Sutcliffe (Stephen Dorff). A close friend of John Lennon Sutcliffe acts as the band's original bassist accompanying them on their early gigs in Liverpool and Hamburg Germany. The friendship becomes strained however when Sutcliffe falls in love with a German art student and starts to question his commitment to the band. With Sutcliffe's story taking center stage the stories of the more famous Beatles largely fade into the background. The exception is John Lennon thanks to a fierce performance by Ian Hart who had previously portrayed the musician in the more intimate and provocative The Hours and the Times. While Backbeat does provide a new perspective on the band's beginning and numerous opportunities for a group of modern rock musicians to recreate the band's energetic early performances it never makes Sutcliffe's story seem more than a footnote to musical history.
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The Beatles' early days as a struggling bar band are depicted in this fact - based drama , which tells the little - known story of original member Stuart Sutcliffe ( Stephen Dorff ) . A close friend of John Lennon , Sutcliffe acts as the band's original bassist , accompanying them on their early gigs in Liverpool and Hamburg , Germany. The friendship becomes strained , however , when Sutcliffe falls in love with a German art student and starts to question his commitment to the band. With Sutcliffe 's story taking center stage , the stories of the more famous Beatles largely fade into the background. The exception is John Lennon , thanks to a fierce performance by Ian Hart , who had previously portrayed the musician in the more intimate and provocative The Hours and the Times . While Backbeat does provide a new perspective on the band's beginning , and numerous opportunities for a group of modern rock musicians to recreate the band's energetic early performances , it never makes Sutcliffe 's story seem more than a footnote to musical history.
1750
Sidney Poitier who in 1955 played a student in a tough inner-city high school portrays a teacher assigned to a similar institution in To Sir With Love. Unable to find work as an engineer Poitier accepts a teaching post in London's East End slums. To reach his sullen rebellious students Poitier throws away his textbooks and endeavors to reach them as human beings--and as the adults they're going to become. It's an uphill climb but gradually the students are won over. They begin referring to Poitier as "Sir" not out of blind obedience but as a gesture of genuine affection. Not that there aren't obstacles to overcome: in addition to trying to get through to hardcase student Christian Roberts Poitier must face down the resistance and hostility of his fellow teachers. The sweetly sentimental finale amply displays the vocal talents of Lulu who trills the title song. Based on the novel by E. R. Brainwaite To Sir With Love was one of the biggest moneyspinners of 1967 (with this film Guess Who's Coming to Dinner and In the Heat of the Night Sidney Poitier had quite a year). In 1996 a belated made-for-TV sequel was produced briefly reuniting To Sir with Love co-stars Sidney Poiter Lulu and Judy Geason none of whom looked a day older.
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Sidney Poitier , who in 1955 played a student in a tough inner - city high school , portrays a teacher assigned to a similar institution in To Sir , With Love. Unable to find work as an engineer , Poitier accepts a teaching post in London's East End slums. To reach his sullen , rebellious students , Poitier throws away his textbooks and endeavors to reach them as human beings -- and as the adults they're going to become. It's an uphill climb , but gradually the students are won over. They begin referring to Poitier as "Sir , " not out of blind obedience but as a gesture of genuine affection. Not that there aren't obstacles to overcome : in addition to trying to get through to hardcase student Christian Roberts , Poitier must face down the resistance and hostility of his fellow teachers. The sweetly sentimental finale amply displays the vocal talents of Lulu , who trills the title song. Based on the novel by E. R. Brainwaite , To Sir , With Love was one of the biggest moneyspinners of 1967 ( with this film , Guess Who's Coming to Dinner and In the Heat of the Night , Sidney Poitier had quite a year ) . In 1996 , a belated made - for - TV sequel was produced , briefly reuniting To Sir with Love co - stars Sidney Poiter , Lulu and Judy Geason , none of whom looked a day older.
1751
In this alternately comic and grave reflection on the effects of Thatcherism on polyethnic England middle-class liberals Rosie (Frances Barber) and Sammy (Ayub Khan Din) engage in an openly adulterous marriage while living in a lower-class neighborhood in London. When they're not hiding their troubled marriage behind a series of "enlightened" affairs the couple associates with a social circle that ranges from leftist to radical and includes enigmatic street philosopher Victoria (Roland Gift). Sammy's long-lost father Rafi (Shashi Kapoor) a South Asian politician arrives for a visit just as rioting erupts in response to the killing of an innocent black woman by British police. Rafi decries not only the social upheaval that has transformed the country where he spent his halcyon university years but also the lack of propriety on display in his son's marriage. Admitting that he's on the run for allegedly corrupt and violent political activities the well-mannered yet manipulative Rafi uses his wealth to try to rein in what he sees as Sammy and Rosie's sexual and political excesses. Meanwhile he tries to court Alice (Claire Bloom) the proper British lady he deserted decades earlier. The messy whirl of desire resentment and dogma that alternately throws these characters together and rips them apart ultimately reflects the confused and confusing society in which Sammy and Rosie live; soon even the unassailable Rafi must question his beliefs about life after empire. Sammy and Rosie Get Laid marked the second collaboration between director Stephen Frears and writer Hanif Kureishi; star Ayub Khan Din would go on to write another Anglo-Asian culture-clash comedy 1998's East Is East.
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In this alternately comic and grave reflection on the effects of Thatcherism on polyethnic England , middle - class liberals Rosie ( Frances Barber ) and Sammy ( Ayub Khan Din ) engage in an openly adulterous marriage while living in a lower - class neighborhood in London. When they're not hiding their troubled marriage behind a series of "enlightened" affairs , the couple associates with a social circle that ranges from leftist to radical and includes enigmatic street philosopher Victoria ( Roland Gift ) . Sammy's long - lost father , Rafi ( Shashi Kapoor ), a South Asian politician , arrives for a visit just as rioting erupts in response to the killing of an innocent black woman by British police. Rafi decries not only the social upheaval that has transformed the country where he spent his halcyon university years , but also the lack of propriety on display in his son's marriage. Admitting that he's on the run for allegedly corrupt and violent political activities , the well - mannered yet manipulative Rafi uses his wealth to try to rein in what he sees as Sammy and Rosie's sexual and political excesses. Meanwhile , he tries to court Alice ( Claire Bloom ), the proper British lady he deserted decades earlier. The messy whirl of desire , resentment , and dogma that alternately throws these characters together and rips them apart ultimately reflects the confused and confusing society in which Sammy and Rosie live ; soon even the unassailable Rafi must question his beliefs about life after empire. Sammy and Rosie Get Laid marked the second collaboration between director Stephen Frears and writer Hanif Kureishi ; star Ayub Khan Din would go on to write another Anglo - Asian culture - clash comedy , 1998's East Is East .
1752
Much as he would later do with Shakespeare in Love (1998) writer Tom Stoppard delivered a tale of Shakespearean origin from a skewed and unexpected perspective. In this case it's the perspective of two relatively minor characters from Hamlet Rosencrantz (Gary Oldman) and Guildenstern (Tim Roth) courtiers who in the original play were dispatched offstage before the narrative's conclusion. In Stoppard's script (which he also directed) the two supporting players take center stage as the events unfold in Elsinore Castle. Unable to determine the source of the prince's tortured despair the duo ponders the question of fate as their predetermined roles are played out. Meanwhile they dabble in a little verbal tennis and some ill-advised science experiments and endure the puzzling attentions of mysterious wandering thespians led by (Richard Dreyfuss). Ordered to accompany Hamlet (Iain Glen) to England the pair learn that the letter they carry instructs that nation's king to decapitate their mentally unbalanced and irksome charge a revelation that Hamlet overhears.
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Much as he would later do with Shakespeare in Love ( 1998 ), writer Tom Stoppard delivered a tale of Shakespearean origin from a skewed and unexpected perspective. In this case , it's the perspective of two relatively minor characters from Hamlet , Rosencrantz ( Gary Oldman ) and Guildenstern ( Tim Roth ), courtiers who , in the original play , were dispatched offstage before the narrative's conclusion. In Stoppard 's script ( which he also directed ), the two supporting players take center stage as the events unfold in Elsinore Castle. Unable to determine the source of the prince's tortured despair , the duo ponders the question of fate as their predetermined roles are played out. Meanwhile , they dabble in a little verbal tennis and some ill - advised science experiments , and endure the puzzling attentions of mysterious wandering thespians led by ( Richard Dreyfuss ) . Ordered to accompany Hamlet ( Iain Glen ) to England , the pair learn that the letter they carry instructs that nation's king to decapitate their mentally unbalanced and irksome charge , a revelation that Hamlet overhears.
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Even in an era of cinematic experimentation Performance stands out as a visually daring major-studio film that deals with questions of sanity and identity rarely touched on in mainstream filmmaking. The elements of Performance certainly looked attractive to studio executives at Warner Bros. -- a gangster on the lam hides out in the home of a reclusive rock star -- especially since that musician was being played by Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones. But co-directors Nicolas Roeg (who also photographed) and Donald Cammell (who wrote the screenplay) had much more in mind than a walk on the wild side of swinging London. Chas (James Fox) is a sadistic thug who gains our sympathies only because men even crueler than he are out to kill him. After Chas arrives at the mansion occupied by Turner (Jagger) and his female companions Pherber (Anita Pallenberg) and Lucy (Michele Breton) what looks like a decadent idyll fueled by drugs and group sex turns into a series of mind games in which Turner challenges Chas' sexual preference and core identity. Even the film's one musical number "Memo From Turner" is a William Burroughs-like monologue in which Turner fantasizes taking over Chas' role as a mobster spewing insults to his colleagues. The film's cult status has been fueled by subsequent films of its co-directors (for Roeg Walkabout The Man Who Fell to Earth and Don't Look Now; for Cammell White of the Eye) which explored similar themes employing the same kind of jagged editing and striking visuals.
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Even in an era of cinematic experimentation , Performance stands out as a visually daring major - studio film that deals with questions of sanity and identity rarely touched on in mainstream filmmaking. The elements of Performance certainly looked attractive to studio executives at Warner Bros. -- a gangster on the lam hides out in the home of a reclusive rock star -- especially since that musician was being played by Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones . But co - directors Nicolas Roeg ( who also photographed ) and Donald Cammell ( who wrote the screenplay ) had much more in mind than a walk on the wild side of swinging London. Chas ( James Fox ) is a sadistic thug who gains our sympathies only because men even crueler than he are out to kill him. After Chas arrives at the mansion occupied by Turner ( Jagger ) and his female companions Pherber ( Anita Pallenberg ) and Lucy ( Michele Breton ), what looks like a decadent idyll fueled by drugs and group sex turns into a series of mind games in which Turner challenges Chas' sexual preference and core identity. Even the film's one musical number , "Memo From Turner , " is a William Burroughs - like monologue in which Turner fantasizes taking over Chas' role as a mobster , spewing insults to his colleagues. The film's cult status has been fueled by subsequent films of its co - directors ( for Roeg , Walkabout , The Man Who Fell to Earth , and Don't Look Now ; for Cammell , White of the Eye ), which explored similar themes employing the same kind of jagged editing and striking visuals.
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Screenwriter Hanif Kureishi marked his directorial debut in this slice-of-life chronicle about a collection of drug-dealing slackers in London. Centering on a band of delinquents calling themselves "the posse" the group is led by an ambitious male hustler named Muffdiver (Steven Mackintosh). His friend Mr. Clint Eastwood (Justin Chadwick) begins to wonder about Muffdiver when he announces that he will no longer sell drugs for the gang. But soon Clint is wondering about himself and after being beaten and stripped naked he decides to go legitimate and look for a real job. He applies to a chic restaurant for a job as a waiter. The owner Hemingway (Brad Dourif) promises to hire him if he comes back to the restaurant wearing a good pair of shoes. Obsessed with landing the job he tries any way he can to get the pair of shoes. Impressed by the efforts of Clint and Muffdiver to get normal jobs Sylvie (Emer McCourt) a drug addict who lives with the two is inspired to leave the street life behind herself and pursue a more ordinary vocation.
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Screenwriter Hanif Kureishi marked his directorial debut in this slice - of - life chronicle about a collection of drug - dealing slackers in London. Centering on a band of delinquents calling themselves "the posse , " the group is led by an ambitious male hustler named Muffdiver ( Steven Mackintosh ) . His friend , Mr. Clint Eastwood ( Justin Chadwick ), begins to wonder about Muffdiver when he announces that he will no longer sell drugs for the gang. But soon Clint is wondering about himself , and after being beaten and stripped naked , he decides to go legitimate and look for a real job. He applies to a chic restaurant for a job as a waiter. The owner , Hemingway ( Brad Dourif ), promises to hire him if he comes back to the restaurant wearing a good pair of shoes. Obsessed with landing the job , he tries any way he can to get the pair of shoes. Impressed by the efforts of Clint and Muffdiver to get normal jobs , Sylvie ( Emer McCourt ), a drug addict who lives with the two , is inspired to leave the street life behind herself and pursue a more ordinary vocation.
1755
A year after helming The Dirty Dozen director Robert Aldrich took on this controversial drama based on the play of the same name by Frank Marcus. Beryl Reid stars as soap opera star June an alcoholic lesbian who spends most of her time with her younger lover Alice (Susannah York). When vindictive television executive Mercy Croft (Coral Browne) takes a liking to Alice she arranges to have June's character Sister George killed off the show. Drunk and paranoid June struggles to keep it together or risk losing Alice. Because of its exploration of a subject as taboo as homosexuality The Killing of Sister George earned an X rating.
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A year after helming The Dirty Dozen , director Robert Aldrich took on this controversial drama based on the play of the same name by Frank Marcus . Beryl Reid stars as soap opera star June , an alcoholic lesbian who spends most of her time with her younger lover , Alice ( Susannah York ) . When vindictive television executive Mercy Croft ( Coral Browne ) takes a liking to Alice , she arranges to have June's character , Sister George , killed off the show. Drunk and paranoid , June struggles to keep it together or risk losing Alice. Because of its exploration of a subject as taboo as homosexuality , The Killing of Sister George earned an X rating.
1756
In their second feature with director Richard Lester who oversaw the massive hit A Hard Day's Night the Beatles again aim for a mix of goofy comedy and sterling pop music. There is slightly more of a plot this time though it is a patently ridiculous one: a sacred ruby ring comes into Ringo's possession attracting the unwelcome attention of an exotic religious cult and forcing the boys to go on the run. This chase narrative is thankfully never taken too seriously serving mainly as an excuse for colorful excursions to international locations from Europe to the Bahamas. The musical numbers include such classic tunes as "Ticket to Ride" "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away" and of course "Help!".
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In their second feature with director Richard Lester , who oversaw the massive hit A Hard Day's Night , the Beatles again aim for a mix of goofy comedy and sterling pop music. There is slightly more of a plot this time , though it is a patently ridiculous one : a sacred ruby ring comes into Ringo's possession , attracting the unwelcome attention of an exotic religious cult and forcing the boys to go on the run. This chase narrative is thankfully never taken too seriously , serving mainly as an excuse for colorful excursions to international locations from Europe to the Bahamas. The musical numbers include such classic tunes as "Ticket to Ride , " "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away , " and , of course , "Help!".
1757
ased on Elizabeth Jane Howard's novel Getting It Right this charming comedy follows the story of Gavin Lamb (Jesse Birdsall) a 31 year-old virgin who is terrified with women and still lives with his parents. Nevertheless he becomes the subject of desire for a variety of women including a single mother (Jane Horrocks) a wealthy pregnant girl (Helen Bonham Carter) and a middle-aged socialite (Lynn Redgrave). Gavin eventually finds love with one of the three women in this engaging low-key romantic comedy.
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Based on Elizabeth Jane Howard's novel , Getting It Right this charming comedy follows the story of Gavin Lamb ( Jesse Birdsall ), a 31 year - old virgin who is terrified with women and still lives with his parents. Nevertheless , he becomes the subject of desire for a variety of women , including a single mother ( Jane Horrocks ), a wealthy pregnant girl ( Helen Bonham Carter ) and a middle - aged socialite ( Lynn Redgrave ) . Gavin eventually finds love with one of the three women in this engaging , low - key romantic comedy.
1758
Previously filmed in 1935 with Ann Harding Enchanted April a romantic novel by Elizabeth was remade in 1992. The first film skips along superficially at 66 minutes: the second directed by the always intriguing Mike Newell runs 101 minutes allowing for richer characterizations and a bottomless reserve of brilliant dialogue. Two cloistered married English women (Josie Lawrence Miranda Richardson) impulsively rent an Italian villa and embark upon a vacation without their spouses. They are joined by two other ladies: the high-flown aging widow Joan Plowright and elegant upper-crust beauty Polly Walker) whom they've never met. Under the spell of an exotic new location the foursome are in for quite a few life-altering experiences many of them amusing and not a few very surprising. Impeccably accurate in its recreation of European manners and mores in the 1920s Enchanted April is sheer bliss from fade-in to fade-out.
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Previously filmed in 1935 with Ann Harding , Enchanted April , a romantic novel by Elizabeth , was remade in 1992. The first film skips along superficially at 66 minutes : the second , directed by the always intriguing Mike Newell , runs 101 minutes , allowing for richer characterizations and a bottomless reserve of brilliant dialogue. Two cloistered , married English women ( Josie Lawrence , Miranda Richardson ) impulsively rent an Italian villa and embark upon a vacation without their spouses. They are joined by two other ladies : the high - flown aging widow Joan Plowright , and elegant upper - crust beauty Polly Walker ) whom they've never met. Under the spell of an exotic new location , the foursome are in for quite a few life - altering experiences , many of them amusing , and not a few very surprising. Impeccably accurate in its recreation of European manners and mores in the 1920s , Enchanted April is sheer bliss from fade - in to fade - out.
1759
Michael Caine's first starring role was a foray into dramatic irony scripted by Bill Naughton from his novel and play. Alfie (Caine) is a charming rogueish Cockney who cannot get his fill of women. He uses them without shame or malice jumping from one promiscuous female's bed to another without much thought or feeling. Of course Alfie's not as carefree as he would have the audience -- to whom he often speaks directly -- think: he treats his pregnant common-law wife Gilda (Julia Foster) quite shabbily and has an affair with a married woman (Vivien Merchant) that leaves her pregnant for which Alfie arranges an abortion. In the end Alfie never finds lasting meaning or pleasure but remains an unrepentant if low-class Don Juan. Caine was Oscar-nominated for his performance.
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Michael Caine 's first starring role was a foray into dramatic irony , scripted by Bill Naughton from his novel and play. Alfie ( Caine ) is a charming , rogueish Cockney who cannot get his fill of women. He uses them without shame or malice , jumping from one promiscuous female's bed to another without much thought or feeling. Of course , Alfie's not as carefree as he would have the audience -- to whom he often speaks directly -- think : he treats his pregnant , common - law wife , Gilda ( Julia Foster ), quite shabbily , and has an affair with a married woman ( Vivien Merchant ) that leaves her pregnant , for which Alfie arranges an abortion. In the end , Alfie never finds lasting meaning or pleasure but remains an unrepentant , if low - class , Don Juan. Caine was Oscar - nominated for his performance.
1760
Director Hugh Hudson who made his directorial debut with the award-winning Chariots Of Fire returns to the theme of British life in the 1920s in the bittersweet family drama My Life So Far. Gamma Macintosh (Rosemary Harris) is the matriarch of a family that inhabits Harewood House a castle in the Scottish Highlands. Besides Gamma the adult heads of the household are her daughter Moira (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) and Moira's husband Edward Pettigrew (Colin Firth) a mildly eccentric inventor who tinkers with experimental automobiles and airplanes. Moira and Edward have two children son Fraser (Robbie Norman) and daughter Elspeth (Kelly Macdonald). One day Moira's brother Morris (Malcolm McDowell) stops by with his fiancée a French woman named Heloise (Irene Jacob) whose beauty and sophistication turns Edward's head and stirs new emotions in young Fraser. Filmed in 1997 My Life So Far remained in the editing room until 1999 when it was shown in a special benefit screening at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival.
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Director Hugh Hudson , who made his directorial debut with the award - winning Chariots Of Fire , returns to the theme of British life in the 1920s in the bittersweet family drama My Life So Far . Gamma Macintosh ( Rosemary Harris ) is the matriarch of a family that inhabits Harewood House , a castle in the Scottish Highlands. Besides Gamma , the adult heads of the household are her daughter , Moira ( Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio ) and Moira's husband Edward Pettigrew ( Colin Firth ), a mildly eccentric inventor who tinkers with experimental automobiles and airplanes. Moira and Edward have two children , son Fraser ( Robbie Norman ) and daughter Elspeth ( Kelly Macdonald ) . One day Moira's brother Morris ( Malcolm McDowell ) stops by with his fiancée , a French woman named Heloise ( Irene Jacob ), whose beauty and sophistication turns Edward's head and stirs new emotions in young Fraser. Filmed in 1997 , My Life So Far remained in the editing room until 1999 , when it was shown in a special benefit screening at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival .
1761
East is East a fast-moving comedy drama of mixed-race manners is set in Salford England in 1970. It centers on the Anglo-Pakistani alliance of the Khan family that is both claustrophobically cohesive and hopelessly dysfunctional. In their over-crowded terrace house anarchy erupts daily with farcical energy. The Khan children caught between the traditional dogmatism of their Pakistani father (Om Puri) and laissez-faire attitude of their British mother (Linda Bassett) have a lot of difficulties to follow their dreams of becoming citizens of the modern world. Based on the award-winning stage play by Ayub Khan-Din East is East had great success in the theatres of London before it was made into a film.
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East is East , a fast - moving comedy drama of mixed - race manners , is set in Salford , England in 1970. It centers on the Anglo - Pakistani alliance of the Khan family that is both claustrophobically cohesive and hopelessly dysfunctional. In their over - crowded terrace house , anarchy erupts daily with farcical energy. The Khan children , caught between the traditional dogmatism of their Pakistani father ( Om Puri ) and laissez - faire attitude of their British mother ( Linda Bassett ), have a lot of difficulties to follow their dreams of becoming citizens of the modern world. Based on the award - winning stage play by Ayub Khan - Din , East is East had great success in the theatres of London before it was made into a film.
1762
ased on Jim Cartright's play The Rise and Fall of Little Voice this screen adaptation directed by Mark Herman is an underdog film about an underdog girl named Little Voice (or LV for short). LV (Jane Horrocks from Mike Leigh's Life Is Sweet who does all her own singing) is a shy mousy woman living with her mom Mari (Secrets and Lies' Brenda Blethyn). Little Voice doesn't leave her house. Instead she sings along to her record collection of Shirley Bassey Judy Garland and Marilyn Monroe. Her mother Mari however is an outspoken woman who is convinced her sex appeal (which is little) will land her a man especially when she's drunk. One night while bar-hopping Mari meets the suave yet sleazy talent agent Ray Say (Michael Caine) whom she takes home for a nightcap. There Ray hears the beautiful Little Voice singing a perfect rendition of Judy Garland's "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" from The Wizard of Oz. He's stunned by its beauty and thinks he can make her a star. From there the story heads in complicated romantic and sweet-hearted directions that should not be given away. Also starring in this small independent film is Ewan McGregor.
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Based on Jim Cartright 's play The Rise and Fall of Little Voice , this screen adaptation directed by Mark Herman is an underdog film about an underdog girl named Little Voice ( or LV for short ) . LV ( Jane Horrocks from Mike Leigh 's Life Is Sweet who does all her own singing ) is a shy , mousy woman living with her mom Mari ( Secrets and Lies ' Brenda Blethyn ) . Little Voice doesn't leave her house. Instead she sings along to her record collection of Shirley Bassey , Judy Garland , and Marilyn Monroe . Her mother Mari , however , is an outspoken woman who is convinced her sex appeal ( which is little ) will land her a man , especially when she's drunk. One night while bar - hopping , Mari meets the suave yet sleazy talent agent Ray Say ( Michael Caine ), whom she takes home for a nightcap. There Ray hears the beautiful Little Voice singing a perfect rendition of Judy Garland 's "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" from The Wizard of Oz . He's stunned by its beauty and thinks he can make her a star. From there the story heads in complicated , romantic , and sweet - hearted directions that should not be given away. Also starring in this small independent film is Ewan McGregor .
1763
Gillies MacKinnon directed this $5.6 million production with a screenplay by his brother Billy MacKinnon. The film adapts the 1992 autobiographical novel by Esther Freud (Sigmund Freud's granddaughter) about hippie misadventures in North Africa in 1972 as described by a five-year-old girl. Disenchanted with the dreary conventions of English life 25-year-old Julia (Kate Winslet) heads for Morocco with her children six-year-old Lucy (Carrie Mullan) and precocious eight-year-old Bea (Bella Riza). Living at a low-rent Marrakesh hotel the trio survives on the sale of hand-sewn dolls and a few checks from the girls' father a London poet who also has a child by another woman. After the girls match their mother with gentle Moroccan acrobat and con man Bilal (Said Taghmaoui) sexual gears are set in motion and he moves in serving as a surrogate father. Julia's friend Eva (Sira Stampe) urges Julia to study in Algiers with a revered Sufi master at a school of "the annihilation of the ego" and in another sequence European dandy Santoni invites Julia and the girls to his villa. As finances dwindle Julia's philosophy is "God will provide" although usually it's Bilal who provides. This film was shot October-November 1997 in Morocco where Winslet caught a stomach bug. Back in London she went directly into the hospital and thus missed Titanic's London premiere. The score blends North African music with British-American pop hits of the '60s. The film's title derives from a word game played by the girls. Shown at the 1998 Dinard Festival of British Cinema and the 1998 London Film Festival.
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Gillies MacKinnon directed this $5.6 million production with a screenplay by his brother , Billy MacKinnon . The film adapts the 1992 autobiographical novel by Esther Freud ( Sigmund Freud's granddaughter ) about hippie misadventures in North Africa in 1972 , as described by a five - year - old girl. Disenchanted with the dreary conventions of English life , 25 - year - old Julia ( Kate Winslet ) heads for Morocco with her children , six - year - old Lucy ( Carrie Mullan ) and precocious eight - year - old Bea ( Bella Riza ) . Living at a low - rent Marrakesh hotel , the trio survives on the sale of hand - sewn dolls and a few checks from the girls' father , a London poet who also has a child by another woman. After the girls match their mother with gentle Moroccan acrobat and con man Bilal ( Said Taghmaoui ), sexual gears are set in motion , and he moves in , serving as a surrogate father. Julia's friend Eva ( Sira Stampe ) urges Julia to study in Algiers with a revered Sufi master at a school of "the annihilation of the ego , " and in another sequence European dandy Santoni invites Julia and the girls to his villa. As finances dwindle , Julia's philosophy is "God will provide , " although usually it's Bilal who provides. This film was shot October - November 1997 in Morocco , where Winslet caught a stomach bug. Back in London , she went directly into the hospital and thus missed Titanic 's London premiere. The score blends North African music with British - American pop hits of the '60s. The film's title derives from a word game played by the girls. Shown at the 1998 Dinard Festival of British Cinema and the 1998 London Film Festival .
1764
Irish director Pat O'Connor helmed this adaptation of Brian Friel's 1990 play which won three Tony awards in addition to UK Olivier and Evening Standard awards. Friel's portrait of five Irish sisters takes place in 1936 on a Donegal farm. The unmarried Mundy sisters are barely surviving. Middle-aged schoolteacher Kate (Meryl Streep) is the eldest overseeing pretty Christina (Catherine McCormack) lively Maggie (Kathy Burke re-creating her Tony award-winning role) reliable Agnes (Brid Brennan) and Rose (Sophie Thompson) who has a secret affair with a married man. Christina is the mother of eight-year-old Michael (Darrell Johnston) beneficiary of much attention from his four aunts. The story of a turning-point summer is told in retrospect by the adult Michael and begins when the sisters welcome their older brother Jack (Michael Gambon) as he returns home from missionary work in Africa. Michael's father Gerry Evans (Rhys Ifans) makes an unexpected arrival winning back both Michael and mom before joining the International Brigade to fight Franco in Spain. Kate loses her teaching position and the sister's income from their handwoven clothing is threatened by the announced opening of a woolens factory. Shown at 1998 fests (Venice Toronto).
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Irish director Pat O'Connor helmed this adaptation of Brian Friel 's 1990 play which won three Tony awards in addition to UK Olivier and Evening Standard awards. Friel 's portrait of five Irish sisters takes place in 1936 on a Donegal farm. The unmarried Mundy sisters are barely surviving. Middle - aged schoolteacher Kate ( Meryl Streep ) is the eldest , overseeing pretty Christina ( Catherine McCormack ), lively Maggie ( Kathy Burke , re - creating her Tony award - winning role ), reliable Agnes ( Brid Brennan ), and Rose ( Sophie Thompson ), who has a secret affair with a married man. Christina is the mother of eight - year - old Michael ( Darrell Johnston ), beneficiary of much attention from his four aunts. The story of a turning - point summer is told in retrospect by the adult Michael and begins when the sisters welcome their older brother Jack ( Michael Gambon ) as he returns home from missionary work in Africa. Michael's father Gerry Evans ( Rhys Ifans ) makes an unexpected arrival , winning back both Michael and mom before joining the International Brigade to fight Franco in Spain. Kate loses her teaching position , and the sister's income from their handwoven clothing is threatened by the announced opening of a woolens factory. Shown at 1998 fests ( Venice , Toronto ) .
1765
This 5.7-million-dollar British comedy from writer/director Gary Sinyor satirizes the now-familiar Merchant-Ivory style of period dramas. So no one will miss the joke the central setting is Ivory Hall the Ivory family mansion in rural England. In 1908 young twit Edward Ivory (Samuel West) plans to match his bookwormish friend Cedric (Robert Portal) with his 22-year-old sister Emily (Georgina Cates) and introduces the two at Ivory Hall. However Emily is instead attracted to gamekeeper George (Sean Pertwee) the son of a peasant (Brian Glover). Emily's aunt Agnes Ivory (Prunella Scales) in favor of Cedric suggests an Enchanted April-type excursion to Italy with George along as a servant. Eventually Emily and George become a couple but class differences are a barrier. When Aunt Agnes becomes bored with Italy and yearns to go "somewhere more English" the vacation party is off to India where Agnes has her own romantic encounter with lecherous tea-planter Horace (Peter Ustinov). Other short satirical send-ups recall Chariots of Fire Brideshead Revisited Upstairs Downstairs The Shining and Gandhi while humorous references also are heard in the soundtrack of classical excerpts. Stiff Upper Lips was shown at the 1997 London Film Festival.
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This 5.7 - million - dollar British comedy from writer / director Gary Sinyor satirizes the now - familiar Merchant - Ivory style of period dramas. So no one will miss the joke , the central setting is Ivory Hall , the Ivory family mansion in rural England. In 1908 , young twit Edward Ivory ( Samuel West ) plans to match his bookwormish friend Cedric ( Robert Portal ) with his 22 - year - old sister , Emily ( Georgina Cates ), and introduces the two at Ivory Hall. However , Emily is instead attracted to gamekeeper George ( Sean Pertwee ), the son of a peasant ( Brian Glover ) . Emily's aunt Agnes Ivory ( Prunella Scales ), in favor of Cedric , suggests an Enchanted April - type excursion to Italy with George along as a servant. Eventually , Emily and George become a couple , but class differences are a barrier. When Aunt Agnes becomes bored with Italy and yearns to go "somewhere more English , " the vacation party is off to India , where Agnes has her own romantic encounter with lecherous tea - planter Horace ( Peter Ustinov ) . Other short satirical send - ups recall Chariots of Fire , Brideshead Revisited , Upstairs , Downstairs , The Shining , and Gandhi , while humorous references also are heard in the soundtrack of classical excerpts. Stiff Upper Lips was shown at the 1997 London Film Festival .
1766
In British television writer-director Kevin Allen's feature film debut the industrial town of Swansea Wales is viewed through the post-punk lens of disaffected youth. Lower-class crude drug-addled brothers Julian and Jeremy (played by real-life brothers Llyr Evans and Rhys Ifans) steal cars smoke dope and terrorize the town on their joy rides. They are thought to be twins but really aren't. Their father Fatty (Hugh Ceredig) is injured while working for corrupt contractor Bryn Cartwright (William Thomas). Jeremy and Julian want to be compensated with money for their dad's injuries but Cartwright refuses. Posing as a respectable businessman he is actually a drug trafficker in cahoots with two corrupt policemen Greyo (Dorien Thomas) and Terry (Dougray Scott). Greyo is smitten with the brothers' sister who is a prostitute. The "twins" go after Cartwright and his associates with a vengeance inflicting sick brutalities on their pets and their families.
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In British television writer - director Kevin Allen 's feature film debut , the industrial town of Swansea , Wales , is viewed through the post - punk lens of disaffected youth. Lower - class , crude , drug - addled brothers Julian and Jeremy ( played by real - life brothers Llyr Evans and Rhys Ifans ), steal cars , smoke dope , and terrorize the town on their joy rides. They are thought to be twins but really aren't. Their father Fatty ( Hugh Ceredig ) is injured while working for corrupt contractor Bryn Cartwright ( William Thomas ) . Jeremy and Julian want to be compensated with money for their dad's injuries , but Cartwright refuses. Posing as a respectable businessman , he is actually a drug trafficker in cahoots with two corrupt policemen , Greyo ( Dorien Thomas ) and Terry ( Dougray Scott ) . Greyo is smitten with the brothers' sister , who is a prostitute. The "twins" go after Cartwright and his associates with a vengeance , inflicting sick brutalities on their pets and their families.
1767
The rise and fall of one of the most important and controversial figures in Ireland's struggle for independence is chronicled in this biographical drama. In 1916 the British government ruled Ireland with a firm and cruel hand as they had for 700 years. When a group of Irish rebels staged a six-day siege at Dublin's General Post Office only one of the leaders was able to escape execution -- Eamon De Valera (Alan Rickman) an American citizen of Irish blood. A number of De Valera's followers are sent to prison and one of them Michael Collins (Liam Neeson) walked out of jail convinced that a new approach was needed to free his homeland from British rule. With his compatriot Harry Boland (Aidan Quinn) Collins formed the Irish Volunteers who used a combination of terrorist violence and guerilla warfare to attack the British where their defenses were weakest and employed espionage and a key inside informant (Stephen Rea) to learn what the British planned to do next -- and what they knew about Collins and his supporters. Collins' strategic skills and talent for warfare made a major impact on the British and he became the hero of the new-born Republican Movement which seemed to offer a real hope of freedom despite the violent reprisals of the vicious paramilitary police the Black and Tans. De Valera however was often in conflict with Collins in terms of the methods and approach of their struggle. Collins also found himself in a different sort of conflict with Boland when he fell in love with his girlfriend a strong-willed advocate of Irish freedom named Kitty Kiernan (Julia Roberts). Eager to gain support for the Republican cause De Valera sought economic and military support from the U.S.; when he returned the Volunteers seemed to have finally won a real victory as the British government announced that they were willing to formally negotiate with them. While Collins was once the radical and De Valera was the moderate once negotiations began Collins sought to end the violence that he saw killing so many young people and was willing to agree to a compromise that would create the Irish Free State. While the agreement would still leave final political control with the British it would bring a greater self-determination to Ireland and Collins believed that it was a crucial first step that could lead in time to true freedom for his people. De Valera however was strongly opposed to the treaty with Britian and this led to violence among pro- and anti-treaty factions; soon Ireland's most loved leader was now branded a traitor by many of his countrymen. Michael Collins was voted Best Picture at the 1996 Venice Film Festival and Liam Neeson was awarded the prize for Best Actor.
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The rise and fall of one of the most important and controversial figures in Ireland's struggle for independence is chronicled in this biographical drama. In 1916 , the British government ruled Ireland with a firm and cruel hand , as they had for 700 years. When a group of Irish rebels staged a six - day siege at Dublin's General Post Office , only one of the leaders was able to escape execution -- Eamon De Valera ( Alan Rickman ), an American citizen of Irish blood. A number of De Valera's followers are sent to prison , and one of them , Michael Collins ( Liam Neeson ), walked out of jail convinced that a new approach was needed to free his homeland from British rule. With his compatriot Harry Boland ( Aidan Quinn ), Collins formed the Irish Volunteers , who used a combination of terrorist violence and guerilla warfare to attack the British where their defenses were weakest , and employed espionage and a key inside informant ( Stephen Rea ) to learn what the British planned to do next -- and what they knew about Collins and his supporters. Collins' strategic skills and talent for warfare made a major impact on the British , and he became the hero of the new - born Republican Movement , which seemed to offer a real hope of freedom , despite the violent reprisals of the vicious paramilitary police , the Black and Tans. De Valera , however , was often in conflict with Collins in terms of the methods and approach of their struggle. Collins also found himself in a different sort of conflict with Boland when he fell in love with his girlfriend , a strong - willed advocate of Irish freedom named Kitty Kiernan ( Julia Roberts ) . Eager to gain support for the Republican cause , De Valera sought economic and military support from the U.S. ; when he returned , the Volunteers seemed to have finally won a real victory , as the British government announced that they were willing to formally negotiate with them. While Collins was once the radical and De Valera was the moderate , once negotiations began , Collins sought to end the violence that he saw killing so many young people and was willing to agree to a compromise that would create the Irish Free State. While the agreement would still leave final political control with the British , it would bring a greater self - determination to Ireland , and Collins believed that it was a crucial first step that could lead , in time , to true freedom for his people. De Valera , however , was strongly opposed to the treaty with Britian , and this led to violence among pro - and anti - treaty factions ; soon Ireland's most loved leader was now branded a traitor by many of his countrymen. Michael Collins was voted Best Picture at the 1996 Venice Film Festival , and Liam Neeson was awarded the prize for Best Actor.
1768
Northern Ireland's civil unrest is the backdrop for this tense drama. In Belfast in 1975 a bomb blast rips open a pub in a Protestant neighborhood killing the patrons inside. Following this attack representatives from the Irish Republican Army and local Loyalist forces call a mutual truce which angers foot soldiers on both sides of the fence. Kenny (James Frain) is the leader of a rabid anti-IRA faction. His best friend is Ginger (Ian Hart) a violent man who has no remorse about killing Catholics. Kenny and Ginger wait out the truce alongside Leonard (Michael Gambon) politically the best-informed of Kenny's group; Eddie (Gary Lydon) Kenny's second in command; and Tommy (Ruaidhri Conroy) a teenager new to the fighting. Ann (Maria Doyle Kennedy) Kenny's former wife has become involved with a kind man named Liam (John Lynch). While Liam is apolitical he's a practicing Catholic which combined with Kenny's jealousy puts his life in great danger as he tries to find his way home using a supposedly safe route.
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Northern Ireland's civil unrest is the backdrop for this tense drama. In Belfast in 1975 , a bomb blast rips open a pub in a Protestant neighborhood , killing the patrons inside. Following this attack , representatives from the Irish Republican Army and local Loyalist forces call a mutual truce , which angers foot soldiers on both sides of the fence. Kenny ( James Frain ) is the leader of a rabid anti - IRA faction. His best friend is Ginger ( Ian Hart ), a violent man who has no remorse about killing Catholics. Kenny and Ginger wait out the truce alongside Leonard ( Michael Gambon ), politically the best - informed of Kenny's group ; Eddie ( Gary Lydon ), Kenny's second in command ; and Tommy ( Ruaidhri Conroy ), a teenager new to the fighting. Ann ( Maria Doyle Kennedy ), Kenny's former wife , has become involved with a kind man named Liam ( John Lynch ) . While Liam is apolitical , he's a practicing Catholic , which , combined with Kenny's jealousy , puts his life in great danger as he tries to find his way home using a supposedly safe route.
1769
Scottish filmmaker Gillies MacKinnon directed and co-wrote (with brother Billy MacKinnon) this semi-autobiographical drama set in the working class Glasgow of 1968. Thirteen-year-old Lex Maclean (Iain Robertson) is torn between his brothers his only male role models. Alan (Joseph McFadden) is an aspiring artist who's on his way to develop his talent at school. Bobby (J.S. Duffy) is mentally disturbed and somewhat simple-minded and has become involved with a local gang the Glens. While walking down the street with Bobby one day Lex takes an air gun and casually shoots it at some boys hitting Malky Johnson (Kevin McKidd) in the eye. The leader of a rival gang the Tongs Johnson is aware that his girlfriend Joanne Macgowan (Laura Fraser) has a crush on Alan. Johnson's blinding injury turns him into a deadly enemy of Lex and his brothers. Offered protection by Bobby's gang Lex must choose between two different paths.
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Scottish filmmaker Gillies MacKinnon directed and co - wrote ( with brother Billy MacKinnon ) this semi - autobiographical drama set in the working class Glasgow of 1968. Thirteen - year - old Lex Maclean ( Iain Robertson ) is torn between his brothers , his only male role models. Alan ( Joseph McFadden ) is an aspiring artist who's on his way to develop his talent at school. Bobby ( J.S. Duffy ) is mentally disturbed and somewhat simple - minded and has become involved with a local gang , the Glens. While walking down the street with Bobby one day , Lex takes an air gun and casually shoots it at some boys , hitting Malky Johnson ( Kevin McKidd ) in the eye. The leader of a rival gang , the Tongs , Johnson is aware that his girlfriend Joanne Macgowan ( Laura Fraser ) has a crush on Alan. Johnson's blinding injury turns him into a deadly enemy of Lex and his brothers. Offered protection by Bobby's gang , Lex must choose between two different paths.
1770
This provocative British comedy-drama provides an unsentimental chronicle of a vibrant young man who discovers that he is suffering from multiple sclerosis and of the woman who loves and supports him. The afflicted man is Nick who loves life and spends his free time playing soccer and hanging out with his pals. One day he meets Karen and they end up moving in together. Their happiness is interrupted by a series of puzzling symptoms that begin to plague Nick. Karen who has had more education begins to fear that he has MS but she says nothing to him. He goes in for rigorous medical tests and Karen's private diagnosis is confirmed. The disease gradually destroys the central nervous system and soon Nick is unable to pursue the things he most enjoys. He begins to retreat into himself and become increasingly bitter and irritable. Despite his anger and pain Karen stays beside him. At one point after he is no longer able to have sex he accuses her of sleeping with her boss. But still the loyal Karen remains until the story's surprising conclusion.
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This provocative British comedy - drama provides an unsentimental chronicle of a vibrant young man who discovers that he is suffering from multiple sclerosis , and of the woman who loves and supports him. The afflicted man is Nick who loves life and spends his free time playing soccer and hanging out with his pals. One day he meets Karen and they end up moving in together. Their happiness is interrupted by a series of puzzling symptoms that begin to plague Nick. Karen , who has had more education , begins to fear that he has MS , but she says nothing to him. He goes in for rigorous medical tests and Karen's private diagnosis is confirmed. The disease gradually destroys the central nervous system and soon Nick is unable to pursue the things he most enjoys. He begins to retreat into himself and become increasingly bitter and irritable. Despite his anger and pain , Karen stays beside him. At one point , after he is no longer able to have sex , he accuses her of sleeping with her boss. But still the loyal Karen remains until the story's surprising conclusion.
1771
Carrington is the true story of the peculiar love affair between two nonconformists in Victorian England: painter Dora Carrington (Emma Thompson) and author Lytton Strachey (Jonathan Pryce). Dora is a young English artist who is part of the Bloomsbury Group an assemblage of British writers painters and eccentrics that includes the likes of Virginia Woolf and E.M. Forster when she meets Strachey. A confirmed homosexual before meeting Carrington Strachey inquires who the "ravishing boy" is and discovers that it's a woman. Shocked to discover this he finds himself captivated by her and they begin an unusual 17-year love affair/friendship. Strachey (most famous for the groundbreaking book Eminent Victorians) and Dora eventually move in together and have a series of offbeat sexual experiences with other members of the group and sometimes even with the same man; at one juncture Dora even marries another man. Yet their relationship endures until Strachey's death years later. Pryce was honored as Best Actor at the Cannes Film Festival for his performance.
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Carrington is the true story of the peculiar love affair between two nonconformists in Victorian England : painter Dora Carrington ( Emma Thompson ) and author Lytton Strachey ( Jonathan Pryce ) . Dora is a young English artist who is part of the Bloomsbury Group , an assemblage of British writers , painters , and eccentrics that includes the likes of Virginia Woolf and E.M. Forster , when she meets Strachey . A confirmed homosexual before meeting Carrington , Strachey inquires who the "ravishing boy" is and discovers that it's a woman. Shocked to discover this , he finds himself captivated by her , and they begin an unusual 17 - year love affair / friendship. Strachey ( most famous for the groundbreaking book Eminent Victorians ) and Dora eventually move in together and have a series of offbeat sexual experiences with other members of the group and sometimes even with the same man ; at one juncture , Dora even marries another man. Yet their relationship endures until Strachey 's death years later. Pryce was honored as Best Actor at the Cannes Film Festival for his performance.
1772
A middle-aged Irish bus conductor with a passion for the writings of Oscar Wilde causes controversy when he attempts to stage Wilde's Salome in this period drama set in early 1960s Dublin. Alfie Byrne (Albert Finney) is a well-liked local figure a life-long bachelor who charms his bus passengers with dramatic recitations of Wilde's poetry. One day he spots a beautiful young woman named Adele (Tara Fitzgerald) who inspires him to attempt to stage Salome with her as the title character. Wilde's play inspires outrage amongst the more conservative members of the community who attempt to shut Alfie down. Rather than giving in however Alfie chooses to be true to himself a decision that forces him to face his true self particularly his feelings towards his young handsome co-worker Robbie Fay (Rufus Sewell).
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A middle - aged Irish bus conductor with a passion for the writings of Oscar Wilde causes controversy when he attempts to stage Wilde's Salome in this period drama set in early 1960s Dublin. Alfie Byrne ( Albert Finney ) is a well - liked local figure , a life - long bachelor who charms his bus passengers with dramatic recitations of Wilde's poetry. One day , he spots a beautiful young woman named Adele ( Tara Fitzgerald ) who inspires him to attempt to stage Salome with her as the title character. Wilde's play inspires outrage amongst the more conservative members of the community , who attempt to shut Alfie down. Rather than giving in , however , Alfie chooses to be true to himself , a decision that forces him to face his true self , particularly his feelings towards his young , handsome co - worker Robbie Fay ( Rufus Sewell ) .
1773
Martin Sherman adapted Alice Thomas Ellis' novel for this comedy about a suburban Englishwoman who's about to settle on marriage with her mother-dominated next door neighbor until everyone's comfortable life is disrupted by a visit from her exotic and flamboyant friend Lili (Jeanne Moreau in a scene-stealing performance).
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Martin Sherman adapted Alice Thomas Ellis' novel for this comedy about a suburban Englishwoman who's about to settle on marriage with her mother - dominated next door neighbor until everyone's comfortable life is disrupted by a visit from her exotic and flamboyant friend Lili ( Jeanne Moreau , in a scene - stealing performance ) .
1774
A perverse dark-humored comedy drama Bitter Moon crosses the line into intentional camp more often than not in its tale of a kinky cripple Oscar (Peter Coyote) and his beautiful wife Mimi (Emmanuelle Seigner). Oscar ensnares a proper British man Nigel (Hugh Grant) on an ocean-liner and makes him listen to the twisted tale of his relationship with Mimi (related in lengthy flashbacks) and how erotic obsession turned to homicidal hatred. Nigel is married to Fiona (Kristin Scott-Thomas) but is captivated by Mimi and listens to Oscar's grotesque stories because of his fascination. Naturally the whole thing ends in tragedy but it's wicked fun getting there as director Roman Polanski paces the film quite well and the cast (particularly Coyote) is wonderful.
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A perverse , dark - humored comedy drama , Bitter Moon crosses the line into intentional camp more often than not in its tale of a kinky cripple Oscar ( Peter Coyote ) and his beautiful wife Mimi ( Emmanuelle Seigner ) . Oscar ensnares a proper British man , Nigel ( Hugh Grant ) on an ocean - liner and makes him listen to the twisted tale of his relationship with Mimi ( related in lengthy flashbacks ) and how erotic obsession turned to homicidal hatred. Nigel is married to Fiona ( Kristin Scott - Thomas ), but is captivated by Mimi and listens to Oscar's grotesque stories because of his fascination. Naturally , the whole thing ends in tragedy , but it's wicked fun getting there , as director Roman Polanski paces the film quite well and the cast ( particularly Coyote ) is wonderful.
1775
A wealthy upper-class British widow marries a much younger Italian man with disastrous results in this turn-of-the-century costume drama based on the E.M. Forster novel. After marrying into a wealthy family and then losing her husband middle-aged Lilia Herriton (Helen Mirren) suffers under the disapproving yoke of her haughty mother-in-law (Barbara Jefford). At the suggestion of family friend Caroline Abbott (Helena Bonham Carter) Lilia leaves her young daughter and in-laws for a holiday in Italy where she falls in love with the penniless but handsome Gino Carella (Giovanni Guidelli). When she announces her plans to marry Gino the family dispatches her brother-in-law Philip (Rupert Graves) to prevent the union. But the alternately caddish and thoughtful Philip fails in his mission. Gino proves to be as charming to other women as he is to his wife but he's genuinely bereaved when she dies in childbirth. Soon Philip and his high-strung sister Harriet (Judy Davis) arrive in Tuscany in an attempt to spirit away Lilia's son. But the principled Caroline turns up determined to stop them setting the stage for unexpected realizations and unforeseeable tragedy. Where Angels Fear to Tread reunites Bonham Carter and Graves who co-starred in the previous E.M. Forster adaptation A Room With a View. Each actor also starred in other Forster films: Bonham Carter in Howards End and Graves in Maurice.
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A wealthy , upper - class British widow marries a much younger Italian man with disastrous results in this turn - of - the - century costume drama based on the E.M. Forster novel. After marrying into a wealthy family and then losing her husband , middle - aged Lilia Herriton ( Helen Mirren ) suffers under the disapproving yoke of her haughty mother - in - law ( Barbara Jefford ) . At the suggestion of family friend Caroline Abbott ( Helena Bonham Carter ), Lilia leaves her young daughter and in - laws for a holiday in Italy , where she falls in love with the penniless but handsome Gino Carella ( Giovanni Guidelli ) . When she announces her plans to marry Gino , the family dispatches her brother - in - law , Philip ( Rupert Graves ), to prevent the union. But the alternately caddish and thoughtful Philip fails in his mission. Gino proves to be as charming to other women as he is to his wife , but he's genuinely bereaved when she dies in childbirth. Soon , Philip and his high - strung sister , Harriet ( Judy Davis ), arrive in Tuscany in an attempt to spirit away Lilia's son. But the principled Caroline turns up , determined to stop them , setting the stage for unexpected realizations and unforeseeable tragedy. Where Angels Fear to Tread reunites Bonham Carter and Graves , who co - starred in the previous E.M. Forster adaptation , A Room With a View . Each actor also starred in other Forster films : Bonham Carter in Howards End and Graves in Maurice .
1776
Since its London and Broadway stage debut playwright Willy Russell's Shirley Valentine has proven an excellent showcase for any number of talented actresses (Loretta Swit won the 1989 Sarah Siddons Award for her work in the Chicago production). In the film version of Shirley Valentine Pauline Collins re-creates the role that had previously brought her theatrical fame and a Tony Award. Spending the bulk of the film speaking directly to the audience the titular Shirley (Collins) a middle-aged Liverpool housewife reveals her innermost thoughts and fears in a manner that is both insouciant and poignant. Once an incorrigible anti-establishment rebel Shirley now chafes under the plodding insensitivity of her husband Joe (Bernard Hill). Her life enters a new and exciting phase when after her best friend Jane (Alison Steadman) wins an all-expenses-paid vacation to Greece Shirley is given the opportunity to travel to faraway places without her husband. Shirley Valentine represents the second felicitous collaboration between playwright Willy Russell and director Lewis Gilbert; the first was Educating Rita (1983).
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Since its London and Broadway stage debut , playwright Willy Russell 's Shirley Valentine has proven an excellent showcase for any number of talented actresses ( Loretta Swit won the 1989 Sarah Siddons Award for her work in the Chicago production ) . In the film version of Shirley Valentine , Pauline Collins re - creates the role that had previously brought her theatrical fame and a Tony Award. Spending the bulk of the film speaking directly to the audience , the titular Shirley ( Collins ), a middle - aged Liverpool housewife , reveals her innermost thoughts and fears in a manner that is both insouciant and poignant. Once an incorrigible anti - establishment rebel , Shirley now chafes under the plodding insensitivity of her husband , Joe ( Bernard Hill ) . Her life enters a new and exciting phase when , after her best friend , Jane ( Alison Steadman ), wins an all - expenses - paid vacation to Greece , Shirley is given the opportunity to travel to faraway places without her husband. Shirley Valentine represents the second felicitous collaboration between playwright Willy Russell and director Lewis Gilbert ; the first was Educating Rita ( 1983 ) .
1777
ritish character actor Lionel Jeffries both directed The Railway Children and adapted its screenplay from the novel by E. Nesbit. Dinah Sheridan plays the mother of three children who must live in reduced circumstances when her husband (Ian Cuthbertson) a government official is arrested on a false charge of treason. The kids adapt rather well to their new environment a community located on the edges of a railway. They befriend a kindly porter (Bernard Cribbins) and a wealthy gent (William Mervyn) both of whom strive to prove their father's innocence.
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British character actor Lionel Jeffries both directed The Railway Children and adapted its screenplay from the novel by E. Nesbit . Dinah Sheridan plays the mother of three children who must live in reduced circumstances when her husband ( Ian Cuthbertson ), a government official , is arrested on a false charge of treason. The kids adapt rather well to their new environment , a community located on the edges of a railway. They befriend a kindly porter ( Bernard Cribbins ) and a wealthy gent ( William Mervyn ), both of whom strive to prove their father's innocence.
1778
This film version of the Who's rock opera Quadrophenia makes a few tentative stabs at "explaining" the alienation of 1960s British working-class youth but its major selling point is its nonstop rock-and-R&B musical score including the hit single "Love Reign O'er Me." Phil Daniels (replacing the original opera's Roger Daltrey) plays Jimmy a member of a well-dressed drugged-up teenaged gang called the Mods forever duking it out with the cycle-punk Rockers. The rivalry between the two gangs comes to a head during three tempestuous days in the seaside town of Brighton. Here Jimmy makes love to lovely local Steph (Leslie Ash) and forges a strong friendship with unofficial Mod leader Ace Face (Sting). A series of disappointments and setbacks in his own London neighborhood convinces Jimmy to return to Brighton to pick up the pieces. If you aren't fascinated by the visual pyrotechnics of Quadrophenia just close your eyes and revel to the soundtrack music of the Who James Brown Marvin Gaye the Chiffons Manfred Man and many others.
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This film version of the Who 's rock opera Quadrophenia makes a few tentative stabs at "explaining" the alienation of 1960s British working - class youth , but its major selling point is its nonstop rock - and - R&B musical score , including the hit single "Love Reign O'er Me." Phil Daniels ( replacing the original opera's Roger Daltrey ) plays Jimmy , a member of a well - dressed , drugged - up teenaged gang called the Mods , forever duking it out with the cycle - punk Rockers. The rivalry between the two gangs comes to a head during three tempestuous days in the seaside town of Brighton. Here Jimmy makes love to lovely local Steph ( Leslie Ash ), and forges a strong friendship with unofficial Mod leader Ace Face ( Sting ) . A series of disappointments and setbacks in his own London neighborhood convinces Jimmy to return to Brighton to pick up the pieces. If you aren't fascinated by the visual pyrotechnics of Quadrophenia , just close your eyes and revel to the soundtrack music of the Who , James Brown , Marvin Gaye , the Chiffons , Manfred Man , and many others.
1779
This comedy drama a sort of British version of The Big Chill (1983) was directed by Kenneth Branagh. Ten years after they were members of a music and comedy troupe at Cambridge University a diverse group of friends in their early 30s gather at the expansive estate of Peter Morton (Stephen Fry) who's invited them there for a reunion. Among the guests are Andrew (Branagh) who has married Carol (Rita Rudner) the star of the American situation comedy he writes; lonely Maggie (Emma Thompson) who thinks she may be in love with Peter; Roger (Hugh Laurie) and Mary (Imelda Staunton) a couple in advertising who have lost a child; and single Sarah (Alphonsia Emmanuel) who's always attracted to the wrong men including her latest boyfriend the married Brian (Tony Slattery). Also on hand is Vera (Phyllida Law the real-life mother of Thompson) a housekeeper who has protectively watched over Peter since childhood. Over the course of the weekend various jealousies and fears are revealed between joyous feasts but a startling tragic announcement from Peter puts everyone's petty dramas into proper perspective. American stand-up comedienne Rudner wrote the screenplay with her husband (Martin Bergmann).
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This comedy drama , a sort of British version of The Big Chill ( 1983 ), was directed by Kenneth Branagh . Ten years after they were members of a music and comedy troupe at Cambridge University , a diverse group of friends in their early 30s gather at the expansive estate of Peter Morton ( Stephen Fry ), who's invited them there for a reunion. Among the guests are Andrew ( Branagh ), who has married Carol ( Rita Rudner ), the star of the American situation comedy he writes ; lonely Maggie ( Emma Thompson ), who thinks she may be in love with Peter ; Roger ( Hugh Laurie ) and Mary ( Imelda Staunton ), a couple in advertising who have lost a child ; and single Sarah ( Alphonsia Emmanuel ), who's always attracted to the wrong men , including her latest boyfriend , the married Brian ( Tony Slattery ) . Also on hand is Vera ( Phyllida Law , the real - life mother of Thompson ), a housekeeper who has protectively watched over Peter since childhood. Over the course of the weekend , various jealousies and fears are revealed between joyous feasts , but a startling , tragic announcement from Peter puts everyone's petty dramas into proper perspective. American stand - up comedienne Rudner wrote the screenplay with her husband , ( Martin Bergmann ) .
1780
The quintessential British caper film of the 1960s The Italian Job is a flashy fast romp that chases a team of career criminals throughout one of the biggest international gold heists in history. Michael Caine is Charlie Croker a stylish robber and skirt-chaser just out of British prison. Shunning rehabilitation for recidivism Croker takes over "The Italian Job" a complicated plan to hijack gold bullion from Italy -- right from underneath the noses of the Italian Police and the Mafia. The job whose original mastermind was murdered clearly requires the sponsorship of a richer more established criminal than Croker. He turns to the auspices of the eccentric Mr. Bridger (Noël Coward in his last film role) a suave regal incarcerated English crime boss with a peculiar fascination with the Queen. Bridger provides Croker with a quirky group of Britain's most infamous computer hackers (including a lascivious Benny Hill) bank robbers hijackers and getaway drivers -- the ex-con is soon well on his way to relieving Italy of the gold.
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The quintessential British caper film of the 1960s , The Italian Job is a flashy , fast romp that chases a team of career criminals throughout one of the biggest international gold heists in history. Michael Caine is Charlie Croker , a stylish robber and skirt - chaser just out of British prison. Shunning rehabilitation for recidivism , Croker takes over "The Italian Job , " a complicated plan to hijack gold bullion from Italy -- right from underneath the noses of the Italian Police and the Mafia. The job , whose original mastermind was murdered , clearly requires the sponsorship of a richer , more established criminal than Croker. He turns to the auspices of the eccentric Mr. Bridger ( Noël Coward in his last film role ), a suave , regal , incarcerated English crime boss with a peculiar fascination with the Queen. Bridger provides Croker with a quirky group of Britain's most infamous computer hackers ( including a lascivious Benny Hill ), bank robbers , hijackers , and getaway drivers -- the ex - con is soon well on his way to relieving Italy of the gold.
1781
Director Ken Russell applies his trademark excess to this surreal experimental examination of the creative dementia which shaped Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley's Frankenstein. The story is embellished from events which allegedly took place at the Swiss villa of Lord Byron (Gabriel Byrne) on the night of June 16 1816. Byron's guests include poet Percy Shelley (Julian Sands) and his future wife Mary (Natasha Richardson); Mary's half-sister Claire (Myriam Cyr) and Byron's leech-happy personal physician Dr. John Polidori (Timothy Spall). Byron promises them a night of horror like only a mad poet can deliver -- after partaking of laudanum and other hallucinogens the guests tell ghost stories while exploring the dark corridors of his home. From here Russell dives headlong into madness discarding plot structure in favor of fever-dream setpieces in which the guests confront living manifestations of their own fears and insecurities -- creative mortal and sexual among others. The raging Romantics are also given to lengthy discourse on the nature of fear and the fine line between creative genius and insanity; by the film's end viewers may find themselves wondering the same thing about the director. Those who may prefer a more subdued speculation on the same theme should seek out Ivan Passer's Haunted Summer.
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Director Ken Russell applies his trademark excess to this surreal , experimental examination of the creative dementia which shaped Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley's Frankenstein . The story is embellished from events which allegedly took place at the Swiss villa of Lord Byron ( Gabriel Byrne ) on the night of June 16 , 1816. Byron's guests include poet Percy Shelley ( Julian Sands ) and his future wife Mary ( Natasha Richardson ); Mary's half - sister Claire ( Myriam Cyr ) and Byron's leech - happy personal physician Dr. John Polidori ( Timothy Spall ) . Byron promises them a night of horror like only a mad poet can deliver -- after partaking of laudanum and other hallucinogens , the guests tell ghost stories while exploring the dark corridors of his home. From here , Russell dives headlong into madness , discarding plot structure in favor of fever - dream setpieces in which the guests confront living manifestations of their own fears and insecurities -- creative , mortal and sexual , among others. The raging Romantics are also given to lengthy discourse on the nature of fear and the fine line between creative genius and insanity ; by the film's end , viewers may find themselves wondering the same thing about the director. Those who may prefer a more subdued speculation on the same theme should seek out Ivan Passer 's Haunted Summer .
1782
Richard Harris was nominated for several awards (including the Oscar and Golden Globe) for his performance in The Field. The time is the mid-1930s; the place western Ireland. For many years rugged individualist Bull McCabe (Harris) has been cultivating a small plot of rented land nurturing it from barren rock into a fertile field. Now however the widow who owns the land plans to sell it at auction. The infuriated Bull shows up at the bidding secure in his belief that none of his neighbors will dare bid against him. But Bull has not taken into consideration a wealthy Irish-American (Tom Berenger) who intends to pave over the land and bring new industry to the area. "This is deep very deep deeper than you think" warns Bull as he sends his grown son (Sean Bean) to "persuade" the American to withdraw his bid. Armed with the foreknowledge that Bull's tenacity has caused heartbreak and tragedy in the past the audience steels itself for the awful consequences still to come. Punctuating the storyline are the periodic appearances of the toothless village idiot played by John Hurt. Originally produced for British television The Field was based on the landmark play by John B. Keane and directed by My Left Foot's Jim Sheridan.
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Richard Harris was nominated for several awards ( including the Oscar and Golden Globe ) for his performance in The Field . The time is the mid - 1930s ; the place , western Ireland. For many years rugged individualist Bull McCabe ( Harris ) has been cultivating a small plot of rented land , nurturing it from barren rock into a fertile field. Now , however , the widow who owns the land plans to sell it at auction. The infuriated Bull shows up at the bidding , secure in his belief that none of his neighbors will dare bid against him. But Bull has not taken into consideration a wealthy Irish - American ( Tom Berenger ), who intends to pave over the land and bring new industry to the area. "This is deep , very deep , deeper than you think" warns Bull , as he sends his grown son ( Sean Bean ) to "persuade" the American to withdraw his bid. Armed with the foreknowledge that Bull's tenacity has caused heartbreak and tragedy in the past , the audience steels itself for the awful consequences still to come. Punctuating the storyline are the periodic appearances of the toothless village idiot , played by John Hurt . Originally produced for British television , The Field was based on the landmark play by John B. Keane , and directed by My Left Foot 's Jim Sheridan .
1783
Partly based on Charlie Chaplin's My Autobiography this humorous and dramatic biopic features an all-star cast including Oscar nominee Robert Downey Jr. Dan Aykroyd Anthony Hopkins Kevin Kline Diane Lane and Chaplin's real-life daughter Geraldine Chaplin who portrays his mentally ill mother. With the use of flashback an elderly Chaplin discusses his autobiography with his editor (Hopkins) who urges him to be more vulnerable and emotionally honest with his memoirs while journeying through his poverty-stricken childhood closest friendships many marriages merciless pursuit by J. Edgar Hoover (Kevin Dunn) and ingenious invention of "The Little Tramp." Highlighted works such as The Gold Rush (1925) and The Great Dictator (1940) illustrate significant turning points in Chaplin's prolific filmography. Director Richard Attenborough's film also explores the circumstances surrounding Chaplin's exile from America and his eventual return to receive an honorary Academy Award.
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Partly based on Charlie Chaplin 's My Autobiography , this humorous and dramatic biopic features an all - star cast including Oscar nominee Robert Downey Jr. , Dan Aykroyd , Anthony Hopkins , Kevin Kline , Diane Lane , and Chaplin 's real - life daughter , Geraldine Chaplin , who portrays his mentally ill mother. With the use of flashback , an elderly Chaplin discusses his autobiography with his editor ( Hopkins ), who urges him to be more vulnerable and emotionally honest with his memoirs while journeying through his poverty - stricken childhood , closest friendships , many marriages , merciless pursuit by J. Edgar Hoover ( Kevin Dunn ), and ingenious invention of "The Little Tramp." Highlighted works such as The Gold Rush ( 1925 ) and The Great Dictator ( 1940 ) illustrate significant turning points in Chaplin 's prolific filmography. Director Richard Attenborough 's film also explores the circumstances surrounding Chaplin 's exile from America and his eventual return to receive an honorary Academy Award.
1784
The arrival of a mysterious stranger disrupts the lives of the members of a British family in this dark psychological thriller. The stranger is one Martin Taylor (Sting) a dangerous charmer who ingratiates himself with the Bateses a dignified older couple (Denholm Elliott and Joan Plowright). The couple becomes especially fond of Martin after he demonstrates a strong caring rapport with their daughter a disabled invalid. It is only when he has become a part of the household unofficially serving as the daughter's caretaker that Martin's true potentially demonic nature begins to show itself. Based on a script by Dennis Potter the creator of the brilliant British television miniseries Pennies from Heaven and The Singing Detective the film layers its already charged situation with hints of the supernatural aspiring to be both disturbing family drama and provocatively ambiguous morality play. Some moments of MTV-like stylization threaten to diminish the mood of slow suspense and unhealthy obsession but Potter's distinctly warped sensibility and the solid performances generally carry the film over its rough patches.
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The arrival of a mysterious stranger disrupts the lives of the members of a British family in this dark , psychological thriller. The stranger is one Martin Taylor ( Sting ), a dangerous charmer who ingratiates himself with the Bateses , a dignified , older couple ( Denholm Elliott and Joan Plowright ) . The couple becomes especially fond of Martin after he demonstrates a strong , caring rapport with their daughter , a disabled invalid. It is only when he has become a part of the household , unofficially serving as the daughter's caretaker , that Martin's true , potentially demonic nature begins to show itself. Based on a script by Dennis Potter , the creator of the brilliant British television miniseries Pennies from Heaven and The Singing Detective , the film layers its already charged situation with hints of the supernatural , aspiring to be both disturbing family drama and provocatively ambiguous morality play. Some moments of MTV - like stylization threaten to diminish the mood of slow suspense and unhealthy obsession , but Potter 's distinctly warped sensibility and the solid performances generally carry the film over its rough patches.
1785
An Irish married couple (Stephen Rea and Sinead Cusack) tend to define their lives according to the opinions of others. When little crises regarding his job and her parenting skills begin to develop Rea and Cusack are devastated. When their friends and business acquaintances begin turning sour they are debilitated. And when the planned renovation of their bathroom goes awry they are utterly destroyed. The improvisational banter between the two stars was achieved by director Les Blair after extensive laissez-faire rehearsals.
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An Irish married couple ( Stephen Rea and Sinead Cusack ) tend to define their lives according to the opinions of others. When little crises regarding his job and her parenting skills begin to develop , Rea and Cusack are devastated. When their friends and business acquaintances begin turning sour , they are debilitated. And when the planned renovation of their bathroom goes awry , they are utterly destroyed. The improvisational banter between the two stars was achieved by director Les Blair after extensive , laissez - faire rehearsals.
1786
August Strindberg's once-controversial play is brought to the screen in this adaptation directed and co-written by Mike Figgis. Miss Julie is set on the estate of a wealthy Swedish family in 1894 where the servants live a life of uncomfortable poverty while the masters of the house enjoy their riches. On Midsummer's Eve the servants and the local peasants have gathered for their traditional celebration while one of the household cooks Christine (Maria Doyle Kennedy) is waiting for her fiancé a footman named Jean (Peter Mullan). However Jean is intercepted by Miss Julie (Saffron Burrows) whose family owns the estate (and pays Jean's salary). She instructs Jean to change into a formal suit (which Miss Julie has borrowed from her father) and dance with her. Jean has little choice but to accept and he finds himself slipping into an affair that both questions and affirms the traditional relationship between mistress and servant. This was the third screen translation of Miss Julie following versions released in 1951 and 1972; it was also Figgis's second film of 1999 following the release of his experimental feature The Loss of Sexual Innocence.
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August Strindberg 's once - controversial play is brought to the screen in this adaptation directed and co - written by Mike Figgis . Miss Julie is set on the estate of a wealthy Swedish family in 1894 , where the servants live a life of uncomfortable poverty while the masters of the house enjoy their riches. On Midsummer's Eve , the servants and the local peasants have gathered for their traditional celebration , while one of the household cooks , Christine ( Maria Doyle Kennedy ), is waiting for her fiancé , a footman named Jean ( Peter Mullan ) . However , Jean is intercepted by Miss Julie ( Saffron Burrows ), whose family owns the estate ( and pays Jean's salary ) . She instructs Jean to change into a formal suit ( which Miss Julie has borrowed from her father ) and dance with her. Jean has little choice but to accept , and he finds himself slipping into an affair that both questions and affirms the traditional relationship between mistress and servant. This was the third screen translation of Miss Julie , following versions released in 1951 and 1972 ; it was also Figgis's second film of 1999 , following the release of his experimental feature The Loss of Sexual Innocence .
1787
ased on the Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir by Frank McCourt Angela's Ashes is an alternately funny and heartbreaking look at growing up in Ireland. Born in Brooklyn NY young Frank (Joe Breen) moves at an early age to Limerick Ireland with his parents Angela (Emily Watson) and Malachy (Robert Carlyle) who have been unable to support their family in America and are hoping for better prospects in their home country. But things hardly improve once they settle in Limerick; as McCourt puts it "Worse than the ordinary miserable childhood is the miserable Irish childhood. Worse yet is the miserable Irish Catholic childhood." Illness and death are commonplace in Limerick and Malachy's drinking and inability to hold a job make matters worse. Angela's Ashes was directed by Alan Parker who previously looked at Irish life in The Commitments (1991); Laura Jones wrote the screenplay.
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Based on the Pulitzer Prize - winning memoir by Frank McCourt , Angela's Ashes is an alternately funny and heartbreaking look at growing up in Ireland. Born in Brooklyn , NY , young Frank ( Joe Breen ) moves at an early age to Limerick , Ireland , with his parents Angela ( Emily Watson ) and Malachy ( Robert Carlyle ), who have been unable to support their family in America and are hoping for better prospects in their home country. But things hardly improve once they settle in Limerick ; as McCourt puts it , "Worse than the ordinary miserable childhood is the miserable Irish childhood. Worse yet is the miserable Irish Catholic childhood." Illness and death are commonplace in Limerick , and Malachy's drinking and inability to hold a job make matters worse. Angela's Ashes was directed by Alan Parker , who previously looked at Irish life in The Commitments ( 1991 ); Laura Jones wrote the screenplay.
1788
Love politics and class at once bring together and tear apart an extended family in this period drama. In 1920 Ireland is in the midst of a political upheaval as upper class Anglo-Irish Protestants are driven from the country by the nation's increasingly vocal wishes Irish Catholic majority. Sir Richard Naylor (Michael Gambon) and his wife Lady Myra (Maggie Smith) are wealthy members of the Anglo-Irish aristocracy who slowly realize the life they've known in County Cork is coming to an end. Living with the Naylors are their financially-embarrassed friends Hugo and Francie Montmorency (Lambert Wilson and Jane Birkin); Marda Norton (Fiona Shaw) another friend who was one involved with Hugo; their nephew Laurence (Jonathan Slinger) a student at Oxford; and their niece Lois (Keeley Hawes). Lois is infatuated with Gerald (David Tennat) a British officer helping to mind the Naylors' property though Myra believes he's beneath Lois' station; however she's also keenly attracted to Connolly (Gary Lydon) an IRA soldier who is hiding in a mill on the estate. The Last September was based on the novel by Elizabeth Bowen.
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Love , politics , and class at once bring together and tear apart an extended family in this period drama. In 1920 , Ireland is in the midst of a political upheaval , as upper class Anglo - Irish Protestants are driven from the country by the nation's increasingly vocal wishes Irish Catholic majority. Sir Richard Naylor ( Michael Gambon ) and his wife Lady Myra ( Maggie Smith ) are wealthy members of the Anglo - Irish aristocracy who slowly realize the life they've known in County Cork is coming to an end. Living with the Naylors are their financially - embarrassed friends Hugo and Francie Montmorency ( Lambert Wilson and Jane Birkin ); Marda Norton ( Fiona Shaw ), another friend who was one involved with Hugo ; their nephew Laurence ( Jonathan Slinger ), a student at Oxford ; and their niece Lois ( Keeley Hawes ) . Lois is infatuated with Gerald ( David Tennat ), a British officer helping to mind the Naylors' property , though Myra believes he's beneath Lois' station ; however , she's also keenly attracted to Connolly ( Gary Lydon ), an IRA soldier who is hiding in a mill on the estate. The Last September was based on the novel by Elizabeth Bowen .
1789
This drama takes place in Somerset England in 1958. Eva is a twenty-year-old woman who fantasizes about travel painting classic books and the attention of Joseph Lees her second cousin with whom she fell in love as a girl. Joseph whom she has not seen for four years is the only member of the family who has managed to get away from the stale domestic cycle. He has recently been injured in a truck accident and Eva imagines herself curing his wounds. She conceals her obsession from everyone except her sister the precocious Janie who is twelve years old. Reality is far away from Eva's dreams. Her artistic endeavors are confined to a local drawing class; she works for a meager salary at a dirty sawmill and the only male around to appreciate her female charm is the local pig farmer Harry Flyte. Harry's sister Maria is anxious to marry off her brother so that she can be free to do as she pleases. Eva moves in with Harry but when she meets Joseph at a family gathering the old flame is rekindled. However Harry is not so easy to get rid of. Dreaming of Joseph Lees is a family drama and the first feature of Eric Styles.
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This drama takes place in Somerset , England in 1958. Eva is a twenty - year - old woman who fantasizes about travel , painting , classic books , and the attention of Joseph Lees , her second cousin , with whom she fell in love as a girl. Joseph , whom she has not seen for four years , is the only member of the family who has managed to get away from the stale domestic cycle. He has recently been injured in a truck accident and Eva imagines herself curing his wounds. She conceals her obsession from everyone except her sister , the precocious Janie , who is twelve years old. Reality is far away from Eva's dreams. Her artistic endeavors are confined to a local drawing class ; she works for a meager salary at a dirty sawmill and the only male around to appreciate her female charm is the local pig farmer , Harry Flyte. Harry's sister Maria is anxious to marry off her brother so that she can be free to do as she pleases. Eva moves in with Harry , but when she meets Joseph at a family gathering , the old flame is rekindled. However , Harry is not so easy to get rid of. Dreaming of Joseph Lees is a family drama and the first feature of Eric Styles .
1790
London TV commercials director Sandra Goldbacher made her feature directorial debut with this early Victorian England drama filmed on the Isle of Arran. In London Rosina Da Silva (Minnie Driver) is shaken by the murder of her father a wealthy Jewish merchant. To deal with family debts Rosina places a classified ad in a local newspaper and gets a job as a nanny with a gentile family in Scotland. Adopting the name Mary Blackchurch and posing as a gentile she joins the dysfunctional Cavendish family caring for young Clementina (Florence Hoath) and fending off the advances of teen Henry (Jonathan Rhys Meyers). Head of the household is philologist and inventor Charles Cavendish (Tom Wilkinson) and when she gives Charles an assist on his photographic experiments an affair develops. The music score features Eastern percussion backing singer Ofra Haza. Shown at the 1998 Seattle Film Festival.
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London TV commercials director Sandra Goldbacher made her feature directorial debut with this early Victorian England drama filmed on the Isle of Arran. In London , Rosina Da Silva ( Minnie Driver ) is shaken by the murder of her father , a wealthy Jewish merchant. To deal with family debts , Rosina places a classified ad in a local newspaper and gets a job as a nanny with a gentile family in Scotland. Adopting the name Mary Blackchurch and posing as a gentile , she joins the dysfunctional Cavendish family , caring for young Clementina ( Florence Hoath ) and fending off the advances of teen Henry ( Jonathan Rhys Meyers ) . Head of the household is philologist and inventor Charles Cavendish ( Tom Wilkinson ), and when she gives Charles an assist on his photographic experiments , an affair develops. The music score features Eastern percussion backing singer Ofra Haza . Shown at the 1998 Seattle Film Festival.
1791
Oh! What a Lovely War is an every-man-for-himself adaptation of Charles Chilton's 1963 play as staged in London by Joan Littlewood. The tragedy of World War I is redefined in bawdy music-hall terms beginning with a verbal free-for-all involving the Crowned Heads of Europe. The war is presented as the "new attraction" at the Brighton Amusement Pier complete with syrupy cheer-up songs shooting galleries free prizes and a scoreboard toting up the dead. Throughout the proceedings the camera concentrates on a middle-class family whose five sons end up as cannon fodder. The final image is a veddy proper British picnic on a graveyard. Of the many fleeting satiric images parading past the camera one of the most indelible is the sight of several generals playing leapfrog as the world all around them goes to hell in a handbasket. The awesome all-star cast includes Laurence Olivier Ralph Richardson Maggie Smith John Gielgud Michael Redgrave Jack Hawkins John Mills Susannah York Dirk Bogarde and Phyllis Calvert. We haven't seen this many Englishmen in one place since the last Wimbledon match. The whole affair was supervised by Richard Attenborough making his directorial debut (a question: why was he up to the challenge of this musical extravaganza yet seemed helpless in the face of 1985's A Chorus Line?).
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Oh! What a Lovely War is an every - man - for - himself adaptation of Charles Chilton's 1963 play , as staged in London by Joan Littlewood . The tragedy of World War I is redefined in bawdy music - hall terms , beginning with a verbal free - for - all involving the Crowned Heads of Europe. The war is presented as the "new attraction" at the Brighton Amusement Pier , complete with syrupy cheer - up songs , shooting galleries , free prizes and a scoreboard toting up the dead. Throughout the proceedings , the camera concentrates on a middle - class family , whose five sons end up as cannon fodder. The final image is a veddy proper British picnic on a graveyard. Of the many fleeting satiric images parading past the camera , one of the most indelible is the sight of several generals playing leapfrog as the world all around them goes to hell in a handbasket. The awesome all - star cast includes Laurence Olivier , Ralph Richardson , Maggie Smith , John Gielgud , Michael Redgrave , Jack Hawkins , John Mills , Susannah York , Dirk Bogarde and Phyllis Calvert . We haven't seen this many Englishmen in one place since the last Wimbledon match. The whole affair was supervised by Richard Attenborough , making his directorial debut ( a question : why was he up to the challenge of this musical extravaganza , yet seemed helpless in the face of 1985's A Chorus Line ? ) .
1792
Adapted from a stage play by Sharman McDonald this film marks the directorial debut of British character actor Alan Rickman. Set against a bleak winter landscape of rural Scotland the story centers around the recently widowed Frances (Emma Thompson) and a visit from her mother Elspeth (Phyllida Law Thompson's real-life mother). Elspeth seeks to console Frances but Frances resists. The mother and daughter have a prickly relationship. While they thrust and parry emotionally Frances' son Alex (Gary Hollywood) longs for the tomboy Nita (Arlene Cockburn). Two young boys Tom (Sean Biggerstaff) and Sam (Douglas Murphy) are in the neighborhood looking for adventure. Two older women Chloe (Sandra Voe) and Lily (Sheila Reed) go to funerals of strangers. The epidosic film eventually ties together all these characters in a surprising way but the core of the drama is the evolution of the difficult mother-daughter relationship.
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Adapted from a stage play by Sharman McDonald , this film marks the directorial debut of British character actor Alan Rickman . Set against a bleak winter landscape of rural Scotland , the story centers around the recently widowed Frances ( Emma Thompson ) and a visit from her mother , Elspeth ( Phyllida Law , Thompson's real - life mother ) . Elspeth seeks to console Frances , but Frances resists. The mother and daughter have a prickly relationship. While they thrust and parry emotionally , Frances' son Alex ( Gary Hollywood ) longs for the tomboy Nita ( Arlene Cockburn ) . Two young boys , Tom ( Sean Biggerstaff ) and Sam ( Douglas Murphy ), are in the neighborhood looking for adventure. Two older women , Chloe ( Sandra Voe ) and Lily ( Sheila Reed ), go to funerals of strangers. The epidosic film eventually ties together all these characters in a surprising way , but the core of the drama is the evolution of the difficult mother - daughter relationship.
1793
Calling to mind the whimsical swinging London comedies of the 1960s such as the Blake Edwards Pink Panther films and the collaborations of The Beatles with director Richard Lester this frantic romantic comedy is an airy pop example of the British New Wave. Dylan Dan Futterman and Jez Stuart Townsend are friends from opposite sides of the Atlantic using their special skills -- Dylan is a slick-talking American while Jez is a humble British computer expert -- to bilk England's wealthy. Both orphans they plan to accumulate enough pounds to buy the luxurious mansion home they never had as children. Their scams include selling phony voice-recognition software and reinstalling the same insulation into various homes. Into their lives comes Georgie (Kate Beckinsale) a beautiful girl engaged to a rich jerk. Dylan and Jez hire Georgie as a secretary and both fall in love with her though Jez's feelings are a bit more sincere. At first appalled by her employers' scams Georgie believes their lie that they intend to give the money to the poor.
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Calling to mind the whimsical , swinging London comedies of the 1960s , such as the Blake Edwards Pink Panther films and the collaborations of The Beatles with director Richard Lester , this frantic romantic comedy is an airy , pop example of the British New Wave. Dylan Dan Futterman and Jez Stuart Townsend are friends from opposite sides of the Atlantic using their special skills -- Dylan is a slick - talking American , while Jez is a humble British computer expert -- to bilk England's wealthy. Both orphans , they plan to accumulate enough pounds to buy the luxurious mansion home they never had as children. Their scams include selling phony voice - recognition software and reinstalling the same insulation into various homes. Into their lives comes Georgie ( Kate Beckinsale ), a beautiful girl engaged to a rich jerk. Dylan and Jez hire Georgie as a secretary and both fall in love with her , though Jez's feelings are a bit more sincere. At first appalled by her employers' scams , Georgie believes their lie that they intend to give the money to the poor.
1794
Five criminals with varying degrees of experience are brought together and torn apart by a major robbery in this hard-edged British drama. Ray (Robert Carlyle) was once a leftist political activist whose ideals were dashed by England's increasing political conservatism while his close friend Dave (Ray Winstone) is an East End hard man with a long history in crime. Ray and Dave plan a heist that they expect will leave them set for life: the robbery of a major London security firm. Ray and Dave's new associates are Ray's one-time cellmate Stevie (Steven Waddington); Jason (Damon Albarn) whose uncle is veteran mobster Sonny (Peter Vaughn); and Julian (Philip Davis) an unstable young criminal with more ambition than experience. After the break-in the gang discovers that their haul was far less than expected which leads to infighting among the thieves over who should get how much with violence and betrayal as the inevitable result. Face marked the screen debut for Damon Albarn already well-known in England as the lead singer for the successful rock band Blur.
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Five criminals with varying degrees of experience are brought together and torn apart by a major robbery in this hard - edged British drama. Ray ( Robert Carlyle ) was once a leftist political activist whose ideals were dashed by England's increasing political conservatism , while his close friend Dave ( Ray Winstone ) is an East End hard man with a long history in crime. Ray and Dave plan a heist that they expect will leave them set for life : the robbery of a major London security firm. Ray and Dave's new associates are Ray's one - time cellmate Stevie ( Steven Waddington ); Jason ( Damon Albarn ), whose uncle is veteran mobster Sonny ( Peter Vaughn ); and Julian ( Philip Davis ), an unstable young criminal with more ambition than experience. After the break - in , the gang discovers that their haul was far less than expected , which leads to infighting among the thieves over who should get how much , with violence and betrayal as the inevitable result. Face marked the screen debut for Damon Albarn , already well - known in England as the lead singer for the successful rock band Blur.
1795
In 1954 all of England was rocked by a shocking crime that took place in a quiet coastal town and involved a socially upstanding landlady her smart newly blossomed teenage daughter and a handsome but troubled Australian in search of family he had never known. In retelling this true story first-time filmmaker Philip Goodhew offers a blackly comic and ironic look behind the proper lace curtains of a seemingly normal British household and reveals a seething pit of repressed lust jealousy and deadly obsession. The tale begins as Harold Guppy (Rupert Graves) leaves a ship and ambles toward the home of his long-lost brother Maurice Guppy (Les Dennis). The reunion is tepid for Maurice's wife Iris (Elizabeth McKechnie) is suspicious of Harold and unwilling to welcome him into her home. It doesn't help that the callow Harold reveals a troubled though somewhat cloaked past. Unable to stay with his brother Harold finds lodging in the home of friendly late-middle-aged Mrs. Beasley (Julie Walters). With her rhinestoned glasses boxy dresses short bouffant and prim take-charge manner Mrs. Beasley seems the epitome of 1950s motherhood and good housekeeping. Harold soon meets the rest of the family the fresh-faced bright but rather macabre Joyce (Laura Sadler in her feature-film debut) and Mr. Beasley a quiet hen-pecked (the Mrs. hasn't had relations with him in years and forces him to sleep in his own room) WW I survivor who despite his missing leg still supports his family. Things seem normal enough until a fateful game of spin-the-bottle during Joyce's 14th birthday party reveals an entirely different side to Mrs. Beasley. That night she creeps to Harold's bedroom and pleads with him until he weakens and accepts her advances and they begin to make wild love. The row awakens Joyce who pops into Harold's room and refuses to leave until the would-be lovers allow her into the bed. Thinking her asleep and unaware Mrs. Beasley and Harold quietly resume their cavorting. Joyce is very much awake and spends the night scheming to get Harold to come to her. Thus begins an inescapable downward spiral for the weak-willed Harold that culminates in a desperate and horrific act of violence. Though it is not difficult to guess that none of the three protagonists will come to a good end the graphic nature of the story's climax is jarring and out of place in the otherwise low-key and rather dry comedy. That the trio's characters are so broadly drawn even bordering on cariactures lessens the impact and the actual horror of the case. Still Intimate Relations is a well-made film that aptly captures the flavor of post WW II England and contains many memorable lines.That the three try so hard to keep up the appearances of a normal household (Mrs. Beasley insists that Harold call her "Mum" a word he later has tattooed upon his arm) only adds to the bitter humor.
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In 1954 , all of England was rocked by a shocking crime that took place in a quiet coastal town and involved a socially upstanding landlady , her smart , newly blossomed teenage daughter , and a handsome but troubled Australian in search of family he had never known. In retelling this true story , first - time filmmaker Philip Goodhew offers a blackly comic and ironic look behind the proper lace curtains of a seemingly normal British household and reveals a seething pit of repressed lust , jealousy and deadly obsession. The tale begins as Harold Guppy ( Rupert Graves ) leaves a ship and ambles toward the home of his long - lost brother Maurice Guppy ( Les Dennis ) . The reunion is tepid , for Maurice's wife Iris ( Elizabeth McKechnie ) is suspicious of Harold and unwilling to welcome him into her home. It doesn't help that the callow Harold reveals a troubled , though somewhat cloaked past. Unable to stay with his brother , Harold finds lodging in the home of friendly , late - middle - aged Mrs. Beasley ( Julie Walters ) . With her rhinestoned glasses , boxy dresses , short bouffant , and prim take - charge manner , Mrs. Beasley seems the epitome of 1950s motherhood and good housekeeping. Harold soon meets the rest of the family , the fresh - faced , bright , but rather macabre Joyce ( Laura Sadler in her feature - film debut ), and Mr. Beasley , a quiet , hen - pecked ( the Mrs. hasn't had relations with him in years and forces him to sleep in his own room ) WW I survivor who despite his missing leg , still supports his family. Things seem normal enough until a fateful game of spin - the - bottle during Joyce's 14th birthday party reveals an entirely different side to Mrs. Beasley. That night she creeps to Harold's bedroom and pleads with him until he weakens and accepts her advances and they begin to make wild love. The row awakens Joyce who pops into Harold's room and refuses to leave until the would - be lovers allow her into the bed. Thinking her asleep and unaware , Mrs. Beasley and Harold quietly resume their cavorting. Joyce is very much awake and spends the night scheming to get Harold to come to her. Thus begins an inescapable downward spiral for the weak - willed Harold that culminates in a desperate and horrific act of violence. Though it is not difficult to guess that none of the three protagonists will come to a good end , the graphic nature of the story's climax is jarring and out of place in the otherwise low - key and rather dry comedy. That the trio's characters are so broadly drawn , even bordering on cariactures , lessens the impact and the actual horror of the case. Still , Intimate Relations is a well - made film that aptly captures the flavor of post WW II England and contains many memorable lines.That the three try so hard to keep up the appearances of a normal household ( Mrs. Beasley insists that Harold call her "Mum , " a word he later has tattooed upon his arm ) only adds to the bitter humor.
1796
ritish filmmaker Ken Loach blended a love story with strong political commentary in this powerful drama. George (Robert Carlyle) is a bus driver working in Glasgow who has a strong independent streak and has developed a serious crush on one of his regular passengers a woman from Nicaragua named Carla (Oyanka Cabezas). Carla occasionally is short of money for her fare so George lets he ride for free; when his boss finds out about this it's added to a list of small insubordinations and George is fired. However he stays in touch with Carla and learns she's a good bit more troubled than he imagined. She's given to dramatic mood swings and has attempted suicide and in time he learns that her emotional problems stem from the disappearance and probable death of her boyfriend Antonio (Richard Loza) a Sandinista who is believed to have been kidnapped by the U.S.-backed Contra rebels. The largely apolitical George travels with Carla to Nicaragua to help her look for Antonio. In their travels they meet Bradley (Scott Glenn) an American who was once a CIA "advisor" to the Contra who has turned his back on their policies and now works alongside the Sandinistas. Carla's Song was a gold medal winner at the 1997 Venice Film Festival.
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British filmmaker Ken Loach blended a love story with strong political commentary in this powerful drama. George ( Robert Carlyle ) is a bus driver working in Glasgow who has a strong independent streak and has developed a serious crush on one of his regular passengers , a woman from Nicaragua named Carla ( Oyanka Cabezas ) . Carla occasionally is short of money for her fare , so George lets he ride for free ; when his boss finds out about this , it's added to a list of small insubordinations , and George is fired. However , he stays in touch with Carla and learns she's a good bit more troubled than he imagined. She's given to dramatic mood swings and has attempted suicide , and in time he learns that her emotional problems stem from the disappearance and probable death of her boyfriend Antonio ( Richard Loza ), a Sandinista who is believed to have been kidnapped by the U.S. - backed Contra rebels. The largely apolitical George travels with Carla to Nicaragua to help her look for Antonio. In their travels , they meet Bradley ( Scott Glenn ), an American who was once a CIA "advisor" to the Contra who has turned his back on their policies and now works alongside the Sandinistas. Carla's Song was a gold medal winner at the 1997 Venice Film Festival .
1797
In 19th century Britain a unconventional young man struggles against the limitations of a rigid restrictive society. Based on Thomas Hardy's Jude the Obscure this somber period drama stars a suitably intense Christopher Eccleston as Jude a young man with dreams of receiving a scholarly university education. Circumstances conspire against him however forcing him into a job as a stonemason and an unsatisfactory marriage. He remains true to his dream however and years later after his wife's sudden departure heads for the city. There he encounters his beautiful cousin Sue (Kate Winslet) who shares his intelligence and disdain for convention and the two develop a romantic relationship. These unlikely lovers must struggle to keep their relationship secret from a disapproving world however or else face the tragic consequences of public scandal. Though purists may object to several liberties taken with the text director Michael Winterbottom fashions a relatively efficient tale of doomed romance from Hardy's tragedy.
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In 19th century Britain , a unconventional young man struggles against the limitations of a rigid , restrictive society. Based on Thomas Hardy 's Jude the Obscure , this somber period drama stars a suitably intense Christopher Eccleston as Jude , a young man with dreams of receiving a scholarly university education. Circumstances conspire against him , however , forcing him into a job as a stonemason and an unsatisfactory marriage. He remains true to his dream , however , and years later , after his wife's sudden departure , heads for the city. There he encounters his beautiful cousin , Sue ( Kate Winslet ), who shares his intelligence and disdain for convention , and the two develop a romantic relationship. These unlikely lovers must struggle to keep their relationship secret from a disapproving world , however , or else face the tragic consequences of public scandal. Though purists may object to several liberties taken with the text , director Michael Winterbottom fashions a relatively efficient tale of doomed romance from Hardy 's tragedy.
1798
Violence and anti-gay prejudice combine to make a heated custody battle all the more ugly in this tense domestic drama. Hannah Wyatt (Joely Richardson) is a single mother who lives with her nine-year-old son Oliver (Sam Bould) and her boyfriend Frank Donally (Jason Flemyng). Hannah was married to Martyn (Martin Donovan) but their relationship ended bitterly when Martyn chose to finally acknowledge his homosexuality and left her to move in with his lover Tom Dixon (Ian Hart). Oliver has suffered several unexplained injuries in recent months and one day Hannah comes home from work to discover that Frank has severely wounded Oliver's hand when he lashed out with violence over a minor bit of misbehavior. Hannah kicks Frank out of the house but when he returns -- tearfully begging forgiveness and claiming he'll never hurt Oliver again -- she takes him back. Martyn learns of Frank's violence against his son and she sues to have full custody of Oliver for the sake of the child's safety. However Hannah is terrified of both losing her son and being left without a man in her life; she and Frank join forces in court against Martyn using his homosexuality as their chief weapon against him and trying to poison Oliver's mind with homophobia against his father. Hollow Reed's soundtrack features selections recorded for the film by Elvis Costello Annie Lennox and Paul Weller.
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Violence and anti - gay prejudice combine to make a heated custody battle all the more ugly in this tense domestic drama. Hannah Wyatt ( Joely Richardson ) is a single mother who lives with her nine - year - old son Oliver ( Sam Bould ) and her boyfriend Frank Donally ( Jason Flemyng ) . Hannah was married to Martyn ( Martin Donovan ), but their relationship ended bitterly when Martyn chose to finally acknowledge his homosexuality and left her to move in with his lover Tom Dixon ( Ian Hart ) . Oliver has suffered several unexplained injuries in recent months , and one day Hannah comes home from work to discover that Frank has severely wounded Oliver's hand when he lashed out with violence over a minor bit of misbehavior. Hannah kicks Frank out of the house , but when he returns -- tearfully begging forgiveness and claiming he'll never hurt Oliver again -- she takes him back. Martyn learns of Frank's violence against his son , and she sues to have full custody of Oliver for the sake of the child's safety. However , Hannah is terrified of both losing her son and being left without a man in her life ; she and Frank join forces in court against Martyn , using his homosexuality as their chief weapon against him and trying to poison Oliver's mind with homophobia against his father. Hollow Reed 's soundtrack features selections recorded for the film by Elvis Costello , Annie Lennox , and Paul Weller .
1799
A misleading title and a different type of performance from Hugh Grant are two of the offbeat features of An Awfully Big Adventure. Virginal theatre fanatic Stella (Georgina Cates) who speaks with her dead mother by phone joins a theatrical troupe in 1947 England headed by manipulative director Meredith Potter (Grant). Stella quickly falls for Potter but he doesn't return her affections driving her into the arms of the troupe's arrogant star P.L. O'Hara (Alan Rickman). O'Hara eventually takes Stella's virginity although she secretly remains devoted to Potter. More secrets of the troupe are revealed at the story's climax although nothing is really resolved to any of the characters' satisfaction. Not quite a satire and not quite a drama An Awfully Big Adventure is occasionally mean-spirited and frequently dour which may just be a result of its subject matter.
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A misleading title and a different type of performance from Hugh Grant are two of the offbeat features of An Awfully Big Adventure . Virginal theatre fanatic Stella ( Georgina Cates ), who speaks with her dead mother by phone , joins a theatrical troupe in 1947 England headed by manipulative director Meredith Potter ( Grant ) . Stella quickly falls for Potter , but he doesn't return her affections , driving her into the arms of the troupe's arrogant star , P.L. O'Hara ( Alan Rickman ) . O'Hara eventually takes Stella's virginity , although she secretly remains devoted to Potter. More secrets of the troupe are revealed at the story's climax , although nothing is really resolved to any of the characters' satisfaction. Not quite a satire and not quite a drama , An Awfully Big Adventure is occasionally mean - spirited and frequently dour , which may just be a result of its subject matter.
1800
ased on the novel by Graham Swift this drama follows the past and present crises of schoolteacher Tom Crick (Jeremy Irons) who attempts to resolve the problems in his own life and the apathy of his students by relating stories of his troubled childhood in the English Fens (a marshy region in Britain).
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Based on the novel by Graham Swift , this drama follows the past and present crises of schoolteacher Tom Crick ( Jeremy Irons ), who attempts to resolve the problems in his own life and the apathy of his students by relating stories of his troubled childhood in the English Fens ( a marshy region in Britain ) .
1801
Patsy Kensit stars in Don Boyd's distaff version of Alfie with Kensit playing 21-year-old Katie an attractive and self-absorbed Londoner who has just reached this milestone of an age and is trying to make some sense out of it. Until now Katie has enjoyed life and all its pleasures without thinking too much about it. But as she speaks to the camera she reflects upon the men in her life and wonders if she has made all the right romantic decisions. There is Bobby (Rufus Sewell) her charming Scottish boyfriend who has a propensity for slipping off to the bathroom for a heroin fix. And then there is Jack (Patrick Ryecart) another lover whose sad-eyed demeanor belies his lack of sexual excitement. So what should Katie do about her beaux particularly when she is preparing to move to New York?
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Patsy Kensit stars in Don Boyd 's distaff version of Alfie , with Kensit playing 21 - year - old Katie , an attractive and self - absorbed Londoner who has just reached this milestone of an age and is trying to make some sense out of it. Until now , Katie has enjoyed life and all its pleasures without thinking too much about it. But , as she speaks to the camera , she reflects upon the men in her life and wonders if she has made all the right romantic decisions. There is Bobby ( Rufus Sewell ), her charming Scottish boyfriend , who has a propensity for slipping off to the bathroom for a heroin fix. And then there is Jack ( Patrick Ryecart ), another lover , whose sad - eyed demeanor belies his lack of sexual excitement. So what should Katie do about her beaux , particularly when she is preparing to move to New York?
1802
Pat O'Connor directs this tranquil version of the J. L. Carr novel adapted for the screen by Simon Gray. The film concerns two emotionally scarred men recovering from the horrors of World War I during an idyllic summer in the English countryside. It is 1919 and war veteran Tom Birkin (Colin Firth) travels to the small English village of Oxgodly to restore a medieval church mural that is hidden under coats of plaster. At the same time another war veteran archaeologist John Moon (Kenneth Branagh) is exploring the nearby fields trying to uncover an ancient church grave. As they toil away in this placid environment their emotional war wounds are gradually healed and they come to terms with their problems. Birkin finds himself falling in love with Alice Keach (Natasha Richardson) the wife of the local vicar while Moon finds himself learning to deal with his homosexuality.
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Pat O'Connor directs this tranquil version of the J. L. Carr novel , adapted for the screen by Simon Gray . The film concerns two emotionally scarred men recovering from the horrors of World War I during an idyllic summer in the English countryside. It is 1919 , and war veteran Tom Birkin ( Colin Firth ) travels to the small English village of Oxgodly to restore a medieval church mural that is hidden under coats of plaster. At the same time , another war veteran , archaeologist John Moon ( Kenneth Branagh ) is exploring the nearby fields trying to uncover an ancient church grave. As they toil away in this placid environment , their emotional war wounds are gradually healed , and they come to terms with their problems. Birkin finds himself falling in love with Alice Keach ( Natasha Richardson ), the wife of the local vicar , while Moon finds himself learning to deal with his homosexuality.
1803
This zany British comedy finds a homeless hobo (Ringo Starr) being adopted by the world's richest man Sir Guy Grand (Peter Sellers). Setting sail on the luxury liner The Magic Christian Sir Grand tests the limit of human avarice. With money to motivate the greedy Laurence Harvey combines his Hamlet soliloquy with a striptease. A vile cesspool of excrement is seeded with cash and the money-hungry dive right in. Wilfred Hyde White is the drunken captain Yul Brynner is uncredited in his performance as a chanteuse transvestite and John Cleese is the director of Sotheby's auction house. Roman Polanski Richard Attenborough and Raquel Welch also appear in this offbeat comedy. Paul McCartney wrote and produced "Come and Get It" the first international hit from the power-pop group Badfinger. John \"Speedy\" Keene wrote "Something In The Air" and performed the track with his group Thunderclap Newman. Sellers Cleese Graham Chapman and Terry Southern co-authored the screenplay taken from Southern's novel.
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This zany British comedy finds a homeless hobo ( Ringo Starr ) being adopted by the world's richest man , Sir Guy Grand ( Peter Sellers ) . Setting sail on the luxury liner The Magic Christian , Sir Grand tests the limit of human avarice. With money to motivate the greedy , Laurence Harvey combines his Hamlet soliloquy with a striptease. A vile cesspool of excrement is seeded with cash and the money - hungry dive right in. Wilfred Hyde White is the drunken captain , Yul Brynner is uncredited in his performance as a chanteuse transvestite , and John Cleese is the director of Sotheby's auction house. Roman Polanski , Richard Attenborough and Raquel Welch also appear in this offbeat comedy. Paul McCartney wrote and produced "Come and Get It , " the first international hit from the power - pop group Badfinger . John \ "Speedy \ " Keene wrote "Something In The Air" and performed the track with his group Thunderclap Newman . Sellers , Cleese , Graham Chapman and Terry Southern co - authored the screenplay taken from Southern 's novel.
1804
After years of capitalizing on the weaknesses of a gullible public a London advertising executive finds that his worst qualities have literally taken on a life of their own in this scathing satire. Successful copywriter Dennis Bagley (Richard E. Grant) lives a posh life with his lovely wife Julia (Rachel Ward) in the London suburbs. Pushed to distraction by a bothersome new pimple-ointment account he flirts with renouncing his career and becoming socially aware. Immediately thereafter Bagley discovers that he's developed a zit of his own -- a monstrous boil on his neck that begins whispering evil things in his ear. Convinced that he's being taken over by his dark half Bagley soon finds his "good" self relegated to the boil while his malevolent alter ego returns to the world of advertising with a vengeance. At first Julia is relieved that her husband seems to have bounced back from the abyss of mental illness but soon she realizes that she prefers the gentle but crazy Dennis to the poisonous professional. Written and directed by Withnail & I's Bruce Robinson How to Get Ahead in Advertising reunites the director with that film's leading man Richard E. Grant.
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After years of capitalizing on the weaknesses of a gullible public , a London advertising executive finds that his worst qualities have literally taken on a life of their own in this scathing satire. Successful copywriter Dennis Bagley ( Richard E. Grant ) lives a posh life with his lovely wife , Julia ( Rachel Ward ), in the London suburbs. Pushed to distraction by a bothersome new pimple - ointment account , he flirts with renouncing his career and becoming socially aware. Immediately thereafter , Bagley discovers that he's developed a zit of his own -- a monstrous boil on his neck that begins whispering evil things in his ear. Convinced that he's being taken over by his dark half , Bagley soon finds his "good" self relegated to the boil while his malevolent alter ego returns to the world of advertising with a vengeance. At first , Julia is relieved that her husband seems to have bounced back from the abyss of mental illness , but soon she realizes that she prefers the gentle but crazy Dennis to the poisonous professional. Written and directed by Withnail & I 's Bruce Robinson , How to Get Ahead in Advertising reunites the director with that film's leading man Richard E. Grant .
1805
The owner of an Irish castle decides to attract visitors by falsely claiming that the building is haunted only to have a pair of real ancestral spirits start causing trouble in this uneven attempt at fantasy-comedy. The story centers on Jack and Sharon (played by Steve Guttenberg and Beverly D'Angelo) naive American tourists who are initially unimpressed by the owner's attempts at fraud but become more interested in the real ghosts Mary and Martin (played by Daryl Hannah and Liam Neeson). This is especially true for Jack who falls in love with the beautiful Mary despite several centuries' difference in their ages. After the film's initial unsuccessful release people involved with the production blamed studio interference for damaging director Neil Jordan's original vision although Jordan is better known as a director of quirky dark dramas (Mona Lisa The Crying Game Interview With a Vampire The Company of Wolves). For whatever reason the end result was an awkward forced comedy that more often than not falls flat squandering a strong collection of talent.
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The owner of an Irish castle decides to attract visitors by falsely claiming that the building is haunted , only to have a pair of real ancestral spirits start causing trouble in this uneven attempt at fantasy - comedy. The story centers on Jack and Sharon ( played by Steve Guttenberg and Beverly D'Angelo ), naive American tourists who are initially unimpressed by the owner's attempts at fraud but become more interested in the real ghosts , Mary and Martin ( played by Daryl Hannah and Liam Neeson ) . This is especially true for Jack , who falls in love with the beautiful Mary , despite several centuries' difference in their ages. After the film's initial unsuccessful release , people involved with the production blamed studio interference for damaging director Neil Jordan 's original vision , although Jordan is better known as a director of quirky , dark dramas ( Mona Lisa , The Crying Game , Interview With a Vampire , The Company of Wolves ) . For whatever reason , the end result was an awkward , forced comedy that more often than not falls flat , squandering a strong collection of talent.
1806
Katherine (Jacqueline Bisset) is a photographer who lives in the exotic Greek islands with her sculptor husband Patrick (James Fox) in this comedy. The film lampoons tourists contains beautiful scenery and focuses on the relationship and eventual reconciliation of Katherine and Patrick. Side plots include a rebellious local involved in politics an elderly Russian spy (Sebastian Shaw) and the search for an antique urn. Kenneth Branagh and Lesley Manville play British tourists and co-star with Irene Pappas Robert Stephens and Paris Tselios.
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Katherine ( Jacqueline Bisset ) is a photographer who lives in the exotic Greek islands with her sculptor husband Patrick ( James Fox ) in this comedy. The film lampoons tourists , contains beautiful scenery , and focuses on the relationship and eventual reconciliation of Katherine and Patrick. Side plots include a rebellious local involved in politics , an elderly Russian spy ( Sebastian Shaw ), and the search for an antique urn. Kenneth Branagh and Lesley Manville play British tourists and co - star with Irene Pappas , Robert Stephens , and Paris Tselios .
1807
One of the stars of Walt Disney's Mary Poppins Dick Van Dyke is re-united with that film's composer and lyricist Richard M.Sherman and Robert B. Sherman in this big budget and bloodless children's fantasy musical based on the children's book by James Bond author Ian Fleming. Van Dyke plays Caractacus Potts a failed inventor who lives in a big house with his two children -- Jemima Heather Ripley and Jeremy Adrian Hall -- and eccentric father Lionel Jeffries. Potts has to raise 30 shillings so his children can buy a broken-down racing car from the junkyard. After a disastrous attempt to sell his invention of whistling sweets to Lord Scrumptious (James Robertson-Justice) the local candy maker he finally gets enough money for the car by doing a Dick Van Dyke dance routine at the county fair. Potts takes the car and miraculously transforms the vehicle into a shiny new car named Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. While on a picnic with the children and Truly Scrumptious (Sally Ann Howes) Lord Scrumptious' beautiful daughter Potts concocts a fantasy tale about the magical powers of the car which can now float on water and fly. In the tale Baron Bomburst (Gert Frobe) wants the car for himself and kidnaps the automobile and the inventor. But Bomburst captures Grandpa by mistake along with the wrong car so Potts Truly and the children have to enlist Chitty Chitty Bang Bang on a rescue mission to Bomburst's lair to save Grandpa.
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One of the stars of Walt Disney 's Mary Poppins , Dick Van Dyke , is re - united with that film's composer and lyricist , Richard M.Sherman and Robert B. Sherman , in this big budget and bloodless children's fantasy musical , based on the children's book by James Bond author Ian Fleming . Van Dyke plays Caractacus Potts , a failed inventor who lives in a big house with his two children -- Jemima Heather Ripley and Jeremy Adrian Hall -- and eccentric father Lionel Jeffries . Potts has to raise 30 shillings so his children can buy a broken - down racing car from the junkyard. After a disastrous attempt to sell his invention of whistling sweets to Lord Scrumptious ( James Robertson - Justice ), the local candy maker , he finally gets enough money for the car by doing a Dick Van Dyke dance routine at the county fair. Potts takes the car and miraculously transforms the vehicle into a shiny new car named Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. While on a picnic with the children and Truly Scrumptious ( Sally Ann Howes ), Lord Scrumptious' beautiful daughter , Potts concocts a fantasy tale about the magical powers of the car , which can now float on water and fly. In the tale , Baron Bomburst ( Gert Frobe ) wants the car for himself and kidnaps the automobile and the inventor. But Bomburst captures Grandpa by mistake along with the wrong car , so Potts , Truly , and the children have to enlist Chitty Chitty Bang Bang on a rescue mission to Bomburst's lair to save Grandpa.
1808
The rise of teen culture in 1950s Britain provides the backdrop for Julien Temple's unconventional rock musical Absolute Beginners. The film centers on Colin an 18-year-old with a talent for photography and a fondness for the neon nightlife of British jazz clubs. He also is in love with Crepe Suzette an impulsive ambitious young beauty who abandons him after attracting the attention of a powerful fashion designer. Depressed and aimless Colin turns for help to a flashy ad executive (David Bowie) who promises to make him a star photographer. The former lovers take parallel paths to success capitalizing on the youth mania gripping the nation. The film's nostalgic yet gently satirical look at teen culture is tempered by a recognition of the era's social tension particularly a disturbing rise in racism. Despite these serious undertones however the film tells its story with a colorful vibrancy reminiscent of both MTV and old Hollywood musicals filled with such show-stopping numbers as a memorable sequence in which Bowie dances on a giant typewriter. Critical reception was mixed with some hailing the film's spectacular cinematography and ambitious scope while others found the mixture of tones and style too inconsistent. The film also drew lukewarm response at the box office with the memorable soundtrack receiving more attention than the film itself.
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The rise of teen culture in 1950s Britain provides the backdrop for Julien Temple 's unconventional rock musical Absolute Beginners . The film centers on Colin , an 18 - year - old with a talent for photography and a fondness for the neon nightlife of British jazz clubs. He also is in love with Crepe Suzette , an impulsive , ambitious young beauty who abandons him after attracting the attention of a powerful fashion designer. Depressed and aimless , Colin turns for help to a flashy ad executive ( David Bowie ) who promises to make him a star photographer. The former lovers take parallel paths to success , capitalizing on the youth mania gripping the nation. The film's nostalgic yet gently satirical look at teen culture is tempered by a recognition of the era's social tension , particularly a disturbing rise in racism. Despite these serious undertones , however , the film tells its story with a colorful vibrancy reminiscent of both MTV and old Hollywood musicals , filled with such show - stopping numbers as a memorable sequence in which Bowie dances on a giant typewriter. Critical reception was mixed , with some hailing the film's spectacular cinematography and ambitious scope , while others found the mixture of tones and style too inconsistent. The film also drew lukewarm response at the box office , with the memorable soundtrack receiving more attention than the film itself.
1809
Helene Hanff's book 84 Charing Cross Road had previously been a TV program and a stage play before it was converted into this 1986 film. The scene is New York 1949: Anne Bancroft plays a struggling writer and passionate bibliophile who answers an advertisement from a rare-volumes bookshop at 84 Charing Cross Road in London. Thus begins a two-decade romance by correspondence between Bancroft and Briton Anthony Hopkins the man in charge of the overseas department of Marks and Company. Though several meetings are arranged Bancroft and Hopkins never come face to face thanks to mitigating circumstances. But Anne finally makes it to London and finds that much has changed. 84 Charing Cross Road was produced by Mel Brooks the husband of star Anne Bancroft.
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Helene Hanff 's book 84 Charing Cross Road had previously been a TV program and a stage play before it was converted into this 1986 film. The scene is New York , 1949 : Anne Bancroft plays a struggling writer and passionate bibliophile , who answers an advertisement from a rare - volumes bookshop at 84 Charing Cross Road in London. Thus begins a two - decade romance by correspondence between Bancroft and Briton Anthony Hopkins , the man in charge of the overseas department of Marks and Company. Though several meetings are arranged , Bancroft and Hopkins never come face to face thanks to mitigating circumstances. But Anne finally makes it to London , and finds that much has changed. 84 Charing Cross Road was produced by Mel Brooks , the husband of star Anne Bancroft .
1810
ased in part on his autobiography director Franco Zeffirelli's Tea With Mussolini is a drama with comic accents about a group of British and American travelers on an indefinite visit to Italy in 1935 when as one character puts it "Mussolini was just a man who made the trains run on time." Luca (played by Charlie Lucas) is a boy living in Florence whose family situation is precarious at best; his mother has died and his father has little time for him. Fortunately he's a welcome guest with Mary (Joan Plowright) a English woman visiting Italy to soak up European culture. Mary and her friends -- high-toned Lady Hester (Maggie Smith) pretentious Arabella (Judi Dench) American art collector Elsa (Cher) and cheerful lesbian Georgie (Lily Tomlin) -- enjoy the cultured creative atmosphere of life in Italy and their initial response to the rise of fascism is to arrange a polite meeting with Mussolini to make sure he and his soldiers mean well. After some time Luca's father becomes concerned that the boy is soaking up too much British influence and enrolls him in a boarding school in Austria; by the time 1940 rolls around situations have changed radically for everyone.
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Based in part on his autobiography , director Franco Zeffirelli 's Tea With Mussolini is a drama with comic accents about a group of British and American travelers on an indefinite visit to Italy in 1935 , when , as one character puts it , "Mussolini was just a man who made the trains run on time." Luca ( played by Charlie Lucas ) is a boy living in Florence whose family situation is precarious at best ; his mother has died and his father has little time for him. Fortunately , he's a welcome guest with Mary ( Joan Plowright ), a English woman visiting Italy to soak up European culture. Mary and her friends -- high - toned Lady Hester ( Maggie Smith ), pretentious Arabella ( Judi Dench ), American art collector Elsa ( Cher ) and cheerful lesbian Georgie ( Lily Tomlin ) -- enjoy the cultured , creative atmosphere of life in Italy , and their initial response to the rise of fascism is to arrange a polite meeting with Mussolini to make sure he and his soldiers mean well. After some time , Luca's father becomes concerned that the boy is soaking up too much British influence and enrolls him in a boarding school in Austria ; by the time 1940 rolls around , situations have changed radically for everyone.
1811
Still Crazy is a film that looks back at the "rock band" era of the 1970s. Brian Gibson who has directed musical biographies on Josephine Baker and Tina Turner sets his narrative on a rock group Strange Fruit who are attempting a comeback twenty years after a bolt of lightening literally ended their career in the late 1970's. When keyboard player Tony (Stephan Rea) runs into the son of their old festival promoter he gets the idea he could perhaps bring the aging musicians together for a revival. He goes off to search for Karen (Juliet Aubre) the band's Girl Friday and often the butt of their various ego trips. Karen who now lives alone with her daughter thinks it's a great idea and they set off to locate the other members. Beano (Timothy Spall) the drummer has barricaded himself away in a trailer in his mother's garden for fear of being caught by the taxman. Ray (Bill Nighy) the lead singer lives in a luxurious country house (beyond his means) with his second wife; he's still in the music business and has released a solo record. Les (Jimmy Nail) a great bass guitarist is happily married and his only regret is that his music never found the following he would have liked. As for ex-roadie Hughie (Billy Connolly) the Fruits were always his boys and he's ready to give up his stall at Camden market and follow the dream. He would also love to see guitarist Brian again but Brian is nowhere to be found. Karen decides to hire a much younger musician Luke to replace him. The re-formed band go to Holland to play a few clubs on a warm-up tour. However the youngest member of the band is stealing the show particularly with the members of the opposite sex. Despite efforts to stay calm and professional the band is falling into the old routine of bickering day by day as they get close to the big reunion concert. Still Crazy was screened as part of the Panorama during the 49th International Berlin Film Festival 1999.
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Still Crazy is a film that looks back at the "rock band" era of the 1970s. Brian Gibson , who has directed musical biographies on Josephine Baker and Tina Turner , sets his narrative on a rock group , Strange Fruit , who are attempting a comeback twenty years after a bolt of lightening literally ended their career in the late 1970's. When keyboard player Tony ( Stephan Rea ) runs into the son of their old festival promoter , he gets the idea he could perhaps bring the aging musicians together for a revival. He goes off to search for Karen ( Juliet Aubre ), the band's Girl Friday and often the butt of their various ego trips. Karen , who now lives alone with her daughter , thinks it's a great idea and they set off to locate the other members. Beano ( Timothy Spall ), the drummer , has barricaded himself away in a trailer in his mother's garden for fear of being caught by the taxman. Ray ( Bill Nighy ), the lead singer , lives in a luxurious country house ( beyond his means ) with his second wife ; he's still in the music business and has released a solo record. Les ( Jimmy Nail ), a great bass guitarist , is happily married , and his only regret is that his music never found the following he would have liked. As for ex - roadie Hughie ( Billy Connolly ), the Fruits were always his boys , and he's ready to give up his stall at Camden market and follow the dream. He would also love to see guitarist Brian again , but Brian is nowhere to be found. Karen decides to hire a much younger musician , Luke , to replace him. The re - formed band go to Holland to play a few clubs on a warm - up tour. However , the youngest member of the band is stealing the show , particularly with the members of the opposite sex. Despite efforts to stay calm and professional , the band is falling into the old routine of bickering day by day as they get close to the big reunion concert. Still Crazy was screened as part of the Panorama during the 49th International Berlin Film Festival , 1999.
1812
Comic actor Rowan Atkinson brought his bumbling character Mr. Bean from television to the big screen with this British comedy. Mr. Bean (Rowan Atkinson) is a well-meaning but not especially bright fellow with a gift for making the worst of any situation. Bean is about to be fired from his job as a guard at the Royal Nation Art Gallery for sleeping on the job but the Chairman (John Mills) intervenes at the last moment. To insure that his incompetence will manifest itself so completely that there will be no choice but to get rid of him Bean's superiors come up with a plan -- they'll send him to America to speak at a posh private gallery owned by George Grierson (Harris Yulin) where General Newton (Burt Reynolds) will display the most recent addition to his art collection "Whistler's Mother." It's even money whether or not the museum will still be standing before Bean is done; as if this weren't enough while in L.A. Bean is mistaken for a surgeon and forced to operate on an injured police officer. Richard Curtis one of the film's producers said after viewing the final product "It's an unpleasant family movie. I'm very pleased."
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Comic actor Rowan Atkinson brought his bumbling character Mr. Bean from television to the big screen with this British comedy. Mr. Bean ( Rowan Atkinson ) is a well - meaning but not especially bright fellow with a gift for making the worst of any situation. Bean is about to be fired from his job as a guard at the Royal Nation Art Gallery for sleeping on the job , but the Chairman ( John Mills ) intervenes at the last moment. To insure that his incompetence will manifest itself so completely that there will be no choice but to get rid of him , Bean's superiors come up with a plan -- they'll send him to America to speak at a posh private gallery owned by George Grierson ( Harris Yulin ), where General Newton ( Burt Reynolds ) will display the most recent addition to his art collection , "Whistler's Mother." It's even money whether or not the museum will still be standing before Bean is done ; as if this weren't enough , while in L.A. Bean is mistaken for a surgeon and forced to operate on an injured police officer. Richard Curtis , one of the film's producers , said after viewing the final product , "It's an unpleasant family movie. I'm very pleased."
1813
Director Kenneth Branagh's interpretation of Mary Shelley's classic horror novel stars Robert DeNiro as a terrifying monster created in an obsessive attempt to defeat death and stretch the limits of medicine in the early 19th century. With the use of flashback a dying Dr. Viktor Frankenstein (Kenneth Branagh) divulges a tale of gruesome terror to a sea captain (Aidan Quinn): As a medical student the rebellious Frankenstein elaborates on the work of a brilliant scientist (John Cleese) successfully bringing to life a "man" assembled from the body parts of corpses. Upon realizing the destructive consequences of his experiment Dr. Frankenstein abandons the creature and attempts to return to a normal life with his medical partner Henry (Tom Hulce) and his fiancée (and adopted sister) Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter). In the meantime the nameless creature struggles with loneliness and rejection from society until he sets out to track down his creator in search of one of two things: a bride to keep him company or revenge. Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994) was produced by Francis Ford Coppola who previously directed and produced monster-drama Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992).
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Director Kenneth Branagh 's interpretation of Mary Shelley' s classic horror novel stars Robert DeNiro as a terrifying monster created in an obsessive attempt to defeat death and stretch the limits of medicine in the early 19th century. With the use of flashback , a dying Dr. Viktor Frankenstein ( Kenneth Branagh ) divulges a tale of gruesome terror to a sea captain ( Aidan Quinn ): As a medical student , the rebellious Frankenstein elaborates on the work of a brilliant scientist ( John Cleese ), successfully bringing to life a "man" assembled from the body parts of corpses. Upon realizing the destructive consequences of his experiment , Dr. Frankenstein abandons the creature and attempts to return to a normal life with his medical partner , Henry ( Tom Hulce ), and his fiancée ( and adopted sister ), Elizabeth ( Helena Bonham Carter ) . In the meantime , the nameless creature struggles with loneliness and rejection from society until he sets out to track down his creator in search of one of two things : a bride to keep him company or revenge. Mary Shelley's Frankenstein ( 1994 ) was produced by Francis Ford Coppola , who previously directed and produced monster - drama Bram Stoker's Dracula ( 1992 ) .
1814
Ken Russell's Lair of the White Worm uses Dracula author Bram Stoker's final novel as the basic springboard into a surreal and dark-humored tale concerning a bizarre cult and a series of sacrificial murders in honor of an ancient pagan god. When archeologist Angus Flint (Peter Capaladi) discovers the mysterious scull of an undiscovered beast further investigation reveals a bizarre myth concerning a medieval knight slaying a fearsome dragon. Soon making the acquaintance of Lord James D'Ampton (Hugh Grant) the conquering knight's descendant Flint begins to learn of local lore surrounding the creature and soon discovers that throughout the years many unexplained disappearances have haunted the local populace. With all trails leading back to the elegant mansion of mysterious recluse Lady Sylvia Marsh (Amanda Donohoe) Lord D'Ampton makes Marsh's acquaintance amidst growing speculation that the strangely seductive siren may have something to do with a rash of recent disappearances. As Flint and D'Ampton's stories begin to strangely intersect a surreal and horrific journey into the lair of an ancient god may hold they key to an age-old mystery.
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Ken Russell 's Lair of the White Worm uses Dracula author Bram Stoker 's final novel as the basic springboard into a surreal and dark - humored tale concerning a bizarre cult and a series of sacrificial murders in honor of an ancient pagan god. When archeologist Angus Flint ( Peter Capaladi ) discovers the mysterious scull of an undiscovered beast , further investigation reveals a bizarre myth concerning a medieval knight slaying a fearsome dragon. Soon making the acquaintance of Lord James D'Ampton ( Hugh Grant ), the conquering knight's descendant , Flint begins to learn of local lore surrounding the creature and soon discovers that , throughout the years , many unexplained disappearances have haunted the local populace. With all trails leading back to the elegant mansion of mysterious recluse Lady Sylvia Marsh ( Amanda Donohoe ), Lord D'Ampton makes Marsh's acquaintance amidst growing speculation that the strangely seductive siren may have something to do with a rash of recent disappearances. As Flint and D'Ampton's stories begin to strangely intersect , a surreal and horrific journey into the lair of an ancient god may hold they key to an age - old mystery.
1815
On the heels of Annie Hall the Oscar-winning romantic comedy that rocketed Woody Allen to the front ranks of American filmmakers Manhattan continued Allen's romantic obsessions in a slightly darker more pessimistic vein. Allen stars as Isaac Davis a TV comedy writer sick of the pap he is forced to churn out and harboring dreams of being the great American novelist. His love life is in barbed-wire territory: he is tormented by his second ex-wife Jill (Meryl Streep) a lesbian who has written a tell-all book about their marriage and he is dating teenager Tracy (Mariel Hemingway) to whom he refuses to commit and keeps hinting that a breakup may be imminent. Isaac's disillusioned (and married) best friend Yale (Michael Murphy) has begun an affair with the cerebral writer Mary Wilke (Diane Keaton). While Isaac makes a last minute sink-or-swim decision to quit his job and devote all of his time to book writing and neurotically moans about what the lack of a full time job will do to him ("My parents won't have as good of a seat in the synagogue" he moans. "They'll be far away from God... away from the action") Yale is crippled by his lack of resolve as indicated by his inability to leave his wife Emily (Anne Byrne). Meanwhile Isaac and Mary begin to fall for one another. Tracy then tells Isaac the basic truth that none of his hung-up friends and past lovers fully realizes: "You have to have a little more faith in people." Manhattan is both a seriocomic dissection of perpetually dissatisfied New Yorkers and an ode to the city itself filmed in glorious black-and-white by ace cinematographer Gordon Willis and set to a score of rhapsodic George Gershwin music.
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On the heels of Annie Hall , the Oscar - winning romantic comedy that rocketed Woody Allen to the front ranks of American filmmakers , Manhattan continued Allen's romantic obsessions in a slightly darker , more pessimistic vein. Allen stars as Isaac Davis , a TV comedy writer sick of the pap he is forced to churn out and harboring dreams of being the great American novelist. His love life is in barbed - wire territory : he is tormented by his second ex - wife Jill ( Meryl Streep ), a lesbian who has written a tell - all book about their marriage , and he is dating teenager Tracy ( Mariel Hemingway ), to whom he refuses to commit , and keeps hinting that a breakup may be imminent. Isaac's disillusioned ( and married ) best friend Yale ( Michael Murphy ) has begun an affair with the cerebral writer Mary Wilke ( Diane Keaton ) . While Isaac makes a last minute , sink - or - swim decision to quit his job and devote all of his time to book writing , and neurotically moans about what the lack of a full time job will do to him ( "My parents won't have as good of a seat in the synagogue , " he moans. "They'll be far away from God... away from the action" ) Yale is crippled by his lack of resolve , as indicated by his inability to leave his wife Emily ( Anne Byrne ) . Meanwhile , Isaac and Mary begin to fall for one another. Tracy then tells Isaac the basic truth that none of his hung - up friends and past lovers fully realizes : "You have to have a little more faith in people." Manhattan is both a seriocomic dissection of perpetually dissatisfied New Yorkers and an ode to the city itself , filmed in glorious black - and - white by ace cinematographer Gordon Willis , and set to a score of rhapsodic George Gershwin music.
1816
Martin Scorsese's documentary of the 1976 final performance of the legendary Sixties rock group The Band is at once a show featuring some of the greatest rock performers of their generation and a bittersweet look back at an era that was just beginning to fade. As Scorsese guides the group through interview segments discussing their 15 years together these relatively young men sound like battle-weary survivors. But The Band were in splendid form for this show and their multiple guest stars pulled out all the stops especially Muddy Waters whose "Mannish Boy" is so powerful it nearly burns a hole in the screen; Van Morrison with a rousing performance of "Caravan;" and Bob Dylan whose "Baby Let Me Follow You Down" displays the brilliant cockiness of his barnstorming days with this band. The all-star camera crew and superb stereo sound mix create what is considered to be of the best-looking and sounding rock films ever (as the opening credit says play this movie loud!) and two studio-shot sequences with Emmylou Harris and The Staple Singers stand on their own.
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Martin Scorsese 's documentary of the 1976 final performance of the legendary Sixties rock group The Band is at once a show featuring some of the greatest rock performers of their generation and a bittersweet look back at an era that was just beginning to fade. As Scorsese guides the group through interview segments discussing their 15 years together , these relatively young men sound like battle - weary survivors. But The Band were in splendid form for this show , and their multiple guest stars pulled out all the stops , especially Muddy Waters , whose "Mannish Boy" is so powerful it nearly burns a hole in the screen ; Van Morrison , with a rousing performance of "Caravan ; " and Bob Dylan , whose "Baby Let Me Follow You Down" displays the brilliant cockiness of his barnstorming days with this band. The all - star camera crew and superb stereo sound mix create what is considered to be of the best - looking and sounding rock films ever ( as the opening credit says , play this movie loud! ), and two studio - shot sequences with Emmylou Harris and The Staple Singers stand on their own.
1817
The title of this documentary was inspired by the mantra recited by those in charge of the Vietnam War: "In order to win the war we must win the hearts and minds of the people." The failure to achieve this coupled with the disastrous no-win policies of the higher-ups is the nucleus of this film put together by director Peter Davis in the same manner as Marcel Ophuls' The Sorrow and the Pity. Like the Ophuls film Davis juxtaposes news footage of the Vietnam war with interviews conducted with its observers and participants interspersing vignettes of the fatuous comments made by the generals and politicians. The film was briefly withdrawn from distribution when Walter Rostow one-time advisor to President Johnson insisted that his reputation had been damaged and demanded that the two minutes featuring Rostow on-camera be deleted. More controversy arose when Hearts and Minds won the Best Documentary Oscar whereupon the Academy issued a statement--read during the awards ceremony by Frank Sinatra--that it did not condone or advocate the volatile statements made by the producers during their acceptance speech.
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The title of this documentary was inspired by the mantra recited by those in charge of the Vietnam War : "In order to win the war , we must win the hearts and minds of the people." The failure to achieve this , coupled with the disastrous no - win policies of the higher - ups , is the nucleus of this film , put together by director Peter Davis in the same manner as Marcel Ophuls' The Sorrow and the Pity . Like the Ophuls film , Davis juxtaposes news footage of the Vietnam war with interviews conducted with its observers and participants , interspersing vignettes of the fatuous comments made by the generals and politicians. The film was briefly withdrawn from distribution when Walter Rostow , one - time advisor to President Johnson , insisted that his reputation had been damaged and demanded that the two minutes featuring Rostow on - camera be deleted. More controversy arose when Hearts and Minds won the Best Documentary Oscar , whereupon the Academy issued a statement -- read during the awards ceremony by Frank Sinatra -- that it did not condone or advocate the volatile statements made by the producers during their acceptance speech.
1818
Director Barbara Kopple's look at a 13-month coal miners' strike that took place between 1973 and 1974 in Harlan County KY is one of the great films about labor troubles though not for a sense of objectivity. Kopple lived among the miners and their families off and on during the four years the entire story played out and it's clear in every frame of the film that her sympathies lie with the miners and not their bosses at Eastover Mining owned by Duke Power Company. Kopple's camera focuses on the desperate plight of people still living in shacks with no indoor plumbing and working dangerous jobs with little security and few safety rules. The miners are determined to join the United Mine Workers and the company is determined to break the strike with scabs who are even more desperate than the men with jobs. The miners eventually win a new contract though it turns out that some of the benefits they had fought for were not included in the final deal. The filmmaker's strong identification with one side of a labor struggle doesn't make for a balanced historical record but it did provide the right stuff for a powerfully dramatic film.
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Director Barbara Kopple 's look at a 13 - month coal miners' strike that took place between 1973 and 1974 in Harlan County , KY , is one of the great films about labor troubles , though not for a sense of objectivity. Kopple lived among the miners and their families off and on during the four years the entire story played out , and it's clear in every frame of the film that her sympathies lie with the miners and not their bosses at Eastover Mining , owned by Duke Power Company. Kopple 's camera focuses on the desperate plight of people still living in shacks with no indoor plumbing and working dangerous jobs with little security and few safety rules. The miners are determined to join the United Mine Workers , and the company is determined to break the strike with scabs , who are even more desperate than the men with jobs. The miners eventually win a new contract , though it turns out that some of the benefits they had fought for were not included in the final deal. The filmmaker's strong identification with one side of a labor struggle doesn't make for a balanced historical record , but it did provide the right stuff for a powerfully dramatic film.
1819
In 1965 filmmaker D.A. Pennebaker accompanied Bob Dylan to England to make a film about the singer/songwriter's British tour. At the time no one could have known how fortuitous Pennebaker's timing would prove to be. Within a few months of this tour Dylan would forsake his role as The Conscience of Folk Music to pick up a Fender Stratocaster and play rock and roll. Within a year Dylan would suffer a motorcycle accident that would put him out of commission for nearly 18 months. Recording several brilliant solo performances and capturing a wealth of fly-on-the-wall footage of Dylan's interactions with friends and strangers Pennebaker caught Dylan on the cusp of a radical career change and the man in this film seems to be thrashing about in his shackles looking for some sort of escape route.
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In 1965 , filmmaker D.A. Pennebaker accompanied Bob Dylan to England to make a film about the singer / songwriter's British tour. At the time , no one could have known how fortuitous Pennebaker's timing would prove to be. Within a few months of this tour , Dylan would forsake his role as The Conscience of Folk Music to pick up a Fender Stratocaster and play rock and roll. Within a year , Dylan would suffer a motorcycle accident that would put him out of commission for nearly 18 months. Recording several brilliant solo performances and capturing a wealth of fly - on - the - wall footage of Dylan's interactions with friends and strangers , Pennebaker caught Dylan on the cusp of a radical career change , and the man in this film seems to be thrashing about in his shackles , looking for some sort of escape route.
1820
Woody Allen spent most of the 1980s and '90s veering between comedy and drama and he rarely combined the two with greater success than in Crimes and Misdemeanors in which he weaved together two stories one deadly serious one often funny both ending in sadness. Martin Landau plays Dr. Judah Rosenthal a prominent ophthalmologist with a successful practice a loving family and a reputation for generous charity work. But Rosenthal also has a secret: his mistress Dolores (Anjelica Huston). What began as a casual fling has become uncomfortably intimate and as he tries to break off the relationship Dolores threatens to expose his infidelity to his wife and some unorthodox financial arrangements to his colleagues. Fearful that Dolores will make good on her threats Judah confesses his secret to his brother Jack (Jerry Orbach) who has ties to organized crime and offers to "make the problem go away." Meanwhile Cliff Stern (Woody Allen) is a filmmaker working on his pet project a documentary about philosopher Prof. Louis Levy (Martin Bergmann). However films about philosophers don't pay the rent so Cliff's wife Wendy (Joanna Gleason) arranges for him to make a documentary for public television about her brother Lester (Alan Alda) a famous TV comedian whose vapidity is exceeded only by his arrogance. While Cliff tries to bite the bullet and finish the film he finds himself falling in love with PBS producer Halley Reed (Mia Farrow).
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Woody Allen spent most of the 1980s and '90s veering between comedy and drama , and he rarely combined the two with greater success than in Crimes and Misdemeanors , in which he weaved together two stories , one deadly serious , one often funny , both ending in sadness. Martin Landau plays Dr. Judah Rosenthal , a prominent ophthalmologist with a successful practice , a loving family , and a reputation for generous charity work. But Rosenthal also has a secret : his mistress , Dolores ( Anjelica Huston ) . What began as a casual fling has become uncomfortably intimate , and as he tries to break off the relationship , Dolores threatens to expose his infidelity to his wife and some unorthodox financial arrangements to his colleagues. Fearful that Dolores will make good on her threats , Judah confesses his secret to his brother Jack ( Jerry Orbach ), who has ties to organized crime and offers to "make the problem go away." Meanwhile , Cliff Stern ( Woody Allen ) is a filmmaker working on his pet project , a documentary about philosopher Prof. Louis Levy ( Martin Bergmann ) . However , films about philosophers don't pay the rent , so Cliff's wife Wendy ( Joanna Gleason ) arranges for him to make a documentary for public television about her brother Lester ( Alan Alda ), a famous TV comedian whose vapidity is exceeded only by his arrogance. While Cliff tries to bite the bullet and finish the film , he finds himself falling in love with PBS producer Halley Reed ( Mia Farrow ) .
1821
Adapted from Paul Brodeur's novel Richard Rush's story of a Machiavellian movie director and his accidental employee takes a darkly comic look at movie reality vs. "real" reality. Running from the law Vietnam vet Cameron (Steve Railsback) stumbles on a movie shoot just in time to interfere with a staged accident causing (perhaps) the stunt man's death. Rather than turn Cameron in director Eli Cross (Oscar nominee Peter O'Toole) makes him an offer he can't refuse: replace the dead stunt man in return for safe harbor. Despite objections about Cameron's inexperience Eli keeps him on figuring that a vet will add an extra charge of realism to the World War I opus that he's filming. As leading lady Nina (Barbara Hershey) returns Cameron's affections and Eli becomes ever more inscrutably mercurial Cameron begins to wonder how far Eli will go to get the screen effects he wants and if he would think twice about killing the stunt man. Placing a Vietnam vet in the midst of movie-making chaos Rush adds a pointedly contemporary spin to Cameron's confusion; the war experience that makes Cameron a good stunt man wreaks havoc on his life. Rush in turn disorients the audience by seamlessly interweaving scenes from Eli's movie with scenes of its being made. Made two years before Rush found a studio to release it The Stunt Man opened to raves for its wily narrative and O'Toole's messianic director. Its sly commentary on the blurred boundaries between movies and life became all the more striking at the dawn of the Reagan '80s.
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Adapted from Paul Brodeur's novel , Richard Rush 's story of a Machiavellian movie director and his accidental employee takes a darkly comic look at movie reality vs. "real" reality. Running from the law , Vietnam vet Cameron ( Steve Railsback ) stumbles on a movie shoot just in time to interfere with a staged accident , causing ( perhaps ) the stunt man's death. Rather than turn Cameron in , director Eli Cross ( Oscar nominee Peter O'Toole ) makes him an offer he can't refuse : replace the dead stunt man in return for safe harbor. Despite objections about Cameron's inexperience , Eli keeps him on , figuring that a vet will add an extra charge of realism to the World War I opus that he's filming. As leading lady Nina ( Barbara Hershey ) returns Cameron's affections , and Eli becomes ever more inscrutably mercurial , Cameron begins to wonder how far Eli will go to get the screen effects he wants , and if he would think twice about killing the stunt man. Placing a Vietnam vet in the midst of movie - making chaos , Rush adds a pointedly contemporary spin to Cameron's confusion ; the war experience that makes Cameron a good stunt man wreaks havoc on his life. Rush in turn disorients the audience by seamlessly interweaving scenes from Eli's movie with scenes of its being made. Made two years before Rush found a studio to release it , The Stunt Man opened to raves for its wily narrative and O'Toole 's messianic director. Its sly commentary on the blurred boundaries between movies and life became all the more striking at the dawn of the Reagan '80s.
1822
Jonathan Demme's breakthrough movie featured the shaggy energy and affection for marginal American eccentrics that marked his earlier Citizens Band (1977) and such later films as Something Wild (1986) and Married to the Mob (1988). Melvin Dummar (Paul LeMat) is a barely-getting-by Nevada milkman. One day in the early 1970s while driving down a lonely highway Melvin picks up a shaggy bearded bum (Jason Robards Jr.) and offers him a ride into town. Melvin gives the bum a quarter at the end of the ride and that so far as Melvin is concerned is that. The story goes off on a new tangent involving the on-and-off marriage between Dummar and his contest-happy wife Lynda (Mary Steenburgen). During one of the multitude of financial crises endured by the Dummars Melvin discovers that the tramp he picked up was none other than billionaire Howard Hughes -- and when Hughes dies Melvin inherits $150 million. The movie's wide acclaim included Oscars for Steenburgen and Goldman's script and New York Film Critics Awards in almost all major categories including Best Picture and awards for Demme Goldman Steenburgen and Robards. Demme would gain even greater attention in the 1990s as the director of The Silence of the Lambs (1991) and Philadelphia (1993).
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Jonathan Demme 's breakthrough movie featured the shaggy energy and affection for marginal American eccentrics that marked his earlier Citizens Band ( 1977 ) and such later films as Something Wild ( 1986 ) and Married to the Mob ( 1988 ) . Melvin Dummar ( Paul LeMat ) is a barely - getting - by Nevada milkman. One day in the early 1970s , while driving down a lonely highway , Melvin picks up a shaggy , bearded bum ( Jason Robards Jr. ) and offers him a ride into town. Melvin gives the bum a quarter at the end of the ride , and that , so far as Melvin is concerned , is that. The story goes off on a new tangent , involving the on - and - off marriage between Dummar and his contest - happy wife Lynda ( Mary Steenburgen ) . During one of the multitude of financial crises endured by the Dummars , Melvin discovers that the tramp he picked up was none other than billionaire Howard Hughes -- and when Hughes dies , Melvin inherits $150 million. The movie's wide acclaim included Oscars for Steenburgen and Goldman's script and New York Film Critics Awards in almost all major categories , including Best Picture and awards for Demme , Goldman , Steenburgen , and Robards. Demme would gain even greater attention in the 1990s as the director of The Silence of the Lambs ( 1991 ) and Philadelphia ( 1993 ) .
1823
A haunting work of stark confessionalism disguised as a taut noir thriller In a Lonely Place -- Nicholas Ray's bleak desperate tale of fear and self-loathing in Hollywood -- remains one of the filmmaker's greatest and most deeply resonant features. It stars Humphrey Bogart as Dixon Steele a fading screenwriter suffering from creative burnout; hired to adapt a best-selling novel instead of reading the book itself he asks the hat-check girl (Martha Stewart) at his favorite nightclub to simply tell him the plot. The morning after the girl is found brutally murdered and Steele is the police's prime suspect; however the would-be starlet across the way Laurel Gray (Gloria Grahame) provides him with a solid alibi and they soon begin a romance in spite of Gray's lingering concerns that the troubled violent Steele might just be a killer after all. During production Ray's real-life marriage to co-star Grahame began to crumble and his own vulnerability and disillusionment clearly inform the picture; the brooding bitter Steele -- a role ideally suited to Bogart's wounded romanticism -- is plainly a doppelganger for Ray himself (the site of his first Hollywood apartment is even employed as the set for Steele's home) and the film's unflinching examination of the character's disintegration makes for uniquely compelling viewing.
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A haunting work of stark confessionalism disguised as a taut noir thriller , In a Lonely Place -- Nicholas Ray 's bleak , desperate tale of fear and self - loathing in Hollywood -- remains one of the filmmaker's greatest and most deeply resonant features. It stars Humphrey Bogart as Dixon Steele , a fading screenwriter suffering from creative burnout ; hired to adapt a best - selling novel , instead of reading the book itself he asks the hat - check girl ( Martha Stewart ) at his favorite nightclub to simply tell him the plot. The morning after , the girl is found brutally murdered , and Steele is the police's prime suspect ; however , the would - be starlet across the way , Laurel Gray ( Gloria Grahame ), provides him with a solid alibi , and they soon begin a romance in spite of Gray's lingering concerns that the troubled , violent Steele might just be a killer after all. During production , Ray 's real - life marriage to co - star Grahame began to crumble , and his own vulnerability and disillusionment clearly inform the picture ; the brooding , bitter Steele -- a role ideally suited to Bogart 's wounded romanticism -- is plainly a doppelganger for Ray himself ( the site of his first Hollywood apartment is even employed as the set for Steele's home ), and the film's unflinching examination of the character's disintegration makes for uniquely compelling viewing.
1824
One of Woody Allen's most seemingly biographical films Husbands and Wives opens with upper-middle class Manhattan couple Sally (Judy Davis) and Jack (Sydney Pollack) announcing to their best friends the Roths that they are splitting up. Gabe Roth (Allen) and his wife Judy (Mia Farrow) are taken aback by their casual revelation. Jack begins dating his dim but sexy aerobics instructor and Sally starts up a tentative romance with Michael (Liam Neeson). Gabe and Judy begin analyzing their marriage discovering that they might not be meant to stay together. English professor Gabe begins a serious flirtation with a student of his named Rain (Juliette Lewis) and Judy begins to have feelings for Michael. Eventually Sally and Jack reconcile but have not improved their relationship. Gabe and Judy end up going their separate ways. Husbands and Wives was seemingly influenced by Ingmar Bergman's Scenes From a Marriage.
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One of Woody Allen 's most seemingly biographical films , Husbands and Wives opens with upper - middle class Manhattan couple Sally ( Judy Davis ) and Jack ( Sydney Pollack ) announcing to their best friends , the Roths , that they are splitting up. Gabe Roth ( Allen ) and his wife Judy ( Mia Farrow ) are taken aback by their casual revelation. Jack begins dating his dim , but sexy , aerobics instructor and Sally starts up a tentative romance with Michael ( Liam Neeson ) . Gabe and Judy begin analyzing their marriage , discovering that they might not be meant to stay together. English professor Gabe begins a serious flirtation with a student of his named Rain ( Juliette Lewis ) and Judy begins to have feelings for Michael. Eventually , Sally and Jack reconcile , but have not improved their relationship. Gabe and Judy end up going their separate ways. Husbands and Wives was seemingly influenced by Ingmar Bergman 's Scenes From a Marriage .
1825
David Lynch wrote and directed this look at two women who find themselves walking a fine line between truth and deception in the beautiful but dangerous netherworld of Hollywood. A beautiful woman (Laura Elena Harring) riding in a limousine along Los Angeles' Mulholland Drive is targeted by a would-be shooter but before he can pull the trigger she is injured when her limo is hit by another car. The woman stumbles from the wreck with a head wound and in time makes her way into an apartment with no idea of where or who she is. As it turns out the apartment is home to an elderly woman who is out of town and is allowing her niece Betty (Naomi Watts) to stay there; Betty is a small-town girl from Canada who wants to be an actress and her aunt was able to arrange an audition with a film director for her. Betty befriends the injured woman who begins calling herself "Rita" after seeing a poster of Rita Hayworth. While Betty's audition impresses a casting agent and she catches the eye of hotshot director Adam Kesher (Justin Theroux) Kesher's producers and moneymen insist with no small vehemence that he instead cast a woman named Camilla Rhodes. As Rita attempts to put the pieces of her life back together she pulls the name Diane Selwyn from her memory; Rita thinks it could be her real name but when she and Betty find a listing for Diane Selwyn and visit her apartment they discover the latest victim of a mysterious killer who is eluding police detective Harry McKnight (Robert Forster). Rita's emotional identity soon takes a left turn and it turns out that neither woman is quite who she once appeared to be. David Lynch originally conceived Mulholland Drive as the pilot film for a television series; after the ABC television network rejected the pilot and declined to air it the French production film StudioCanal took over the project and Lynch reshot and re-edited the material into a theatrical feature. The resulting version of Mulholland Drive premiered at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival where David Lynch shared Best Director honors with Joel Coen.
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David Lynch wrote and directed this look at two women who find themselves walking a fine line between truth and deception in the beautiful but dangerous netherworld of Hollywood. A beautiful woman ( Laura Elena Harring ) riding in a limousine along Los Angeles' Mulholland Drive is targeted by a would - be shooter , but before he can pull the trigger , she is injured when her limo is hit by another car. The woman stumbles from the wreck with a head wound , and in time makes her way into an apartment with no idea of where or who she is. As it turns out , the apartment is home to an elderly woman who is out of town , and is allowing her niece Betty ( Naomi Watts ) to stay there ; Betty is a small - town girl from Canada who wants to be an actress , and her aunt was able to arrange an audition with a film director for her. Betty befriends the injured woman , who begins calling herself "Rita" after seeing a poster of Rita Hayworth . While Betty's audition impresses a casting agent , and she catches the eye of hotshot director Adam Kesher ( Justin Theroux ), Kesher's producers and moneymen insist with no small vehemence that he instead cast a woman named Camilla Rhodes. As Rita attempts to put the pieces of her life back together , she pulls the name Diane Selwyn from her memory ; Rita thinks it could be her real name , but when she and Betty find a listing for Diane Selwyn and visit her apartment , they discover the latest victim of a mysterious killer who is eluding police detective Harry McKnight ( Robert Forster ) . Rita's emotional identity soon takes a left turn , and it turns out that neither woman is quite who she once appeared to be. David Lynch originally conceived Mulholland Drive as the pilot film for a television series ; after the ABC television network rejected the pilot and declined to air it , the French production film StudioCanal took over the project , and Lynch reshot and re - edited the material into a theatrical feature. The resulting version of Mulholland Drive premiered at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival , where David Lynch shared Best Director honors with Joel Coen .
1826
Denzel Washington stars in this adaptation of the novel by African-American crime author Walter Mosley the first of his stories to reach the screen. Ezekiel Rawlins (Washington) known to his friends as "Easy" has just lost his job at an aircraft plant in post-WW II Los Angeles a time when good-paying jobs for black men are hard to come by. He's wondering how to make his mortgage payment when he's approached by De Witt Albright (Tom Sizemore) who describes his job as "doing favors for friends." It seems that a woman named Daphne Monet (Jennifer Beals) has gone missing; Daphne is the former girlfriend of wealthy mayoral candidate Todd Carter (Terry Kinney) and a known habitué of the black jazz clubs and night spots on L.A.'s Central Avenue. Albright offers Easy $100 to help him find Daphne and while he doesn't have any detective experience the price is right so Easy agrees. After a passionate affair with a friend of Daphne's Coretta James (Lisa Nicole Carson) leads to that woman's murder Easy enlists the help of his friend Mouse (Don Cheadle) who seems to know just a bit too well how to use a gun which gives Easy all too clear a look at the lower depths of L.A.'s upper crust.
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Denzel Washington stars in this adaptation of the novel by African - American crime author Walter Mosley , the first of his stories to reach the screen. Ezekiel Rawlins ( Washington ), known to his friends as "Easy , " has just lost his job at an aircraft plant in post - WW II Los Angeles , a time when good - paying jobs for black men are hard to come by. He's wondering how to make his mortgage payment when he's approached by De Witt Albright ( Tom Sizemore ), who describes his job as "doing favors for friends." It seems that a woman named Daphne Monet ( Jennifer Beals ) has gone missing ; Daphne is the former girlfriend of wealthy mayoral candidate Todd Carter ( Terry Kinney ) and a known habitué of the black jazz clubs and night spots on L.A.'s Central Avenue. Albright offers Easy $100 to help him find Daphne , and while he doesn't have any detective experience , the price is right , so Easy agrees. After a passionate affair with a friend of Daphne's , Coretta James ( Lisa Nicole Carson ), leads to that woman's murder , Easy enlists the help of his friend Mouse ( Don Cheadle ), who seems to know just a bit too well how to use a gun , which gives Easy all too clear a look at the lower depths of L.A.'s upper crust.
1827
Psychiatrist Alex (Art Garfunkel) becomes sexually obsessed with Milena (Theresa Russell) a woman whom he meets at a party. The pair become involved in an intense and mutually destructive love affair. The drama unfolds in a series of flashbacks as Alex tells his story to police Inspector Netusil (Harvey Keitel) who is investigating Milena's apparent suicide attempt. Alex's obsession grows but Milena stays slightly out of reach. Originally rated X but somewhat toned down to accommodate an R rating Bad Timing: A Sensual Obsession is an interesting exploration of the nature of sexual passion and jealousy.
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Psychiatrist Alex ( Art Garfunkel ) becomes sexually obsessed with Milena ( Theresa Russell ), a woman whom he meets at a party. The pair become involved in an intense and mutually destructive love affair. The drama unfolds in a series of flashbacks , as Alex tells his story to police Inspector Netusil ( Harvey Keitel ) who is investigating Milena's apparent suicide attempt. Alex's obsession grows , but Milena stays slightly out of reach. Originally rated X , but somewhat toned down to accommodate an R rating , Bad Timing : A Sensual Obsession is an interesting exploration of the nature of sexual passion and jealousy.
1828
ased on the mystery novel by Marryam Modell (using the pseudonym Evelyn Piper) Bunny Lake Is Missing is a bizarre study in motherhood kindness enigma and insanity. Ann Lake (Carol Lynley) an American freshly relocated to England wishes to drop off her daughter Bunny for the girl's first day at a new nursery school. Oddly Ann cannot locate any teachers or administrators only the school's disgruntled cook (Lucie Mannheim). She is forced to leave Bunny unsupervised in the building's "first day" room under the reassurance that the cook will be responsible for the child. When Ann returns in the afternoon the cook has quit and Bunny Lake is missing. The school's remaining employees vehemently deny ever seeing the child and Ann desperately calls her older brother Stephen (Keir Dullea) for help. Ann was raised fatherless and never married; she and Bunny have lived under Stephen's care and protection for the majority of both their lives. Stephen is enraged by the irresponsibility of the staff but as Scotland Yard begins its investigation it comes to light that he had never officially enrolled a child at the school. When Police Superintendent Newhouse (Laurence Olivier) begins to unravel the Lakes' lives and search their belongings he discovers that not only did Ann once have an imaginary childhood daughter named "Bunny" but that the young Bunny seemed to have no tangible possessions at the Lake apartment. Bunny Lake (whom we have yet to see onscreen) may not be missing: she may not even be real. Terrified that Newhouse will now abandon the search for the girl the hysterical Ann sets out to prove her sanity and in the process surprisingly uncovers the true psychosis behind the disappearance of her little Bunny Lake.
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Based on the mystery novel by Marryam Modell ( using the pseudonym Evelyn Piper ), Bunny Lake Is Missing is a bizarre study in motherhood , kindness , enigma , and insanity. Ann Lake ( Carol Lynley ), an American freshly relocated to England , wishes to drop off her daughter Bunny for the girl's first day at a new nursery school. Oddly , Ann cannot locate any teachers or administrators , only the school's disgruntled cook ( Lucie Mannheim ) . She is forced to leave Bunny unsupervised in the building's "first day" room , under the reassurance that the cook will be responsible for the child. When Ann returns in the afternoon , the cook has quit and Bunny Lake is missing. The school's remaining employees vehemently deny ever seeing the child , and Ann desperately calls her older brother Stephen ( Keir Dullea ) for help. Ann was raised fatherless and never married ; she and Bunny have lived under Stephen's care and protection for the majority of both their lives. Stephen is enraged by the irresponsibility of the staff , but as Scotland Yard begins its investigation , it comes to light that he had never officially enrolled a child at the school. When Police Superintendent Newhouse ( Laurence Olivier ) begins to unravel the Lakes' lives and search their belongings , he discovers that not only did Ann once have an imaginary childhood daughter named "Bunny , " but that the young Bunny seemed to have no tangible possessions at the Lake apartment. Bunny Lake ( whom we have yet to see onscreen ) may not be missing : she may not even be real. Terrified that Newhouse will now abandon the search for the girl , the hysterical Ann sets out to prove her sanity and , in the process , surprisingly uncovers the true psychosis behind the disappearance of her little Bunny Lake.
1829
Actor Robert De Niro started a production company to make films just like this one: stories which were unpopular with the establishment and which are unlikely to make a big splash at the box-office. Even so this is a first-class production and the filmmakers were the first to receive permission to film on the Pine Ridge (Sioux) Reservation in South Dakota likely due to director Michael Apted's having previously made an accurate and sensitive documentary about Indian political prisoner Leonard Peltier's case Incident at Oglala. The film did exactly as well as expected at the box-office but has since assumed greater importance as one of the tiny number of "mainstream" movies which faithfully and respectfully illuminate Native American issues. In the story loosely based on the earlier documentary Ray Levoi (Val Kilmer) is an ambitious up-and-coming FBI agent in the 1970s with great career prospects. The one thing he will not tolerate is any reference to his half-Indian heritage. As far as he is concerned his loyalties and culture identify him with the government and his white mother. He is extremely touchy about anything to do with his father who was an alcoholic full-blooded Sioux. However the FBI wants to take advantage of his half-Indian blood to mend fences in a politically sensitive murder investigation and it sends him exactly where he doesn't want to go. Further he is widely advertised as being Indian though he knows virtually nothing about his heritage and has renounced it to the best of his ability. Once on the reservation he becomes deeply involved in a truly messy state of affairs and is drawn into situations where he is forced to confront his background native spirituality and the duplicity of the government and its allies within the tribe. Despite his consistent prickliness about his heritage his heart is in the right place and the reservation's sheriff (Graham Greene) and a wise spiritual elder (Chief Ted Thin Elk) patiently lead their unwilling FBI pupil on a soul-wrenching wild goose chase which paradoxically takes him straight to the heart of the matter.
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Actor Robert De Niro started a production company to make films just like this one : stories which were unpopular with the establishment and which are unlikely to make a big splash at the box - office. Even so , this is a first - class production , and the filmmakers were the first to receive permission to film on the Pine Ridge ( Sioux ) Reservation in South Dakota , likely due to director Michael Apted 's having previously made an accurate and sensitive documentary about Indian political prisoner Leonard Peltier's case , Incident at Oglala . The film did exactly as well as expected at the box - office but has since assumed greater importance as one of the tiny number of "mainstream" movies which faithfully and respectfully illuminate Native American issues. In the story , loosely based on the earlier documentary , Ray Levoi ( Val Kilmer ) is an ambitious up - and - coming FBI agent in the 1970s with great career prospects. The one thing he will not tolerate is any reference to his half - Indian heritage. As far as he is concerned , his loyalties and culture identify him with the government and his white mother. He is extremely touchy about anything to do with his father , who was an alcoholic full - blooded Sioux. However , the FBI wants to take advantage of his half - Indian blood to mend fences in a politically sensitive murder investigation , and it sends him exactly where he doesn't want to go. Further , he is widely advertised as being Indian , though he knows virtually nothing about his heritage and has renounced it to the best of his ability. Once on the reservation , he becomes deeply involved in a truly messy state of affairs and is drawn into situations where he is forced to confront his background , native spirituality , and the duplicity of the government and its allies within the tribe. Despite his consistent prickliness about his heritage , his heart is in the right place , and the reservation's sheriff ( Graham Greene ) and a wise spiritual elder ( Chief Ted Thin Elk ) patiently lead their unwilling FBI pupil on a soul - wrenching wild goose chase which paradoxically takes him straight to the heart of the matter.
1830
Private eye Harry Moseby (Gene Hackman) is dedicated to his job but his dedication does not make him happy or powerful in his personal life and his wife (Susan Clark) is cheating on him. Aging actress Arlene Iverson (Janet Ward) hires Harry to find her trust-funded daughter Delly (Melanie Griffith) distracting Harry from his marital problems as he tracks the lascivious runaway teen to Florida. In the Keys Harry has an affair of his own with Paula (Jennifer Warren) and he succeeds in locating Delly even as he learns that finding her is only the beginning of a much larger case. As the "accidental" deaths multiply Harry discovers that everyone has his or her own motives and that he cannot do much to stem the tide of deep-seated depravity.
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Private eye Harry Moseby ( Gene Hackman ) is dedicated to his job , but his dedication does not make him happy or powerful in his personal life , and his wife ( Susan Clark ) is cheating on him. Aging actress Arlene Iverson ( Janet Ward ) hires Harry to find her trust - funded daughter Delly ( Melanie Griffith ), distracting Harry from his marital problems as he tracks the lascivious runaway teen to Florida. In the Keys , Harry has an affair of his own with Paula ( Jennifer Warren ), and he succeeds in locating Delly , even as he learns that finding her is only the beginning of a much larger case. As the "accidental" deaths multiply , Harry discovers that everyone has his or her own motives and that he cannot do much to stem the tide of deep - seated depravity.
1831
Adapted from Umberto Eco's best-selling novel director Jean-Jacques Annaud's The Name of the Rose is a 14th century murder-mystery thriller starring Sean Connery as a Sherlock Holmes-esque Franciscan monk called William of Baskerville. When a murder occurs at a secluded Benedictine Abbey William is called in to investigate. As he and his apprentice Adson von Melk (Christian Slater) delve deeper and deeper into the case more dead bodies begin to turn up. Eventually Bernardo Gui an inquisitor played by F. Murray Abraham gets involved but he may not have the best intentions. Sean Connery's performance earned him the award for Best Actor at the 1988 British Academy Awards.
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Adapted from Umberto Eco 's best - selling novel , director Jean - Jacques Annaud 's The Name of the Rose is a 14th century murder - mystery thriller starring Sean Connery as a Sherlock Holmes - esque Franciscan monk called William of Baskerville. When a murder occurs at a secluded Benedictine Abbey , William is called in to investigate. As he and his apprentice , Adson von Melk ( Christian Slater ), delve deeper and deeper into the case , more dead bodies begin to turn up. Eventually , Bernardo Gui , an inquisitor played by F. Murray Abraham gets involved , but he may not have the best intentions. Sean Connery 's performance earned him the award for Best Actor at the 1988 British Academy Awards.
1832
"It's OK with me...." Applying his deconstructive eye to the "film noir" tradition Robert Altman updated Raymond Chandler in his 1973 version of Chandler's novel The Long Goodbye. Smart-aleck cat-loving private eye Philip Marlowe (Elliott Gould) is certain that his friend Terry Lennox (Jim Bouton) isn't a wife-killer even after the cops throw Marlowe in jail for not cooperating with their investigation into Lennox's subsequent disappearance. Once he gets out of jail Marlowe starts to conduct his own search when he discovers that mysterious blonde Eileen Wade (Nina Van Pallandt) who hired him to find her alcoholic novelist husband Roger (Sterling Hayden) lives on the same Malibu street as the absent Lennox and his deceased spouse. As numerous variations on the title song play in unexpected places Marlowe encounters a shady doctor (Henry Gibson) a bottle-wielding gangster (director Mark Rydell) and a guard aping Barbara Stanwyck (among other stars) before heading to Mexico to stumble onto the truth once and for all.
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"It's OK with me...." Applying his deconstructive eye to the "film noir" tradition , Robert Altman updated Raymond Chandler in his 1973 version of Chandler's novel , The Long Goodbye . Smart - aleck , cat - loving private eye Philip Marlowe ( Elliott Gould ) is certain that his friend Terry Lennox ( Jim Bouton ) isn't a wife - killer , even after the cops throw Marlowe in jail for not cooperating with their investigation into Lennox's subsequent disappearance. Once he gets out of jail , Marlowe starts to conduct his own search when he discovers that mysterious blonde Eileen Wade ( Nina Van Pallandt ), who hired him to find her alcoholic novelist husband Roger ( Sterling Hayden ), lives on the same Malibu street as the absent Lennox and his deceased spouse. As numerous variations on the title song play in unexpected places , Marlowe encounters a shady doctor ( Henry Gibson ), a bottle - wielding gangster ( director Mark Rydell ), and a guard aping Barbara Stanwyck ( among other stars ), before heading to Mexico to stumble onto the truth once and for all.
1833
Even though he barely makes enough money to cover his expenses and finds divorce cases (his bread and butter) unsavory aging detective Ira Wells (Art Carney) is determined to stay active and to retain some amount of self-respect. When his partner Harry Regan (Howard Duff) is killed while on assignment Ira agrees to take on his current case although he can't see how it has anything to do with his friend's murder which he is anxious to solve. In order to survive by solving the case of his client's missing cat and solving the murder of his friend Ira winds up accepting a lot of help from his client Margo (Lily Tomlin). By the end of the film it looks like an offbeat romance or perhaps a new business partnership is blooming.
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Even though he barely makes enough money to cover his expenses and finds divorce cases ( his bread and butter ) unsavory , aging detective Ira Wells ( Art Carney ) is determined to stay active and to retain some amount of self - respect. When his partner Harry Regan ( Howard Duff ) is killed while on assignment , Ira agrees to take on his current case , although he can't see how it has anything to do with his friend's murder , which he is anxious to solve. In order to survive , by solving the case of his client's missing cat , and solving the murder of his friend , Ira winds up accepting a lot of help from his client Margo ( Lily Tomlin ) . By the end of the film , it looks like an offbeat romance , or perhaps a new business partnership , is blooming.
1834
This suspense drama features an all-star cast including Richard Benjamin Dyan Cannon James Coburn James Mason Ian McShane and Raquel Welch. An interesting production fact about the film: its screenplay was written by actor Anthony Perkins and lyricist/songwriter Stephen Sondheim. Their careers depend on keeping in the good graces of Clinton (James Coburn) a powerful movie producer. That is why a group of actors director agents and other movie professionals (who hate each other) accept an invitation to spend a week on the producer's yacht on the anniversary of his wife's untimely death in a hit-and-run car accident. Once on board Clinton requires them to play a vicious game which involves each person's revealing a damaging secret about themselves or someone else in the party. When one of the secrets to be revealed involves the hit-and-run murder of his wife the game turns fatal.
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This suspense drama features an all - star cast , including Richard Benjamin , Dyan Cannon , James Coburn , James Mason , Ian McShane , and Raquel Welch . An interesting production fact about the film : its screenplay was written by actor Anthony Perkins and lyricist / songwriter Stephen Sondheim . Their careers depend on keeping in the good graces of Clinton ( James Coburn ), a powerful movie producer. That is why a group of actors , director , agents and other movie professionals ( who hate each other ) accept an invitation to spend a week on the producer's yacht on the anniversary of his wife's untimely death in a hit - and - run car accident. Once on board , Clinton requires them to play a vicious game which involves each person's revealing a damaging secret about themselves or someone else in the party. When one of the secrets to be revealed involves the hit - and - run murder of his wife , the game turns fatal.
1835
The time is the 1950s: seedy Brooklyn private eye Harry Angel (Mickey Rourke) is hired by shady Louis Cyphre (Robert De Niro) to locate a pop singer who reneged on a debt. Harry ventures into Harlem the first step of a Heart of Darkness-inspired odyssey. Each time Harry makes contact with someone who might know the singer's whereabouts he or she is killed in a horrible ritualistic fashion; a Satanic cult seems to be at the bottom of all the carnage. Harry solves the mystery all right. He just didn't know that he had the answer all along -- even before Louis entered his office. Also available in the "unrated" video version Angel Heart is best known as the film that nearly got an X-rating due to a no-holds-barred sex scene involving Mickey Rourke and Lisa Bonet.
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The time is the 1950s : seedy Brooklyn private eye Harry Angel ( Mickey Rourke ) is hired by shady Louis Cyphre ( Robert De Niro ) to locate a pop singer who reneged on a debt. Harry ventures into Harlem , the first step of a Heart of Darkness - inspired odyssey. Each time Harry makes contact with someone who might know the singer's whereabouts , he or she is killed in a horrible , ritualistic fashion ; a Satanic cult seems to be at the bottom of all the carnage. Harry solves the mystery , all right. He just didn't know that he had the answer all along -- even before Louis entered his office. Also available in the "unrated" video version , Angel Heart is best known as the film that nearly got an X - rating due to a no - holds - barred sex scene involving Mickey Rourke and Lisa Bonet .
1836
Supernatural horror meets character drama in this Sam Raimi-directed thriller. Set in Georgia the film concerns a widowed mother named Annie (Cate Blanchett) who is blessed with the ability to have psychic visions. When Annie is asked to use her powers to investigate the murder of a rich society girl (Katie Holmes) who was engaged to a local high school principal (Greg Kinnear) she finds her "gift" is as destructive as it is helpful. Many of the townspeople have mixed regard for Annie's abilities including an abusive husband (Keanu Reeves) and his brutalized wife (Hilary Swank) (the former threatens Annie and her children with taunts that she is a devil) as well as a deeply troubled auto mechanic (Giovanni Ribisi) who may hold a key to the events in question. The Georgia residents soon find themselves all suspects in the investigation and Annie is forced to confront past demons while still trying to help solve the mystery. The Gift was co-written by Billy Bob Thornton who appeared in another of Raimi's thrillers A Simple Plan.
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Supernatural horror meets character drama in this Sam Raimi - directed thriller. Set in Georgia , the film concerns a widowed mother named Annie ( Cate Blanchett ) who is blessed with the ability to have psychic visions. When Annie is asked to use her powers to investigate the murder of a rich society girl ( Katie Holmes ) who was engaged to a local high school principal ( Greg Kinnear ), she finds her "gift" is as destructive as it is helpful. Many of the townspeople have mixed regard for Annie's abilities , including an abusive husband ( Keanu Reeves ) and his brutalized wife ( Hilary Swank ) ( the former threatens Annie and her children with taunts that she is a devil ) as well as a deeply troubled auto mechanic ( Giovanni Ribisi ) who may hold a key to the events in question. The Georgia residents soon find themselves all suspects in the investigation , and Annie is forced to confront past demons while still trying to help solve the mystery. The Gift was co - written by Billy Bob Thornton , who appeared in another of Raimi's thrillers , A Simple Plan .
1837
The Nobody's Fool (1994) team of Paul Newman director Robert Benton and scripter Richard Russo reassembled for this L.A. detective drama beginning with a Puerto Vallarta prologue showing private eye Harry Ross (Newman) accidentally shot by 17-year-old Mel Ames (Reese Witherspoon) during his efforts to get her to return home. Two years later the broke and divorced Ross lives in a garage apartment on the estate of Mel's parents his movie-star friends Jack and Catherine Ames (Gene Hackman and Susan Sarandon). The cancer-ridden Jack is not unaware that Harry is attracted to Catherine. Delivering a package for Jack Harry encounters elderly Lester Ivar (M. Emmet Walsh) who shoots at Harry and then dies. Harry's curiosity is provoked when he discovers that Ivar was an investigator checking into the disappearance of Catherine's first husband written off 20 years earlier as an unsolved case but now reactivated as Harry's sleuth-work leads him on a trail of past crimes and cover-ups. The Ames residence is actually the former Cedric Gibbons-Delores Del Rio home and a never-completed Frank Lloyd Wright house near Malibu served as the Ames' ranchhouse.
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The Nobody's Fool ( 1994 ) team of Paul Newman , director Robert Benton , and scripter Richard Russo reassembled for this L.A. detective drama , beginning with a Puerto Vallarta prologue showing private eye Harry Ross ( Newman ) accidentally shot by 17 - year - old Mel Ames ( Reese Witherspoon ) during his efforts to get her to return home. Two years later , the broke and divorced Ross lives in a garage apartment on the estate of Mel's parents , his movie - star friends Jack and Catherine Ames ( Gene Hackman and Susan Sarandon ) . The cancer - ridden Jack is not unaware that Harry is attracted to Catherine. Delivering a package for Jack , Harry encounters elderly Lester Ivar ( M. Emmet Walsh ), who shoots at Harry and then dies. Harry's curiosity is provoked when he discovers that Ivar was an investigator checking into the disappearance of Catherine's first husband , written off 20 years earlier as an unsolved case , but now reactivated as Harry's sleuth - work leads him on a trail of past crimes and cover - ups. The Ames residence is actually the former Cedric Gibbons - Delores Del Rio home , and a never - completed Frank Lloyd Wright house near Malibu served as the Ames' ranchhouse.
1838
Four men just barely on the right side of the law step into a web of danger and corruption in this drama. In the early 1950s Max Hoover (Nick Nolte) is a detective with the Los Angeles Police Department who leads what's been dubbed "the hat squad" a group of sharp-dressed cops who are ordered to stamp out organized crime using any means necessary with legality and delicacy not much of an issue. Hoover and his partners Ellery Coolidge (Chazz Palminteri) Eddie Hall (Michael Madsen) and Arthur Relyea (Chris Penn) are looking into the brutal murder of a young woman named Allison Pond (Jennifer Connelly). In the course of their investigation they discover that Allison had a lively sexual history and she possessed explicit films of herself with her lovers including Gen. Thomas Timms (John Malkovich) leader of the newly-formed Atomic Energy Commission. Timms becomes a key suspect and he reveals the first of a long trail of troubling secrets but Hoover has secrets of his own that he's trying to keep covered in the process -- including the fact that he and Allison were once an item. Popular vocalist Aaron Neville has a cameo as a singer at a night spot.
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Four men just barely on the right side of the law step into a web of danger and corruption in this drama. In the early 1950s , Max Hoover ( Nick Nolte ) is a detective with the Los Angeles Police Department who leads what's been dubbed "the hat squad , " a group of sharp - dressed cops who are ordered to stamp out organized crime using any means necessary , with legality and delicacy not much of an issue. Hoover and his partners Ellery Coolidge ( Chazz Palminteri ), Eddie Hall ( Michael Madsen ), and Arthur Relyea ( Chris Penn ) are looking into the brutal murder of a young woman named Allison Pond ( Jennifer Connelly ) . In the course of their investigation , they discover that Allison had a lively sexual history , and she possessed explicit films of herself with her lovers , including Gen. Thomas Timms ( John Malkovich ), leader of the newly - formed Atomic Energy Commission. Timms becomes a key suspect , and he reveals the first of a long trail of troubling secrets , but Hoover has secrets of his own that he's trying to keep covered in the process -- including the fact that he and Allison were once an item. Popular vocalist Aaron Neville has a cameo as a singer at a night spot.
1839
The mystery stage play by Anthony Shaffer was adapted by the author into this stylish film from director Joseph L. Manciewicz. Laurence Olivier stars as Andrew Wyke a best-selling author of detective fiction living in a grand 16th century mansion. Andrew is visited by Milo Tindle (Michael Caine) owner of a hair salon chain and reveals to his guest that he's aware of Milo's affair with his wife Marguerite. Rather than being vengeful however Andrew professes he's glad to be rid of his troublesome spouse. To avoid paying heavy alimony Andrew suggests that Milo disguise himself as a clown and steal his wife's expensive jewelry. That way Marguerite and Milo can obtain financial security while Andrew claims the loss on his insurance and all walk away rich. Andrew's plan is a devious one however designed to toy with his wife's lover and a series of deceptions and counter-deceptions are launched in which nothing is as it seems unfolding as an elaborate game of comeuppance between the two men. Ten years after Sleuth Caine would assay a role not unlike Olivier's in the similarly-themed Deathtrap (1982).
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The mystery stage play by Anthony Shaffer was adapted by the author into this stylish film from director Joseph L. Manciewicz . Laurence Olivier stars as Andrew Wyke , a best - selling author of detective fiction living in a grand 16th century mansion. Andrew is visited by Milo Tindle ( Michael Caine ), owner of a hair salon chain , and reveals to his guest that he's aware of Milo's affair with his wife Marguerite. Rather than being vengeful , however , Andrew professes he's glad to be rid of his troublesome spouse. To avoid paying heavy alimony , Andrew suggests that Milo disguise himself as a clown and steal his wife's expensive jewelry. That way Marguerite and Milo can obtain financial security while Andrew claims the loss on his insurance and all walk away rich. Andrew's plan is a devious one , however , designed to toy with his wife's lover , and a series of deceptions and counter - deceptions are launched in which nothing is as it seems , unfolding as an elaborate game of comeuppance between the two men. Ten years after Sleuth , Caine would assay a role not unlike Olivier 's in the similarly - themed Deathtrap ( 1982 ) .
1840
Rusty Sabich (Harrison Ford) is a bland oppressed man who burns with a quiet corrosive intensity that can flare uncontrollably. A Philadelphia prosecutor Sabich's fire seems to have one outlet: his job. He loves prosecuting people. Otherwise his life is dead-ended. He has a loveless marriage to a neurotic woman (Bonnie Bedelia) and an overbearing boss (Brian Dennehy) in a labyrinthine law enforcement world of corruption and twisted relationships. Then Carolyn Polhemus (Greta Scacchi) comes into his life. Lovely and seductive Polhemus easily entices him to break his marital vows but she schemes to get him to try for his boss' job. When he refuses she leaves him. When she turns up dead the victim of an apparent rape-murder clues begin to point to Sabich. His blood type almost perfectly matches that in the semen found in the victim carpet fibers at the crime scene match those found in his house and most damning his fingerprints are found on a beer glass in Polhemus' apartment. His protestations of innocence ignored Sabich is put on trial for the murder and hires his biggest adversary (Raul Julia) to defend him.
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Rusty Sabich ( Harrison Ford ) is a bland , oppressed man who burns with a quiet , corrosive intensity that can flare uncontrollably. A Philadelphia prosecutor , Sabich's fire seems to have one outlet : his job. He loves prosecuting people. Otherwise , his life is dead - ended. He has a loveless marriage to a neurotic woman ( Bonnie Bedelia ) and an overbearing boss ( Brian Dennehy ) in a labyrinthine law enforcement world of corruption and twisted relationships. Then Carolyn Polhemus ( Greta Scacchi ) comes into his life. Lovely and seductive , Polhemus easily entices him to break his marital vows , but she schemes to get him to try for his boss' job. When he refuses , she leaves him. When she turns up dead , the victim of an apparent rape - murder , clues begin to point to Sabich. His blood type almost perfectly matches that in the semen found in the victim , carpet fibers at the crime scene match those found in his house , and most damning , his fingerprints are found on a beer glass in Polhemus' apartment. His protestations of innocence ignored , Sabich is put on trial for the murder and hires his biggest adversary ( Raul Julia ) to defend him.
1841
The murders by the infamous British criminal Jack the Ripper catch the attention of Sherlock Holmes (Christopher Plummer) but he does not receive the expected call from Scotland Yard because he is being purposefully excluded from the investigation. Instead Robert Lees (Donald Sutherland) a psychic who volunteered information to the police about the murders provides the Great Detective with the necessary incitement to action. As the murders proceed it becomes clear to all concerned that it is more important to stop them than to announce their solution and Holmes enters the fray with the help of his trusty aide Dr. Watson (James Mason). The former mistress of a "prominent personage" Annie Crook (Genevieve Bujold) provides crucial information leading to a final confrontation on London's docks.
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The murders by the infamous British criminal , Jack the Ripper , catch the attention of Sherlock Holmes ( Christopher Plummer ), but he does not receive the expected call from Scotland Yard because he is being purposefully excluded from the investigation. Instead , Robert Lees ( Donald Sutherland ), a psychic who volunteered information to the police about the murders , provides the Great Detective with the necessary incitement to action. As the murders proceed , it becomes clear to all concerned that it is more important to stop them than to announce their solution , and Holmes enters the fray with the help of his trusty aide , Dr. Watson ( James Mason ) . The former mistress of a "prominent personage , " Annie Crook ( Genevieve Bujold ), provides crucial information leading to a final confrontation on London's docks.
1842
As penned by Neil Simon this satire of movie mysteries is set in motion when several prominent detectives are invited to the mansion of the reclusive Lionel Twain (Truman Capote). In Ten Little Indians fashion the gathered sleuths are locked into the forbidding mansion and subject to various death-dealing devices. While struggling for their lives the vainglorious gumshoes continue to try to one-up one another. Each character is broadly based on a famous literary detective: Sidney Wang (Peter Sellers) is an aphorism-spouting Charlie Chan clone: Dick and Dora Charleston (David Niven and Maggie Smith) are patterned on the protagonists of the Thin Man flicks; Milo Perrier (James Coco) a Hercule Poirot takeoff stalks through the proceedings declaring "I'm a Belgie not a Frenchie!"; Sam Diamond (Peter Falk) is Raymond Chandler's Philip Marlowe and Dashiell Hammett's Sam Spade rolled in one; and Jessica Marbles (Elsa Lanchester) is a dottier variation of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple. Best bit: a "conversation" between blind butler Jamessir Bensonmum (Alec Guinness) and deaf-mute maid Yetta (Nancy Walker). The fade-out gag of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson showing up late for Lionel Twain's party was edited from the theatrical version of Murder by Death but was restored for TV. The film marked the big-screen directorial debut of Robert Moore who'd previously directed several of Neil Simon's Broadway productions. Moore went on to direct another Simon spoof The Cheap Detective (1978) before his untimely death.
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As penned by Neil Simon , this satire of movie mysteries is set in motion when several prominent detectives are invited to the mansion of the reclusive Lionel Twain ( Truman Capote ) . In Ten Little Indians fashion , the gathered sleuths are locked into the forbidding mansion , and subject to various death - dealing devices. While struggling for their lives , the vainglorious gumshoes continue to try to one - up one another. Each character is broadly based on a famous literary detective : Sidney Wang ( Peter Sellers ) is an aphorism - spouting Charlie Chan clone : Dick and Dora Charleston ( David Niven and Maggie Smith ) are patterned on the protagonists of the Thin Man flicks ; Milo Perrier ( James Coco ), a Hercule Poirot takeoff , stalks through the proceedings declaring "I'm a Belgie , not a Frenchie!" ; Sam Diamond ( Peter Falk ) is Raymond Chandler 's Philip Marlowe and Dashiell Hammett 's Sam Spade rolled in one ; and Jessica Marbles ( Elsa Lanchester ) is a dottier variation of Agatha Christie 's Miss Marple. Best bit : a "conversation" between blind butler Jamessir Bensonmum ( Alec Guinness ) and deaf - mute maid Yetta ( Nancy Walker ) . The fade - out gag of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson showing up late for Lionel Twain's party was edited from the theatrical version of Murder by Death , but was restored for TV. The film marked the big - screen directorial debut of Robert Moore , who'd previously directed several of Neil Simon 's Broadway productions. Moore went on to direct another Simon spoof , The Cheap Detective ( 1978 ), before his untimely death.
1843
Mortal Thoughts is a low-key thriller revolving around the relationship between two best friends who are involved in the death of one of their husbands. The movie unfolds as the events leading to a confession are shown in flashback. Joyce (Glenne Headly) is married to the abusive unfaithful James (Bruce Willis). During an outing at a carnival James is killed and Joyce and her best friend Cynthia (Demi Moore) try to cover up the murder.
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Mortal Thoughts is a low - key thriller revolving around the relationship between two best friends who are involved in the death of one of their husbands. The movie unfolds as the events leading to a confession are shown in flashback. Joyce ( Glenne Headly ) is married to the abusive , unfaithful James ( Bruce Willis ) . During an outing at a carnival , James is killed , and Joyce and her best friend Cynthia ( Demi Moore ) try to cover up the murder.
1844
Condemned as being a "disappointing" and "unworthy" Alfred Hitchcock effort at the time of its release Marnie has since grown in stature; it is still considered a lesser Hitchcock but a fascinating one. Tippi Hedren plays Marnie a compulsive thief who cannot stand to be touched by any man. She also goes bonkers over the sight of the color red. Her new boss Mark Rutland (Sean Connery) is intrigued by Marnie -- to such an extent that he blackmails her into marriage when he stumbles onto her breaking into his safe. Rutland is in his own way as "sick" as his wife because of his fetishist desire to cohabit with a thief. After innumerable plot twists and turns Marnie is "cured" by a facile but mesmerizing flashback sequence involving her ex-hooker mother (Louise Latham). Among the critical carps aimed at Marnie was the complaint that the studio-bound sets -- particularly the waterfront locale where the film ends -- were tacky and artificial; curiously this seeming "carelessness" adds to the queasy off-setting mood that Hitchcock endeavored to sustain. Even when the direction seems to falter the film is buoyed by the driving musical score of Bernard Herrmann (his last for Hitchcock). Among the supporting actors in Marnie are Mariette Hartley as a secretary and Bruce Dern as a sailor; twelve years later Dern would star in Hitchcock's final film Family Plot.
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Condemned as being a "disappointing" and "unworthy" Alfred Hitchcock effort at the time of its release , Marnie has since grown in stature ; it is still considered a lesser Hitchcock , but a fascinating one. Tippi Hedren plays Marnie , a compulsive thief who cannot stand to be touched by any man. She also goes bonkers over the sight of the color red. Her new boss , Mark Rutland ( Sean Connery ) is intrigued by Marnie -- to such an extent that he blackmails her into marriage when he stumbles onto her breaking into his safe. Rutland is in his own way as "sick" as his wife because of his fetishist desire to cohabit with a thief. After innumerable plot twists and turns , Marnie is "cured" by a facile but mesmerizing flashback sequence involving her ex - hooker mother ( Louise Latham ) . Among the critical carps aimed at Marnie was the complaint that the studio - bound sets -- particularly the waterfront locale where the film ends -- were tacky and artificial ; curiously , this seeming "carelessness" adds to the queasy , off - setting mood that Hitchcock endeavored to sustain. Even when the direction seems to falter , the film is buoyed by the driving musical score of Bernard Herrmann ( his last for Hitchcock ) . Among the supporting actors in Marnie are Mariette Hartley as a secretary and Bruce Dern as a sailor ; twelve years later , Dern would star in Hitchcock's final film , Family Plot .
1845
In this supernatural nostalgia piece a young boy tracks down a murderer with help from the ghosts of a slain little girl and her mother. In a voice-over grown-up writer Frankie Scarlatti describes the disturbing events that intruded on his idyllic small-town boyhood. Locked in the school cloakroom by some other boys on Halloween 1962 young Frankie (Lukas Haas) encounters the ghost of Melissa Anne Montgomery (Joelle Jacobi) who re-enacts her own death by strangulation just before an unseen adult enters the school and tries to do away with Frankie himself. While recuperating in the care of his widower father (Alex Rocco) Frankie conducts some detective work and learns that Melissa is one of ten children killed over the past decade. Further encounters with the girl's ghost -- and the mournful specter of her mother the Lady in White (Karen Powell) -- do little to help the boy solve the mystery of who killed the kids. Meanwhile an innocent black maintenance man becomes the scapegoat on which the police hang the killings. However thanks to the damning but enigmatic evidence Frankie has discovered the boy faces imminent danger from the actual killer who ends up lurking terrifyingly close to home. The sophomore feature from writer/director Frank LaLoggia who made his name with the low-budget horror film Fear No Evil Lady in White starred the young Lukas Haas halfway between his appearances in Witness and Rambling Rose.
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In this supernatural nostalgia piece , a young boy tracks down a murderer with help from the ghosts of a slain little girl and her mother. In a voice - over , grown - up writer Frankie Scarlatti describes the disturbing events that intruded on his idyllic small - town boyhood. Locked in the school cloakroom by some other boys on Halloween 1962 , young Frankie ( Lukas Haas ) encounters the ghost of Melissa Anne Montgomery ( Joelle Jacobi ), who re - enacts her own death by strangulation just before an unseen adult enters the school and tries to do away with Frankie himself. While recuperating in the care of his widower father ( Alex Rocco ), Frankie conducts some detective work and learns that Melissa is one of ten children killed over the past decade. Further encounters with the girl's ghost -- and the mournful specter of her mother , the Lady in White ( Karen Powell ) -- do little to help the boy solve the mystery of who killed the kids. Meanwhile , an innocent black maintenance man becomes the scapegoat on which the police hang the killings. However , thanks to the damning but enigmatic evidence Frankie has discovered , the boy faces imminent danger from the actual killer , who ends up lurking terrifyingly close to home. The sophomore feature from writer / director Frank LaLoggia , who made his name with the low - budget horror film Fear No Evil , Lady in White starred the young Lukas Haas halfway between his appearances in Witness and Rambling Rose .
1846
In the dead of a Moscow winter three bodies are found in Gorky Park. Police Inspector Renko (William Hurt) is unable to identify the corpses since even their fingerprints have removed. For reasons unknown to him Renko's investigation is somehow being stymied by his higher-ups. Ferreting out information on his own Renko makes the acquaintance of Soviet dissident Irina (Joanna Pacula) a friend of one of the victims and Lee Marvin as Armand Hammer-style American businessman. As in Martin Cruz Smith's novel the identity of the killer is not as well hidden as the reasons behind the killing. "Glasnost" had not yet taken effect in 1983 thus Gorky Park was filmed in Finland rather than Russia.
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In the dead of a Moscow winter , three bodies are found in Gorky Park. Police Inspector Renko ( William Hurt ) is unable to identify the corpses , since even their fingerprints have removed. For reasons unknown to him , Renko's investigation is somehow being stymied by his higher - ups. Ferreting out information on his own , Renko makes the acquaintance of Soviet dissident Irina ( Joanna Pacula ), a friend of one of the victims , and Lee Marvin as Armand Hammer - style American businessman. As in Martin Cruz Smith's novel , the identity of the killer is not as well hidden as the reasons behind the killing. "Glasnost" had not yet taken effect in 1983 , thus Gorky Park was filmed in Finland rather than Russia.
1847
Sidney Lumet provides another of his film adaptations of Broadway successes -- in this case Ira Levin's 1978 clever Broadway murder mystery that starred John Wood in a triumphant turn as down-on-his-luck playwright Sidney Bruhl. Wood's brittle airiness is replaced in the film version by Michael Caine's smoldering bitterness. Sidney Bruhl is a successful writer of Broadway mystery plays who was at one time considered the Neil Simon of Broadway mystery writers. Unfortunately Bruhl is now struggling to live up to his own reputation suffering through a series of four consecutive flops. But then Bruhl comes upon the manuscript of a brilliant suspense drama written by unknown writer Clifford Anderson (Christopher Reeve). Bruhl desperate for a hit play invites Clifford to come to see him telling him that he is interested in collaborating with him on the play. Actually Bruhl plans to murder Clifford and pass off Clifford's play as his own. What Bruhl doesn't know however is that Clifford has some surprise plot points of his own up his sleeve.
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Sidney Lumet provides another of his film adaptations of Broadway successes -- in this case Ira Levin 's 1978 clever Broadway murder mystery that starred John Wood in a triumphant turn as down - on - his - luck playwright Sidney Bruhl. Wood's brittle airiness is replaced in the film version by Michael Caine 's smoldering bitterness. Sidney Bruhl is a successful writer of Broadway mystery plays who was at one time considered the Neil Simon of Broadway mystery writers. Unfortunately , Bruhl is now struggling to live up to his own reputation , suffering through a series of four consecutive flops. But then Bruhl comes upon the manuscript of a brilliant suspense drama written by unknown writer Clifford Anderson ( Christopher Reeve ) . Bruhl , desperate for a hit play , invites Clifford to come to see him , telling him that he is interested in collaborating with him on the play. Actually , Bruhl plans to murder Clifford and pass off Clifford's play as his own. What Bruhl doesn't know , however , is that Clifford has some surprise plot points of his own up his sleeve.
1848
Peter Ustinov began his long association with the Hercule Poirot character of murder mystery novelist Agatha Christie with this lavish but financially disappointing follow-up to the popular Murder on the Orient Express (1974). During a luxurious pleasure cruise down the Nile aboard a lavish vessel populated with wealthy passengers widely despised heiress and home wrecker Linnet Ridgeway (Lois Chiles) is murdered. Also aboard is famed Belgian detective Poirot (Ustinov) and his taciturn traveling companion Colonel Race (David Niven). Poirot undertakes an investigation into Ridgeway's killing. Among the colorful suspects are Salome (Angela Lansbury) and Rosalie Otterbourne (Olivia Hussey) Doctor Bessner (Jack Warden) Mrs. Van Schuyler (Bette Davis) Miss Bowers (Maggie Smith) and Jacqueline De Bellefort (Mia Farrow). As more bodies pile up however it appears that nearly everyone aboard has a motive. The script for Death on the Nile (1978) was adapted by Anthony Shaffer the writer of Sleuth (1972) and the identical twin brother of Amadeus (1984) author Peter Shaffer.
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Peter Ustinov began his long association with the Hercule Poirot character of murder mystery novelist Agatha Christie with this lavish but financially disappointing follow - up to the popular Murder on the Orient Express ( 1974 ) . During a luxurious pleasure cruise down the Nile aboard a lavish vessel populated with wealthy passengers , widely despised heiress and home wrecker Linnet Ridgeway ( Lois Chiles ) is murdered. Also aboard is famed Belgian detective Poirot ( Ustinov ) and his taciturn traveling companion , Colonel Race ( David Niven ) . Poirot undertakes an investigation into Ridgeway's killing. Among the colorful suspects are Salome ( Angela Lansbury ) and Rosalie Otterbourne ( Olivia Hussey ), Doctor Bessner ( Jack Warden ), Mrs. Van Schuyler ( Bette Davis ), Miss Bowers ( Maggie Smith ), and Jacqueline De Bellefort ( Mia Farrow ) . As more bodies pile up , however , it appears that nearly everyone aboard has a motive. The script for Death on the Nile ( 1978 ) was adapted by Anthony Shaffer , the writer of Sleuth ( 1972 ) and the identical twin brother of Amadeus ( 1984 ) author Peter Shaffer .
1849
Edogawa Rampo -- a pen name that is also a homonym in Japanese for Edgar Allen Poe -- amassed a major cult following after writing a series of short stories that masterly meld the erotic and the grotesque. Unlike previous films about of his work -- such as Noboru Tanaka's masterful Stroller in the Attic -- this piece is not so much an adaptation of his work than a dreamlike vision of his inner workings. Set during the 1930s Rampo (Naoto Takenaka) after learning that his piece Osei Tojo was censored by the government reads a newspaper article about an incident that bears freakish similarity to his suppressed story. The article details a murder investigation surrounding Sonoko (Michiko Hada) the wife of an antique dealer who was found suffocated in an large oblong chest. At the funeral Rampo is immediately drawn to Sonoko who exudes a certain femme fatal magnetism. She fires his creativity and soon he is banging out a sequel to his censored work. In his story Osei becomes the lover of a debauched aristocrat (Mikijiro Hira) who likes to sexually humiliate the recent widow. Meanwhile a straight-arrow detective Kogoro Akechi (Masahiro Motoki) ventures to the count's estate to further investigate the murder. While writing this tale he passionately pursues Osei in real life -- or at least what he thinks is real life. This film was famous in Japan for its turbulent production history. Producer Kazuyoshi Okuyama was displeased with original director Rintaro Mayuzumi's faithful delicate version of the film and reshot 80 percent of the film fashioning it into a flashier bawdier affair. Both versions were released in Japan.
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Edogawa Rampo -- a pen name that is also a homonym in Japanese for Edgar Allen Poe -- amassed a major cult following after writing a series of short stories that masterly meld the erotic and the grotesque. Unlike previous films about of his work -- such as Noboru Tanaka 's masterful Stroller in the Attic -- this piece is not so much an adaptation of his work than a dreamlike vision of his inner workings. Set during the 1930s , Rampo ( Naoto Takenaka ), after learning that his piece Osei Tojo was censored by the government , reads a newspaper article about an incident that bears freakish similarity to his suppressed story. The article details a murder investigation surrounding Sonoko ( Michiko Hada ), the wife of an antique dealer who was found suffocated in an large oblong chest. At the funeral , Rampo is immediately drawn to Sonoko , who exudes a certain femme fatal magnetism. She fires his creativity and soon he is banging out a sequel to his censored work. In his story , Osei becomes the lover of a debauched aristocrat ( Mikijiro Hira ) who likes to sexually humiliate the recent widow. Meanwhile , a straight - arrow detective , Kogoro Akechi ( Masahiro Motoki ), ventures to the count's estate to further investigate the murder. While writing this tale , he passionately pursues Osei in real life -- or at least what he thinks is real life. This film was famous in Japan for its turbulent production history. Producer Kazuyoshi Okuyama was displeased with original director Rintaro Mayuzumi 's faithful , delicate version of the film and reshot 80 percent of the film , fashioning it into a flashier , bawdier affair. Both versions were released in Japan.
1850
Simon Moore's directorial debut (his also wrote the screenplay) is a brooding thriller that takes place in the melancholy British resort town of Brighton in the 1950s. Liam Neeson stars as Tony Aaron a disreputable ex-cop who now makes a living as a sleazy private eye. With his wife Hazel (Maggie O'Neill) as bait he arranges compromising photographs of errant husbands whose wives require proof of marital infidelities in order to obtain divorces. But one day Aaron bursts into a hotel room to find Hazel and her client a famed American painter murdered; the painter's body has been mutilated and his thumb with which he signed his paintings is cut off and missing. With an old crony of Aaron's Frank (Kenneth Cranham) leading the investigation two lead suspects are brought to the fore --Selina (Alphonsia Emmanuel) the painter's widow; and Angeline (Laura San Giacomo) the painter's mistress. And it is with Angeline the person most likely to have killed the painter that Aaron falls in love. But soon the tables are turned. When the victims were found to have been killed with Aaron's gunm and a neighbor leaves a suicide note claiming that Aaron is the killer Aaron is arrested and found guilty of the killings. But right before Aaron's execution a surprising piece of new evidence is discovered that changes everything.
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Simon Moore 's directorial debut ( his also wrote the screenplay ) is a brooding thriller that takes place in the melancholy British resort town of Brighton in the 1950s. Liam Neeson stars as Tony Aaron , a disreputable ex - cop who now makes a living as a sleazy private eye. With his wife Hazel ( Maggie O'Neill ) as bait , he arranges compromising photographs of errant husbands whose wives require proof of marital infidelities in order to obtain divorces. But one day , Aaron bursts into a hotel room to find Hazel and her client , a famed American painter , murdered ; the painter's body has been mutilated , and his thumb , with which he signed his paintings , is cut off and missing. With an old crony of Aaron's , Frank ( Kenneth Cranham ), leading the investigation , two lead suspects are brought to the fore -- Selina ( Alphonsia Emmanuel ), the painter's widow ; and Angeline ( Laura San Giacomo ), the painter's mistress. And it is with Angeline , the person most likely to have killed the painter , that Aaron falls in love. But soon the tables are turned. When the victims were found to have been killed with Aaron's gunm and a neighbor leaves a suicide note claiming that Aaron is the killer , Aaron is arrested and found guilty of the killings. But right before Aaron's execution , a surprising piece of new evidence is discovered that changes everything.
1851
ritish filmmaker Peter Yates directs Suspect a suspenseful courtroom drama set in Washington D.C. After a Supreme Court justice commits suicide and a Justice Department secretary is found dead a deaf-mute homeless veteran Carl Wayne Anderson (Liam Neeson) is the suspected killer. Lonely yet dedicated public defender Kathleen Riley (Cher) is assigned to the case to represent Anderson. Suave lobbyist Eddie Sanger (Dennis Quaid) is on the jury but he starts his own investigation by finding clues that prove Anderson's innocence. He shares his information with Kathleen even though they could get arrested for talking about the case. Eventually they develop a romance and reveal a conspiracy that leads to a twist ending. The mysterious conclusion involves a final courtroom scene presided over by Judge Matthew Helms (played by character actor John Mahoney who would go on to co-star on the sitcom Frasier).
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British filmmaker Peter Yates directs Suspect , a suspenseful courtroom drama set in Washington , D.C. After a Supreme Court justice commits suicide and a Justice Department secretary is found dead , a deaf - mute homeless veteran , Carl Wayne Anderson ( Liam Neeson ), is the suspected killer. Lonely yet dedicated public defender Kathleen Riley ( Cher ) is assigned to the case to represent Anderson. Suave lobbyist Eddie Sanger ( Dennis Quaid ) is on the jury , but he starts his own investigation by finding clues that prove Anderson's innocence. He shares his information with Kathleen , even though they could get arrested for talking about the case. Eventually , they develop a romance and reveal a conspiracy that leads to a twist ending. The mysterious conclusion involves a final courtroom scene presided over by Judge Matthew Helms ( played by character actor John Mahoney , who would go on to co - star on the sitcom Frasier ) .
1852
Richard Levinson and William Link serve up another Thinking Man's murder mystery with the made-for-television Rehearsal for Murder. Playwright Robert Preston is on the verge of marrying glamorous film star Lynn Redgrave. But a scant few hours after her Broadway debut Redgrave is found dead an apparent suicide. Convinced that Redgrave was murdered Preston contacts the most likely suspects and assembles them in an empty theatre ostensibly to read through his latest play. But Preston locks the doors and uses his play as a means to in the words of Hamlet "catch the conscience" of the killer. Filmed under the working title Cold Reading Rehearsal for Murder was the winner of the Edgar Award a prize bestowed annually by the Mystery Writers of America. It was first broadcast on May 26 1982.
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Richard Levinson and William Link serve up another Thinking Man's murder mystery with the made - for - television Rehearsal for Murder. Playwright Robert Preston is on the verge of marrying glamorous film star Lynn Redgrave . But a scant few hours after her Broadway debut , Redgrave is found dead , an apparent suicide. Convinced that Redgrave was murdered , Preston contacts the most likely suspects and assembles them in an empty theatre , ostensibly to read through his latest play. But Preston locks the doors and uses his play as a means to , in the words of Hamlet , "catch the conscience" of the killer. Filmed under the working title Cold Reading , Rehearsal for Murder was the winner of the Edgar Award , a prize bestowed annually by the Mystery Writers of America. It was first broadcast on May 26 , 1982.
1853
James Garner is so good as Raymond Chandler's philosophical gumshoe Philip Marlowe that you forget he's totally wrong for the part. Based on Chandler's The Little Sister Marlowe involves the detective's efforts to locate the missing brother of Orfamay Quest (Sharon Farrell). He follows the clues to two men who deny any knowledge of the brother's existence. Since both men soon find themselves on the wrong end of an ice pick Marlowe deduces that there's more to this caper than a mere missing-person case. The plot thickens as more "dramatis personae" are added to the intrigues including TV star Gayle Hunnicutt Hunnicutt's gangster boyfriend H.M. Wynant and stripper Rita Moreno. A pre-stardom Bruce Lee shows up as a karate-happy thug who lays waste to Marlowe's office shortly before suffering a spectacular demise. It is preferable to view Marlowe in videocassette or theatrical form; the commercial TV print cuts so much out that viewers are left with virtually nothing but protection leader and a few close-ups of James Garner.
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James Garner is so good as Raymond Chandler 's philosophical gumshoe Philip Marlowe that you forget he's totally wrong for the part. Based on Chandler's The Little Sister , Marlowe involves the detective's efforts to locate the missing brother of Orfamay Quest ( Sharon Farrell ) . He follows the clues to two men who deny any knowledge of the brother's existence. Since both men soon find themselves on the wrong end of an ice pick , Marlowe deduces that there's more to this caper than a mere missing - person case. The plot thickens as more "dramatis personae" are added to the intrigues , including TV star Gayle Hunnicutt , Hunnicutt's gangster boyfriend H.M. Wynant and stripper Rita Moreno . A pre - stardom Bruce Lee shows up as a karate - happy thug who lays waste to Marlowe's office shortly before suffering a spectacular demise. It is preferable to view Marlowe in videocassette or theatrical form ; the commercial TV print cuts so much out that viewers are left with virtually nothing but protection leader and a few close - ups of James Garner .
1854
Paul Newman returns as private detective Lew Harper is this tale of blackmail and murder based on a novel by Ross MacDonald. Iris Devereaux (Joanne Woodward) the wife of a wealthy oilman from Louisiana hires Harper after she receives a threatening letter. A blackmailer is threatening to tell Iris' husband James (Richard Derr) about a recent extramarital affair; she claims this indiscretion never happened though she has been unfaithful in the past and years ago had a brief fling with Harper. Matters become more complicated when Iris' mother-in-law Olivia (Coral Browne) is found murdered. Eventually Harper traces the blackmail letter to Kilborne (Murray Hamilton) another bayou oil baron and along the way encounters Schuyler (Melanie Griffith) Iris' young but ripe daughter; Pat Reavis (Andy Robinson) Olivia's former chauffeur and a key suspect in her murder; and Detective Broussard (Tony Franciosa) a police investigator who like Harper was once involved with Iris. This was Coral Browne's first film after her marriage to actor Vincent Price in 1974.
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Paul Newman returns as private detective Lew Harper is this tale of blackmail and murder based on a novel by Ross MacDonald . Iris Devereaux ( Joanne Woodward ), the wife of a wealthy oilman from Louisiana , hires Harper after she receives a threatening letter. A blackmailer is threatening to tell Iris' husband James ( Richard Derr ) about a recent extramarital affair ; she claims this indiscretion never happened , though she has been unfaithful in the past , and years ago had a brief fling with Harper. Matters become more complicated when Iris' mother - in - law Olivia ( Coral Browne ) is found murdered. Eventually , Harper traces the blackmail letter to Kilborne ( Murray Hamilton ), another bayou oil baron , and along the way encounters Schuyler ( Melanie Griffith ), Iris' young but ripe daughter ; Pat Reavis ( Andy Robinson ), Olivia's former chauffeur and a key suspect in her murder ; and Detective Broussard ( Tony Franciosa ), a police investigator who , like Harper , was once involved with Iris. This was Coral Browne 's first film after her marriage to actor Vincent Price in 1974.
1855
"They didn't kill me; I was dead already" is the statement uttered by Dexter Cornell (Dennis Quaid) an English professor at the University of Texas at Austin who has been poisoned by a slow-acting toxin and who has twenty-four hours to track down his killers before he ceases to exist. Remade from the 1949 Rudolph Mate thriller by Annabel Jankel and Rocky Morton the co-directors jazz up the old luridness with slap-up doggishness that boosts the intensity-level higher than it deserves to go. Cornell is a burned-out novelist trying to hold on to tenure at the university while seeing his marriage collapse around him. As if that weren't enough he is receiving amorous come-ons from smart young student Sydney Fuller (Meg Ryan) and being badgered by another student Nick Lang (Robert Knepper) to read his brilliant first novel. Not long after Dex demurs to Nick to read his novel Nick is killed in a fall. Only then does Dex find out that Nick has been having an affair with his wife. Things keep going from bad to worse when after an all-night drinking binge Dex discovers that he has been slipped a poison that will kill him within 24 hours. Teaming up with the adoring Sydney Dex tries to track down the person who poisoned him while dodging the cops since he happens to be a prime murder suspect.
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"They didn't kill me ; I was dead already , " is the statement uttered by Dexter Cornell ( Dennis Quaid ), an English professor at the University of Texas at Austin who has been poisoned by a slow - acting toxin and who has twenty - four hours to track down his killers before he ceases to exist. Remade from the 1949 Rudolph Mate thriller by Annabel Jankel and Rocky Morton , the co - directors jazz up the old luridness with slap - up doggishness that boosts the intensity - level higher than it deserves to go. Cornell is a burned - out novelist trying to hold on to tenure at the university while seeing his marriage collapse around him. As if that weren't enough , he is receiving amorous come - ons from smart , young student Sydney Fuller ( Meg Ryan ) and being badgered by another student , Nick Lang ( Robert Knepper ), to read his brilliant first novel. Not long after Dex demurs to Nick to read his novel , Nick is killed in a fall. Only then does Dex find out that Nick has been having an affair with his wife. Things keep going from bad to worse when , after an all - night drinking binge , Dex discovers that he has been slipped a poison that will kill him within 24 hours. Teaming up with the adoring Sydney , Dex tries to track down the person who poisoned him while dodging the cops , since he happens to be a prime murder suspect.
1856
In this spoof of McCarthy-era paranoia and 1950s wholesomeness the characters and plot are drawn from the popular Parker Brothers board game of the same name. On a dark and stormy night in 1954 six individuals with ties to Washington are assembled for a dinner party at the swanky mansion of one Mr. Boddy (Lee Ving). Boddy's butler Wadsworth (Tim Curry) assigns each guest a colorful name: Mr. Green (Michael McKean) Col. Mustard (Martin Mull) Mrs. Peacock (Eileen Brennan) Professor Plum (Christopher Lloyd) Miss Scarlet (Lesley Ann Warren) and Mrs. White (Madeline Kahn). Two additional servants the Cook (Kellye Nakahara) and Yvette the maid (Colleen Camp) assist Wadsworth as he informs the guests that they have been gathered to meet the man who has been blackmailing them: Mr. Boddy. When Boddy turns up dead however the guests must try to figure out who killed him so they can protect their own reputations and keep the body count from growing. Three separate endings were filmed for Clue and shown in different theaters; all three are collected for the video edition. Although the film is set in the 1950s the original Clue game was actually devised by Anthony Pratt a clerk in Leeds England to pass the time during World War II air-raid drills. First released in 1946 under the name Cluedo by British manufacturer Waddington's Clue was renamed and released in the U.S. in 1949. Today Clue/Cluedo is marketed in 70 countries around the world and has been adapted into a British game show and an off-Broadway musical.
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In this spoof of McCarthy - era paranoia and 1950s wholesomeness , the characters and plot are drawn from the popular Parker Brothers board game of the same name. On a dark and stormy night in 1954 , six individuals with ties to Washington are assembled for a dinner party at the swanky mansion of one Mr. Boddy ( Lee Ving ) . Boddy's butler , Wadsworth ( Tim Curry ), assigns each guest a colorful name : Mr. Green ( Michael McKean ), Col. Mustard ( Martin Mull ), Mrs. Peacock ( Eileen Brennan ), Professor Plum ( Christopher Lloyd ), Miss Scarlet ( Lesley Ann Warren ), and Mrs. White ( Madeline Kahn ) . Two additional servants , the Cook ( Kellye Nakahara ) and Yvette , the maid ( Colleen Camp ), assist Wadsworth as he informs the guests that they have been gathered to meet the man who has been blackmailing them : Mr. Boddy. When Boddy turns up dead , however , the guests must try to figure out who killed him so they can protect their own reputations and keep the body count from growing. Three separate endings were filmed for Clue and shown in different theaters ; all three are collected for the video edition. Although the film is set in the 1950s , the original Clue game was actually devised by Anthony Pratt , a clerk in Leeds , England , to pass the time during World War II air - raid drills. First released in 1946 under the name Cluedo by British manufacturer Waddington's , Clue was renamed and released in the U.S. in 1949. Today , Clue / Cluedo is marketed in 70 countries around the world and has been adapted into a British game show and an off - Broadway musical.
1857
ritish director Mike Hodges brought an extra measure of integrity to this made-for-TV thriller. Rosanna Arquette stars as Martha Travis a psychic who travels the rural American South with her alcoholic father Walter (Jason Robards) plying her mystical trade for credulous yokels. In reality Martha is a con woman whose only gift is the ability to defraud those who seek messages from dead loved ones. However one night the bogus medium intercepts mental images of a murdered man whose wife is in the audience -- and indignantly proclaims that her husband is still very much alive. Within hours however Martha's vision becomes reality. Martha has suddenly developed the ability to see murders before they happen but her newfound ability to prognosticate puts a professional contract killer on her trail. In the meantime Martha becomes lovers with Gary Wallace (Tom Hulce) a small-town reporter who's intrigued enough by Martha to write a story about her although he's skeptical about her supernatural talents.
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British director Mike Hodges brought an extra measure of integrity to this made - for - TV thriller. Rosanna Arquette stars as Martha Travis , a psychic who travels the rural American South with her alcoholic father , Walter ( Jason Robards ), plying her mystical trade for credulous yokels. In reality , Martha is a con woman whose only gift is the ability to defraud those who seek messages from dead loved ones. However , one night the bogus medium intercepts mental images of a murdered man whose wife is in the audience -- and indignantly proclaims that her husband is still very much alive. Within hours , however , Martha's vision becomes reality. Martha has suddenly developed the ability to see murders before they happen , but her newfound ability to prognosticate puts a professional contract killer on her trail. In the meantime , Martha becomes lovers with Gary Wallace ( Tom Hulce ), a small - town reporter who's intrigued enough by Martha to write a story about her , although he's skeptical about her supernatural talents.
1858
Jessica Lange plays an attorney whose affable Hungarian-immigrant father Armin Mueller-Stahl is arrested. He is threatened with deportation for lying about his activities during World War II; part of the charge is that Mueller-Stahl was a Nazi collaborationist guilty of wartime atrocities. Absolutely convinced that her father is being railroaded by a revenge-seeking Hungarian communist government Lange handles Mueller-Stahl's defense expertly blowing huge holes in prosecuting attorney Frederic Forrest's case. But in doing her own research Lange discovers that her father has spent a lifetime paying off a blackmailer. Why? In contrast to the fervency of his earlier Z Costa-Gavras refuses to make things easy by proselytizing in The Music Box (nor does screenwriter Joe Esterhas indulge in his usual right-between-the-eyes fervency). Everything in the film is offered on the same calm collected level making the ultimate horror of the story all the more effective.
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Jessica Lange plays an attorney whose affable Hungarian - immigrant father Armin Mueller - Stahl is arrested. He is threatened with deportation for lying about his activities during World War II ; part of the charge is that Mueller - Stahl was a Nazi collaborationist , guilty of wartime atrocities. Absolutely convinced that her father is being railroaded by a revenge - seeking Hungarian communist government , Lange handles Mueller - Stahl 's defense , expertly blowing huge holes in prosecuting attorney Frederic Forrest 's case. But in doing her own research , Lange discovers that her father has spent a lifetime paying off a blackmailer. Why? In contrast to the fervency of his earlier Z , Costa - Gavras refuses to make things easy by proselytizing in The Music Box ( nor does screenwriter Joe Esterhas indulge in his usual right - between - the - eyes fervency ) . Everything in the film is offered on the same calm , collected level , making the ultimate horror of the story all the more effective.
1859
In this excellent thriller crisply directed by Sidney Lumet Alex Sternbergen (Jane Fonda) a washed-up alcoholic actress who never quite made it wakes up one morning in an unfamiliar luxurious loft apartment only to find the corpse of a stranger next to her in bed. Alex can remember nothing of the night before. In a panic she tries to flee but is unable to get a flight out of Los Angeles and short of cash she hitches a ride with Turner Kendall (Jeff Bridges) a disabled former policeman who happens to be fixing his car in the airport parking lot. Alex tries to get rid of Turner and returns to the loft which she cleans in a futile attempt to get rid of her finger prints. Turner continues to take an unappreciated interest in Alex and keeps turning up unexpectedly much to her annoyance. Finally desperate and on the run and never sure that she didn't commit the murder Alex allows Turner to help her. Alex also confides in and is helped by her ex-husband and friend Joaquin Manero (Raul Julia) the only man she completely trusts. Despite Alex's suspicion of Turner she slowly falls in love with him. The movie quickly moves to a surprising conclusion and creates a good deal of suspense particularly when Alex is confronted with a corpse that just won't stay put. The highlight of the film is the performance by Jane Fonda reminiscent of her magnificent performance as Bree Daniels in Klute. The Morning After never rises to the quality of Klute but Fonda's performance was strong enough to earn her an Oscar nomination.
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In this excellent thriller , crisply directed by Sidney Lumet , Alex Sternbergen ( Jane Fonda ), a washed - up , alcoholic actress who never quite made it , wakes up one morning in an unfamiliar , luxurious loft apartment , only to find the corpse of a stranger next to her in bed. Alex can remember nothing of the night before. In a panic , she tries to flee but is unable to get a flight out of Los Angeles , and short of cash , she hitches a ride with Turner Kendall ( Jeff Bridges ), a disabled former policeman who happens to be fixing his car in the airport parking lot. Alex tries to get rid of Turner and returns to the loft which she cleans in a futile attempt to get rid of her finger prints. Turner continues to take an unappreciated interest in Alex and keeps turning up unexpectedly , much to her annoyance. Finally , desperate and on the run , and never sure that she didn't commit the murder , Alex allows Turner to help her. Alex also confides in and is helped by her ex - husband and friend Joaquin Manero ( Raul Julia ), the only man she completely trusts. Despite Alex's suspicion of Turner , she slowly falls in love with him. The movie quickly moves to a surprising conclusion , and creates a good deal of suspense , particularly when Alex is confronted with a corpse that just won't stay put. The highlight of the film is the performance by Jane Fonda reminiscent of her magnificent performance as Bree Daniels in Klute . The Morning After never rises to the quality of Klute , but Fonda's performance was strong enough to earn her an Oscar nomination.
1860
Angela Lansbury takes over the legacy of Margaret Rutherford as Agatha Christie's dogged sleuth Miss Marple in The Mirror Crack'd. The story takes place on a film set in a small British town in the 1950s. Elizabeth Taylor plays a washed-up actress trying to make a comeback but is plagued by a mysterious incident from her past. Unfortunately for her mental state a collection of murders jar the quiet village where the movie is being made. Miss Marple arrives on the scene with her nephew Inspector Craddock (Edward Fox) to investigate. In addition to Taylor an assortment of other movie stars grace the roster of suspects including Rock Hudson Kim Novak and Tony Curtis.
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Angela Lansbury takes over the legacy of Margaret Rutherford as Agatha Christie 's dogged sleuth Miss Marple in The Mirror Crack'd . The story takes place on a film set in a small British town in the 1950s. Elizabeth Taylor plays a washed - up actress trying to make a comeback but is plagued by a mysterious incident from her past. Unfortunately for her mental state , a collection of murders jar the quiet village where the movie is being made. Miss Marple arrives on the scene with her nephew , Inspector Craddock ( Edward Fox ), to investigate. In addition to Taylor , an assortment of other movie stars grace the roster of suspects , including Rock Hudson , Kim Novak , and Tony Curtis .
1861
Previously filmed in 1942 as The Falcon Takes Over and in 1944 as Murder My Sweet Raymond Chandler's Farewell My Lovely was given its third cinematic go-round under its original title in 1975. Spouting the Chandlerish prose as if it were second nature Robert Mitchum stars as 1940s private eye Philip Marlowe hired by the goonish Moose Malloy (Jack O'Halloran) to locate his former girl friend. This involves Marlowe in the theft of a jade necklace which in turn leads to murder. All roads seemingly lead to adventuress Mrs. Grayle (Charlotte Rampling) wealthily married but far from satisfied.
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Previously filmed in 1942 as The Falcon Takes Over and in 1944 as Murder , My Sweet , Raymond Chandler 's Farewell My Lovely was given its third cinematic go - round under its original title in 1975. Spouting the Chandlerish prose as if it were second nature , Robert Mitchum stars as 1940s private eye Philip Marlowe , hired by the goonish Moose Malloy ( Jack O'Halloran ) to locate his former girl friend. This involves Marlowe in the theft of a jade necklace , which in turn leads to murder. All roads seemingly lead to adventuress Mrs. Grayle ( Charlotte Rampling ), wealthily married but far from satisfied.
1862
Director Frank Perry brings Susan Issacs' comedic whodunit novel to the screen with Susan Sarandon as a Long Island housewife who tries to escape her deadening suburban life by trying to solve the murder of a philandering local dentist. The dentist Bruce Fleckstein (Joe Mantegna) is the kind of swinging ladies' man who wears gold chains and jazzy clothing. He also arranges to meet his lonely housewife patients in hotel rooms for afternoon quickies. When he is found murdered in his office the suspects are as numerous as the names in the Nyack telephone directory especially since Fleckstein had the habit of taking incriminating Polaroid snapshots during his one-on-one sessions. Judith Singer (Sarandon) is an ex-Newsday reporter and bored wife of Bob Singer (Edward Herrmann) a stuffy business executive and she was one of the last people to see Fleckstein alive. Considered a suspect by police detective David Suarez (Raul Julia) she determines to solve the case herself interviewing suspects and searching for evidence. If she solves the crime Judith hopes to write an article about it and get her old job back at the newspaper.
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Director Frank Perry brings Susan Issacs ' comedic whodunit novel to the screen with Susan Sarandon as a Long Island housewife who tries to escape her deadening suburban life by trying to solve the murder of a philandering local dentist. The dentist , Bruce Fleckstein ( Joe Mantegna ), is the kind of swinging ladies' man who wears gold chains and jazzy clothing. He also arranges to meet his lonely housewife patients in hotel rooms for afternoon quickies. When he is found murdered in his office , the suspects are as numerous as the names in the Nyack telephone directory , especially since Fleckstein had the habit of taking incriminating Polaroid snapshots during his one - on - one sessions. Judith Singer ( Sarandon ) is an ex - Newsday reporter and bored wife of Bob Singer ( Edward Herrmann ), a stuffy business executive , and she was one of the last people to see Fleckstein alive. Considered a suspect by police detective David Suarez ( Raul Julia ), she determines to solve the case herself , interviewing suspects and searching for evidence. If she solves the crime , Judith hopes to write an article about it and get her old job back at the newspaper.
1863
A detective is on a case of homicide and he gets more involved than his police department may have intended in this French mystery.
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A detective is on a case of homicide and he gets more involved than his police department may have intended in this French mystery.
1864
Filmed independently by Michael Roemer in 1969 The Plot Against Harry didn't earn a mainstream release until 1989. What was contemporary in 1969 became a period piece by the time it saw the light of day but this anachronistic quality lent a great deal of charm to the proceedings. Harry Plotnick (Martin Priest) is a once-notorious criminal whose life becomes a series of comic disasters once he's released from prison. His family members either refuse to acknowledge his existence or think the very worst of him and his health rapidly deteriorates. Meanwhile Harry's brother Max (Henry Nemo) beset with tax problems sets fire to his business. Naturally poor Harry is held responsible. Just when he has an opportunity to start life anew Harry suffers a heart attack on a TV marathon. Certain that he's about to die Harry confesses to all his past transgressions-and ends up behind bars once more. In lesser hands The Plot Against Harry might have been clumsy or even worse maudlin. But with Michael Roemer at the helm the laughs never stop-even though we sometimes feel guilty at deriving pleasure from poor old Harry's misery.
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Filmed independently by Michael Roemer in 1969 , The Plot Against Harry didn't earn a mainstream release until 1989. What was contemporary in 1969 became a period piece by the time it saw the light of day , but this anachronistic quality lent a great deal of charm to the proceedings. Harry Plotnick ( Martin Priest ) is a once - notorious criminal whose life becomes a series of comic disasters once he's released from prison. His family members either refuse to acknowledge his existence or think the very worst of him , and his health rapidly deteriorates. Meanwhile , Harry's brother Max ( Henry Nemo ), beset with tax problems , sets fire to his business. Naturally , poor Harry is held responsible. Just when he has an opportunity to start life anew , Harry suffers a heart attack on a TV marathon. Certain that he's about to die , Harry confesses to all his past transgressions - and ends up behind bars once more. In lesser hands , The Plot Against Harry might have been clumsy or , even worse , maudlin. But with Michael Roemer at the helm , the laughs never stop - even though we sometimes feel guilty at deriving pleasure from poor old Harry's misery.
1865
Released in the same 12-month span as Terrence Malick's Badlands (1973) and Steven Spielberg's The Sugarland Express (1974) Robert Altman's Thieves Like Us (1974) also tells a story of doomed outlaws in love. Depression-era criminals T-Dub (Bert Remsen) Chicamaw (John Schuck) and Bowie (Keith Carradine) band together to rob banks after escaping from a prison farm. Hiding out with Dee Mobley (Tom Skerritt) and Keechie (Shelley Duvall) and then with T-Dub's in-law Mattie (Louise Fletcher) between bank jobs the three crooks are a loyal group but increasingly sensational news accounts of their bloodless robberies force them to split up before their next crime. After a car accident Chicamaw leaves the injured Bowie in Keechie's care. Love blossoms between the two naïfs compelling Bowie to find a way to balance his bond to Keechie with his loyalty to his friends and the need for money to head for Mexico. With the law closing in Bowie and Keechie learn the hard way about the finite honor among thieves and the need to survive. Adapted from the same Edward Anderson novel as Nicholas Ray's They Live By Night (1949) Altman writers Calder Willingham and Joan Tewkesbury and Altman's acting "regulars" reworked not just the classical crime movie but also the 1967 hit Bonnie and Clyde presenting a resolutely unglamorous portrait of this Coke-swilling outlaw couple and the survivors' stoic drive to carry on. With the radio providing soundtrack and commentary and the newspapers sending a veiled warning Bowie and Keechie cannot escape the outside world but they also cannot transcend it into the realm of myth. Rather than turning the crimes into stylish exploits Altman's camera remains outside most of the robberies observing the banal action on the street; he saves the slow-motion in the climactic shoot-out for the witnesses rather than the dead. His zoom shots hover between fragments of emotion and place while they maintain their observational distance. Unfortunately for Altman (and Malick and Spielberg) audiences preferred outlaw glamour to genre-bending introspection. Still with its deceptively laid-back tone eye for expressive detail and ear for ironic juxtaposition Thieves Like Us takes its place in Altman's exceptional body of early 1970s work.
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Released in the same 12 - month span as Terrence Malick 's Badlands ( 1973 ) and Steven Spielberg 's The Sugarland Express ( 1974 ), Robert Altman 's Thieves Like Us ( 1974 ) also tells a story of doomed outlaws in love. Depression - era criminals T - Dub ( Bert Remsen ), Chicamaw ( John Schuck ), and Bowie ( Keith Carradine ) band together to rob banks after escaping from a prison farm. Hiding out with Dee Mobley ( Tom Skerritt ) and Keechie ( Shelley Duvall ), and then with T - Dub's in - law Mattie ( Louise Fletcher ) between bank jobs , the three crooks are a loyal group , but increasingly sensational news accounts of their bloodless robberies force them to split up before their next crime. After a car accident , Chicamaw leaves the injured Bowie in Keechie's care. Love blossoms between the two naïfs , compelling Bowie to find a way to balance his bond to Keechie with his loyalty to his friends and the need for money to head for Mexico. With the law closing in , Bowie and Keechie learn the hard way about the finite honor among thieves , and the need to survive. Adapted from the same Edward Anderson novel as Nicholas Ray 's They Live By Night ( 1949 ), Altman , writers Calder Willingham and Joan Tewkesbury , and Altman's acting "regulars" reworked not just the classical crime movie but also the 1967 hit Bonnie and Clyde , presenting a resolutely unglamorous portrait of this Coke - swilling outlaw couple and the survivors' stoic drive to carry on. With the radio providing soundtrack and commentary , and the newspapers sending a veiled warning , Bowie and Keechie cannot escape the outside world , but they also cannot transcend it into the realm of myth. Rather than turning the crimes into stylish exploits , Altman's camera remains outside most of the robberies , observing the banal action on the street ; he saves the slow - motion in the climactic shoot - out for the witnesses rather than the dead. His zoom shots hover between fragments of emotion and place , while they maintain their observational distance. Unfortunately for Altman ( and Malick and Spielberg ), audiences preferred outlaw glamour to genre - bending introspection. Still , with its deceptively laid - back tone , eye for expressive detail , and ear for ironic juxtaposition , Thieves Like Us takes its place in Altman's exceptional body of early 1970s work.
1866
"What are you rebelling against?" asks someone. "What've you got?" responds surly leather-jacketed motorcycle punk Marlon Brando. It comes as a disappointment to discover that The Wild One the quintessential Brando "rebel" film is at base a traditional "misunderstood youth vs. the nasty system" effort with a particularly banal finale. Based on a true incident the film begins with Brando and his motorcyle gang invading a small town after having been kicked out of a cycle competition (but not before stealing the second-prize trophy). Brando's bikers raise hell all day but some of the townsfolk are shown to be little better than the invaders. Sheriff Robert Keith whose daughter (Murphy) has gone fond of Brando finally responds to the bikers' destructiveness by jailing Lee Marvin leader of a rival gang. When Marvin's buddies goes on a rampage Brando exhibits his essential decency by safely escorting the sheriff's daughter out of the melee. The townsfolk misunderstand assuming that Brando intends to rape the girl. He is attacked by a vigilante mob led by town hothead Ray Teal who uses this excuse to exercise his own sadistic tendencies. Keith breaks up the mob and suggests that Brando leave; he tries to do so but another angry response from the mob causes him to inadvertently strike and kill a pedestrian. At the subsequent hearing the girl rushes to Brando's defense. Though grateful for the unexpected kindness Brando is constitutionally unable to say "thank you" and rides out of town alone. The image of Marlon Brando astride his Triumph has entered movie folklore just like King Kong on the Empire State Building or the billow-skirted Marilyn Monroe standing over a subway grating; it's too bad that The Wild One isn't a more worthy vehicle for Brando's talents.
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"What are you rebelling against?" asks someone. "What've you got?" responds surly , leather - jacketed motorcycle punk Marlon Brando . It comes as a disappointment to discover that The Wild One , the quintessential Brando "rebel" film , is at base a traditional "misunderstood youth vs. the nasty system" effort , with a particularly banal finale. Based on a true incident , the film begins with Brando and his motorcyle gang invading a small town after having been kicked out of a cycle competition ( but not before stealing the second - prize trophy ) . Brando's bikers raise hell all day , but some of the townsfolk are shown to be little better than the invaders. Sheriff Robert Keith , whose daughter ( Murphy ) has gone fond of Brando , finally responds to the bikers' destructiveness by jailing Lee Marvin , leader of a rival gang. When Marvin's buddies goes on a rampage , Brando exhibits his essential decency by safely escorting the sheriff's daughter out of the melee. The townsfolk misunderstand , assuming that Brando intends to rape the girl. He is attacked by a vigilante mob led by town hothead Ray Teal , who uses this excuse to exercise his own sadistic tendencies. Keith breaks up the mob and suggests that Brando leave ; he tries to do so , but another angry response from the mob causes him to inadvertently strike and kill a pedestrian. At the subsequent hearing , the girl rushes to Brando's defense. Though grateful for the unexpected kindness , Brando is constitutionally unable to say "thank you" and rides out of town alone. The image of Marlon Brando astride his Triumph has entered movie folklore , just like King Kong on the Empire State Building or the billow - skirted Marilyn Monroe standing over a subway grating ; it's too bad that The Wild One isn't a more worthy vehicle for Brando's talents.
1867
Self-centered avaricious Californian Charlie Babbitt (Tom Cruise) is informed that his long-estranged father has died. Expecting at least a portion of the elder Babbitt's $3 million estate Charlie learns that all he's inherited is his dad's prize roses and a 1949 Buick Roadmaster. Discovering that the $3 million is being held in trust for an unidentified party Charlie heads to his home town of Cincinnati to ascertain who that party is. It turns out that the beneficiary is Raymond Babbitt (Dustin Hoffman) the autistic-savant older brother that Charlie never knew he had. Able to memorize reams of trivia and add subtract multiply and divide without a second's hesitation Raymond is otherwise incapable of functioning as a normal human being. Aghast that Raymond is to receive his father's entire legacy Charlie tries to cut a deal with Raymond's guardian. When this fails Charlie "borrows" Raymond from the institution where he lives hoping to use his brother as leverage to claim half the fortune. During their subsequent cross-country odyssey Charlie is forced to accommodate Raymond's various autistic idiosyncracies not the least of which is his insistence on adhering to a rigid daily schedule: he must for example watch People's Court and Jeopardy every day at the same time no matter what. On hitting Las Vegas Charlie hopes to harness Raymond's finely-honed mathematical skills to win big at the gaming tables; but this exploitation of his brother's affliction compels Charlie to reassess his own values or lack thereof. A longtime pet project of star Dustin Hoffman Rain Man was turned down by several high-profile directors before Barry Levinson took on the challenge of bringing Ronald Bass' screenplay to fruition (Levinson also appears in the film as a psychiatrist). All three men won Oscars and the movie won Best Picture.
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Self - centered , avaricious Californian Charlie Babbitt ( Tom Cruise ) is informed that his long - estranged father has died. Expecting at least a portion of the elder Babbitt's $3 million estate , Charlie learns that all he's inherited is his dad's prize roses and a 1949 Buick Roadmaster. Discovering that the $3 million is being held in trust for an unidentified party , Charlie heads to his home town of Cincinnati to ascertain who that party is. It turns out that the beneficiary is Raymond Babbitt ( Dustin Hoffman ), the autistic - savant older brother that Charlie never knew he had. Able to memorize reams of trivia and add , subtract , multiply , and divide without a second's hesitation , Raymond is otherwise incapable of functioning as a normal human being. Aghast that Raymond is to receive his father's entire legacy , Charlie tries to cut a deal with Raymond's guardian. When this fails , Charlie "borrows" Raymond from the institution where he lives , hoping to use his brother as leverage to claim half the fortune. During their subsequent cross - country odyssey , Charlie is forced to accommodate Raymond's various autistic idiosyncracies , not the least of which is his insistence on adhering to a rigid daily schedule : he must , for example , watch People's Court and Jeopardy every day at the same time , no matter what. On hitting Las Vegas , Charlie hopes to harness Raymond's finely - honed mathematical skills to win big at the gaming tables ; but this exploitation of his brother's affliction compels Charlie to reassess his own values , or lack thereof. A longtime pet project of star Dustin Hoffman , Rain Man was turned down by several high - profile directors before Barry Levinson took on the challenge of bringing Ronald Bass ' screenplay to fruition ( Levinson also appears in the film as a psychiatrist ) . All three men won Oscars , and the movie won Best Picture.
1868
With his trademark emphasis on character development and dialogue writer/director John Sayles tells the story of May-Alice Culhane (Mary McDonnell) a New York soap opera actress left paralyzed by a car accident. As the film opens she lies in a hospital bed confused and scared watching her own show on TV and shrieking "That was supposed to be my closeup!" With no other options she returns to her family's old and empty Southern home where she drinks hard offends every caregiver and wallows in self-pity. Her outlook begins to changes with the arrival of Chantelle (Alfre Woodard) a nurse with her own life problems. The two gradually find a heartfelt connection with one another and as a result their lives subtly change. McDonnell's work in Passion Fish earned her an Oscar nomination as Best Actress.
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With his trademark emphasis on character development and dialogue , writer / director John Sayles tells the story of May - Alice Culhane ( Mary McDonnell ), a New York soap opera actress left paralyzed by a car accident. As the film opens , she lies in a hospital bed , confused and scared , watching her own show on TV and shrieking , "That was supposed to be my closeup!" With no other options , she returns to her family's old and empty Southern home , where she drinks hard , offends every caregiver , and wallows in self - pity. Her outlook begins to changes with the arrival of Chantelle ( Alfre Woodard ), a nurse with her own life problems. The two gradually find a heartfelt connection with one another , and , as a result , their lives subtly change. McDonnell 's work in Passion Fish earned her an Oscar nomination as Best Actress.
1869
Independent filmmaker John Sayles creates one of his more artistic works with this period feature about a volatile 1920s labor dispute in the town of Matewan West Virginia. Matewan is a coal town where the local miners' lives are controlled by the powerful Stone Mountain Coal Company. The company practically owns the town reducing workers' wages while raising prices at the company-owned supply and grocery. The citizens' land and homes are not their own and the future seems dim. When the coal company brings immigrants and minorities to Matewan as cheaper labor union organizer Joe Kenehan (Chris Cooper) scours the town to unite all miners in a strike. As the crisis grows strikers and their families are removed from their homes by two coal company mercenaries (Kevin Tighe and Gordon Clapp both also featured in Sayles' Eight Men Out (1988)) and the situation heads toward a final shootout on Matewan's main street . Sayles' simple but telling screenplay brings to light the treatment of immigrants and minorities in the early 20th century South and it draws sharp parallels between the Matewan labor battle and the Civil War some 50 years earlier. The visual feel of the film is real West Virginia backwoods with much of the credit going to legendary cinematographer Haskell Wexler whose warm rustic lighting belies the anxiety and terror felt by the oppressed townspeople.
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Independent filmmaker John Sayles creates one of his more artistic works with this period feature about a volatile 1920s labor dispute in the town of Matewan , West Virginia. Matewan is a coal town where the local miners' lives are controlled by the powerful Stone Mountain Coal Company. The company practically owns the town , reducing workers' wages while raising prices at the company - owned supply and grocery. The citizens' land and homes are not their own , and the future seems dim. When the coal company brings immigrants and minorities to Matewan as cheaper labor , union organizer Joe Kenehan ( Chris Cooper ) scours the town to unite all miners in a strike. As the crisis grows , strikers and their families are removed from their homes by two coal company mercenaries ( Kevin Tighe and Gordon Clapp , both also featured in Sayles ' Eight Men Out ( 1988 )), and the situation heads toward a final shootout on Matewan's main street . Sayles ' simple but telling screenplay brings to light the treatment of immigrants and minorities in the early 20th century South , and it draws sharp parallels between the Matewan labor battle and the Civil War some 50 years earlier. The visual feel of the film is real West Virginia backwoods , with much of the credit going to legendary cinematographer Haskell Wexler , whose warm , rustic lighting belies the anxiety and terror felt by the oppressed townspeople.
1870
The "heartland" of the title is rural Wyoming in the early 20th century where dwells taciturn reclusive Scottish farmer Rip Torn. Conchata Ferrell arrives at the Torn spread to work as his housekeeper. Paid near-starvation wages Ferrell continues working day and night hoping to use her savings to ensure a bright future for her 10-year-old daughter Megan Folsom. Touched by her diligence Torn slowly falls in love with Ferrell and after seeing the woman and her child through the torturous Wyoming winter he marries her - but their union gets off to a shaky start and threatens to buckle thanks to several unforeseen casualties. Heartland is based on several autobiographical works by Elinore Randall Stewart.
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The "heartland" of the title is rural Wyoming in the early 20th century , where dwells taciturn , reclusive Scottish farmer Rip Torn . Conchata Ferrell arrives at the Torn spread to work as his housekeeper. Paid near - starvation wages , Ferrell continues working day and night , hoping to use her savings to ensure a bright future for her 10 - year - old daughter Megan Folsom . Touched by her diligence , Torn slowly falls in love with Ferrell , and after seeing the woman and her child through the torturous Wyoming winter , he marries her - but their union gets off to a shaky start and threatens to buckle , thanks to several unforeseen casualties. Heartland is based on several autobiographical works by Elinore Randall Stewart.
1871
Jim Jarmusch follows his groundbreaking Stranger Than Paradise with another rambling character-driven film with a twisted sense of humor. Set in a seedy New Orleans summer Down By Law details the meeting of three unlikely convicts and their just as unlikely escape. Zack (Tom Waits) is an out-of-work DJ who is accused of murder when a body is found in the trunk of a stolen car he was hired to drive across town. Jack (John Lurie) is a pimp set up for a fall by a competitor. These two sullen souls are locked in a cell with Roberto (Roberto Benigni) a cheerful Italian immigrant who happens to have killed a man. The chemistry between the members of this loosely bound "team" is fascinating: Zack and Jack are forever laughing at Roberto yet they rely on his energy and good will to escape their dire situation. The three mismatched miscreants eventually bust out of jail and head into the Louisiana bayous. Tired and hungry they separate to search for food: Waits goes one way Lurie another and the frightened Benigni decides to risk stepping into a ramshackle diner. Somehow or other he winds up in the arms of gorgeous Italian girl Nicoletta Braschi -- and is even able to provide new clothes and escape routes for his astonished comrades!
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Jim Jarmusch follows his groundbreaking Stranger Than Paradise with another rambling , character - driven film with a twisted sense of humor. Set in a seedy New Orleans summer , Down By Law details the meeting of three unlikely convicts and their just as unlikely escape. Zack ( Tom Waits ) is an out - of - work DJ who is accused of murder when a body is found in the trunk of a stolen car he was hired to drive across town. Jack ( John Lurie ) is a pimp set up for a fall by a competitor. These two sullen souls are locked in a cell with Roberto ( Roberto Benigni ), a cheerful Italian immigrant who happens to have killed a man. The chemistry between the members of this loosely bound "team" is fascinating : Zack and Jack are forever laughing at Roberto , yet they rely on his energy and good will to escape their dire situation. The three mismatched miscreants eventually bust out of jail and head into the Louisiana bayous. Tired and hungry , they separate to search for food : Waits goes one way , Lurie another , and the frightened Benigni decides to risk stepping into a ramshackle diner. Somehow or other , he winds up in the arms of gorgeous Italian girl Nicoletta Braschi -- and is even able to provide new clothes and escape routes for his astonished comrades!
1872
In the Los Angeles of yoga therapy and well-off liberals a divorcé decides that his ex-wife is the love of his life in Paul Mazursky's romantic comedy. Beverly Hills divorce lawyer Stephen Blume (George Segal) becomes his own client when his social worker wife Nina (Susan Anspach) throws him out for sleeping with his secretary. Only then does Blume realize that he can't live without Nina even though she seems fine without him and he has a new sex partner in divorcée Arlene (Marsha Mason). So what does he do to win Nina back? Befriend her laid-back musician beau Elmo (Kris Kristofferson) show up at her house with breakfast bagels eavesdrop on her therapy sessions and forcibly impregnate her of course. Banished to their former honeymoon site in Venice Italy while Nina thinks things over Blume reflects on his past and his obsession as he dreamily hopes for the best. Cutting between Blume's musings on love and loss in Venice's Piazza San Marco and the events in L.A. that brought him there Mazursky humorously yet sharply dissects the complications of marriage in the let-it-all-hang-out Me Decade of the 1970s. Blume and Nina face the same dilemma as the couples in Mazursky's 1969 hit Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice: how to mesh traditional vows with the new freedom and its temptations. In this case it takes a divorce to convince the solipsistic Blume that the woman he wants most is his own wife. Considered by some critics one of the decade's best interrogations of contemporary coupledom Blume in Love astutely captured the absurdity of Blume's self-involved romantic quest while slyly celebrating the operatic spirit of love that drives him.
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In the Los Angeles of yoga , therapy , and well - off liberals , a divorcé decides that his ex - wife is the love of his life in Paul Mazursky 's romantic comedy. Beverly Hills divorce lawyer Stephen Blume ( George Segal ) becomes his own client when his social worker wife Nina ( Susan Anspach ) throws him out for sleeping with his secretary. Only then does Blume realize that he can't live without Nina , even though she seems fine without him , and he has a new sex partner in divorcée Arlene ( Marsha Mason ) . So what does he do to win Nina back? Befriend her laid - back musician beau , Elmo ( Kris Kristofferson ), show up at her house with breakfast bagels , eavesdrop on her therapy sessions , and forcibly impregnate her , of course. Banished to their former honeymoon site in Venice , Italy while Nina thinks things over , Blume reflects on his past and his obsession , as he dreamily hopes for the best. Cutting between Blume's musings on love and loss in Venice's Piazza San Marco and the events in L.A. that brought him there , Mazursky humorously yet sharply dissects the complications of marriage in the let - it - all - hang - out Me Decade of the 1970s. Blume and Nina face the same dilemma as the couples in Mazursky 's 1969 hit Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice : how to mesh traditional vows with the new freedom and its temptations. In this case , it takes a divorce to convince the solipsistic Blume that the woman he wants most is his own wife. Considered by some critics one of the decade's best interrogations of contemporary coupledom , Blume in Love astutely captured the absurdity of Blume's self - involved romantic quest , while slyly celebrating the operatic spirit of love that drives him.
1873
Kirk Douglas plays the corrupt and amoral head of a major film studio in this Hollywood drama often regarded as one of the film's industry's most interesting glimpses at itself. Actress Gloria Lorrison (Lana Turner) director Fred Amiel (Barry Sullivan) and screenwriter James Lee Bartlow (Dick Powell) are invited to a meeting at a Hollywood sound stage at the request of producer Harry Pebbel (Walter Pidgeon). Pebbel is working with studio chief Jonathan Shields (Kirk Douglas) whose studio is in financial trouble and needs a blockbuster hit. If these three names will sign to a new project he's convinced that there's no way he can lose. But there's a rub -- all three of these Hollywood heavyweights hate Shields's guts. He dumped Gloria for another woman he double-crossed Fred out of a plum directing assignment and he was responsible for the death of James Lee's wife. All three are ready to tell Pebbel to forget it until they hear the voice of Shields calling from Europe to discuss the project by phone. The Bad and the Beautiful won five Academy Awards including Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress for Gloria Grahame.
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Kirk Douglas plays the corrupt and amoral head of a major film studio in this Hollywood drama , often regarded as one of the film's industry's most interesting glimpses at itself. Actress Gloria Lorrison ( Lana Turner ), director Fred Amiel ( Barry Sullivan ), and screenwriter James Lee Bartlow ( Dick Powell ) are invited to a meeting at a Hollywood sound stage at the request of producer Harry Pebbel ( Walter Pidgeon ) . Pebbel is working with studio chief Jonathan Shields ( Kirk Douglas ), whose studio is in financial trouble and needs a blockbuster hit. If these three names will sign to a new project , he's convinced that there's no way he can lose. But there's a rub -- all three of these Hollywood heavyweights hate Shields's guts. He dumped Gloria for another woman , he double - crossed Fred out of a plum directing assignment , and he was responsible for the death of James Lee's wife. All three are ready to tell Pebbel to forget it , until they hear the voice of Shields , calling from Europe to discuss the project by phone. The Bad and the Beautiful won five Academy Awards , including Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress for Gloria Grahame .
1874
In the early 1960s two very different New Jersey high schoolers share their first love in this bittersweet romantic drama an early feature by writer/director John Sayles. Jill Rosen (Rosanna Arquette) is a sweet overachieving Jewish girl heading for college to become an actor; "Sheik" Capodilupo (Vincent Spano) is a mysterious confident Italian guy who pushes his way into Jill's already busy life. Sheik successfully woos Jill and the story follows their ups and downs as teenage romantics. While that introduction is lighter fare than most Sayles material the film trails off into some unexpected plot developments providing an original take on the "different sides of the track" genre. Sayles directs the high school scenes with a combination of reminiscence and reality balancing the excitement of cars and the prom with the heartache anxiety and classwork that goes along with it. The movie is injected with a mostly 1960s soundtrack yet the videocassette lists that "some music has been changed" for home video -- the note apparently refers to four Bruce Springsteen cuts. Matthew Modine and Tracy Pollan appear in small parts and Robert Downey Jr. also has a tiny role. This was the fiercely independent Sayles' first film to be made with a major studio (Paramount) and he claims it will be his last as he lost final editing control.
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In the early 1960s , two very different New Jersey high schoolers share their first love in this bittersweet romantic drama , an early feature by writer / director John Sayles . Jill Rosen ( Rosanna Arquette ) is a sweet , overachieving Jewish girl heading for college to become an actor ; "Sheik" Capodilupo ( Vincent Spano ) is a mysterious , confident Italian guy who pushes his way into Jill's already busy life. Sheik successfully woos Jill , and the story follows their ups and downs as teenage romantics. While that introduction is lighter fare than most Sayles material , the film trails off into some unexpected plot developments , providing an original take on the "different sides of the track" genre. Sayles directs the high school scenes with a combination of reminiscence and reality , balancing the excitement of cars and the prom with the heartache , anxiety , and classwork that goes along with it. The movie is injected with a mostly 1960s soundtrack , yet the videocassette lists that "some music has been changed" for home video -- the note apparently refers to four Bruce Springsteen cuts. Matthew Modine and Tracy Pollan appear in small parts , and Robert Downey Jr. also has a tiny role. This was the fiercely independent Sayles ' first film to be made with a major studio ( Paramount ), and he claims it will be his last , as he lost final editing control.
1875
"Stupid is as stupid does" says Forrest Gump (played by Tom Hanks in an Oscar-winning performance) as he discusses his relative level of intelligence with a stranger while waiting for a bus. Despite his sub-normal IQ Gump leads a truly charmed life with a ringside seat for many of the most memorable events of the second half of the 20th century. Entirely without trying Forrest teaches Elvis Presley to dance becomes a football star meets John F. Kennedy serves with honor in Vietnam meets Lyndon Johnson speaks at an anti-war rally at the Washington Monument hangs out with the Yippies defeats the Chinese national team in table tennis meets Richard Nixon discovers the break-in at the Watergate opens a profitable shrimping business becomes an original investor in Apple Computers and decides to run back and forth across the country for several years. Meanwhile as the remarkable parade of his life goes by Forrest never forgets Jenny (Robin Wright Penn) the girl he loved as a boy who makes her own journey through the turbulence of the 1960s and 1970s that is far more troubled than the path Forrest happens upon. Featured alongside Tom Hanks are Sally Field as Forrest's mother; Gary Sinise as his commanding officer in Vietnam; Mykelti Williamson as his ill-fated Army buddy who is familiar with every recipe that involves shrimp; and the special effects artists whose digital magic place Forrest amidst a remarkable array of historical events and people.
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"Stupid is as stupid does , " says Forrest Gump ( played by Tom Hanks in an Oscar - winning performance ) as he discusses his relative level of intelligence with a stranger while waiting for a bus. Despite his sub - normal IQ , Gump leads a truly charmed life , with a ringside seat for many of the most memorable events of the second half of the 20th century. Entirely without trying , Forrest teaches Elvis Presley to dance , becomes a football star , meets John F. Kennedy , serves with honor in Vietnam , meets Lyndon Johnson , speaks at an anti - war rally at the Washington Monument , hangs out with the Yippies , defeats the Chinese national team in table tennis , meets Richard Nixon , discovers the break - in at the Watergate , opens a profitable shrimping business , becomes an original investor in Apple Computers , and decides to run back and forth across the country for several years. Meanwhile , as the remarkable parade of his life goes by , Forrest never forgets Jenny ( Robin Wright Penn ), the girl he loved as a boy , who makes her own journey through the turbulence of the 1960s and 1970s that is far more troubled than the path Forrest happens upon. Featured alongside Tom Hanks are Sally Field as Forrest's mother ; Gary Sinise as his commanding officer in Vietnam ; Mykelti Williamson as his ill - fated Army buddy who is familiar with every recipe that involves shrimp ; and the special effects artists whose digital magic place Forrest amidst a remarkable array of historical events and people.
1876
Petulia is Richard Lester's ode to the Swinging Sixties: a time of psychedelic instability when neither those who were square nor those who were hip really had it right. George C. Scott is Archie Bollen a divorced San Francisco doctor in the midst of "discovering himself." Julie Christie is Petulia Danner a peculiar young beauty recently married into an established family. Archie's sterile apartment and detached bemused manner exemplify his inability to emote. Petulia's forward nature and desperate tenderness betray her fear of her sullen abusive pretty-boy husband (Richard Chamberlain). The physician and the newlywed embark on a schizophrenic love affair amid Pepsi references automated motels roller derbies and a cameo by Big Brother and the Holding Company -- but they never achieve the daring to truly change their lives.
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Petulia is Richard Lester 's ode to the Swinging Sixties : a time of psychedelic instability when neither those who were square , nor those who were hip , really had it right. George C. Scott is Archie Bollen , a divorced San Francisco doctor in the midst of "discovering himself." Julie Christie is Petulia Danner , a peculiar young beauty recently married into an established family. Archie's sterile apartment and detached , bemused manner exemplify his inability to emote. Petulia's forward nature and desperate tenderness betray her fear of her sullen , abusive , pretty - boy husband ( Richard Chamberlain ) . The physician and the newlywed embark on a schizophrenic love affair amid Pepsi references , automated motels , roller derbies , and a cameo by Big Brother and the Holding Company -- but they never achieve the daring to truly change their lives.
1877
A city pulses with racial problems political corruption and small-time crime in this ambitious microcosm of urban life written and directed by John Sayles. Nick Rinaldi (Vincent Spano) a lost soul usually high on drink and drugs has spent his life in one New Jersey city getting free rides from his connected father (Tony LoBianco) and hearing the locals talk of his brother's death in Vietnam. Searching for more control Nick quits the cushy contractor's job provided by his Dad feeling that major events are about to happen to him. That feeling proves accurate -- by film's end his life will change as will the lives of many others. Nick is only the center of the movie's sprawling collection of people and plotlines; Sayles takes full advantage of this expansive landscape as he often begins shooting one conversation only to pull back and eavesdrop on another in one smooth intriguing shot. By listening in we slowly learn about the citizens and their dilemmas as the city's woes bubble to a narrative climax. Many of Sayles' regular players are on-screen (the movie features 52 roles) including Joe Morton as a frustrated councilman and David Strathairn as a disturbed street person.
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A city pulses with racial problems , political corruption , and small - time crime in this ambitious microcosm of urban life , written and directed by John Sayles . Nick Rinaldi ( Vincent Spano ), a lost soul usually high on drink and drugs , has spent his life in one New Jersey city , getting free rides from his connected father ( Tony LoBianco ) and hearing the locals talk of his brother's death in Vietnam. Searching for more control , Nick quits the cushy contractor's job provided by his Dad , feeling that major events are about to happen to him. That feeling proves accurate -- by film's end his life will change , as will the lives of many others. Nick is only the center of the movie's sprawling collection of people and plotlines ; Sayles takes full advantage of this expansive landscape , as he often begins shooting one conversation , only to pull back and eavesdrop on another , in one smooth , intriguing shot. By listening in , we slowly learn about the citizens and their dilemmas , as the city's woes bubble to a narrative climax. Many of Sayles ' regular players are on - screen ( the movie features 52 roles ), including Joe Morton as a frustrated councilman and David Strathairn as a disturbed street person.
1878
Nikita Mikhalkov examines the plight of the filmmaker operating in an uncertain political climate in his irony-laden seriocomedy Slave of Love. The time is 1918 at the height of the Bolshevik revolution. A small group of filmmakers are hurriedly trying to complete a silent melodrama while the world changes all around them. As production progresses leading lady Elena Solovei metamorphoses from self-centered movie star to committed revolutionary. Normally described as "Chekhovian" director Mikhalkov borrows a few pages from Pirandello. With Slave of Love he gained his first serious international attention.
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Nikita Mikhalkov examines the plight of the filmmaker operating in an uncertain political climate in his irony - laden seriocomedy Slave of Love . The time is 1918 , at the height of the Bolshevik revolution. A small group of filmmakers are hurriedly trying to complete a silent melodrama while the world changes all around them. As production progresses , leading lady Elena Solovei metamorphoses from self - centered movie star to committed revolutionary. Normally described as "Chekhovian , " director Mikhalkov borrows a few pages from Pirandello . With Slave of Love he gained his first serious international attention.
1879
A high-energy action adventure based on legend rather than historical fact finds Wyatt Earp (Kurt Russell) desiring to retire from law enforcement. With brothers Virgil (Sam Elliot) and Morgan (Bill Paxton) he arrives in Tombstone Arizona intending to build his fortune. He discovers that long-time friend Doc Holliday (Val Kilmer) is there and that the town is run by a group of brutal outlaws called the Cowboys. Earp frustrated with his laudanum-addicted wife begins a romance with traveling stage actress Josephine Marcus (Dana Delany). Meanwhile the Cowboys terrorize the citizens of Tombstone unchecked. When the town marshal is killed by a Cowboy Earp steps in to prevent a lynching by an angry mob. He also refuses to hand the killer over to his fellows beginning the enmity between the Cowboys and the Earp brothers. Virgil overcome with guilt at doing nothing to help the Tombstone citizens accepts the position of town marshal. With Wyatt and Morgan as his deputies and the help of Doc Virgil attempts to arrest several Cowboys resulting in the famous OK Corral shoot-out. The Cowboys take revenge by ambushing two of the brothers and injuring Virgil and killing Morgan. The Earps leave town apparently cowed. Wyatt returns wearing the badge of a U.S. marshal vowing to destroy every last Cowboy. He hunts them mercilessly until the leader Johnny Ringo (Michael Biehn) challenges Wyatt to a duel. While not regarded as an artistic masterpiece "Tombstone" is considered the best of director George P. Cosmatos' prolific films. The all-star cast (including Thomas Haden Church and Billy Bob Thornton in small roles) delivers solid performances. Both William A. Fraker's cinematography and Bruce Broughton's stirring musical score are expertly designed for dramatic effect. Blood is shown liberally in several key scenes but seems intended to show that there is nothing glorious in Wyatt Earp's actions only necessity. He and his deputies take on the symbolism of the horsemen of the apocalypse -- dispensing judgement and the Biblical references form a symmetry at the beginning and end of the film.
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A high - energy action adventure based on legend rather than historical fact finds Wyatt Earp ( Kurt Russell ) desiring to retire from law enforcement. With brothers Virgil ( Sam Elliot ) and Morgan ( Bill Paxton ), he arrives in Tombstone , Arizona intending to build his fortune. He discovers that long - time friend Doc Holliday ( Val Kilmer ) is there and that the town is run by a group of brutal outlaws called the Cowboys. Earp , frustrated with his laudanum - addicted wife , begins a romance with traveling stage actress Josephine Marcus ( Dana Delany ) . Meanwhile , the Cowboys terrorize the citizens of Tombstone unchecked. When the town marshal is killed by a Cowboy , Earp steps in to prevent a lynching by an angry mob. He also refuses to hand the killer over to his fellows , beginning the enmity between the Cowboys and the Earp brothers. Virgil , overcome with guilt at doing nothing to help the Tombstone citizens , accepts the position of town marshal. With Wyatt and Morgan as his deputies , and the help of Doc , Virgil attempts to arrest several Cowboys , resulting in the famous OK Corral shoot - out. The Cowboys take revenge by ambushing two of the brothers and injuring Virgil and killing Morgan. The Earps leave town , apparently cowed. Wyatt returns , wearing the badge of a U.S. marshal , vowing to destroy every last Cowboy. He hunts them mercilessly , until the leader , Johnny Ringo ( Michael Biehn ) challenges Wyatt to a duel. While not regarded as an artistic masterpiece , "Tombstone" is considered the best of director George P. Cosmatos ' prolific films. The all - star cast ( including Thomas Haden Church and Billy Bob Thornton in small roles ) delivers solid performances. Both William A. Fraker 's cinematography and Bruce Broughton 's stirring musical score are expertly designed for dramatic effect. Blood is shown liberally in several key scenes , but seems intended to show that there is nothing glorious in Wyatt Earp's actions , only necessity. He and his deputies take on the symbolism of the horsemen of the apocalypse -- dispensing judgement , and the Biblical references form a symmetry at the beginning and end of the film.
1880
If you want to know what The Wild Bunch would have looked like with Blake Edwards rather than Sam Peckinpah in the director's chair we submit for your approval Wild Rovers. William Holden and Ryan O'Neal play a couple of shiftless ranch hands who impulsively decide to rob a bank. They manage to make off with the money but also incur the wrath of their former boss Karl Malden who sends his two sons Tom Skerritt and Joe Don Baker out to bring back Holden and O'Neal preferably dead. The film's climax is surprisingly melancholy for an Edwards film but one can't deny that the ending grows logically from the events leading up to it. Severely edited by its distributor Warner Bros Wild Rovers doesn't make a lot of sense in its release version; the director's cut incorporated 30 minutes' worth of extra footage is fortunately available on video.
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If you want to know what The Wild Bunch would have looked like with Blake Edwards rather than Sam Peckinpah in the director's chair , we submit for your approval Wild Rovers . William Holden and Ryan O'Neal play a couple of shiftless ranch hands who impulsively decide to rob a bank. They manage to make off with the money , but also incur the wrath of their former boss Karl Malden , who sends his two sons Tom Skerritt and Joe Don Baker out to bring back Holden and O'Neal , preferably dead. The film's climax is surprisingly melancholy for an Edwards film , but one can't deny that the ending grows logically from the events leading up to it. Severely edited by its distributor Warner Bros , Wild Rovers doesn't make a lot of sense in its release version ; the director's cut , incorporated 30 minutes' worth of extra footage , is fortunately available on video.
1881
John Wayne stars as Lt. Col. Kirby Yorke whose devotion to duty has cost him his marriage to his beloved Kathleen (Maureen O'Hara). Yorke gets word that his son Jeff (Claude Jarman Jr.) -- whom he hasn't seen in 15 years -- has been dropped as a cadet from West Point and that he lied about his age to enlist in the cavalry in an effort to redeem himself. By chance the boy is then assigned to his father's post. Once more as a function of his duty as a cavalry officer Yorke must sacrifice his love of family -- he cannot show any preferential treatment to the boy or exhibit any sign of love and affection. But Jeff is too strong to be injured by his father's actions and already enough of a man that he is befriended by two older recruits troopers Tyree (Ben Johnson) and Boone (Harry Carey Jr.) who watch out for him while taking him in as a virtual equal. Yorke's resolve is further tested when his estranged wife Kathleen arrives at the post the better to look after her son -- and possibly to buy back the boy's enlistment which Yorke as commanding officer in a remote post with a critical shortage of men can't and won't permit. After an attack by the Apaches Yorke orders the post's women and children to be moved to safety and Jeff is assigned as part of the troop conducting the caravan despite his wish to participate in the planned action against the Apaches. The caravan is attacked and the wagon with the children is taken by the Apaches to their encampment in a deserted village across the Rio Grande in Mexico. Yorke has been given permission by General Sheridan (J. Carrol Naish) to take his men into Mexico in pursuit of the Apaches but the punitive expedition is now a rescue mission as the Indians' night-time vengeance dance is the prelude to certain slaughter of the children at daybreak. As part of the mission it's up to Tyree the slyest man in the troop to infiltrate the enemy camp and he chooses Jeff and Boone as the two men he wants with him on this dangerous mission.
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John Wayne stars as Lt. Col. Kirby Yorke , whose devotion to duty has cost him his marriage to his beloved Kathleen ( Maureen O'Hara ) . Yorke gets word that his son , Jeff ( Claude Jarman Jr. ) -- whom he hasn't seen in 15 years -- has been dropped as a cadet from West Point , and that he lied about his age to enlist in the cavalry , in an effort to redeem himself. By chance , the boy is then assigned to his father's post. Once more , as a function of his duty as a cavalry officer , Yorke must sacrifice his love of family -- he cannot show any preferential treatment to the boy , or exhibit any sign of love and affection. But Jeff is too strong to be injured by his father's actions , and already enough of a man that he is befriended by two older recruits , troopers Tyree ( Ben Johnson ) and Boone ( Harry Carey Jr. ), who watch out for him while taking him in as a virtual equal. Yorke's resolve is further tested when his estranged wife , Kathleen , arrives at the post , the better to look after her son -- and possibly to buy back the boy's enlistment , which Yorke , as commanding officer in a remote post with a critical shortage of men , can't and won't permit. After an attack by the Apaches , Yorke orders the post's women and children to be moved to safety , and Jeff is assigned as part of the troop conducting the caravan , despite his wish to participate in the planned action against the Apaches. The caravan is attacked , and the wagon with the children is taken by the Apaches to their encampment in a deserted village across the Rio Grande in Mexico. Yorke has been given permission by General Sheridan ( J. Carrol Naish ) to take his men into Mexico in pursuit of the Apaches , but the punitive expedition is now a rescue mission , as the Indians' night - time vengeance dance is the prelude to certain slaughter of the children at daybreak. As part of the mission , it's up to Tyree , the slyest man in the troop , to infiltrate the enemy camp , and he chooses Jeff and Boone as the two men he wants with him on this dangerous mission.
1882
Kirk Douglas produced directed and starred in this cynical western concerning Howard Nightingale (Kirk Douglas) a United States marshal who uses the pursuit of an outlaw to further his political career. Nightingale organizes a posse to track down Jack Strawhorn (Bruce Dern) a notorious bank robber. But Strawhorn turns the tables on Nightingale kidnapping him and holding him hostage. He then demands that the posse pay $40000 for Nightingale's safe return. In order to raise the money to free Nightingale the posse must become bank robbers themselves. Meanwhile Nightingale tries to insinuate himself with Strawhorn and cut a deal for his freedom.
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Kirk Douglas produced , directed , and starred in this cynical western concerning Howard Nightingale ( Kirk Douglas ) a United States marshal who uses the pursuit of an outlaw to further his political career. Nightingale organizes a posse to track down Jack Strawhorn ( Bruce Dern ), a notorious bank robber. But Strawhorn turns the tables on Nightingale , kidnapping him and holding him hostage. He then demands that the posse pay $40 , 000 for Nightingale's safe return. In order to raise the money to free Nightingale , the posse must become bank robbers themselves. Meanwhile , Nightingale tries to insinuate himself with Strawhorn and cut a deal for his freedom.
1883
Western bandit Kid Rio (Marlon Brando) is betrayed by his partner Dad Longworth (Karl Malden). Escaping from prison Rio learns that Longworth has become a wealthy and influential lawman. Rio thirsts for revenge but bides his time waiting for the right moment to strike. In the meantime Rio spitefully seduces Longworth's adopted daughter Louisa (Pina Pellicer). After killing a man in self-defense Rio is publicly whipped by the powerful Longworth. When Rio's old gang accidentally kills a child during another holdup Longworth has the perfect excuse to eliminate the troublesome Rio once and for all by hanging him. But that's not what happens at all. Stripped to its fundamentals One-Eyed Jacks is a workable Western worthy of perhaps 90 minutes' running time. But when Marlon Brando succeeded Stanley Kubrick in the director's chair he allowed the film's 60-day shooting schedule to stretch into six months and delivered a finished product running in excess of four hours. The current 141-minute version of One-Eyed Jacks isn't as ponderous as some critics have claimed but it's still too much of a good thing. While Brando the director isn't precisely in the Kubrick class Brando the actor delivers one of his finest and most focused performances (though he is upstaged throughout by Karl Malden).
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Western bandit Kid Rio ( Marlon Brando ) is betrayed by his partner , Dad Longworth ( Karl Malden ) . Escaping from prison , Rio learns that Longworth has become a wealthy and influential lawman. Rio thirsts for revenge , but bides his time , waiting for the right moment to strike. In the meantime , Rio spitefully seduces Longworth's adopted daughter , Louisa ( Pina Pellicer ) . After killing a man in self - defense , Rio is publicly whipped by the powerful Longworth. When Rio's old gang accidentally kills a child during another holdup , Longworth has the perfect excuse to eliminate the troublesome Rio once and for all by hanging him. But that's not what happens at all. Stripped to its fundamentals , One - Eyed Jacks is a workable Western , worthy of perhaps 90 minutes' running time. But when Marlon Brando succeeded Stanley Kubrick in the director's chair , he allowed the film's 60 - day shooting schedule to stretch into six months , and delivered a finished product running in excess of four hours. The current 141 - minute version of One - Eyed Jacks isn't as ponderous as some critics have claimed , but it's still too much of a good thing. While Brando the director isn't precisely in the Kubrick class , Brando the actor delivers one of his finest and most focused performances ( though he is upstaged throughout by Karl Malden ) .
1884
"Who are you?" the dwarf Mordecai (Billy Curtis) asks Clint Eastwood's Stranger at the end of Eastwood's 1973 western High Plains Drifter. "You know" he replies before vanishing into the desert heat waves near California's Mono Lake. Adapting the amorally enigmatic and violent Man With No Name persona from his films with Sergio Leone Eastwood's second film as director begins as his drifter emerges from that heat haze and rides into the odd lakefront settlement of Lago. Lago's residents are not particularly friendly but once the Stranger shows his skills as a gunfighter they beg him to defend them against a group of outlaws (led by Eastwood regular Geoffrey Lewis) who have a score to settle with the town. He agrees to train them in self-defense but Mordecai and innkeeper's wife Sarah Belding (Verna Bloom) soon suspect that the Stranger has another more personal agenda. By the time the Stranger makes the corrupt community paint their town red and re-name it "Hell" it is clear that he is not just another gunslinger. With its fragmented flashbacks and bizarre austere locations High Plains Drifter's stylistic eccentricity lends an air of unsettling eeriness to its revenge story adding an uncanny slant to Eastwood's antiheroic westerner. Seminal western hero John Wayne was so offended by Eastwood's harshly revisionist view of a frontier town that he wrote to Eastwood objecting that this was not what the spirit of the West was all about. Eastwood's audience however was not so put off and an exhibitors' poll named Eastwood a top box-office draw for 1973.
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"Who are you?" the dwarf Mordecai ( Billy Curtis ) asks Clint Eastwood 's Stranger at the end of Eastwood's 1973 western High Plains Drifter . "You know , " he replies , before vanishing into the desert heat waves near California's Mono Lake. Adapting the amorally enigmatic and violent Man With No Name persona from his films with Sergio Leone , Eastwood's second film as director begins as his drifter emerges from that heat haze and rides into the odd lakefront settlement of Lago. Lago's residents are not particularly friendly , but once the Stranger shows his skills as a gunfighter , they beg him to defend them against a group of outlaws ( led by Eastwood regular Geoffrey Lewis ) who have a score to settle with the town. He agrees to train them in self - defense , but Mordecai and innkeeper's wife Sarah Belding ( Verna Bloom ) soon suspect that the Stranger has another , more personal agenda. By the time the Stranger makes the corrupt community paint their town red and re - name it "Hell , " it is clear that he is not just another gunslinger. With its fragmented flashbacks and bizarre , austere locations , High Plains Drifter 's stylistic eccentricity lends an air of unsettling eeriness to its revenge story , adding an uncanny slant to Eastwood's antiheroic westerner. Seminal western hero John Wayne was so offended by Eastwood's harshly revisionist view of a frontier town that he wrote to Eastwood , objecting that this was not what the spirit of the West was all about. Eastwood's audience , however , was not so put off , and an exhibitors' poll named Eastwood a top box - office draw for 1973.
1885
Sentenced to hang in a backwater western town horse thief Henry Moon (Jack Nicholson) is saved when frontierswoman Julia Tate (Mary Steenburgen) agrees to marry him. Taking advantage of the town law that prohibits the execution of married men Moon follows Tate back to her ranch planning all the while to escape at the first possible opportunity. But Tate insists that he honor his end of the bargain at work on the ranch. She has no intention of consummating the union a fact that drives the hot-to-trot Moon up a wall. She puts him to work on the gold mine that she has on her property while his old gang prepares to relieve the couple of their gold once it's on the surface. Jack Nicholson personally selected movie newcomer Mary Steenburgen for Goin' South. The film also features John Belushi in the role of a dyspeptic deputy.
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Sentenced to hang in a backwater western town , horse thief Henry Moon ( Jack Nicholson ) is saved when frontierswoman Julia Tate ( Mary Steenburgen ) agrees to marry him. Taking advantage of the town law that prohibits the execution of married men , Moon follows Tate back to her ranch , planning all the while to escape at the first possible opportunity. But Tate insists that he honor his end of the bargain at work on the ranch. She has no intention of consummating the union , a fact that drives the hot - to - trot Moon up a wall. She puts him to work on the gold mine that she has on her property , while his old gang prepares to relieve the couple of their gold once it's on the surface. Jack Nicholson personally selected movie newcomer Mary Steenburgen for Goin' South . The film also features John Belushi in the role of a dyspeptic deputy.
1886
The US title of this Italian-Spanish-French coproduction is Chino in deference to the character played by star Charles Bronson. Having long suffered the stigma of being part-Indian New Mexico horse breeder Chino Valdez (Bronson) wants nothing more than to be left alone with his beloved horses. Even so Chino opens his heart and his home to teenaged runaway Jamie Wagner (Vincent Van Patten) who becomes his protégé. But things take an unpleasant turn when the formerly taciturn Chino falls in love with Louise (Jill Ireland the half-sister of antagonistic rancher Maral (Marcel Bozzuffi replacing the original choice for the role Lino Ventura). This film was based on The Valdez Horses a novel by Lee Hoffman.
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The US title of this Italian - Spanish - French coproduction is Chino , in deference to the character played by star Charles Bronson . Having long suffered the stigma of being part - Indian , New Mexico horse breeder Chino Valdez ( Bronson ) wants nothing more than to be left alone with his beloved horses. Even so , Chino opens his heart and his home to teenaged runaway Jamie Wagner ( Vincent Van Patten ), who becomes his protégé. But things take an unpleasant turn when the formerly taciturn Chino falls in love with Louise ( Jill Ireland , the half - sister of antagonistic rancher Maral ( Marcel Bozzuffi , replacing the original choice for the role , Lino Ventura ) . This film was based on The Valdez Horses , a novel by Lee Hoffman .
1887
A gunslinging con man develops a tricky scheme to make a killing at a major poker tournament in this comic Western inspired by the popular television show. Mel Gibson assumes the role of Bret Maverick the handsome rogue who hopes to cheat his way to success. In need of a large stake to enter a major card competition on a Louisiana steamboat Maverick decides to take advantage of a few small-town poker players. These include the seemingly sweet Annabelle Bransford (Jodie Foster) and the intimidating Angel (Alfred Molina) neither of whom is too happy about their loss. Things become even more complicated for Maverick when the law gets involved with Marshal Zane Cooper (James Garner who played the role of Maverick in the original television series) giving chase. A series of stagecoach chases complicated cons and gun battles ensues with Annabelle and Maverick finding time for plenty of flirtation along the way.
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A gunslinging con man develops a tricky scheme to make a killing at a major poker tournament in this comic Western inspired by the popular television show. Mel Gibson assumes the role of Bret Maverick , the handsome rogue who hopes to cheat his way to success. In need of a large stake to enter a major card competition on a Louisiana steamboat , Maverick decides to take advantage of a few small - town poker players. These include the seemingly sweet Annabelle Bransford ( Jodie Foster ) and the intimidating Angel ( Alfred Molina ), neither of whom is too happy about their loss. Things become even more complicated for Maverick when the law gets involved , with Marshal Zane Cooper ( James Garner , who played the role of Maverick in the original television series ) giving chase. A series of stagecoach chases , complicated cons , and gun battles ensues , with Annabelle and Maverick finding time for plenty of flirtation along the way.
1888
Walter Hill directs John Milius's script (co-written by Larry Gross) depicting a revisionist perspective on the "Geronimo Campaign" and how Geronimo with 34 men managed to elude 5000 U.S. cavalry men between 1885 and 1886 before his surrender at the Canyon of the Skeletons in September 1886. The film centers upon Charles Gatewood (Jason Patric) the U.S. Cavalry lieutenant who is charged with capturing the elusive Apache leader. Gatewood is torn by a grudging respect for Geronimo and his people and his duty to his country. But then all the white men in the film have a respect for Geronimo even as they are trying to hunt him down and kill him. General Charles Crook (Gene Hackman) charged with overseeing the forced settlement of the Apaches on reservations has nothing but admiration for Geronimo.
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Walter Hill directs John Milius 's script ( co - written by Larry Gross ) depicting a revisionist perspective on the "Geronimo Campaign" and how Geronimo , with 34 men , managed to elude 5000 U.S. cavalry men between 1885 and 1886 before his surrender at the Canyon of the Skeletons in September 1886. The film centers upon Charles Gatewood ( Jason Patric ), the U.S. Cavalry lieutenant who is charged with capturing the elusive Apache leader. Gatewood is torn by a grudging respect for Geronimo and his people and his duty to his country. But then all the white men in the film have a respect for Geronimo , even as they are trying to hunt him down and kill him. General Charles Crook ( Gene Hackman ), charged with overseeing the forced settlement of the Apaches on reservations , has nothing but admiration for Geronimo.
1889
Though Frank Capra wrote the original story treatment for MGM's Westward the Women he was too busy to direct the film and handed the reigns instead to his former Liberty Films partner William A. Wellman. This stark no-nonsense outdoor drama stars Robert Taylor as a trail guide named Buck who in 1851 is hired by California settler Roy Whitman (John McIntyre) to head a wagon train full of mail-order brides from Chicago to the West Coast. Though Buck spares the brides nothing in describing the hardships they're about to face most of the ladies agree to undertake the journey. Starting out with 104 women Buck leads the expedition through some of the most treacherous territory in the West. Several of the women die en route killed off by the elements Indian attacks and sundry unexpected mishaps. Most of the male travellers likewise fall victim to disaster save for Buck and his courageous Japanese cook Ito (Henry Nakamura). Even when the wagon train reaches its destination the story is far far from over. Though second-billed Denise Darcel is the most prominent of the women the large cast generally works as an ensemble with everyone pitching together for the common good just as their real-life counterparts had done back in the 1850s. Throughout the film abruptly (and effectively) switches moods veering precipitously from raucous comedy to profound tragedy (some of the deaths occur so suddenly that they can still elicit gasps from the audience). An expertly assembled and reasonably realistic saga Westward the Women is one story that needs to be told in black-and-white; the currently available colorized version should be avoided like the plague.
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Though Frank Capra wrote the original story treatment for MGM's Westward the Women , he was too busy to direct the film , and handed the reigns instead to his former Liberty Films partner William A. Wellman . This stark , no - nonsense outdoor drama stars Robert Taylor as a trail guide named Buck , who in 1851 is hired by California settler Roy Whitman ( John McIntyre ) to head a wagon train full of mail - order brides from Chicago to the West Coast. Though Buck spares the brides nothing in describing the hardships they're about to face , most of the ladies agree to undertake the journey. Starting out with 104 women , Buck leads the expedition through some of the most treacherous territory in the West. Several of the women die en route , killed off by the elements , Indian attacks , and sundry unexpected mishaps. Most of the male travellers likewise fall victim to disaster , save for Buck and his courageous Japanese cook Ito ( Henry Nakamura ) . Even when the wagon train reaches its destination , the story is far , far from over. Though second - billed Denise Darcel is the most prominent of the women , the large cast generally works as an ensemble , with everyone pitching together for the common good , just as their real - life counterparts had done back in the 1850s. Throughout , the film abruptly ( and effectively ) switches moods , veering precipitously from raucous comedy to profound tragedy ( some of the deaths occur so suddenly that they can still elicit gasps from the audience ) . An expertly assembled and reasonably realistic saga , Westward the Women is one story that needs to be told in black - and - white ; the currently available colorized version should be avoided like the plague.
1890
Spaghetti Western fans used to the likes of Django and The Good The Bad and the Ugly might be taken by surprise when watching Sabata. True the film does star spaghetti Western star Lee Van Cleef as the tight-lipped hero of the title but it has a very different feel from the genre's traditional Sergio Leone-derived style. Director/co-writer Gianfranco Parolini (alias Frank Kramer) takes things in a direction that seems to fall halfway between The Wild Wild West TV series and a James Bond movie; the film is packed with colorful characters exotic weapons and the action scenes that mix wild stunts with pyrotechnics. Parolini appropriately gives the film a light touch playing up the colorful and humorous aspects while delivering the action. The end result is a little too long for this sort of light material causing it to drag a bit in the middle but it is too good-natured and entertaining to dislike. In short Sabata is likely to make fun viewing for Euro-cult fans and anyone interested in an offbeat Western.
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Spaghetti Western fans used to the likes of Django and The Good , The Bad and the Ugly might be taken by surprise when watching Sabata . True , the film does star spaghetti Western star Lee Van Cleef as the tight - lipped hero of the title , but it has a very different feel from the genre's traditional , Sergio Leone - derived style. Director / co - writer Gianfranco Parolini ( alias Frank Kramer ) takes things in a direction that seems to fall halfway between The Wild Wild West TV series and a James Bond movie ; the film is packed with colorful characters , exotic weapons , and the action scenes that mix wild stunts with pyrotechnics. Parolini appropriately gives the film a light touch , playing up the colorful and humorous aspects while delivering the action. The end result is a little too long for this sort of light material , causing it to drag a bit in the middle , but it is too good - natured and entertaining to dislike. In short , Sabata is likely to make fun viewing for Euro - cult fans and anyone interested in an offbeat Western.
1891
Gary Grimes stars in this revisionist western as Ben Mockridge a 16-year-old boy who has long dreamed of living the life of a cowboy. Wanting adventure he persuades Frank Culpepper (Billy Green Bush) to take him along on a cattle drive and Ben learns the hard way just how lonesome exhausting and violent the life of a cowhand can be. As one of the men on the drive puts it "Being a cowboy is what you do when you can't do anything else." Hal Needham who would later direct a string of successful films starring Burt Reynolds can be spotted in a small role as Burgess one of the cowboys.
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Gary Grimes stars in this revisionist western as Ben Mockridge , a 16 - year - old boy who has long dreamed of living the life of a cowboy. Wanting adventure , he persuades Frank Culpepper ( Billy Green Bush ) to take him along on a cattle drive , and Ben learns the hard way just how lonesome , exhausting , and violent the life of a cowhand can be. As one of the men on the drive puts it , "Being a cowboy is what you do when you can't do anything else." Hal Needham , who would later direct a string of successful films starring Burt Reynolds , can be spotted in a small role as Burgess , one of the cowboys.
1892
Adapted from an Elmore Leonard novel Valdez is Coming stars Burt Lancaster in the title role. A scrupulously honest Mexican-American marshal Bob Valdez is double-crossed and humiliated by wealthy unscrupulous rancher Jon Cypher. Since Cypher has the law on his side Valdez is obliged to mete out his own justice. He kidnaps Cypher's mistress Susan Clark to force the rancher's hand. At first Cypher is able to rally a group of tough hombres against Valdez but one by one they side with the marshal. Director Edwin Sherin who'd helmed the Broadway production of The Great White Hope makes several rather anachronistic points regarding the film's racial issues; on the other hand Valdez is Coming is one of the most-authentic looking westerns ever made-right down to the deglamorization of Susan Clark who in a 1950s film might have looked as though she'd just visited a frontier branch of Max Factor.
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Adapted from an Elmore Leonard novel , Valdez is Coming stars Burt Lancaster in the title role. A scrupulously honest Mexican - American marshal , Bob Valdez is double - crossed and humiliated by wealthy , unscrupulous rancher Jon Cypher. Since Cypher has the law on his side , Valdez is obliged to mete out his own justice. He kidnaps Cypher's mistress Susan Clark to force the rancher's hand. At first , Cypher is able to rally a group of tough hombres against Valdez , but one by one they side with the marshal. Director Edwin Sherin , who'd helmed the Broadway production of The Great White Hope , makes several rather anachronistic points regarding the film's racial issues ; on the other hand , Valdez is Coming is one of the most - authentic looking westerns ever made - right down to the deglamorization of Susan Clark , who in a 1950s film might have looked as though she'd just visited a frontier branch of Max Factor.
1893
This routine western finds Union Colonel John Henry Thomas (John Wayne) and company attacking Confederate soldiers lead by Colonel James Langdon (Rock Hudson). After a crushing defeat Langdon torches his plantation rather than have it fall into enemy hands. A group of Southerners accept the invitation of Emperor Maximilian to join them and Langdon heads off with a wagon train of settlers to a new land. Thomas with his adopted Indian son Blue Boy (Roman Gabriel) bring a herd of 3000 horses across the Rio Grand for sale. The two factions meet at a Fourth of July party and relive the war through a drunken brawl. When Mexican General Rojas (Tony Aguilar) holds the Southerners hostage Thomas orders the herd to stampede into the General's camp as ransom payment for their former enemies. Merlin Olsen plays the blacksmith Little George. Both Gabriel and Olsen were pro-football all-stars for the Los Angeles Rams. Olsen continued his acting and sports announcing after his gridiron days were over.
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This routine western finds Union Colonel John Henry Thomas ( John Wayne ) and company attacking Confederate soldiers lead by Colonel James Langdon ( Rock Hudson ) . After a crushing defeat , Langdon torches his plantation rather than have it fall into enemy hands. A group of Southerners accept the invitation of Emperor Maximilian to join them , and Langdon heads off with a wagon train of settlers to a new land. Thomas with his adopted Indian son Blue Boy ( Roman Gabriel ) bring a herd of 3 , 000 horses across the Rio Grand for sale. The two factions meet at a Fourth of July party and relive the war through a drunken brawl. When Mexican General Rojas ( Tony Aguilar ) holds the Southerners hostage , Thomas orders the herd to stampede into the General's camp as ransom payment for their former enemies. Merlin Olsen plays the blacksmith Little George. Both Gabriel and Olsen were pro - football all - stars for the Los Angeles Rams. Olsen continued his acting and sports announcing after his gridiron days were over.
1894
One of the best films by often-underrated director Robert Aldrich this stark brutal Western is also an effective allegory of America's involvement in the Vietnam War. Set in Arizona during the late 1880s the film begins with experienced scout McIntosh (Burt Lancaster) and idealistic U.S. Cavalry Lieutenant DeBuin (Bruce Davison) setting out to catch a group of Apache renegades lead by their chieftain Ulzana (Joaquin Martinez). The story focuses on the opposing views of the two men regarding Ulzana. McIntosh is cold and cynical while DeBuin is morally outraged by supposed Apache atrocities. The film sharply written by Alan Sharp poses a set of complex questions about the nature of heroism racism and American imperialism while avoiding moralizing or oversimplification of the issues. Aldrich and Burt Lancaster who made four films together over the course of their long careers (including this one) later collaborated on the excellent political thriller Twilight's Last Gleaming.
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One of the best films by often - underrated director Robert Aldrich , this stark , brutal Western is also an effective allegory of America's involvement in the Vietnam War. Set in Arizona during the late 1880s , the film begins with experienced scout McIntosh ( Burt Lancaster ) and idealistic U.S. Cavalry Lieutenant DeBuin ( Bruce Davison ) setting out to catch a group of Apache renegades lead by their chieftain , Ulzana ( Joaquin Martinez ) . The story focuses on the opposing views of the two men regarding Ulzana. McIntosh is cold and cynical while DeBuin is morally outraged by supposed Apache atrocities. The film , sharply written by Alan Sharp , poses a set of complex questions about the nature of heroism , racism , and American imperialism , while avoiding moralizing or oversimplification of the issues. Aldrich and Burt Lancaster , who made four films together over the course of their long careers ( including this one ), later collaborated on the excellent political thriller Twilight's Last Gleaming .
1895
Director Budd Boetticher wrote the story upon which this comic Western was based. Clint Eastwood stars as Hogan a tough cowboy who rescues a woman Sara (Shirley Maclaine) as she's about to be attacked by a trio of rapists. Surprised to learn that his new traveling companion is a nun Hogan agrees to escort her to a camp occupied by anti-French revolutionaries. It turns out that neither of this pair is what they claim to be: Hogan is to scout out a French military garrison for a future attack while Sara is actually a prostitute masquerading as a nun. After Hogan spies Sara smoking cigars and drinking whiskey he begins to figure out she's not a bride of Christ and the two team up with the Juaristas to destroy the French fortifications.
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Director Budd Boetticher wrote the story upon which this comic Western was based. Clint Eastwood stars as Hogan , a tough cowboy who rescues a woman , Sara ( Shirley Maclaine ) as she's about to be attacked by a trio of rapists. Surprised to learn that his new traveling companion is a nun , Hogan agrees to escort her to a camp occupied by anti - French revolutionaries. It turns out that neither of this pair is what they claim to be : Hogan is to scout out a French military garrison for a future attack , while Sara is actually a prostitute masquerading as a nun. After Hogan spies Sara smoking cigars and drinking whiskey , he begins to figure out she's not a bride of Christ , and the two team up with the Juaristas to destroy the French fortifications.
1896
An offbeat 1970s black-comic Western with an all-star cast this Joseph L. Mankiewicz film is set in 1883 in Arizona. Paris Pitman Jr. (Kirk Douglas) is the leader of a band of outlaws that steals $500000 from a wealthy businessman named Lomax (Arthur O'Connell). The other gang members die in a shootout but Pitman escapes and hides the loot in women's underwear and drops it into a snake pit. After Lomax recognizes Pitman in a brothel he is arrested by Sheriff Woodward Lopeman (Henry Fonda). At the territorial prison Pitman bribes Warden Le Goff (Martin Gabel) offering him a share of the hidden money if he lets him escape. But before the scheme is carried through the warden is killed by a prisoner. Lopeman becomes the new warden and he is bent on ridding the prison of corruption. Pitman convinces Lopeman that he will cooperate with the reforms then he uses the new freedoms given to him to plan an elaborate escape with several other men. The escape is to take place during an inspection by the governor. The screenwriting team for this film was Robert Benton and David Newman who had penned the brilliant Bonnie and Clyde.
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An offbeat 1970s black - comic Western with an all - star cast , this Joseph L. Mankiewicz film is set in 1883 in Arizona. Paris Pitman , Jr. ( Kirk Douglas ) is the leader of a band of outlaws that steals $500 , 000 from a wealthy businessman named Lomax ( Arthur O'Connell ) . The other gang members die in a shootout , but Pitman escapes and hides the loot in women's underwear and drops it into a snake pit. After Lomax recognizes Pitman in a brothel , he is arrested by Sheriff Woodward Lopeman ( Henry Fonda ) . At the territorial prison , Pitman bribes Warden Le Goff ( Martin Gabel ), offering him a share of the hidden money if he lets him escape. But before the scheme is carried through , the warden is killed by a prisoner. Lopeman becomes the new warden , and he is bent on ridding the prison of corruption. Pitman convinces Lopeman that he will cooperate with the reforms , then he uses the new freedoms given to him to plan an elaborate escape with several other men. The escape is to take place during an inspection by the governor. The screenwriting team for this film was Robert Benton and David Newman , who had penned the brilliant Bonnie and Clyde .
1897
After being blacklisted from Hollywood for 21 years writer/director Abraham Polonsky made a healthy comeback with Tell Them Willie Boy is Here. The title character played by Robert Blake is a Paiute Indian living in 1909 California. After several years in the White Man's world Willie Boy returns to his reservation hoping to renew his romance with tribeswoman Lola (Katherine Ross). Old Mike (Mike Angel) Lola's father strongly disapproves of her relationship with Willie Boy and attacks the youth. Acting in self defense Willie Boy kills Old Mike. Under tribal rules Willie Boy is now permitted to claim Lola as his woman. But white lawman Christopher Cooper (Robert Redford) is forced to charge Willie Boy with murder. The Indian and his girl escape the reservation pursued by the essentially decent Cooper and a less-than-decent crowd of white vigilantes. What begins as comparative minor incident snowballs into a huge political crisis with the bewildered but defiant Willie Boy as the catalyst. Tell Them Willie Boy is Here is distinguished by the fine performances of leading players Redford Blake Ross and Susan Clark and by the haunting cinematography of Conrad Hall.
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After being blacklisted from Hollywood for 21 years , writer / director Abraham Polonsky made a healthy comeback with Tell Them Willie Boy is Here. The title character , played by Robert Blake , is a Paiute Indian living in 1909 California. After several years in the White Man's world , Willie Boy returns to his reservation , hoping to renew his romance with tribeswoman Lola ( Katherine Ross ) . Old Mike ( Mike Angel ), Lola's father , strongly disapproves of her relationship with Willie Boy and attacks the youth. Acting in self defense , Willie Boy kills Old Mike. Under tribal rules , Willie Boy is now permitted to claim Lola as his woman. But white lawman Christopher Cooper ( Robert Redford ) is forced to charge Willie Boy with murder. The Indian and his girl escape the reservation , pursued by the essentially decent Cooper and a less - than - decent crowd of white vigilantes. What begins as comparative minor incident , snowballs into a huge political crisis , with the bewildered but defiant Willie Boy as the catalyst. Tell Them Willie Boy is Here is distinguished by the fine performances of leading players Redford , Blake , Ross and Susan Clark , and by the haunting cinematography of Conrad Hall .
1898
This Western action/comedy is told in the same tongue-in-cheek manner as its predecessor Support Your Local Sheriff. Goldie (Marie Windsor) a madam is a formidable woman and Latigo Smith (James Garner) knows perfectly well that his disreputable ways will be trimmed considerably should she succeed in marrying him. Instead he escapes from her and winds up in the town of Purgatory. The town's inhabitants have been expecting the arrival of Swifty Morgan (Chuck Connors) the famous gunfighter. All things being equal Latigo is happy to be mistaken for Morgan's sidekick while Jug May (Jack Elam) impersonates Morgan himself.
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This Western action / comedy is told in the same tongue - in - cheek manner as its predecessor , Support Your Local Sheriff . Goldie ( Marie Windsor ), a madam , is a formidable woman , and Latigo Smith ( James Garner ) knows perfectly well that his disreputable ways will be trimmed considerably should she succeed in marrying him. Instead , he escapes from her and winds up in the town of Purgatory. The town's inhabitants have been expecting the arrival of Swifty Morgan ( Chuck Connors ), the famous gunfighter. All things being equal , Latigo is happy to be mistaken for Morgan's sidekick , while Jug May ( Jack Elam ) impersonates Morgan himself.
1899
In Frank Perry's curious off-center comedy Western Jeff Bridges and Sam Waterston play Jack McKee and Cecil Carlson a couple of cattle rustlers whose special target is taciturn rancher John Brown (Clifton James). Both men are outcasts by choice; McKee can't stand being around his stuck-up ex-wife (played by Doria Cook) while Carlson an Indian finds his fellow tribesmen too tradition-bound for his tastes. Together they plan to lift themselves out of the penny-ante class with one big crime caper. Brown gets wind of their scheme and sends private eye Henry Beige (Slim Pickens) after them. The cast is top-heavy with attractive women ranging from Brown's bored wife Cora (Elizabeth Ashley) to "camp followers" Betty Fargo (Patti D'Arbanville) and Mary Fargo (Maggie Wellman). Thomas McGuane authored the script; Jimmy Buffett provides the songs.
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In Frank Perry 's curious , off - center comedy Western , Jeff Bridges and Sam Waterston play Jack McKee and Cecil Carlson , a couple of cattle rustlers whose special target is taciturn rancher John Brown ( Clifton James ) . Both men are outcasts by choice ; McKee can't stand being around his stuck - up ex - wife ( played by Doria Cook ), while Carlson , an Indian , finds his fellow tribesmen too tradition - bound for his tastes. Together , they plan to lift themselves out of the penny - ante class with one big crime caper. Brown gets wind of their scheme , and sends private eye Henry Beige ( Slim Pickens ) after them. The cast is top - heavy with attractive women , ranging from Brown's bored wife , Cora ( Elizabeth Ashley ), to "camp followers" Betty Fargo ( Patti D'Arbanville ) and Mary Fargo ( Maggie Wellman ) . Thomas McGuane authored the script ; Jimmy Buffett provides the songs.
1900
Two modern day cowboys smuggle a herd of cows across the border in this loosely amiable comedy. Jim Kane (Paul Newman) is a cowboy who unexpectedly finds himself deep in debt and in need of some fast cash. A less-than-scrupulous businessman approaches Kane and offers him a handsome payday to escort 200 head of cattle from Mexico into the United States for use of the rodeo circuit. While the deal seems dubious Kane goes along with it and persuades his friend Leonard (Lee Marvin) to tag along. However the cattle drive proves to be more of a challenge than the men expected with a number of less-than-welcome adventures following the cattlemen along the way. Pocket Money also features Strother Martin Hector Elizondo and Wayne Rogers; keep an eye peeled for a cameo appearance by Terrence Malick who wrote the film's screenplay years before directing the acclaimed Badlands and Days of Heaven.
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Two modern day cowboys smuggle a herd of cows across the border in this loosely amiable comedy. Jim Kane ( Paul Newman ) is a cowboy who unexpectedly finds himself deep in debt and in need of some fast cash. A less - than - scrupulous businessman approaches Kane and offers him a handsome payday to escort 200 head of cattle from Mexico into the United States for use of the rodeo circuit. While the deal seems dubious , Kane goes along with it , and persuades his friend Leonard ( Lee Marvin ) to tag along. However , the cattle drive proves to be more of a challenge than the men expected , with a number of less - than - welcome adventures following the cattlemen along the way. Pocket Money also features Strother Martin , Hector Elizondo and Wayne Rogers ; keep an eye peeled for a cameo appearance by Terrence Malick , who wrote the film's screenplay years before directing the acclaimed Badlands and Days of Heaven .
1901
A former friend betrays a legendary outlaw in Sam Peckinpah's final Western. Holed up in Fort Sumner with his gang between cattle rustlings Billy the Kid (Kris Kristofferson) ignores the advice of comrade-turned-lawman Pat Garrett (James Coburn) to escape to Mexico and he winds up in jail in Lincoln New Mexico. After Billy theatrically escapes inspiring enigmatic Lincoln resident Alias (Bob Dylan) to join him the governor (Jason Robards Jr.) and cattle baron Chisum (Barry Sullivan) requisition Garrett to form a posse and hunt him down. Rather than flee to Mexico when he can Billy heads back to Fort Sumner meeting his final destiny at the hands of his friend Pat who two decades later is forced to face the consequences of his own Faustian pact with progress. With a script by Rudolph Wurlitzer Peckinpah uses the historical basis of Billy's death to eulogize the West dreamily yet violently as it is desecrated by corrupt capitalists. Both Pat and Billy know that their time is passing as surely as Garrett's posse knows that they are participating in a legend. Using familiar Western players like Slim Pickens and Katy Jurado Peckinpah underscores the West's existence as a media myth and he even appears himself as a coffin maker. Just as the bloodletting of Peckinpah's earlier The Wild Bunch (1969) invoked the Vietnam War the casting of Kristofferson and Dylan alluded to the chaotic late '60s/early '70s present; the counterculture has little place in a corporate future. Also like The Wild Bunch Pat Garrett was truncated by its studio; the cuts did nothing to help its box office. Key scenes particularly the framing story of Garrett's fate have since been restored to the home-video version. In this director's cut Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid stands as one of Peckinpah's most beautiful and complex films killing the Western myth even as he salutes it.
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A former friend betrays a legendary outlaw in Sam Peckinpah 's final Western. Holed up in Fort Sumner with his gang between cattle rustlings , Billy the Kid ( Kris Kristofferson ) ignores the advice of comrade - turned - lawman Pat Garrett ( James Coburn ) to escape to Mexico , and he winds up in jail in Lincoln , New Mexico. After Billy theatrically escapes , inspiring enigmatic Lincoln resident Alias ( Bob Dylan ) to join him , the governor ( Jason Robards Jr. ) and cattle baron Chisum ( Barry Sullivan ) requisition Garrett to form a posse and hunt him down. Rather than flee to Mexico when he can , Billy heads back to Fort Sumner , meeting his final destiny at the hands of his friend Pat , who , two decades later , is forced to face the consequences of his own Faustian pact with progress. With a script by Rudolph Wurlitzer , Peckinpah uses the historical basis of Billy's death to eulogize the West dreamily yet violently as it is desecrated by corrupt capitalists. Both Pat and Billy know that their time is passing , as surely as Garrett's posse knows that they are participating in a legend. Using familiar Western players like Slim Pickens and Katy Jurado , Peckinpah underscores the West's existence as a media myth , and he even appears himself as a coffin maker. Just as the bloodletting of Peckinpah 's earlier The Wild Bunch ( 1969 ) invoked the Vietnam War , the casting of Kristofferson and Dylan alluded to the chaotic late '60s / early '70s present ; the counterculture has little place in a corporate future. Also like The Wild Bunch , Pat Garrett was truncated by its studio ; the cuts did nothing to help its box office. Key scenes , particularly the framing story of Garrett's fate , have since been restored to the home - video version. In this director's cut , Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid stands as one of Peckinpah 's most beautiful and complex films , killing the Western myth even as he salutes it.
1902
A mysterious and possibly otherworldly stranger comes to the rescue of a frontier town in this Western which was strongly influenced by the George Stevens classic Shane. The peace of a small mining community is shattered when Coy LaHood (Richard Dysart) the ruthless proprietor of a powerful strip-mining company arrives in town with his son Josh (Christopher Penn) and a posse of hired guns to drive out the townspeople and take control of the territory. Megan (Sydney Penny) a young girl whose pet was killed in the melee prays to God for someone to defend the village from the marauders; soon the Preacher (Clint Eastwood) arrives on a pale horse and joins forces with Hull Barrett (Michael Moriarty) the unofficial leader of the miners and one of the few who attempts to defend himself to take a stand against LaHood and his men. As the Preacher and Barrett try to organize the miners to fight the invaders both Megan and her mother Sarah (Carrie Snodgrass) find they're drawn to the Preacher who keeps to himself and seems to have more than his share of secrets. Pale Rider was also directed by leading man Clint Eastwood; it was his first Western as both director and star since the acclaimed The Outlaw Josey Wales.
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A mysterious and possibly otherworldly stranger comes to the rescue of a frontier town in this Western , which was strongly influenced by the George Stevens classic , Shane . The peace of a small mining community is shattered when Coy LaHood ( Richard Dysart ), the ruthless proprietor of a powerful strip - mining company , arrives in town with his son Josh ( Christopher Penn ) and a posse of hired guns to drive out the townspeople and take control of the territory. Megan ( Sydney Penny ), a young girl whose pet was killed in the melee , prays to God for someone to defend the village from the marauders ; soon , the Preacher ( Clint Eastwood ) arrives on a pale horse , and joins forces with Hull Barrett ( Michael Moriarty ), the unofficial leader of the miners and one of the few who attempts to defend himself , to take a stand against LaHood and his men. As the Preacher and Barrett try to organize the miners to fight the invaders , both Megan and her mother Sarah ( Carrie Snodgrass ) find they're drawn to the Preacher , who keeps to himself and seems to have more than his share of secrets. Pale Rider was also directed by leading man Clint Eastwood ; it was his first Western as both director and star since the acclaimed The Outlaw Josey Wales .
1903
A rancher a rustler and a regulator face off in Arthur Penn's eccentric western. As a cover for their horse thievery a gang of Montana rustlers led by the laid-back Tom Logan (Jack Nicholson) buys a small farm adjacent to the ranch of their latest target/nemesis Braxton (John McLiam). When the gang leaves Tom on the farm and heads to Canada for another score Tom takes a shine both to farming and Braxton's rebellious strong-willed daughter Jane (Kathleen Lloyd). The slightly loco Braxton however hires the psychopathic regulator Lee Clayton (Marlon Brando) to root out the rustlers. With a series of unorthodox methods (and costumes) Clayton hunts down Logan and his gang one by one even after Braxton fires him but Logan isn't about to let Clayton (or Braxton) make him obsolete.
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A rancher , a rustler , and a regulator face off in Arthur Penn 's eccentric western. As a cover for their horse thievery , a gang of Montana rustlers , led by the laid - back Tom Logan ( Jack Nicholson ), buys a small farm adjacent to the ranch of their latest target / nemesis , Braxton ( John McLiam ) . When the gang leaves Tom on the farm and heads to Canada for another score , Tom takes a shine both to farming and Braxton's rebellious , strong - willed daughter , Jane ( Kathleen Lloyd ) . The slightly loco Braxton , however , hires the psychopathic regulator Lee Clayton ( Marlon Brando ) to root out the rustlers. With a series of unorthodox methods ( and costumes ), Clayton hunts down Logan and his gang one by one , even after Braxton fires him , but Logan isn't about to let Clayton ( or Braxton ) make him obsolete.
1904
A Man Called Horse stars Richard Harris as Lord John Morgan an English peer cast somewhat adrift in the American West. Captured by Sioux Indians Lord Morgan is at first targeted for quick extinction but the tribesmen sense that he is worthy of survival. The Englishman passes many of the necessary tests that will permit him to become a member of the tribe the most grueling of which (and the one used most extensively in the film's advertising) is the Sun Vow Initiation. That's where his lordship is hung from the roof of a huge teepee with hooks through his pectoral muscles. Much of the dialogue is spoken in the Sioux language though the film's much-vaunted "historical accuracy" is not altogether consistent as witness the casting of British stage luminary Judith Anderson as Sioux woman Buffalo Cow Head. A Man Called Horse spawned warrant two sequels. Originally rated "GP" in 1970 it has since been re-rated R by the MPAA.
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A Man Called Horse stars Richard Harris as Lord John Morgan , an English peer cast somewhat adrift in the American West. Captured by Sioux Indians , Lord Morgan is at first targeted for quick extinction , but the tribesmen sense that he is worthy of survival. The Englishman passes many of the necessary tests that will permit him to become a member of the tribe , the most grueling of which ( and the one used most extensively in the film's advertising ) is the Sun Vow Initiation. That's where his lordship is hung from the roof of a huge teepee with hooks through his pectoral muscles. Much of the dialogue is spoken in the Sioux language , though the film's much - vaunted "historical accuracy" is not altogether consistent , as witness the casting of British stage luminary Judith Anderson as Sioux woman Buffalo Cow Head. A Man Called Horse spawned warrant two sequels. Originally rated "GP" in 1970 , it has since been re - rated R by the MPAA.
1905
Sam Peckinpah's 1965 feature Major Dundee was recut and rescored for re-release theatrically in 2005 40 years after its original release. The "Extended Version" as it is known officially tells essentially the same story as the original but with clearer motivations for the characters (which often seemed vague or obscure in the 1965 edition) and much greater effectiveness. Major Amos Charles Dundee (Charlton Heston) is a West Point graduate who somehow -- it's not clear -- exceeded his orders while serving in the Battle of Gettysburg and as punishment has been taken out of combat and put in charge of a Union prison in New Mexico. He then gets word that marauding Apaches under Sierra Charriba (Michael Pate) have raided an American settlement slaughtering the troops who were pursuing them and kidnapping three young boys whom they've taken to their lair south of the Rio Grande (and if this sounds a lot like the plot of John Ford's Rio Grande it's because they used the same story as inspiration). Dundee assumes responsibility for capturing or destroying the raiders and rescuing the captives but because he has far too few men he's forced to recruit prisoners including his one-time friend Confederate Captain Benjamin Tyreen (Richard Harris) and other "gentlemen of the South" to fill out his ranks. Tyreen and his men despise Dundee but agree to serve on this mission in exchange for the chance for possible pardon of commutation of sentence (Tyreen and some of his men are facing the rope for killing a guard in an escape attempt). The mission takes them deep into Mexico where they free the children but now find themselves being stalked by the very Apaches that they were hunting as well as having to fight off the French troops stationed there. And as they quickly see the French troops though white and supposedly "civilized" like themselves treat the native Mexicans in ways that make the Apaches look almost saintly. In the end this ragtag group of soldiers malcontents deserters traitors and criminals finds a larger cause in their quest -- bigger even than their own survival -- as they discover something uniquely fine and honorable in being an American and in American ideals. It takes the sacrifice and deaths of many to get to that point but the movie -- in this version -- gets us there convincingly if in decidedly grim and bittersweet fashion. Though based on fiction and shot under incredibly (indeed legendarily) chaotic conditions the movie ultimately proves to be a rousingly disturbing examination of what it means to be an American and the meaning of American ideals.
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Sam Peckinpah 's 1965 feature Major Dundee was recut and rescored for re - release theatrically in 2005 , 40 years after its original release. The "Extended Version , " as it is known officially , tells essentially the same story as the original but with clearer motivations for the characters ( which often seemed vague or obscure in the 1965 edition ) and much greater effectiveness. Major Amos Charles Dundee ( Charlton Heston ) is a West Point graduate who somehow -- it's not clear -- exceeded his orders while serving in the Battle of Gettysburg and , as punishment , has been taken out of combat and put in charge of a Union prison in New Mexico. He then gets word that marauding Apaches under Sierra Charriba ( Michael Pate ) have raided an American settlement , slaughtering the troops who were pursuing them and kidnapping three young boys , whom they've taken to their lair south of the Rio Grande ( and if this sounds a lot like the plot of John Ford 's Rio Grande , it's because they used the same story as inspiration ) . Dundee assumes responsibility for capturing or destroying the raiders and rescuing the captives , but because he has far too few men , he's forced to recruit prisoners , including his one - time friend , Confederate Captain Benjamin Tyreen ( Richard Harris ), and other "gentlemen of the South , " to fill out his ranks. Tyreen and his men despise Dundee , but agree to serve on this mission in exchange for the chance for possible pardon of commutation of sentence ( Tyreen and some of his men are facing the rope , for killing a guard in an escape attempt ) . The mission takes them deep into Mexico , where they free the children but now find themselves being stalked by the very Apaches that they were hunting , as well as having to fight off the French troops stationed there. And as they quickly see , the French troops , though white and supposedly "civilized" like themselves , treat the native Mexicans in ways that make the Apaches look almost saintly. In the end , this ragtag group of soldiers , malcontents , deserters , traitors , and criminals finds a larger cause in their quest -- bigger even than their own survival -- as they discover something uniquely fine and honorable in being an American , and in American ideals. It takes the sacrifice and deaths of many to get to that point , but the movie -- in this version -- gets us there convincingly , if in decidedly grim and bittersweet fashion. Though based on fiction and shot under incredibly ( indeed , legendarily ) chaotic conditions , the movie ultimately proves to be a rousingly disturbing examination of what it means to be an American , and the meaning of American ideals.
1906
The hook in Walter Hill's mythic retelling of the James-Younger outlaw legend is in the casting; the James Younger Miller and Ford Brothers are played by a string of acting brothers the Keachs the Carradines the Quaids and the Guests. The film begins as outlaws are robbing a bank. After the robbery Ed Miller (Dennis Quaid) finds himself kicked out of the gang for needlessly killing a man during the robbery. Jesse James (James Keach) hands over Ed's share of the money and tells him to leave a feeling held mutually by Ed's brother Clell (Randy Quaid). After the killing the gang decides to split up for awhile. The James boys return to their wives and farms while Cole Younger (David Carradine) travels to Texas with his prostitute girlfriend Belle Starr (Pamela Reed). After the brief respite the gang reunites to rob a well-stocked bank in Northfield Minnesota. The robbery turns out disastrously with most of the gang either wounded or dying. The James boys are the only ones not seriously hurt and they leave the rest of the gang behind escaping while they can. After the James boys leave the remnants of the gang are captured. But trailing the Jameses is a relentless posse. Frank and Jesse manage to keep one step ahead until the Ford brothers (Christopher Guest and Nicholas Guest) make a deal with the Pinkerton detectives trailing the outlaws.
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The hook in Walter Hill 's mythic retelling of the James - Younger outlaw legend is in the casting ; the James , Younger , Miller , and Ford Brothers are played by a string of acting brothers , the Keach s , the Carradine s , the Quaid s and the Guest s. The film begins as outlaws are robbing a bank. After the robbery , Ed Miller ( Dennis Quaid ) finds himself kicked out of the gang for needlessly killing a man during the robbery. Jesse James ( James Keach ) hands over Ed's share of the money and tells him to leave , a feeling held mutually by Ed's brother Clell ( Randy Quaid ) . After the killing the gang decides to split up for awhile. The James boys return to their wives and farms , while Cole Younger ( David Carradine ) travels to Texas with his prostitute girlfriend Belle Starr ( Pamela Reed ) . After the brief respite , the gang reunites to rob a well - stocked bank in Northfield , Minnesota. The robbery turns out disastrously , with most of the gang either wounded or dying. The James boys are the only ones not seriously hurt , and they leave the rest of the gang behind , escaping while they can. After the James boys leave , the remnants of the gang are captured. But trailing the Jameses is a relentless posse. Frank and Jesse manage to keep one step ahead until the Ford brothers ( Christopher Guest and Nicholas Guest ) make a deal with the Pinkerton detectives trailing the outlaws.
1907
The Left Handed Gun was adapted by Gore Vidal from his own TV play The Death of Billy the Kid. 33-year-old Paul Newman stars as 21-year-old William Bonney the hotheaded gunslinger known as Billy the Kid. Avoiding the usual Hollywood glamourization of this controversial character Newman portays Bonney pretty much as he was: an illiterate homicidal cretin. Treated with kindness for the first time in his life by rancher Tunstall (Colin Keith-Johnston) Bonney becomes devoted to the rancher; in fact it is virtually a love affair. Soon after however Tunstall is killed prompting Bonney to go on a murderous spree. In the end Bonney must face down the other important father-figure in his life Pat Garrett (John Dehner). In case anyone should miss the Freudian subtext in The Left Handed Gun the closeups of Bonney fondling his six-shooter will make things crystal clear.
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The Left Handed Gun was adapted by Gore Vidal from his own TV play , The Death of Billy the Kid . 33 - year - old Paul Newman stars as 21 - year - old William Bonney , the hotheaded gunslinger known as Billy the Kid . Avoiding the usual Hollywood glamourization of this controversial character , Newman portays Bonney pretty much as he was : an illiterate , homicidal cretin. Treated with kindness for the first time in his life by rancher Tunstall ( Colin Keith - Johnston ), Bonney becomes devoted to the rancher ; in fact , it is virtually a love affair. Soon after , however , Tunstall is killed , prompting Bonney to go on a murderous spree. In the end , Bonney must face down the other important father - figure in his life , Pat Garrett ( John Dehner ) . In case anyone should miss the Freudian subtext in The Left Handed Gun , the closeups of Bonney fondling his six - shooter will make things crystal clear.
1908
In John Sturges' Americanized version of Sergio Leone's Man-With-No-Name films Clint Eastwood is Joe Kidd a cryptic stranger who arrives in the New Mexican town of Sinola where Mexican bandito/revolutionary Luis Chama (John Saxon) has organized a peasant revolt against the local landowners who are throwing the poor off land that rightfully belongs to them. When a posse -- financed by wealthy landowner Frank Harlan (Robert Duvall) -- is formed to capture Luis Kidd is invited to join but prefers to remain neutral. Harlan keeps badgering Kidd to join up and Kidd finally relents when he finds that Luis's band has raided his own ranch and one of his ranch hands has been injured. The bloodthirsty posse rounds up five Mexicans hostages and threaten to kill them unless Luis surrenders to them. One of the hostages is the attractive Stella Garcia (Helen Sanchez) and Kidd falls in love with her. Harlan notices this and throws Kidd in jail to prevent him from helping Stella and the Mexicans. Kidd decides the position himself as the voice of reason in this nest of disorder. He escapes and saves the Mexican hostages determined to capture Luis himself and see that he gets a fair trial. But when Kidd captures Luis and delivers him to Sheriff Mitchell (Gregory Walcott) Harlan is in town waiting for him.
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In John Sturges ' Americanized version of Sergio Leone 's Man - With - No - Name films , Clint Eastwood is Joe Kidd , a cryptic stranger who arrives in the New Mexican town of Sinola , where Mexican bandito / revolutionary Luis Chama ( John Saxon ) has organized a peasant revolt against the local landowners , who are throwing the poor off land that rightfully belongs to them. When a posse -- financed by wealthy landowner Frank Harlan ( Robert Duvall ) -- is formed to capture Luis , Kidd is invited to join but prefers to remain neutral. Harlan keeps badgering Kidd to join up , and Kidd finally relents when he finds that Luis's band has raided his own ranch and one of his ranch hands has been injured. The bloodthirsty posse rounds up five Mexicans hostages and threaten to kill them unless Luis surrenders to them. One of the hostages is the attractive Stella Garcia ( Helen Sanchez ), and Kidd falls in love with her. Harlan notices this and throws Kidd in jail to prevent him from helping Stella and the Mexicans. Kidd decides the position himself as the voice of reason in this nest of disorder. He escapes and saves the Mexican hostages , determined to capture Luis himself and see that he gets a fair trial. But when Kidd captures Luis and delivers him to Sheriff Mitchell ( Gregory Walcott ), Harlan is in town waiting for him.
1909
Meeting largely mixed reviews during its first run in 1971 counterculture icon Peter Fonda's directorial debut was restored and remastered for its 30-year anniversary. The film opens with three drifters greeting the morning by cavorting in a sun-dabbled mountain river. Harry Collings (Fonda) catches a fish and gives it to Arch Harris (Warren Oates) who grills it over a low fire while Dan (Robert Pratt) -- the youngest of the three -- bathes in the swift moving current. Later as they head into Del Norte a small town in the middle of nowhere Dan talks breathlessly about going to California while Collings suddenly decides to return home after a seven-year absence. After Dan runs afoul of a group of unsavory characters lead by McVey (Severn Darden) Collings vows vengeance for the lad's death and blows off McVey's feet. Collings and Harris bury Dan and flee from the town riding hundreds of miles to Collings' homestead. His wife Hannah (Verna Bloom) -- now called "Widow Collings" by the local townsfolk -- is none too pleased to see her wayward husband at her doorstep. Taking his wife's anger in stride he asks only to be allowed to work as a hired hand. Just as Hannah and Collings start to move beyond the years of anger and estrangement disaster strikes. This film was screened at the 2001 Toronto Film Festival.
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Meeting largely mixed reviews during its first run in 1971 , counterculture icon Peter Fonda 's directorial debut was restored and remastered for its 30 - year anniversary. The film opens with three drifters greeting the morning by cavorting in a sun - dabbled mountain river. Harry Collings ( Fonda ) catches a fish and gives it to Arch Harris ( Warren Oates ) who grills it over a low fire , while Dan ( Robert Pratt ) -- the youngest of the three -- bathes in the swift moving current. Later , as they head into Del Norte , a small town in the middle of nowhere , Dan talks breathlessly about going to California while Collings suddenly decides to return home after a seven - year absence. After Dan runs afoul of a group of unsavory characters lead by McVey ( Severn Darden ), Collings vows vengeance for the lad's death and blows off McVey's feet. Collings and Harris bury Dan and flee from the town riding hundreds of miles to Collings' homestead. His wife Hannah ( Verna Bloom ) -- now called "Widow Collings" by the local townsfolk -- is none too pleased to see her wayward husband at her doorstep. Taking his wife's anger in stride , he asks only to be allowed to work as a hired hand. Just as Hannah and Collings start to move beyond the years of anger and estrangement , disaster strikes. This film was screened at the 2001 Toronto Film Festival .
1910
The oft-told story of the rise and fall of the James Younger gang is given the Dragnet treatment in The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid. With meticulous attention to detail the film recreates the outlaw gang's most infamous escapade: the September 7 1876 robbery of "the biggest bank west of the Mississippi" in Northfield MN. Cliff Robertson plays Cole Younger and Robert Duvall appears as Jesse James herein depicted as a pair of vengeance-driven sociopaths but no worse than the greedy railroad magnates who've driven them into a life of crime. Younger is also quite the manipulator convincing the immigrant farmers of Northfield that the bank is completely impervious to robbery thereby increasing the deposits that he intends to steal. Duvall's Jesse James is a cold-blooded murderer but like Younger not without his own personal charm. The climactic raid is filmed cinéma vérité style looking more like a haphazard CNN news event than a well-oiled machine (this film is not thankfully the standard "slick" Hollywood product). Though it drags in spots The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid is a superb iconoclastic reproduction of an era long past.
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The oft - told story of the rise and fall of the James Younger gang is given the Dragnet treatment in The Great Northfield , Minnesota Raid . With meticulous attention to detail , the film recreates the outlaw gang's most infamous escapade : the September 7 , 1876 , robbery of "the biggest bank west of the Mississippi" in Northfield , MN. Cliff Robertson plays Cole Younger , and Robert Duvall appears as Jesse James , herein depicted as a pair of vengeance - driven sociopaths , but no worse than the greedy railroad magnates who've driven them into a life of crime. Younger is also quite the manipulator , convincing the immigrant farmers of Northfield that the bank is completely impervious to robbery , thereby increasing the deposits that he intends to steal. Duvall 's Jesse James is a cold - blooded murderer , but , like Younger , not without his own personal charm. The climactic raid is filmed cinéma vérité style , looking more like a haphazard CNN news event than a well - oiled machine ( this film is not , thankfully , the standard "slick" Hollywood product ) . Though it drags in spots , The Great Northfield , Minnesota Raid is a superb , iconoclastic reproduction of an era long past.
1911
Written and directed by Frank D. Gilroy this Western casts Charles Bronson as Graham Dorsey a two-bit Western outlaw who has a three-hour affair with lonely Amanda Starbuck (Jill Ireland). When Dorsey is reported killed Starbuck capitalizes on her liaison by building up the "legend" of the supposed deceased outlaw. Soon Dorsey has become an icon glorified in song fable and dime novels. Imagine Starbuck's discomfort when he turns up very much alive and extremely upset at being turned into Amanda's own private cottage industry. At the end Dorsey isn't even left with his own identity. This picture is somewhat unconventional for a Western downplaying violence in favor of characterization and dark humor.
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Written and directed by Frank D. Gilroy , this Western casts Charles Bronson as Graham Dorsey , a two - bit Western outlaw who has a three - hour affair with lonely Amanda Starbuck ( Jill Ireland ) . When Dorsey is reported killed , Starbuck capitalizes on her liaison by building up the "legend" of the supposed deceased outlaw. Soon Dorsey has become an icon , glorified in song , fable , and dime novels. Imagine Starbuck's discomfort when he turns up very much alive , and extremely upset at being turned into Amanda's own private cottage industry. At the end , Dorsey isn't even left with his own identity. This picture is somewhat unconventional for a Western , downplaying violence in favor of characterization and dark humor.
1912
"Truth is whatever gets the loudest applause." Debunking western myths even more than he did in McCabe and Mrs. Miller (1971) Robert Altman's Buffalo Bill and the Indians or Sitting Bull's History Lesson (1976) sardonically explores the gap between western history and legend in show biz-obsessed America. Megalomaniac "Buffalo Bill" Cody (Paul Newman) assumes the legend created for him by writer Ned Buntline (Burt Lancaster) aided and abetted by his producer (Joel Grey) and his publicist (Kevin McCarthy) perpetuating myths of white triumph over savage "Injuns" in his Wild West show as audiences cheer him on and buy his merchandise. But when Sitting Bull (Frank Kaquitts) joins the troupe with his interpreter (Will Sampson) his request for authenticity threatens to throw a wrench into the proceedings. Regardless of how Bill may feel about the facts he must bow to the preferences of the paying public.
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"Truth is whatever gets the loudest applause." Debunking western myths even more than he did in McCabe and Mrs. Miller ( 1971 ), Robert Altman 's Buffalo Bill and the Indians , or Sitting Bull's History Lesson ( 1976 ) sardonically explores the gap between western history and legend in show biz - obsessed America. Megalomaniac "Buffalo Bill" Cody ( Paul Newman ) assumes the legend created for him by writer Ned Buntline ( Burt Lancaster ), aided and abetted by his producer ( Joel Grey ) and his publicist ( Kevin McCarthy ), perpetuating myths of white triumph over savage "Injuns" in his Wild West show , as audiences cheer him on and buy his merchandise. But when Sitting Bull ( Frank Kaquitts ) joins the troupe with his interpreter ( Will Sampson ), his request for authenticity threatens to throw a wrench into the proceedings. Regardless of how Bill may feel about the facts , he must bow to the preferences of the paying public.
1913
Posing as a fugitive from justice frontier undercover agent John Deakin (Charles Bronson) boards a train to go after a ruthless gang of outlaws. Ingredients essential to the action include an anti-military conspiracy involving gunrunners and Indians a phony epidemic and a down-and-dirty traintop fight between Deakin and Carlos (boxer-turned-actor Archie Moore). Breakheart Pass was adapted for the screen by Alistair MacLean from his own novel.
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Posing as a fugitive from justice , frontier undercover agent John Deakin ( Charles Bronson ) boards a train to go after a ruthless gang of outlaws. Ingredients essential to the action include an anti - military conspiracy involving gunrunners and Indians , a phony epidemic , and a down - and - dirty traintop fight between Deakin and Carlos ( boxer - turned - actor Archie Moore ) . Breakheart Pass was adapted for the screen by Alistair MacLean from his own novel.
1914
arbarosa is a western starring the unlikely screen team of Willie Nelson and Gary Busey. Nelson is an outlaw Busey his country-bumpkin buddy. They decide to ride together since both are on the run from separate family feuds. Directed by Australian filmmaker Fred Schepisi the screenplay for Barbarosa was written by William D. Wittliff who would later gain acclaim for his adaptation of Larry McMurtry's Lonesome Dove.
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Barbarosa is a western starring the unlikely screen team of Willie Nelson and Gary Busey . Nelson is an outlaw , Busey his country - bumpkin buddy. They decide to ride together , since both are on the run from separate family feuds. Directed by Australian filmmaker Fred Schepisi , the screenplay for Barbarosa was written by William D. Wittliff who would later gain acclaim for his adaptation of Larry McMurtry 's Lonesome Dove .
1915
Maverick writer-director Walter Hill's version of the famous Wild Bill Hickok legend is a dreamscape western that is told entirely in flashback. Hickok's friend Charley Prince (John Hurt) narrates the events of Wild Bill's life while sitting at Bill's graveside. Hickok is played by Jeff Bridges as a mean high-spirited but gallant outlaw. He wanders the West adding to his reputation with some well-chosen gunfights and he meets up with characters such as Calamity Jane (Ellen Barkin) who becomes his sidekick for a time. After becoming a legend Hickok signs up for a stint with Buffalo Bill Cody's traveling variety show. Eventually he falls in love with Susannah Moore (Diane Lane) and his love leads him to tragedy in the town of Deadwood SD.
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Maverick writer - director Walter Hill 's version of the famous Wild Bill Hickok legend is a dreamscape western that is told entirely in flashback. Hickok's friend Charley Prince ( John Hurt ) narrates the events of Wild Bill's life while sitting at Bill's graveside. Hickok is played by Jeff Bridges as a mean , high - spirited , but gallant outlaw. He wanders the West , adding to his reputation with some well - chosen gunfights , and he meets up with characters such as Calamity Jane ( Ellen Barkin ), who becomes his sidekick for a time. After becoming a legend , Hickok signs up for a stint with Buffalo Bill Cody's traveling variety show. Eventually , he falls in love with Susannah Moore ( Diane Lane ), and his love leads him to tragedy in the town of Deadwood , SD.
1916
This misunderstood film is a satirical western written directed and produced by Ralph Nelson which he adapted from the book by James Graham (a pseudonym for Jack Higgins) In a restless Central American nation in the 1920s Van Horne (Robert Mitchum) a defrocked American priest hides a gun in his Bible and a knife in his crucifix. He rescues Emmet Keogh (Ken Hutchinson) who is being held by a group of rapacious bandits who are angry that Keogh has taken a mute native girl Chela (Paula Pritchett) away from them. Keogh an Irishman and his friend Jennings (Victor Buono) a British rum-runner are captured along with Van Horne by Colonel Santilla (John Colicos) a revolutionary leader. The colonel offers to set the three men free and send them safely to the U.S. -- if they agree to kill Tomas De La Plata (Frank Langella) the crazed local strongman. De La Plata was driven mad by Santilla's followers who murdered his father raped his mother and tormented his sister into suicide. Van Horne dons his priestly garb and reopens the church in De La Plata's village thereby setting up the trap to lure in the madman.
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This misunderstood film is a satirical western , written , directed , and produced by Ralph Nelson , which he adapted from the book by James Graham ( a pseudonym for Jack Higgins ) In a restless Central American nation in the 1920s , Van Horne ( Robert Mitchum ), a defrocked American priest , hides a gun in his Bible and a knife in his crucifix. He rescues Emmet Keogh ( Ken Hutchinson ), who is being held by a group of rapacious bandits who are angry that Keogh has taken a mute native girl , Chela ( Paula Pritchett ), away from them. Keogh , an Irishman , and his friend Jennings ( Victor Buono ), a British rum - runner , are captured along with Van Horne by Colonel Santilla ( John Colicos ), a revolutionary leader. The colonel offers to set the three men free and send them safely to the U.S. -- if they agree to kill Tomas De La Plata ( Frank Langella ), the crazed local strongman. De La Plata was driven mad by Santilla's followers , who murdered his father , raped his mother , and tormented his sister into suicide. Van Horne dons his priestly garb and reopens the church in De La Plata's village , thereby setting up the trap to lure in the madman.
1917
China 9 Liberty 37 falls halfway between the Hollywood backlot-western school and the Italian "spaghetti" western genre borrowing the best elements from both. Fabio Testi plays a gunfighter who is saved at the last moment from a hangman's noose. His liberators are a cartel of railroad men who want Testi to kill farmer (and former hired gun) Warren Oates who has refused all entreaties to sell his land. As part of the scheme Testi befriends Oates; on his own volition he sleeps with Oates' wife Jenny Agutter. When the railroad barons insist that Testi go through with his mission he refuses and helps the farmer fight off the train moguls' hired thugs. Also known as Gunfire China 9 Liberty 37 features a cameo by director Monte Hellman's role model Sam Peckinpah who plays a bombastic Ned Buntline-style novelist. And the significance of the title? It's the location of Warren Oates' spread: Nine miles from the town of China 37 miles from the town of Liberty.
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China 9 , Liberty 37 falls halfway between the Hollywood backlot - western school and the Italian "spaghetti" western genre , borrowing the best elements from both. Fabio Testi plays a gunfighter who is saved at the last moment from a hangman's noose. His liberators are a cartel of railroad men who want Testi to kill farmer ( and former hired gun ) Warren Oates , who has refused all entreaties to sell his land. As part of the scheme , Testi befriends Oates ; on his own volition , he sleeps with Oates ' wife Jenny Agutter . When the railroad barons insist that Testi go through with his mission , he refuses , and helps the farmer fight off the train moguls' hired thugs. Also known as Gunfire , China 9 Liberty 37 features a cameo by director Monte Hellman 's role model , Sam Peckinpah , who plays a bombastic Ned Buntline - style novelist. And the significance of the title? It's the location of Warren Oates ' spread : Nine miles from the town of China , 37 miles from the town of Liberty.
1918
Set in the immediate post-Civil War era The McMasters stars Brock Peters as a black Union soldier who finds he must figuratively fight the war all over again. Returning to his southern hometown Peters quickly learns that nothing has really changed: he is a "free"man in name only. Peters' ex-master Burl Ives magnanimously gives the former slave a plot of land but only Native-American David Carradine and his tribesmen are willing to work for a black man. The "invasion" of Indians serves to stir up the racial divisiveness even farther thanks to local rabble-rouser Jack Palance. The McMasters was originally released in two versions with two different endings succinctly summing up the film's "no easy answers" stance.
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Set in the immediate post - Civil War era , The McMasters stars Brock Peters as a black Union soldier who finds he must figuratively fight the war all over again. Returning to his southern hometown , Peters quickly learns that nothing has really changed : he is a "free"man in name only. Peters' ex - master Burl Ives magnanimously gives the former slave a plot of land , but only Native - American David Carradine and his tribesmen are willing to work for a black man. The "invasion" of Indians serves to stir up the racial divisiveness even farther , thanks to local rabble - rouser Jack Palance . The McMasters was originally released in two versions with two different endings , succinctly summing up the film's "no easy answers" stance.
1919
The action never stops in this western which has a surprise ending. Ann-Margret stars as Mrs. Lowe a widow who wishes to recover some gold stolen by her husband and hidden away. She says she wants to return it to the bank it was stolen from and clear her family name. In order to do this she persuades Lane (John Wayne) to ride into Mexico with her and recover the loot. Once they cross the border they discover two very different pursuers: a large group of bandidos and a lone horseman who seems to know their every move (Ricardo Montalban).
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The action never stops in this western , which has a surprise ending. Ann - Margret stars as Mrs. Lowe , a widow who wishes to recover some gold stolen by her husband and hidden away. She says she wants to return it to the bank it was stolen from and clear her family name. In order to do this , she persuades Lane ( John Wayne ) to ride into Mexico with her and recover the loot. Once they cross the border , they discover two very different pursuers : a large group of bandidos , and a lone horseman who seems to know their every move ( Ricardo Montalban ) .
1920
John Wayne returned to the role that won him an Oscar in this sequel to the western classic True Grit. Rooster Cogburn (Wayne) has once again been stripped of his badge after some questionable behavior with his gun but he's given the chance to earn it back after an especially appalling crime demands an experienced lawman. A gang of violent and ruthless criminals led by Hawk (Richard Jordan) and Breed (Anthony Zerbe) have stolen a shipment of explosive nitroglycerine and cut a swath through a village led by a preacher and his flock. The preacher died along with many others and his daughter Eula Goodnight (Katharine Hepburn) is determined that the outlaws will be brought to justice. Cogburn is given the task of tracking down the criminals but he's less than enthusiastic about the fact Goodnight insists on tagging along. Rooster Cogburn marked the first (and last) time John Wayne and Katharine Hepburn would work together on screen; it was also the final film from noted producer Hal Wallis.
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John Wayne returned to the role that won him an Oscar in this sequel to the western classic True Grit . Rooster Cogburn ( Wayne ) has once again been stripped of his badge after some questionable behavior with his gun , but he's given the chance to earn it back after an especially appalling crime demands an experienced lawman. A gang of violent and ruthless criminals , led by Hawk ( Richard Jordan ) and Breed ( Anthony Zerbe ), have stolen a shipment of explosive nitroglycerine and cut a swath through a village led by a preacher and his flock. The preacher died , along with many others , and his daughter , Eula Goodnight ( Katharine Hepburn ), is determined that the outlaws will be brought to justice. Cogburn is given the task of tracking down the criminals , but he's less than enthusiastic about the fact Goodnight insists on tagging along. Rooster Cogburn marked the first ( and last ) time John Wayne and Katharine Hepburn would work together on screen ; it was also the final film from noted producer Hal Wallis .
1921
Writer director and star Mario Van Peebles tried to correct historical misconceptions about African-Americans on the frontier with this action-packed western that's also an homage to spaghetti Westerns. During the Spanish-American War a squadron of black soldiers led by Jesse Lee (Van Peebles) is assigned a dangerous mission behind enemy lines in Cuba by evil Colonel Graham (Billy Zane). Joined by a white gambler Little J (Stephen Baldwin) the troupe is to recover a chest of gold. Realizing that Graham will slaughter them once they've relinquished the booty Lee and his men retrieve the chest wound Graham and head for home. Ambushed by Graham in New Orleans the "posse" heads for Lee's hometown of Freemanville a frontier settlement of ex-slaves. Years ago Lee's minister father (Robert Hooks) was murdered there by Klansmen and the gunslinger wants revenge. There's new trouble brewing in Freemanville however. Sheriff Bates (Richard Jordan) top lawman in neighboring Cutterville plans to wipe out Freemanville's citizens and sell their lucrative property to a railroad. Then there's Graham still on Lee's trail.
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Writer , director , and star Mario Van Peebles tried to correct historical misconceptions about African - Americans on the frontier with this action - packed western that's also an homage to spaghetti Westerns. During the Spanish - American War , a squadron of black soldiers led by Jesse Lee ( Van Peebles ) is assigned a dangerous mission behind enemy lines in Cuba by evil Colonel Graham ( Billy Zane ) . Joined by a white gambler , Little J ( Stephen Baldwin ), the troupe is to recover a chest of gold. Realizing that Graham will slaughter them once they've relinquished the booty , Lee and his men retrieve the chest , wound Graham , and head for home. Ambushed by Graham in New Orleans , the "posse" heads for Lee's hometown of Freemanville , a frontier settlement of ex - slaves. Years ago , Lee's minister father ( Robert Hooks ) was murdered there by Klansmen , and the gunslinger wants revenge. There's new trouble brewing in Freemanville , however. Sheriff Bates ( Richard Jordan ), top lawman in neighboring Cutterville , plans to wipe out Freemanville's citizens and sell their lucrative property to a railroad. Then there's Graham , still on Lee's trail.
1922
This violent western tale finds Macho (David Janssen) as a Union Army regular in a Confederate prison. He escapes by planting dynamite in the coffin of an executed officer making his move when the coffin is being carried outside the gate. He returns to a small town where he waits for Duffy (Lee J. Cobb) who put Macho in jail years before. Newlyweds Alexandra (Jean Seberg) and David (Carradine) arrive in town and David heads to the saloon. The drunken one armed Confederate Army veteran is killed by Macho when he becomes drunk and belligerent. Alexandra puts a price on Macho's head hiring two killers to finish him off. Macho kills them both and rapes a beaten up Alexandra who falls in love with her attacker. He also gets revenge of Duffy by stringing him up by the neck on the windmill in the town square.
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This violent western tale finds Macho ( David Janssen ) as a Union Army regular in a Confederate prison. He escapes by planting dynamite in the coffin of an executed officer , making his move when the coffin is being carried outside the gate. He returns to a small town where he waits for Duffy ( Lee J. Cobb ), who put Macho in jail years before. Newlyweds Alexandra ( Jean Seberg ) and David ( Carradine ) arrive in town , and David heads to the saloon. The drunken one armed Confederate Army veteran is killed by Macho when he becomes drunk and belligerent. Alexandra puts a price on Macho's head , hiring two killers to finish him off. Macho kills them both and rapes a beaten up Alexandra , who falls in love with her attacker. He also gets revenge of Duffy by stringing him up by the neck on the windmill in the town square.
1923
Paul Newman plays the title role in John Huston's surreal revisionist western as the infamous Texas hanging judge. Upon arriving in the tiny West Texas town of Vinegaroon Roy Bean draws a moustache on a wanted poster of himself marches into a saloon and declares his presence. He is immediately robbed beaten within an inch of his life tied to a horse and dragged out into the prairie then left to die. Rescued by a young Mexican girl Maria Elena (Victoria Principal) Roy Bean heads back into town and murders everyone in the local saloon declaring that he'll kill anyone of the same sort who turns up. He also sets himself up as the sole arbiter of law and order and renames the town Langtry in honor of the legendary actress Lily Langtry (Ava Gardner). The community prospers as Judge Bean dispenses his own brand of frontier justice upon strangers passing by robbing or killing anyone who tries to make their way through the town. But when Maria dies Bean's old associates begin to turn on him one at a time (in response to his constant harping on their wives many of whom were former prostitutes) and Bean is forced to leave. Years later Bean rides back into town called back to the place to save his daughter from trouble - and finds that the community has been taken over by a shady character called Frank Gass (Roddy McDowall) - a circumstance that requires Bean to dispense his own unique brand of justice once again. Stacy Keach lends a neat comic turn to the film as Bad Bob an albino gunslinger whose dining habits consist of chowing down on raw onion drinking hot coffee from a pot and demanding that an entire horse be cooked for his supper. John Milius (Red Dawn) scripted.
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Paul Newman plays the title role in John Huston 's surreal , revisionist western as the infamous Texas hanging judge. Upon arriving in the tiny West Texas town of Vinegaroon , Roy Bean draws a moustache on a wanted poster of himself , marches into a saloon , and declares his presence. He is immediately robbed , beaten within an inch of his life , tied to a horse and dragged out into the prairie , then left to die. Rescued by a young Mexican girl , Maria Elena ( Victoria Principal ), Roy Bean heads back into town and murders everyone in the local saloon , declaring that he'll kill anyone of the same sort who turns up. He also sets himself up as the sole arbiter of law and order and renames the town Langtry , in honor of the legendary actress Lily Langtry ( Ava Gardner ) . The community prospers as Judge Bean dispenses his own brand of frontier justice upon strangers passing by , robbing or killing anyone who tries to make their way through the town. But when Maria dies , Bean's old associates begin to turn on him , one at a time ( in response to his constant harping on their wives , many of whom were former prostitutes ) and Bean is forced to leave. Years later , Bean rides back into town , called back to the place to save his daughter from trouble - and finds that the community has been taken over by a shady character called Frank Gass ( Roddy McDowall ) - a circumstance that requires Bean to dispense his own unique brand of justice once again. Stacy Keach lends a neat comic turn to the film as Bad Bob , an albino gunslinger whose dining habits consist of chowing down on raw onion , drinking hot coffee from a pot , and demanding that an entire horse be cooked for his supper. John Milius ( Red Dawn ) scripted.
1924
Ex-lawman turned rancher Jed Cooper (Clint Eastwood) is moving a small herd of cattle when a group of nine men on horseback led by Captain Wilson (Ed Begley Sr.) ride up and accuse him of having stolen the cattle and killed their owner. Refusing to believe his account they string him up by the neck and leave him for dead but they don't do the job right. Cooper is dangling there barely alive a few minutes later when Deputy U.S. Marshal Bliss (Ben Johnson) spots him and cuts him down. He survives the next few days in Bliss' tumbleweed wagon with the other prisoners and is later cleared of any wrongdoing and released by Judge Fenton (Pat Hingle) just in time to witness the hanging of the man who really murdered the owner of the cattle and took Cooper's money. Cooper still wants revenge on the nine men who tried to hang him but Fenton insists that he leave the bringing of them to justice to his deputy marshals. As it happens Fenton is in desperate need of deputy marshals for the territory that he oversees and he also knows that Cooper was a good lawman. Cooper in turn is now broke and in need of a job and does want to see justice done. They strike an uneasy bargain Cooper agreeing to wear a badge and bring in the men he's looking for -- alive -- for trial. The latter proves easier said than done however when the first of them that he spots tries to draw on him when he makes the arrest. One of the hanging party Jenkins (Bob Steele) soon turns himself in and provides the names of the others. Cooper takes Stone (Alan Hale Jr.) alive but the hapless blacksmith is later shot by the local sheriff (Charles McGraw) while trying to escape. The other men led by Wilson have no intention of dying or even being brought to trial without a fight. Two of them go on the run out of the territory while Wilson and two of the others decide to take the law into their own hands once again. Meanwhile Cooper becomes a hero when he single-handedly brings back a trio of rustlers who are also guilty of murder. This leads to Cooper's first confrontation with Judge Fenton who in a gripping scene explains why it is essential that he be as seemingly quick to hang a man as he is. Unless the people are convinced that the law will do its job -- including hanging men who deserve it -- they will keep taking the law into their own hands and there will be more lynch mobs like the one that tried to kill Cooper. In the course of his quest for justice Cooper also makes the acquaintance of Rachel (Inger Stevens) a young woman with her own search for justice haunted by her own ghosts and the two of them are drawn together no more so than when Wilson and two of the others try to gun Cooper down in cold blood. The final confrontation between Cooper and Wilson escalates in violence to its savage irony-laced conclusion.
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Ex - lawman turned rancher Jed Cooper ( Clint Eastwood ) is moving a small herd of cattle when a group of nine men on horseback , led by Captain Wilson ( Ed Begley Sr. ), ride up and accuse him of having stolen the cattle and killed their owner. Refusing to believe his account , they string him up by the neck and leave him for dead , but they don't do the job right. Cooper is dangling there , barely alive , a few minutes later when Deputy U.S. Marshal Bliss ( Ben Johnson ) spots him and cuts him down. He survives the next few days in Bliss' tumbleweed wagon with the other prisoners , and is later cleared of any wrongdoing and released by Judge Fenton ( Pat Hingle ), just in time to witness the hanging of the man who really murdered the owner of the cattle and took Cooper's money. Cooper still wants revenge on the nine men who tried to hang him , but Fenton insists that he leave the bringing of them to justice to his deputy marshals. As it happens , Fenton is in desperate need of deputy marshals for the territory that he oversees , and he also knows that Cooper was a good lawman. Cooper , in turn , is now broke and in need of a job , and does want to see justice done. They strike an uneasy bargain , Cooper agreeing to wear a badge and bring in the men he's looking for -- alive -- for trial. The latter proves easier said than done , however , when the first of them that he spots tries to draw on him when he makes the arrest. One of the hanging party , Jenkins ( Bob Steele ), soon turns himself in and provides the names of the others. Cooper takes Stone ( Alan Hale Jr. ) alive , but the hapless blacksmith is later shot by the local sheriff ( Charles McGraw ) while trying to escape. The other men , led by Wilson , have no intention of dying , or even being brought to trial , without a fight. Two of them go on the run out of the territory , while Wilson and two of the others decide to take the law into their own hands once again. Meanwhile , Cooper becomes a hero when he single - handedly brings back a trio of rustlers who are also guilty of murder. This leads to Cooper's first confrontation with Judge Fenton , who , in a gripping scene , explains why it is essential that he be as seemingly quick to hang a man as he is. Unless the people are convinced that the law will do its job -- including hanging men who deserve it -- they will keep taking the law into their own hands and there will be more lynch mobs like the one that tried to kill Cooper. In the course of his quest for justice , Cooper also makes the acquaintance of Rachel ( Inger Stevens ), a young woman with her own search for justice , haunted by her own ghosts , and the two of them are drawn together , no more so than when Wilson and two of the others try to gun Cooper down in cold blood. The final confrontation between Cooper and Wilson escalates in violence to its savage , irony - laced conclusion.
1925
Robert Aldrich returns to the western-spoof genre he'd previously explored in Four for Texas with The Frisco Kid. Gene Wilder plays Polish rabbi Avram Belinsky who intends to set up a congregation in San Francisco. Eminently unsuited for life in the Old West poor Avram is victimized by everyone with whom he comes in contact. Salvation arrives in the unlikely form of taciturn bank robber Tommy (Harrison Ford). Incredibly Tommy takes a liking to the feckless Avram and together the two men embark on a series of seriocomic adventures.
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Robert Aldrich returns to the western - spoof genre he'd previously explored in Four for Texas with The Frisco Kid . Gene Wilder plays Polish rabbi Avram Belinsky , who intends to set up a congregation in San Francisco. Eminently unsuited for life in the Old West , poor Avram is victimized by everyone with whom he comes in contact. Salvation arrives in the unlikely form of taciturn bank robber Tommy ( Harrison Ford ) . Incredibly , Tommy takes a liking to the feckless Avram , and together the two men embark on a series of seriocomic adventures.
1926
In one of John Wayne's more interesting late Westerns "The Duke" plays Will Anderson a crusty veteran cattleman preparing a 400-mile drive to get a herd of steers to market. Shortly before the trip is scheduled to begin Will's crew quits when they get word of a nearby gold strike. With little time and few alternatives Will recruits eleven boys ages nine through 13 and teaches them the basics of herding cattle and riding the range. Bruce Dern plays a memorably foul villain and cattle rustler named Long Hair while Roscoe Lee Browne portrays Jebediah the cattle drive cook and Colleen Dewhurst is Kate a madam.
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In one of John Wayne 's more interesting late Westerns , " The Duke " plays Will Anderson , a crusty veteran cattleman preparing a 400 - mile drive to get a herd of steers to market. Shortly before the trip is scheduled to begin , Will's crew quits when they get word of a nearby gold strike. With little time and few alternatives , Will recruits eleven boys , ages nine through 13 , and teaches them the basics of herding cattle and riding the range. Bruce Dern plays a memorably foul villain and cattle rustler named Long Hair , while Roscoe Lee Browne portrays Jebediah , the cattle drive cook , and Colleen Dewhurst is Kate , a madam.
1927
James Stewart and Henry Fonda star in this light-hearted western comedy directed by Gene Kelly. In 1870 Texas John O' Hanlan (James Stewart) an itinerant cowboy receives a letter notifying him that he has inherited a business establishment called the Cheyenne Social Club in Cheyenne Wyoming. Thinking that he can finally settle down from his hard life on the trail and become a man of property he travels with his friend Harley O'Sullivan (Henry Fonda) to Cheyenne to claim his property. Once there he finds the Cheyenne Social Club to be a brothel run by the attractive Madame Jenny (Shirley Jones). John is appalled and while Harley is sampling the business's wares John is planning to close the place down and turn it into a boardinghouse. But when the citizens of Cheyenne get wind of John's plan they try to convince him to keep the whorehouse the way it is. However all of this talk is tabled when John finds out that Jenny has been beaten by the disreputable Corey Bannister (Robert J. Wilke). John challenges him to a gunfight and kills him. Suddenly John and Harley discover that they have the whole Bannister clan after them and now they have to defend both themselves and the gals at the Cheyenne Social Club.
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James Stewart and Henry Fonda star in this light - hearted western comedy , directed by Gene Kelly . In 1870 Texas , John O' Hanlan ( James Stewart ), an itinerant cowboy , receives a letter notifying him that he has inherited a business establishment called the Cheyenne Social Club in Cheyenne , Wyoming. Thinking that he can finally settle down from his hard life on the trail and become a man of property , he travels with his friend Harley O'Sullivan ( Henry Fonda ) to Cheyenne to claim his property. Once there , he finds the Cheyenne Social Club to be a brothel , run by the attractive Madame Jenny ( Shirley Jones ) . John is appalled , and while Harley is sampling the business's wares , John is planning to close the place down and turn it into a boardinghouse. But when the citizens of Cheyenne get wind of John's plan , they try to convince him to keep the whorehouse the way it is. However , all of this talk is tabled when John finds out that Jenny has been beaten by the disreputable Corey Bannister ( Robert J. Wilke ) . John challenges him to a gunfight and kills him. Suddenly , John and Harley discover that they have the whole Bannister clan after them , and now they have to defend both themselves and the gals at the Cheyenne Social Club.
1928
John Wayne plays a lawman who has to deal with the problems of fatherhood in a big way in Cahill: United States Marshall. Wayne is J.D. Cahill whose singular desire to track down law breakers strains his relationship with his two teenage sons --17-year-old Danny (Gary Grimes) and 12-year-old Billy Joe (Clay O'Brien). The film begins as Cahill is hot on the trail of a gang of outlaws. After the big showdown he returns to town to discover that the local bank has been robbed. The sheriff and the deputy have been killed and four bank robbers are imprisoned in the jail. He is stunned when he finds out that one of the robbers in jail is Cahill's son Danny. It seems that during Cahill's absence from home his two sons have been enticed into a criminal life by nefarious outlaw Abe Fraser (George Kennedy).
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John Wayne plays a lawman who has to deal with the problems of fatherhood in a big way in Cahill : United States Marshall . Wayne is J.D. Cahill , whose singular desire to track down law breakers strains his relationship with his two teenage sons -- 17 - year - old Danny ( Gary Grimes ) and 12 - year - old Billy Joe ( Clay O'Brien ) . The film begins as Cahill is hot on the trail of a gang of outlaws. After the big showdown , he returns to town to discover that the local bank has been robbed. The sheriff and the deputy have been killed , and four bank robbers are imprisoned in the jail. He is stunned when he finds out that one of the robbers in jail is Cahill's son Danny. It seems that during Cahill's absence from home , his two sons have been enticed into a criminal life by nefarious outlaw Abe Fraser ( George Kennedy ) .
1929
After the success of his three Billy Jack films actor director and screenwriter Tom Laughlin decided to expand his range a bit with this Western which was adapted from Goyokin a popular Japanese samurai film. However since Finley (Laughlin's character here) is trained in martial arts and often defends himself (and others) by violence while frequently espousing a nonviolent philosophy it could be said that this wasn't much of a stretch for the once and future Billy Jack. Don Santiago (Richard Angarola) is a vicious man who helps provoke an Indian massacre that will allow him to steal the Indians' land and claim it as his own. However his son-in-law Finley (Tom Laughlin) is an expert hand with both guns and swords and will not allow him to push around the peace-loving Indians or fellow settlers of the West. The supporting cast features Ron O'Neal and Barbara Carrera who received a Golden Globe nomination for her work in this film. As with his first two films Tom Laughlin directed The Master Gunfighter but didn't take screen credit in this case listing the director as Frank Laughlin who happened to be Tom's son.
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After the success of his three Billy Jack films , actor , director , and screenwriter Tom Laughlin decided to expand his range a bit with this Western , which was adapted from Goyokin , a popular Japanese samurai film. However , since Finley ( Laughlin 's character here ) is trained in martial arts and often defends himself ( and others ) by violence , while frequently espousing a nonviolent philosophy , it could be said that this wasn't much of a stretch for the once and future Billy Jack. Don Santiago ( Richard Angarola ) is a vicious man who helps provoke an Indian massacre that will allow him to steal the Indians' land and claim it as his own. However , his son - in - law , Finley ( Tom Laughlin ), is an expert hand with both guns and swords and will not allow him to push around the peace - loving Indians or fellow settlers of the West. The supporting cast features Ron O'Neal and Barbara Carrera , who received a Golden Globe nomination for her work in this film. As with his first two films , Tom Laughlin directed The Master Gunfighter but didn't take screen credit , in this case listing the director as Frank Laughlin , who happened to be Tom 's son.
1930
Jim Killian (Glenn Ford) is a reformed gunslinger who takes a job as a local preacher in Vinagaroon Arizona. He arrives during a time of conflict between shepherds and cattlemen who are engaged in a bloody range war. When Coke Beck (David Carradine) hangs a local Indian the victim's daughter Leloopa (Barbara Hershey) enlists the help of Killian. He tries to mediate the conflict in a meeting between the rival factions but a member of the congregation exposes him as an ex-convict. He also enlists the help of the heart-of-gold saloon-operator Madge (Carolyn Jones). Killian and the townsfolk women included organize a march to the watering hole -- the center of the controversy. The cattlemen approach and draw their guns in what could be a potentially violent confrontation.
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Jim Killian ( Glenn Ford ) is a reformed gunslinger who takes a job as a local preacher in Vinagaroon , Arizona. He arrives during a time of conflict between shepherds and cattlemen who are engaged in a bloody range war. When Coke Beck ( David Carradine ) hangs a local Indian , the victim's daughter Leloopa ( Barbara Hershey ) enlists the help of Killian. He tries to mediate the conflict in a meeting between the rival factions , but a member of the congregation exposes him as an ex - convict. He also enlists the help of the heart - of - gold saloon - operator Madge ( Carolyn Jones ) . Killian and the townsfolk , women included , organize a march to the watering hole -- the center of the controversy. The cattlemen approach and draw their guns in what could be a potentially violent confrontation.
1931
Steve McQueen's penultimate film deals with a fascinating western legend founded on an insightful script by Thomas McGuane and Bud Shrake. Unfortunately the film was done in by the five directors --Don Siegel Elliot Silverstein James Guercio William Wiard and McQueen himself-- that were at one point or another attached to the project. The film deals with the infamous Texas gunslinger Tom Horn. Horn gained fame for a variety of exploits; he served with Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders and was the Pinkerton detective who captured the notorious outlaw Peg Leg Watson. But as Tom Horn begins something in Horn (Steve McQueen) has snapped. Tom quits the Pinkertons and hires himself out to rancher John Coble (Richard Farnsworth) to assist him in putting an end to his problems with the local homesteaders and rustlers. But Horn performers his job with a chilling intensity killing so many people with such bloodthirsty rage that it is even too much for Coble and the ranchers to take. When Horn's violence cannot be stopped Coble has to take the law into his own hands to put a halt to Horn's bloodbath.
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Steve McQueen 's penultimate film deals with a fascinating western legend , founded on an insightful script by Thomas McGuane and Bud Shrake. Unfortunately , the film was done in by the five directors -- Don Siegel , Elliot Silverstein , James Guercio , William Wiard , and McQueen himself -- that were , at one point or another , attached to the project. The film deals with the infamous Texas gunslinger Tom Horn. Horn gained fame for a variety of exploits ; he served with Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders and was the Pinkerton detective who captured the notorious outlaw Peg Leg Watson. But as Tom Horn begins , something in Horn ( Steve McQueen ) has snapped. Tom quits the Pinkertons and hires himself out to rancher John Coble ( Richard Farnsworth ) to assist him in putting an end to his problems with the local homesteaders and rustlers. But Horn performers his job with a chilling intensity , killing so many people with such bloodthirsty rage that it is even too much for Coble and the ranchers to take. When Horn's violence cannot be stopped , Coble has to take the law into his own hands to put a halt to Horn's bloodbath.
1932
In this western adventure Shalako (Sean Connery) leads a hunting expedition in the wilds of New Mexico. There they run across an Apache camp where the Countess Irina (Brigitte Bardot) is being held hostage. When the Indians retaliate by destroying the camp of the European aristocrats Shalako must use his wiles to battle the Indians and the jealous members of his own hunting party. The camp is robbed by Fulton (Stephen Boyd) who runs off with the wife of Sir Dagget (Jack Hawkins). Lady Boyd (Honor Blackman) leaves her rich husband in a dramatic split decision prompted by the marital discord between her and her pompous husband. Shalako leads the survivors through dangerous mountain terrain engaging in climactic hand-to-hand combat.
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In this western adventure , Shalako ( Sean Connery ) leads a hunting expedition in the wilds of New Mexico. There they run across an Apache camp where the Countess Irina ( Brigitte Bardot ) is being held hostage. When the Indians retaliate by destroying the camp of the European aristocrats , Shalako must use his wiles to battle the Indians and the jealous members of his own hunting party. The camp is robbed by Fulton ( Stephen Boyd ), who runs off with the wife of Sir Dagget ( Jack Hawkins ) . Lady Boyd ( Honor Blackman ) leaves her rich husband in a dramatic split decision prompted by the marital discord between her and her pompous husband. Shalako leads the survivors through dangerous mountain terrain , engaging in climactic hand - to - hand combat.
1933
A bounty hunter holds dear the memory of his son who was killed by outlaws several years before. One day he kills a crook and then takes in his son who swears vengeance upon his adopted father. This western chronicles their adventures together. The bounty hunter is happy with his new charge and so retires to resume his previous profession as a horse breeder. Things go well until the town sheriff is shot and the breeder's adopted son blames the crime upon him. But he is innocent and so rides out to prove it.
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A bounty hunter holds dear the memory of his son who was killed by outlaws several years before. One day he kills a crook and then takes in his son , who swears vengeance upon his adopted father. This western chronicles their adventures together. The bounty hunter is happy with his new charge and so retires to resume his previous profession as a horse breeder. Things go well until the town sheriff is shot and the breeder's adopted son blames the crime upon him. But he is innocent and so rides out to prove it.
1934
John Wayne in the last of his Civil War characterizations portrays Cord McNally a Union Army colonel who loses a gold shipment in a Confederate raid during which a devoted young officer is also killed. After the end of the war McNally bears no ill-will toward the leaders of the raid Pierre Cordona (Jorge Rivero) and Tuscarora Phillips (Christopher Mitchum) who were acting as soldiers but he still wants the two unknown men on the Union side who they say sold them the information about the gold shipments. A year later McNally crosses paths with one of the men now a deputy from Rio Lobo who is about to take Shasta Delaney (Jennifer O'Neill) a seemingly innocent young woman out of a neighboring town at gunpoint. A shootout ensues in which McNally's man and three other Rio Lobo deputies are killed with help from Cordona -- this makes McNally very interested in what's going on in Rio Lobo and he decides to go there with Cordona and Shasta. They find a whole community under siege from their own sheriff a sadistic ex-outlaw named Hendricks (Mike Henry). What follows is a series of confrontations and revelations that are alternately suspenseful sadistic -- with maimings worthy of a spaghetti western and characters even getting blown to bits -- and even occasionally comical. But the pieces all tie together very neatly despite a convoluted plot that's sort of Rio Bravo (made 11 years earlier also starring Wayne and directed by Hawks and scripted by Leigh Brackett) turned sideways and readjusted to a more cynical era.
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John Wayne , in the last of his Civil War characterizations , portrays Cord McNally , a Union Army colonel who loses a gold shipment in a Confederate raid , during which a devoted young officer is also killed. After the end of the war , McNally bears no ill - will toward the leaders of the raid , Pierre Cordona ( Jorge Rivero ) and Tuscarora Phillips ( Christopher Mitchum ), who were acting as soldiers , but he still wants the two unknown men on the Union side who they say sold them the information about the gold shipments. A year later , McNally crosses paths with one of the men , now a deputy from Rio Lobo , who is about to take Shasta Delaney ( Jennifer O'Neill ), a seemingly innocent young woman , out of a neighboring town at gunpoint. A shootout ensues , in which McNally's man and three other Rio Lobo deputies are killed , with help from Cordona -- this makes McNally very interested in what's going on in Rio Lobo , and he decides to go there with Cordona and Shasta. They find a whole community under siege from their own sheriff , a sadistic ex - outlaw named Hendricks ( Mike Henry ) . What follows is a series of confrontations and revelations that are alternately suspenseful , sadistic -- with maimings worthy of a spaghetti western and characters even getting blown to bits -- and even occasionally comical. But the pieces all tie together very neatly , despite a convoluted plot that's sort of Rio Bravo ( made 11 years earlier , also starring Wayne and directed by Hawks , and scripted by Leigh Brackett ) turned sideways and readjusted to a more cynical era.
1935
Tom Selleck stars as American cowboy archetype Matthew Quigley in Simon Wincer's outback western Quigley Down Under. Answering an advertisement placed by Australian cattle baron Elliot Marston (Alan Rickman) to come to the rugged and uncivilized Australian countryside and shoot dingoes Quigley finds himself halfway around the world only to find that Marston wants to exploit his talents as a sharpshooter in order to wipe out the Aborigine population. Taken aback by this square-jawed genocide Quigley grabs Marston and hurls him through a window. Marston who controls the region sets out to hunt Quigley down. But helping him stay one step ahead of Marston is the addlebrained expatriate American trollop Crazy Cora (Laura San Giacomo) who insists that Quigley is her husband Roy.
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Tom Selleck stars as American cowboy archetype Matthew Quigley in Simon Wincer 's outback western Quigley Down Under . Answering an advertisement placed by Australian cattle baron Elliot Marston ( Alan Rickman ) to come to the rugged and uncivilized Australian countryside and shoot dingoes , Quigley finds himself halfway around the world , only to find that Marston wants to exploit his talents as a sharpshooter in order to wipe out the Aborigine population. Taken aback by this square - jawed genocide , Quigley grabs Marston and hurls him through a window. Marston , who controls the region , sets out to hunt Quigley down. But helping him stay one step ahead of Marston is the addlebrained expatriate American trollop Crazy Cora ( Laura San Giacomo ) who insists that Quigley is her husband Roy.
1936
Mackenna's Gold is a colorful action-packed western feature with an all-star cast. Mackenna (Gregory Peck) has committed to memory the map that leads to some hidden Apache gold. The Indians now want the gold to finance their fight against the white men who invade their territory. Mexican bandit Colorado (Omar Sharif) wants the gold for himself and the local preacher (Raymond Massey) and the editor of the newspaper (Lee J. Cobb) also get gold fever. Burgess Meredith plays the storekeeper and Edward G. Robinson is long-time town resident Old Adams. Everyone goes looking for the hidden treasure as the Indians dwindle their numbers with violent attacks. The search is monitored by U.S. calvary Sergeant Tibbs (Telly Savalas). Colorado captures Mackenna to lead him to the gold as death comes to those who show the most avarice. Music is provided by Quincy Jones.
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Mackenna's Gold is a colorful , action - packed western feature with an all - star cast. Mackenna ( Gregory Peck ) has committed to memory the map that leads to some hidden Apache gold. The Indians now want the gold to finance their fight against the white men who invade their territory. Mexican bandit Colorado ( Omar Sharif ) wants the gold for himself , and the local preacher ( Raymond Massey ) and the editor of the newspaper ( Lee J. Cobb ) also get gold fever. Burgess Meredith plays the storekeeper and Edward G. Robinson is long - time town resident Old Adams. Everyone goes looking for the hidden treasure as the Indians dwindle their numbers with violent attacks. The search is monitored by U.S. calvary Sergeant Tibbs ( Telly Savalas ) . Colorado captures Mackenna to lead him to the gold as death comes to those who show the most avarice. Music is provided by Quincy Jones .
1937
A notorious artistic and financial failure Michael Cimino's Heaven's Gate was blamed for critically wounding the movie Western and definitively ushering out the 1970s Hollywood New Wave of young brash independent filmmakers. Taking a revisionist post-Vietnam view of American imperialism Cimino used the historical Johnson County War incident in Wyoming to create an impressionistic tapestry of Western conflict between poor immigrant settlers and rich cattle barons led by Canton (Sam Waterston) and his hired gun Nate Champion (Christopher Walken). Attempting to mediate is idealistic Harvard graduate and county marshal Averill (Kris Kristofferson) who is both Nate's friend and his romantic rival for the affections of Ella Watson (Isabelle Huppert). However war erupts at great cost to all involved. Flush from his success with the Oscar-winning The Deer Hunter (1978) Cimino demanded creative control and his insistence on shooting on location and building historically accurate sets and props multiplied the film's original budget to a then-astronomical $36 million. When United Artists premiered the original 219-minute version (sight unseen) they discovered that Cimino had produced an elliptical epic compounding the box-office difficulties of making a Western without any major stars. Critics howled about Cimino's incomprehensible self-indulgence and United Artists pulled the film after several days. Re-released five months later 70 minutes shorter Heaven's Gate bombed again and MGM bought out the financially crippled United Artists. The ailing Western genre virtually vanished during the 1980s Cimino's career never recovered and Hollywood studios had had enough of bankrolling financially risky ventures by "auteur" directors. Heaven's Gate's reputation recovered somewhat after its video release as it garnered praise from some viewers for such visually remarkable sequences as the Harvard dance and the final battle as well as for David Mansfield's haunting score. Steven Bach's book Final Cut provides a full production history.
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A notorious artistic and financial failure , Michael Cimino 's Heaven's Gate was blamed for critically wounding the movie Western and definitively ushering out the 1970s Hollywood New Wave of young , brash , independent filmmakers. Taking a revisionist , post - Vietnam view of American imperialism , Cimino used the historical Johnson County War incident in Wyoming to create an impressionistic tapestry of Western conflict between poor immigrant settlers and rich cattle barons led by Canton ( Sam Waterston ) and his hired gun Nate Champion ( Christopher Walken ) . Attempting to mediate is idealistic Harvard graduate and county marshal Averill ( Kris Kristofferson ), who is both Nate's friend and his romantic rival for the affections of Ella Watson ( Isabelle Huppert ) . However , war erupts , at great cost to all involved. Flush from his success with the Oscar - winning The Deer Hunter ( 1978 ), Cimino demanded creative control , and his insistence on shooting on location and building historically accurate sets and props multiplied the film's original budget to a then - astronomical $36 million. When United Artists premiered the original 219 - minute version ( sight unseen ), they discovered that Cimino had produced an elliptical epic , compounding the box - office difficulties of making a Western without any major stars. Critics howled about Cimino's incomprehensible self - indulgence , and United Artists pulled the film after several days. Re - released five months later , 70 minutes shorter , Heaven's Gate bombed again , and MGM bought out the financially crippled United Artists. The ailing Western genre virtually vanished during the 1980s , Cimino's career never recovered , and Hollywood studios had had enough of bankrolling financially risky ventures by "auteur" directors. Heaven's Gate 's reputation recovered somewhat after its video release , as it garnered praise from some viewers for such visually remarkable sequences as the Harvard dance and the final battle , as well as for David Mansfield 's haunting score. Steven Bach's book Final Cut provides a full production history.
1938
Dean Martin and Robert Mitchum play deadly adversaries in this curious mixture of the western and mystery genres. During a poker game in Rincon Colorado a stranger in the game is lynched for cheating. One of the gamblers Van Morgan (Dean Martin) tries to prevent the lynching but is rebuffed and promptly leaves town. Soon a gold rush hits Rincon bringing all manner of men and women -- including self-ordained preacher Rev. Jonathan Rudd (Robert Mitchum) and brothel madame Lily Langford (Inger Stevens). Learning that two of the men in the poker game have been murdered Van returns to Rincon to find out why. Once in town Van is diverted from his investigation by the attentions of Lily and of Nora Evers (Katherine Justice). But when two more of the poker game's participants are killed Van must spring into action to track down the killer.
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Dean Martin and Robert Mitchum play deadly adversaries in this curious mixture of the western and mystery genres. During a poker game in Rincon , Colorado , a stranger in the game is lynched for cheating. One of the gamblers , Van Morgan ( Dean Martin ), tries to prevent the lynching but is rebuffed and promptly leaves town. Soon a gold rush hits Rincon , bringing all manner of men and women -- including self - ordained preacher , Rev. Jonathan Rudd ( Robert Mitchum ) and brothel madame Lily Langford ( Inger Stevens ) . Learning that two of the men in the poker game have been murdered , Van returns to Rincon to find out why. Once in town , Van is diverted from his investigation by the attentions of Lily and of Nora Evers ( Katherine Justice ) . But when two more of the poker game's participants are killed , Van must spring into action to track down the killer.
1939
Charles Bronson stars in this revisionist western directed by Michael Winner. The film concerns an Apache half-breed Pardon Chato (Charles Bronson) who finds himself pursued by a relentless posse headed by Joshua Everette (Jack Palance) after Chato has killed a white sheriff. But when members of Everette's posse rape Chato's wife Chato stops running. Instead Chato reverses course and begins to hunt down the posse seeking vengeful retribution for the rape.
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Charles Bronson stars in this revisionist western directed by Michael Winner . The film concerns an Apache half - breed , Pardon Chato ( Charles Bronson ), who finds himself pursued by a relentless posse , headed by Joshua Everette ( Jack Palance ), after Chato has killed a white sheriff. But when members of Everette's posse rape Chato's wife , Chato stops running. Instead , Chato reverses course and begins to hunt down the posse , seeking vengeful retribution for the rape.
1940
Sidney Poitier makes his directorial debut with the 1972 Western Buck and the Preacher set during the end of the Civil War. Poitier stars as Buck an ex-Army soldier who is scouting sites for the former slaves that want to settle out West. The villainous Deshay (Cameron Mitchell) rounds up his gang to try to stop Buck because he wants to keep the slaves working down in Louisiana. Buck meets up with the Preacher (Poitier's real-life good friend Harry Belafonte) who is really a con man in disguise. Although they don't get along at first they eventually team up against Deshay and his murderous gang of outlaws. Also starring Ruby Dee. Jazz bandleader Benny Carter composed the soundtrack.
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Sidney Poitier makes his directorial debut with the 1972 Western Buck and the Preacher , set during the end of the Civil War. Poitier stars as Buck , an ex - Army soldier who is scouting sites for the former slaves that want to settle out West. The villainous Deshay ( Cameron Mitchell ) rounds up his gang to try to stop Buck because he wants to keep the slaves working down in Louisiana. Buck meets up with the Preacher ( Poitier 's real - life good friend Harry Belafonte ), who is really a con man in disguise. Although they don't get along at first , they eventually team up against Deshay and his murderous gang of outlaws. Also starring Ruby Dee . Jazz bandleader Benny Carter composed the soundtrack.
1941
Directed by Lawrence Kasdan this epic version of the legendary western sheriff-gunslinger's life story stars Kevin Costner as Earp who lived from 1848 to 1929. Growing up on a farm in Iowa Earp tries to run away to join the Union Army in the Civil War but he is turned away because of his youth. Instead he studies law and marries Urilla Sutherland (Annabeth Gish). But Urilla dies of typhoid fever before they can have children. Earp grows despondent and descends into drinking and petty thievery but his father Nicholas (Gene Hackman) finds him sobers him up and sets him straight. Earp becomes a buffalo hunter and a close companion of Bat Masterson (Tom Sizemore) and his brother Ed (Bill Pullman). With his brothers Virgil (Michael Madsen) and Morgan (Linden Ashby) Earp sets out to clean up the violence-plagued towns of the old West -- by using his own guns to settle scores. Earp takes up with Mattie Blaylock (Mare Winningham) a drug addict and prostitute then discards her for actress Josie Marcus (Joanna Going). In Tombstone Arizona the Earp brothers and their comrade Doc Holliday (Dennis Quaid) who is plagued by tuberculosis and a compulsion for gambling meet their match in a ruthless gang led by Ike Clanton (Jeff Fahey).
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Directed by Lawrence Kasdan , this epic version of the legendary western sheriff - gunslinger's life story stars Kevin Costner as Earp , who lived from 1848 to 1929. Growing up on a farm in Iowa , Earp tries to run away to join the Union Army in the Civil War , but he is turned away because of his youth. Instead , he studies law and marries Urilla Sutherland ( Annabeth Gish ) . But Urilla dies of typhoid fever before they can have children. Earp grows despondent and descends into drinking and petty thievery , but his father Nicholas ( Gene Hackman ) finds him , sobers him up , and sets him straight. Earp becomes a buffalo hunter and a close companion of Bat Masterson ( Tom Sizemore ) and his brother Ed ( Bill Pullman ) . With his brothers , Virgil ( Michael Madsen ) and Morgan ( Linden Ashby ), Earp sets out to clean up the violence - plagued towns of the old West -- by using his own guns to settle scores. Earp takes up with Mattie Blaylock ( Mare Winningham ), a drug addict and prostitute , then discards her for actress Josie Marcus ( Joanna Going ) . In Tombstone , Arizona , the Earp brothers and their comrade Doc Holliday ( Dennis Quaid ), who is plagued by tuberculosis and a compulsion for gambling , meet their match in a ruthless gang led by Ike Clanton ( Jeff Fahey ) .
1942
Thomasine and Bushrod was intended as the African American counterpart to Bonnie and Clyde the difference being that the story in this case is utterly fictional. Vonette McGee plays Thomasine and Max Julien (who also wrote and coproduced the film) is Bushrod. They are a pair of thieves operating in the southwest between 1911 and 1915. Fancying themselves as Robin Hoods and the White Establishment as the Sheriff of Nottingham Thomas and Bushrod steal only from Caucasian capitalists then distribute the booty to Mexicans Native Americans and poor whites. George Murdock is the redneck sheriff who dogs their trail.
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Thomasine and Bushrod was intended as the African American counterpart to Bonnie and Clyde , the difference being that the story in this case is utterly fictional. Vonette McGee plays Thomasine , and Max Julien ( who also wrote and coproduced the film ) is Bushrod. They are a pair of thieves , operating in the southwest between 1911 and 1915. Fancying themselves as Robin Hoods and the White Establishment as the Sheriff of Nottingham , Thomas and Bushrod steal only from Caucasian capitalists , then distribute the booty to Mexicans , Native Americans and poor whites. George Murdock is the redneck sheriff who dogs their trail.
1943
A former lawman must return to his guns when his daughter is threatened in this dark-themed western. Zach Provo (James Coburn) was a notorious outlaw who was finally put behind bars by sheriff Sam Burgade (Charlton Heston) who also killed Provo's wife in the midst of a gun battle. Provo is determined to take his revenge on Burgade and with the help of a handful of other gunmen he makes a daring escape from jail and kidnaps Susan (Barbara Hershey) Burgade's daughter. Eager for a final showdown with the now-retired sheriff Provo threatens Susan with multiple rape if Burgade will not face him in a gunfight and Burgade is forced to take his guns out of mothballs and confront Provo for the sake of his daughter. The Last Hard Men also stars Michael Thomas Parks Thalmus Rasulala and Christopher Mitchum.
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A former lawman must return to his guns when his daughter is threatened in this dark - themed western. Zach Provo ( James Coburn ) was a notorious outlaw who was finally put behind bars by sheriff Sam Burgade ( Charlton Heston ), who also killed Provo's wife in the midst of a gun battle. Provo is determined to take his revenge on Burgade , and with the help of a handful of other gunmen , he makes a daring escape from jail and kidnaps Susan ( Barbara Hershey ), Burgade's daughter. Eager for a final showdown with the now - retired sheriff , Provo threatens Susan with multiple rape if Burgade will not face him in a gunfight , and Burgade is forced to take his guns out of mothballs and confront Provo for the sake of his daughter. The Last Hard Men also stars Michael Thomas Parks , Thalmus Rasulala , and Christopher Mitchum .
1944
Scripted by James L. Brooks from Dan Wakefield's novel Alan J. Pakula's romantic comedy follows the tribulations of a freshly divorced man as he looks for love with a wary single woman. Phil Potter (Burt Reynolds sans mustache) can't quite believe it when his aspiring songbird wife Jessica (Candice Bergen) kicks him out to realize her career dreams but the added revelation of her adultery speeds him out the door by choice. Relocating to Boston Phil starts to settle in with the help of his psychiatrist brother Mickey (Charles Durning) joining a divorced men's therapy group. Phil really begins to feel better when Mickey and his wife Marva (Frances Sternhagen) set him up with her friend Marilyn (Jill Clayburgh) a preschool teacher who has had her share of grief from newly single men. Phil wins her over and even convinces her to move in but an unexpected visit from a regretful saucily clad Jessica and an anxiety attack over buying a couch threaten to end Phil's new life with Marilyn before it has a chance to start. Starting Over offers a ruefully comic look at how the decade's rising divorce rate did not mean fun and games for all the new bachelors; Brooks' movie debut after a sparkling career in 1970s TV with The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Taxi it was also proof that top '70s star Reynolds could be more than just a good 'ol boy. Still while the three leads were all praised for their work only Clayburgh and Bergen received Oscar nominations. Starting Over was a moderate hit and its humorous yet down-to-earth view of single life and its discontents reassured unattached thirtysomethings that even though it may not be easy everything could still turn out fine in modern romance.
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Scripted by James L. Brooks from Dan Wakefield's novel , Alan J. Pakula 's romantic comedy follows the tribulations of a freshly divorced man as he looks for love with a wary single woman. Phil Potter ( Burt Reynolds sans mustache ) can't quite believe it when his aspiring songbird wife Jessica ( Candice Bergen ) kicks him out to realize her career dreams , but the added revelation of her adultery speeds him out the door by choice. Relocating to Boston , Phil starts to settle in with the help of his psychiatrist brother Mickey ( Charles Durning ), joining a divorced men's therapy group. Phil really begins to feel better when Mickey and his wife Marva ( Frances Sternhagen ) set him up with her friend Marilyn ( Jill Clayburgh ), a preschool teacher who has had her share of grief from newly single men. Phil wins her over and even convinces her to move in , but an unexpected visit from a regretful , saucily clad Jessica , and an anxiety attack over buying a couch , threaten to end Phil's new life with Marilyn before it has a chance to start. Starting Over offers a ruefully comic look at how the decade's rising divorce rate did not mean fun and games for all the new bachelors ; Brooks ' movie debut after a sparkling career in 1970s TV with The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Taxi , it was also proof that top '70s star Reynolds could be more than just a good 'ol boy. Still , while the three leads were all praised for their work , only Clayburgh and Bergen received Oscar nominations. Starting Over was a moderate hit , and its humorous yet down - to - earth view of single life and its discontents reassured unattached thirtysomethings that , even though it may not be easy , everything could still turn out fine in modern romance.
1945
ased on Bernard Slade's Broadway play of the same name this film is about George a married New Jersey accountant (Alan Alda) and Doris a housewife (Ellen Burstyn). The two accidentally meet in a Californian country inn in 1951. They have an affair which they continue for the next 25 years meeting only once a year for a weekend getaway at the same hotel. Through their long-running love affair the audience witnesses the changes within America and its lifestyles over the course of a quarter of a century.
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Based on Bernard Slade 's Broadway play of the same name , this film is about George , a married New Jersey accountant ( Alan Alda ), and Doris , a housewife ( Ellen Burstyn ) . The two accidentally meet in a Californian country inn in 1951. They have an affair , which they continue for the next 25 years , meeting only once a year for a weekend getaway at the same hotel. Through their long - running love affair , the audience witnesses the changes within America and its lifestyles over the course of a quarter of a century.
1946
Swedish director Lasse Hallstrom made his American movie debut with this romantic comedy starring Holly Hunter as Renata Bella an aimless Bostonian thirtysomething who attends a seminar for aspiring condo salespersons. Here she meets hotshot salesman Sam Sharpe (Richard Dreyfuss) who immediately falls in love with her. After the marriage Sam's well-meaning but obnoxious insistence on insinuating himself into every aspect of Renata's life rubs the rest of her family the wrong way. Though the script occasionally veers into both cliché and sentimentality Once Around ends up a thoroughly charming experience thanks to Hallstrom's knowing direction and the marvelous chemistry between Hunter and Dreyfuss.
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Swedish director Lasse Hallstrom made his American movie debut with this romantic comedy , starring Holly Hunter as Renata Bella , an aimless Bostonian thirtysomething who attends a seminar for aspiring condo salespersons. Here she meets hotshot salesman Sam Sharpe ( Richard Dreyfuss ), who immediately falls in love with her. After the marriage , Sam's well - meaning but obnoxious insistence on insinuating himself into every aspect of Renata's life rubs the rest of her family the wrong way. Though the script occasionally veers into both cliché and sentimentality , Once Around ends up a thoroughly charming experience , thanks to Hallstrom's knowing direction and the marvelous chemistry between Hunter and Dreyfuss.
1947
Newly divorced Emma Moriarty (Sally Field) moves herself and her young son to a small Arizona town hoping to establish a horse farm. Town pharmacist Murphy Jones (James Garner) the town's most eligible bachelor develops a platonic friendship with Emma but he decides to keep his distance when her ex-husband Bobby Jack (Brian Kerwin) who claims he's changed his irresponsible ways moves back in with her. At a party at Emma's ranch Murphy and Bobby Jack get into a verbal row but nothing is settled until Wanda (Anna Levine) shows up with two babies in tow claiming that Bobby Jack is the father. Once rid of her ex Emma commisserates with her friend Murphy at his drug store--and is quite surprised to discover that she's fallen in love with the older man and he with her. Murphy's Romance is a very gentle romantic comedy; even Murphy's cast-away lady friend (Georgann Johnson) behaves like a civilized human being instead of a woman scorned.
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Newly divorced Emma Moriarty ( Sally Field ) moves herself and her young son to a small Arizona town , hoping to establish a horse farm. Town pharmacist Murphy Jones ( James Garner ), the town's most eligible bachelor , develops a platonic friendship with Emma , but he decides to keep his distance when her ex - husband Bobby Jack ( Brian Kerwin ), who claims he's changed his irresponsible ways , moves back in with her. At a party at Emma's ranch , Murphy and Bobby Jack get into a verbal row , but nothing is settled until Wanda ( Anna Levine ) shows up with two babies in tow , claiming that Bobby Jack is the father. Once rid of her ex , Emma commisserates with her friend Murphy at his drug store -- and is quite surprised to discover that she's fallen in love with the older man , and he with her. Murphy's Romance is a very gentle romantic comedy ; even Murphy's cast - away lady friend ( Georgann Johnson ) behaves like a civilized human being instead of a woman scorned.
1948
The disarming comedy A Little Romance features Diane Lane as a 13-year-old American living in Paris with her businessman stepfather (Arthur Hill) and her promiscuous mother (Sally Kellerman). Mom is currently enamored with pretentious-filmmaker David Dukes and it is on the set of Dukes' latest picture that Lane meets another 13-year-old insatiable French film buff Thelonious Bernard. A likeable street-smart petty thief and gambler Bernard is instantly attracted to Lane. With the help of roguish old Laurence Olivier Lane and Bernard arrange a romantic rendezvous under the Bridge of Sighs in Venice. Naturally when the kids disappear it's a cause for international concern but all ends as it should. Some of the best moments in A Little Romance belong to Broderick Crawford unselfconsciously playing "himself" at a movie party.
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The disarming comedy A Little Romance features Diane Lane as a 13 - year - old American , living in Paris with her businessman stepfather ( Arthur Hill ) and her promiscuous mother ( Sally Kellerman ) . Mom is currently enamored with pretentious - filmmaker David Dukes , and it is on the set of Dukes ' latest picture that Lane meets another 13 - year - old , insatiable French film buff Thelonious Bernard . A likeable street - smart petty thief and gambler , Bernard is instantly attracted to Lane. With the help of roguish old Laurence Olivier , Lane and Bernard arrange a romantic rendezvous under the Bridge of Sighs in Venice. Naturally , when the kids disappear it's a cause for international concern , but all ends as it should. Some of the best moments in A Little Romance belong to Broderick Crawford , unselfconsciously playing "himself" at a movie party.
1949
The lives of five L.A. natives intertwine in this romantic comedy from independent filmmaker and former Robert Altman protégé Alan Rudolph. Eve (Lesley Ann Warren) is a bar owner who has sworn off permanent commitments seeking only the temporary sexual satisfaction of men. Her roommate Ann (Genevieve Bujold) is her polar opposite. In reality Ann is secretly the radio sex therapist Dr. Nancy Love but she has little romantic experience despite her profession. Into their lives comes Mickey (Keith Carradine) a recent mental patient who might be an enigmatic pathological liar. Though she's powerfully attracted to Mickey Eve's kept at arm's length by her lover Zack (Patrick Bauchau) a married man whose wife (Rae Dawn Chong) also finds Mickey irresistible. When Nancy sleeps with Mickey he proposes marriage but she rejects him though the assignation does have a positive effect on her radio show. Considered Rudolph's seminal work Choose Me (1984) was the third in a thematically-linked trilogy from the quirky low-budget director the first two being Welcome to L.A. (1977) and Remember My Name (1978).
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The lives of five L.A. natives intertwine in this romantic comedy from independent filmmaker and former Robert Altman protégé Alan Rudolph . Eve ( Lesley Ann Warren ) is a bar owner who has sworn off permanent commitments , seeking only the temporary sexual satisfaction of men. Her roommate Ann ( Genevieve Bujold ) is her polar opposite. In reality , Ann is secretly the radio sex therapist Dr. Nancy Love , but she has little romantic experience despite her profession. Into their lives comes Mickey ( Keith Carradine ), a recent mental patient who might be an enigmatic pathological liar. Though she's powerfully attracted to Mickey , Eve's kept at arm's length by her lover Zack ( Patrick Bauchau ), a married man whose wife ( Rae Dawn Chong ) also finds Mickey irresistible. When Nancy sleeps with Mickey , he proposes marriage , but she rejects him , though the assignation does have a positive effect on her radio show. Considered Rudolph 's seminal work , Choose Me ( 1984 ) was the third in a thematically - linked trilogy from the quirky low - budget director , the first two being Welcome to L.A. ( 1977 ) and Remember My Name ( 1978 ) .
1950
Director Lawrence Kasdan and Frank Galati adapted their screenplay for The Accidental Tourist from Anne Tyler's novel. William Hurt plays Macon Leary a well-known "travel advisor" headquartered in Baltimore. The tragic death of Leary's son causes him to withdraw from the world which in turn prompts his wife (Kathleen Turner) to walk out on him. Recuperating from a broken leg Leary moves in with his sister (Amy Wright) and brothers (Ed Begley Jr. David Ogden Stiers)-staid middle-aged intellectuals all. Discipline problems with his dead son's dog lead Leary to hire flaky professional dogwalker/trainer Muriel Pritchett (Geena Davis who won an Oscar for her performance). The only non-uptight person within shouting distance Muriel begins to melt Leary's self-protective shell. Once his wife realizes that she has some competition she makes moves to get him back. But he has by now become accustomed to Muriel's unfettered lifestyle.
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Director Lawrence Kasdan and Frank Galati adapted their screenplay for The Accidental Tourist from Anne Tyler 's novel. William Hurt plays Macon Leary , a well - known "travel advisor" headquartered in Baltimore. The tragic death of Leary's son causes him to withdraw from the world , which in turn prompts his wife ( Kathleen Turner ) to walk out on him. Recuperating from a broken leg , Leary moves in with his sister ( Amy Wright ) and brothers ( Ed Begley Jr . , David Ogden Stiers )- staid middle - aged intellectuals all. Discipline problems with his dead son's dog lead Leary to hire flaky professional dogwalker / trainer Muriel Pritchett ( Geena Davis , who won an Oscar for her performance ) . The only non - uptight person within shouting distance , Muriel begins to melt Leary's self - protective shell. Once his wife realizes that she has some competition , she makes moves to get him back. But he has by now become accustomed to Muriel's unfettered lifestyle.
1951
Is Ruby Weaver's Mr. Right really an emissary from the year 2470 or is he just a complete loon ball? This question is at the heart of Brad Anderson's whimsical romantic comedy. The story opens with Ruby (Marisa Tomei) lamenting over her boyfriend Sam (Vincent D'Onofrio) to her shrink (Holland Taylor). In a series of flashbacks the film quickly sketches Ruby as a neurotic with an unhappy track record concerning men and Sam as an oddball who is afraid of small dogs and has a barcode tattooed to his arm. But he's nuts over Ruby and at least initially that is enough for her. Slowly Sam begins to reveal his "past." He tells her that he is from the Dubuque of the future and that he hails from a rare "anachronistic" family who believe that reproduction should occur the old-fashioned fun way as opposed to the more popular cloning method. At first Ruby is amused until she realizes that he's not kidding. After a series of arguments he agrees to visit Ruby's analyst which yields unexpected results. This film premiered at the 2000 Sundance Film Festival.
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Is Ruby Weaver's Mr. Right really an emissary from the year 2 , 470 , or is he just a complete loon ball? This question is at the heart of Brad Anderson 's whimsical romantic comedy. The story opens with Ruby ( Marisa Tomei ) lamenting over her boyfriend Sam ( Vincent D'Onofrio ) to her shrink ( Holland Taylor ) . In a series of flashbacks , the film quickly sketches Ruby as a neurotic with an unhappy track record concerning men and Sam as an oddball who is afraid of small dogs and has a barcode tattooed to his arm. But he's nuts over Ruby , and at least initially , that is enough for her. Slowly , Sam begins to reveal his "past." He tells her that he is from the Dubuque of the future and that he hails from a rare "anachronistic" family who believe that reproduction should occur the old - fashioned , fun way as opposed to the more popular cloning method. At first , Ruby is amused , until she realizes that he's not kidding. After a series of arguments , he agrees to visit Ruby's analyst , which yields unexpected results. This film premiered at the 2000 Sundance Film Festival.
1952
A romantic drama about love that blooms against all odds Solomon and Gaenor is set in Wales in 1911. Solomon (Ioan Gruffudd) is a door-to-door salesman who peddles fabric and Gaenor (Nia Roberts) is the meek but unhappy daughter of a laboring family. The two meet while Solomon is making his rounds and it's love at first sight despite the fact he can barely speak Welsh having been raised in an English-speaking village. Matters become more complicated when it's discovered Solomon is a Jew; Gaenor's father is not especially tolerant and her brother is openly anti-Semitic and when persecution of Jews becomes commonplace in the wake of a pit strike the couple must flee for their own safely as well as that of their unborn child. Solomon and Gaenor received positive notices for the skillful performances by Ioan Gruffudd and Nia Roberts as well as Nina Kellgren's photography and Ilona Sekacz's score.
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A romantic drama about love that blooms against all odds , Solomon and Gaenor is set in Wales in 1911. Solomon ( Ioan Gruffudd ) is a door - to - door salesman who peddles fabric , and Gaenor ( Nia Roberts ) is the meek but unhappy daughter of a laboring family. The two meet while Solomon is making his rounds , and it's love at first sight , despite the fact he can barely speak Welsh , having been raised in an English - speaking village. Matters become more complicated when it's discovered Solomon is a Jew ; Gaenor's father is not especially tolerant , and her brother is openly anti - Semitic , and when persecution of Jews becomes commonplace in the wake of a pit strike , the couple must flee for their own safely , as well as that of their unborn child. Solomon and Gaenor received positive notices for the skillful performances by Ioan Gruffudd and Nia Roberts , as well as Nina Kellgren 's photography and Ilona Sekacz 's score.
1953
A woman is torn by both romantic and maternal love in this period romantic drama set in the 1830s. Elisabeth (Sophie Marceau) a Swiss governess is the beautiful daughter of a once-prosperous landowner who has fallen deeply into debt. Charles Godwin (Stephen Dillane) is a prominent British aristocrat whose wife has suffered a crippling accident; doomed to spend the rest of her life in a semi-comatose state she cannot bear Charles the child he so desperately needs. So Charles strikes an agreement with Elisabeth; she will conceive a child with him and hand it over after it is born in exchange for him paying off her father's debts. Elisabeth and Charles set aside three nights to make a baby and while the matter is supposed to be purely functional and not romantic Elisabeth finds it difficult to feel that way at the end of the third evening. She is heartbroken when she has to give up the child and her obsession with the daughter she gave away is reflected in her journals and sketchbooks. Seven years later Elisabeth discovers the whereabouts of Charles and their daughter Louisa (Dominique Belcourt); when she learns they need a governess she is hired for the position by Charles's sister-in-law Constance (Lia Williams) who is unaware that Elisabeth is Louisa's birth mother. When Charles discovers that Elisabeth is the new governess he is furious but he eventually takes pity on her and allows her to stay with the child for one month. However before long Elisabeth's attraction to Charles resurfaces and their clandestine romance forces a number difficult questions. Firelight marked the directorial debut of noted screenwriter William Nicholson.
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A woman is torn by both romantic and maternal love in this period romantic drama set in the 1830s. Elisabeth ( Sophie Marceau ), a Swiss governess , is the beautiful daughter of a once - prosperous landowner who has fallen deeply into debt. Charles Godwin ( Stephen Dillane ) is a prominent British aristocrat whose wife has suffered a crippling accident ; doomed to spend the rest of her life in a semi - comatose state , she cannot bear Charles the child he so desperately needs. So Charles strikes an agreement with Elisabeth ; she will conceive a child with him and hand it over after it is born in exchange for him paying off her father's debts. Elisabeth and Charles set aside three nights to make a baby , and while the matter is supposed to be purely functional and not romantic , Elisabeth finds it difficult to feel that way at the end of the third evening. She is heartbroken when she has to give up the child , and her obsession with the daughter she gave away is reflected in her journals and sketchbooks. Seven years later , Elisabeth discovers the whereabouts of Charles and their daughter , Louisa ( Dominique Belcourt ); when she learns they need a governess , she is hired for the position by Charles's sister - in - law Constance ( Lia Williams ), who is unaware that Elisabeth is Louisa's birth mother. When Charles discovers that Elisabeth is the new governess , he is furious , but he eventually takes pity on her and allows her to stay with the child for one month. However , before long , Elisabeth's attraction to Charles resurfaces , and their clandestine romance forces a number difficult questions. Firelight marked the directorial debut of noted screenwriter William Nicholson .
1954
A woman realizes that friends can be lovers but now has to convince the friend in question in this romantic comedy. Michael O'Neal (Dermot Mulroney) and Julianne Potter (Julia Roberts) were romantically involved in college and after breaking up they have managed to remain close friends. For years Julianne and Michael have had a pledge that if both were single when they turned 28 they would get married. Shortly before her 28th birthday Julianne is lamenting the sad state of her love life when she gets a call from Michael who announces that he has important news. Julianne is convinced that Michael is going to ask her to marry him and she is crestfallen when he announces that he's engaged to Kimmy Wallace (Cameron Diaz). Kimmy seems like the perfect woman for Michael; she's sweet pretty bright and adores Michael and her wealthy family is just as fond of him as she is. But now that Julianne has realized how much she loves Michael she's not about to give him up without a fight -- and isn't afraid to fight dirty. Julianne's uneasy ally in the battle for Michael's affections is her friend and editor George Downes (Rupert Everett) a cheerfully out-of-the-closet homosexual who is not prepared when Julianne asks him to pose as her boyfriend.
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A woman realizes that friends can be lovers , but now has to convince the friend in question in this romantic comedy. Michael O'Neal ( Dermot Mulroney ) and Julianne Potter ( Julia Roberts ) were romantically involved in college , and after breaking up , they have managed to remain close friends. For years , Julianne and Michael have had a pledge that if both were single when they turned 28 , they would get married. Shortly before her 28th birthday , Julianne is lamenting the sad state of her love life when she gets a call from Michael , who announces that he has important news. Julianne is convinced that Michael is going to ask her to marry him , and she is crestfallen when he announces that he's engaged to Kimmy Wallace ( Cameron Diaz ) . Kimmy seems like the perfect woman for Michael ; she's sweet , pretty , bright , and adores Michael , and her wealthy family is just as fond of him as she is. But now that Julianne has realized how much she loves Michael , she's not about to give him up without a fight -- and isn't afraid to fight dirty. Julianne's uneasy ally in the battle for Michael's affections is her friend and editor George Downes ( Rupert Everett ), a cheerfully out - of - the - closet homosexual who is not prepared when Julianne asks him to pose as her boyfriend.
1955
The classic Shakespearean romantic tragedy is updated by director Baz Luhrmann to a post-modern Verona Beach where swords are merely a brand of gun and bored youths are easily spurred toward violence. Longtime rivals in religion and business the Montagues and the Capulets share a page from the Jets and Sharks of West Side Story when they form rival gangs. Romeo (Leonardo DiCaprio) is aloof toward the goings-on of his Montague cousins but after he realizes that Juliet (Claire Danes) is a Capulet at the end of one very wild party the enmity between the two clans becomes the root of his angst. He relies heavily -- and with serious consequences -- on his rebel gender-bender of a friend Mercutio (Harold Perrineau Jr.) and Father (not Friar) Lawrence (Pete Postlethwaite) for protection and support. Romeo is of course exiled and it looks like Juliet will be forced into an arranged marriage with the bland Paris (Paul Rudd). It ends as Romeo and Juliet must when Romeo hears a tragic piece of misinformation and brings his suicide wish to what was meant to be Juliet 's temporary tomb. This time though the turf and the weapon of choice have taken a turn toward the surreal.
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The classic Shakespearean romantic tragedy is updated by director Baz Luhrmann to a post - modern Verona Beach where swords are merely a brand of gun and bored youths are easily spurred toward violence. Longtime rivals in religion and business , the Montagues and the Capulets share a page from the Jets and Sharks of West Side Story when they form rival gangs. Romeo ( Leonardo DiCaprio ) is aloof toward the goings - on of his Montague cousins , but after he realizes that Juliet ( Claire Danes ) is a Capulet at the end of one very wild party , the enmity between the two clans becomes the root of his angst. He relies heavily -- and with serious consequences -- on his rebel gender - bender of a friend , Mercutio ( Harold Perrineau Jr. ), and Father ( not Friar ) Lawrence ( Pete Postlethwaite ) for protection and support. Romeo is , of course , exiled , and it looks like Juliet will be forced into an arranged marriage with the bland Paris ( Paul Rudd ) . It ends , as Romeo and Juliet must , when Romeo hears a tragic piece of misinformation and brings his suicide wish to what was meant to be Juliet 's temporary tomb. This time , though , the turf and the weapon of choice have taken a turn toward the surreal.
1956
A touching and unusual love story The Whole Wide World was based on a memoir by Novalyne Price Ellis in which she recalled her brief romance with Robert E. Howard creator of Conan the Barbarian and one of the finest and most prolific pulp writers of his day. In 1933 Novalyne Price (Renee Zellweger) is a pretty but shy Texas schoolteacher who would like to be a writer some day. A friend offers to introduce her to Howard (Vincent D'Onofrio) who writes broad bold yarns about superhuman heroes and damsels in distress and has little patience for writers of more pretentious fiction. Novalyne likes Howard and he seems to like her but she finds him a hard man to deal with. He lives in the world of his stories and he devotes as much time as possible to his bedridden mother which leaves him little time to pursue a romance. But when Howard discovers that another man has been courting Novalyne he's heartbroken -- even if they didn't have a conventional romance he felt there was a special emotional bond between them and he hates to see it thrown away. Renee Zellweger and Vincent D'Onofrio both deliver fine performances and are a believable (if unconventional) romantic couple; D'Onofrio also co-produced.
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A touching and unusual love story , The Whole Wide World was based on a memoir by Novalyne Price Ellis , in which she recalled her brief romance with Robert E. Howard , creator of Conan the Barbarian and one of the finest and most prolific pulp writers of his day. In 1933 , Novalyne Price ( Renee Zellweger ) is a pretty but shy Texas schoolteacher who would like to be a writer some day. A friend offers to introduce her to Howard ( Vincent D'Onofrio ), who writes broad , bold yarns about superhuman heroes and damsels in distress and has little patience for writers of more pretentious fiction. Novalyne likes Howard and he seems to like her , but she finds him a hard man to deal with. He lives in the world of his stories , and he devotes as much time as possible to his bedridden mother , which leaves him little time to pursue a romance. But when Howard discovers that another man has been courting Novalyne , he's heartbroken -- even if they didn't have a conventional romance , he felt there was a special emotional bond between them , and he hates to see it thrown away. Renee Zellweger and Vincent D'Onofrio both deliver fine performances and are a believable ( if unconventional ) romantic couple ; D'Onofrio also co - produced.
1957
This endearing romantic comedy about two high school girls blue collar tomboy Randy (Laurel Holloman) and privileged popular Evie (Nicole Ari Parker) was the first mainstream success for director Maria Maggenti who chronicles the odd couple's relationship from tentative first steps to full-blossoming romance. Cast almost entirely with newcomers The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love brings Randy's family (a lesbian aunt and an assortment of current and past partners) Evie's well-heeled and overprotective mother (Stephanie Barry) and a collection of friends enemies one ex-boyfriend (Andrew Wright) and one unsatisfactory affair (Maggie Moore) into the mix balancing the excitement and passion of adolescent romance with the pitfalls of social and familial rejection. Maintains a light and quirky tone throughout reminiscent in many ways of the teen comedies of John Hughes.
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This endearing romantic comedy about two high school girls , blue collar tomboy Randy ( Laurel Holloman ) and privileged , popular Evie ( Nicole Ari Parker ), was the first mainstream success for director Maria Maggenti , who chronicles the odd couple's relationship from tentative first steps to full - blossoming romance. Cast almost entirely with newcomers , The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love brings Randy's family ( a lesbian aunt and an assortment of current and past partners ), Evie's well - heeled and overprotective mother ( Stephanie Barry ), and a collection of friends , enemies , one ex - boyfriend ( Andrew Wright ), and one unsatisfactory affair ( Maggie Moore ) into the mix , balancing the excitement and passion of adolescent romance with the pitfalls of social and familial rejection. Maintains a light and quirky tone throughout , reminiscent in many ways of the teen comedies of John Hughes .
1958
This British drama was originally created for British television but was later released in the U.S. It is based on a true story and chronicles the struggles of Deric and Diana Longden a happily married couple who try to cope with Diana's inexplicable degenerative disease which causes occasional paralysis of her extremities and periodic blackouts. The doctors have no clue as to what ails her. Their love sustains them but finally Diana comes to grips with the fact that the illness may prove fatal. She decides that before she goes they should find Deric a replacement.
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This British drama was originally created for British television but was later released in the U.S. It is based on a true story and chronicles the struggles of Deric and Diana Longden , a happily married couple who try to cope with Diana's inexplicable degenerative disease which causes occasional paralysis of her extremities and periodic blackouts. The doctors have no clue as to what ails her. Their love sustains them , but finally Diana comes to grips with the fact that the illness may prove fatal. She decides that before she goes , they should find Deric a replacement.
1959
A gay New Yorker stages a marriage of convenience with a young woman to satisfy his traditional Taiwanese family but the wedding becomes a major inconvenience when his parents fly in for the ceremony. Director Ang Lee came to international prominence with this warm-hearted comedy which centers on the farcical confusion that emerges from this deception. Gao Wai Tung (Winston Chao) has never shared the truth about his sexuality with his family and hopes to disguise his long-term relationship with his lover Simon by marrying Wei-Wei a young artist who's only it for the green card. But Wai Tung's parents refuse to let him off the hook easily showing up to plan a massive wedding banquet. Indeed much of the film's comedy springs from the contrast between the sheer lavishness of the parents' plans and the sham nature of the wedding. Naturally the titular party spins out of control leading to a series of events that threatens all of Wai Tung's relationships.
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A gay New Yorker stages a marriage of convenience with a young woman to satisfy his traditional Taiwanese family , but the wedding becomes a major inconvenience when his parents fly in for the ceremony. Director Ang Lee came to international prominence with this warm - hearted comedy , which centers on the farcical confusion that emerges from this deception. Gao Wai Tung ( Winston Chao ) has never shared the truth about his sexuality with his family , and hopes to disguise his long - term relationship with his lover Simon by marrying Wei - Wei , a young artist who's only it for the green card. But Wai Tung's parents refuse to let him off the hook easily , showing up to plan a massive wedding banquet. Indeed , much of the film's comedy springs from the contrast between the sheer lavishness of the parents' plans and the sham nature of the wedding. Naturally , the titular party spins out of control , leading to a series of events that threatens all of Wai Tung's relationships.
1960
Screenwriters Ted Tally and Alvin Sargent adapted the novel by Glenn Savan into this intelligent comedy-drama about a May-December romance where the woman is the senior partner. James Spader is Max Baron a 27-year-old St. Louis advertising executive who has completely shut himself off from the world in the two years since the auto accident death of his wife. When he meets free-spirited 43-year-old burger joint waitress Nora Baker (Susan Sarandon) his attraction to the earthy outspoken woman is immediate and overpowering. The difference in age isn't their only obstacle happiness: Nora's into Marilyn Monroe drinking beer and lives in Dogtown the city's low-rent district while Max is cultured sophisticated and wealthy. Despite their differences Max and Nora are alike in their suffering and in their deep need for connection but their charged relationship is put to the emotional test when it becomes clear that Max is hiding his affair with Nora from his upper middle-class Jewish social circle. White Palace co-stars Renée Taylor Eileen Brennan Kathy Bates Jason Alexander and Corey Parker.
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Screenwriters Ted Tally and Alvin Sargent adapted the novel by Glenn Savan into this intelligent comedy - drama about a May - December romance where the woman is the senior partner. James Spader is Max Baron , a 27 - year - old St. Louis advertising executive who has completely shut himself off from the world in the two years since the auto accident death of his wife. When he meets free - spirited , 43 - year - old burger joint waitress Nora Baker ( Susan Sarandon ), his attraction to the earthy , outspoken woman is immediate and overpowering. The difference in age isn't their only obstacle happiness : Nora's into Marilyn Monroe , drinking beer , and lives in Dogtown , the city's low - rent district , while Max is cultured , sophisticated , and wealthy. Despite their differences , Max and Nora are alike in their suffering and in their deep need for connection , but their charged relationship is put to the emotional test when it becomes clear that Max is hiding his affair with Nora from his upper middle - class , Jewish social circle. White Palace co - stars Renée Taylor , Eileen Brennan , Kathy Bates , Jason Alexander , and Corey Parker .
1961
Thomas Crown (Steve McQueen) is a self-made Boston millionaire who masterminds a bank heist in hopes of leaving it all behind. Tired of being part of the Establishment he has hopes of pulling off the caper and flying to Rio. Erwin Weaver (Jack Weston) leads the cast of crooks who never actually meet Crown but manage to pull off the robbery without a hitch. Crown deposits 3 million in a Swiss bank account pays off the crooks and waits for the insurance company to repay the bank for the loss. Eddy Malone (Paul Burke) is the savvy detective who helps insurance investigator Vicky Anderson (Faye Dunaway) find the mastermind behind the heist. Thomas Crown Affair became one of the first films to employ many split-screen images throughout its running time as devised by editor Hal Ashby. Michel Legrand's score was nominated for an Academy Award and the song The Windmills Of Your Mind written by Legrand with Alan and Marilyn Bergman took home the coveted Oscar.
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Thomas Crown ( Steve McQueen ) is a self - made Boston millionaire who masterminds a bank heist in hopes of leaving it all behind. Tired of being part of the Establishment , he has hopes of pulling off the caper and flying to Rio. Erwin Weaver ( Jack Weston ) leads the cast of crooks who never actually meet Crown but manage to pull off the robbery without a hitch. Crown deposits 3 million in a Swiss bank account , pays off the crooks , and waits for the insurance company to repay the bank for the loss. Eddy Malone ( Paul Burke ) is the savvy detective who helps insurance investigator Vicky Anderson ( Faye Dunaway ) find the mastermind behind the heist. Thomas Crown Affair became one of the first films to employ many split - screen images throughout its running time , as devised by editor Hal Ashby . Michel Legrand 's score was nominated for an Academy Award , and the song The Windmills Of Your Mind , written by Legrand with Alan and Marilyn Bergman took home the coveted Oscar.
1962
Sean Penn graduated to full stardom with the 1984 drama Racing with the Moon even though the film itself hardly set new box office records. Set in the early years of World War II the film stars Penn as a small-town teen-aged hotshot six weeks away from being shipped out to fight overseas. In the meantime Penn begins to date Elizabeth McGovern whom he assumes is from a wealthy family. Penn's pal Nicolas Cage who's gotten his girlfriend Suzanne Adkinson pregnant imposes upon Penn to hit up McGovern for the abortion money. That's when Penn discovers that the girl barely has a penny to her name. Convinced that Penn cared for her only when he thought she was rich McGovern walks out on him but later teams up with Penn to help the unfortunate Adkinson. The plot is pure James Dean a fact not lost on fans who regarded Sean Penn as the second coming of Dean. A very slight piece Racing With the Moon is buoyed by the engaging performances of the stars and by director Richard Benjamin's meticulous attention to period detail-especially in those peerless bowling-alley and skating-rink sequences.
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Sean Penn graduated to full stardom with the 1984 drama Racing with the Moon , even though the film itself hardly set new box office records. Set in the early years of World War II , the film stars Penn as a small - town teen - aged hotshot , six weeks away from being shipped out to fight overseas. In the meantime , Penn begins to date Elizabeth McGovern , whom he assumes is from a wealthy family. Penn 's pal Nicolas Cage , who's gotten his girlfriend Suzanne Adkinson pregnant , imposes upon Penn to hit up McGovern for the abortion money. That's when Penn discovers that the girl barely has a penny to her name. Convinced that Penn cared for her only when he thought she was rich , McGovern walks out on him , but later teams up with Penn to help the unfortunate Adkinson . The plot is pure James Dean , a fact not lost on fans who regarded Sean Penn as the second coming of Dean . A very slight piece , Racing With the Moon is buoyed by the engaging performances of the stars , and by director Richard Benjamin 's meticulous attention to period detail - especially in those peerless bowling - alley and skating - rink sequences.
1963
In this quirky romantic comedy about soul transference Alec Baldwin plays Peter Hoskins the straight-laced head of the microfiche department at a company that publishes scientific journals. When he meets a free-spirited sleep-deprived bartender named Rita (Meg Ryan) the opposites attract and launch into a round-the-clock romance characterized by private jokes and an intense connection that defies description. When the two decide to marry however an unforeseeable cosmic occurrence entirely alters the nature of their relationship. Those who claim that marriage changes a person couldn't be more right in this case as a confused old man (Sydney Walker) wanders into the wedding reception and plants a single kiss on the lips of the new bride. Longing for the youthfulness he sees in the happy couple the man inadvertently causes the two to switch bodies during the smooch. Thinking no one will believe the story Rita (now hidden inside a cancer-ridden octogenarian) leaves the premises before causing any more of a stir while the old man in Rita's body is whisked off with Peter on their honeymoon before anyone is the wiser. Soon Peter begins noticing that his new bride is an entirely different person but can't figure out why -- and wonders if it's just a natural dose of cold feet. When he can no longer ignore the total dissimilarity Peter begins suspecting that something supernatural has occurred and wondering how he can restore his wife to her former self especially when her body's new occupant resists the effort and goes on the lam.
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In this quirky romantic comedy about soul transference , Alec Baldwin plays Peter Hoskins , the straight - laced head of the microfiche department at a company that publishes scientific journals. When he meets a free - spirited , sleep - deprived bartender named Rita ( Meg Ryan ), the opposites attract and launch into a round - the - clock romance characterized by private jokes and an intense connection that defies description. When the two decide to marry , however , an unforeseeable cosmic occurrence entirely alters the nature of their relationship. Those who claim that marriage changes a person couldn't be more right in this case , as a confused old man ( Sydney Walker ) wanders into the wedding reception and plants a single kiss on the lips of the new bride. Longing for the youthfulness he sees in the happy couple , the man inadvertently causes the two to switch bodies during the smooch. Thinking no one will believe the story , Rita ( now hidden inside a cancer - ridden octogenarian ) leaves the premises before causing any more of a stir , while the old man in Rita's body is whisked off with Peter on their honeymoon before anyone is the wiser. Soon , Peter begins noticing that his new bride is an entirely different person , but can't figure out why -- and wonders if it's just a natural dose of cold feet. When he can no longer ignore the total dissimilarity , Peter begins suspecting that something supernatural has occurred , and wondering how he can restore his wife to her former self , especially when her body's new occupant resists the effort and goes on the lam.
1964
One of the biggest box-office attractions of the 1950s Picnic was adapted by Daniel Taradash from the Pulitzer Prize-winning William Inge play. William Holden plays Hal Carter a handsome drifter who ambles into a small Kansas town during the Labor Day celebration to look up old college chum Alan (Cliff Robertson in his film debut). Hoping to hit up Alan for a job--or a handout--Hal ends up stealing his buddy's fiancee Madge Owens (Kim Novak). Hal also has a catnip effect on spinster schoolteacher Rosemary Sydney (Rosalind Russell) so much so that Rosemary makes a fool of herself in front of the whole town nearly driving away her longtime beau Howard Bevans (Arthur O'Connell). Persuaded by his friends and family that Hal is no damn good Madge is prepared to break off her relationship. As anyone who remembers the film's famous overhead closing shot knows however Madge is ultimately ruled by her heart and not her head. For a film set in Kansas there's an awful lot of New York talent in the supporting cast (Susan Strasberg and Phyllis Newman come immediately to mind); still the Midwestern ambience comes through loud and clear especially during the perceptively detailed Labor Day picnic sequence. Broadening the film's appeal is its George Duning-Steve Allen title song a variation of the old standard "Moonglow". Two sidebars: The original Broadway production of Picnic starred Ralph Meeker and Paul Newman; for the film version of Picnic William Holden was obliged to shave his chest lest his hairy torso cause the female moviegoers to conjure up impure thoughts.
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One of the biggest box - office attractions of the 1950s , Picnic was adapted by Daniel Taradash from the Pulitzer Prize - winning William Inge play. William Holden plays Hal Carter , a handsome drifter who ambles into a small Kansas town during the Labor Day celebration to look up old college chum Alan ( Cliff Robertson , in his film debut ) . Hoping to hit up Alan for a job -- or a handout -- Hal ends up stealing his buddy's fiancee Madge Owens ( Kim Novak ) . Hal also has a catnip effect on spinster schoolteacher Rosemary Sydney ( Rosalind Russell ), so much so that Rosemary makes a fool of herself in front of the whole town , nearly driving away her longtime beau Howard Bevans ( Arthur O'Connell ) . Persuaded by his friends and family that Hal is no damn good , Madge is prepared to break off her relationship. As anyone who remembers the film's famous overhead closing shot knows , however , Madge is ultimately ruled by her heart and not her head. For a film set in Kansas , there's an awful lot of New York talent in the supporting cast ( Susan Strasberg and Phyllis Newman come immediately to mind ); still , the Midwestern ambience comes through loud and clear , especially during the perceptively detailed Labor Day picnic sequence. Broadening the film's appeal is its George Duning - Steve Allen title song , a variation of the old standard "Moonglow". Two sidebars : The original Broadway production of Picnic starred Ralph Meeker and Paul Newman ; for the film version of Picnic , William Holden was obliged to shave his chest , lest his hairy torso cause the female moviegoers to conjure up impure thoughts.
1965
Writer-director Chris Columbus mines Paddy Chaveysky's Marty for this bittersweet comedy about a lonely 38-year old Chicago cop dominated by his harridan mother. Danny Muldoon (John Candy) in spite of being well known and well liked in his neighborhood still lives at home with his mother Rose (Maureen O'Hara returning to the screen after a twenty year absence) and spends most of his time worrying about her. One night at the local Irish bar he meets the shy Theresa Luna (Ally Sheedy) whose father is the local funeral director and both Danny and Theresa immediately fall in love. The only obstacle to their happiness is the jaded opinions of Danny's friends. Rose in particular launches into a bigoted Italian salvo that intimidates Danny making it difficult for him to continue the relationship.
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Writer - director Chris Columbus mines Paddy Chaveysky 's Marty for this bittersweet comedy about a lonely 38 - year old Chicago cop dominated by his harridan mother. Danny Muldoon ( John Candy ), in spite of being well known and well liked in his neighborhood , still lives at home with his mother Rose ( Maureen O'Hara , returning to the screen after a twenty year absence ) and spends most of his time worrying about her. One night at the local Irish bar , he meets the shy Theresa Luna ( Ally Sheedy ), whose father is the local funeral director , and both Danny and Theresa immediately fall in love. The only obstacle to their happiness is the jaded opinions of Danny's friends. Rose , in particular , launches into a bigoted Italian salvo that intimidates Danny , making it difficult for him to continue the relationship.
1966
Three teenagers learn a lot about life and love one summer in this romantic comedy-drama. Kat (Annabeth Gish) Daisy (Julia Roberts) and Jojo (Lili Taylor) are three working-class women just out of high school who have jobs at the same pizza parlor in the resort community of Mystic Connecticut. Kat wants to study astronomy at Yale; when she starts baby-sitting for Tim (William R. Moses) a wealthy Yale graduate summering in Mystic she finds herself falling in love with him even though he's married and nearly twice her age. Daisy who isn't sure what she wants from life starts going with Charlie (Adam Storke) a recent law school dropout though she starts to think that it may be more to rebel against her family than out of genuine affection. And Jojo is attracted to Bill (Vincent D'Onofrio) but she doesn't want to get married (she's already left him at the altar once); when Bill announces that he's no longer willing to have sex without marriage she has to decide if his affections are worth a lifetime commitment. Conchata Ferrell appears in a supporting role as Leona the proprietor of the pizza parlor who zealously guards the secret formula of her sauce.
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Three teenagers learn a lot about life and love one summer in this romantic comedy - drama. Kat ( Annabeth Gish ), Daisy ( Julia Roberts ), and Jojo ( Lili Taylor ) are three working - class women just out of high school who have jobs at the same pizza parlor in the resort community of Mystic , Connecticut. Kat wants to study astronomy at Yale ; when she starts baby - sitting for Tim ( William R. Moses ), a wealthy Yale graduate summering in Mystic , she finds herself falling in love with him , even though he's married and nearly twice her age. Daisy , who isn't sure what she wants from life , starts going with Charlie ( Adam Storke ), a recent law school dropout , though she starts to think that it may be more to rebel against her family than out of genuine affection. And Jojo is attracted to Bill ( Vincent D'Onofrio ), but she doesn't want to get married ( she's already left him at the altar once ); when Bill announces that he's no longer willing to have sex without marriage , she has to decide if his affections are worth a lifetime commitment. Conchata Ferrell appears in a supporting role as Leona , the proprietor of the pizza parlor , who zealously guards the secret formula of her sauce.
1967
Mississippi Masala is a tale of how prejudice makes victims and instigators of us all. In 1972 Indian Jay (Roshan Seth) a resident of Uganda is forced by the bigoted Amin regime to take his family and flee the country. He vows to hate and distrust all blacks--at least until he is able to reclaim the real estate stolen from him by the Ugandan government. Flash-forward to 1990: Jay and his family have settled in Mississippi. Seth's daughter Mina (Sarit Choudhury) makes the acquaintance of African-American Demetrius (Denzel Washington) the prosperous manager of a carpet-cleaning business. At first attracted to Mina because he is fascinated by her African background Demetrius slowly falls in love with her. The situation causes Jay to exercise the same racial prejudice by which he was himself victimized. Ironically Demetrius behaves just as foolishly blaming Jay's ethnic chauvinism for a drop in his business. Both Jay and Demetrius must learn to bury their pasts and their prejudices to go on with their lives.
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Mississippi Masala is a tale of how prejudice makes victims and instigators of us all. In 1972 , Indian Jay ( Roshan Seth ), a resident of Uganda , is forced by the bigoted Amin regime to take his family and flee the country. He vows to hate and distrust all blacks -- at least until he is able to reclaim the real estate stolen from him by the Ugandan government. Flash - forward to 1990 : Jay and his family have settled in Mississippi. Seth's daughter Mina ( Sarit Choudhury ) makes the acquaintance of African - American Demetrius ( Denzel Washington ), the prosperous manager of a carpet - cleaning business. At first attracted to Mina because he is fascinated by her African background , Demetrius slowly falls in love with her. The situation causes Jay to exercise the same racial prejudice by which he was himself victimized. Ironically , Demetrius behaves just as foolishly , blaming Jay's ethnic chauvinism for a drop in his business. Both Jay and Demetrius must learn to bury their pasts and their prejudices to go on with their lives.
1968
Russian director Andrei Konchalovsky's first American film is a romantic tale about an American war veteran whose dreams of his childhood sweetheart are countered by a less sunny reality. John Savage stars as Ivan Bibic who has returned home to a small town in Pennsylvania having suffered a nervous breakdown as a P.O.W. During the war he would dream about his fiancee back home Maria Bosic (Nastassja Kinski) imagining their forthcoming perfect marriage. At one point Ivan is told "You dreamed about her too long. She lives in your dreams not in your body." And it's true -- his dreams do not equal his reality. Maria and Ivan marry but Ivan finds that he cannot make love to the flesh and blood Maria. Knowing she was actively pursued by men in town during the war Ivan courages her to take lovers. Maria does so having affairs with another GI Al Griselli (Vincent Spano) and a passing drifter named Clarence Butts (Keith Carradine). But after spending the night with Clarence Maria becomes pregnant and Ivan's love for her is sorely tested.
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Russian director Andrei Konchalovsky 's first American film is a romantic tale about an American war veteran whose dreams of his childhood sweetheart are countered by a less sunny reality. John Savage stars as Ivan Bibic , who has returned home to a small town in Pennsylvania , having suffered a nervous breakdown as a P.O.W. During the war , he would dream about his fiancee back home , Maria Bosic ( Nastassja Kinski ), imagining their forthcoming perfect marriage. At one point , Ivan is told , "You dreamed about her too long. She lives in your dreams , not in your body." And it's true -- his dreams do not equal his reality. Maria and Ivan marry , but Ivan finds that he cannot make love to the flesh and blood Maria. Knowing she was actively pursued by men in town during the war , Ivan courages her to take lovers. Maria does so , having affairs with another GI , Al Griselli ( Vincent Spano ), and a passing drifter named Clarence Butts ( Keith Carradine ) . But after spending the night with Clarence , Maria becomes pregnant , and Ivan's love for her is sorely tested.
1969
Spike Lee defines "jungle fever" as sexual attraction between members of two races. In his film Jungle Fever he examines the repercussions of an interracial affair upon two very distinct communities. Wesley Snipes is Flipper a happily married and successful architect and Annabella Sciorra is Angie an office temp. When she starts working in Flipper's Manhattan office one day they look at each other and are soon having sex over a blueprint-strewn desk. Their liaison causes an explosion on both homefronts. Flipper's family consists of his father Doctor Purify (Ossie Davis) a former preacher; his mother Lucinda (Ruby Dee); his violent crackhead brother Gator (Samuel L. Jackson); and his wife Drew (Lonette McKee) whom he loves despite his sexual attraction to Angie. Angie's family is a typical Italian-American household from Bensonhurst. She's engaged to Paulie Carbonne (John Turturro) who works in a deli owned by his father Lou (Anthony Quinn). When the two families find out about Flipper and Angie's affair their shock leads to recriminations and racial animosity.
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Spike Lee defines "jungle fever" as sexual attraction between members of two races. In his film Jungle Fever , he examines the repercussions of an interracial affair upon two very distinct communities. Wesley Snipes is Flipper , a happily married and successful architect , and Annabella Sciorra is Angie , an office temp. When she starts working in Flipper's Manhattan office , one day they look at each other and are soon having sex over a blueprint - strewn desk. Their liaison causes an explosion on both homefronts. Flipper's family consists of his father Doctor Purify ( Ossie Davis ), a former preacher ; his mother Lucinda ( Ruby Dee ); his violent , crackhead brother Gator ( Samuel L. Jackson ); and his wife Drew ( Lonette McKee ), whom he loves , despite his sexual attraction to Angie. Angie's family is a typical Italian - American household from Bensonhurst. She's engaged to Paulie Carbonne ( John Turturro ), who works in a deli owned by his father Lou ( Anthony Quinn ) . When the two families find out about Flipper and Angie's affair , their shock leads to recriminations and racial animosity.
1970
Gladys Glover (Judy Holliday) is an unsuccessful model and actress who believes that a jolt of publicity will do her career a world of good. She gets that publicity by renting a billboard in the middle of Manhattan emblazoned with her name. As a result Gladys is showered with endorsement by a gentleman named Evan Adams III (Peter Lawford). He becomes enamored with Gladys which irritates her "unofficial" boyfriend documentary-director Pete Sheppard (Jack Lemmon in his film debut). Pete grows tired of Gladys' publicity stunt feeling that it is turning her into an object rather than a human being but Gladys luxuriates in the fame and fortune. A happy ending may be inevitable but it's a hard-won happiness for both hero and heroine. Scriptwriter Garson Kanin had intended this as a vehicle for Danny Kaye but Kanin's wife Ruth Gordon suggested the gender-switch to Judy Holliday noting that what might seem aggressive from Kaye would appear merely whimsical from Holliday. In one of the best scenes real-life celebrities Melville Cooper Ilka Chase and Constance Bennett show up as talk-show panelists -- the ideal magnet for the likes of Gladys Glover who has become famous merely for being famous.
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Gladys Glover ( Judy Holliday ) is an unsuccessful model and actress who believes that a jolt of publicity will do her career a world of good. She gets that publicity by renting a billboard in the middle of Manhattan , emblazoned with her name. As a result , Gladys is showered with endorsement by a gentleman named Evan Adams III ( Peter Lawford ) . He becomes enamored with Gladys , which irritates her "unofficial" boyfriend , documentary - director Pete Sheppard ( Jack Lemmon , in his film debut ) . Pete grows tired of Gladys' publicity stunt , feeling that it is turning her into an object rather than a human being , but Gladys luxuriates in the fame and fortune. A happy ending may be inevitable , but it's a hard - won happiness for both hero and heroine. Scriptwriter Garson Kanin had intended this as a vehicle for Danny Kaye , but Kanin 's wife , Ruth Gordon , suggested the gender - switch to Judy Holliday , noting that what might seem aggressive from Kaye would appear merely whimsical from Holliday . In one of the best scenes , real - life celebrities Melville Cooper , Ilka Chase and Constance Bennett show up as talk - show panelists -- the ideal magnet for the likes of Gladys Glover , who has become famous merely for being famous.
1971
Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin better known in the literary world as George Sand not only took a man's name but trotted around wearing pants and smoking cigars in public. No great shakes today but in the 1800s she was perhaps the most famous (or infamous) woman in the world. One of the first original celebrities aside from her garb and literary output she was known to inspire many duels and broken hearts among other famous hedonist artists. One character describes her in Impromptu as "that graveyard." The film engages in a sexual roundelay among Sand's (Judy Davis) many friends -- Eugene Delacroix (Ralph Brown) Alfred DeMusset (Mandy Patinkin) Franz Liszt (Julian Sands) and Frederick Chopin (Hugh Grant). The entire crew heads off to the summer estate of the Duke and Duchess d'Antan (Anton Rodgers and Emma Thompson) invited there by the culture-vulture hosts. Sand takes a bead on the sickly Chopin and spends her time throwing herself at him. Also on hand is Liszt's mistress Marie d'Agoult (Bernadette Peters) and Felicien Mallefille (Georges Corraface) Sand's recently jilted lover. Mallefille is jealous of any of the other guests who glance in Sand's direction and continually challenges them to duels. Marie on the other hand is enlisted by Sand to deliver a note to Chopin. But Marie jealous of Sand delivers the note substituting her name for Sand's. And as the weekend continues the sexual merry-go-round continues at full tilt.
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Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin , better known in the literary world as George Sand , not only took a man's name , but trotted around wearing pants and smoking cigars in public. No great shakes today , but in the 1800s she was perhaps the most famous ( or infamous ) woman in the world. One of the first original celebrities , aside from her garb and literary output , she was known to inspire many duels and broken hearts among other famous hedonist artists. One character describes her in Impromptu , as "that graveyard." The film engages in a sexual roundelay among Sand's ( Judy Davis ) many friends -- Eugene Delacroix ( Ralph Brown ), Alfred DeMusset ( Mandy Patinkin ), Franz Liszt ( Julian Sands ), and Frederick Chopin ( Hugh Grant ) . The entire crew heads off to the summer estate of the Duke and Duchess d'Antan ( Anton Rodgers and Emma Thompson ), invited there by the culture - vulture hosts. Sand takes a bead on the sickly Chopin and spends her time throwing herself at him. Also on hand is Liszt 's mistress Marie d'Agoult ( Bernadette Peters ) and Felicien Mallefille ( Georges Corraface ), Sand's recently jilted lover. Mallefille is jealous of any of the other guests who glance in Sand's direction and continually challenges them to duels. Marie , on the other hand , is enlisted by Sand to deliver a note to Chopin . But Marie , jealous of Sand , delivers the note substituting her name for Sand's. And as the weekend continues , the sexual merry - go - round continues at full tilt.
1972
In this romantic comedy two people brought together by marriage are brought even closer by their mates. Maria Hardy (Isabella Rossellini) and Larry Konzinski (Ted Danson) first meet at a wedding where Maria's mother and Larry's uncle are tying the knot. However the new cousins also have something else in common: Maria's husband Tom (William L. Petersen) is having an affair with Larry's wife Tish (Sean Young). Maria and Larry get to talking at the wedding reception after their spouses go missing for a while and they develop a rapport. A friendship grows between them and they start seeing each other on a regular basis. When Maria confronts Tom about his infidelity he responds by asking her if she's sleeping with Larry. As Maria and Larry become aware of what's happening between their not-so-better halves they decide to get revenge by pretending to have an affair as well. However the longer they pretend to be in love the more they realize that they aren't pretending after all. Cousins was based on the popular French film Cousin Cousine.
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In this romantic comedy , two people brought together by marriage are brought even closer by their mates. Maria Hardy ( Isabella Rossellini ) and Larry Konzinski ( Ted Danson ) first meet at a wedding , where Maria's mother and Larry's uncle are tying the knot. However , the new cousins also have something else in common : Maria's husband Tom ( William L. Petersen ) is having an affair with Larry's wife , Tish ( Sean Young ) . Maria and Larry get to talking at the wedding reception after their spouses go missing for a while , and they develop a rapport. A friendship grows between them , and they start seeing each other on a regular basis. When Maria confronts Tom about his infidelity , he responds by asking her if she's sleeping with Larry. As Maria and Larry become aware of what's happening between their not - so - better halves , they decide to get revenge by pretending to have an affair as well. However , the longer they pretend to be in love , the more they realize that they aren't pretending after all. Cousins was based on the popular French film Cousin Cousine .
1973
Set in Great Britain in the late 1980s -- in the midst of Margaret Thatcher's controversial tenure as Prime Minister -- this drama examines the strange relationship between two siblings. Richard (Clive Owen) has given up a well-paying job in the private sector to take a position with a government agency that oversees real estate development. While Richard has always been emotionally secure and well-adjusted his sister Natalie (Saskia Reeves) is nervous and unsure of how to deal with her life even after marrying Sinclair (Alan Rickman) a successful financial analyst who can afford a posh home on the River Thames. Natalie and Richard don't see each other often and their relationship has long had an odd cast to it as Natalie often seems to flirt with her brother. One day Richard meets Natalie and Sinclair over lunch and Richard finds himself strongly attracted to his sister. In time a mutual interest evolves into a full-blown incestuous affair. Natalie realizes that this sort of relationship can't go on and tries to break it off with Richard but he becomes irrational attempting suicide and threatening violence. While dealing openly with the sexual nature of its story Close My Eyes also uses incest as a metaphor for moral and political irresponsibility.
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Set in Great Britain in the late 1980s -- in the midst of Margaret Thatcher 's controversial tenure as Prime Minister -- this drama examines the strange relationship between two siblings. Richard ( Clive Owen ) has given up a well - paying job in the private sector to take a position with a government agency that oversees real estate development. While Richard has always been emotionally secure and well - adjusted , his sister Natalie ( Saskia Reeves ) is nervous and unsure of how to deal with her life , even after marrying Sinclair ( Alan Rickman ), a successful financial analyst who can afford a posh home on the River Thames. Natalie and Richard don't see each other often , and their relationship has long had an odd cast to it , as Natalie often seems to flirt with her brother. One day , Richard meets Natalie and Sinclair over lunch , and Richard finds himself strongly attracted to his sister. In time , a mutual interest evolves into a full - blown incestuous affair. Natalie realizes that this sort of relationship can't go on and tries to break it off with Richard , but he becomes irrational , attempting suicide and threatening violence. While dealing openly with the sexual nature of its story , Close My Eyes also uses incest as a metaphor for moral and political irresponsibility.
1974
David Mamet's play Sexual Perversity in Chicago was adapted for the big screen by fellow Chicago citizen Tim Kazurinsky and became About Last Night... The film stars Rob Lowe as Danny and Demi Moore as Debbie. The pair meet and engage in a torrid sexual relationship but then slowly negotiate if there is anything more between them. Lowe seeks advice from his loudmouthed friend Bernie (Chicago native James Belushi) whose offers little more than outrageous tales of his randy exploits. Debbie confides in her best friend Joan (Elizabeth Perkins) a bitter single kindergarten teacher who has lost any hope of finding the right person on the dating scene. Although Danny and Debbie talk they have trouble communicating. The film ends on a coda that suggests the pair are still unsure as to where their relationship may be headed.
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David Mamet 's play Sexual Perversity in Chicago was adapted for the big screen by fellow Chicago citizen Tim Kazurinsky and became About Last Night... The film stars Rob Lowe as Danny and Demi Moore as Debbie. The pair meet and engage in a torrid sexual relationship , but then slowly negotiate if there is anything more between them. Lowe seeks advice from his loudmouthed friend Bernie ( Chicago native James Belushi ), whose offers little more than outrageous tales of his randy exploits. Debbie confides in her best friend Joan ( Elizabeth Perkins ), a bitter , single kindergarten teacher who has lost any hope of finding the right person on the dating scene. Although Danny and Debbie talk , they have trouble communicating. The film ends on a coda that suggests the pair are still unsure as to where their relationship may be headed.
1975
New Zealand filmmaker Harry Sinclair turns to a more rural setting with this modern fairy tale centering on two lovers Lucinda $Danielle Cormack) and Rob (Karl Urban) who live on a dairy farm in a quaint small town. On a standard errand one day Lucinda accidentally hits an older woman on the road. The woman miraculously gets up unharmed and disappears but soon afterward Lucinda starts incorporating her fears into her current romantic relationship. In an effort to restore their romantic lives to a more exciting plane Lucinda begins creating small conflicts on the advice of friend Drosophila (Willa O'Neill) hoping for instant results. One night however Rob and Lucinda are robbed by a Maori group later revealed to be the nephews of the woman stricken in the car accident. The group steals a quilt which Lucinda barters 117 of Rob's farm cows to get back. Meanwhile Drosophila has attempted to steal Rob for herself and Lucinda's plans turn out to work against her. Director Sinclair reportedly developed the story as an outline with many elements devised as the film progressed during shooting.
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New Zealand filmmaker Harry Sinclair turns to a more rural setting with this modern fairy tale centering on two lovers , Lucinda $Danielle Cormack ) and Rob ( Karl Urban ), who live on a dairy farm in a quaint small town. On a standard errand one day , Lucinda accidentally hits an older woman on the road. The woman miraculously gets up unharmed and disappears , but soon afterward , Lucinda starts incorporating her fears into her current romantic relationship. In an effort to restore their romantic lives to a more exciting plane , Lucinda begins creating small conflicts on the advice of friend Drosophila ( Willa O'Neill ), hoping for instant results. One night , however , Rob and Lucinda are robbed by a Maori group , later revealed to be the nephews of the woman stricken in the car accident. The group steals a quilt , which Lucinda barters 117 of Rob's farm cows to get back. Meanwhile , Drosophila has attempted to steal Rob for herself , and Lucinda's plans turn out to work against her. Director Sinclair reportedly developed the story as an outline , with many elements devised as the film progressed during shooting.
1976
When a priceless Monet painting is stolen from the Metropolitan Museum of Art the police find themselves wondering which world-class art thief pulled the job. What they don't know is that the thief wasn't a professional but an amateur. Thomas Crown (Pierce Brosnan) was born poor but made his way through Oxford on a boxing scholarship. With his sharp sense for business and ruthless ambition Crown has become a self-made billionaire; but despite his wealth and power he still seeks new challenges and he steals art not for the profits but for the sheer excitement. However as fun as art theft might be it's still illegal and investigator Catherine Banning (Rene Russo) is brought in to track down the culprit. Certain clues point to Crown so Banning introduces herself into Crown's social circle. Police detective Michael McCann (Denis Leary) warns Banning against getting too close to Crown. She takes McCann's suggestion lightly -- until she finds herself falling for the suave thief. The Thomas Crown Affair was adapted from the popular 1968 caper film of the same name starring Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway; Dunaway appears in the new film as Crown's analyst.
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When a priceless Monet painting is stolen from the Metropolitan Museum of Art , the police find themselves wondering which world - class art thief pulled the job. What they don't know is that the thief wasn't a professional , but an amateur. Thomas Crown ( Pierce Brosnan ) was born poor but made his way through Oxford on a boxing scholarship. With his sharp sense for business and ruthless ambition , Crown has become a self - made billionaire ; but despite his wealth and power , he still seeks new challenges , and he steals art not for the profits but for the sheer excitement. However , as fun as art theft might be , it's still illegal , and investigator Catherine Banning ( Rene Russo ) is brought in to track down the culprit. Certain clues point to Crown , so Banning introduces herself into Crown's social circle. Police detective Michael McCann ( Denis Leary ) warns Banning against getting too close to Crown. She takes McCann's suggestion lightly -- until she finds herself falling for the suave thief. The Thomas Crown Affair was adapted from the popular 1968 caper film of the same name starring Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway ; Dunaway appears in the new film as Crown's analyst.
1977
One of two 1995 films from British director Peter Yates that shared strong thematic and story similarities (the other was Roommates) this drama intertwined political and generational conflict for an unusual tale of teen romance in Ireland. Albert Finney stars as a policeman in a tiny boring County Cavan village just south of the border between northern and southern Ireland. Nothing much happens there and the sergeant prays for one murder that he can solve and make himself famous. His real concern however is that his relationship with his 18-year-old son Danny (Matt Keeslar) has been strained since the recent death of his wife from a heart attack during a domestic quarrel. Danny blames his father for his mother's death and resents his father's bullying ways so he moves in with his no-account best friend Prunty (Anthony Brophy). Danny then falls in love with Annagh (Victoria Smurfit) a beautiful red-haired northerner and their relationship which becomes sexual brings Danny's conflict with his bigoted father to a boil. Novelist Shane Connaughton who also wrote My Left Foot (1989) and The Playboys (1992) adapted the script from his novel.
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One of two 1995 films from British director Peter Yates that shared strong thematic and story similarities ( the other was Roommates ), this drama intertwined political and generational conflict for an unusual tale of teen romance in Ireland. Albert Finney stars as a policeman in a tiny , boring County Cavan village just south of the border between northern and southern Ireland. Nothing much happens there , and the sergeant prays for one murder that he can solve and make himself famous. His real concern , however , is that his relationship with his 18 - year - old son Danny ( Matt Keeslar ) has been strained since the recent death of his wife from a heart attack during a domestic quarrel. Danny blames his father for his mother's death and resents his father's bullying ways , so he moves in with his no - account best friend Prunty ( Anthony Brophy ) . Danny then falls in love with Annagh ( Victoria Smurfit ), a beautiful , red - haired northerner , and their relationship , which becomes sexual , brings Danny's conflict with his bigoted father to a boil. Novelist Shane Connaughton , who also wrote My Left Foot ( 1989 ) and The Playboys ( 1992 ), adapted the script from his novel.
1978
A woman throws caution to the wind in the pursuit of the man of her dreams -- whom she's never met -- in this romantic comedy. Eleven-year-old Faith (Tammy Minoff) and her cousin Kate (Jessica Hertel) are playing with a Ouiji Board when Faith asks who she will marry -- the magic oracle answers "DAMON BRADLEY" and Faith is convinced that she will one day meet this ideal love. Fifteen years later Faith (Marisa Tomei) has yet to meet her perfect man and has settled for Dwayne (John Benjamin Hickey) a sweet but boring foot doctor whom she's engaged to marry with Kate (Bonnie Hunt) helping her plan the festivities. The day before the ceremony Faith gets a call from one of the groom's friends who won't be able to attend because he's travelling to Italy instead -- and his name is Damon Bradley. Convinced that fate is trying to tell her something Faith hops on the next flight to Venice where she searches for the elusive Damon and along the way meets the charming Peter Wright (Robert Downey Jr.). This was Tomei and Downey's second romantic pairing following their roles in the biopic Chaplin.
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A woman throws caution to the wind in the pursuit of the man of her dreams -- whom she's never met -- in this romantic comedy. Eleven - year - old Faith ( Tammy Minoff ) and her cousin Kate ( Jessica Hertel ) are playing with a Ouiji Board when Faith asks who she will marry -- the magic oracle answers "DAMON BRADLEY , " and Faith is convinced that she will one day meet this ideal love. Fifteen years later , Faith ( Marisa Tomei ) has yet to meet her perfect man and has settled for Dwayne ( John Benjamin Hickey ), a sweet but boring foot doctor whom she's engaged to marry , with Kate ( Bonnie Hunt ) helping her plan the festivities. The day before the ceremony , Faith gets a call from one of the groom's friends , who won't be able to attend because he's travelling to Italy instead -- and his name is Damon Bradley. Convinced that fate is trying to tell her something , Faith hops on the next flight to Venice , where she searches for the elusive Damon , and along the way meets the charming Peter Wright ( Robert Downey , Jr. ) . This was Tomei and Downey's second romantic pairing , following their roles in the biopic Chaplin .
1979
Loosely based on a true story this uneven romantic comedy depicts the unexpected way in which a winning lottery ticket unites a pair of strangers. Waitress Yvonne (Bridget Fonda) first meets police officer Charlie (Nicolas Cage) when he eats in her restaurant. Realizing that he doesn't have enough money to give her a tip Charlie promises Yvonne to split any winnings from the lottery ticket he just bought. The skeptical Yvonne dismisses Charlie as just another cheapskate until he wins four million dollars and much to Yvonne's surprise decides to honor the agreement. His action becomes front page news and wins public acclaim but it doesn't go over nearly so well with Charlie's wife Muriel (Rosie Perez) who has her own plans for the money. Muriel's shallow greedy behavior disgusts Charlie who finds himself spending more and more time with Yvonne developing a friendship that threatens to blossom into something more. Jane Anderson's screenplay stresses the relationship between Charlie and Yvonne's characters over the situation's comic potential; this earnest tone will please romance fans but may disappoint viewers expecting the farcical comedy of writer/director Andrew Bergman's and Cage's previous effort Honeymoon in Vegas.
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Loosely based on a true story , this uneven romantic comedy depicts the unexpected way in which a winning lottery ticket unites a pair of strangers. Waitress Yvonne ( Bridget Fonda ) first meets police officer Charlie ( Nicolas Cage ) when he eats in her restaurant. Realizing that he doesn't have enough money to give her a tip , Charlie promises Yvonne to split any winnings from the lottery ticket he just bought. The skeptical Yvonne dismisses Charlie as just another cheapskate until he wins four million dollars and , much to Yvonne's surprise , decides to honor the agreement. His action becomes front page news and wins public acclaim , but it doesn't go over nearly so well with Charlie's wife Muriel ( Rosie Perez ), who has her own plans for the money. Muriel's shallow , greedy behavior disgusts Charlie , who finds himself spending more and more time with Yvonne , developing a friendship that threatens to blossom into something more. Jane Anderson 's screenplay stresses the relationship between Charlie and Yvonne's characters over the situation's comic potential ; this earnest tone will please romance fans but may disappoint viewers expecting the farcical comedy of writer / director Andrew Bergman 's and Cage 's previous effort , Honeymoon in Vegas .
1980
Originally Mourir D'Aimer this 1970 French film is an "a clef" treatment of the once-notorious Gabrielle Russier case. Annie Girardot stars as a thirtyish schoolteacher who falls in love with teenaged student Bruno Pradal. The boy's parents bring charges against the teacher and the subsequent public scandal ruins the lives of both lovers. Director Andre Cayatte was a longtime opponent of the antiquated French legal system so it's not surprising that the cards are stacked in favor of the teacher and student with their accusers depicted in the foulest ugliest terms. Adding to the film's partisan approach is the fact that the screenplay is based on a story written by the real Gabrielle Russier's attorney. To Die of Love is shameless in its manipulation of the audience; it also has the saving grace of being extremely well produced.
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Originally Mourir D'Aimer , this 1970 French film is an "a clef" treatment of the once - notorious Gabrielle Russier case. Annie Girardot stars as a thirtyish schoolteacher , who falls in love with teenaged student Bruno Pradal . The boy's parents bring charges against the teacher , and the subsequent public scandal ruins the lives of both lovers. Director Andre Cayatte was a longtime opponent of the antiquated French legal system , so it's not surprising that the cards are stacked in favor of the teacher and student , with their accusers depicted in the foulest , ugliest terms. Adding to the film's partisan approach is the fact that the screenplay is based on a story written by the real Gabrielle Russier's attorney. To Die of Love is shameless in its manipulation of the audience ; it also has the saving grace of being extremely well produced.
1981
Set in the 1950s Voyager concerns the travels of an American construction engineer (Sam Shepard) who is wandering throughout Europe recounting his life story through a series of flashbacks while meeting a variety of new characters. At first he meets a man whom he knew during his time as a student in Europe in the days before World War II. Shortly afterward he meets a beautiful young German woman (Julie Delpy) whom he accompanies on a journey to her home in Athens Greece.
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Set in the 1950s , Voyager concerns the travels of an American construction engineer ( Sam Shepard ) who is wandering throughout Europe , recounting his life story through a series of flashbacks while meeting a variety of new characters. At first , he meets a man whom he knew during his time as a student in Europe in the days before World War II. Shortly afterward , he meets a beautiful young German woman ( Julie Delpy ), whom he accompanies on a journey to her home in Athens , Greece.
1982
More than a decade after 1982's Six Weeks director Tony Bill once again explored romance sentimentality and dying young with Untamed Heart. The film stars Christian Slater as Adam an shy and awkward busboy who saves waitress Caroline (Marisa Tomei) from being raped in a park late one night. Naturally the two begin to fall in love. As their relationship progresses Caroline discovers that Adam has a heart defect though he claims he has a baboon heart. Rosie Perez also stars as Cindy Caroline's sassy comic-relief-providing co-worker.
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More than a decade after 1982's Six Weeks , director Tony Bill once again explored romance , sentimentality , and dying young with Untamed Heart . The film stars Christian Slater as Adam , an shy and awkward busboy who saves waitress Caroline ( Marisa Tomei ) from being raped in a park late one night. Naturally , the two begin to fall in love. As their relationship progresses , Caroline discovers that Adam has a heart defect , though he claims he has a baboon heart. Rosie Perez also stars as Cindy , Caroline's sassy comic - relief - providing co - worker.
1983
This Americanized remake of the French classic The Return of Martin Guerre (1982) transports the story's setting from the 16th century Gallic countryside to 19th century Tennessee at the conclusion of the U.S. Civil War. Richard Gere stars as Jack Sommersby a wealthy landowner who returns to his small cotton farming town of Vine Hill three years after the Civil War's end. The defeated Confederate soldier is ready to resume his past life with his young wife Laurel (Jodie Foster). Thinking her husband long dead however Laurel has become engaged to Orin Meecham (Bill Pullman) an arrangement she quickly calls off enraging and embittering Orin. Soon it becomes evident that his experiences have changed Jack thoroughly. A callous and cruel man widely feared before the war he is now charming and sensitive offering financial opportunities to an ex-slave and caring for Laurel and his young son. Jack even persuades the town's citizenry that he can rescue their fortunes by pooling resources and switching Vine Hill's chief crop from cotton to tobacco. Jack's scheme works but Orin becomes increasingly convinced that Jack is in fact an impostor masquerading as the wealthy Sommersby a suspicion that the smitten and quickly pregnant Laurel secretly shares. When Jack is arrested and charged with a murder he drunkenly committed years before the court trial leads to some startling revelations about the past.
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This Americanized remake of the French classic The Return of Martin Guerre ( 1982 ) transports the story's setting from the 16th century Gallic countryside to 19th century Tennessee at the conclusion of the U.S. Civil War. Richard Gere stars as Jack Sommersby , a wealthy landowner who returns to his small cotton farming town of Vine Hill three years after the Civil War's end. The defeated Confederate soldier is ready to resume his past life with his young wife Laurel ( Jodie Foster ) . Thinking her husband long dead , however , Laurel has become engaged to Orin Meecham ( Bill Pullman ), an arrangement she quickly calls off , enraging and embittering Orin. Soon it becomes evident that his experiences have changed Jack thoroughly. A callous and cruel man widely feared before the war , he is now charming and sensitive , offering financial opportunities to an ex - slave and caring for Laurel and his young son. Jack even persuades the town's citizenry that he can rescue their fortunes by pooling resources and switching Vine Hill's chief crop from cotton to tobacco. Jack's scheme works , but Orin becomes increasingly convinced that Jack is in fact an impostor masquerading as the wealthy Sommersby , a suspicion that the smitten and quickly pregnant Laurel secretly shares. When Jack is arrested and charged with a murder he drunkenly committed years before , the court trial leads to some startling revelations about the past.
1984
The Lover is director Jean-Jacques Annaud's adaptation of Marguerite Duras' minimalist 1984 novel. Set in French Indochina in 1929 the film explores the erotic charge of forbidden love. Jane March plays a French teenager sent to a Saigon boarding school while Tony Leung is a 32-year Chinese aristocrat. They look at each and they both see a blinding white flash; it's kismet. He offers her a ride in his limousine and soon they meet in his "bachelor room" where they revel in a wide variety of creative sexual encounters. However they both realize their love is doomed. She comes from a troubled family that includes a mentally-disturbed mother (Frederique Meininger) and drug-addicted brother (Arnaud Giovaninetti). It also appears that her family would not approve of an interracial tryst. But then neither would his family since in order to inherit his father's wealth he must not break from a traditional Chinese arranged marriage.
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The Lover is director Jean - Jacques Annaud 's adaptation of Marguerite Duras ' minimalist 1984 novel. Set in French Indochina in 1929 , the film explores the erotic charge of forbidden love. Jane March plays a French teenager sent to a Saigon boarding school , while Tony Leung is a 32 - year Chinese aristocrat. They look at each and they both see a blinding white flash ; it's kismet. He offers her a ride in his limousine and soon they meet in his "bachelor room" where they revel in a wide variety of creative sexual encounters. However , they both realize their love is doomed. She comes from a troubled family that includes a mentally - disturbed mother ( Frederique Meininger ) and drug - addicted brother ( Arnaud Giovaninetti ) . It also appears that her family would not approve of an interracial tryst. But then neither would his family , since in order to inherit his father's wealth , he must not break from a traditional Chinese arranged marriage.
1985
This third film version of F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic 1925 novel was one of the most hyped movies of the summer of 1974. Robert Redford stars as self-made millionaire Jay Gatsby who uses his vast (and implicitly ill-gotten) fortune to buy his way into Long Island society. Most of all Gatsby wants to win back the love of socialite Daisy Buchanan (Mia Farrow) now married to "old money" Tom Buchanan (Bruce Dern). Calmly observing the passing parade is Nick Carraway (Sam Waterston) Gatsby's best friend who narrates the film. Francis Ford Coppola's screenplay is meticulously faithful to the original novel but Theoni V. Aldredge's costume design and Nelson Riddle's nostalgic musical score won the film its only Oscars. The huge supporting cast includes Howard Da Silva who played Wilson in the 1949 Great Gatsby and a very young Patsy Kensit as Daisy's daughter.
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This third film version of F. Scott Fitzgerald 's classic 1925 novel was one of the most hyped movies of the summer of 1974. Robert Redford stars as self - made millionaire Jay Gatsby , who uses his vast ( and implicitly ill - gotten ) fortune to buy his way into Long Island society. Most of all , Gatsby wants to win back the love of socialite Daisy Buchanan ( Mia Farrow ), now married to "old money" Tom Buchanan ( Bruce Dern ) . Calmly observing the passing parade is Nick Carraway ( Sam Waterston ), Gatsby's best friend , who narrates the film. Francis Ford Coppola 's screenplay is meticulously faithful to the original novel , but Theoni V. Aldredge 's costume design and Nelson Riddle 's nostalgic musical score won the film its only Oscars. The huge supporting cast includes Howard Da Silva , who played Wilson in the 1949 Great Gatsby , and a very young Patsy Kensit as Daisy's daughter.
1986
Terrence McNally's stage play Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune was a two-character piece which starred Kathy Bates and F. Murray Abraham on Broadway. Garry Marshall's film version of the McNally play streamlines the title to Frankie and Johnny expands the dramatis personae to include at least a dozen fascinating characters and "glamorizes" the decidedly unglamorous Frankie and Johnny in the forms of Michelle Pfeiffer and Al Pacino (their first co-starring stint since Scarface). Purists carped at the changes but overall the film is likeable enough to transcend these carps. While serving an 18-month sentence on a forgery charge Johnny (Al Pacino) discovers the joys of cooking and classical literature. Upon his release he is hired by gruff but good-hearted New York diner owner Nick (played by Garry Marshall "regular" Hector Elizondo). Also working for Nick is a waitress named Frankie (Michelle Pfeiffer). When Johnny expresses interest in Frankie she keeps him at arm's length her mistrust of men stemming from an unmentioned but obviously traumatic experience in her past. Eventually however Frankie and Johnny do get together their curious relationship setting the stage for a dramatic denouement wherein both lovers bare their souls. The bulk of the original McNally play is concentrated in the film's final 20 minutes; the rest of the picture is a kaleidoscope of comic and poignant vignettes and quick-sketch character studies. Of the newly minted characters the standout is Nathan Lane in the traditional "gay best friend/severest critic" role: he plays the character so effectively that one forgets he's essentially a cliché. As for the stars Al Pacino is ideally cast as Johnny but Michelle Pfeiffer superb though she is seems a bit ill at ease as the emotionally tattered Frankie; she totally wins the audience's hearts however in the film's memorable bowling-alley sequence. Smoothing over the rough spots in Frankie and Johnny is the evocative musical score by Marvin Hamlisch.
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Terrence McNally 's stage play Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune was a two - character piece , which starred Kathy Bates and F. Murray Abraham on Broadway. Garry Marshall 's film version of the McNally play streamlines the title to Frankie and Johnny , expands the dramatis personae to include at least a dozen fascinating characters , and "glamorizes" the decidedly unglamorous Frankie and Johnny in the forms of Michelle Pfeiffer and Al Pacino ( their first co - starring stint since Scarface ) . Purists carped at the changes , but overall the film is likeable enough to transcend these carps. While serving an 18 - month sentence on a forgery charge , Johnny ( Al Pacino ) discovers the joys of cooking and classical literature. Upon his release , he is hired by gruff but good - hearted New York diner owner Nick ( played by Garry Marshall "regular" Hector Elizondo ) . Also working for Nick is a waitress named Frankie ( Michelle Pfeiffer ) . When Johnny expresses interest in Frankie , she keeps him at arm's length , her mistrust of men stemming from an unmentioned but obviously traumatic experience in her past. Eventually , however , Frankie and Johnny do get together , their curious relationship setting the stage for a dramatic denouement wherein both lovers bare their souls. The bulk of the original McNally play is concentrated in the film's final 20 minutes ; the rest of the picture is a kaleidoscope of comic and poignant vignettes and quick - sketch character studies. Of the newly minted characters , the standout is Nathan Lane in the traditional "gay best friend / severest critic" role : he plays the character so effectively that one forgets he's essentially a cliché. As for the stars , Al Pacino is ideally cast as Johnny , but Michelle Pfeiffer , superb though she is , seems a bit ill at ease as the emotionally tattered Frankie ; she totally wins the audience's hearts , however , in the film's memorable bowling - alley sequence. Smoothing over the rough spots in Frankie and Johnny is the evocative musical score by Marvin Hamlisch .
1987
Recreating his stage role Jose Ferrer stars as Edmond Rostand's Cyrano a 17th-century French cavalier poet and swordsman whose prominent proboscis is the subject of many a duel. Cyrano is madly in love with the beautiful Roxanne (Mala Powers) but assumes that she'd never love him back due to his cathedral of a nose. Roxanne is also loved by the handsome Christian (William Prince) who unfortunately can't put two consecutive words together when it comes to pitching woo. Cyrano agrees to help Christian win Roxanne by feeding him the right words for his midnight courtships and love letters; in this way Cyrano can vicariously express his own ardor for the fair lady. Years later Cyrano's deception is revealed and he dies happily in the arms of his beloved Roxanne who realizes that she has really loved Cyrano all along--by way of Christian. Cyrano de Bergerac wasn't seen by many paying moviegoers upon its original showing but its relative box-office failure resulted in an early release to television where it has remained a perennial attraction for the past forty years.
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Recreating his stage role , Jose Ferrer stars as Edmond Rostand 's Cyrano , a 17th - century French cavalier , poet and swordsman whose prominent proboscis is the subject of many a duel. Cyrano is madly in love with the beautiful Roxanne ( Mala Powers ), but assumes that she'd never love him back due to his cathedral of a nose. Roxanne is also loved by the handsome Christian ( William Prince ), who unfortunately can't put two consecutive words together when it comes to pitching woo. Cyrano agrees to help Christian win Roxanne by feeding him the right words for his midnight courtships and love letters ; in this way , Cyrano can vicariously express his own ardor for the fair lady. Years later , Cyrano's deception is revealed , and he dies happily in the arms of his beloved Roxanne , who realizes that she has really loved Cyrano all along -- by way of Christian. Cyrano de Bergerac wasn't seen by many paying moviegoers upon its original showing , but its relative box - office failure resulted in an early release to television , where it has remained a perennial attraction for the past forty years.
1988
Francoise Sagan's bittersweet novel Bonjour Tristesse is given a sumptuous Riviera-filmed screen treatment. David Niven plays a wealthy playboy the father of teenaged libertine-in-the-making Jean Seberg. Seberg tolerates most of her father's mistresses but doesn't know what to make of the prudish Deborah Kerr who will not cohabit with Niven until after they're married. Feeling that her own relation with her father will be disrupted by Kerr's presence Seberg does her malicious best to break up the relationship--only to be beaten to the punch by Niven who despite his promises of fidelity to Kerr cannot give up his hedonistic lifestyle. The combination of the daughter's disdain and the father's rakishness drive Kerr to suicide. Niven and Seberg continue pursuing their lavish but empty lifestyle though both realize that their lack of moral fibre has destroyed a life. The incestuous undertones of the original Sagan novel are only slightly downplayed in the film version; the "tristesse" (sadness) is visually conveyed by filming the Deborah Kerr flashback scenes in color and the opening and closing of the film in bleak black and white. Bonjour Tristesse was codirected by Otto Preminger who'd previously discovered Jean Seberg for his benighted 1957 filmization of Saint Joan.
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Francoise Sagan 's bittersweet novel Bonjour Tristesse is given a sumptuous Riviera - filmed screen treatment. David Niven plays a wealthy playboy , the father of teenaged libertine - in - the - making Jean Seberg . Seberg tolerates most of her father's mistresses , but doesn't know what to make of the prudish Deborah Kerr , who will not cohabit with Niven until after they're married. Feeling that her own relation with her father will be disrupted by Kerr 's presence , Seberg does her malicious best to break up the relationship -- only to be beaten to the punch by Niven , who despite his promises of fidelity to Kerr cannot give up his hedonistic lifestyle. The combination of the daughter's disdain and the father's rakishness drive Kerr to suicide. Niven and Seberg continue pursuing their lavish but empty lifestyle , though both realize that their lack of moral fibre has destroyed a life. The incestuous undertones of the original Sagan novel are only slightly downplayed in the film version ; the "tristesse" ( sadness ) is visually conveyed by filming the Deborah Kerr flashback scenes in color and the opening and closing of the film in bleak black and white. Bonjour Tristesse was codirected by Otto Preminger , who'd previously discovered Jean Seberg for his benighted 1957 filmization of Saint Joan .
1989
The Romeo and Juliet story has been modernized to a high school setting previously but this romance from director John Stockwell turns the tale inside out. Jay Hernandez stars as Carlos Nunez a poor but athletically gifted Latino teenager who endures a two-hour bus ride every day from East L.A. to attend the posh wealthy Pacific Palisades High School in Los Angeles on a football scholarship. A straight-A student Carlos is focused and driven but his future is cast in doubt when he becomes the flirtation target of spoiled self-destructive bad girl Nicole Oakley (Kirsten Dunst) who's the daughter of a prominent congressman (Bruce Davison). When his friends family and even Nicole's own father oppose the romance for Carlos' sake he chooses to ignore their advice and stubbornly pursues his relationship with Nicole whose feelings grow from simple physical attraction to something much deeper. Crazy/beautiful is directed by writer actor and director John Stockwell who also penned the same year's Rock Star.
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The Romeo and Juliet story has been modernized to a high school setting previously , but this romance from director John Stockwell turns the tale inside out. Jay Hernandez stars as Carlos Nunez , a poor but athletically gifted Latino teenager who endures a two - hour bus ride every day from East L.A. to attend the posh , wealthy Pacific Palisades High School in Los Angeles on a football scholarship. A straight - A student , Carlos is focused and driven , but his future is cast in doubt when he becomes the flirtation target of spoiled , self - destructive bad girl Nicole Oakley ( Kirsten Dunst ), who's the daughter of a prominent congressman ( Bruce Davison ) . When his friends , family , and even Nicole's own father oppose the romance for Carlos' sake , he chooses to ignore their advice and stubbornly pursues his relationship with Nicole , whose feelings grow from simple physical attraction to something much deeper. Crazy / beautiful is directed by writer , actor , and director John Stockwell , who also penned the same year's Rock Star .
1990
In this romantic comedy a man loses the love of his life only to find her heart beating in the body of someone new. Architect Bob Rueland (David Duchovny) is happily married until his wife Elizabeth (Joely Richardson) a zoologist dies in an auto accident. A year later Bob is still dealing with his loss when he meets Grace Briggs (Minnie Driver) a shy woman who waits tables in an Irish/Italian restaurant run by her grandfather Marty (Carroll O'Connor). Bob falls for Grace at first sight and she's attracted to him as well but what he doesn't know is that a year ago Grace was the recipient of a heart transplant -- and that Elizabeth was the donor. Return to Me was directed and co-written by actress Bonnie Hunt who also appears in a supporting role as Grace's best friend Megan; the cast also includes Robert Loggia James Belushi and David Alan Grier.
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In this romantic comedy , a man loses the love of his life , only to find her heart beating in the body of someone new. Architect Bob Rueland ( David Duchovny ) is happily married until his wife Elizabeth ( Joely Richardson ), a zoologist , dies in an auto accident. A year later , Bob is still dealing with his loss when he meets Grace Briggs ( Minnie Driver ), a shy woman who waits tables in an Irish / Italian restaurant run by her grandfather Marty ( Carroll O'Connor ) . Bob falls for Grace at first sight , and she's attracted to him as well , but what he doesn't know is that a year ago Grace was the recipient of a heart transplant -- and that Elizabeth was the donor. Return to Me was directed and co - written by actress Bonnie Hunt , who also appears in a supporting role as Grace's best friend Megan ; the cast also includes Robert Loggia , James Belushi , and David Alan Grier .
1991
The personal turning points of a family in crisis are portrayed against the backdrop of one of America's most tumultuous summers in this drama. In 1969 Pearl Kantrowitz (Diane Lane) is spending the summer at a resort in the Catskills. Married to TV repairman Marty (Liev Schreiber) and the mother of two children respectably middle-class Pearl feels trapped by domestic life and inwardly lusts after a traveling salesman named Walker (Viggo Mortensen). When Marty is called back to the city one weekend Pearl impulsively arranges to meet Walker at a music festival going on in nearby Bethel New York -- The Woodstock Music and Art Fair. However Pearl doesn't realize that her teenage daughter Alison (Anna Paquin) has secret plans of her own and when mother and daughter meet in the midst of hippiedoms's most celebrated moment both have a lot of explaining to do to each other and to Marty. A Walk On The Moon was produced in part by Dustin Hoffman and premiered at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival.
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The personal turning points of a family in crisis are portrayed against the backdrop of one of America's most tumultuous summers in this drama. In 1969 , Pearl Kantrowitz ( Diane Lane ) is spending the summer at a resort in the Catskills. Married to TV repairman Marty ( Liev Schreiber ) and the mother of two children , respectably middle - class Pearl feels trapped by domestic life and inwardly lusts after a traveling salesman named Walker ( Viggo Mortensen ) . When Marty is called back to the city one weekend , Pearl impulsively arranges to meet Walker at a music festival going on in nearby Bethel , New York -- The Woodstock Music and Art Fair. However , Pearl doesn't realize that her teenage daughter Alison ( Anna Paquin ) has secret plans of her own , and when mother and daughter meet in the midst of hippiedoms's most celebrated moment , both have a lot of explaining to do , to each other and to Marty. A Walk On The Moon was produced in part by Dustin Hoffman , and premiered at the 1999 Sundance Film Festival.
1992
ernardo Bertolucci directed this Italian drama co-scripted by Bertolucci and Clare Peploe from a story by British-born writer James Lasdun (co-scripter of Jonathan Nossiter's Sunday). In Rome reclusive British composer Jason Kinsky (David Thewlis) lives in the building he inherited from his aunt while his cleaning woman Shandurai (Thandie Newton) resides in the basement studying medicine. One day Kinsky tells Shandurai that he loves her and will do anything for her so she asks him to free her husband a political prisoner back in Africa. To acquire funds for the man's release Kinsky begins selling his possessions including his piano while Shandurai hangs out with her friend Agostino (Claudio Santamaria) a man angling to get her into bed. Location filming took place in Italy and Kenya. Shown at the 1998 Toronto Film Festival and the 1998 San Sebastian Film Festival.
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Bernardo Bertolucci directed this Italian drama co - scripted by Bertolucci and Clare Peploe from a story by British - born writer James Lasdun ( co - scripter of Jonathan Nossiter 's Sunday ) . In Rome , reclusive British composer Jason Kinsky ( David Thewlis ) lives in the building he inherited from his aunt , while his cleaning woman Shandurai ( Thandie Newton ) resides in the basement , studying medicine. One day , Kinsky tells Shandurai that he loves her and will do anything for her , so she asks him to free her husband , a political prisoner back in Africa. To acquire funds for the man's release , Kinsky begins selling his possessions , including his piano , while Shandurai hangs out with her friend Agostino ( Claudio Santamaria ), a man angling to get her into bed. Location filming took place in Italy and Kenya. Shown at the 1998 Toronto Film Festival and the 1998 San Sebastian Film Festival .
1993
This romantic fantasy from writer director and producer James F. Robinson stars Brendan Fraser as Fletcher McBracken a starry-eyed San Antonio puppeteer who like his father and grandfather before him has a mystical vision of the woman he's fated to marry. Believing that she'll be found in "Formosa" (the one-time name of Taiwan) Fletcher books a flight. During a stopover in L.A. however he learns of a trendy bar called Formosa and decides to check it out. Sure enough Fletcher sees his dream girl Rosalyn Willoughby (Joanna Going) a con artist on the lookout for a new mark a millionaire from Texas. Assuming that Fletcher is the man she's supposed to bilk Rosalyn accompanies him to San Antonio where she meets his tuba-playing grandmother (Celeste Holm) and his eccentric friends including the Tree Man (Lou Rawls). Charmed against her will by Fletcher Rosalyn considers a real romance with the daffy artist but each of them has some revelations to make before a real relationship can begin.
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This romantic fantasy from writer , director , and producer James F. Robinson , stars Brendan Fraser as Fletcher McBracken , a starry - eyed San Antonio puppeteer who , like his father and grandfather before him , has a mystical vision of the woman he's fated to marry. Believing that she'll be found in "Formosa" ( the one - time name of Taiwan ), Fletcher books a flight. During a stopover in L.A. , however , he learns of a trendy bar called Formosa and decides to check it out. Sure enough , Fletcher sees his dream girl , Rosalyn Willoughby ( Joanna Going ), a con artist on the lookout for a new mark , a millionaire from Texas. Assuming that Fletcher is the man she's supposed to bilk , Rosalyn accompanies him to San Antonio , where she meets his tuba - playing grandmother ( Celeste Holm ) and his eccentric friends , including the Tree Man ( Lou Rawls ) . Charmed against her will by Fletcher , Rosalyn considers a real romance with the daffy artist , but each of them has some revelations to make before a real relationship can begin.
1994
A remake of a 1954 Billy Wilder romance this updated version of the play Sabrina Fair was directed by Sydney Pollack. Julia Ormond stars as Sabrina Fairchild the daughter of a kindly chauffeur (John Wood) at the Long Island estate of the upper-crust Larrabee family. Sabrina has grown up enchanted from afar with the Larrabees' sparkling world of privilege and wealth but she's especially enamored of younger Larrabee brother David (Greg Kinnear) a charming womanizer. After the once-plain Sabrina returns from a sojourn in Paris transformed into a remarkably poised and attractive young woman she at long last catches David's eye. In a calculated effort to manipulate David away from her and into a more financially advantageous marriage older brother Linus (Harrison Ford) pretends to woo Sabrina himself but finds himself unintentionally falling in love.
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A remake of a 1954 Billy Wilder romance , this updated version of the play Sabrina Fair was directed by Sydney Pollack . Julia Ormond stars as Sabrina Fairchild , the daughter of a kindly chauffeur ( John Wood ) at the Long Island estate of the upper - crust Larrabee family. Sabrina has grown up enchanted from afar with the Larrabees' sparkling world of privilege and wealth , but she's especially enamored of younger Larrabee brother David ( Greg Kinnear ), a charming womanizer. After the once - plain Sabrina returns from a sojourn in Paris transformed into a remarkably poised and attractive young woman , she at long last catches David's eye. In a calculated effort to manipulate David away from her and into a more financially advantageous marriage , older brother Linus ( Harrison Ford ) pretends to woo Sabrina himself , but finds himself unintentionally falling in love.
1995
The discovery of marital troubles in her family causes a young woman to question her own upcoming nuptials in this clever romantic comedy. Sarah Jessica Parker stars as Gwyn a bright slightly neurotic advertising copywriter who is initially thrilled when her boyfriend Matt (Gil Bellows) finally proposes. Soon afterwards however she learns that her mother Nina (Mia Farrow) is indulging in an extra-marital affair with a handsome Latin stud (Antonio Banderas). This is only the first of several shocking revelations as Gwyn soon learns of infidelity by her father (Paul Mazursky) brother (Kevin Pollack) and even newlywed sister (Carla Gugino). These indiscretions make Gwyn question the validity of the entire institution of marriage and doubt her own future. Director David Frankel who also penned the screenplay follows in the footsteps of Woody Allen in using introspective dialogue to detail the romantic troubles of a wealthy neurotic Jewish family; practiced performances and a colorful use of Miami locations give the film its own personality.
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The discovery of marital troubles in her family causes a young woman to question her own upcoming nuptials in this clever romantic comedy. Sarah Jessica Parker stars as Gwyn , a bright , slightly neurotic advertising copywriter who is initially thrilled when her boyfriend Matt ( Gil Bellows ) finally proposes. Soon afterwards , however , she learns that her mother Nina ( Mia Farrow ) is indulging in an extra - marital affair with a handsome Latin stud ( Antonio Banderas ) . This is only the first of several shocking revelations , as Gwyn soon learns of infidelity by her father ( Paul Mazursky ), brother ( Kevin Pollack ), and even newlywed sister ( Carla Gugino ) . These indiscretions make Gwyn question the validity of the entire institution of marriage and doubt her own future. Director David Frankel , who also penned the screenplay , follows in the footsteps of Woody Allen in using introspective dialogue to detail the romantic troubles of a wealthy , neurotic Jewish family ; practiced performances and a colorful use of Miami locations give the film its own personality.
1996
A new '90s expressiveness regarding homosexuality in movies is gently mined for laughs in this 1993 comedy that predates the similar but much more raw Chasing Amy and slightly more humorous Threesome. With her straight greasy hair semi-paranoid outlook and leather jacket she wears like a shield Connie (Kelly Lynch) already seems a bit unhinged. Then her girlfriend Ellen (Sherilyn Fenn) breaks up their relationship and Connie loses it. In her grief she hits upon a bizarre plan: Why not hire male prostitute Joe (William Baldwin) to seduce Ellen then break her heart? Wouldn't that make Ellen rush back into Connie's arms? Of course not. For one thing Joe's life is complicated by his protective yet sinister pimp (Joe Pantoliano) and a thug who mistakenly believes Joe set him up for a prison sentence. And Joe and Ellen fall in love. Yet an odd sibling-like friendship develops between Joe and Connie that steers them through the repercussions of Ellen's discovery of their deceit the thug's attack on Joe and Joe's desire to give up prostitution. By the story's end they've lost Ellen but they have one another and have learned to step beyond the protective relationships they have lost. Three of Hearts solidified William Baldwin's ascent to leading-man status (along with brothers Stephen and Alec) after 1991's Backdraft.
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A new '90s expressiveness regarding homosexuality in movies is gently mined for laughs in this 1993 comedy that predates the similar but much more raw Chasing Amy and slightly more humorous Threesome . With her straight greasy hair , semi - paranoid outlook , and leather jacket she wears like a shield , Connie ( Kelly Lynch ) already seems a bit unhinged. Then her girlfriend , Ellen ( Sherilyn Fenn ), breaks up their relationship and Connie loses it. In her grief , she hits upon a bizarre plan : Why not hire male prostitute Joe ( William Baldwin ) to seduce Ellen , then break her heart? Wouldn't that make Ellen rush back into Connie's arms? Of course not. For one thing , Joe's life is complicated by his protective yet sinister pimp ( Joe Pantoliano ) and a thug who mistakenly believes Joe set him up for a prison sentence. And Joe and Ellen fall in love. Yet an odd , sibling - like friendship develops between Joe and Connie that steers them through the repercussions of Ellen's discovery of their deceit , the thug's attack on Joe , and Joe's desire to give up prostitution. By the story's end , they've lost Ellen , but they have one another , and have learned to step beyond the protective relationships they have lost. Three of Hearts solidified William Baldwin 's ascent to leading - man status ( along with brothers Stephen and Alec ) after 1991's Backdraft .
1997
Director Donna Deitch makes a strong impression in her first feature film a simple story of a lesbian love affair based on Jane Rule's 1964 novel Desert of the Heart. Helen Shaver stars as Vivian Bell an uptight 35-year-old Columbia University professor who travels to Reno to get a divorce. She arrives in Reno on her way to Frances Parker's (Audra Lindley) ranch where she is staying to establish six weeks of residency in order to obtain the divorce. Once at the ranch Vivian catches the fancy of Frances's adopted daughter Cay (Patricia Charbonneau) a casino worker ten years younger than herself. Vivien tries to remain unruffled as Cay makes unabashed overtures to her. Cay thinks that all Vivian needs is the love of another woman and soon enough the two are in each other's arms.
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Director Donna Deitch makes a strong impression in her first feature film , a simple story of a lesbian love affair , based on Jane Rule 's 1964 novel Desert of the Heart . Helen Shaver stars as Vivian Bell , an uptight 35 - year - old Columbia University professor who travels to Reno to get a divorce. She arrives in Reno on her way to Frances Parker's ( Audra Lindley ) ranch , where she is staying to establish six weeks of residency in order to obtain the divorce. Once at the ranch , Vivian catches the fancy of Frances's adopted daughter Cay ( Patricia Charbonneau ), a casino worker ten years younger than herself. Vivien tries to remain unruffled as Cay makes unabashed overtures to her. Cay thinks that all Vivian needs is the love of another woman , and soon enough the two are in each other's arms.
1998
Continuing cinema's fascination with bringing the stories of handicaps and the mentally challenged to the big screen (Rain Man My Left Foot Shine etc.) here comes a low-budget film about the unlikely love story of people brought together by fate as well as 120 hours of community service. As a frustrated artist who can't build himself a flying machine Richard (Kenneth Branagh) eventually finds himself in trouble with the law. As punishment for his eccentric behavior he accepts community service in the company of Jane (Helena Bonham Carter) a strong-willed woman suffering from the neuromuscular disorder called ALS (otherwise known as Lou Gehrig's disease). As the two learn from each other Jane turns to Richard with the biggest favor of all helping her lose her virginity. What ensues is a romance/friendship that changes their lives forever.
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Continuing cinema's fascination with bringing the stories of handicaps and the mentally challenged to the big screen ( Rain Man , My Left Foot , Shine , etc. ), here comes a low - budget film about the unlikely love story of people brought together by fate , as well as 120 hours of community service. As a frustrated artist who can't build himself a flying machine , Richard ( Kenneth Branagh ) eventually finds himself in trouble with the law. As punishment for his eccentric behavior , he accepts community service in the company of Jane ( Helena Bonham Carter ), a strong - willed woman suffering from the neuromuscular disorder called ALS ( otherwise known as Lou Gehrig's disease ) . As the two learn from each other , Jane turns to Richard with the biggest favor of all , helping her lose her virginity. What ensues is a romance / friendship that changes their lives forever.
1999
Neil Simon forgoes his typical urban East Coast kvetchers and replaces them with sunny Californian kvetchers in The Marrying Man a film which became a beacon of gossip in 1991 due to the alleged shenanigans of stars Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger who fell in love during production. Simon based his script on a true story concerning the love affair between shoe tycoon Harry Karl and actress Marie (The Body) McDonald during the 1950s. Married to each other four times McDonald still managed to carry on an affair with mobster Bugsy Siegel. In this Simon-ized version Baldwin plays Charley Pearl a sharp and handsome Hollywood millionaire engaged to Adele Horner (Elisabeth Shue) the daughter of dyspeptic movie studio executive Lew Horner (Robert Loggia). The day before their wedding Charley heads off to Las Vegas for a bachelor party and in a sleazy casino on the outskirts of town he sets his eyes on sexy singer Vicki Anderson (Basinger) and falls for her hard. He wants her immediately and even though she warns him she's the property of Bugsy Siegel (Armand Assante) he crawls into her bedroom window to be with her. Caught with his pants down by Siegel Bugsy instead of killing him forces him to marry Vicki ("I was about to dump her anyway" he says). But after their marriage Charley and Vicki discover they're more attracted to the danger of their relationship than in each other. Charley's friends -- Phil (Paul Reiser) Sammy (Fisher Stevens) Tony (Peter Dobson) and George (Steve Hytner) -- form a Greek chorus commenting on the crazed love affair and are reportedly inspired by Phil Silvers Sammy Cahn Tony Martin and Leo Durocher.
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Neil Simon forgoes his typical urban East Coast kvetchers and replaces them with sunny Californian kvetchers in The Marrying Man , a film which became a beacon of gossip in 1991 due to the alleged shenanigans of stars Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger , who fell in love during production. Simon based his script on a true story concerning the love affair between shoe tycoon Harry Karl and actress Marie ( The Body ) McDonald during the 1950s. Married to each other four times , McDonald still managed to carry on an affair with mobster Bugsy Siegel. In this Simon - ized version , Baldwin plays Charley Pearl , a sharp and handsome Hollywood millionaire , engaged to Adele Horner ( Elisabeth Shue ), the daughter of dyspeptic movie studio executive Lew Horner ( Robert Loggia ) . The day before their wedding , Charley heads off to Las Vegas for a bachelor party , and in a sleazy casino on the outskirts of town , he sets his eyes on sexy singer Vicki Anderson ( Basinger ) and falls for her hard. He wants her immediately and even though she warns him she's the property of Bugsy Siegel ( Armand Assante ), he crawls into her bedroom window to be with her. Caught with his pants down by Siegel , Bugsy , instead of killing him , forces him to marry Vicki ( "I was about to dump her anyway , " he says ) . But after their marriage , Charley and Vicki discover they're more attracted to the danger of their relationship than in each other. Charley's friends -- Phil ( Paul Reiser ), Sammy ( Fisher Stevens ), Tony ( Peter Dobson ), and George ( Steve Hytner ) -- form a Greek chorus commenting on the crazed love affair and are reportedly inspired by Phil Silvers , Sammy Cahn , Tony Martin , and Leo Durocher .
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